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Howl of the Seawolf (OC/SI)
- Thread starter kaizerfox
- Start date
Thonezek
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
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Hey Kaizer, hope you are doing well. As I was rereading the story again, I realized something: is the Bolton-Karstark-Umber alliance going to get bankrolled by the Iron Bank?
Braavos is a maritime powerhouse obsessed with protecting the few pine trees left on their surrounding islands, making it strictly illegal to cut them down, and as a result, wood is so absurdly expensive in Braavos that citizens pay a premium just for firewood, let alone the massive timber required to supply the Arsenal which can famously assemble a war galley in a single day.
Meanwhile, the North is sitting on a virtually endless ocean of timber and it's a straight shot across the Narrow Sea from White Harbor to Braavos. You would think that what should be the largest exporter of lumber in the known world, and the city-state built on a treeless lagoon, would have a preexisting relationship that would see the North to have a generous line of credit from the Iron Bank, but I suppose that would make too much sense, although I suppose George finally realized this when writing A Dance with Dragons.
When Tycho Nestoris, the representative of the Iron Bank, comes to the Wall, Jon Snow manages to secure a massive loan to buy food for the winter. The Watch has an endless supply of timber, and a desperate need for food, while Braavos has a mountain of food, mainly fish and grain imports, and a desperate need for timber. Tycho likely walked away from that meeting realizing he just secured a brand new, cheap, highly reliable logging pipeline to completely bypass Essos suppliers.
The river running by the Dreadfort, the Weeping Water, flows east out to the sea. Specifically, it originates inland from the Lonely Hills, runs right past the red stone walls of the Dreadfort, and empties into the Shivering Sea, the northern continuation of the Narrow Sea. Because it connects directly to the ocean, it is actually navigable by ships. I think it would make a lot of sense for this partnership to happen.
Braavos is a maritime powerhouse obsessed with protecting the few pine trees left on their surrounding islands, making it strictly illegal to cut them down, and as a result, wood is so absurdly expensive in Braavos that citizens pay a premium just for firewood, let alone the massive timber required to supply the Arsenal which can famously assemble a war galley in a single day.
Meanwhile, the North is sitting on a virtually endless ocean of timber and it's a straight shot across the Narrow Sea from White Harbor to Braavos. You would think that what should be the largest exporter of lumber in the known world, and the city-state built on a treeless lagoon, would have a preexisting relationship that would see the North to have a generous line of credit from the Iron Bank, but I suppose that would make too much sense, although I suppose George finally realized this when writing A Dance with Dragons.
When Tycho Nestoris, the representative of the Iron Bank, comes to the Wall, Jon Snow manages to secure a massive loan to buy food for the winter. The Watch has an endless supply of timber, and a desperate need for food, while Braavos has a mountain of food, mainly fish and grain imports, and a desperate need for timber. Tycho likely walked away from that meeting realizing he just secured a brand new, cheap, highly reliable logging pipeline to completely bypass Essos suppliers.
The river running by the Dreadfort, the Weeping Water, flows east out to the sea. Specifically, it originates inland from the Lonely Hills, runs right past the red stone walls of the Dreadfort, and empties into the Shivering Sea, the northern continuation of the Narrow Sea. Because it connects directly to the ocean, it is actually navigable by ships. I think it would make a lot of sense for this partnership to happen.
Interlude: Ned 3
New
kaizerfox
Getting sticky.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2023
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A/N: Shout out to windoverwaves for editing. Sorry for the long hiatus. Decided to split this chapter into two to give you patient readers something to read. The next chapter should be finished soon.
Great Keep, Winterfell, Mid-Twelfth Moon 286 A.C., Two Days Later…
The fireplace crackles, yet the solar's warmth comes from bronze pipes built into the stone walls, pumping water from the hot springs below Winterfell. A legacy of Bran the Builder when he built this castle, before later building the Wall, Storm's End, and the Hightower.
I sit at my fath-, my desk. Even years later, the solar still doesn't feel like my own.
In front of me is a pile of letters to write, a consequence of Robb's nameday last week. The current one being written is to The Hull of Ice Harbor, for a drinking horn carved from walrus tusk and embedded with opal, tourmaline, and topaz. The shimmering gems and fine craftsmanship evidence of the prosperous trade between the North and the Summer Islands. Seen through the gifts from lords like Lord Dustin, who gifted Rob a famed goldenheart bow.
Even the Wolfswood clans such as like the Ferns, Boles, and Woods have grown wealthier. One only has to look at their gifts to Robb, a leopard's pelt, a silken nightshirt, and an ornate hunting lance respectively. Before the creation of the trade companies, those clans could scarcely afford those things for themselves, let alone gift them to House Stark.
Memories surface of traveling in the Wolfswood, meeting with the clans on the way to Wolfsport. The pride on their faces when they served us fresh venison cooked with black pepper, cumin, and paprika from the Summer Islands. The North has prospered greatly from the two trade companies and House Stark alongside it.
Finished, the newly forged letter is placed atop the ever-increasing pile, right above the letter addressed to Lord Karstark. His gift was two Dothraki-Northern mixed-breed fillies, ones Robb and Brandon are excited to ride when they're older. Their sire is a Dothraki warhorse captured in Morosh by Arnolf Karstark, who claims the stallion was ridden by a Dothraki captain.
Much like the houses of the western shore gifts are marked with Summer Islander influence, the eastern shore gifts are more Dothraki or Essosi in nature. A Dothraki captain's 'arakh' or sickle-sword from the Boltons, a Dothraki great bow from the Umbers, and a Lorathi white marble cyvasse board with ivory-carved pieces from the Manderlys to name a few. The western shore houses may have enriched themselves with their trade company, but the eastern shore houses have benefited greatly from the Morosh War. Letters have come to Winterfell from the Umbers to the Manderlys, and even the Skagosi of glory and war booty acquired in Dothraki gold, gems, horses, livestock, weapons, and armor.
