Howl of the Seawolf (OC/SI)

[kaizerfox]

Chapter 22

Sea Dragon Bay, Late Third Moon, 286 A.C., Three moons later…

The driver swims through the kelp, inspecting each stalk carefully before finding some reason to dismiss it and moving to the next stalk. I send him a mental poke asking what he is doing as I've never seen this type of behavior in orcas. Not that I'm an expert in orcas or anything. I receive an image of two orcas placing a kelp stalk between them and rubbing their bodies with together. This piques my curiosity because this is a sign of toolmaking.

The driver finally selects the perfect kelp, using his teeth to rip a four-foot-long stalk and begins swimming towards his mother. He squeaks and clicks to his mother, who seems happy to take him up on his suggestion. The driver places the kelp between his right side and her left side, both orcas facing the same direction, and begin rubbing up against each other. The sensation feels akin to when I use my back scratcher to scratch an irritating, out of reach spot. I sense a mix of physical relief and familial affection through the mental curtain as he continues to rub up with his mother. I quietly observe the strengthening of the social bonds between mother and son, who perform this ritual for a few minutes both sides, the back, and the belly. After they finish, the kelp is discarded as the driver swims to the surface for air. I convince him to spyhop, a behavior in whales and dolphins breach their entire head above water to look around, and he obliges. He positions himself vertically with his pectoral fin in a manner similar to a person treading water, and slowly pokes his head until his eyes are a few inches above the waterline.

It's still dark out at the hour of the redbird or around six in the morning in another world, the lighthouse on a hill north of the city still lit. This far north in winter, the sunrise is still about two hours away in the hour of the robin. With the driver's superior low-light vision, I spot a few fishing ships already in the bay, with most only now setting out from the harbor. A Northern merchant cog sails out of the eastern harbor and a few moments later, a Riverlander merchant cog sails in.

At the north end of the harbor sits ten galleys of the Sunset Fleet, three in the last stages of construction and seven undergoing maintenance. The rest of the fleet, thirty galleys in total, were patrolling Northern waters north of Cape Kraken, split into groups of five galleys to cover a wider area. No reavings have been reported, either in Sea Dragon Point or by other Northern houses.

The quickstone quay lays half finished, the workers soon to arrive to continue its construction, due to be done by the end of the year as newly built scorpions gaze down menacingly from the sea wall.

The driver turns and notices the light of a small fishing boat sailing towards us. The small vessel is piloted by three men with a lantern lit by a whale oil candle, burning brightly in the darkness. When the boat draws near, I see the three fishermen wearing rabbit-fur ushankas, a father, and his sons, one on the cusp of manhood and the other looked to be around Jonnel's age of three-and-ten, point towards us and start talking amongst themselves. The father and his sons then fling three fresh salmon from their first haul towards the driver and my bond with the driver strengthening to the point that I can understand the salty fisherman's words.

"SEA MESSENGER OF THE OLD GODS! WE OFFER THIS TRIBUTE IN HOPES THAT THE OLD GODS WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR NETS FULL OF FISH!" The fisherman shouts and his sons bow their heads as the boat passes by about twenty feet from us. Unfortunately for them, the driver doesn't understand their words and moves to eat the free salmon. I receive a mental poke from him asking why the humans have been throwing fish at him and his pod. I send an images of him saving my brother and the pod hunting and fishing with humans. A picture of a direwolf next to an orca is next to illustrate a connection I am building between them in the eyes of the smallfolk and the driver shows intrigue at the mental image of the direwolf and my explanation of orcas being the "direwolves of the seas".

He's silent for a moment before responding with a series of images of images, the first is humans throwing fish at an orca and the pod eating the tongue of a humpback hunted by whalers, and the second shows his mother commanding the pod to save a drowning man and assisting fishermen and whalers in their hunts. The third image mirrors the first only with no fish being given to the orcas and the fourth mirrors the second only with the pod refusing to save the drowning man or assist in the hunts. I agree to his basic deal, marveling at the intelligence of orcas in being able to conceptualize and agree to deals not only with other pods but humans as well.

The brief interaction between the fishermen and the driver has me thinking about the pod of eight orcas and the reputation they've been unintentionally cultivating amongst the whalers and fishermen of Wolfsport.

Before I started skinchanging, spotted whales were seen as any other whale, game to be hunted when possible, and left alone when not. After a certain milk-eyed spotted whale saved my brother from drowning, I forbid the hunting of spotted whales. While some whalers grumbled, most accepted it since spotted whales were rarely hunted anyways and saving my brother bought a lot of goodwill from the people. Since then, the pod has assisted in the hunt of gray whales on two separate occasions and another humpback, providing Wolfsport with much needed whalebone and oil. The pod recently herded a large school of salmon into the nets of awaiting fishermen in return for a portion of the catch and now the fishermen and whalers have begun to give offerings of fish to the orcas in hopes of receiving the blessing of a sea messenger. The Old Gods of the Forest may dwell on land, but they are gods of nature itself and naturally, the sea falls within their domain. The direwolf was chosen by the Starks for their sigil for a reason, the direwolf has always been revered by the First Men and Children as divine messengers. I used the rescue of my brother to outlaw the hunting of orcas, citing them as the "direwolves of the sea, and thus the messengers of the Old Gods through the sea".

I made it all up, of course. Thanks to the complete lack of any uniform or codified worship of the Old Gods, the smallfolk seem to believe my bullshit divine connection between the spotted whales and the Old Gods.

After eating the salmon, the driver dives back into the depths of the bay and meets up with the gathered pod. They lazily swim around, having some type of debate between themselves on what to do or what to hunt.

Click Click Click Click Click

A string of loud clicks reverberates throughout the bay with the volume of someone screaming in your ear. After a short pause, another series of clicks with long whine that lowered in pitch as it went on finishing it. I recognize the type of beast that makes these noises, having heard them before with the driver, faintly like a whisper.

When I first heard it I asked the driver what kind of animal was making that kind of noise. When it answered with a mental image of a fully grown leviathan, I remember getting excited thinking one was about to swim into Sea Dragon Bay only for my host to amusingly note that the leviathan making the sounds was thousands of miles away communicating with another one of it's kind over vast differences. I knew sperm whales were the loudest animals on earth and could communicate over thousands of miles but it was a completely different thing to faintly hear a leviathan and realize it was a probably off the coast of Lonely Light.

This one, however, sounds much closer. I ask the driver how close the leviathan making the current sounds and he estimates that it's around fifty miles away. If that's how loud they sound from fifty miles away, I shudder to think how loud it'd be next to one. The pod continues to swim along, knowing the massive beast is still a far distance away, though noticeably more tense, like a herd of deer catching the faintest scent of a wolf.

On Earth, orcas are the apex predators of the sea, capable of hunting whales larger than themselves and no natural predators of their own. Here, orcas can still prey on whales larger than them but they aren't apex predators, that title belongs to leviathans. They have no natural predators and are only hunted by the Ibbenese, which is why I'm so determined to get my hands on one of their ship schematics. Not only would it allow us to hunt leviathans, it would allow us to hunt large whales further out at sea by harvesting the whale next to the ship instead of dragging it to the shore.

The pod swims towards the shallower waters of the shoreline and proceeds to hunt seals. The driver dives below a group of seals before charging at one and delivering a devastating smack that launches it high in the air. The rest of the pack scatter and when the unfortunate victim hits the water a moment later, the dazed seal becomes an easy breakfast for the driver. As the orcas chews on his meal I feel a strange sensation, as if someone is shaking me. I check to see if it's the driver trying to communicate when I feel it again.

Suddenly my eyes open and I'm staring at the canopy of our bed. I sit up and glance over to my heavily pregnant who looks at me with a serious look on her face.

"Hugo, my water broke." I stare at her dumbly before the words register in my brain and I immediately call for the wetnurse. In a hectic blur, I escort my wife with a maid to the birthing chambers…

Later…

After several hours labor that ended up requiring the use of forceps to correct a malposition of the babe, I hold little Jeyne Seastark in my arms as Myrra lays on the bed, awake yet resting. Golden blonde hair but with the same greenish-gray eyes of her siblings, she is named after Myrra's friend Jeyne Grafton nee Farman. We agreed to name her Jeyne after her friend's fifth child was born Myrra Grafton.

The Seastarks still in Castle Warg are in the chambers with us, with mother holding a four-and-ten moon old Stannis while Jonnel and Breyna plays with an Asha that recently celebrated her third nameday and the twins, themselves a few moons shy of three, after the toddlers lost interest in their newest sibling. Elsa holds Wyman's eight moon old son Bennard, born a moon before the expedition left and named after our grandfather. The midwife and her assistants leave to wash their hands with soap and clean the forceps with boiled wine.

"I hope Quentyn isn't too upset about my brother becoming House Seastark's second knight." I say with a smile and Myrra softly chuckles at the reference to the royal proclamation of Prince Stannis' victory against the Dothraki in the "Battle of Morosh".

That had come a moon ago and was sparse on details, only that the Dothraki had been defeated, the city saved, the prince sailing for Saath, and a list of knighthoods and achievements. Edric was mentioned twice. The first was that he was knighted for fighting two weeks in the siege with five and twenty Sea Wolves and slaying the heir to Khal Motho. The second is that he was saved by Petyr Baelish of all people

"He'll have to settle for the acclaimed title of 'House Seastark's third knight'". Myrra japes and the adults chuckle. The lad in question is with his father, Ser Normund, the fosterlings, and former prince Jalabhar Xho at the archery range with the Summer Islander leading the lessons. Jalabhar, like most Summer Islander princes, is a skilled archer since his people heavily prize the skill, more than riding or melee combat.

At first, the castle garrison thought his skill was due only to his goldenheart bow, made from the famous wood found only in the Summer Islands. But when given a simple yew bow, the former prince hit a near bulls-eye from one hundred yards, silencing his critics. I gave him the honor of teaching archery to my fosterlings, except Tyrion, who is unable to use a bow and is using a crossbow instead.

For a moment I stand there with my family, holding my newborn daughter and bask in the peace. A knock on the door breaks the peace, opening to reveal Maester Armond with a raven scroll.

"A raven from King's Landing my lord. It's from Dagwell." The maester's words cause the adults and Jonnel to snap their heads at him, knowing a message from Dagwell meant news about Edric and their voyage.

"That it's from the capital is a good sign." I say hopefully as I take the message and unfurl it. My eyes scan the scroll written in a Caesar cipher to make it unreadable to anyone without the key. I hand Jeyne over to Myrra before deciphering the scroll and writing out a translated version on a separate scroll.

As I decipher the phrase "At Hell's heart I stab at thee!" I smile, the phrase being the code for the successful acquisition of the ship schematics. I continue to decipher, unsure if they accidently added a zero when the refugees are mentioned and finish writing out Dagwell's encrypted scroll. I silently read the decrypted message in full and my reactions range from pride, confusion, to frustration at my brother's actions.

"Hugo? Is Edric alright?" My mother asks me and I hand over the decrypted message.

"Edric got the schematics and is safe! He traded the secrets to our farming implements, the rocket stoves, the canning process, the saw mill, and our perfumes to obtain it!" I note he didn't give away the secrets to the wayfinders, backstaffs and my metalworks. The words bring cheer and relief to my family. Arsa and the twins look around at the adults knowing something is going on but not understanding what.

"Edric deflowered a Lorathi princess and she carries his child! Now her father, the Prince of the Streets is demanding compensation!" My mother exclaims upon reading that part of the message and the rest of my family looks scandalized.

"What will happen to the child? Are they asking for compensation?" My goodsister Elsa asks and I shrug.

"There is no mention of what they intend to do with the child. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the Ennarhan family wishes to keep him." I answer to the surprise of the room.

"But wouldn't they be worried about the bastard possibly inheriting the title of prince?" Myrra asks in confusion.

"The title of Prince of Lorath is elected, not inherited. Meaning there's little to no threat of them ever becoming a Prince. They could possibly inherit the family's lands and wealth, but not the title of Prince." I respond.

"As for compensation, the Lorathi prince is demanding we pay for the transport of over a thousand former slaves and a hundred beasts of burden to Wolfsport!" My mother continues to read the decrypted letter. My family reacts with a barrage of questions.

"Are we getting new people?" Little nine namedays old Breyna asks.

"Surely he means over a hundred, right?" Elsa asks.

"Where did Edric find that many people willing to come all the way here?" Jonnel puts in his two cents.

"How much is this going to cost?" My wife inquires and I wince thinking about the expense.

"Dagwell says the transport fleet is chartered five-and-ten galleys for five thousand gold. You wouldn't need that many for a hundred people and some cattle. No, were about to get a large intake of people in the middle of winter. Armond!" I address the maester. "Can we handle taking in a thousand people in a two or three moons?"

"I'm unsure, my lord. Wolfsport already has more people sheltering here than previous winters. Even with the additional housing you ordered constructed outside the walls it'll be difficult to accommodate a thousand people in winter. We may have to settle them elsewhere until spring." The maester answers and I consider his words.

"What about the castle hamlet and Stillport? We can send them there to lessen the burden on Wolfsport." I ask Armond and he mulls over my words.

"We may be able to accommodate a hundred in the castle hamlet and two or three hundred in Stillport. At worse, we can send them to Amber Hill or Flatmire if they're able to make the journeys." I nod and order him to begin preparations for their arrival. The maester acknowledges the order and leaves us.

"Finally, Dagwell reports that Edric presented your gift to the king on his nameday, the rocket stove drawing interest from the courtiers, and the queen is due to give birth in a moon." My mother finishes reading out the letter. The Seastark family begins discussing the latest news about Edric's knighthood, the coming settlers, the whaling ship schematics, and so on. I just stand there, watching my wife hold our newest child and quietly enjoy the moment…

A/N: I was going to type more but decided to cut it off here. Not much in this chapter other than we see Hugo deepening the partnership between orcas and humans. We see a bit of the cultural impact of orcas/spotted whales saving and working with people as they are starting to be seen as sacred animals. Hugo and his family also celebrate the birth of his second and finally get an update from Dagwell and Edric. Next chapter will be the arrival of the refugees and the later arrival of Wyman and the Yi-Ti expedition. Enjoy!

 

[kaizerfox]

Chapter 23

Wolfsport, Late Fourth Moon, 286 A.C., One moon later…

I watch Edric descend the gangplank, in a wolfskin cloak covering his blue woolen tunic and a mink-furred ushanka perched on his head, the straps tied up to the crown. Accompanying him isn't Dagwell, for he's back in the capital, but two short and stocky Ibbenese men in sealskin cloaks. Both have dark brown hair tied into short dreadlocks, but what interests me the most is their faces. They have prominent brow ridges, angled cheekbones, wide flat noses, and no prominent chin. All telling me one thing, the Ibbenese aren't human, they're actual neandertals!

