Howl of the Seawolf (OC/SI)

[kaizerfox]

Goddamn it, Joffrey exists ? All that work only for the wheels of canon to flexibly reinsert themselves in such a way. A son needs to be born to Robert or our girl Argella is gonna be the first Queen Regnant of Westeros ( Rhaenyra absolutely doesn't count ).

So Malora's here to stay. She grows ever more interesting and significant. Oldtown and the Hightowers too for that matter. I wonder who's Malora gonna *pair with.

Yeah, that trackss with the spotted whales. All cetaceans for the matter ( to varying degrees I believe) have complex social structures, sophisticated communication, problem-solving abilities, and a high level of emotional depth. They have familial structures and as Seastark pointed out the ability for limited negotiation. I expected a bit more shock and surprise by the group upon learning how sapient and intelligent these whales were. They assumed the whales were being wholly controlled via skinchanging only to learn its somewhat if a partnership. It's an incredible discovery in that era to learn.


* Honestly if MC wasn't married to Myrra, Malora would actually be perfect. No offense to our northron lioness.

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I like creating an alternate timeline that's very different from canon, but still has certain canon people/events happen anyway. It's not going to happen often and it's already happened with Oberyn injuring Willas Tyrell in a tourney.

Malora's paired up with Jonos Slate, heir to Blackpool and Wyman's goodbrother. She'll become Hugo's skinchanging protege and get her own pod of orcas in Blackpool. The Slates will be in Hugo's debt for setting them up with a prestigious marriage. Funnily enough, I considered Malora as a pairing with Hugo but decided to go with the Lannister connection.

I'm going with, they heard what Hugo said but they don't fully comprehend that whales are not just smart beasts but near human in intelligence (maybe more emotionally intelligent than us). Marwyn the Mage will detail the skinchanging in his personal journal, but his public writings will detail much of what Hugo told them about spotted whales. This will of course, spark fierce debates in the Citadel. It's actually interesting to think about what would a society in a medieval/proto-industrial do if they found out what we've learned about whales in the last 20 years. Hell it's only in the last 5 that we've decided they have languages and that we're going to attempt to translate them with AI. Wait until they learn orcas have languages and that a pod in Wolfsport won't be able to communicate with a pod in Oldtown.

Malora would marry Janos Slate.Good choice.And Joeffrey would be problem only if Stannis die, becouse he would not let Cersei fuck his mind,like Robert did in canon.No,here it would be Joeffrey training dutifull to serve Kingdom.

@kaizerfox , what about terror birds and giant sloths ? could you include them,too?

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Sure, I can include terror birds and giant sloths in Ulthos/Aeotearoa.
Edit. Or in a South America expy

Hugo should have warned them about this mega powerful long lived skinchanger from beyond the wall and how they shouldn't trust dreams because they can be manipulated and to stay away from weirwoods since he can watch them from it

maybe Hugo could learn more about skinchanging if he used a scientific approach since it's more psychic power than magic, he could try sensory deprivation since grrm always feature it in his other books

I wonder how him being a skinchanger teacher will affect the stark children especially Bran since he'll have Hugo as an option as the somewhat stereotypical Wizard Mentor instead of the horror that is bloodraven(the bloodraven school will have you eating people and be traumatised meanwhile the Hugo school are having a cook out and having fun)

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Hugo will warn them not to trust any three-eyed crows in their dreams. He'll try some experiments with skinchanging, like having his bonded orca Driver hop into his mind while he's awake and on land.
Hugo would be a better mentor than Bloodraven, mostly because Hugo demands tax breaks instead of attaching yourself to an eldritch tree that prolongs your life at the cost of mobility. Alt-Bran is going to foster elsewhere but when Ned learns of Hugo's abilities and mentorship of others, he'll consider having him give them lectures or a test to see if they have the gift.

 

[MasterOfDragonsGod]

I'm pretty sure it was a great council that changed the law that males come before females in the succession of the iron throne

 

[kaizerfox]

Interlude: Malora

Castle Warg, Mid-Seventh Moon, 286 A.C., One Week later…

Malora POV…

I walk through the stone hallways of Castle Warg's Main Keep, my eyes drinking in every detail of this curious place. A castle barely built five hundred years ago, yet by looking at worn foundations, one can gleam its older history. In a way, the castle mirrors its residents, the Seastarks. A cadet branch younger than the Freys, yet tied to the ancient House Stark. I glance at a pair of paintings, the first is of a lord in Stark colors winning a victory in battle against the Ironborn. The second is of a wedding, the same Stark man, now flying the Seastark banner, marrying a redheaded woman wearing a cloak bearing a mailed fist.

"They show the founding of House Seastark…" My unasked question is answered by the dirty blonde-haired man I'm currently walking with, my betrothed Jonos Slate. "…If you look at the wedding with House Glover, you can see House Slate in attendance." Sure enough, when I look closer at the wedding guests, I can see a lord and lady bearing the grey and white colors of House Slate mixed in with the Fishers, Mormonts, and Wolfswood clans.

"Interesting…" I mumble. "…What is House Slate's relationship with the Seastarks?" I ask my betrothed, who along with Lord Seastark, has been gracious and patient with explaining the inner politics of the North. He smiles at me with warm brown eyes.

"At first, House Slate looked upon the young cadet branch with a mix of curiosity for our new neighbors and mild contempt for their house's youth. Then the Seastarks found amber a century or so after their founding. With the discovery of amber came the growth of Wolfsport, and from there came the growth of the Sunset Fleet that changed everything. With the protection of the Sunset Fleet, Ironborn reavings that were once as commonplace as thunderstorms, now happen once or twice a century. Our lands began to flourish under this protection and we have forged closer ties to the Seastarks since." He answers politely as we continue our walk through the castle. The next painting I see is not of any glorious battle or decadent feast, but rather of a smallfolk family gathering around a table for a supper of vegetable stew and bread. The family's meager wealth could be seen in their wooden bowls and utensils, with the cramp living conditions feeling both cozy and claustrophobic in the warm orange glow of the hearth.

"What's Blackpool like? I would like to hear about my future home." I ask and his smile grows softer at the mention of Blackpool becoming my home.

"Blackpool Castle is as large and imposing as this castle. Built thousands of years ago out strong granite stone, it was our royal holdfast when the Slate Kings clashed with the Fisher Kings for control of the Stony Shore." Jonos explains and I scrunch my face in confusion.

"Then why is it called 'Blackpool' and not 'Gray Granite'?" I inquire to his amusement.

"There's a nearby stream where salmon swim up to spawn. It runs through the peatlands surrounding the castle and town, turning the water into a dark, blackish color." I nod at his words.

"What about the nearby town that shares the same name?" "A small, but thriving trade town about a tenth the size of Wolfsport. The soil in our lands is poor for farming but good for grazing so much of our wool is gathered in Blackpool for the local Weavers Guild. Blackpool also trades from our plentiful stone quarries and iron mines in the eastern hills." Jonos says with pride.

"It sounds like Blackpool is already thriving. Though from what Lord Seastark has mentioned, it is set to prosper even more from your dealings with his house." Jonos nods at my words.

"Aye, when spring comes, we will help build the Stony Road that will connect Blackpool to Seastark, Fisher, and Ryswell lands. Our port will be expanded with a quickstone quay similar to the one being constructed in Wolfsport and you shall skinchange with the local pod of spotted whales to help our fishermen." I blush at the casual mention of my gift, still not use to people knowing about it after keeping it secret for so long. I'm prevented from replying by a man's voice calling out.

"Ah, there you are! I was just looking for you two!" We turn to find Wyman Seastark coming towards us with an excited look on his face.

"What is it goodbrother?" Jonos asks curiously.

"I'm to escort you to the docks in Wolfsport. The winds and seas are calm enough for you two and the fosterlings to meet the pod!" His words cause a jolt of excitement to run through me. "…My cousin has already spoken with Driver and informed the pod of your situation. You will meet and form a temporary bond with Orca, Driver's mother. She will teach you about spotted whales, how they can work with people, and give you experience with skinchanging into whales." My smile widens further at the chance to finally skinchange into a spotted whale.

"You have my thanks, Lord Wyman. Please, lead the way!" I say with giddiness creeping into my voice. My future goodbrother just laughs it off and we make our way to get dressed in winter furs. Jonos makes conversation with his goodbrother about his niece and nephew, three namesday old Arsa and three moon old Bennard. As we walk I wonder to myself what being under the sea is like…

Later…

The mink-furred ushanka keeps my head and ears warm despite the bitter cold. The winds are thankfully calm on a rare sunny day, causing the small rowboat to gently rock with the sea.

With me are my brother Humfrey and the three other fosterlings, Tyrion Lannister, Patrek Mallister, and Asher Forrester, Marwyn the Mage, and Lord Seastark. My brother and his friends were discussing amongst themselves whether or not they had any skinchanging dreams yet. Which is ridiculous, they just received their hatchlings two days ago! Lord Seastark revealed his secret to the fosterlings and gave them baby ravens to look after and bond with. If they have the gift, they'll begin to have dreams with their bonded raven. If not, then Lord Seastark has another option, though he hasn't revealed what that is.

"I'm going to skinchange into an owl!" Asher states boldly, despite not having any dreams yet. The boys begin discussing what beasts they would skinchange into. Humfrey says a spotted whale, whereas Patrek wants a sea eagle. Tyrion's odd choice is a leviathan, because it's the largest beast in the world.

"I wouldn't try to skinchange into a leviathan Tyrion, it different than even whales and primates. Leviathans, like dragons, are magical in origin, and thus much more perilous to skinchange into!" Lord Seastark warns Tyrion with a grim voice. The boys stop their bickering to listen to their foster father.

"Magical in origin?" I ask, curious what he meant by that.

"I can answer that…" Marwyn cuts in. "…When the Great Empire of the Dawn existed thousands of years ago, it's rulers learned blood magic. Whether from the Deep Ones or the Children of the Ifequevron, it is unknown which. With this terrible knowledge, they created two magical beasts, dragons, and leviathans. Dragons came first, born from the mixture of fire wyrms and wyverns in what is today the Shadowlands. Leviathans were made sometime later from the mixture of whales and sea serpents in Leviathan Bay." Marwyn explains to everyone but Lord Seastark's shock.

"Dragons and leviathans have powerful minds due to their magical origins. This makes it incredibly difficult just to enter their minds, and even if one manages that, their minds could easily be overwhelmed, turning the skinchanger into the skinchanged!" Lord Seastark adds and I'm floored by this knowledge of history and skinchanging I never knew. The boys look fascinated by the history lesson, especially Tyrion, who begins to speak only to be interrupted by what sounds like a loud exhalation of breath. Everyone turns to head to see a pod of eight spotted whales swimming right for us.

"Ah, there they are!" Lord Seastark says as they approach closer. He points his finger out to the pod. "You see the two with the much longer dorsal fins?" He asks us. Sure enough, two of them have much larger and longer fins on their backs. One as tall a man and the other a little bit shorter. "That's how you can tell the males and females apart, the males will be bigger and have larger dorsal fins compared to the females. The two males of the pod are Driver, with the slightly shorter fin due just reaching maturity at ten namedays. The other is his uncle, Shamu…" Lord Seastark continues to point out the different members until they swim up to our boat. One of the males, Driver, sticks his head out of the water next to the boat and makes a high-pitch noise that sounded happy.

"Hey there Driver! How're you and the pod doing?" Lord Seastark asks the spotted whale and pets its head. To our surprise, Driver responds to the lord's question with another squealing-like noise.

"That's good to hear. Anyway, I got some people for the pod to meet!" Lord Seastark says with a smile, somehow able to understand it's noises.

"Wait, can you truly understand him?" Marwyn asks the question on everyone's minds after seeing the interaction. Lord Seastark chuckles.

"Aye, but only Driver. When you fully develop a bond, you and your whale will be able to understand one another but only each other. Driver can understand me when I speak but he won't understand you." Lord Seastark says, looking at me when he says the word "fully".

I feel disappointment that I won't be able to do the same with Driver's mother. Driver himself makes a happy noise only for another spotted whale to breach it's head above the surface. They look at us, as if searching for someone before their gaze landed on me. I don't know how, but I knew I'm looking at Orca.