Lord Seastark's gift is, as always, something new and unexpected. This time it's a strange wooden game called "Connect Four". Two players take turns placing red or yellow painted chips in an upright grid, the winner first to "connect four" in a row. Both Robb and Brandon enjoy the new game, having already played numerous matches against one another.
My thoughts turn to news from Sea Dragon Point, of a thousand former slaves that took House Seastark's offer to settle there. There are rumors of many converting to the Old Gods to my surprise. Apparently, most were forced to worship a Dothraki horse god and sought to break ties with their old masters. Hundreds more worship some other god called the "Great Shepherd" and have expanded their following amongst the former slaves.
It matters not. Whatever gods they choose, so long as they don't cause trouble, then Lord Seastark can handle them as he sees fit.
A soft knock on the door drags me from my thoughts and I call them in. The richly carved oaken door is opened by a guard, letting in Old Nan carefully carrying a small tray with a teacup of steaming black liquid on a saucer. When she reaches my desk, she sets the tray on the edge of the desk before placing teacup and saucer on the closer to me then takes the tray away.
"There you go, Lord Stark. A cup of that 'kofi' stuff from the capital, steaming hot with a dollop of honey. Dunno how it tastes, but it smells heavenly." The old, frail woman in her seventies says with wide smile missing a few teeth.
"Aye, it does smell wonderful, Old Nan." Grasping the cup and bringing it close to my lips, a sniff fills my nose with a rich, earthy aroma. A few soft blows on the drink cools it down. Taking a sip, the bold, bitter flavor of the exotic beans hits my tongue, mixed with the familiar sweetness of honey. Unlike my wife's kofi, there's no milk because Robert has the right of it, milk ruins the taste!
"My sister and his grace swear by it, as do Lord Manderly and Lord Seastark." I say, beginning to feel reinvigorated after the second sip.
A part of me wonders if this what the smallfolk feel when they chew on sourleaf, only without staining one's teeth and gums red.
"Never in my years, have I seen so many exotic gifts. Seem to get fancier and fancier each year." Old Nan says, full of awe.
"The North has changed much since the rebellion, and it will only continue to do so." How it changes remains to be seen. I leave unsaid.
The elderly maid nods sagely. "Aye, the stags have done better in less than six years than the dragons in almost three hundred. Or so the smallfolk in Winter Town say."
"What else do they say?" I inquire with mild interest.
A lesson both my father and Lord Arryn taught me was to keep an ear on what the smallfolk were saying in inns, taverns, and brothels to assess their mood. Even better if you can get word from smallfolk outside your lands. They tend to see things their lords wish to remain hidden.
"My grandson patrols Winter Town's streets and hears all sorts of things from both locals and winter settlers. Rumors of the Stag King's court and its riches, word of a North surviving the winter thanks to the Quiet Wolf of Winterfell, of Hugo the Builder…" Old Nan starts listing but the last one catches me off guard.
"Hugo the what!?" The words spill out of my mouth.
"One of the many names people have been giving Lord Seastark." She responds.
"Like 'the Seawolf'?" "Aye, amongst others like the 'Maester Lord', 'Quickstone Lord', 'Hugo the Inventor', and 'Hugo the Trader'." She responds with a small smile.
Most of those names are familiar, the "Quickstone Lord" and "Hugo the Inventor" being popular amongst the Northern lords. The notable exception are the Umbers, Karstarks, Boltons and their bannermen, who prefer "Maester Lord" and "Hugo the Trader".
"Is it just the smallfolk from his lands giving him that name or…" "Nay my lord, word is some lords like Lord Slate and the Hulls already call him that." Old Nan's words cause me to frown.
"Hugo the Builder" is a new and troubling one. The epitaph is one intertwined with House Stark through legends like Brandon the Builder. There is a common saying in these lands, that "House Stark built the North". Many Stark kings attempted to earn the famed nickname with few coming close. That lords and smallfolk are willingly to bestow such a title upon him fills me with unease.
"The last time a Stark cadet branch was bestowed that honor was Helman Greystark right before…" She begins but I cut her off.
"I'm well aware, Old Nan. I may have been fostered in the Vale, but father and Walys taught me the history of the North." A pregnant pause settles.
"The smallfolk also speak of your sister…" Old Nan delicately changes the subject. "…Of a she-wolf that suffered greatly only to flower into Good Queen Alysanne come again!" The elderly woman's words sooth me.
"Hard to believe the same wild girl that'd sneak into the kitchens at night to steal sweetmeats, is queen of the Seven Kingdoms." I say with a wry grin.
Old Nan chuckles at my reminiscing.
"Aye, she has the wolfsblood like your brother did. Still can't wrap my head around the little girl I once told bedtime stories to, is now in King's Landing holding court." She says with nostalgic warmth. "Even becoming a mother of two princesses…"
My grin softens into a small smile at the mention of my nieces. "Little Cassana is seven moons old and Argella celebrates her second name day in a little over a moon."
"Speaking of name days, the scribe finished writing my stories down." Old Nan's words cause my grin to widen.
"Good, it'll be a great name day gift for Argella. Lyanna wants to tell the same stories she heard from you to her children. To ensure they don't forget their Stark blood." My words cause Old Nan's eyes to glisten.
"To think, princes and princesses in King's Landing will grow up hearing the same stories my grandmother told me…" She pauses, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh dear, I need to get back to work. Your wife has been craving kofi now that she's five moons along."
My grin softens at the mention of Cat. She's convinced this one will also be a daughter, calling it a "Mother's Intuition." Old Nan tucks the silver tray under her arm and turns to leave. We exchange farewells when she reaches the door. Alone in my solar again, my thoughts drift again to 'Hugo the Builder'.
His inventions like quickstone have been undeniable boons to House Stark, massively cutting the costs to repair buildings like Queenscrown, the Broken Tower, and Moat Cailin. Paved roads throughout the North, once a flight of fancy, is now a tangible, if expensive, reality.