"Brother! Cousin!" I hear Edric shout as he makes his way towards Jonnel and I. The rest of the Seastark are in Castle Warg waiting for Edric's return as we greet our returning kin. The two Ibbenese men walk up to us, sacks filled with their belongings slung over their shoulders and the slightly taller of the two with a large braided, brown beard with dozens of small seashells woven into it, has a small chest tucked under his left arm. He and his companion glance at my brother, who gives them an encouraging smile and nod, before the taller and older of the two Ibbenese looks to me with brown eyes.

"Greetings, Lord Seastark. I am Shipwright Bruk Vando and this is my apprentice, Faro Kulli. We were sent by Magister Grug Crood to give you the schematics and assist with the construction of a whaling ship. After the ship is completed, we will return to Ibben." He says in raspy, accented Common Tongue.

"Well met, Shipwright Bruk. You and your apprentice will be provided housing near the shipyards but tonight, you shall dine with my family in Castle Warg!" I signal the servants to collect their belongings to be taken to their housing, except the small chest that held the ship schematics. Surprise flashes across the shipwright's face, briefly speaking to his apprentice in Ibbenese.

"We are honored to dine with you and your family, Lord Seastark. I present to you, the schematics for my people's whaling ships!" He hands over the small wooden chest to me and I have another servant bring horses. We mount up and trot towards the Wolf Gate to Castle Warg.

"So, Edric. How'd you manage to bed a princess?" I roll my eyes when Jonnel asks the first question I'd expect him to ask. My brother blushes and looks at me sheepishly.

"Ah…Well, when I arrived in Lorath, I met with the princes and ruling magisters, several of whom had wives and daughters trapped in the city after a storm at sea wiped out the initial relief fleet. So, they hired me to take a small shipment of food and weapons to Morosh and transport the highborn ladies and children out of harms way back to Lorath. Princess Montoya was among them, golden hair, sapphire eyes, and slender. She was curious about me and the 'Sunset Lands'…" Edric continues to tell how he seduced a princess while we trot through the city.

The western harbor is full of ships, even in winter. The ships range from small fishing vessels to larger trade cogs to swan ships from the Summer Islands. We approach the Summer Islander trading post, made up of a single dock, two warehouses for storage, and a small bazaar. From a distance, a swan ship is docked at the trading post, unloading crates and barrels of goods as half a dozen Summer Islanders descend a gangplank. As we pass by I see a local merchant haggling with a Summer Islander spice vendor, both men wildly gesturing their arms intensely before coming to a deal, the local merchant handing over a few pieces of blue amber for a small bag of spices.

Edric gets to the part where he beds the princess in her family manse in Lorath, located in a section of the great maze that makes up a significant portions of the island. I turn my head left away from the sea, deeper into the city, passing by a street known as "Pillow Street" due to a number of brothels located there. A hanging sign of a painted dolphin with an erection marked the location of the newest one, The Frisky Dolphin, with patrons visiting even in daylight to get a taste of the Summer Islander women inside. In the year and a half since it's opening, the brothel has taken control of a good portion of the sex trade, forcing local, established brothels to start employing Summer Islander and other foreign women to keep up.

My brother starts telling us about the siege and how the defenders were stretched so thin that he and five-and-twenty Sea Wolves aided in the defense, with only ten returning home.

"Brother…" Edric address me. "…The five-and-ten men who fell in battle. They were good, brave men. What will happen to their families?"

"Their widows and children will receive a stipend from our house to assist them in getting by without the breadwinner. Men fight harder when they know their families will be cared for should they fall in battle. You will bring the first stipend to each of the fallen men's families and tell them how their sons, brothers, husbands, uncles, and fathers died heroically at Morosh." I tell Edric with a stern voice, leaving no room for argument.

Not that he did, instead nodding solemnly. "I will, brother. I owe those men that much."

We pass by the small canning workshop where inside, workers were packaging pre-cooked food in sealed airtight cans, made of tinned wrought iron. A far cry from the factories of Earth, this canning process is labor intensive, with each can needing to be hand-made and hours to cook the food and seal it in the cans. It's currently too expensive to sell to merchants and smallfolk so the cans are for the Sunset Fleet and the trade company, the sailors and traders appreciating the cans for extending their supplies at sea. Only my ships in the trade company have canned food but I have no doubt the other houses have noticed them on expeditions.

Further down the same street is the perfume shop, processing seagrease, or ambergris, among other ingredients into perfumes, and a tailor that made corsets from whalebone. Both run by Myrra with the assistance of Wyman's wife, Elsa, to take a load of me and give her something constructive to do. The products continue to see strong sales growth in the Seven Kingdoms but middling sales outside it.

Edric finishes talking about receiving his knighthood from Stannis, the two Ibbenese men riding behind us speaking little and only to one another in their foreign tongue that to my ears, sounds like strangely similar to Basque.

"And afterwards you met with the newly freed slaves?" I inquire as we pass through the Wolf Gate out to the road to Castle Warg, shoveled of snow and covered in sand and gravel to increase traction as salt is still far too precious a commodity to dump on snow.

"Aye, I spread the word around that you were looking for settlers and a group contacted me. I met them in a barracks giving them temporary shelter and thought it was a few dozen to a hundred at most. Imagine my shock when they told me over a thousand were taking me up on your offer." Edric says with a grin.

"When I gave you and Wyman that order, I was expecting you to recruit a few to a dozen or two at most. Now I'm scrambling to build enough housing for a thousand people this winter." I say with a snort. The offer to settle in Wolfsport and Sea Dragon Point is an order I gave to both Wyman and Edric before they left to recruit people, preferably skilled craftsmen, to settle our lands and increase our numbers.

"I certainly wasn't expecting that many to want to start a new life so far away. They didn't even realize the distances involved and even after I explained it to them, they still didn't fully grasp just how far Wolfsport is." Edric says with a chuckle.

We ride pass the quickstone kilns and in the distance I see the saw mill cutting large amounts of wood for ship construction and smoke billowing from my large, walled metalworks. Now with a second puddling and a second steel furnace recently finished to produce more wrought iron and steel. I see small wooden cabins and squat two-story apartments constructed from quickstone being hastily built outside the city in a desperate attempt to create more housing. By the time they arrive in a moon and a half, we'll have just enough to house them in Wolfsport and the castle hamlet. The apartments themselves are not the kind from our world, lacking electricity and indoor plumbing with fireplaces providing heat and built for four families total, two on each floor with a common room for cooking and recreation. They are far from perfect, but at the very least, it'll provide temporary shelter and a fireplace for the settlers until spring.

"What kind of people are these former slaves? Are they mostly one people or made up of many?" I ask Edric as Jonnel chats with the Ibbenese shipwright and his apprentice.

"They are made up of many peoples who were either enslaved at a young age or born into Dothraki captivity. Mayhaps one in ten still speak the tongues of their peoples but most speak only Dothraki and know only the religion and culture of their oppressors. Many of them are eager to cast off the ways of the Dothraki and when I spoke with them a few times before they set sail, many were asking about the customs of the North and the Old Gods with great curiosity!" He says, causing Jonnel and I to look at him in surprise.

"Do you think many of them will adopt our customs and even the Old Gods?" Jonnel asks.

"Aye, some will hold to the customs and faiths of their parents in bondage, some may even hold on to the Dothraki ways, it being the only thing they know. But I'd wager my monthly allowance that most will adopt our ways and start worshipping the Old Gods." Edric responds with conviction. I smile at the news that most of the coming settlers will be willing to assimilate to the North, making settling them easier and hopefully preventing any bouts of xenophobia.

The Southroners and Summer Islanders haven't triggered much negative reaction due to the Southroners mostly intermarrying with the locals, even the six hundred that have migrated from the capital over the years since my return. The Summer Islanders for their part, are barely over a hundred and mainly keep to the docks, their trading post, and Pillow Street, allowing the Northerners to see them as exotic but not intrusive. Both their numbers, while growing fast, are still small enough to be seen as non-threatening to the Northern way of life and I'm worried a thousand foreigners suddenly showing up all at once might trigger a knee-jerk reaction. If most of them are willing to convert to our gods and assimilate, however, that should negate any potential fears of an "invasion" of foreigners.

"What kind of skills do they have?" I ask Edric.

"Roughly four out of five are shepherds and herders who manage the Dothraki cattle. Of the remaining one of five, half are pillow slaves and the other half are skilled craftsmen. While I think you could settle the pillow slaves and craftsmen in Wolfsport, I think you'll have a harder time with the shepherds." Edric explains and I nod.

" I don't intend to settle them in Wolfsport, I intend to settle them on the eastern shore of Sea Dragon Point. It's sparsely populated, poor soil for farming but good lands for pastures. There is a stretch of coastline east of Amber Hill, full of good pastures but mostly abandoned like the small keep that once guarded it from wildlings and Ironborn. You will be in charge of not only settling them in their new home, but restoring and garrisoning the keep when spring arrives. I will be assessing you and depending on how well you complete your task, I'll determine whether or not you deserve land in Sea Dragon Point to call your own." I tell him my plans for the settlers. The eastern shore of my lands have always been the poorest and least populated region so I'm hoping to use them and Edric to help repopulate and refortify the region for the future apocalypse.

Edric and Jonnel's eyes widen in shock.

"Truly, Hugo." Edric says my name, letting me he is taking this seriously. Myrra and my mother call me by name but my brother and cousins always address me as either "brother" or "cousin", only using my name if they're being serious.

"Aye, Edric. Only if you earn it and even if you do, it will be a non-hereditary title." I answer him.

"Wait, why is it non-hereditary?" Edric asks in confusion.

"Think of it as punishment for forcing me to pay for their transport here. I don't mind that you sired a bastard, Edric. I do mind when that bastard costs me five thousand dragons to fix the mess you caused." I say sternly and Edric scratches the back of head looking sheepish. "Which reminds me, what are their plans with the unborn child?" I inquire.

"Prince Qarlan Ennarhan told me he would inform us of the bastard's birth and that they'll be sent to us once the child has been weaned." Edric explains. I nod and glance out into the bay and spot the pod of orcas.

"Look over there! The spotted whales are helping the fishermen!" I point to the bay. Edric, Jonnel, and the two Ibbenese men follow where my finger is pointing and see the pod of orcas swimming in formation towards two fishing boats holding a large net stretched out between them.

"The spotted whales herd large schools of fish into the nets of the fishermen." As I finish my sentence, the fishermen seem to catch a large load as they begin to struggle. Soon enough, they seem to have everything under control and the orcas swim up to the fishermen and begin to feed.

"The fishermen leave their nets open just enough for the spotted whales to eat the trapped salmon. Once they've taken their share, the fishermen will take their haul." I explain what's happening under the surface.

"You ordered the spotted whales to help the fishermen!?" Edric asks in astonishment and I chuckle.

"No, I didn't order them to do anything. I merely formalized our current deal with them, they assist in fishing and whale hunts, they get first pick." I answer and Jonnel chuckles.

"Cousin made a big speech about spotted whales being 'messengers of the Old Gods' and since then, the fishermen and whalers practically worship them!" He says to Edric as we reach the gates. The orcas finish taking their share and allow the fishermen to haul their catch, who wave and toss some salmon to the orcas before I turn my head away and enter Castle Warg.

The rest of House Seastark, along with the fosterlings, greet us in the courtyard, mother wrapping herself around Edric before admonishing him on his recklessness. The rest of my family crowd around him, giving him hugs with the exceptions of Elsa and Myrra, each holding nine moon old Bennard and one moon old Jeyne respectively. I greet five-and-ten moon old Stannis, being held by a maid while the twins are happy to see their uncle. Edric gushes over Jeyne and how big all the children are getting. After a few minutes of catching up, I introduce the Ibbenese shipwright and his apprentice and show off the chest with the plans. My nine nameday old sister Breyna looks at the foreigners with curiosity.

"Why do you have seashells in your beards?" She asks them innocently.

"Breyna!" My mother goes to scold her for her rudeness but the shipwright laughs.

"Well little lady, in our lands, a shipwright weaves a seashell into their beard for each ship they build." He tilts his head upwards and holds his beard in his hand. "I have forty shells and my apprentice has six and is hoping to get his seventh building a ship for Lord Seastark!" The shipwright answers my sister's question with a raspy but soft voice. She smiles and nods at his explanation before the family and I escort them to the Great Hall for guest right…

One and a half moons later…

As I watch the Essosi disembark from the five-and-ten galleys, cloaked in various furs and looking closer to wildlings to what one usually imagines when they think of Essosi. Only prior announcement to their arrival and the Dothraki tongue they speak prevent the locals from mistaking them for wildlings. The former slaves gaze around the city and bustling harbor in a mixture of awe and exhaustion, the more than five moons of travel by galley no doubt taking a toll on people who have probably never been on a ship before. Some of the poor souls kiss the solid ground when they step off the docks, ecstatic to be off the ships. City guardsmen hand them fur cloaks and loaves of bread, eagerly accepted with words of gratitude in foreign tongues.

Edric and my mother speak with the leaders of the former slaves, a small group of eight older men and women, through a translator brought over by the head captain of the transport fleet. The same man I am currently speaking with.

"Lord Seastark…", the dark-haired Braavosi sellsail captain stands with two crewmembers, addressing me in accented Common Tongue. "…There is still the matter of our payment. We, of the Flying Dolphins, were contracted by the Princes of Lorath to transport these people and their… cattle." He says as I see a pair of bull aurochs being pulled off of one ship, a breeding pair of bison off another, and a breeding pair of musk oxen on a separate third galley. They were joining dozens of reindeer, sheep, and goats already ashore.

"Aye..." I say with a tired sigh and signal to two servants carrying a large chest before setting it down and opening it to reveal numerous golden coins. "…Your payment. Five thousand gold coins as written in your contract with the princes." The captain and crewmembers' mouths widen into a shit-eating grins, revealing a golden top molar in the captain's mouth. The crewmembers take the chest from my servants

"Oh? It seems we have concluded our deal, Lord Seastark." He says, staring at the gold with an avaricious glint in his eye, before looking to me. "The lads will enjoy the next few days in your city, spending their pay in taverns and brothels."