"And this is his mother, Orca." He introduces immediately after I thought that. The older spotted whale looks at me intensely with it's brown, human-like eye, as if peering into my soul before making a series of sounds that Driver repeats, causing Lord Seastark to nod his head.

"You're in luck, the pod is going fishing today and Orca will take you're going with!" He translates and excitement bubbles up within me again. "Just some quick ground rules, when you're in Orca, she's in charge. She's actually not going to let you control her until she both thinks you're ready and trusts you. Think being a passenger on a cart with Orca the driver, so just sit back and enjoy the ride!" I nod my head fiercely, feeling like a young girl about to get a gift. Suddenly I feel a pull coming from the spotted whale and next thing I know, I gazing back at the boat with the occupants in total awe except for Lord Seastark. He says something to them but it sounds like gibberish before laying down. Orca brings me underwater and I'm thrown under the murky water. I take a moment to observe the "mindscape" I found myself in. I'm seated in the front of a horse drawn carriage next to the driver but there are many strange additions. The first is there were no horses, second, the front was covered in a small wooden roof with wooden pillars. Between the pillars was incredibly clear glass, the kind you could only purchase in Myr, allowing me to peer out into the sea. The final change is a curtain that divides me from Orca and a gut feeling gives me the impression it would be a terrible idea to try to open it.

I refocus my attention to the underwater world around me, seeing six spotted whales swimming around the boat conversing in their strange language. I was initially skeptical of Lord Seastark's claims that spotted whales communicate in full tongues but the more I listen, the more I realize he may be correct. If that was true, then mayhaps his claim that like men, they developed separate, unintelligible tongues might be as well.

I see Driver swim by with milky-white eyes before an older spotted whale called the pod. They surround who I assume is the matriarch of the pod, Old Gladys. She proceeds to say something and an vision of the pod surrounding a school of salmon flashes before my mind. Before I can comprehend it, a second one flashes, the pod herding the school of salmon into a large open net held across two fishing boats. As I wonder what those visions were, the pod sets off in an unknown direction and I enjoy looking out at the surreal setting I find myself in. I see large schools of fish, seals, and sea lions swim away from the pod and kelp forests down below.

Old Gladys suddenly makes a strange noise that sounds like a creaking door and then says something in her "normal" tongue. Orca flashes an vision of a salmon, silver on the bottom, blue-green on top with black spots peppering it's back and tail. I realize it's a northern salmon, a breed a fish that Lord Seastark claimed were their favorite, to the point of refusing to eat other breeds of salmon. Fortunately, the nearby Salmon River is a large spawning grounds for the northern salmon.

We continue to swim and encounter a large school of salmon, thousands in number when Old Gladys say something and like a command, the pod begins to spread out and surround the salmon. Several of them, including Driver, start making the same creaking door noise from earlier. The salmon react by moving away from the noise, slowly becoming herded closer and closer together. Orca finally makes the strange creaking noise herself and light bursts out in a wave, surging forward and enveloping everything in front of it. When the salmon are hit by this light, it reflects off of them, making them quite shiny and noticeable. As the fish move away from the creaking, I notice it not only shows fish but what kind of fish, allowing the spotted whales to distinguish between fish species.

As I'm mesmerized by the display in front of me, I remember Lord Seastark describing spotted whale behavior a few days ago. He mentioned something about "echolocation" or "seeing through sound".

Is that what I'm witnessing?

The pod continue to heard the salmon into a perfectly round sphere and begin to herd them forward like shepherds with their flocks. Soon enough, a wide net comes into view and the salmon ball is placed next to the net. Driver peels off to the surface and slaps his tail twice before swimming back down. The net suddenly tightens at the signal and envelops the salmon ball and the spotted whales surge forwards with frightening speed. They line up on one end of the salmon and the net stops just short of touching the pod, trapping the salmon between the net and the spotted whales. With nowhere to go, the salmon were easy pickings but Orca and the others only ate the northern salmon and let the others go.

After a few minutes of gorging themselves, Driver once again, separates himself to swim to the surface. He slaps his tail twice and the pod moves away and the net tightens to completely envelop the salmon ball. To my shock, despite eating what felt like an endless number of northern salmon, the net appeared roughly three-quarters full. Orca swims to the surface to join her son and peers her head out. I'm greeted by the sight of fishermen bowing their heads and tossing dead northern salmon in the direction of Orca and Driver. The rest of the pod joins us in poking their heads out and eating the gifts of gratitude from the fishermen. When finished, Old Gladys makes a high-pitched noise and the pod repeats it before descending beneath the waves.

As the pod swims, I wonder why the pod would choose to do this. It's obvious why the fishermen benefit, but do the spotted whales gain as much? As if sensing my question, a pair of visions flashes before my mind. The first shows the pod shepherding a salmon ball, taking turns slapping the fish with their tails to stun them before eating. The pod eats their fill but it is an exhausting process. The second shows a pod hunting a humpback mother and her calf, showing how perilous it for them. A sharp, barnacle-encrusted fin slices one of the spotted whale and the humpback's massive tail swings down like a hammer and hits another so hard, the blow kills them, their lifeless form sinking into the inky abyss. The pod ultimately succeed in their hunt, but the price is steep for whale tongues. I notice in both visions there were no humans.

Just as I think that, two more visions present themselves. The first shows the pod doing the same task I has just witnessed, herding the salmon into the fishermen's nets and feasting. The pod is shown full and well rested. The second image shows a sharp difference. The pod herds the humpback mother and calf towards the surface where whalers meet them with harpoons. The whalers fight and distract the mother while the pod easily corner the isolated calf, holding it down. With it's blowhole unable to get air, the calf drowns as the mother is skewered by harpoons. The pod eat the tongues of the mother and calf and swim away with no injuries, full of energy for the next hunt. I nod my head in understanding.

I then ask Orca what would happen if the fishermen and whalers broke the agreement. A vision of spotted whales capsizing fishing boats, biting the rudders off of cogs, breaching their bodies and slamming into the oars of galleys, and swimming faster than a clipper at full speed. I hear a high-pitch sound come form the other side of the curtain and for the first time I understood what a spotted whale said.

"Break not, the Law of the Tongue!"

I felt a shiver go down my spine when I understood it and could only nod my head. If such a thing were to happen to Oldtown… I knew my father and the city would ultimately prevail, but the local pod of three dozen would wreak havoc on the Hightower fleet along with trade company and merchant shipping for weeks.

I decided to change the subject and ask her if she knew any spotted whales in Blackpool or Oldtown. I get a confused poke from through the curtain in response. I decide to change tactics and try to communicate with visions, showing a map of Sea Dragon Point, marking our location. I show nearby Blackpool on the Stony Shore and then pull out to show the entirety of the western shore of the Seven Kingdoms. Oldtown proudly marked at the mouth of the Honeywine.

A vision of Oldtown's location on my imaginary map is accompanied with a feeling of confusion but Blackpool gets recognition. A vision of two pods, one with eight spotted whales that I recognize as Driver, Old Gladys, Orca, Shamu, and Driver's younger sister, aunt and two cousins. The second is a pod of a dozen spotted whales that I don't recognize but assume are native to Blackpool. The vision changes to just Old Gladys and the matriarch of the other pod. It shows their lineage, revealing they're cousins through their mothers. I'm delighted by the revelation and send her a vision of me skinchanging into one of the spotted whales in the Blackpool pod, then a second one of the same pod helping fishermen and whalers.

A wave of excitement nearly overwhelms me and I realize its coming from Orca. A vision of Orca, Driver, and Old Gladys speaking with the Blackpool pod and getting them to agree flashes in my mind. I graciously bow and thank her for her aid, promising not to break the Law of the Tongue. Her response is another series of spotted whale noises.

"You go now. See again later!"

Just as I absorb the words, I feel an intense pull and I suddenly sit up on the rowboat gasping for breath.

"Sister! Are you alright!" A concern Humfrey sits next to me, hands hovering near me, ready to help at a moment's notice. Lord Seastark stares from the other side of the boat, his usual grin accompanied by a knowing glint in his eye. I nod my head and am bombarded by questions from the boys.

"What's it like?" "What did you do?" "Did you really help the fishermen catch those salmon?" Asher, Tyrion, and Patrek ask in rapid succession. Out of the corner of my eye I notice Marwyn ready to write in his personal journal. I got a peak into it once, only to find it written in a strange script of lines and triangles arranged into strange shapes. When Marwyn caught me, he just laughed and asked if I could read the Salloshi dialect of Sarnori. When I told him I recognized Sarnor but not the name Sallosh, he explained it was once a city on the northeastern shore of a lake, with a river running north to the Bay of Tusks. Known as the "City of Scholars" with a great library envied around the world before it razed by the Dothraki during the Century of Blood. It's ruins now bare the name Vaes Athjikhari, or "City of Sickness" due to the city's many healers.

"I didn't do anything but let Orca take me on a journey…" I explain everything I experienced as Lord Seastark rows us back towards the docks. I finish my underwater tale when we reach the docks.

"It sounds like you had fun." Lord Seastark chuckles, finally saying something as he helps the boys off the boat.

"You were right." I confessed as I grabbed his hand to step onto the docks, looking him in his intense blueish-gray eyes. The same eyes that always seem to have the answer to everything. "Skinchanging into a whale is nothing like a raven. And if whales are like that… I don't want to imagine a leviathan." I say with a shiver. His face becomes grim as he helps Marwyn up.

"Aye, you must, under no circumstances, ever try it. Leviathan minds are even stronger than whale minds and they will drown you. There are stories of fools who attempted such a feat only to be driven mad or worse, possessed." Marwyn adds as he stands up on the docks and Lord Seastark is the last to join us. The docks empty save for some guards at the end, reserving its use to us for the day. Horses are there waiting for us.

"I won't." I say with a fierce nod.

"So, Orca said the pod will aid you in convincing the other pod in Blackpool?" The lord of Castle Warg asks.

"Yes, apparently the matriarchs are cousins." I answer and he ponders something for a moment.

"The pods are close enough to understand each other but distant enough that mating won't result in inbreeding. I can convince the pod through Driver to swim to Blackpool during your Old Golds wedding there after your wedding in Oldtown. There they can help you forge an agreement with the Blackpool pod and form a bond." He says and I can scarcely believe it.

"Thank you, Lord Seastark. Truly. You've shown me a whole new world and will aid me acquiring my own pod. How can I ever repay you?" I say breathlessly as we walk towards the end of the dock. There, we mount up and begin to trot through the city.

The boys chatter excitedly amongst themselves over what they'd do with a pod of spotted whales at their disposal. Humfrey would have them aid the fishermen of Oldtown and Asher would take them with him on Sunset Trade Company expeditions. Tyrion would involve them in some ridiculous scheme to grow taller and Patrek would use his to invade the Iron Islands.

"Help build up House Slate in any way you can, whether it be forming a bond with a spotted whale, bearing children, or assisting in administering Blackpool. That and being a bridge between myself and your father." He says solemnly and I nod in a heartbeat. "Oh, and some books would be nice, Tyrion's already read everything in my small library twice!" He adds and I can't help but laugh.

"Of course, what kind of books are you interested in?" I'm curious to know what a lord like him would want to read.

"Oh, you know… Books on the Long Night and rise of the Night's King. I'm quite intrigued with that era." A queer topic in reading material but I tell him I can convince my father to gift him a few books from the house library.

"Splendid!" Lord Seastark says happily. "Let's get back to the castle. I think we've all earned some nice, hot, Northern spiced mulled wine!" His declaration earns cheers from the boys for a drink I've never tried. We continue through the streets of Wolfsport, its white marble and gray granite buildings idly remind me of home but on a smaller scale. The city, even swelled by thousands of people seeking warmth and shelter in winter, is only a fraction the size of Oldtown. Despite the size difference, Wolfsport feels as busy as home. The docks teem with merchant ships and fishing boats; the shipyards working tirelessly to construct new clippers and galleys. We walk by a cannery full of people working, the same kind he wishes to build in Oldtown as part of his canning company, a shop full of perfumes and corsets, and further down we pass by a street with several thriving brothels. Further still is the Summer Islander trading post where the smell of spices wafts pass our noses even in the bitter cold. Wolfsport may be smaller, but the city has everything Oldtown has, and then some as I gaze towards the metalworks after they pass through the Wolf Gate.