The quickstone roads, set to be built throughout the North once Spring arrives will be a truly massive investment. When finished, they will make traveling these vast lands easier. Before winter, I had managed to have the Kingsroad from Castle Cerwyn to a dozen miles north of Winterfell and ten miles of the Wolfswood Road paved and it had an unforeseen consequence.
In autumn, the wagon-friendly roads meant more smallfolk migrated from remote villages to the nearest large settlement, with Winter Town alone receiving over a thousand extra mouths to feed. Word from Lord Cerwyn and Lord Seastark was that they were experiencing the same in their settlements, each receiving over two hundred and five thousand respectively. That Lord Seastark can receive five thousand more Northerners and an additional thousand former slaves in Wolfsport, in the heart of winter no less, while still being able to feed and shelter them is impressive. Doing the same in Winter Town with a fraction of the people proved to be a struggle.
Food has been less of an issue thanks to Lord Seastark's farming inventions proving to be quite successful. Even going so far as to double the yields in fields located in House Stark and House Corwyn lands! It has caused me to pay him a licensing fee to produce my own in Winterfell, in order to increase their numbers for even greater yields. But by far the largest problem was building additional housing. Winter Town was built to accommodate five-and-ten thousand people at most, and I had to scramble to expand the town before Winter arrived. Housing for an additional two thousand people was constructed, solving the potential housing crisis just as the first snows of winter arrived.
My eyes find a letter to Benjen, discussing details of the "Cailin Way", a series of river ports and a paved road to cut a ten-day journey down to five. The planned toll will not only give House Stark another source of income, but another tool to keep my bannermen in line. The exception being the Seastarks and Manderlys, whose direct investments in the two "anchor ports" will grant them exemptions. The trade companies have made trading with the Southron kingdoms and foreigners easier than ever, allowing for goods and more importantly, grain, to flow northwards. Indeed, one would be a fool to deny the positive impacts the Seawolf has had on the North.
And yet… House Seastark's steep rise from a middling Great House to one of the most powerful in the North hasn't been without consequences. The trade companies may bring riches from afar, but it has also spread the Iron Throne thin trying to maintain and expand their presence in the Summer and Shivering Seas. Events in Essos and the Summer Islands once had little to no effect on life in the Seven Kingdoms, but that has already changed.
A few years ago, news of the Dothraki laying siege to a Lorathi colony would have been met with indifferent shrugs if it even reached here at all. Now, we've already fought a war in the middle of winter on shores thousands of miles away just to expand trade in the Shivering Sea. Sure, the Morosh War was short and victorious, but will the next one be the same? Already tensions with the Three Daughters and their new pet kingdom in the Stepstones have Robert and many lords anticipating another war come spring.
Two letters baring the royal seal sit next to Benjen's, the first being from my old friend. Judging from the elegant handwriting compared to Robert's rough scrawls, the letter was most certainly quilled by our old mentor, Jon Arryn. In it contained a "royal request" for House Stark to begin building a war fleet, detailing boiling tensions with the Seahorse King and his alliance with Tyrosh. Robert confesses that he sees something like the War of the Ninepenny Kings as inevitable and aims to build up his fleets.
A short letter to Lord Manderly, ordering the construction of a Northern Fleet sits somewhere in the finished pile. No letter needed to Lord Seastark since he's already been expanding his fleet for some time.
The second is from Lyanna, mostly describing daily life in the Red Keep, my nieces Argella and Cassana, and inquiring on Brandon's wellbeing. It ends with a warning that Lord Seastark is testing and creating his own fire lances, the odd weapons of smoke and fire I've caught wind of.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, my thoughts turn to Lyanna's unease towards the Seawolf. She's taken to supporting Karstarks and Umbers in a misguided attempt to maintain the traditional balance of power in the North.
I still recall childhood lessons from Maester Walys about the Northern houses before leaving for the Vale. The Starks may be the undisputed rulers of the North for thousands of years, but ruling a land the size of ours requires allowing the many conquered petty kings to keep their castles in exchange for bending the knee and carving out new ones like the cadet branches. The Great Houses of the North are the strongest and most influential but can range wildly in wealth and arms such as the gulf in wealth between the Manderlys and the Mormonts.
Historically, the Karstarks have been the loud and loyal cadet branch that brought unruly lands to heel. Alongside the Umbers, they kept a close eye on the Boltons while defending against raids from wildlings and Skogosi. For over a thousand years, they've built a house of middling wealth by Northern standards whose banners are over four-and-twenty hundred strong, placing them just under us, the Boltons, Manderlys, and Dustins in numbers. This has led to many marriages between our houses, giving them an earned reputation as one of the most loyal houses in the North.
The Seastarks in contrast, are half the age of the Karstarks and have mostly kept to themselves and their neighbors, quietly content to slowly grow their city and fleet. They usually stayed out of Northern politics except to spread their influence on the western shore. The common saying was "When the black direwolf watches, the sea's are stark".
That's all changed with the newest Lord of Sea Dragon Point and his inventions. His rise has made the North stronger at the cost of threatening to upend its fragile balance of power. The shift is most felt in the western shore houses, who by far have benefited the most from his rise. Once one of the poorest regions in the North, while their growth hasn't been as staggering as House Seastark's, it's been impressive, nonetheless. This shared prosperity has forged even closer ties between the Seastarks and their neighbors, causing some Southron lords to whisper of a "kingdom within a kingdom" according to Lyanna. This is exacerbated by an alliance with House Lannister through their cadet branch and a recently forged one with the Hightowers through House Slate.