"And I'm sure the whores will appreciate their company, and their coin even more!" I jape. They chuckle but the captain continues.

"If you have need of our services again, then ask for me in the next four days. If not, then we shall sail back to the Narrow Sea and find work there." The captain gives a final short bow and heads back with his crewmembers carrying the chest back to their flagship. I make my way over to where my family and the freedmen leaders were standing. My brother spots me coming their way, gestures to me and then walks a few steps towards me. In full view of not just the freedmen leaders, but many of the freedmen ashore, placed his knee on the ground and knelt, causing a storm of whispers in Dothraki.

"Rise, brother." I command. Now I don't normally have my family kneel to me, but I'm doing this for a reason, I need to quickly establish to them that I'm the one in charge. By having Edric kneel to me in their presence, I can already see from their faces, many of them reaching that very conclusion. The recent arrivals continue to whisper amongst themselves and sending me looks of fear and awe. Edric rises and we walk to my mother and the freedmen leaders. Five men, all middle aged, and three women, one crone and two women in their twenties.

"Greetings, and welcome to Wolfsport! I am Lord Hugo Seastark of Sea Dragon Point, Ser Edric's elder brother and lord of these lands." I introduce myself, the translator does his and job and I note with amusement a quirk of the Dothraki language being that they didn't have a word or sea or ocean, instead calling it ize eventh or "poison water". This meant in Dothraki, our house name is "House Poison-Waterstark of Poison Water Dragon Point" and that their nickname for me is the "Poison water wolf". The old crone, who I idly wonder how they survived the voyage, speaks first to the translator.

"Honorable lord of these lands, we are a people freed from bondage but with no home. Your brother, the black wolf, told us that if we make a great journey, we will find a home in these lands. Does your brother speak true?" The crone speaks with the softness that vaguely reminds me of my grandma from another life, but pierces me with her tired, world-weary eyes.

"My brother speaks true; I offer your people a place to call home. I only require you swear an oath of fealty to me, adhere to the laws of these lands, and learn Common Tongue." I see the freedmen leaders visibly relax when hearing the translator's words, as if they were expecting harsher requirements. One of the leaders, a bald middle-aged man with copper skin, almond shaped eyes, and long salt and pepper beard says something passionately to me in a tongue other than Dothraki.

"Flarys, son of Falrem asks about religion. There are many amongst the freedmen who wish to cast off the Great Stallion and embrace the gods of these lands. But he and two hundred of the group are Lhazareen and do not wish to give up their god, The Great Shepherd. He pleads that you allow his people keep their god and they will faithfully serve you." The translator says and I vaguely recognize the name "Lhazareen" as the people of Lhazar, a land east of Slaver's Bay and south of the Dothraki Sea. From what I remember from the books and show, they were basically the region's punching bag, constantly getting raided and enslaved by Slaver's Bay and the Dothraki.

"Rest assured, while I encourage conversions to the Old Gods, it is not a requirement. As long as you don't practice human sacrifice, break any laws, or try to convert anyone to your faith, then you and your people may worship in peace." I say in a firm voice. The man smiles and eagerly thanks me by cupping his hands to face and bowing multiple times wishing blessings from the Great Shepard to House Seastark.

"Where will we live? Surely we will only stay in this city for winter?" Another leader, a pale scarred man asks me through the translator.

"Indeed, you shall be provided temporary housing in Wolfsport and the surrounding villages for winter. Once spring arrives, the people who wish to be shepherd will settle in their new home. In the nearly empty eastern parts of these lands, between the Wolfswood and the shore, there are good pastures for grazing. My brother has been tasked with restoring a keep and resettling the area and those of you who are shepherd will go with him. Those who are not shepherds may go with my brother, or settle in Wolfsport or any part of my lands." I explain and this starts a round of discussions of where their winter housing will be, and which groups will settle where in spring.

The general agreement is the eight hundred shepherds and herders, including the two hundred Lhazareen, and a hundred craftsmen will go with Edric to their new home while the one hundred pillow slaves wished to settle in Wolfsport. During their stay in winter, they will attend mandatory classes organized by my mother similar to the lessons given to the orphans. The curriculum will be teaching Common Tongue along with the history and customs of the North. It'll be a far cry from the modern education of Earth but hopefully they'll have a basic grasp of Common Tongue by spring. The leaders agree to my terms and move to speak to their people and I watch the freedmen's reactions to my proclamations, a mixture of joy and relief. The leaders then present themselves to me and kneel, or at least the old crone couldn't kneel so I allowed her to get away with a simply bow. The rest of the freedmen kneel and the leaders swear an oath on behalf of their people in their tongues and the translator proclaiming it in Common Tongue. My new subjects rise to their feet and begin to be escorted by the city guard to their temporary housing…

Later…

I sit at the desk in my solar reading a scroll from Oldtown announcing the return of the Yi-Ti expedition, minus two ships lost in a storm in the Jade Sea. Wyman writes that they purchased much in silks, gemstones, paper, saffron, and other spices and will be back in three weeks. I place the scroll down to pick up the next one, eyes widening when I see the royal seal. I open and quickly scan the scroll, a royal announcement of the birth of Princess Cassanna Baratheon. I write a generic congratulations scroll, thinking about the royal succession. Stannis is still currently the heir since Robert hasn't produced any sons yet nor has he declared his eldest daughter Argella heir. Cersei's due to give birth within the next moon but I had a sinking feeling that despite the aid of Myrra and the Tyrion, all my efforts at the wedding were in vain…

A/N: Next chapter might take a while due to work getting crazy. Next chapter will be the expedition's return!

 

[ATP]

So,Cersei would be Cersei and fuck everything here,too? well,we should expect that.Just like Balon and Euron being themselves.
So we would have Iron rebellion,and then war with Lannisters.Which they lost this time.

Ibben as Neandertals - possible,althought GRRM made it impossible to have kids with them,when all european have neandertal ancestors.But - GRRM fucked many things in his book,here they could have babies.

ex-slaves - it should work,shephard would be shephards,but this time free.

 

[kaizerfox]

So,Cersei would be Cersei and fuck everything here,too? well,we should expect that.Just like Balon and Euron being themselves.
So we would have Iron rebellion,and then war with Lannisters.Which they lost this time.

Ibben as Neandertals - possible,althought GRRM made it impossible to have kids with them,when all european have neandertal ancestors.But - GRRM fucked many things in his book,here they could have babies.

ex-slaves - it should work,shephard would be shephards,but this time free.

Click to shrink...

Yep, Cersei has to Cersei and because we can't have nice things, the one time she gets away with cheating with her brother is the one time she gets knocked up with a boy.
The Ibbenese, based on their descriptions seem to be based on Neanderthals and there is one character who claims to be the son of an Ibbenese whaler and a Sisterton whore and has features of the Ibbenese in his face. I'm going to make it in-universe that humans and Ibbenese can have children but that 9 out of 10 are born stillbirths or mutated.
The slaves will thrive since all they need is land and some cattle and they're good.

 

[ATP]

Yep, Cersei has to Cersei and because we can't have nice things, the one time she gets away with cheating with her brother is the one time she gets knocked up with a boy.
The Ibbenese, based on their descriptions seem to be based on Neanderthals and there is one character who claims to be the son of an Ibbenese whaler and a Sisterton whore and has features of the Ibbenese in his face. I'm going to make it in-universe that humans and Ibbenese can have children but that 9 out of 10 are born stillbirths or mutated.
The slaves will thrive since all they need is land and some cattle and they're good.

Click to shrink...

i remember some book which claimed that children was healthy,only boys could not have children.But girls could !
Problem is,in another book they claimed that girls were infertile....
Forget titles of both,as usual.


And good shepard would be happy on any pasture.

 

[GoldenFlake]

Yep, Cersei has to Cersei and because we can't have nice things, the one time she gets away with cheating with her brother is the one time she gets knocked up with a boy.
The Ibbenese, based on their descriptions seem to be based on Neanderthals and there is one character who claims to be the son of an Ibbenese whaler and a Sisterton whore and has features of the Ibbenese in his face. I'm going to make it in-universe that humans and Ibbenese can have children but that 9 out of 10 are born stillbirths or mutated.
The slaves will thrive since all they need is land and some cattle and they're good.

Click to shrink...

The more realistic take for Neanderthal Human breeding would be that Neanderthal women could birth babes from unions with Human men fine, but Human women would nearly always die along with the babe before or during births because Neanderthal rib cages had a more flared pine-tree-shape than the human barrel-shape rib cage. Because of the increased size, human women often couldn't/didn't get their babies out safely.

 

[vanomzero]

My brother starts telling us about the siege and how the defenders were stretched so thin that he and five-and-twenty Sea Wolves aided in the defense, with only ten returning home.

"Brother…" Edric address me. "…The five-and-ten men who fell in battle. They were good, brave men. What will happen to their families?"

Click to shrink...

is this fanon or actually canon? if it canon then how come they don't call the the fourteen flames the four-and-ten flames?

 

[capplanet]

is this fanon or actually canon? if it canon then how come they don't call the the fourteen flames the four-and-ten flames?

Click to shrink...

George rr Martin consistency with numbers of any kind is spotty at best

 

[kaizerfox]

i remember some book which claimed that children was healthy,only boys could not have children.But girls could !
Problem is,in another book they claimed that girls were infertile....
Forget titles of both,as usual.


And good shepard would be happy on any pasture.

Click to shrink...

The more realistic take for Neanderthal Human breeding would be that Neanderthal women could birth babes from unions with Human men fine, but Human women would nearly always die along with the babe before or during births because Neanderthal rib cages had a more flared pine-tree-shape than the human barrel-shape rib cage. Because of the increased size, human women often couldn't/didn't get their babies out safely.

Click to shrink...

I think I go with something like this. Ibbenese Men/human women have a lot of stillbirths, mutations, and infertile offspring. Only one of ten are healthy, viable offspring.
Human men/Ibbenese women have less stillbirths, etc. and maybe half are viable offspring.

is this fanon or actually canon? if it canon then how come they don't call the the fourteen flames the four-and-ten flames?

Click to shrink...

George rr Martin consistency with numbers of any kind is spotty at best

Click to shrink...

I just picked the four-and-ten method and applied it to everything before realizing they don't do it for everything. I'm in too deep to change now.

 

[kaizerfox]

Chapter 24

Castle Warg, Early Seventh Moon, 286 A.C., Three weeks later…

The Northern highborn of the western shore trickled in over the last five days by ship, with the exception of the Wolfswood clans, who came by dog sled. The Director's Meeting and the return of the Yi-Ti expedition used as an excuse for a rare winter gathering. During this time, I took the opportunity to meet with the various Northern lords awaiting the trade fleet.

Lord Jorah Mormont gave me a surprise bear hug in the castle courtyard yesterday, thanking me for inventing the forceps that saved his wife, my mother's cousin Gillane, and newly born son, Joseth. I was jubilant at the unexpected news, both for Jorah and his wife finally birthing a child and for the chances of him marrying Lynesse Hightower falling drastically.

Lord Bartogen Wells came with his three-and-ten namedays old daughter and Edric's betrothed, Lady Lorra Wells to meet and get to know one another. The wedding is still three years away but I agreed with Lord Wells that it would be good for them to start socializing while we discussed the fate of Edric's bastard. Said bastard will be accepted by Lady Lorra and receive the typical Northern treatment for their kind, being accepted as part of the family as long as they remember their place.

Ser Helman Tallhart, Master of Torrhen's Square, came with his wife Lady Berena nee Hornwood and brought my cousin Yara and her husband Leobald Tallhart. It's been a year since their wedding and the couple have settled in nicely though no children yet.

Lord Willem Dustin and Lord Rodrik Ryswell met with Lord Robar Glover, Lord Osric Fisher, and myself on future road construction. We agreed to extending the yet-to-be constructed Stony Road from Fisher Hall to Grailheart, connecting it to Lord Dustin's proposed Barrow Road that would continue eastwards to the White Knife. While this was happening, Myrra was meeting with a newly pregnant Lady Barbrey Dustin to discuss a betrothal between my daughter Myranda and Lord Dustin's son Walton. Lord Dustin and I had sworn an oath that our families would marry years ago then proceeded to do as all Northern lords did, decide who's getting betrothed and then let our wives handle the details.

Asher was ecstatic to see his family again, eagerly introducing them to his friends, Patrek, Tyrion, Humfrey, Quentyn, and Jonnel. His older brother Rodrik gravitated toward my younger brother Edric, both being the same age and seeming to be sparking a friendship.

The Western Hill clans like the Hulls, Norreys, and Harclays came wearing noticeably nicer clothing and more jewelry. Their increased wealth the result of the ice trade and selling a large portion of the iron ore I import to keep the metalworks running. The Northern Mountains are a treasure trove of untapped resources waiting to be discovered and holds the only silver mine in the North. I came to an agreement with the clans to sponsor mineral surveys in return for a portion of any finds. The Norreys, the clan who owes the North's sole silver mine, have invested as much silver as they could to the trade fleet, heeding my advice on the Yi-Ti preferring silver to gold.

The Glovers and the Wolfswood clans, ironically the closest, arrived last with an air of melancholy to Castle Warg. No doubt having heard the terrible news of two clippers, one Redwyne and one Northern, sunk in a storm in the Jade Sea, all hands lost. My lord uncle Robar Glover grieves for the loss of his second son, Lord Captain Robett, and each of the Wolfswood clans lost a nephew or cousin. Thankfully no lords or heirs were on the Northern Swallow but like them I awaited Wyman and the trade fleet's return for more information.

Then this morning the eight clippers arrived at full speed, the pod of orcas continuing their tradition of swimming alongside clippers and racing them. Soon enough, we met them in the harbor and I briefly talked with each of the remaining Lord Captains, with Lord Captain Desmond Redwyne being the other Lord Captain lost at sea.

My family and I welcomed Wyman back and noticed he brought Malcom Branfield, brother of Elissa Forrester to the relief and joy of House Forrester. With him are eight Yi-Tish people, an old merchant, his wife, their daughter, son, their gooddaughter, and three grandchildren. Wyman introduced the old man as Liu Wei, a member of the small Liu merchant clan and their hired translator throughout the Jade Sea. What made them even more curious is his daughter Liu Shuyi, now Shuyi Branfield having married Malcom and her father's request to establish formal relations between the Liu Merchant Clan and the Sunset Trading Company.