"I am fairly generous with my knowledge, Lady Malora. Many would say too generous. But there are some secrets I wish to keep for myself." Lord Seastark says without looking at me, somehow sensing where my gaze lingered. Either that or he looked back while I didn't noticed.

"I understand Lord Seastark, you've been more than generous with the knowledge you've given House Hightower. We shall never forget that and will always see you and your house as friends." I say with conviction. Lord Seastark smiles at my words and continues to ride, beginning a conversation with Marwyn. I turn my gaze to Castle Warg, where my betrothed awaits inside. A man I met only recently and do not love. Not to say he is a terrible man, quite the opposite! He has that Northern gruffness about him but has acted as distinguished any Reachman courting a lady. He's a man whose still a stranger but I could see myself eventually finding love with him. And if marrying a man I could potentially love is the price I have to pay to get myself a pod of spotted whales, I'll happily pay that price…

A/N: This was originally going to be longer with multiple POVs but the Malora section ballooned and I decided to cut it off here.

The "salmon ball" is based on a hunting technique done by orca pods in Norway, taught to them by Hugo via Driver.

Hope you guys like my worldbuilding with the leviathans being on the same level as dragons (or at least close) and created through blood magic. I did it to add an eldritch nature to dragons and leviathans.

Hope you guys enjoy!

 

[Wolffils]

Incredible chapter. First Malora POV I have ever read for any ASOIAF fic, so kudos for that friend. She's really an obscure character that has a lot of potential plotwise. Curious to see where she's going.

Never seen skinchanging described in such a way, especially into an aquatic creature. You really get the sense these whales have a community almost and structure. Cool that this pod is cousins with the Blackpool pod.

Leviathans ain't no joke. I wonder what other animals of this world are inadvisable to skinchange into?

 

[ATP]

Thanks for chapter.If we have war in future, Hightowers here would support Starks.Or,at least,do not fight them.

 

[kaizerfox]

Incredible chapter. First Malora POV I have ever read for any ASOIAF fic, so kudos for that friend. She's really an obscure character that has a lot of potential plotwise. Curious to see where she's going.

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Thanks for the kind words! I can't imagine I'm the first person to write a Malora POV, someone has to have done it before. I agree she has so much potential plotwise because we know almost nothing about her, only that she's called the "Mad Maid". I suspect she'll have a big role to play when Euron attacks Oldtown in TWOW (whenever that comes out).

Never seen skinchanging described in such a way, especially into an aquatic creature. You really get the sense these whales have a community almost and structure. Cool that this pod is cousins with the Blackpool pod.

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They're aren't really any fics out there that have skinchanging into an aquatic creature, as far as I'm aware. Orca pods have that structure and community because they're essentially one big family that does everything together whether it be swim, play, hunt, etc.

Leviathans ain't no joke. I wonder what other animals of this world are inadvisable to skinchange into?

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I'd say... Dragons, krakens, Old Men of the River (giant turtles found in the River Rhoyne), giant apes of Sothoryos (basically king kong) join the leviathan as the "big magical animal you shouldn't skinchange into". This is because of their minds are magical and this combined with their high intelligence, makes them mentally more powerful than the average skinchanger. The older/more ancient they are, the more powerful their minds are.
Whales are a tier lower along with the other primates, elephants, and basically any animal with near-human in intelligence, but not magical (except wolves, foxes, crows and ravens, they're a tier lower in intelligent animals).

Thanks for chapter.If we have war in future, Hightowers here would support Starks.Or,at least,do not fight them.

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Do mean the Seastarks? If so, then depending on how a possible civil war breaks out then the Seastarks would either be an ally or an enemy they make a gentlemen's agreement of "you don't attack my men and I won't attack yours".
If you meant the Starks, then they're probably going to be on opposing sides.

 

[abhays999]

I'd say... Dragons, krakens, Old Men of the River (giant turtles found in the River Rhoyne), giant apes of Sothoryos (basically king kong) join the leviathan as the "big magical animal you shouldn't skinchange into". This is because of their minds are magical and this combined with their high intelligence, makes them mentally more powerful than the average skinchanger. The older/more ancient they are, the more powerful their minds are.

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GRRM actually talked about this in some convention and confirmed that all the animals in Westeros (or entire Planetos, I don't remember which) are magical. So I don't think there's anything special about a dragon that protects them against skin changing, not anything that we know of right now at least, canonically speaking.

Anyway, great chapter man. Loved it.

 

[kaizerfox]

Interlude: The Queen

Red Keep, Mid Tenth Moon, 286 A.C., Three moons later…

Lyanna POV…

"Your grace, it's time to wake up."

I jolt awake and open my eyes to stare up at the wooden canopy where pale white bed hangings descend, surrounding the bed. A deep and dreamless sleep, as thankfully I haven't had a nightmare in years. By habit I glance to my right to find the spot next to me empty. A consequence of Robert's habit of waking at the crack of dawn to spar with Ser Barristan.

I sit up and stretch my arms, letting out a loud yawn before pulling off the covers and leaving the warmth of my bed. I'm greeted by two young maids, who help me into a black-laced white corset. The blasted things have become quite popular with the ladies of the Red Keep ever since that bitch, Princess Cersei wore one in court a few years ago. Now it's expected of a lady to wear one and I'm forced to wear one to maintain appearances.

The maids then dress me in a low-cut, long-sleeved woolen dress in the Baratheon colors in a style popular in the North that many ladies have mimicked. Silver diamond earrings, and a silver necklace in the form of a direwolf's head made of diamonds with a singular piece of blue amber for its eye, a recent namesday gift from Robert, are put on me by the maids. The only gold on me is the small, sapphire-encrusted crown sitting atop my head marking me as queen of the Seven Kingdoms. I walk out the door to be greeted by Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard, he bids me good morrow and escorts me as I walk through the halls of Maegor's Holdfast. We pass by a painting of a young stag and wolf exploring the beautiful valleys of the Vale as an old falcon perched atop the Eyrie watches over them.

I had it commissioned by a well-renown, if eccentric Braavosi painter named Finzen Vango in an effort to bring life to these mostly barren walls. It was well-received by Robert for his nameday gift and Lord Arryn for his bonds with my husband and brother. Ser Mandon and I pass by the royal portraits of Robert and I, painted by Finzen before I got pregnant with Argella.

A problem I never expected to deal with as queen was what to do with the larger number of dragon paintings and Targaryen portraits. Robert had all portraits with the Mad King and Silver Rapist burned and the remaining paintings with dragons, either beast or human, stripped from the walls of the Red Keep. He even had the dragon skulls removed from the walls of the throne room and stuck in a dark, dank cellar. Put in charge of decorating Maegor's Holdfast for the past few years, along with hiring the Braavosi painter, I brought in many hunting trophies from the North to indulge Robert's love of hunting.

We pass by the pelt of a unicorn from Skagos, an amusing nameday gift for Robert after he told me a childhood memory fostering in the Vale. He and Ned apparently argued over the existence of unicorns when they were younger and I decided to prove my brother right.

I'm pulled from my reminiscing when I reach Cassana's room. Ser Mandon opens the door and I find a young blonde wet nurse named Lynda breastfeeding my youngest daughter; raven black hair, gray-blue eyes, and over five moons old.

"How is my newest wolfdoe?" I ask softly.

"Feeding well, your Grace. She may have been born a bit on the small side, but since then, she's been feeding ravenously and gaining weight." The Lynda replies with a tired smile.

"That's good to hear." I say with palpable relief.

My pregnancy with her was difficult, her birth taking much out of me. I feared she would be a sickly child but it seems those fears were unfounded as I watch her suckle from the teat of the wet nurse.

"The grandmaester will come by to check her condition…" I trail off as I meet the wet nurse's brown eyes. A look of understanding flickers in her eyes and she nods her head.

"I'll be here when he arrives, your grace." She answers softly and I breathe a little easier knowing Lynda will be there. I don't trust the doddering, old grandmaester. The man opened the gates for the Lannisters to sack King's Landing and his near-constant, stuttering praises for Lord Lannister and Lord Seastark only further convince me not to trust him.

I dismiss Lynda with a nod and leave Cassana to her feeding. Ser Mandon and I make our way further down the hall to Argella's room. Just as I reach her room, the door swings open and an elderly maid steps forth holding my one-and-twenty moons old daughter. Her grayish blue eyes matching Cassana's but her hair differing, Stark dark brown instead of Baratheon ebony and dressed in a small blue woolen dress.

"Mama!" Argella squeals excitedly as she reaches her arms out for a hug.

"My little sweetling." I walk forward and take Argella from the arms of Lollys, the grandmother of Lynda, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. Argella giggles happily.

"The little princess is doing well, your grace. I was just about to get her something to break her fast. A bowl of porridge mixed with honey and berries from the glass garden you ordered built." Lollys explains and I snort.

"It still stuns me that the dragons, with all their wealth, never thought to build a glass garden in the Red Keep. We would have built one as large as the one in Winterfell if it weren't for the Myrish raising tariffs on their clear glass." I grouse at the greedy Myrish, throwing a tantrum over us eliminating them as middlemen to trade with the Summer Islands. It doesn't help that Tyrosh and Lys have raised similar tariffs on various goods, some of which like jewels and spices can be replaced with trade company activity in the Summer Islands. Others like clear glass and purple dyes, specialties of Myr and Tyrosh respectively, are harder to replace.

"Even still your grace, the kitchen staff are thankful for fresh fruits and vegetables in winter. It's what sets the stags and wolves apart from the dragons in our eyes, they seek to improve not just themselves, but those around them. Even us smallfolk!" Lollys praises, her old, worn teeth and gums stained red from chewing sourleaf. She's told me some of her horror stories of her time serving the Mad King and I take comfort that the serving staff much prefer Baratheon to Targaryen rule.

"I may be queen, but I'm still a Stark. We know better than anyone how harsh winter can be, on both the highborn and smallfolk alike. Even a small glass garden goes a long way." I say as I bounce Argella in my arms. "Alright, my little wolfdoe, it's time to break your fast but you'll see your father and I after court." I give Argella one last kiss and hand her off to Lollys, as she's still too young to dine with us at almost two namedays old.

My kingsguard escort and I continue our journey to the dining room, passing by Robert's favorite painting. The very same one painted by Lucos of Flea Bottom of the three-headed dragon being slayed by a stag, direwolf, lion, falcon, and trout. I know it's my husband's favorite because every time he walks by it, his smile widens without fail.

Soon enough we reach the dining room and the maid opens the door for me. I walk through the mahogany double-doors to find a long table with porcelain plates and teacups, silver and gold silverware, and golden candlesticks on yellow silk tablecloth. Robert sits at the head, muscular body hidden underneath a heavy black and yellow tunic, stag and direwolf of the royal sigil sewn on the chest. A golden crown shaped like a stag's antlers atop his head, charcoal hair still sheening from sweat. No doubt from his early morning spars with Ser Barristan, who himself stands in the corner nursing a teacup of kofi, greeting me with a smile and bow. My husband's bright blue eyes light up when they land on me and he finishes taking a sip of kofi, placing the teacup on the table. A smile forms on his square jaw, covered by a black short-trimmed beard.

"Good morrow, my king." I greet him with a curtsy before I extend my hand. He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles, avoiding the silver wedding band on my ring finger.

"Good morrow, my queen! How're the wolfdoes fairing?" Robert asks, using our pet names for Argella and Cassana as I let go of his hand and take a seat next to him on his left.

"Argella is well and Cassana is feeding ravenously, putting on a healthy amount of weight." Robert nods at my words.

"Good. I knew Cassana would recover, she's strong like her mother and her namesake." Robert says, relief palpable in his voice. Cassana's namesake being his mother who died along his father Steffon Baratheon in a shipwreck within eyesight of Storm's End right before Robert left for the Eyrie. "How have you been recovering since her birth?" He suddenly asks softly.

"My body has more or less recovered. Grandmaester Pycelle may have said it will be another two moons before I am ready to try again, but I can start tonight if…" My words are cut off by Robert placing his left hand on my right hand and interlocking his fingers with mine.