The Karstarks feel threatened by their kin's abrupt leap in power and have made no secret their thoughts on the Seawolf's alliance with the Lannisters. The Umbers and Seastarks have competed for influence in the hill clans for centuries, yet the debacle in King's Landing revealed how quickly things can spiral when the hill clans are involved. The Boltons, allied to House Whitehill, are incensed by the Seawolf's growing ties with their rivals, the Forresters. The Seastarks for their part, resent what they see as Bolton meddling in the Wolfswood. Even distant Cape Kraken is potential kindling with the Karstark-aligned House Flint of Flint's Finger rivals with the Seastark-allied House Wells. There are many ways for the two alliances to come to blows like they did in King's Landing, only far worse. If such a thing were to happen, it could plunge the North into a civil war the likes not seen since the Greystark Rebellion.
I remember overhearing father telling Brandon, "The Starks are known as 'builders' not just for building the Wall or Winterfell, but because they built the North as a kingdom.". Only once before did the epitaph belong to someone outside of House Stark, and they were a Greystark…
Banishing the dark thoughts from my mind, I quill a letter of appreciation to Lord Dustin for the goldenheart bow he gifted Robb. After the last strokes were made, a sharp knock sounds on the door. With a muttered invitation, it opened and admitted Maester Luwin with a bundle of something in his hands.
"Lord Stark, a raven from Castle Warg!" He exclaims.
My body tenses but my face remains impassive. Luwin gently places the remaining scraps of what was once a scroll on the desk.
"What is this? What happened to the scroll?" I look at him in confusion, feeling on edge by the grave look marring his face.
"I was in the rookery when I heard a raven cawing in distress outside. When I descended to investigate, I found it dueling with a crow midair. The raven managed to break off and get to the rookery while the crow flew off into the Wolfswood. I inquired a nearby guard who claimed to have seen everything." Luwin explains.
"Who was this guard and what did he see?" I swiftly demand.
Luwin hesitates before answering. "The guard was Old Nan's grandson, Wylis, returning from a patrol in Winter Town. The strange thing is he said the crow flew out of the heart tree to attack the raven!"
The strange situation causes me to furrow my brow in confusion. "I wish to speak with Wylis as soon as possible. Is the raven injured?"
"The raven got off lightly with only a few scratches, mostly to its legs. The scroll on the other hand…" He gestures to the shredded scraps.
We worked to fit the remaining pieces together as best we could.
Dear Lord Stark,
It has come to my attention… your sister, her grace… fearful and wary of me… growing Karstark influence in court… my house has sacrificed much for her… uncle died at the Tower… I will not tolerate… insult to my… Mayhaps we can meet…
A pit in my stomach forms when I finish reading the fragments. The letters are scratchy, as if written with great haste. Lord Seastark must be truly upset if he allowed his handwriting to suffer…
"It seems the Seawolf can no longer ignore the influence the Karstarks wield in court." Luwin says after a I had him the scroll for him to read.
"So, it would seem…" Considering the situation causes me to grimace.
Lyanna's open favoritism towards the Karstarks and their allies has been a growing concern lately. She claims they can be used to counter Lord Seastark "just in case" but there's a chance it will cause the simmering feud to boil over. What she fails to realize that her meddling could trigger the very war she fears will come.
"What will you do? Lord Seastark has amassed considerable wealth and allies these past few years and is certainly not one to be trifled with." Luwin warns, his body taught like a bowstring.
"I will write to Lord Seastark, inform him of the damaged scroll, and…" Considering my options, I could meet with him here to discuss the matter. Or…Since he's already heading to Oldtown for a wedding, he could sail to King's Landing and meet with Lyanna instead. But can Lyanna be trusted to meet with Lord Seastark in good faith?
"…See if he's willing to sail to the capital to meet with my sister. If not, then he may come to Winterfell and discuss it with me." I finally answer.
Luwin nods sagely. "A wise decision, my lord. I believe Lord Seastark can be reasoned with if you are direct with him."
"Aye, better to deal with this now before it festers. I will have more letters for you to send later. You can send the finished ones." Gesturing to the stack of finished letters. Luwin sighs but grabs the large pile of appreciation letters, before turning to leave.
"One more thing, Luwin. You are not to speak of this scroll or its contents to anyone, not even my wife. Do you understand?" My severe tone causes him to pause.
The maester stills but acknowledges the command. When he closes the door behind him as he departs, it causes me to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Satisfaction wells up inside at seeing the reduced mess on my desk. Most of the letters regarding Robb's nameday gifts were finished with only a handful left but those will have to wait. I begin writing a scroll to Lord Seastark.
Soon enough, the last of the letters is finished as embers crackle in the fireplace. My stomach growls as the last rays of the setting sun leave the solar, forcing me to get up. After killing the last embers in the fireplace with a cup of water, I leave my solar to grab the boys for supper.
Walking through the winding corridors of Winterfell, I pass by old hunting trophies and tapestries depicting House Stark's history. Soon enough, the sound of wooden chips being dropped fills my ears as I enter the room.
The two sit at a small table, with Brandon quietly dropping a yellow round chip into a suspended wooden grid, held aloft by two mahogany legs with richly carved direwolves with blue amber embedded eyes. Robb places his own red chip, blocking Brandon's attempt to win horizontally. My dark-haired nephew just smirks and places a yellow chip atop the recently placed red chip.
"Connect Four!" The normally quiet Brandon shouts with palpable excitement, eagerly pointing out to his cousin how he won diagonally.
"No fair!" Robb pouts. "Best three out of five!"
"You can have your three out of five after supper…" The two boys swing their heads to me when they hear my voice.
"Father!" "Uncle!" They exclaim, getting out of their chairs and running up to me.
"Aye, it's time for supper. Tonight, we're having hare stew and roasted vegetables." The boys sour looks at the mention of vegetables causes me to chuckle.
We begin heading for the dining room, Robb and Brandon chatting excitedly between themselves. A memory of my time in the Eyrie dances across my mind as I watch them. Certain that the two will be inseparable as we pass by a large well-worn tapestry, my father's favorite.