I spoke briefly with Gerion Lannister, Lord Director of the trade company, who boasted of filling the clippers with exotic goods from Yi-Ti. His nephew Ser Jaime, there to represent his father, happily chatted with Tyrion. The Westerlords with silver mines like the Lyddens, Marbrands, Westerlings, Baneforts, and especially Serretts were particularly jubliant about the expedition's success. Myrra's best friend Jeyne Clifton, her husband Ser Gareth Clifton, and brother Ser Sebaston Farman greeted us and the two women eagerly begun catching up. Then her brother Burton and his she-bear wife Lady Dacey showed up and announced she's with child to our collective joy.

Ser Jason Mallister, father of one of my wards, Patrek Mallister, greeted his son and was happy to hear his progress in learning how to construct a sewer system. He also showed interest in the quickstone quay I am building. I briefly spoke with Tytos Blackwood and his new wife, my cousin Lady Mariah Blackwood nee Fisher along with Ser Stevron Frey and his son Ryman.

Then there were the Reachmen. I offered condolences to Lord Paxter Redwyne, who was still grieving for the loss of his cousin Ser Desmond Redwyne. The Lord Captain was married to Humfrey's older sister, Lady Denyse, and is survived by her and their son Denys. Ser Normund Flowers spoke jovially with his father Lord Mullendore of Uplands, one of the bannermen of House Hightower along with the Cuys, Bulwers, Beesburys, and Costaynes. Humfrey happily reunited with his parents Lord Leyton and Lady Rhea, and I was introduced to four unexpected people accompanying them. The first was his daughter Lady Malora Hightower, known as the "Mad Maid" by some, a few years my senior with Valyrian looks and most curiously, a crow perched on her shoulder. The second and third guests were Archmaester Marwyn the Mage and an acolyte named Barneby, the acolyte joined the trade expedition on behalf of the Citadel while Marwyn was picked up in Asshai. The fourth was, to my surprise, a Lhazareen woman who introduced herself as Mirri Maz Duur, a name I vaguely recognized but unsure from where. When I asked the Archmaester why they were here and not the Citadel, he simply replied he wanted to study my "unique gift with the spotted whales", with a knowing look. I was caught off guard by the causal mention of my skinchanging when Lord Hightower intervened and ask if we could meet in my solar tomorrow morning and I agreed.

Which brings me to now.

I currently sit at the head table with Gerion, Wyman, and the other Lord Captains watching the lords gather for the Director's Meeting, the atmosphere in the Great Hall a bittersweet mix of triumph and silent morning. The large room illuminated by a mixture of torches and whale oil lamps with a twenty-foot-long humpback whale skull mounted on the wall behind me, a trophy of the first successful whale hunt with the orcas. Coincidently, on the wall to my right is a painting by Lucos commemorating the event in vivid detail from the blood spouting out of the mother's blowhole to its look of anguish watching the orcas hold her calf upside down to drown it.

"My Lords and Directors, I thank you all for being here at the fifth Director's Meeting and welcome you to Castle Warg!" I announce to polite applause, maids and servers walk out to the tables and place tankards of Wolfsport black beer to the guests.

I flash a grateful smile and briefly nod to the maid serving me, recognizing her as Katiya, one of the new maids working in the castle. Her tanned skin, dark brown eyes and hair give her away as a former pillow slave, who rather than work in the brothels, sought either work or marriage as a means to escape the sex trade. She is among a dozen new maids who call this castle home and has already proven popular with the guards.

"Lord Director, will you start us off with the after-action report?" I turn to Gerion, who smiles and begins.

"In total, despite the loss of two ships, the expedition made roughly sixty thousand dragons in trade goods such as saffron, porcelain, silks, jade, glass…" Gerion starts his report but I'm distracted by movement above us.

My eyes flicker over to a crow landing in the rafters from across the room and I'm about to dismiss it when it turns its head. Milky white eyes gaze down on the occupants in the room, but keeps subtly moving its head, as if searching for someone specific, before feeling it's eyes settle on me. I lock myself in a staring contest with the bird only to admit defeat two minutes later. I have a sneaking suspicion on whose skinchanging and my eyes flicker to Lord Hightower sitting next to Marwyn the Mage, both giving me knowing grins despite facing away from the crow. A silent exchange between us promises to discuss this tomorrow.

"…And now the price of stocks has risen to eight-and-thirty dragons a share, an increase of six dragons from before the expedition!" Gerion finishes to polite applause.

"It's good to hear the expedition was a success but what how'd the whole voyage go? Wyman has been sparse on the details." I take a sip of black beer when Ser Jason Mallister responds.

"The first leg of the voyage was for the most part uneventful. First, we sailed to Volantis but were still unable to meet with any of the triarchs so we traded in the western half of the city. During our time there, we spoke with various merchants and confirmed the existence of the Silver Law in Yi-Ti."

"Indeed, I was able to meet with Volantene merchants who've traded in the far east and they confirmed your claims. Once this was known, we traded our goods for silver in the ports leading to Yi-Ti." Lord Serrett of Silverhill chimes in.

The Silver Law seems to be Yi-Ti's version of the Single Whip Law of Ming dynasty China, both laws consolidating most taxes, such as labor, land, or poll taxes into a single tax paid in silver. This has the side-effect of creating a huge demand for silver in Yi-Ti, something I have no doubt Lord Serrett took advantage of, owning the largest silver mine in the Seven Kingdoms.

"Once we left Volantis, we sailed around the Doom of Valyria and sailed to the Isle of Cedars to resupply and investigate it's suitability for hosting a trading post. We landed around two miles south of the ruins of Velos, a slave city said to have been washed away by a tidal wave created by the Doom." Ser Sebaston Farman takes over. "The isle is deserted; we found no settlements other than ruins and the animals have lost all fear of man. We used the cedars to make repairs on the fleet and hunted large black boars to fill our larders. The monkeys were a nuisance, and despite our efforts, infested our ships."

"So, who owns the island? Astapor? New Ghis?" I ask, wondering if we could set up a trading post there.

"No one controls or has settled on the isle but Elyria, Tolos, Meeren, Yunkai, Astapor, New Ghis all laid claim to it in the past. Since then, only Elyria and Tolos have dropped their claims to the island…" Ser Sebaston begins to answer.

"…Meaning we'd have to negotiate with four cities to get a trading post approved." I finish with a frown before asking the heir to Fair Isle. "When you visited the cities of Slaver's Bay, did you manage to acquire such permission?"

"Out of all the cities in Slaver's Bay, only the island of Elyria allowed for the construction of a trading post, all other cities rejected trading posts being built in their cities. As for the Isle of Cedars, Meeren and Yunkai, despite their claims, told us they have no issues with us building a small trading post on the southern tip of the island near Velos. Astapor and New Ghis, on the other hand, both rejected our reasonable request, seeing it as an intrusion on their claimed land." Ser Sebaston responds.

"Alright, a trading post in Elyria isn't too bad considering we doubted any city in Slaver's Bay would welcome us. I propose we negotiate with Astapor and New Ghis to build a trading post on the Isle of Cedars, both to increase trade and have a future stopover point for voyages to Yi-Ti." I calmly state to the directors, who begin to debate the merits of establishing a foothold on the Isle of Cedars. The Northerners were against it, viewing it as a waste of time and resources while the Riverland and Westerland lords were in favor, arguing it not only could be a moneymaker, but opened the way to future expansion. I glance upwards towards the support beams and see the milk-eyed crow still observing us, head tilting towards whomever is speaking, only for both of us to drawn by the voice of Lord Leyton Hightower.

"I agree with the proposal to establish a trading post on the Isle of Cedars!" The Lord of Oldtown states to the agreement of his bannermen and Lord Redwyne, decisively swinging the debate towards at least attempting to build the trading post.

"The ayes have it! The company will negotiate with Astapor and New Ghis to establish a trading post on the Isle of Cedars if possible. This will be used in support of our new trading post in Elyria and as a supply stop to future endeavors in the far east." I proclaim to the mutters of the various lords. "Right, so then you sailed for Qarth…"

"Aye, sailed into Qarth and were able to meet with the Pureborn that rule the city, due to the trade ties between Qarth and House Hightower and Redwyne. With Ser Desmond Redwyne leading negotiations, we were able to secure a small trading post in Qarth!" Ser Stevron took over and my eyes widen.

"That's fantastic! Having even a single, tiny foothold in the Jade Gates will be invaluable!" I exclaim.

"Aye, after we met with the Pureborn, we met with the three main trading guilds of Qarth, The Thirteen, the Tourmaline Brotherhood, and the Ancient Guild of Spicers. All three were interested in trade and it was through the Tourmaline Brotherhood that we hired a family of Yi-Tish silk merchants to serve as translators. Then we flew through the Jade Gates with the easterly winds at our backs at full speed before reaching our first city in Yi-Ti, the largest port in the western provinces, Asabhad…" Ser Stevron started but other lords began chiming in their own descriptions of Yi-Ti and, to the Westerosi, the mythical east.

They describe tall buildings with slanted tile rooftops that curled upwards at the ends, holy men with walking sticks in bright orange and yellow robes that patrolled the streets at dawn asking the people for rice in return for blessings, streets filled with horses, camels, and elephants. The city, despite being the smallest of "Three Great Ports" of Yi-Ti, was estimated to be roughly the size of King's Landing but unlike our capital, didn't smell like shit. Through their translators being merchants in the weakest of the three main merchant clans, they gained an audience with the local governor Zhang Wu, who threw them a lavish feast.

The lords describe exotic foods of all flavors of sweet, sour, savory, or spicy served with various kinds of rice, a crop the Westerosi were developing a growing familiarity with. It's still not cultivated outside of my attempts in Sea Dragon Point but some lords are importing dried rice and a few rice dishes such as Summer Islander jollof rice are making their way to the dinner tables of the rich and influential. I've even heard it's become a favorite of the king and queen.

Then they describe trying "mifen" and I scrunch my face in confusion at the foreign word. When I ask them about it, they describe it as a long, thin, starchy substance made from rice, and I realize they're describing rice noodles. Some of the dishes sound vaguely like Chinese dishes like chow mein and orange chicken, the latter being a particular favorite amongst the lords, and some that I've never heard of.

"I'll have to try this 'orange chicken' at some point but how did your negotiations with the governor go?" I ask.

"We were fortunate to hire the merchants from the Liu Clan, as Asabhad is their homeport and they have great sway over the governor. Through Liu Wei, we agreed to a deal with the Liu Clan and the governor, they will allow us to establish a trading post in Asabhad and in exchange for their help in getting a trading post in their capital, the company will trade exclusively with the Liu Clan and not with their rivals, the Jin and Huai clans." My goodcousin Tytos Blackwood says and my eyes widen.

"We got a trading post in Yi-Ti!? Even if it's in the smallest of the Three Great Ports that's still a great boon to the company! Did the Liu Clan pull through and get us a trading post in Yin?" I ask with palpable excitement.

"Unfortunately, no. While they were able to secure us an audience with the emperor's heir Prince Bu Gai, the Jin Clan hold great sway over the capital and imperial family. They used their influence to convince the prince to block any trading post from being built. The Liu Clan, surprisingly, compensated us for their failure to get us a trading post in Yin by doubling the size of the previously agreed one in Asabhad." Tytos says to my surprise.

"Why did they do that?" I ask.

"It's a part of Yi-Tish culture to take one's oaths and agreements with grave seriousness. If one cannot fulfill an oath or agreement, they must offer something in compensation. They will expect this of us as well." Tytos answers and the lords begin to describe Yin, the capital of Yi-Ti.

Great treasure ships over five hundred feet long docked in the massive harbor of the "City of Two Million Souls". I see the awe in their eyes when they speak of the great, far-off capital and it's immense size. Just the imperial palace alone is larger than all of King's Landing and only makes up about a fifth of the city's area. They describe a marketplace larger than Wolfsport and claim that to walk from one wall to another would take someone from dawn to dusk. The closest city they could compare it to is Braavos, due to the many canals that weave through the city. But unlike Braavos, the canals weave through perfectly straight streets arranged in a grid pattern similar to many American cities.

The way they talk about the Yi-Tish cities, I get the impression that Asabhad is the Lannisport to Yin's King's Landing and the furthest east of the Three Great Ports, Jinqi, is the Oldtown. They describe the political situation as Emperor Bu Dai, the six-and-tenth Azure Emperor, with a general named Pol Qo are in the northern provinces fighting against an invasion by the Jogos Nhai. His son and heir, Prince Bu Gai rules Yin in his father's place from the gargantuan imperial palace. He has over a dozen siblings from his mother and the emperor's concubines, with one half brother in particular rumored to have ties to the Cult of Starry Wisdom. Some even claim he makes secret trips to Asshai to learn forbidden sorcery.

"Prince Bu Gai took a great interest in our clipper ships after the Liu Clan boasted of their speed. We demonstrated by having the Swiftwind take part in a large ship race involving many Yi-Tish highborn. The Yi-Tish used fast paddle ships they called 'Quanlis' that could sail up to three-and-ten knots, fast but no fast enough. Our victory took the imperial court by storm and the prince responded by 'demonstrating the power of Yi-Ti arms' to us. He had warriors parade with strange spears with tubes tied under the spearhead. They lit a piece of rope at the end of the tube and pointed at the targets. We were confused at first, wondering why they were wielding spears almost like crossbows when thunderous sounds came from the tubes and a stream of flames burst forth and hit their targets some ten feet away. When we asked them what these fearsome weapons were, they told us they're called fire lances and use something called dragonpowder." Wyman explains and I'm left stunned at the revelation that gunpowder exists in this world.

"What are your thoughts on these fire lances? Did you acquire any?" I ask as casually as I can, nervous that I might have a Westerosi arms race on my hands.

"They're certainly fearsome and quite powerful but have many drawbacks…" Gerion begins a debate between the lords on the merits of the fire lances both praising their power but criticizing the short range and the lengthy time it takes to set up another shot. I feel relief that most seem to have a similar view to Gerion, a curious novelty that could find a place on the Westerosi battlefield but weren't any magical Wunderwaffen.

"…We weren't able to acquire any fire lances in Yi-Ti as the Prince expressly forbid their sale to us. But we were able to buy a dozen made from a sturdy plant called bamboo in the city of Leng Yi on the northern coast of Leng, on our way to Jinqi. One has been gifted to the Citadel for study while a few lords like my brother have kept one for themselves. Have no fear Lord Seastark, we saved one for you!" Gerion says. Wyman receives a something long and clothed from a servant and places it on the table in front of me and unwraps it to reveal an eight foot long three-pronged iron spear with the shaft made of bamboo. An empty tube also made of bamboo is detached and placed next to it.