"If Pycelle says we wait another two moons, then we wait. I won't risk your life simply because I'm impatient, my wolf queen." I feel love well up within me at Robert's words.

"But Robert, don't you want a son and heir?" I ask breathlessly and he gives a humorless laugh.

"Of course I do! But we're still young and have time. I fought a war to get you back, Lyanna, I'm not about to lose you to the birthing chamber." I squeeze Robert's hand at his warm words.

To be perfectly honest, I haven't fully recovered from Cassana's birth, but mayhaps in two moons my body will be ready. I want to give him a son, not just because it's my duty but because I've come to love him after Argella's birth.

Well, that and I don't want that bitch Cersei to put her son on the throne.

Robert pulling his hand away from mine pulls me from my thoughts as a servant places a plate of eggs, bacon, black pudding, sauteed onions and a grilled tomato grown from the glass gardens.

Accompanying it is a small teacup filled with kofi, the bean-based drink from the Summer Islands that has quickly become the drink of choice for lords and ladies. Next to the teacup is a small serving bowl filled with sugar, an expensive import from Leng and the islands of the Jade Sea. I grab the teaspoon and put in one teaspoon into my kofi before stirring it a few times. After a moment, I bring the teacup to my lips but pause to take a whiff of its aroma. The potent, but pleasant scent waffes through my nostrils before I blow on the surface to cool it down. The first sip is still scalding hot but not painfully so, the bitter taste of the kofi dances with the sweetness of the sugar. The second sip sends a wave of alertness through my body, shedding what little drowsiness remained and leaving me ready for the day ahead.

When I place the teacup down on the table, a servant in yellow approaches from my left holding a round wooden cylinder.

"Black pepper your grace?" The servant inquires and I nod. He proceeds to hold the wooden cylinder over my plate and twist the bottom. A crunching sound is accompanied by small black peppercorn flakes falling on my eggs. After five twists over my food, I signal for him to stop. Black peppercorn is another valuable import from the Summer Islands made cheaper and more available to highborn due to years of trade. While spices like cinnamon and saffron were grown in the Far East and traded through the Summer Islands and the Free Cities, black peppercorn is native to the Summer Islands. Before the founding of the trade companies, it was acquired through merchants from the Free Cities, mainly Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys. But now the Royal Trade Company buys directly from Summer Islander princes, cutting out the middle man to the Three Daughters' fury and lowering the price of the luxury.

I savor a few bites of scrambled eggs, the flakes of black peppercorn enhancing the flavor when the doors on the other side of the room and maids escorting two young girls, both bearing my husband's inky black hair and deep blue eyes. I recognize them as the "Royal Bastards" Mya Stone and Bella Rivers, both formally greeting us with a curtsy. They were here because they were old enough, along with Shireen, to dine with us. Argella, Myrcella, Cassana, and Joffrey were all too young to dine with us, with Myrcella being a few moons older than Argella and three moons old Joffrey no doubt being fed by a wet nurse.

I stamp down a surge of resentment at seeing Bella, knowing it's not her fault Robert bedded a whore during battle while I was locked up in that damn tower. I see her glance anxiously at me but instead of letting my feelings be known, I put on a fake smile. She looks relieved at my smile and I feel relief she's too young to see through it.

My eyes shift to Mya and I'm unsure how to describe the mix of feelings swirling within me when I look at her. I feel the same resentment towards her as Bella, but noticeably weaker. Diluted by the knowledge that she'll one day be betrothed to my little winged wolf. When I gave Brandon to Ned to be raised in Winterfell, I made a promise to myself.

If I can't raise my son, then I can at least raise a good wife for him.

Ironic, since it was Mya's birth that made me doubt Robert in the first place and want to wriggle out of the betrothal. I feel a pang of a mix of hatred and self-loathing as Rhaegar's smiling face flashes in my mind before I shake myself out of it as Robert continues to devour the plate of eggs, bacon, black pudding, beans, mushrooms, and sauteed dragon peppers. The small, fiery orange peppers are difficult to obtain in winter but I suppose there are some benefits to royalty.

After a few bites of egg and black pudding, the double doors open again and a herald announces Prince Renly. The nine nameday old prince greets us and takes his seat next to me to my left, with Robert to my right at the head of the table. Argella sits in a wooden high seat to my right . The servant places a porcelain plate full of food and a teacup of kofi. Renly grabs the sugar and puts in two teaspoons into the teacup before stirring. He blows to cool down his drink before taking a sip and humming with contentment.

"Renly…" Robert's voice causes his younger brother to straighten up and give him his full attention. "…I've decided to make you my cupbearer, starting today. When you turn two-and-ten, you will squire for Ser Barristan." Renly's bright blue eyes light up at Robert's words.

"Truly!? I'll get to squire for Ser Barristan the Bold!" He turns his head around and peaks over the side of his chair towards the knight in question, who gives a small smile.

"Indeed, Prince Renly, the honor is mine. When the time comes, I will take you and your friend Lord Monford Velaryon as my squires." The aged knight takes a sip of his kofi and Robert cuts in, causing Renly to face him again.

"Aye, Ser Barristan will make you a skilled knight and you'll need to be one as Prince of Dragonstone. The Narrow Sea Houses will be your bannermen but some may harbor sympathy for the dragons and I'm counting on you to be a strong Prince of Dragonstone. Can you do that for me?" Robert looks Renly in the eye, who nods his head enthusiastically.

"I will, brother! I'll be the best cupbearer, the best knight, and best prince in the Seven Kingdoms!" Robert laughs at Renly's words and my mind drifts about the Velaryons.

Lucerys Velaryon, former Master of Ships to the Mad King, fled to the Stepstones with a dozen ships at the end of the rebellion to carve out a living in the Stepstones. In the eyes of the crown, he forfeited his titles of Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark, passing it to his trueborn son Monford. It was fortuitous that both he and his bastard brother Aurane Waters were both captured in Driftmark and Robert had them brought to the Red Keep to be his wards. Monford being the same age as Renly and Aurane being a year younger have caused them to develop a growing friendship between Renly and his future bannermen. Of course, their father, despite losing his titles, seems to have carved out a small kingdom for himself in the Stepstones. Last I heard, he was consolidating Bloodstone, uniting all but one island in the Stepstones. They only reason Robert hasn't gone after him is because the Rogue Seahorse hasn't attacked any Westerosi ships sailing through his waters.

"…Got a Small Council meeting after I finish my meal and you're coming with me to start your cupbearer duties! I won't lie to you Renly, like all meetings, it'll be boring. The only interesting thing we'll discuss today is what to do with Isle of Sunstone." The mention of the one island in the Stepstones outside the Rogue Seahorse's grasp draws me back to the conversation.

"Have Lord Swann and Ser Davos fully taken the island?" I ask about the fleet sent to capture or kill the pirate lord Bloodbeard, who had made Sunstone the base attacking Royal Trade Company ships.

"I received a raven last night. All of Sunstone is ours and Bloodbeard's head on a pike. Now the question is what to do with it." Robert confirms.

"You should keep the island as a possession of the Iron Throne, you only rule King's Landing and Summerhall directly and could do to expand your domains." Robert carefully contemplates my words.

Summerhall is a ruined castle in the heart of the Stormlands slowly being rebuilt after a fire destroyed it nearly three decades ago. Once a direct domain of the Targaryens, it fell to Robert after the rebellion and has since been used to store barrels of wyldfire transported from the capital and will be used to test the farming inventions crafted by Lord Seastark.

"Aye, I've been considering doing that. I'm also thinking about who should govern in my name…" Robert is cut off by the mahogany double doors opening, with the bane of my existence and her four nameday old brat strutting in like peacocks. Princess Cersei Baratheon, or as Lysa and I call her The Blonde Bitch when no one is around, wares a black and red long-sleeved woolen dress while her daughter has a similar dress in black and yellow. The low cut of her dress showing off cleavage from her fuller breasts. I notice gold diamond earrings sparkle, a golden ruby-encrusted tiara, and a large golden necklace with three pieces of jade around her neck, a recent gift from her uncle acquired in Yi-Ti she's shown off to everyone in court.

The Sunset Trade Company's successful expedition to the Far East has been the talk of all the lords and ladies of court ever since the Citadel sent a translated copy of a map of Ulthos, several exotic pelts, and a strange weapon called a "fire lance" to Robert a moon ago. The wealth acquired through sugar, jade, silks, paper, and spices has drawn everyone's attention but the fire lance sparked a storm of debate when it was demonstrated by acolytes from the Citadel a week ago.

It was tested against a thick breastplate of castle-forged steel, the small metal ball fired heavily denting but failing to pierce. Lords continue to debate it's potential on the battlefield, with some Lord Rykker seeing them as the future of warfare while others like Lord Royce see them as flashy gimmicks. Robert doesn't seem to know what side to take and is more interested in using the fire lance to hunt boars and other dangerous game. I'm unsure of them myself but Cersei bragging that Lord Seastark has one and is seeking to create an improved version has left me scrambling to write to my brother and Lord Dustin to find out more.

I'm taken out of my thoughts when Cersei takes a seat to Renly's right, her daughter sitting next to her.

"I received a raven from my brother in Casterly Rock yesterday. He writes of the opening of Lord Seastark's canning factory in Lannisport. His new company has a contract with my father to supply the Lannister fleet and trade company ships with canned food for their voyages." Cersei says with a smirk, her green eyes meeting mine when she mentions the Seawolf.

One of the things I loathe about her is she goes out of her way to praise or mention Lord Seastark whenever she can, as if she knows how uncomfortable I get at the mention of his name. It doesn't help that her husband is good friends with the Lord of Sea Dragon Point and that the Lannisters and Seastarks continue to deepen their bonds.

"Canned foods? For ships? Sounds like something Stannis would be interested in." Robert comments absentmindedly before cutting a piece of spiced sausage and eating it.

"Oh, I have no doubt my husband will want an expansion in King's Landing to service the Royal Fleet when he gets back any day now." Cersei responds demurely before a servants place plates of food in front of her and Shireen. A cup of fresh milk is placed in front of Shireen while a teacup of kofi is placed in front of Cersei. She grabs the sugar pot and puts two teaspoons into her kofi before stirring.

I feel my heart clench at the thought of the Seawolf expanding his reach in the capital. At least more than he already has through the Wayfinders Guild and its new Guildmaster, Dagwell of Wolfsport. Promoted after taking part in what is being called the "Morosh War" with Ser Edric Seastark, I have no doubt he works as Lord Seastark's eyes and ears in the capital. So far, his tenure as Guildmaster has been marked by the introduction of warden's decks and a board game called checkers for sale. Both selling like hot cakes amongst the sailors, fishermen, merchants, and residents of Flea Bottom.

"Stannis will be happy to meet his son. He might even smile!" Robert japes and Renly laughs.

"Indeed, Joffrey might have my looks but he's surly like Stannis." The blonde bitch says with a slightly mischievous grin. "What are your plans for the day your grace? I'm having tea with Lady Chelsted, Lady Blount, and Lady Slynt. We're tasting green tea purchased by my uncle from Yi-Ti!" She brags and I pretend to look impressed.

I idly note the ladies she's meeting are from the western Crownlands and are from houses located on or near the Gold Road, soon to be paved this coming spring and summer. No doubt attempting to bring them into the Golds.

The Golds have a solid grasp over the lords and ladies of the Stormlands, Westerlands, western North, western Riverlands, and the southern half of the Reach. My Silvers hold sway over the Vale, the northern Reach, eastern and central North, eastern Riverlands, and Dorne. The Crownlands, in contrast, has been a political battlefield between Cersei and I competing for support amongst the Crownlords, whom themselves are greedy, fickle, and always looking to curry favor or get the best deal. I make a note to myself to meet with more Crownland ladies to gain support for my Silvers. Mayhaps I will shore up support from the Stokeworths and Rykkers? Or Mayhaps I'll try to sway the Rosbys and Stauntons from the Golds?

"I and my ladies-in-waiting will be having kofi and cakes with Lady Arryn and ladies of the Vale." I explain. I catch Shireen chatting happily with Bella and Mya out of the corner of my eye before her mother's disapproving glare puts a stop to it. Seeing the royal bastards disappointed, I flash them an encouraging smile that they return. Despite my misgivings about them, Mya will marry Brandon and Bella could potentially be used against Cersei.