It depicts the Greystark rebellion in two parts; the left side shows Winterfell being besieged by a grinning one-eyed, white direwolf leading a large army. Several dead gray direwolves, impaled on spikes sit outside the walls. Among the besiegers were the banners of the Red Kings of the Dreadfort, House Ryder of the Rills, the Woodfoots of Bear Island, the extinct houses of House Amber, Towers, and Frost, and the three Skagosi houses. A young gray direwolf stands atop the battlements, giving a furious snarl in defiance at the mighty host.
The right side shows a complete reversal of fortunes. The gray direwolf stands over the corpse of the white direwolf howling with a bloody maw as the Wolf's Den burns. House Rhyder lies as a corpse next to the black stallion of House Rhyswell. House Woodfoot is mauled by the bear of House Mormont, and the Ambers, Towers, and Frosts lie defeated by the Umbers, Flints, and hill clans.
In the far corner, the Skagosi houses and the Boltons kneel, submitting to the gray wolf. Rightfully fearing the wrath of a vengeful House Stark…
Great Keep, Winterfell, Mid-Twelfth Moon 286 A.C., Two Days Later…
The fireplace crackles, yet the solar's warmth comes from bronze pipes built into the stone walls, pumping water from the hot springs below Winterfell. A legacy of Bran the Builder when he built this castle, before later building the Wall, Storm's End, and the Hightower.
I sit at my fath-, my desk. Even years later, the solar still doesn't feel like my own.
In front of me is a pile of letters to write, a consequence of Robb's nameday last week. The current one being written is to The Hull of Ice Harbor, for a drinking horn carved from walrus tusk and embedded with opal, tourmaline, and topaz. The shimmering gems and fine craftsmanship evidence of the prosperous trade between the North and the Summer Islands. Seen through the gifts from lords like Lord Dustin, who gifted Rob a famed goldenheart bow.
Even the Wolfswood clans such as like the Ferns, Boles, and Woods have grown wealthier. One only has to look at their gifts to Robb, a leopard's pelt, a silken nightshirt, and an ornate hunting lance respectively. Before the creation of the trade companies, those clans could scarcely afford those things for themselves, let alone gift them to House Stark.
Memories surface of traveling in the Wolfswood, meeting with the clans on the way to Wolfsport. The pride on their faces when they served us fresh venison cooked with black pepper, cumin, and paprika from the Summer Islands. The North has prospered greatly from the two trade companies and House Stark alongside it.
Finished, the newly forged letter is placed atop the ever-increasing pile, right above the letter addressed to Lord Karstark. His gift was two Dothraki-Northern mixed-breed fillies, ones Robb and Brandon are excited to ride when they're older. Their sire is a Dothraki warhorse captured in Morosh by Arnolf Karstark, who claims the stallion was ridden by a Dothraki captain.
Much like the houses of the western shore gifts are marked with Summer Islander influence, the eastern shore gifts are more Dothraki or Essosi in nature. A Dothraki captain's 'arakh' or sickle-sword from the Boltons, a Dothraki great bow from the Umbers, and a Lorathi white marble cyvasse board with ivory-carved pieces from the Manderlys to name a few. The western shore houses may have enriched themselves with their trade company, but the eastern shore houses have benefited greatly from the Morosh War. Letters have come to Winterfell from the Umbers to the Manderlys, and even the Skagosi of glory and war booty acquired in Dothraki gold, gems, horses, livestock, weapons, and armor.
Lord Seastark's gift is, as always, something new and unexpected. This time it's a strange wooden game called "Connect Four". Two players take turns placing red or yellow painted chips in an upright grid, the winner first to "connect four" in a row. Both Robb and Brandon enjoy the new game, having already played numerous matches against one another.
My thoughts turn to news from Sea Dragon Point, of a thousand former slaves that took House Seastark's offer to settle there. There are rumors of many converting to the Old Gods to my surprise. Apparently, most were forced to worship a Dothraki horse god and sought to break ties with their old masters. Hundreds more worship some other god called the "Great Shepherd" and have expanded their following amongst the former slaves.
It matters not. Whatever gods they choose, so long as they don't cause trouble, then Lord Seastark can handle them as he sees fit.
A soft knock on the door drags me from my thoughts and I call them in. The richly carved oaken door is opened by a guard, letting in Old Nan carefully carrying a small tray with a teacup of steaming black liquid on a saucer. When she reaches my desk, she sets the tray on the edge of the desk before placing teacup and saucer on the closer to me then takes the tray away.
"There you go, Lord Stark. A cup of that 'kofi' stuff from the capital, steaming hot with a dollop of honey. Dunno how it tastes, but it smells heavenly." The old, frail woman in her seventies says with wide smile missing a few teeth.
"Aye, it does smell wonderful, Old Nan." Grasping the cup and bringing it close to my lips, a sniff fills my nose with a rich, earthy aroma. A few soft blows on the drink cools it down. Taking a sip, the bold, bitter flavor of the exotic beans hits my tongue, mixed with the familiar sweetness of honey. Unlike my wife's kofi, there's no milk because Robert has the right of it, milk ruins the taste!
"My sister and his grace swear by it, as do Lord Manderly and Lord Seastark." I say, beginning to feel reinvigorated after the second sip.
A part of me wonders if this what the smallfolk feel when they chew on sourleaf, only without staining one's teeth and gums red.
"Never in my years, have I seen so many exotic gifts. Seem to get fancier and fancier each year." Old Nan says, full of awe.
"The North has changed much since the rebellion, and it will only continue to do so." How it changes remains to be seen. I leave unsaid.
The elderly maid nods sagely. "Aye, the stags have done better in less than six years than the dragons in almost three hundred. Or so the smallfolk in Winter Town say."
"What else do they say?" I inquire with mild interest.
A lesson both my father and Lord Arryn taught me was to keep an ear on what the smallfolk were saying in inns, taverns, and brothels to assess their mood. Even better if you can get word from smallfolk outside your lands. They tend to see things their lords wish to remain hidden.