"It's… cruder than I expected." I say as I analyze every detail before noticing the lords leaning in closer to see my reaction.

"Aye, the Yi-Tish fire lances are made of better materials and are superior to these Lengi ones. But I have no doubt either you or the Citadel will make a fire lance as good if not better than the ones they have in Yi-Ti!" Wyman exclaims and the lords chuckle.

"I'm sure I can make a functional fire lance… any other curious weapons?" I ask.

"The only other one was in Leng Yi, where we saw a strange two-wheel cart being dragged by a horse. It had what looked like one hundred arrows sticking out of it with similar tubes of dragonpowder to the fire lances. When we asked, the locals called it a hwacha. We unfortunately, didn't see it being fired." Ser Sebaston chimes in. I recognize the name from studying the Imjin War back on Earth and I look to see the other lords reactions. I notice Lord Hightower and Gerion being the most intrigued by the potential of hwachas and fire lances whereas most lords, while not dismissive of them, didn't think much of the weapons.

"So, how did trade go with the Yi-Tish? Did they only trade in silver?" I nod and change the subject.

"More or less. They didn't have much interest in our trade goods other than silver. They seem to possess at least as much gold as the Westerlands, so they have little interest in it and our wares didn't fetch a high price. Only silver gave us a good rate in trading for saffron, silks, paper and other goods and we could only carry so much silver on the clippers." Ser Jason explains and I nod.

"So, you stopped in Leng Yi and Jinqi after the capital, any luck there?" I ask and Lord Redwyne responds.

"No, the descendants of Yi-Tish colonists that rule Leng Yi refused a trading post, only allowing foreign merchants to stay up to five days under penalty of death and the great port of Jinqi is in under the sway of the Huai Clan, rivals to the Jin and Liu clans and used their influence to block any trading post in the city."

I could only shrug at Lord Redwyne's words as a trading post in one of the Three Great Ports, even in the smallest one, is still great for long-term trade with Yi-Ti. "What happened when you sailed out of Jinqi?"

Ser Stevron is the one who answers my question. "We let the trade winds carry us down to Asshai, a cursed city that's size dwarfs even Yin yet feels so empty! Every brick made of oily black stone and the city is cut in half by a river that glows an eerily green at night. The most unnerving part was that there were no children or animals to be seen and the few animals that are brought die within days! At least it helped us with our monkey infestation that plagued us since the Isle of Cedars!" A few lords chuckle but most looked unnerved when recalling details of Asshai.

"We stayed for only a single day and night. Archmaester Marwyn happened to be in the city studying… Er what were you studying?" Ser Stevron asks Marwyn, who gives a smile revealing teeth stained red from chewing sourleaf.

"The cultures of the far east and it's history, particularly the Great Empire of the Dawn. I have a theory that they were the first to create dragons in the what is now known as the Shadowlands and spread them across Essos. When the empire fell, someone with dragon knowledge eventually travelled west and taught the ancient Valyrian shepherds how to train dragons! I have another theory that the Great Empire was not centered in what is today Yi-Ti but rather in…" Marwyn enthusiastically starts before being cut off by Ser Jason, who's oblivious to my frustration at being interrupted from hearing Marwyn's lore drops.

"As interesting as that is, we still need to finish this meeting…" The heir to Seaguard cuts in. I reluctantly allow the meeting to get back on track but exchange a look with Marwyn to let him know I am interested in his theories.

He clears his throat. "Er, right. Where was I? Oh, yes! I was staying in a large abandoned building with a few Lhazareen godswives when the trade voyage arrived. Met them at the docks and helped them navigate the city's dark streets to the main marketplace." Marwyn continues.

"We didn't trade much in Asshai as they were most interested in importing food, which we didn't have in large quantities. But we were able to able to trade some of the goods from Yi-Ti for rarer gemstones like blood diamonds, jadeite, and Taafeite…" Ser Jason explains as Wyman leans in close.

"Don't worry cousin, I acquired some dragonglass, half a crate load. But a strange thing happened…" Wyman whispers as I tilt my head and lean a bit closer.

"After I made the trade, a masked Yi-Tish shadowbinder in elaborate, yellow silk robes bumped into me. Introduced himself as Chai Zedong, and asked me in broken Common Tongue if I was the 'black wolf who fell from the stars' or something like that. When I told him I wasn't, he warned me to 'watch for the bleeding star'. Any ideas on what he meant?" Wyman's words cause my blood to freeze, tankard hovering inches from my lips. I glance down at the tankard; thankful I wasn't taking a sip for if I was I would've surely done a spit take. I take a sip before looking at Wyman, trying to pretend I haven't been caught off guard by the passing mention of me being from Earth. I steady my nerves at the thought of some crazy shadowbinder knowing my deepest secret, one I've told no one. I could tell my family I'm a skinchanger, but I could never tell them about my previous life. Then on top of that, he knows about the upcoming apocalypse, meaning I can't dismiss his words, no matter how insane they might sound.

"No idea about the first, but I'll tell you about the second one later." I lie with a shrug before turning my attention back to the meeting.

"…meeting with the Council of Nine that govern the city to establish a trading post in the city." Ser Jason finishes.

"You got a trading post in Asshai!" I exclaim.

"Yes, it was surprisingly easy to convince them. For all their dark and sinister sorceries, they're a people eager for trade. They were also curious of our lands, having heard of the Hightower and the gold of Casterly Rock. After the meeting we stayed the night with Marwyn and the godwives. When we set off in the morning with Marwyn, one of the godwives who Marwyn taught Common Tongue wished to travel with us and see our lands. And then we set off." Gerion takes over.

"For the Manticore Islands?" I guess.

"No, we sailed south across the Saffron Straits to Ulthos. The trade winds blew heavily to the west out of the straits, making it impossible to sail eastwards without going against the winds. We landed on the northwest corner of Ulthos, on a point we named "Seastark Point" since I was among the first to touch foot on the continent!" Wyman takes over from Gerion.

"Oh, did you find anything? What was Ulthos like?" I ask with intense curiosity since Ulthos is the far-off continent that's barely known to the maesters and Westeros.

"It was dense jungle with all manor of exotic creatures from massive narrow-snouted lizard-lions that were at least thirty feet long, long-jawed striped wolflike creatures that hold their young in pouches on their stomachs, large spiders the size of dinnerplates, but the worse was in the trees. When we were foraging for food, Ser Jasper Cuy was attacked by a strange bear the size of a large dog! The beast dropped down on him from the trees and bit him in the shoulder with large fangs! We managed to slay the beast and save Ser Jasper but the men were shaken from their encounter with what we're calling the 'drop bear'. We only stayed three days but we hunted and collected as many plants and animals for ourselves and the citadel, we have some pelts to show you!" Ser Stevron says as a servant brings over two pelts, one that appears suspiciously like a thylacine or "Tasmanian tiger" while the other looked like a large koala tweaked out on meth, with gnarly two-inch-long canines and brown fur instead of gray.

"The first pelt is from what we're calling a 'tigerwolf'…" Ser Sebaston gestures to the thylacine pelt. "… the second is from the drop bear." He gestures to the mutated koala pelt with a shiver.

"Fascinating…" I mumble, still stunned at seeing the pelts of two Australian animals, one extinct and one fictional. So, if Ulthos is this world's Australia with even more dangerous wildlife, did that mean there were aboriginals living there?

"Did you encounter any natives?" I inquire.

"No, but our translators claim that Yi-Tish traders have sailed around Ulthos to reach the lands of far eastern Essos. They estimate the continent is roughly the size of Essos from the Narrow Sea to the Bone Mountains. The northern coast, where we briefly landed, is dense jungle. The western and southern coasts are hot, dry deserts in contrast to the eastern coast with a mild climate similar to the Crownlands. The Yi-Tish say that most of the natives live in the east in small petty kingdoms with scattered tribes throughout the rest. They describe the petty kingdoms as poor and backwards, with the coastal settlements under constant raids from the Ma-Ori raiders of Aotearoa and adventurous pirates. Come to think of it, didn't Marwyn acquire a map of Ulthos?" Ser Jason looks at the Archmaester quizzically.

"Aye, I acquired a map of the continent from a Yi-Tish merchant in Asshai for a hefty price. The original is in the Citadel, but I have brought a redrawing of the map I sketched myself." Marwyn confirms and rolls out the newer map onto the table, with many lords leaning over to get a look at it, myself being one of them.

The northwest corner matches what little of Ulthos is on the official maps but diverges from there. The general shape of the continent can be described as "Australia flipped upside down". I notice only the coastline is mapped out, with the interior empty save for a small written note reading "Inland Sea?". The only marked settlements are in the southeastern coast, with strange names like Dieri, Wiradjuri, Jajaurung, Kurnai, and Yuin. Hundreds of miles off to the east are three large islands with dozens of smaller islands surrounding them. They looked like someone switched the locations of the North and South Islands of New Zealand and added a doubled sized Tasmania, rotated ninety degrees clockwise so it's southern point is facing west. The shape of the islands are noticeably less detailed and there are fewer settlements marked like Taranaki, Waikato, and Otago. If I had to guess, it's because the Yi-Tish merchants had less contact with the Ma-Ori than the native Ulthosi.

"My lords, hold your heads up high. Not only did you succeed in acquiring wealth in spite of great hardship, but you have expanded our knowledge of the world. Ulthos was once a continent unknown to us like Sothoryos, but no longer!" I exclaim, gesturing to the map. The lords who went on the expedition begin holding straightening their backs and holding their heads a bit higher. They grin and exchange knowing looks with those who travelled with them, regardless of house or kingdom. "You have set foot on Ulthos and with this map, you opened the door for further exploration, trade, and more!" I finish, witnessing the sense of accomplishment fill their faces.

"Ha! And we're haven't even told you of the way back! We still saw and did much!" Wyman exclaims.

"Aye, once we set sail from Seastark Point for the Manticore Islands…" Gerion starts and I grin at hearing the name. "…The natives were unfriendly and didn't wish to trade. So, we headed for Marahai but we were hit by a storm. That is when we lost the Northern Swallow and the Grapevine…" When the names of the ships are spoken, a hush falls on the room. Lords silently morning friends and family aboard the lost ships.

"Eight battered clippers survived, but were blown off course. With the damage to our ships, we had no choice but to make for the closest port for repairs. We were in no shape to make it to Great Moraq, let alone back home. We sailed until we saw land and after some time, we figured out we were on the southern shore of Leng and made for Turrani, capital of the island, where the god empress rules. We saw a city the size of Oldtown with a hundred-foot-tall pink sandstone walls surrounding buildings similar to those in Yi-Ti and a palace the size of the Red Keep. We were met with a mix of curiosity and weariness from the tall Lengii, who seemed unsure what to do with us until someone from the palace came and inspected our ships from the dock. When he was done, he told us through a translator that we were being summoned by the god-empress. Gerion, Ser Jason, Ser Garth, Marwyn, Liu Wei, and myself went to meet with her. Liu Wei was our translator but Marwyn knows Yi-Tish, so he listened to make sure they were translating honestly." Wyman explains.

"We met God-Empress Leng Chiara and her two prince consorts, one Lengii and one Yi-Tish in her lavish throne room, full of toad and salamander statues with gemstone eyes. The law of the land is outsiders can only stay up to five days but our ships were going to take longer than that to repair. We told her our story and plead our case. When the administrator who escorted us confirmed our words, the God-Empress permitted us to stay until our ships were repaired. Once that was sorted, we were invited to dine with the imperial family…" Gerion speaks of an opulent dining room with large crystal chandeliers and gem-encrusted silverware.

Of delicious foods like a mifen soup filled with spices, a chicken drumstick, pickled mustard greens, shallots, crispy fried mifen, scallions, peppers, and a squeeze of lime called khao soi. I vaguely recognize the name of a Thai food but have no idea if it's the same thing. The desert, however, I do recognize: mango sticky rice. It's difficult to pretend I've never heard of or tried mango while watching them rant and rave about how delicious mangoes are, going as far as to buy dried mango for the return trip.

They describe how tall the imperial family, the god-empress, her two husbands, and two daughters were. God Empress Chiara and her Lengii husband were both eight feet tall and towered over them and her Yi-Tish husband, who stood a little over five-and-a-half-feet tall. The eldest princess and heir is from her Yi-Tish husband is two-and-ten and was near six feet tall while her ten namedays old Lengii sister matched her height.

The imperial family were intrigued by them and the clippers, having caught wind of a certain Northern ship winning a race in Yin. They answer their questions while not divulging the secrets to the clippers inquired if setting up a trading post was allowed. They received a polite, but firm rejection. The god-empress explaining that there is cultural distrust of outsiders that stems from their history with Yi-Ti. A tumultuous and bloody relationship that culminated in Yi-Ti conquering the island and ruling for thousands of years, settling its people. To this day, the northern two thirds of the island is majority Yi-Tish while only the southern one third where Turrani is located are the Lengii the majority. Four hundred years ago, the Lengii and the descendants of the Yi-Tish settles revolted against Yin rule and after years of bloody war, won their independence. Since then, the two peoples have intermarried and melded their cultures and faiths together but maintained a dim and paranoid view of outsiders. Ultimately they could not gain a trading post, only that the company was welcome to trade in any port in Leng and that the god-empress will raise the number of days outsiders are allowed to stay from five to twenty. They still parted on good terms with the imperial family and spent the next ten days fixing their ships and trading with the Lengii for dried mangoes and curry powder.

Then they sailed for Marahai, a crescent shaped island with two volcanic islands similar to Dragonstone and Skagos.

"A true paradise!" Ser Stevron says and I see many lords nod. "We sailed into Chattaluru, great port city of the shan, or king in their tongue. We traded in a massive bazaar or marketplace and saw colorful temples with hundreds of statues carved on the outside, each to a god or goddess! We learned of their strict caste system between the highborn, priests, warriors, merchants, farmers, and what they call untouchables! Of how they hold cows so sacred they refuse they eat them…" As Ser Stevron continues to describe Marahai, I find myself intrigued by the obvious similarities to Indian Hindu culture from Earth. "…Then we dined with the Rajah and negotiated a small trading post in Chattaluru as we enjoyed a variety of delicious curries, clay oven cooked chicken and their naan flatbread." I find myself growing jealous of their culinary adventure as they describe their joy at tasting Indian cuisine for the first time.