"That sounds lovely." Cersei lies with a sickly-sweet smile. The only reason we aren't sniping at one another is because both our husbands forbid it in their presence.

The blonde bitch drones on about the wealth House Lannister gained from the Sunset Trade Company's Jade Sea expedition. I ignore her as I continue to eat. Robert glances at me before speaking .

"Jon and I are thinking of sending a trade expedition to the Jade Sea come spring." Cersei and I eyes widen at the next venture of the Royal Trade Company being aimed toward Yi-Ti. Not that I oppose it, cutting into the Sunset Trade Company's share of the Jade Sea trade can only be a good thing in the long run.

"A wonderful idea, dear husband! Ser Wendel could lead such a voyage as the Manderlys have a silver mine near White Harbor!" Robert perks up at my praise. The blonde bitch is quick to try undercut me.

"Indeed, a wise idea your grace, but I think Ser Endrew Tarth would be a better fit for leading the expedition." Cersei says, proposing that Lord Tarth's cousin lead instead.

"Ser Wendel is more than capable…" I'm cut off by Robert.

"I'll decide who leads when the time comes." He says decisively, nipping our brewing argument in the bud. The meal continues with an awkward air, our uneasy truce of idle talk forced by Robert's presence.

"Goodsister," Robert addresses Cersei. "Your father purchased a clipper from Lord Seastark, correct?"

"Yes, my fathered paid twenty galleys worth of gold for the Swift Claw but in his words it was 'worth every gold dragon'." Cersei gloats while Robert and I's widen at the price. A single ship worth twenty galleys!? Robert looks conflicted at the price and while I can see the use of acquiring a clipper for House Baratheon, I'm loathed to give even more gold to Lord Seastark. The bastard is already getting rich enough off his trade company and tax breaks from my brother.

"You think he'll gift one to Stannis for free?" Robert asks half japing. Cersei shrugs.

"Mayhaps, but I doubt it. Lord Seastark hasn't gifted any and when he does sell, he will no doubt demand either a large sum of gold or some kind of concession like tax breaks." She explains and I frown. So much for a free clipper.

The meal continues with the clanking or forks, sips of kofi, and idle chatter about the recent blizzard that hit a week ago. It amuses me that Southroners consider this a normal winter. In the North, this would a mild winter as there's only a foot of snow on the ground for Old Gods' sake! Soon enough Robert and Renly finish their meals and excuse themselves to go to the Small Council meeting. I quickly excuse myself to meet with Lady Arryn, not wanting to be in the same room as the blonde bitch any longer than I have to…

Later…

"Did you hear Lord Hayford fathered a bastard with a Summer Islander whore on the Street of Silks?" I glance over to the right and see the Lady of Runestone Cissy Royce, wife to the Master of Laws Lord Yohn Royce. A lady of dark hair and eyes wears a silver necklace with rubies and sapphires from Lotus Port and a low-cut, long-sleeved bronze-colored dress in the Northern style.

"Aye, I heard when he acknowledged the brown bastard as Duncan Waters and brought him back to Castle Hayford, his wife was furious!" Giggled the younger Lady Bethany Umber nee Flint of Widow's Watch, wife of Captain Farlan Umber of the Goldcloaks. She takes a sip of kofi but nearly spills some on her Northern dress in Umber red and brown. I glance over to the left.

"Is it true Lord Uller betrothed his daughter to a Summer Islander prince?" "Aye, heard it was to forge an alliance between the Dornish Trade Company and the Isle of Birds!" I nibble on a lemon cake as I listen to gossip between the young Lady Kella Redfort, third wife of Lord Redfort and Lady Deana Grafton, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed maiden daughter of Lord Grafton. Lady Deana is one of my ladies-in-waiting along with Lady Bethany, Lady Kyra Karstark, Lady Sharra Belmore, and Lady Elinor Rykker. Deana, Sharra, and Elinor are all of-age and yet to be betrothed and any of them would be a good match for Ser Wendel.

"I heard Lord Seastark has the Mad Maid as his mistress in Castle Warg!" My friend Lady Lysa Arryn drags me out of my thoughts, her belly swollen with child before she takes a sip of kofi.

"Aye, why else would he keep her there as she waits to be married in Oldtown? Her betrothed, Jonos Slate, is only in Castle Warg so they can hide it!" The fierce voice of a pregnant, redheaded Kyra Karstark nee Swiftfoot, wife of Captain Creegan Karstark of the Goldcloaks responds back. The ladies are dressed in low-cut, long-sleeved woolen dresses in the Northern style in their respective house colors, Kyra's of black and white and Lysa's of blue and white.

"What do you think your grace?" Lysa asks me and I see ladies-in-waiting Kyra, Sharra, and Deana along with Lady Eylanna Waxley lean in to hear my response.

"While I haven't heard of anything scandalous happening in Castle Warg, it wouldn't surprise me if such a thing was occurring." I answer carefully and the ladies giggle. I change the subject, feeling uncomfortable talking about Lord Seastark's deepening ties with the Hightowers as flashes of the Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull flash in my mind.

"You heard the prince, hold her down!" Suddenly I'm back at the Tower of Joy, arms of the Kingsguards roughly grabbing me and forcing me onto the bed as Rhaegar looms over…

I shake my head and banish the terrible memory.

"How has the pregnancy been treating you, Lady Arryn?" I ask, taking a sip of kofi.

"The same as the last one. The only difference is I'm drinking kofi instead of wine." Lysa responds.

"The Summer Islanders say that drinking wine during pregnancy is unhealthy and that kofi is better for expecting women!" I explain and see Lady Deana agree while sipping her kofi while Lady Kyra frowns while holding her pint of black beer.

"With all due respect your grace, a good pint of black beer does wonders for Northern ladies with a bun in the oven!" She exclaims with a grin before taking a sip.

Lady Bethany catches everyone's attention by clearing her throat. "My brother, Lord Flint of Widow's Watch is looking to foster my nephew Robin Flint..." She trails off and I perk up immediately.

"Your brother wishes to foster his heir with a Southron house?" I inquire and she nods. My eyes survey the reactions from the Vale ladies. Some like Lysa, Lady Waxley, and Lady Cobray look on with disinterest but I see Lady Redfort, Lady Royce, and Lady Waynwood look intrigued.

"Yes, your grace. He thinks it'll do Robin some good to foster with a First Men house of the South. It did good for your brother and his grace, did it not?" Lady Bethany asks.

"Indeed, my husband speaks fondly of his time with my brother in the Eyrie and I have no doubt he will look fondly on your nephew's fosterage in the Vale. Lady Redfort, didn't you tell me the other day your husband was looking to foster?" I see Lady Redfort look surprised at me addressing her but she recovers quickly.

"Indeed, he is your grace and I'm sure he'll be happy to foster the heir to Widow's Watch. I'll be sure to inform him of Lord Flint's offer and they can sort out the details. How old is Robin Flint?" Lady Redfort asks Bethany, who answers that he is nine namedays old and they begin to speak amongst themselves when Lady Royce takes control of our conversation.

"Speaking of fostering, my third son Waymar wants to join the Night's Watch ever since a wandering crow visited Runestone to gather prisoners condemned to the Wall. My husband wants him to join the Royal Trade Company but he's adamant for an eight nameday old boy. He's thinking of fostering him somewhere in the North so if he truly decides to take the black, he won't have to travel far." She says to our surprise.

"Oh, dear! Young Waymar would be miserable, freezing at the Wall being attacked by wildlings! Better for him to earn gold and glory in the Royal Trade Company!" Lady Waxley, a short, pudgy, dark-haired woman a decade older than me, wearing silver earrings with blue amber that match her eyes. I take a bite of my lemon cake.

"That's what my husband said! But my poor boy is enamored with the idea of gaining honor by taking the black and neutering his future! He's too young to see that he can do so much more for himself and our house by joining the company!" Lady Royce points out the reason for fewer highborn taking the black, already a slim number. Why waste your life freezing at the Wall unable to take a wife or father children when you could join a trade company and gain wealth and prestige?

"It is not dishonorable that Waymar wishes to take the black, quite the opposite! The Night's Watch, despite being a shadow of its former glory, is still an honorable order that defends the realm from the wildling menace!" I cut in and grab everyone's attention. Except for Lady Redfort and Lady Bethany, who continue to discuss details of a potential fosterage. "That said, if Lord Royce wishes to foster him in the North then mayhaps somewhere close to the Wall like Karhold would work…" I trail off and look at Lady Kyra, who grins.

"I can write to my goodcousin in Karhold. I'm sure he'd be delighted to foster young Waymar!" Lady Kyra beams at me before facing Lady Royce. "He'll raise the lad to value the Royal Trade Company and his potential place in it. If he doesn't at the end of his fosterage and still wants to take the black, Karhold isn't too far. That and he'll find out if he can handle a Northern winter!" She finishes with a jape that the ladies politely laugh at.

"I'll be sure to discuss the possibility of Waymar fostering in Karhold with my husband, though I doubt he'd be opposed. He'll write to Lord Karstark about the details." Lady Royce says and she and Lady Kyra begin discussing details. I smile to myself at the seeds of deepening ties between the Vale and the eastern shore of the North being planted, desperately needed to counter Lannister influence on the western shore.

I ponder a raven from Lord Dustin received a few moons ago. He wrote of Lord Bolton agreeing to have his heir Domeric serve as his page in Barrowton but was looking to foster him in the south. I search the ladies around me for a suitable place for the heir to the Dreadfort to foster. Mayhaps with the Graftons of Gulltown or the Rykkers of Duskendale? Or mayhaps have him as a ward of Robert here in the Red Keep? Robert wouldn't mind having a squire from the North as to him, knighthood is about feats, not gods…

"Goodsister, have you heard about the strange tales coming out of Wolfsport? Of fishermen working with spotted whales as if they're dogs?" Lysa interrupts my scheming. While she and I aren't direct goodsisters, we use the term with one another to denote the closeness of our friendship to the court. To Robert and Jon's enjoyment.

I'm prevented from replying when the door opens up and a servant in the Baratheon colors steps into the room.

"Your grace, ladies…" The young red-headed servant greets us with a quick bow. "…Prince Stannis and the expedition have been sighted in Blackwater Bay and are expected to arrive soon! His grace has requested you and the ladies attend his welcoming in the Great Hall." The servant informs the table, who react with excitement at the news. Some, like Lady Redfort, look anxious to see her son, Ser Jasper Redfort, A newly matured man facing getting his first taste of battle in Morosh.

"Thank you, you can inform his grace that we're on our way." I dismiss the servant, who quickly leaves the room as I finish my kofi. The ladies and I make to travel from Maegor's Holdfast to the Great Hall…

Later…

I sit upon the queen's throne, overshadowed by the lumbering, metal monstrosity known as the Iron Throne. My eyes glance across the sea of lords and ladies, all hanging off of Prince Stannis' every word about the Royal Trade Company's expedition to the Shivering Sea and the Morosh War. I spy Lady Redfort smiling tearfully at her son, Ser Jasper being safe and called out by the prince for his achievements.

"…When the call to aid Morosh rang out, two thousand knights and men-at-arms in answered the call, including House Seastark and their Seawolves!" The courtiers cheered and I feel uneasy at the mention of the Seawolves, fierce warriors clad in leather armor trained in fighting on land and sea. "Two hundred were lost to fighting and attrition, leaving us with eight-and-ten hundred fighting men. As promised in the treaty with the Lorathi, we left a garrison of one hundred men under the command of Arnolf Karstark, to guard the trading post and defend against another Dothraki attack. Another one thousand left for home with the spoils." I hear the court react to Karstarks being placed in another command. Lady Kyra Karstark smirks at her goodbrother's promotion and the silvers speak fondly while the golden courtiers mutter distastefully, more supportive of Cersei and Lord Seastark.

Prince Stannis just finished his account of the Battle for Morosh and their victory over the Dothraki. The lords and ladies applauded at the feats of men like Ser Wendel, who slayed Khal Motho himself in a dual. The Northern knight receiving many appreciating looks from the young maidens, including my three young ladies-in-waiting from the Vale, causing me to wonder whether to pair him with the Belmore, Hunter, or Grafton. Smaller houses like House Follard and House Baelish were celebrated, the young Follard heir receiving a knighthood for slaying some high-ranking Dothraki and Petyr Baelish for saving Ser Edric Seastark's life in battle.