"My grandson patrols Winter Town's streets and hears all sorts of things from both locals and winter settlers. Rumors of the Stag King's court and its riches, word of a North surviving the winter thanks to the Quiet Wolf of Winterfell, of Hugo the Builder…" Old Nan starts listing but the last one catches me off guard.
"Hugo the what!?" The words spill out of my mouth.
"One of the many names people have been giving Lord Seastark." She responds.
"Like 'the Seawolf'?" "Aye, amongst others like the 'Maester Lord', 'Quickstone Lord', 'Hugo the Inventor', and 'Hugo the Trader'." She responds with a small smile.
Most of those names are familiar, the "Quickstone Lord" and "Hugo the Inventor" being popular amongst the Northern lords. The notable exception are the Umbers, Karstarks, Boltons and their bannermen, who prefer "Maester Lord" and "Hugo the Trader".
"Is it just the smallfolk from his lands giving him that name or…" "Nay my lord, word is some lords like Lord Slate and the Hulls already call him that." Old Nan's words cause me to frown.
"Hugo the Builder" is a new and troubling one. The epitaph is one intertwined with House Stark through legends like Brandon the Builder. There is a common saying in these lands, that "House Stark built the North". Many Stark kings attempted to earn the famed nickname with few coming close. That lords and smallfolk are willingly to bestow such a title upon him fills me with unease.
"The last time a Stark cadet branch was bestowed that honor was Helman Greystark right before…" She begins but I cut her off.
"I'm well aware, Old Nan. I may have been fostered in the Vale, but father and Walys taught me the history of the North." A pregnant pause settles.
"The smallfolk also speak of your sister…" Old Nan delicately changes the subject. "…Of a she-wolf that suffered greatly only to flower into Good Queen Alysanne come again!" The elderly woman's words sooth me.
"Hard to believe the same wild girl that'd sneak into the kitchens at night to steal sweetmeats, is queen of the Seven Kingdoms." I say with a wry grin.
Old Nan chuckles at my reminiscing.
"Aye, she has the wolfsblood like your brother did. Still can't wrap my head around the little girl I once told bedtime stories to, is now in King's Landing holding court." She says with nostalgic warmth. "Even becoming a mother of two princesses…"
My grin softens into a small smile at the mention of my nieces. "Little Cassana is seven moons old and Argella celebrates her second name day in a little over a moon."
"Speaking of name days, the scribe finished writing my stories down." Old Nan's words cause my grin to widen.
"Good, it'll be a great name day gift for Argella. Lyanna wants to tell the same stories she heard from you to her children. To ensure they don't forget their Stark blood." My words cause Old Nan's eyes to glisten.
"To think, princes and princesses in King's Landing will grow up hearing the same stories my grandmother told me…" She pauses, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh dear, I need to get back to work. Your wife has been craving kofi now that she's five moons along."
My grin softens at the mention of Cat. She's convinced this one will also be a daughter, calling it a "Mother's Intuition." Old Nan tucks the silver tray under her arm and turns to leave. We exchange farewells when she reaches the door. Alone in my solar again, my thoughts drift again to 'Hugo the Builder'.
His inventions like quickstone have been undeniable boons to House Stark, massively cutting the costs to repair buildings like Queenscrown, the Broken Tower, and Moat Cailin. Paved roads throughout the North, once a flight of fancy, is now a tangible, if expensive, reality.
The quickstone roads, set to be built throughout the North once Spring arrives will be a truly massive investment. When finished, they will make traveling these vast lands easier. Before winter, I had managed to have the Kingsroad from Castle Cerwyn to a dozen miles north of Winterfell and ten miles of the Wolfswood Road paved and it had an unforeseen consequence.
In autumn, the wagon-friendly roads meant more smallfolk migrated from remote villages to the nearest large settlement, with Winter Town alone receiving over a thousand extra mouths to feed. Word from Lord Cerwyn and Lord Seastark was that they were experiencing the same in their settlements, each receiving over two hundred and five thousand respectively. That Lord Seastark can receive five thousand more Northerners and an additional thousand former slaves in Wolfsport, in the heart of winter no less, while still being able to feed and shelter them is impressive. Doing the same in Winter Town with a fraction of the people proved to be a struggle.
Food has been less of an issue thanks to Lord Seastark's farming inventions proving to be quite successful. Even going so far as to double the yields in fields located in House Stark and House Corwyn lands! It has caused me to pay him a licensing fee to produce my own in Winterfell, in order to increase their numbers for even greater yields. But by far the largest problem was building additional housing. Winter Town was built to accommodate five-and-ten thousand people at most, and I had to scramble to expand the town before Winter arrived. Housing for an additional two thousand people was constructed, solving the potential housing crisis just as the first snows of winter arrived.
My eyes find a letter to Benjen, discussing details of the "Cailin Way", a series of river ports and a paved road to cut a ten-day journey down to five. The planned toll will not only give House Stark another source of income, but another tool to keep my bannermen in line. The exception being the Seastarks and Manderlys, whose direct investments in the two "anchor ports" will grant them exemptions. The trade companies have made trading with the Southron kingdoms and foreigners easier than ever, allowing for goods and more importantly, grain, to flow northwards. Indeed, one would be a fool to deny the positive impacts the Seawolf has had on the North.
And yet… House Seastark's steep rise from a middling Great House to one of the most powerful in the North hasn't been without consequences. The trade companies may bring riches from afar, but it has also spread the Iron Throne thin trying to maintain and expand their presence in the Summer and Shivering Seas. Events in Essos and the Summer Islands once had little to no effect on life in the Seven Kingdoms, but that has already changed.
A few years ago, news of the Dothraki laying siege to a Lorathi colony would have been met with indifferent shrugs if it even reached here at all. Now, we've already fought a war in the middle of winter on shores thousands of miles away just to expand trade in the Shivering Sea. Sure, the Morosh War was short and victorious, but will the next one be the same? Already tensions with the Three Daughters and their new pet kingdom in the Stepstones have Robert and many lords anticipating another war come spring.