"Then we sailed for the Zabhad, on the Isle of Elephants. We found them to be similar to the people of Marahai in looks and culture with the largest difference being they hold elephants as sacred instead of cows. We eventually received an audience with the local shan, in his palace of pure ivory and discussed a trade of ivory for gold. The shan explained that gold is prized in their lands but scarce, usually importing it from Yi-Ti. But this has caused them to be nothing more than a tributary of Yin and, having heard of the Westerland's vast quantities of gold, wanted to trade with us to lessen his dependence on Yi-Ti. We of course, agreed to establish a trading post Zabhad." Gerion boasts of using his family's wealth to gain a trading post.

They talk of sailing to Port Moraq, on the southern tip of the large island of Great Moraq, only to find the city under siege from a peasant uprising over taxes. They quickly sold what food they had for a steep markup and then left as the gates were being assaulted for Faros on the northwestern end of the island. There they found a strange people who worshipped a giant stone cow carved from an oily black stone. They met with the local shan but couldn't get a trading post and sailed for Vahar.

Vahar is described by the lords as similar to Marahai and the Isle of Elephants, with the shan living in a palace that sounds suspiciously like the Taj Mahal and more Indian cuisine. The shan happened to be looking to trade more with the west, though originally with Slaver's Bay and Volantis, and was more than happy to establish a trading post in Vahar.

From there, they sailed to Dalhad on the northern tip of Lesser Moraq only to find it at war with another city called Kolkatagar. Unlike Port Moraq, the city wasn't under siege or blockade but the war meant the shan wasn't interested in trade. Then they made the treacherous journey along the corsair's road, the name given to the sea route that goes north of Wyvern Point through the Basilisk Isles. They skirted the northern edges of the pirate haven, having to sail full speed away from pirates when they passed Skull Island before reaching the relative safety of the Summer Islands.

Wyman finishes telling how they sailed back to Oldtown from the Summer Islands, selling exotic spices, gemstones, silks, paper, rice wines, and saffron in Oldtown, Lannisport, Seaguard, and now Wolfsport.

"The dried mango you brought back was delicious! If that's how it tastes dried, I want to taste one fresh!" Lord Hightower comments to several lords agreement before polishing off his black beer.

"Well, I'll certainly have to try some if there's any left. But I'm impressed with the success of the expedition! Seven trading posts, among them being Qarth, Yi-Ti, and Asshai is worthy of celebration! I think we can safely declare the trade expedition a success." I get some chuckles from the lords. We discuss setting up another expedition to the east and whether or not to include Ulthos. Ultimately, we decide to wait for the next Director's meeting to decide on including the new continent or not.

"My Lords, I declare this meeting adjourned! We can bring in the ladies and the food! While I can't throw a feast in winter, that doesn't mean I didn't prepare a good hearty meal for your return." I announce and the lords sound interested in food to go with their black beer. I turn to Wyman. "It's your favorite, pulled pork barbecue and coleslaw!" I watch my cousin's eyes light up with joy at eating whole hog cooked in a pit for hours before being pulled and marinated in a vinegar-based sauce reminiscent of eastern North Carolina barbecue.

As Wyman starts to explain the dish to the guests, I glance up to the rafters to see the crow gone, unsure when it left as the last time I saw it we were talking about the Isle of Elephants. Standing up to stretch my legs like many of the other lords were currently doing when Marwyn makes his way towards me.

"I see our feathery eavesdropper has left." The mage whispers as he strolls up besides me, tankard in hand. I polish off my tankard as servants begin setting the tables with plates and silverware, ignored by the lords standing around discussing the meeting.

"How long has she had her gift?" I whisper back, watching Lord Hightower engage in conversation with Lord Dustin and Ser Jason but unable to hear their words.

"From her first moonblood, she bonded with the same crow you see here today. Her family is aware of her gift and are fully aware of how her kind are seen by Andals and the Faith. It's the reason she's never been married off, her father hid it by claiming she's barren and kept her in the Hightower most of her life." Marwyn finishes his tankard and we walk to a large barrel with the Wolfsport brew.

"So, why is her father bringing her here?" I ask quietly as I fill up my tankard.

"Heard from his son that you have the same gift and he wanted to get her out of the Hightower and making friends." Marwyn replies in a low voice. I swear under my breath as I finish filling my tankard and let the mage fill his.

"I've been trying to keep it a secret to not deal with the Faith. But it makes sense that he'd know what to look for. No doubt my other fosterlings know…" I mutter and take a sip. "…What does her father expect of me, to teach her? Skinchanging into a whale is very different from a crow or a wolf."

"Oh, I know. Ancient skinchangers considered whales and dragons the two beasts closest to the human mind. This makes it impossible for all but the strongest skinchangers to control them, usually requiring a magical artifact to bolster their power enough to overwhelm their mind. I'm curious as to how you manage to accomplish this with spotted whales." Marwyn finishes filling his tankard and we head back to the floor.

Suddenly, the main doors open, with the ladies and guests not present at the meeting streaming in. I see Elsa make her way to my cousin, the godswife Mirri Maz Duur returning from meeting her Lhazareen brethren in the city, Tyrion and Ser Jaime happily chatting, and my wife walking with Malora Hightower, Jeyne Clifton, and Sybell Westerling. My eyes meet Myrra's and we exchange a brief smile before they flicker to the Malora, crow nowhere to be found, but she flashes a knowing grin.

"Come sit with my family tonight…" I say as the servants begin to bring in the food, the familiar scent of barbecue pulled pork wafting through the Great Hall as the lords and ladies begin to head for the tables. "…You can tell me about your theories on the Great Empire of the Dawn and I can tell you a bit about the spotted whales."

Marwyn smiles. "I'd be honored, Lord Seastark."

A/N: Sorry, this took forever. Work was hectic and I rewrote the Asshai part three times. So now the expedition to Yi-Ti is back and they've been very successful in both getting rich and finding maps! Worldbuilding this area is both challenging and fun because there's almost nothing on this area of the world. Leng I'm imagining having a Thai/Vietnamese like culture and Khao Soi is a real dish and it's delicious. The islands south of them and Yi-Ti I'm making culturally Indian, since there isn't any India-expy that we know of. For Ulthos, it's Australia on crack with drop-bears and all, but it's still more hospitable than Sorthoryos. The Ulthosi are based on Australian Aboriginals but will be somewhat more advanced than their Earth counterparts due to limited trade with Yi-Ti (and others). The Ma-Ori are obviously based on the Maori of New Zealand, because I think they don't get enough representation. Aotearoa is divided between many tribes who raid each other and the nearby Ulthosi while sometimes trading with outsiders. Enjoy!

 

[Wolffils]

Great chapter per usual. It's actual damn rare when Malora Hightower is in a story. Thanks for that.

 

[ATP]

Great chapter per usual. It's actual damn rare when Malora Hightower is in a story. Thanks for that.

Click to shrink...

Well,she could not bring anything to most stories.But here,she could stay North,marry some northern, and create air corps for Starks.

 

[Wolffils]

Well,she could not bring anything to most stories.But here,she could stay North,marry some northern, and create air corps for Starks.

Click to shrink...

I'm really wondering for what exactly purpose did Leyton bring his eldest daughter here to the North. To marry her off in the North to Seastark allies? For her to be around like minded and capable skinchangers? Or is she gonna be the Melisandre to Hugo's Stannis?

 

[Kristoff Umber]

Fun fact: most silver mines actually dig up lead along with the silver, as a good amount of silver is naturally mixed with lead and needs to be separated, usually by heating the mixture since lead and silver have different melting points. You can of course find silver on its own, but the traditional mixture of lead and silver was called pewter. Modern pewter no longer has lead in it though, so don't worry about that irl if you have anything made of the stuff.

Also, while everyone talks about how lead pipes are terrible for society, its inclusion to Roman aqueduct systems actually had the benefit of killing harmful bacteria that people would've otherwise consumed and likely gotten sick from.

 

[kaizerfox]

Great chapter per usual. It's actual damn rare when Malora Hightower is in a story. Thanks for that.

Click to shrink...

Well,she could not bring anything to most stories.But here,she could stay North,marry some northern, and create air corps for Starks.

Click to shrink...

I'm really wondering for what exactly purpose did Leyton bring his eldest daughter here to the North. To marry her off in the North to Seastark allies? For her to be around like minded and capable skinchangers? Or is she gonna be the Melisandre to Hugo's Stannis?

Click to shrink...

Malora's basically a blank slate because all we know of her is she's called the Mad Maid and she's never been married. Here she can be a friend and fellow skinchanger. As for marriages, she's "officially barren" but that was a lie mad eup by her father to avoid marrying her off. That could be changed and then she could marry a Northern later down the line.

Fun fact: most silver mines actually dig up lead along with the silver, as a good amount of silver is naturally mixed with lead and needs to be separated, usually by heating the mixture since lead and silver have different melting points. You can of course find silver on its own, but the traditional mixture of lead and silver was called pewter. Modern pewter no longer has lead in it though, so don't worry about that irl if you have anything made of the stuff.

Also, while everyone talks about how lead pipes are terrible for society, its inclusion to Roman aqueduct systems actually had the benefit of killing harmful bacteria that people would've otherwise consumed and likely gotten sick from.

Click to shrink...

I actually didn't know that about silver. Did most of the lead poisoning in Rome come from lead cups or from lead pipes?

 

[vanomzero]

on the wall to my right is a painting by Lucos commemorating the event in vivid detail from the blood spouting out of the mother's blowhole to its look of anguish watching the orcas hold her calf upside down to drown it.

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that's morbid reminds me of The painting "Man Proposes, God Disposes" by Edwin Landseer, depicting polar bears among the wreckage of a doomed expedition, I bet if lyanna saw this painting she gonna freak

"It's… cruder than I expected." I say as I analyze every detail before noticing the lords leaning in closer to see my reaction.

"Aye, the Yi-Tish fire lances are made of better materials and are superior to these Lengi ones. But I have no doubt either you or the Citadel will make a fire lance as good if not better than the ones they have in Yi-Ti!" Wyman exclaims and the lords chuckle.

"I'm sure I can make a functional fire lance… any other curious weapons?" I ask.

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love how much they acknowledge his abilities as an inventor even implying he equals the entire Citadel by himself, though I wonder if anyone managed to gleam anything from his expressions

"It was dense jungle with all manor of exotic creatures from massive narrow-snouted lizard-lions that were at least thirty feet long, long-jawed striped wolflike creatures that hold their young in pouches on their stomachs, large spiders the size of dinnerplates

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so Ulthos is not japan but Australia, too bad they didn't see any kangaroos I'll bet they'll freak them out

"My lords, hold your heads up high. Not only did you succeed in acquiring wealth in spite of great hardship, but you have expanded our knowledge of the world. Ulthos was once a continent unknown to us like Sothoryos, but no longer!" I exclaim, gesturing to the map. The lords who went on the expedition begin holding straightening their backs and holding their heads a bit higher. They grin and exchange knowing looks with those who travelled with them, regardless of house or kingdom. "You have set foot on Ulthos and with this map, you opened the door for further exploration, trade, and more!" I finish, witnessing the sense of accomplishment fill their faces.

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Hugo is gonna be more respected and looked up to in Westeros than he realizes

the god-empress will raise the number of days outsiders are allowed to stay from five to twenty.

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they really went around the world and changed the international scene to almost every place they went to

"Oh, I know. Ancient skinchangers considered whales and dragons the two beasts closest to the human mind. This makes it impossible for all but the strongest skinchangers to control them, usually requiring a magical artifact to bolster their power enough to overwhelm their mind. I'm curious as to how you manage to accomplish this with spotted whales." Marwyn finishes filling his tankard and we head back to the floor.

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love how this makes it seem like Hugo is this powerful skinchanger, they might also think he's able to control several spotted whales since he got the entire pod to work with humans

My eyes meet Myrra's and we exchange a brief smile before they flicker to the Malora, crow nowhere to be found, but she flashes a knowing grin.

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hopefully Myrra doesn't get the wrong idea

 

[Kristoff Umber]

Malora's basically a blank slate because all we know of her is she's called the Mad Maid and she's never been married. Here she can be a friend and fellow skinchanger. As for marriages, she's "officially barren" but that was a lie mad eup by her father to avoid marrying her off. That could be changed and then she could marry a Northern later down the line.



I actually didn't know that about silver. Did most of the lead poisoning in Rome come from lead cups or from lead pipes?

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Most-likely from the lead in pewter dishes is what I'd guess. The amount of lead people would consume from the pipes would be pretty negligible on the day-to-day and would probably only cause problems for the elderly who had been drinking the stuff for 40+ years. My guess is that since the water was constantly flowing it didn't contaminate the water too much, but if the water stays in one place under pressure, like with a faucet, the water would have more exposure to the lead.

This is all guesswork on my part, I'm a history teacher, not science, so I don't know the specifics.

 

[kaizerfox]

that's morbid reminds me of The painting "Man Proposes, God Disposes" by Edwin Landseer, depicting polar bears among the wreckage of a doomed expedition, I bet if lyanna saw this painting she gonna freak

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Funnily enough that painting plus a lot of 19th century illustrations like this one:

A Leviathan is like this sperm whale, but with teeth on both sides of it's jaws and double the length

love how much they acknowledge his abilities as an inventor even implying he equals the entire Citadel by himself, though I wonder if anyone managed to gleam anything from his expressions

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Considering how much he's invented and how many changes he's made in their lives in just five years he's probably considered as smart as an archmaester. There's a lot of lords that will quietly look to him for guidance both due to his amassing wealth and his demonstrated wisdom. Hugo's somewhat aware of this and tried to school his expressions when presented with the fire lance because he doesn't want to give away that gunpowder is a huge deal. He doesn't realize the extent of his reputation due to his relative isolation in Castle Warg and it will surprise him when he travels south.

so Ulthos is not japan but Australia, too bad they didn't see any kangaroos I'll bet they'll freak them out

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Kangaroos Standing rabbits will make them shit bricks! Just wait until you hear what they call wombats.