I recognize Petyr Baelish as the fool who challenged my brother Brandon to a dual for the hand of Lady Catelyn. He lost easily, only being spared after my future goodsister pleaded for mercy. Lysa mentioned he recovered from the slash across the chest my late brother gave him and has been serving in the "King's Company" as some have taken to call the Royal Trade Company. When Ser Edric and Dagwell of Wolfsport arrived in King's Landing and told of the Battle of Morosh I was surprised when they spoke of Petyr saving Ser Edric and being owed a blood debt. A blood debt is sacred to Northerners and any attempt to exploit it by the one owed or wriggle out of it by the one who owes the debt is seen on par with a kinslayer. And yet, Lysa speaks highly of the man.

I see the Petyr off to the side speaking with his father, whose been beaming with pride since his son's feats were mentioned by the Prince.

"…And thus, we divided the spoils, a mix of gold coins, jewelry, wines, and many capture animals from warhorses to cattle like cows and sheep, to more exotic ones like aurochs and bison. We divided up the spoils, recorded who got what, and piled it onto ships heading back for King's Landing." The Prince of Storm's End addresses the court.

"Aye, I remember when the ships arrived a few moons ago. It was hectic having to manage all the livestock and horses but the spoils were sorted accordingly and well-received." The Hand of the King seated across from me at the base of the Iron Throne, Lord Arryn speaks up and a flurry of whispers envelops the court.

"I got two breeding rams of good stock for my personal herd of sheep!" "Bah, that's nothing! My house received two massive bison! It isn't a breeding pair but if I can find someone with a breeding bull…" I catch two Crownlords under the royal banner whispering about the war spoils, just one of many in the sea of conversation flowing through the Great Hall. While it might not be the bounty the Sunset Trade Company acquired in it's expedition, the spoils from the Morosh War are still well-received by the courtiers. Many recognizes the value of good cattle or horses, especially for free.

"The two black stallions from the Khal's own personal herd are powerful and well-bred. My wife and I are grateful for your gift, brother. What happened next?" Robert chimes in, mentioning the stallions that were in currently in the Royal Stables, waiting for us to ride them in Spring.

"We sailed east, stopping in the capital of the Omber Kingdom, Omberdam and met with their ruler, Koning or King Dieter of House Vandyk. A tall, pale, and cautious king who rules a land where he and the local princes pay the Dothraki a yearly tribute in gold, drink, and girls to prevent their wrath. He allowed a trading post in Omberdam but refused any garrison, fearful of incurring the Dothraki's wrath. The Dothraki horse lords have heard of our victory at Morosh and are said to have become hostile to the 'men from across the poison water'. When he hosted us for dinner of smoked bison, delicious aged cheese from a town called Edam, and pea soup, the koning showed something his people are proficient at, klok-making!" The courtiers react with confusion at the foreign word.

"What's a klok?" Asks my husband.

"It's an intricate machine that tells time! Here I'll show you. I purchased two, one for the Red Keep and one Storm's End. Put in the order before continuing the expedition, swinging by to pick them up on the way back." At the prince's words, the main entrance to the Great Hall opens up and four servants carrying large wooden box like structure with intricate carvings of sea life from starfish to dolphins.

It's over a foot wide and taller than a man. The main body has a gold pendulum facing down with a round end that swings endlessly to a consistent rhythm. The top has a circular white disk with three metal sticks of varying sizes sticking out from the center. The edges of the disk are divided into two-and-ten spaces with paintings of two animals in each section. When I investigated further, I realized the medium length stick was slowly moving to the left, sweeping around the disk and when it completed a turn, the longest stick, pointing towards the top to the left, moved a little bit to the left! When the courtiers noticed the same thing, I could he murmurs of disbelief and accusations of sorcery.

"It's not sorcery! See here…" Prince Stannis reaches his hand to the edge of the disk and unclasps a lock and opens the disk like a door. I peer inside to see a series interlocking cogs, moving at the same rhythm as the medium length stick. "…It's not magic, but a machine. They have the same four-and-twenty hour time system we do, but they have a strange custom of using the numbers one through two-and-ten to represent the hours instead of animals like us! So, I had the kloks modified to use our animals but had to place them two a piece in each slot…" The prince explains the how the klok works, the cogs and gears move the "hands". The prince then closes the disk and points to the sticks or "hands". The medium length stick or "second hand", a rotation around the disk moves the longest stick or "minute hand". Sixty minutes moves the minute hand around the disk, moving the shortest stick or "hour hand".

"By seeing at the minute hand almost facing the top and the hour hand facing the right toward the fox and wolf, we can tell that it is almost the hour of the fox!" As if on cue, the minute hand loves to the top, pointing directly upwards towards the ceiling.

Suddenly, a small door in the under the disk opens up and a tiny wooden man wielding a hammer and painted to look like a craftsman shuffles out next to a golden bell. The wooden craftsman strikes the bell three times before retreating back into the klok. Before anyone could react, bells could be heard faintly in the distance. The bells of the Great Sept of Baelor rung out three times before falling silent, marking the hour of the fox.

The court becomes a hive of discussion with some enamored by the intricate machinery, some voicing their disinterest, and most inquiring on how to acquire one. Robert didn't know what to make of it and neither did I. Soon enough, the klok is taken out of the Great Hall to be placed in Maegor's Holdfast and the prince continues his tale.

"We continued from the Bay of Tusks, stopping at Vaes Leisi on the coast of what is known as the Kingdom of the Ifequeveron, a massive forest larger than the Wolfswood and Kingswood combined. Said to be the home of the "Woods Walkers", kin to the Children of the Forest of our lands, they vanished thousands of years ago, leaving what the Dothraki give it its current, in Common Tongue: 'City of Ghosts'." Prince Stannis responds, the lords and ladies becoming intrigued by his descriptions of haunted grottoes and faces carved onto trees that weren't weirwoods. I and other Northerners note the similarities between the these Essosi Wood Walkers and the Children of the Forest. I wonder if they were once one people or were always separate.

"…Arrived at the Port of Ibben, a city nearly the size of King's Landing and full of traders from across the Shivering Sea, even saw merchants from far off Mossovy! The smell of whale meat and blubber was everywhere, all coming from the countless refineries in the city…" The courtiers mutter at the prince's description of the large, industrious capital of Ibben. Of it's narrow streets between buildings of brown oak and gray granite or the lively market located in the Outlander Quater where foreigners or "outlanders" are allowed to stay and trade.

"Did you meet with the shadow council that rules the land?" Lord Arryn inquires and Prince Stannis nods.

"Aye, we met with a delegation of a dozen magisters led by the powerful Magister Grug of House Crood. He had made a trade deal with House Seastark prior to our arrival and was eager to host us his personal manse built into a spacious cave outside the city. He gave us the official invitation needed for us to leave the Outlander Quarter…"

I remember Ser Edric when he was in the Red Keep. Typical Stark looks of tall, long-faced, and dark brown hair with bluish-gray eyes instead of the Stark gray. When asked about the trade deal with the Ibbenese, he was evasive on the details, only mentioning the sales of goods and an "understanding". I need to know more yet remain silent, deciding to find out after court.

"…In the end, the treaty was signed. The Royal Trading Company establishes a trading post in the Port of Ibben, next to the Outlander Quarter. Our merchants are granted with special privileges, including being allowed in the neighboring Merchants Quarter. And finally, the Ibbenese agree to cede their monopoly in the northern Sunset Sea to House Seastark as defined as the waters north of Pyke…" Surprised whispers echo across the Great Hall at word of the Seastarks' involvement.

A monopoly on whaling? Given to House Seastark? Is that what Ser Edric meant!? I search the crowd for Gold supporters and see they're as surprised as the Silvers.

I steel myself. "What deal did the Seastarks make with Ibben?" The court falls silent at my question. The prince's face flashes with surprise before answering.

"I know not the details, but I do know that the Ibbenese are not only ceding the northern Sunset Sea. Ibbenese shipbuilders were sent to Wolfsport!" My eyes widen and this got the court's attention.

"Oh, do you think Lord Seastark is building his own whaling ships? Like those of the Ibbenese?" I ask the prince in an innocent tone.

"It wouldn't surprise me, your grace." Prince Stannis says with a shrug. "Magister Crood told me his people rarely sailed as far as Wolfsport to whale. So, in his mind, it's only a small concession." and the court discusses the potential impact of a Seastark whaling fleet. Some discuss the Lord of Sea Dragon Point accruing even more wealth. Others talk of the size of Ibbenese whaling ships and how they could be used in war. I clench my jaw at Lord Seastark somehow benefiting more from trade with the Ibbenese than our expedition. Robert quickly silences the court. His brother clears his throat before speaking again.

"In return, the Ibbenese receive a trading post in King's Landing and a monopoly of whaling in the Shivering Sea except for whales caught within eyesight of the North, the Bay of Seals, and the Bite. They will tolerate us building a small whaling presence in the Narrow and Summer Seas but were staunch in maintaining their monopoly in the Shivering Sea." The court breaks out into a loud cacophony of mutters about the trade treaty signed with the Ibbenese. The Northern courtiers from the eastern shore voice their displeasure at essentially giving up whaling in their waters to the Ibbenese. I even see Ser Wendel look upset! I listen to the rest of the court's reactions.

"More Ibbenese in the capital!?" "How dare they limit us in the North!" "Aren't these corsets made of whalebone the Ibbenese merchants sell?" "Wonderful, my house already trades with them and this makes things easier!" "Do we even have whaling ships?" I struggle to make out who is saying what when Robert silences the court again.

"Brother, I gave you the full authority to make decisions and sign treaties in my name. The treaty will be honored by the Iron Throne!" He announced to the court before asking his brother. I glance over to Lady Kyra Karstark and Lady Bethany Umber along with a few other Northerners look to me pleadingly, in hopes that I can reverse this. I gave them a determined nod to soothe them while suppressing a sign as I wonder what to do to get Robert to change this, assuming it's even possible.

"What happened after the treaty was signed?" Lord Arryn presses on.

"We celebrated with a hearty meal of seasoned whale meat, seaweed, and shark-fin soup! Magister Crood even gifted us with the skeleton of a recently slayed leviathan over a hundred and twenty feet long!" Prince Stannis grins before the Great Hall's oaken doors open again, revealing a score of servants carrying a massive whale skull five-and-twenty feet long. A large jaw full of frightening huge teeth, each tooth nearly one-and-a-half feet long and seven inches at the widest cause the courtiers to whisper in fear and awe, struggling to imagine the beast this once belonged to.

Robert rises an eyebrow at the skull, then his brother, before grinning. "I like the way you think brother! It shall hang in the Great Hall! Better the skeleton of a leviathan than a dragon I say! We'll discuss how it'll be hung in tomorrow's council meeting." He dismisses the servants with a simple nod. The court reacts to the declaration with soft but excited whispers as the servants carry the monstrous skull out of the Great Hall.

"From the Port of Ibben, we sailed east pass Far Ib to Leviathan Sound, where the fleet witnessed a large, black Ibbenese whaling ship hunting a leviathan! Forty foot long rowboats with harpooners struck the great beast and were taken on what our Ibbenese translator called an "Ibbenese sleigh ride"! The boats were dragged by the leviathan to tire it out. When it finally did, the whalers went in for the kill, wearing strange helmets that cover their ears from the beast's extraordinarily loud death rattle. The rowboats and leviathan were mayhaps a mile away but everyone in the fleet heard it in their bones. Men's teeth clattered, chests vibrated, and some went temporarily deaf at the leviathan's death throes! Our guide told us if we were any closer, were would have needed protection for our ears, lest we go deaf." The prince's description of the hunt unnerve the courtiers.

My mind flashes to the leviathan skull that left moments ago, wondering what kind of men and ship were needed to hunt such a terrifying beast. Robert is enthralled, even if he looks a bit unnerved by his brother's words on the beast's volume. The lords who went on the expedition grimly nod their heads and murmur their confirmation with haunted looks.