Two letters baring the royal seal sit next to Benjen's, the first being from my old friend. Judging from the elegant handwriting compared to Robert's rough scrawls, the letter was most certainly quilled by our old mentor, Jon Arryn. In it contained a "royal request" for House Stark to begin building a war fleet, detailing boiling tensions with the Seahorse King and his alliance with Tyrosh. Robert confesses that he sees something like the War of the Ninepenny Kings as inevitable and aims to build up his fleets.
A short letter to Lord Manderly, ordering the construction of a Northern Fleet sits somewhere in the finished pile. No letter needed to Lord Seastark since he's already been expanding his fleet for some time.
The second is from Lyanna, mostly describing daily life in the Red Keep, my nieces Argella and Cassana, and inquiring on Brandon's wellbeing. It ends with a warning that Lord Seastark is testing and creating his own fire lances, the odd weapons of smoke and fire I've caught wind of.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, my thoughts turn to Lyanna's unease towards the Seawolf. She's taken to supporting Karstarks and Umbers in a misguided attempt to maintain the traditional balance of power in the North.
I still recall childhood lessons from Maester Walys about the Northern houses before leaving for the Vale. The Starks may be the undisputed rulers of the North for thousands of years, but ruling a land the size of ours requires allowing the many conquered petty kings to keep their castles in exchange for bending the knee and carving out new ones like the cadet branches. The Great Houses of the North are the strongest and most influential but can range wildly in wealth and arms such as the gulf in wealth between the Manderlys and the Mormonts.
Historically, the Karstarks have been the loud and loyal cadet branch that brought unruly lands to heel. Alongside the Umbers, they kept a close eye on the Boltons while defending against raids from wildlings and Skogosi. For over a thousand years, they've built a house of middling wealth by Northern standards whose banners are over four-and-twenty hundred strong, placing them just under us, the Boltons, Manderlys, and Dustins in numbers. This has led to many marriages between our houses, giving them an earned reputation as one of the most loyal houses in the North.
The Seastarks in contrast, are half the age of the Karstarks and have mostly kept to themselves and their neighbors, quietly content to slowly grow their city and fleet. They usually stayed out of Northern politics except to spread their influence on the western shore. The common saying was "When the black direwolf watches, the sea's are stark".
That's all changed with the newest Lord of Sea Dragon Point and his inventions. His rise has made the North stronger at the cost of threatening to upend its fragile balance of power. The shift is most felt in the western shore houses, who by far have benefited the most from his rise. Once one of the poorest regions in the North, while their growth hasn't been as staggering as House Seastark's, it's been impressive, nonetheless. This shared prosperity has forged even closer ties between the Seastarks and their neighbors, causing some Southron lords to whisper of a "kingdom within a kingdom" according to Lyanna. This is exacerbated by an alliance with House Lannister through their cadet branch and a recently forged one with the Hightowers through House Slate.
The Karstarks feel threatened by their kin's abrupt leap in power and have made no secret their thoughts on the Seawolf's alliance with the Lannisters. The Umbers and Seastarks have competed for influence in the hill clans for centuries, yet the debacle in King's Landing revealed how quickly things can spiral when the hill clans are involved. The Boltons, allied to House Whitehill, are incensed by the Seawolf's growing ties with their rivals, the Forresters. The Seastarks for their part, resent what they see as Bolton meddling in the Wolfswood. Even distant Cape Kraken is potential kindling with the Karstark-aligned House Flint of Flint's Finger rivals with the Seastark-allied House Wells. There are many ways for the two alliances to come to blows like they did in King's Landing, only far worse. If such a thing were to happen, it could plunge the North into a civil war the likes not seen since the Greystark Rebellion.
I remember overhearing father telling Brandon, "The Starks are known as 'builders' not just for building the Wall or Winterfell, but because they built the North as a kingdom.". Only once before did the epitaph belong to someone outside of House Stark, and they were a Greystark…
Banishing the dark thoughts from my mind, I quill a letter of appreciation to Lord Dustin for the goldenheart bow he gifted Robb. After the last strokes were made, a sharp knock sounds on the door. With a muttered invitation, it opened and admitted Maester Luwin with a bundle of something in his hands.
"Lord Stark, a raven from Castle Warg!" He exclaims.
My body tenses but my face remains impassive. Luwin gently places the remaining scraps of what was once a scroll on the desk.
"What is this? What happened to the scroll?" I look at him in confusion, feeling on edge by the grave look marring his face.
"I was in the rookery when I heard a raven cawing in distress outside. When I descended to investigate, I found it dueling with a crow midair. The raven managed to break off and get to the rookery while the crow flew off into the Wolfswood. I inquired a nearby guard who claimed to have seen everything." Luwin explains.
"Who was this guard and what did he see?" I swiftly demand.
Luwin hesitates before answering. "The guard was Old Nan's grandson, Wylis, returning from a patrol in Winter Town. The strange thing is he said the crow flew out of the heart tree to attack the raven!"
The strange situation causes me to furrow my brow in confusion. "I wish to speak with Wylis as soon as possible. Is the raven injured?"
"The raven got off lightly with only a few scratches, mostly to its legs. The scroll on the other hand…" He gestures to the shredded scraps.
We worked to fit the remaining pieces together as best we could.
Dear Lord Stark,
It has come to my attention… your sister, her grace… fearful and wary of me… growing Karstark influence in court… my house has sacrificed much for her… uncle died at the Tower… I will not tolerate… insult to my… Mayhaps we can meet…
A pit in my stomach forms when I finish reading the fragments. The letters are scratchy, as if written with great haste. Lord Seastark must be truly upset if he allowed his handwriting to suffer…
"It seems the Seawolf can no longer ignore the influence the Karstarks wield in court." Luwin says after a I had him the scroll for him to read.
"So, it would seem…" Considering the situation causes me to grimace.