Hugo is gonna be more respected and looked up to in Westeros than he realizes

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A product of being isolated in Sea Dragon Point. He'll be surprised when he goes South and is treated as one of the major players compared to before where he was seen as a regional player. The STC and the trade expeditions have the happy side-effect of increasing the unity between houses from different kingdoms through shared profits and hardships.

they really went around the world and changed the international scene to almost every place they went to

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Just them showing up causes changes with the countries of the Jade Sea. Before they showed up, the "Sunset Lands" were basically a large, unknown land they look at similar to how the Westerosi view Yi-Ti. The STC and the trading posts means the Westerosi are going to have a presence in the Jade Sea and it's going to affect some areas more than others.

love how this makes it seem like Hugo is this powerful skinchanger, they might also think he's able to control several spotted whales since he got the entire pod to work with humans

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That's actually going to be something in the next chapter. Marwyn, Leyton, and Malora are going to think Hugo's a more powerful skinchanger than he actually is and it's this misunderstanding is partly why Leyton Hightower brings Malora to be his skinchanger apprentice.

hopefully Myrra doesn't get the wrong idea

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Myrra's pretty chill and understanding. She's not the type to get jealous anytime a pretty woman is around her husband but she is a (cadet branch) Lannister and as a lioness will not tolerate any affair Hugo tries to have nor any woman trying to take what is hers.

Most-likely from the lead in pewter dishes is what I'd guess. The amount of lead people would consume from the pipes would be pretty negligible on the day-to-day and would probably only cause problems for the elderly who had been drinking the stuff for 40+ years. My guess is that since the water was constantly flowing it didn't contaminate the water too much, but if the water stays in one place under pressure, like with a faucet, the water would have more exposure to the lead.

This is all guesswork on my part, I'm a history teacher, not science, so I don't know the specifics.

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This is interesting to know. Hugo's still not going to have lead pipes or cups because he doesn't want to risk lead poisoning.

 

[kaizerfox]

A map of the Jade Sea Expedition made by NicaEM on althistory.com

View: https://imgur.com/0xlyLVB

 

[vanomzero]

I wonder if with all these new inventions and with the expeditions igniting a spirit of exploration we will see the three islands southwest of westeros revisited https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Aegon,_Rhaenys,_and_Visenya_(islands)
, I know House Farwynd of the Lonely Light will want to see if they can use the new inventions to sail to the lands beyond the sunset sea since they talked about leading the ironborn there in canon during the kingsmoot(probably beacuse since they skinchangers so they know for a fact there's lands there).

Hugo is gonna be known In history as the Father of navigation just like Henry the navigator who funded and planned expeditions to satisfy his curiosity, expand the territory and wealth of Portugal, and to spread Christianity. His actions sparked Europe's age of exploration, which connected the world's people.

 

[ATP]

Australia had megalania big lizards/arleady mentioned/ ,giant cangooros 3m tall,and wombats big as cows.Also,some smaller cangooros who were predators and probably hunted in packs,if i remember correctly.
Aborigens also mentioned some kind of bigfoot,and underground lizard which eat people.Bunjup or something like that.

They all could be real here.

P.S even now bigger cangooros could be used to ride, so they could do the same.And - i remember some AH where aborigens trained emu and kangooroos to fight,and thanks to that manage to keep part of their lands - as vassal of british empire.
Forget author and title,as usual.

 

[kaizerfox]

I wonder if with all these new inventions and with the expeditions igniting a spirit of exploration we will see the three islands southwest of westeros revisited https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Aegon,_Rhaenys,_and_Visenya_(islands)
, I know House Farwynd of the Lonely Light will want to see if they can use the new inventions to sail to the lands beyond the sunset sea since they talked about leading the ironborn there in canon during the kingsmoot(probably beacuse since they skinchangers so they know for a fact there's lands there).

Hugo is gonna be known In history as the Father of navigation just like Henry the navigator who funded and planned expeditions to satisfy his curiosity, expand the territory and wealth of Portugal, and to spread Christianity. His actions sparked Europe's age of exploration, which connected the world's people.

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The Targaryen Islands (they'll get a rename because I don't think Robert will tolerate that name) will be revisited, maybe even settled, though by who remains to be seen. They're mapped and known but no one's claimed them.
Lonely Light actually has sticky-stone (continuing my trend of having it appear in strange places) and Lord Farwynd provided some to Balon for the Iron Fleet. Plus the Ironborn have paid the iron price for backstaffs so by this point Lord Farwynd has a compass and a backstaff.
Hugo will probably have multiple epitaphs like "the Builder", "the Inventor", the "Wise", "the Navigator", etc. His rivals will also have their own names/insults for him.

Australia had megalania big lizards/arleady mentioned/ ,giant cangooros 3m tall,and wombats big as cows.Also,some smaller cangooros who were predators and probably hunted in packs,if i remember correctly.
Aborigens also mentioned some kind of bigfoot,and underground lizard which eat people.Bunjup or something like that.

They all could be real here.

P.S even now bigger cangooros could be used to ride, so they could do the same.And - i remember some AH where aborigens trained emu and kangooroos to fight,and thanks to that manage to keep part of their lands - as vassal of british empire.
Forget author and title,as usual.

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I am planning on including prehistoric Australian animals like megalania, deinosucchus, marsupial lions, and mega sized kangaroos and wombats. There will be normal sized kangaroos and wombats. The Ulthosi, being more advanced then the Aboriginals, will probably domesticate or semi-domesticate emus and kangaroos as rides/fighters. In my mind the Ulthosi live in city-states that feud and raid one enough.
Aotearoa will have the Moas and kiwis... I don't know much about New Zealand wildlife.

 

[abhays999]

That's actually going to be something in the next chapter. Marwyn, Leyton, and Malora are going to think Hugo's a more powerful skinchanger than he actually is and it's this misunderstanding is partly why Leyton Hightower brings Malora to be his skinchanger apprentice.

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That's actually something I was curious about. Is he not going to try to get better at magic? Exploring different types of magic like magical properties of items like dragonglass, dragonglass candles etc. There's shade of the evening and possibly even greenseer magic. Anyway, nice story. I particularly loved the world building in the last chapter. Keep up the good work.

Also, there's a yt channel i would like to recommend called David Lightbringer. He has a ton of theories that you would find really helpful when world building or even deciding on the future direction and plot points of the story. He even has a ton of theories about Great empire of the dawn and their influence over the entire world.

 

[ATP]

The Targaryen Islands (they'll get a rename because I don't think Robert will tolerate that name) will be revisited, maybe even settled, though by who remains to be seen. They're mapped and known but no one's claimed them.
Lonely Light actually has sticky-stone (continuing my trend of having it appear in strange places) and Lord Farwynd provided some to Balon for the Iron Fleet. Plus the Ironborn have paid the iron price for backstaffs so by this point Lord Farwynd has a compass and a backstaff.
Hugo will probably have multiple epitaphs like "the Builder", "the Inventor", the "Wise", "the Navigator", etc. His rivals will also have their own names/insults for him.



I am planning on including prehistoric Australian animals like megalania, deinosucchus, marsupial lions, and mega sized kangaroos and wombats. There will be normal sized kangaroos and wombats. The Ulthosi, being more advanced then the Aboriginals, will probably domesticate or semi-domesticate emus and kangaroos as rides/fighters. In my mind the Ulthosi live in city-states that feud and raid one enough.
Aotearoa will have the Moas and kiwis... I don't know much about New Zealand wildlife.

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Except various Moa,they also had big eagle which hunted them,and get excint when moa were eaten.You version of Maori could tame them,and use as rangers.Moa - as horses.

Maybe create some island near Sothorys which would be their Madagascar,with giant lemurs,some even sentient and using tools ?
THey had their own giant birds,too.

 

[Fallout5368]

You know it's kind of hilarious we have multiple factions here looking at Hugo and thinking vastly different things. From Lyanna having a silent mental breakdown from both her PTSD and likely Blood Raven manipulations. The Ironborn about to launch their rebellion. Tywinn off doing who knows what, likely trying to scheme his way into becoming the sole director. Then their are the Karatarks and their plans to try and prove Hugo is the second coming of the Greystarks.

Finally at the center of all of this is the Seastarks and the regular Starks just adjacent to them. Hugo just want to break the medieval stasis and adventure. The their is Ned who seems just want to build and keep is cousins from killing each other.

 

[kaizerfox]

That's actually something I was curious about. Is he not going to try to get better at magic? Exploring different types of magic like magical properties of items like dragonglass, dragonglass candles etc. There's shade of the evening and possibly even greenseer magic. Anyway, nice story. I particularly loved the world building in the last chapter. Keep up the good work.

Also, there's a yt channel i would like to recommend called David Lightbringer. He has a ton of theories that you would find really helpful when world building or even deciding on the future direction and plot points of the story. He even has a ton of theories about Great empire of the dawn and their influence over the entire world.

Click to shrink...

Hugo will expand on his skinchanging abilities. He has an academic interest in magic but is leery of actually wielding it, "Sword without a hilt" and all that. He's acquiring dragonglass because he wants to stockpile them for the Others. He might try to get a dragonglass candle and he might want to try shade of the evening, not for the magic, but just to trip balls.

I have watched some David Lightbringer lore videos and will probably incorporate some of his ideas but I also want to do my own thing as well.

Except various Moa,they also had big eagle which hunted them,and get excint when moa were eaten.You version of Maori could tame them,and use as rangers.Moa - as horses.

Maybe create some island near Sothorys which would be their Madagascar,with giant lemurs,some even sentient and using tools ?
THey had their own giant birds,too.

Click to shrink...

Aotearoa (in this world) will have Moas and the giant eagles. I like your idea of the Ma-Ori domesticating them for transportation and I might make a Madagascar-expy, depends on if I both to expand on Sothoryos.

You know it's kind of hilarious we have multiple factions here looking at Hugo and thinking vastly different things. From Lyanna having a silent mental breakdown from both her PTSD and likely Blood Raven manipulations. The Ironborn about to launch their rebellion. Tywinn off doing who knows what, likely trying to scheme his way into becoming the sole director. Then their are the Karatarks and their plans to try and prove Hugo is the second coming of the Greystarks.

Finally at the center of all of this is the Seastarks and the regular Starks just adjacent to them. Hugo just want to break the medieval stasis and adventure. The their is Ned who seems just want to build and keep is cousins from killing each other.

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Hugo's kinda stuck in a bubble when he's in Castle Warg. He still gets updates from Dagwell and Stannis on the politics of King's Landing so while he generally knows what's going on, he doesn't see or hear how people perceive him. (With a few obvious exceptions like the Karstarks). He still thinks most Southroners perceive him the same as when he was back in King's Landing, a mildly interesting cadet branch of the Starks who happens to be getting lucky. He doesn't realize he's being seen as Lord Paramount level in power and influence with his name beginning to carry a lot of prestige.

 

[kaizerfox]

Chapter 25

Castle Warg, Early Seventh Moon, 286 A.C., The next morning…

I sit at the desk in my solar, my hangover lessened by a breakfast of eggs, mushrooms, black pudding, and bacon as Wyman stands to my left nursing his own hangover.

While I couldn't throw a feast in winter, that didn't stop last night's dinner from turning into a drunken celebration of the company's success. What started as a dinner with great food and conversation morphed into a party full of toasts and dancing. The lords told stories of their adventures to their wives and families, showing off pelts acquired in Ulthos to the shock and amazement of their audience. The ladies gasped at wide jaws of the tigerwolf, stared in horror at the skull of a Deinosuchus or "Giant Lizard Lion", shrieked at the sight of the drop bear, and howled with laughter at story of the wombat, or "Arse Badger" discovered by Ser Ryman Frey. He claimed to witness a wombat retreat into its burrow and use it's hardened rump to block its attacker, a sort of monitor lizard from the description. He gave it the name "Arse Badger" when it lowered itself slightly, allowing the intruder to force its head over the wombat's back, before using its powerful legs to crush the skull of the predator against the roof of the burrow. Literally killing the predator with its arse.

Later on, Myrra and I enjoyed ourselves dancing with each other and our guests. She danced with mostly Westerlords and Northerners and I danced with Myrra's friends, family members like Elsa, Yara, and Mariah, most of the Northern ladies, Shiera Lannister, and Malora Hightower.

Speak of the devil, a servant opens the door and in walks Lord Leyton Hightower, his daughter Malora with the crow perched on her shoulder, and son Humfrey accompanied by Marwyn the Mage. All three Hightowers have the platinum blonde hair of the Valyrians, though only Malora has their amethyst eyes in contrast to her father and brother's pale blue. Lord Hightower and Marwyn greet me with wide grins, Malora with a shy smile, and Humfrey with a nervous look. I stand to greet them and gesture to the seats prearranged before their arrival and they take their seats.

"Lord Seastark, the pulled pork last night was delicious. I hope it isn't too much to ask for the recipe?" Lord Hightower asks in a jolly tone despite signs of being hungover after matching Wyman and I drink for drink.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lord Hightower. It'd be no trouble to give you the recipe. How has the company treated you and Oldtown?" I asked, engaging in a bit of small talk.

"Loss of the Grapevine and my goodson aside, the trade company has been good to my house and Oldtown. The city has always been a center for trade and now sees more from the North and Summer Islands and I look forward to hosting Oldtown's first Director's Meeting in two years' time. The Citadel has been quite happy with the map and specimens brought back by the voyage." Lord Hightower responds.

"Aye, the Gray Sheep were so enamored with the map of Ulthos, that they're planning to sponsor future expeditions with not just your trade company but the Royal and Dornish Trade Companies as well. They intend for maesters and acolytes to join the voyages, record they're findings and collect specimens for the Citadel." Marwyn chimes in, using his favorite name for his fellow archmaesters.

"You've become quite the source of interest for the Citadel with your inventions. I've talked with my son and he has told me how you currently have him working on the construction of a sewer system. This is good to hear because while my eldest son, Baelor, is a capable heir, he will need assistance in ruling Oldtown and keeping bannermen in line. Humfrey's elder brothers Garth and Gunthor's strengths are more… marshal than administrative and thus I look to him to be Baelor's future castellan." Lord Hightower continues before looking towards his youngest son.

"Truly, father?" Humfrey asks stunned by his father's admission.

"Aye. You shall take what you learn here and apply it in assisting your brother's rule and there is much to learn from Lord Seastark." His father says in a firm tone.

"I will, father!" Humfrey says with determination and I take that as my cue to transition to the matter at hand.

"And learn much he shall but something I want to learn is how he discovered my secret…" I say looking to Humfrey, knowing he told his father about me being a skinchanger and he looks at me sheepishly.

"Actually Lord Seastark, it was Asher that first suspected. When each of us worked on the sewers, we heard smallfolk in the city talking about the spotted whales. Amidst the praise for their cooperation with the fishermen and whalers, we heard talk of a 'milky-eyed spotted whale'. Asher was the first to suspect you and brought his suspicions up with us. Tyrion and Patrek dismissed it initially, but I, knowing about my sister, didn't. What convinced me was a few weeks ago was when I was working on the sewers, I heard a fisherman fell over board and was rescued by the milky-eyed spotted whale. I tracked down the fisherman and asked him about it and the comment that stuck with me was how he found it odd to see the milk-eyed spotted whale in the afternoon instead of dawn. I remember talking to Jonnel and he mentioned you took a nap in the afternoon and suddenly it all fell into place. My sister takes 'naps' whenever she skinchanges into her crow and I realized you were doing the same thing with spotted whales." My fosterling explains nervously, his eyes flickering between me and his father.