"When the great beast was slain, our Ibbenese guide explained that the carcass is hauled to the ship, where they slowly but surely strip the whale of meat and blubber, boil the blubber in brick ovens on the main deck, and store the new whale oil in wooden barrels. When their ships are full of oil, usually after two or three leviathans or a dozen smaller whales, they sail back for Ibben with their haul." Prince Stannis explains.

"What happened after the hunt?" Robert asks.

"We headed for the city of Nefer while attempting contact with the natives of the Thousand Islands. Unfortunately, after a dozen islands of failure, we gave up. The strange hairless, green-skinned natives either fled into fortified towns or fired arrows at us. Eventually, we made it to Nefer, the only remaining city in the Kingdom of the N'ghai. Their kingdom has been reduced over time from constant wars with their kinfolk, the Jogos Nhai, who raid everyone east of the Bone Mountains. Whereas the Jogos Nhai are nomadic raiders akin to the Dothraki, the N'ghai are a settled people. The city is at the mouth of the River of Tears, the name given to the river where their destroyed cities lay in ruins. Partially built into a tall cliff facing the sea with a hundred-foot-tall granite walls, it can only be attacked by sea or a narrow route on land, sandwiched between the waves and the cliffs. We were cautiously welcomed by the Jhagar or king of the N'ghai. He seemed to be a weak king that presided over a divided court, split between its merchants and sorcerers, with the latter possessing true control. The merchants pushed for the jhagar to agree to a trading post but the sorcerers were against. They threatened to 'allow the miners to rest', which forced the merchants and ruler to back down. We're unsure what they meant by this but our guide claims that many of the sorcerers in the city are necromancers." A storm of whispers from the courtiers erupt at the mention of necromancers. I hear Pycelle harrumph and mutter something to himself.

"Necromancers?" The lord hand asks skeptically with a raised eyebrow. Prince Stannis shrugs.

"We never met the miners in question and no one saw any 'living corpses' but we were only there for two nights. The next day the Jhagar proclaimed we would be allowed to trade in Nefer for three days before being forced to leave on penalty of death. No trading post would be allowed but in the future, our merchants were allowed in the city under the same strict three-day rule. We were also gifted a breeding pair of zorses. We spent the day trading our goods, the N'ghai are rich in metals, particularly silver, dragonglass, and zorses captured from their enemies. Our guide mentioned that Nefer once traded silver with Yi-Ti to the far south but the Jogo Nhai cut it off in their conquest of the northern plains. The Yi-Ti valued the trade with Nefer enough to fight two wars with the nomads to reestablish a connection, losing both times. We left two days before our curfew. We piled the zorses and silver onto a few ships and sent them back to King's Landing with another three hundred men…" The court mutter about the strange beasts that showed up before the expedition's return. Bred as the offspring of a horse and a creature in Yi-Ti called a zebra by the Jogos Nhai and said to be fierce, hardy, and foul-tempered. There seems to be some truth to those words, if the unfortunate stableboy kicked in the jaw by the stallion's hind legs is any indication.

"…Remaining four hundred of us made it to the westernmost port of the Zardom of Mossovy, Kransygorod and were met with a small fleet of galleys. We waved the white flag of parley and met with local admiral After our guide translated that we were there to trade, we were let through. The city was the size of Gulltown, full with red-bricked buildings, narrow crowded streets, and crooked alleyways. The locals had seen better days; pale, starving, and distrustful of outsiders, they regarded us with wariness. I and a delegation including Ser Wendel Manderly, Ser Lomas Estermont, and Ser Lyn Cobray were taken to a red stone castle the size of Maegor's Holdfast. Ruled by the local lord or boyar, Dimitri of House Smirnoff hosted us with a humble dinner of smoked mackeral, radish soup, and pickled cabbage. The boyar explained the times of trouble his people had seen since the previous Zar, Fyeodor of House Gurik died without an heir. The throne was claimed by his brother, Prince Dimitri and his nephew through his sister, Boyar Mikhail Komanov and have battled for the past three years. In summer, fields were burned, wells poisoned, and cities put to the sword. In autumn, that continued but made worse by raids from the Jogos Nhai and nomadic tribes of the Grey Waste that devasted the borderlands, culminating in twin invasions that had the warring sides agree to a temporary truce to fighter the invaders. Boyar Komanov faced off against the Jogo Nhai and Prince Dimitri against the Grey Waste horde. Both lost, leaving the heartlands to be laid to waste as the harvests were being collected and the capital, Mossva to be sacked by the Grey Waste horde. Then winter came, the invaders left with their harvests and plunder, and both the prince and the boyar lick their wounds and regroup. Only the bounty of the sea and a small glass gardens prevent Krasnygorod from total starvation. When spring arrives, the fighting will return with if for the poor, unfortunate people of Far Mossovy." I see people go grim at hearing the fate of Mossovy. To have such an ill-timed succession war, then invasions from raiders in autumn leading to famine in winter. Only the Dance of Dragons can compare to such disaster!

"Boyar Smirnoff raised his banner for Boyar Romanov and fought against Prince Dimitri and the Jogos Nhai at the ill-fated Battle of Kursk. He collected the remnants of his levies and retreated to defend his home, then held out against a nine moon siege from the Jogos Nhai that only ended weeks before winter. With his people desperate for food, he purchased what little food we could spare for twenty times the price in King's Landing and agreed to a trading post. Knowing the ports further east would be as bad, if not worse than Krasnygorod, we decided finally head back." The Prince finished.

"D-d-did you acquire any m-m-maps on your journey, m-m-my Prince" The Grandmaester stutters and Prince Stannis shakes his head.

"No, we did not acquire any maps but Boyar Smirnoff told us the forests of Mossovy that hug the coast and the Grey Waste extend thousands of miles east until they reach the towering Shangri-La Mountains in the east and the Devouring Jungle to the south. Mossovi merchants that brave the treacherous waters of the eastern Shivering Sea speak of a hermit kingdom of warrior monks in the mountains that shield lands of Jo-Syon from the Grey Waste. They describe a point the size of Dorne jutting out into the Great Eastern Sea, divided by three warring kingdoms rich in metals and silver. Further east lie the five islands roughly the size of the Reach of the Westerlands combined. Ruled by the Kingdom of Neehon, a land also rich in silver full of feuding lords under a king said to be married to a nine-tailed fox woman! The merchants claim to have seen Yi-Tish treasure fleets sail the waters of Jo-Syon and Neehon 'exchanging gifts' of silver for Yi-Tish trade goods. The treasure fleets sail around Ulthos to get to these lands because the strong westerly winds make sailing east into the Saffron Straits incredibly difficult. The Devouring Jungle covers the southern shore of Essos east of the Shadowlands. Receiving its name from large, ancient, fused-blackstone cities like those of the Five Forts swallowed by the jungle, said to be built by the Great Empire of the Dawn. The jungle gives way to arid mountainous coastline in the south, were saffron is grown. The treasure fleets will then sail west to the Saffron Cities of Dai-Viet, Cham-Pa, and Ku-Mai that dot the shores of the Saffron Straits before sailing past Asshai to complete what the Yi-Tish call the Silver Triangle." Murmurs echo throughout the Great Hall at the first descriptions of lands east of Mossovy and the Shadowlands. Some of awe, some of skepticism and I understand. I mean truly, a nine-tailed fox woman?

"Then it truly is as Lord Seas-s-stark told Lord Gerion Lan-n-n-nnister, we live in an age of d-d-discovery! The C-c-citadel theorizes the world is r-r-round, and that one can sail west and r-r-reach Yi-Ti. Mayhaps this G-g-great Eastern Sea and the Sunset Sea are one and the s-s-same?" Grandmaester Pycelle stutters in a loud voice, capturing the attention of the court.

Surprised murmurs at the knowledge that one could sail around the world meld with lords muttering about the sheer distance, difficulty of supplies, and lack of maps such a voyage would entail. I idly wonder how long it would take to sail from around the world, starting and ending in King's Landing. I note the lords becoming increasingly enamored with sending an expedition to the Jade Sea with some like Lord Mooton proposing they go even further and sail the Silver Triangle. Ser Wendel argues they could sail the Shivering Sea across Essos to these distant kingdoms, then sail through the Saffron Straits to Yi-Ti and west from there. Lord Whitehead argues galleys and cogs won't be enough for such a voyage and that clippers would be better before Robert quiets the hall again.

"Brother, you've matched the Sea Snake's voyage to the Shivering, reaching Far Mossovy! Did anything happen on the return voyage?" Robert inquires and his brother nods.

"Two. The first was after retrieving the finished kloks in Omberdam, we sailed for Saath, a small city-state that is the last remnant of the once-mighty Kingdom of Sarnor. The Tall Men people of the city loath the Dothraki but are too small and weak to reclaim their lost kingdom. We were received by King Uruk of House Ur and his family. While they didn't have much to trade, the king heard of our victory and wished for a similar arrangement with his city, a trading post and a hundred men to aid against an attack by the horse lords." The Prince's words caused the courtiers to whisper amongst themselves wondering who was left in charge of the garrison.

"Who did you leave lead the garrison?" The Lord Hand asks.

"Ser Lomas Estermont was left as to lead the garrison when we sailed west to Lorath where it turns out much had happened while we were east. Ser Edric siring a bastard with Princess Nysha Ennarhan caused a betrothal between her the heir to House Mestir, causing the Prince of the Streets, Prince Qarland and Magister Gylus Mestir, the leader of the shadow council to publicly feud. Enlisting the aid of the other two princes, Prince Qarlan rallied enough support to overthrow the shadow council, forcing Gylus and his family into exile. The former magister took ten galleys from the Lorathi fleet with him. Last I heard, he's staying Tyrosh with his goodbrother, the current Archon Fabio Irnys, looking for betrothals for his son and daughter." The court is unsure what to make of the change in rulership in Lorath, some fear the instability could hurt trade, while others point out that the three Princes were more favorable to us than the exiled magister. Hearing the Mestirs flee to Tyrosh, some courtiers mutter distastefully at the Free City's name, a sign of the growing discontent towards the Three Daughters for their raised tariffs in autumn.

"It sounds like you had quite the expedition, brother! Wouldn't you agree, Lord Hand?" Robert turns to Lord Arryn with a grin.

"Aye, your grace. Four trading posts, including Morosh and the Port of Ibben! The Royal Trade Company truly has a solid foothold in the Shivering Sea!" The Lord Hand happily agrees. Robert gazes over the court once more.

"Men of the Royal Trade Company, hear my words! You have sailed the path of the Sea Snake and brought riches and glory upon yourselves! You have traversed freezing seas, fought Dothraki savages, and made extended our reach to dark forests of Far Mossovy! Take pride in your deeds, for I certainly do!" Robert booms and men of the expedition cheer, their voices echoing in the Great Hall. The courtiers soon join in and for a blissful moment, there were no Silvers or Golds, just one people celebrating success and appreciating returned loved ones.

I glance over to where the Small Council members were seated. I watch the Master of Whispers, Ser Eldon Estermont, receive a scroll from a servant. He unfurls it and reads. A moment later he shows the Master of Laws and the Master of Coin the scroll. Lord Royce's eyebrows shoot up and Lord Mallister's eyes widen before Ser Eldon quietly makes his way to the Hand, whispers in his ear before giving him the scroll. Lord Arryn reads it before standing up to face Robert.

"Your grace, word from the Stepstones!" The Hand announces and the hall falls silent. "The Rogue Seahorse, Lucerys Velaryon has declared himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea in Bloodstone Keep!"

The courtiers react to the unexpected news, unsure whether this is a fortuitous event or an ill omen. Some argue the Rogue Seahorse could be friendly, supported by his record of not attacking our ships. Others argued that with his strategic position where the Narrow and Summer Seas meet, he could levy a toll on all passing ships, harming trade with the Summer Islands.

"If the Rogue Seahorse wants to make his little kingdom, he can. He will be given this mercy for not attacking our ships. But if he wants to levy tolls, then he can negotiate with my Warhammer!" Robert declares to the cheers of the lords and knights. Lord Arryn, however, looks uneasy at Robert's declaration.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, your grace. King Lucerys also announced his betrothal to Lady Delphine Mestir of Lorath, the of-aged daughter of the exiled magister, and niece of the Archon of Tyrosh, binding them in an alliance!" The Great Hall exploded into frantic mutters as the courtiers exchanged worried looks.