Lyanna's open favoritism towards the Karstarks and their allies has been a growing concern lately. She claims they can be used to counter Lord Seastark "just in case" but there's a chance it will cause the simmering feud to boil over. What she fails to realize that her meddling could trigger the very war she fears will come.
"What will you do? Lord Seastark has amassed considerable wealth and allies these past few years and is certainly not one to be trifled with." Luwin warns, his body taught like a bowstring.
"I will write to Lord Seastark, inform him of the damaged scroll, and…" Considering my options, I could meet with him here to discuss the matter. Or…Since he's already heading to Oldtown for a wedding, he could sail to King's Landing and meet with Lyanna instead. But can Lyanna be trusted to meet with Lord Seastark in good faith?
"…See if he's willing to sail to the capital to meet with my sister. If not, then he may come to Winterfell and discuss it with me." I finally answer.
Luwin nods sagely. "A wise decision, my lord. I believe Lord Seastark can be reasoned with if you are direct with him."
"Aye, better to deal with this now before it festers. I will have more letters for you to send later. You can send the finished ones." Gesturing to the stack of finished letters. Luwin sighs but grabs the large pile of appreciation letters, before turning to leave.
"One more thing, Luwin. You are not to speak of this scroll or its contents to anyone, not even my wife. Do you understand?" My severe tone causes him to pause.
The maester stills but acknowledges the command. When he closes the door behind him as he departs, it causes me to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Satisfaction wells up inside at seeing the reduced mess on my desk. Most of the letters regarding Robb's nameday gifts were finished with only a handful left but those will have to wait. I begin writing a scroll to Lord Seastark.
Soon enough, the last of the letters is finished as embers crackle in the fireplace. My stomach growls as the last rays of the setting sun leave the solar, forcing me to get up. After killing the last embers in the fireplace with a cup of water, I leave my solar to grab the boys for supper.
Walking through the winding corridors of Winterfell, I pass by old hunting trophies and tapestries depicting House Stark's history. Soon enough, the sound of wooden chips being dropped fills my ears as I enter the room.
The two sit at a small table, with Brandon quietly dropping a yellow round chip into a suspended wooden grid, held aloft by two mahogany legs with richly carved direwolves with blue amber embedded eyes. Robb places his own red chip, blocking Brandon's attempt to win horizontally. My dark-haired nephew just smirks and places a yellow chip atop the recently placed red chip.
"Connect Four!" The normally quiet Brandon shouts with palpable excitement, eagerly pointing out to his cousin how he won diagonally.
"No fair!" Robb pouts. "Best three out of five!"
"You can have your three out of five after supper…" The two boys swing their heads to me when they hear my voice.
"Father!" "Uncle!" They exclaim, getting out of their chairs and running up to me.
"Aye, it's time for supper. Tonight, we're having hare stew and roasted vegetables." The boys sour looks at the mention of vegetables causes me to chuckle.
We begin heading for the dining room, Robb and Brandon chatting excitedly between themselves. A memory of my time in the Eyrie dances across my mind as I watch them. Certain that the two will be inseparable as we pass by a large well-worn tapestry, my father's favorite.
It depicts the Greystark rebellion in two parts; the left side shows Winterfell being besieged by a grinning one-eyed, white direwolf leading a large army. Several dead gray direwolves, impaled on spikes sit outside the walls. Among the besiegers were the banners of the Red Kings of the Dreadfort, House Ryder of the Rills, the Woodfoots of Bear Island, the extinct houses of House Amber, Towers, and Frost, and the three Skagosi houses. A young gray direwolf stands atop the battlements, giving a furious snarl in defiance at the mighty host.
The right side shows a complete reversal of fortunes. The gray direwolf stands over the corpse of the white direwolf howling with a bloody maw as the Wolf's Den burns. House Rhyder lies as a corpse next to the black stallion of House Rhyswell. House Woodfoot is mauled by the bear of House Mormont, and the Ambers, Towers, and Frosts lie defeated by the Umbers, Flints, and hill clans.
In the far corner, the Skagosi houses and the Boltons kneel, submitting to the gray wolf. Rightfully fearing the wrath of a vengeful House Stark…
Koutabr123
Versed in the lewd.
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Please go Meet Ned, Ned Is Cool,Ned is Reliable and Trustworthy, Don't go for the Ungrateful She-wolf who clearly is starting to appear to deserve her CannonEvent!
Go For The Quiet Wolf and not for the Literal Queen Bitch of Silver(Not To be Confused for the Queen Bitch Of Gold thank you)
Go For The Quiet Wolf and not for the Literal Queen Bitch of Silver(Not To be Confused for the Queen Bitch Of Gold thank you)
DegenEmperor
Know what you're doing yet?
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Did you post this somewhere else. Because I could've sworn I read this days/weeks ago already.
kaizerfox
Getting sticky.
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Unfortunately, Hugo's gonna meet with Lyanna.
Greyjoy Rebellion is still gonna happen. Balon's waiting for winter to end, his Iron Fleet to be complete, and his ally the Rogue Seahorse to be ready.
I've posted on Spacebattles, SufficientVelocity, Althistory.com, and FF.net (Though I'm struggling to upload on that site) but forgot to upload on QQ. A few days later I remembered and here we are.
vanomzero
Not too sore, are you?
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I wouldn't be surprised that during Hugo's stay at the capital Lyanna pulls a Canon Cersei and thinks Hugo is inside the walls of the red keep
hopefully Ned tells Hugo about the torn letter and the weird circumstances with the crow so he can finally tell them about bloodraven and how he can send dreams
imagine how paranoid Lyanna is going to be if she learns Hugo is a skinchanger
hopefully Ned tells Hugo about the torn letter and the weird circumstances with the crow so he can finally tell them about bloodraven and how he can send dreams
imagine how paranoid Lyanna is going to be if she learns Hugo is a skinchanger
ATP
Well worn.
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Balon is still going to attack? well,he was idiot in canon,why he should be smarter here?