The thought of Tyrosh and this new kingdom holding the Stepstones and enforcing tolls fills me with dread. Relations with the Three Daughters has deteriorated ever since the first trade expeditions to the Summer Islands were launched and the thought of one of them controlling the Stepstones through a seahorse puppet has the court uneasy. Prince Stannis' face takes on a grave expression.

"This is a potential threat to not only our trade but the realm's peace. This new kingdom allied to the Tyroshi could sever the Seven Kingdoms in two with its fleet! We must negotiate with the Rogue Seahorse at once to eliminate any potential toll or at worst, reduce it." The prince's words stir up the lords and ladies even more. Robert exchanges a look with Lord Arryn before calling for silence.

"The Rogue Seahorse doesn't hold all the Stepstones! The Isle of Sunstone has been recently captured by the fleet commanded by Ser Endrew Tarth and Ser Davos Seaworth. The dastardly pirate lord, Bloodbeard was killed in battle and several of those enslaved have been recovered, including Ser Byron Whitehead!" Robert responds to his brother, yet partially calming the crowd. I see Lord Whitehead breathe a sigh of relief and whisper a prayer of thanks to the Seven that his brother, captured with three company cogs traveling from the Summer Islands with jewels, kofi, and spices. Prince Stannis himself looks relieved.

"That is excellent news, your grace. Sunstone is directly north of the of the tip of Dorne. If we hold that, we can sail in its waters and hug the Dornish coast. Thus, creating a narrow corridor to avoid sailing through the new kingdom…" The prince trails off and Robert picks up.

"Aye, let this so-called king levy his tolls, we will simply bypass them!" Robert booms and the courtiers cheer again, assured of uninterrupted trade. My eyes meet the Hand's and we both exchange looks, knowing that the Rogue Seahorse won't like that and will desire Sunstone to complete his small kingdom.

"I hereby proclaim that Sunstone will be incorporated into the Seven Kingdoms as a possession of the crown to be administered on my behalf by the Royal Trade Company! I name Ser Endrew Tarth as the first governor of Sunstone! He will be tasked with binding the island to the realm and fortifying it from attack." The court react to my husband's declaration with cheers, with the exception of the Stormlanders and Dornish, who grumbled, wanting Sunstone as a part of their kingdom.

"If that is all…" Robert glances at his uncle, the master of Whispers, who shakes his head. "…Then I hereby declare court adjourned. While it won't do to throw a feast in winter, what kind of king would I be if I host a welcoming dinner! Tonight, we will celebrate the company's success with a dinner of smoked auroch won from the Dothraki!"

The courtiers begin to converse loudly amongst themselves as Robert begins to descend the Iron Throne.

"Thank the Seven we conquered Sunstone; the spices must flow at all…" "I'm proud of you, son! You even got yourself a warhorse and…" "I want to show you a boardgame I bought in Lorath called Cyvasse…" "My cousin is serving in the garrison in Morosh…" "I can't wait to join the King's Company like my brother…" "I'm glad I purchased shares for my children; their worth has surely risen…"

Snippets of conversations from the mingling lords fly by my ears faster than I can comprehend them but soon enough Robert is beside me and extends his hand to me. I smile softly, taking his hand as he leads me to Lord Arryn. I glance over to see Prince Stannis speaking with his wife and the blonde bitch flashes a smug grin at me. Robert and Lord Arryn talk with Ser Eldon when I hear Lysa calling for me. I turn to see her walking up with a hesitant but smirking Petyr Baelish, coal black hair matching his thin mustache.

"Goodsister, have you met my dear friend Lord Petyr of House Baelish?" I stare at the Valemen, whose small smirk shrinks under my gaze.

"Not directly, but I certainly remember him in Riverrun when he challenged Brandon for Lady Catelyn's hand. On the day their betrothal was announced no less! My brother spared your life on her behalf, despite your insult to our house." I say evenly, narrowing my eyes at him. His smirk disappears into an awkward smile as he tenses up. His gray-green eyes grow distant and left hand grasps at his chest.

"Ah, yes… that day. You have my deepest apologies for my slight against House Stark, your grace. It was foolish of me to duel your brother. As what happened to him… While I can't say we parted on the best terms, he did not deserve what the Mad King did to him." Lord Petyr responds uneasily but his words seem genuine. My face softens into a more regal look.

"You are forgiven, Lord Petyr. As far as House Stark is concerned, the matter is closed. Now, Lady Arryn has told me this was your second voyage?" He loosens up at my words and his smirk returns.

"Indeed, it was your grace. My first was to the Summer Islands and it was quite the experience! I hope to go on more expeditions for the King's Company. I hear the Jade Sea is the next destination if the success of the Lord Seastark's trade company is any indication." I tense up at being reminded of everything Lord Seastark has gained. First wealth and a fire lance from Yi-Ti and now his apparent deal with the Ibbenese for shipbuilders. If his house didn't match House Stark's wealth before, they do now, possibly evening surpassing us to become the second wealthiest in the North after the Manderlys!

"I hear you've done well for yourself on this voyage." I change the subject to his war loot.

"Indeed, your grace. Some gold, two Dothraki warhorses, and three breeding rams for our modest flock. My father is excited because we've gained enough wealth to construct a small dock beside our little keep." Lord Petyr says, his gray-green eyes lighting up with pride.

"Petyr has been telling me about his plans to write to Ser Edric and start a correspondence." Lysa cuts in and I become intrigued.

"Oh, it sounds like you are becoming friends with Ser Edric." The Baelish heir nervously chuckles at my words.

"Ah, well I wouldn't go as far to say we're friends. We have a bond forged in battle and I wish to write to him to check in on him, hopefully establish a true rapport." He says with determination. I make a note of his plans for later for potential use.

"Ser Edric owes you a blood debt does he not? It's a rare thing for a Northmen to owe a Southroner." I comment

"Oh, mayhaps you could use your blood debt to get a clipper from the Seastarks!" Lysa proposes as Lord Petyr and I exchange a look.

"Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. Blood debts are almost always paid in blood. But there have been exceptions. Lords in the past have given their daughters hands, granted land, or but only once was it paid by coin. Centuries ago, Lord Manderly owed a blood debt to his bannermen, Lord Waterman. He offered his daughter's hand or enough gold to turn his wooden keep on the White Knife into a small stone castle. Lord Waterman took the latter and Waterwood Keep became Waterstone Keep. While a clipper is certainly a valuable ship, one alone wouldn't suffice to pay the blood debt." I gently explained to Lysa.

Lord Petyr joins in. "Ser Edric told me that if one is to pay off a blood with a gift, it has to be of great value and it must to be theirs to give."

Understanding dawns on Lysa's face at our words. "I see, Ser Edric can't gift a clipper or two because they belong to his brother and not himself. Still, it means you can call him as your champion should you ever need it."

"Well, I haven't decided what to use it for, but for now I will simply hold on to it. One never knows if I'll need a Northern champion!" Lord Petyr japes. Lysa giggles as if it was actually funny while I give polite chuckle. I spy Robert finishing his conversation with his uncle and making his way over with Lord Arryn.

"Well Lord Petyr, keep me abreast of your correspondence and I believe you will go far in the company." Surprise flashes briefly on the Valemen's face as he catches my hidden meaning before glancing at Lysa, who nods eagerly. Her reassurance causes his smirk to widen.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind, your grace. I aim to serve the King's Company!" He says smoothly.

"Ah, there you are my lady-wife! Your grace, Lord Petyr of Baelish Keep." The Hand greets us walking alongside Robert. Lord Petyr bows and greets my husband, who acknowledges him with a dismissive nod before turning to me.

"My queen, let's go visit the wolfdoes before dinner. I haven't seen them all day!" Robert demands.

"A wonderful idea, my king!" I comply, wanting to see my daughters again before a dinner in the Great Hall.

He takes my hand in his and leads me out. I glance back to see Lysa and Lord Arryn continuing to speak with Lord Petyr. My eyes return forward to see Prince Stannis and the blonde bitch leaving for Maegor's Holdfast as well. No doubt eager to see his blonde-haired son of three moons. We're joined by Renly, who promises his friends Lord Monford Velaryon and Aurane Waters to see them at the dinner.

The three Baratheon brothers lead us out of the Great Hall. As we don winter furs, Prince Stannis tells Robert about a potent drink from Mossovy called vodka and how he bought a few barrels they could use for the dinner. Cersei and I narrow our eyes at one another but make idle chatter about the expedition. I stop myself from rolling my eyes when she talks of Lord Seastark's deal with the Ibbenese with a knowing smirk and I point out Arnolf Karstark leads the garrison at Morosh. She lets out a dismissive scoff before the icy wind hits us as we step outside causes her to shiver.

"What's wrong, Princess Cersei, feeling the cold?" I ask knowing the answer. "I admit to being jealous of you Southroners for having such warm winters. If the North had winters like this, we'd be richer the West and field larger armies than the Reach!" I feel the cold on my face, but it feels like autumn instead of winter.

"Oh, p-p-please…" She stutters from shivering. "…There's no way the North could ever match the wealth of House Lannister. You could have ten times the number with winters like this and still be dirt poor compared to us!" I bristle at her words and we continue to quietly snipe at one another before entering the warmth of Maegor's Holdfast…

A/N: Whew! This turned into a monster. I ended up just adding more and more until it turned into… this.

We see the trade companies having impacts on Westerosi life. The Royal Trade Company, or "King's Company" is becoming a royal institution, creating an alternate outlet for houses for gaining wealth and glory to battles and tourneys. Kofi is becoming imported, slowly becoming the sourleaf of the highborn and spices are cheaper than ever before. Even weaker lords and rich smallfolk merchants are getting easier access to spices!

Quick note on mixed race marriages and children: Westeros is obviously based on medieval England and Europe, before colonization and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. While there is slavery in Essos, it's far closer to the slavery practiced in Rome than America. Westeros simply doesn't have any concept or equivalent of the "one drop rule" and will instead see them through their rigid class system. As long as they stick to their classes, (highborn marrying highborn, smallfolk marrying smallfolk), they're tolerated. Half Summer-Islander "brown bastards" will probably be treated worse than normal bastards while trueborns like Tyrone and Tynisha Lannister will be accepted by lords without a second thought.

We see a bit of Lyanna's life with her family, her rivalry with Cersei and the expedition's return. She might have mellowed out a bit on Lord Seastark due to distance but Cersei and the Lannister's connection to him means she sees his actions as supporting her rival. She's trying to forge alliances between the North and Vale to counter Lannister influence on the western shore.

Then this chapter really blew up and I realize I probably should have divided it into two chapters.

Some more worldbuilding, this time with the Shivering Sea and the eastern part of Essos. I made the Silver Triangle as an in-world excuse for why Yi-Ti doesn't trade much with the west, it's because their treasure fleets are all going east! Unlike to the west, they have a large steady source of silver to the east. Although now those strange, barbaric Sunsetlanders are showing up with fast ships and speaking of their rich silver mines might make them reconsider.

Petyr and Lyanna meet through their mutual friend and strike up a simple transaction, she uses him to spy on the Seastarks and he uses her for climbing the RTC ladder. While she's unawares of his lingering hatred for House Stark, she will keep him at arm's length because she won't fully trust him due to his history.

Tell me your thoughts on the worldbuilding and hope y'all enjoy!

 

[Jao]

I recognize Petyr Baelish as the fool who challenged my brother Brandon to a dual for the hand of Lady Catelyn. He lost easily, only being spared after my future goodsister pleaded for mercy. Lysa mentioned he recovered from the slash across the chest my late brother gave him and has been serving in the "King's Company" as some have taken to call the Royal Trade Company. When Ser Edric and Dagwell of Wolfsport arrived in King's Landing and told of the Battle of Morosh I was surprised when they spoke of Petyr saving Ser Edric and being owed a blood debt. A blood debt is sacred to Northerners and any attempt to exploit it by the one owed or wriggle out of it by the one who owes the debt is seen on par with a kinslayer. And yet, Lysa speaks highly of the man.

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duel*