"Have you told your fellow fosterlings? Do they know?" I ask in a grave voice and he hesitates before answering.

"Yes, Lord Seastark, I told them about your nap. It convinced Tyrion and Patrek while Asher felt vindicated…" He replies and I mutter a curse, pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger. "…I wrote to my father because my sister shares the same gift." Humfrey answers solemnly.

"I'm going to have to speak with them…" I mutter to myself before responding to Humfrey. "Aye, I briefly spoke with your sister last night when we danced." I say, my eyes flickering to Malora.

"Lord Seastark asked me if I enjoyed the Director's Meeting and I confessed to skinchanging into Onyx and eavesdropping." Malora says in a soft voice.

"No doubt telling my wife you were 'tired from the long journey' and wished to take a small rest." I snort and Malora grins slyly.

"I may have told her something along those lines." She says with a giggle.

"So…" I turn my attention back to her father. "… You know my secret and I know yours. What do you want exactly?" I finally ask him the question that I've been dying to have answered since they arrived yesterday. Lord Hightower takes a moment to collect himself.

"Well, as you know, my house are firm believers in the Seven-Who-Are-One and have been proud patrons of the Faith in the days since the Coming of the Andals. So, imagine my surprise when my daughter begins to show signs of being a skinchanger, something the Faith demonizes as witchcraft and foul sorcery. If word ever got out, it would be more than a mere embarrassing scandal, Lord Seastark. I could very well have a riot in Oldtown and the Starry Sept calling for my daughter's head or exile. Despite my piety, there is one thing I hold above the Faith, my family. I could never do that to my daughter, not when we can learn so much about magic with her gift. So, I kept it secret, going as far as to make sure she doesn't marry. Couldn't run the risk of the secret getting out due to any of her children inheriting. I eventually told Marwyn so he could help her better utilize her gift." Lord Hightower begins to explain.

"I have read much on skinchangers and knew some things, but unfortunately, as I'm not a skinchanger myself, there is only so much I can do to help her." Marwyn chimes in.

"Then my son wrote of you and your connection with the spotted whales. Word of spotted whales assisting fishmen and whalers in Sea Dragon Bay has travelled as far as Oldtown, but many, including the Citadel were skeptical. When Humfrey mentioned skinchanging, it suddenly made sense! You control the pod of spotted whales like a pack of wolves to do your bidding!" Lord Hightower continues excitedly. "I asked Marwyn before he left for his travels and he told me that whales were incredibly difficult to skinchange into and that only those particularly skilled in skinchanging could even hope to accomplish such a feat. Surely someone as skilled as you can mentor my daughter in her gift?" The lord of Oldtown looks at me with hopeful eyes.

I blink owlishly, stunned he thinks I bonded the entire pod. "I… think there's been a misunderstanding, Lord Hightower. I don't skinchange into the entire pod, just one spotted whale. While I know it's possible to skinchange into multiple animals at the same time, I've never done it and don't know how." I inform with a shrug.

The guests scrunch their faces in confusion. "You didn't bond with the pod? Ah, so you must have bonded with the pod leader and then had him coordinate the pod!" Marwyn guessed and I shake my head.

"Nope. I bonded with her grandson, who I've named Driver. I told him about my idea to get spotted whales to cooperate with the fishermen and whalers. He relayed it to his grandmother and we came to an agreement. The pod assists in the hunts and they feed first. Since then, his grandmother has led the pod in the hunts, as Driver is on the cusp of maturity at almost ten namedays old." I politely correct him.

I named him Driver simply because I've been calling him "The Driver" for years now and decided to drop the "the" part. His mother I named Orca because while it maybe a bit of a cliché name for a spotted whale, I wanted to bring the word to a world where it didn't exist.

"Wait, grandmother!?" "An agreement with spotted whales!?" "Then how are you leading the hunts?" Malora, Leyton, and Marwyn inquire respectively.

"Yes, spotted whales are matriarchal in social structure. Yes, they are creatures intelligent enough that one may negotiate simple deals. Though I wouldn't expect them to sign any treaties anytime soon." I answer Malora and her father with a jape, receiving chuckles from the Hightowers and Wyman. "As for the hunts, I'm usually not involved because they usually happen during the day and I tend to skinchange at night in my sleep. I only participate when I take a nap but I'm usually too busy with my lordly duties. The grandmother, who I've named Old Gladys, leads her pod in the hunts with usually little to no direction from me." I turn to Marwyn writing in a brown leather-bound journal with a piece of charcoal.

"Fascinating…" He mutters, not noticing a frown that creeps up on my face.

"I hope you not intending to publish my secret, Marwyn. I'd rather not deal with the Faith calling for my head." I say with slight edge. Marwyn halts his scribbling to look me dead in the eyes.

"Publish? Of course not! This is my private journal with my personal notes. Make no mistake Lord Seastark, I'm here for my own research and not the Citadel's. The Gray Sheep hate the mention of magic in any form so I wouldn't have included it anyway. Your secret is safe with me." Marwyn stares at me unwaveringly and I detect no lies in his voice or eyes.

"And what about Barneby?" I ask about the acolyte that accompanied him.

"He's here to research the history of House Blackwood, specifically their time in the North before being driven out by the Starks. The Blackwoods claimed to be 'Kings of the Wolfswood' but were always contested by House Greenwood or the 'Warg Kings' as they're remembered. I have no doubt he'll ask you about the history of Castle Warg and the Greenwoods." Marwyn replies with a shrug.

"Well, that explains why he was talking to Tytos Blackwood for most of the night. He's in luck, we know all about the Warg Kings!" Wyman says with a chuckle.

"Aye, this very castle was built on the ruins of their holdfast, the old stones still visible in the cellars. We also have the book written by Rikard the Wordsmith, History of the Greenwoods. The original, not a copy." I say and Marwyn's eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

"Who? I've never heard of that book or author." Lord Hightower asks in confusion while his daughter looks at me with a perplexed expression.

"Rikard the Wordsmith is famous in the North but I'm not surprised he isn't heard of south of the Neck. He was a Northmen who studied at the Citadel to become a maester some hundred or so years ago before the Doom. It's unknown why, but he abandoned his pursuit to become a maester and instead returned to his homeland, traveling, collecting stories, and studying it's history. He would go on to write five-and-ten books on the North with one pertaining to the history of the Warg Kings." Wyman explains to the Hightowers as Marwyn grins.

"I've heard of Rikard the Wordsmith, many in the Citadel have. I'm surprised you have an original, I hear they're quite rare and all but one reside in the North. Barneby will be delighted to use it for his research and if you don't mind, I'd like to read it myself." Marwyn asks.

"You and Barneby are welcomed to read it in the castle library where it will stay at all times. Now I think we've drifted off topic long enough…" I turn my gaze back to Lord Hightower. "…You wish for me to tutor your daughter in skinchanging. But the truth is, if she's already bonded with a crow, then there's not much I can teach her. I mean sure, I can show her how to bond with a whale, that's not the issue. The issue is if she bonds with one of the spotted whales here and then returns to Oldtown, she either leaves her bonded whale here or takes it with her. But doing so is a non-starter because neither the matriarch or I will allow the pod to become fragmented or separated." I explain with a shrug.

"Who says I'll be going back to Oldtown to stay?" Malora responds with an impish smile and I raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"What my daughter means is you mentioned last night that Northerners don't see skinchanging as curse but as a gift…" Lord Hightower cuts in and I nod, vaguely remembering our conversation last night deep into our cups. "…And that had me considering…alternative marriage prospects for Malora. Mayhaps a marriage with a Northern house would be beneficial to her? I'm afraid I don't know the Northern houses that well." Lord Hightower looks at me and I seize the opportunity to play matchmaker.

"Well, Galbert Glover and Owen Fisher are both my cousins and heirs to their respective houses. They may not be as wealthy as House Seastark, but they are both ancient houses founded in the Age of Heroes." I say while gauging his reaction. I notice his eyes lit up when I mention they were my cousins.

"Don't forget about my goodbrother Jonos Slate, heir to Blackpool! House Slate is old and proud like the Glovers and Fishers but unlike them, they have a pod of spotted whales in Blackpool!" Wyman cuts in to surprise of everyone except Malora.

"Oh yes! He told me about it last night when we danced. Said the fishermen were tossing fish to the spotted whales for good fortune." She says, her purple eyes lighting up as she recounts the night. I shoot Wyman a questioning glance.

"Word of your sermon on spotted whales being 'sea messengers of the Old Gods' has reached Blackpool. The local fishermen are already giving offerings to the local pod in hopes being blessed with a good catch!" He says with a chuckle. I blink owlishly as I didn't expect for that sermon to go beyond Sea Dragon Point. I made the whole thing up just to get the people of Wolfsport to accept the idea of working with spotted whales. I'm interrupted from wondering how far it's spread and how this could affect the North when Lord Hightower speaks.

"Sea messengers?" He asks with a confused face. I sigh and summarize my sermon on the Old Gods being gods of nature, including the sea, and how spotted whales were their messengers. Conveniently leaving out the crucial detail that I fabricated the whole thing.

"Fascinating…" Lord Hightower mutters. "…I have never heard of this side of the Old Gods. The Seven-Pointed Star has a passage chronicling how one of Hugor of the Hill's four-and-forty sons nearly drowned when his ship was struck by a storm and sank. He survived the storm, laying on a piece of driftwood and prayed to the Seven-Who-Are-One for salvation. The next morning, seven spotted whales swam to his driftwood and pushed him towards land."

"Huh… Never heard of that passage." I mutter.

"It's not a commonly used passage in sermons by septons. But if I speak with Head Septon of the Starry Sept, they could use it to get the fishermen of Oldtown more amendable to working with spotted whales." Lord Hightower responds, half talking out loud.

"Getting back on topic, I can train Lady Malora and how to skinchange into a spotted whale here in Sea Dragon Bay but she won't be allowed to fully develop a bond with them. She can practice forming a bond before fully developing one on her own in Oldtown or a Northern house. I'll see if Humfrey as any potential." I say drawing the room's attention and Humfrey's excited gasp.

"Really!? You're going to train me to become a skinchanger!" The two and ten-year-old says jubilantly.

"If you have the gift, I will train you. While your sister having the gift increases the likelihood of possessing it yourself, it isn't guaranteed." I gently correct him. His wide smile lessens but doesn't disappear. "Have you had any strange dreams lately? Particularly those involving animals?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"No, no strange dreams." He says before adopting a fearful expression. "Does that mean I can't skinchange!?" I shake my head.

"Not necessarily. You might not have awaken it yet. Lady Malora, when did you first you first start having skinchanging dreams?"

She scrunches her face, thinking for a moment. "A moon or two after my three and tenth nameday." She answers in a soft voice.

"And I didn't start skinchanging until I was seven and ten so you have time Humfrey." My words cause Humfrey to relax with the knowledge he still might have the gift before perking up again.

"Will you train the others?" He asks in a hopeful tone.

"Well since they know, I might as well see if they have the gift. I'll talk with them when the lords leave. Let them spend time with their families." I respond.

Tyrion is spending time with his brother and favorite uncle, Patrek with his father and Asher with his family. All enjoying their time her but missing their kin.

"What do you seek in exchange for training potentially two of my children?" Lord Hightower inquires cautiously.

"Well, you know the canned foods I've been making?" Lord Hightower raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, I've heard the Lord Captains speak of them and my son Ser Garth tried them in Asshai…" He speaks slowly, wondering where I'm going with this.

"To put it simply, I've expanded my canning endeavors to found the Seastark Canning Company and I seek to establish a contract with Council of Directors to supply the trade company…" I began explaining only to Lord Hightower to finish for me.

"…And you wish for me to speak in favor. Anything else?" I smile at the interruption.

"As a matter of fact, yes! When I obtain the contract I want a branch to be established in Oldtown along with Lannisport and Seagard." I answer and he hesitantly gives his agreement to my terms.

"So, we are in agreement then?" Lord Hightower inquires and I nod my head.

"Aye, I think we're finished. Unless anyone has anything to add…" I trail off but the occupants shake their heads and begin to make their way out.

"I will consider your words on a Northern betrothal for my daughter, Lord Seastark." He turns his head to me, nods and leaves after his children with Marwyn pausing at the door.

"I enjoyed our conversation last night Lord Seastark. It's rare to find a lord so well read and not dismissive of magic. I particularly enjoyed discussing your theory that the Children of the Forests and the Ifequevron or Woodswalkers of northern Essos are the same people. Mirri and I will be staying for the next few moons. Myself to study your bond with the spotted whales and Mirri will train several godswives for her people settling your lands." Marwyn says with a grin.

"Aye, and I found your theory of the Deeps Ones building and ruling from Asshai before it became the capital of the Great Empire of the Dawn intriguing. Mirri told me plans last night after she visited them and realized they didn't have a godswife. As for the bond, I invite you to attend a whale hunt in Sea Dragon Bay. See how man and spotted whale work together to bring down larger prey like our ancient ancestors did with wolves." I say matching his grin with one of my own.

"I think I'll take you up on that offer, Lord Seastark!" Marwyn laughs before exiting my solar. After a moment Wyman speaks.

"So…Who out of the fosterlings do you think has the gift cousin?" He asks, turning his gaze to me.

I consider it for a moment. "Hmm… With his sister being a skinchanger, Humfrey has decent odds. Asher's a good bet too, but I doubt Patrek has the gift. Tyrion's a stag card." I answer honestly.

A stag card is my version of a joker or wildcard in the warden's deck. The difference is that there's only one stag card, representing the king's power and unpredictable authority over the wardens. Wyman slowly nods his head.

"I agree with you that Humfrey and Asher are the most likely but I think Patrek has a better chance than Tyrion…" Wyman starts before we start debating amongst ourselves…

Five days later…

A cold gust of wind sweeps through the western docks of Wolfsport, the worst of it's bite shielded by my ushanka bearing the Seatstark banner. Southron and Northern lords readying themselves to board ships back to their homes.

I spot Humfrey, Malora, and their father speaking with Jonos Slate and his father Lord Artos. The lord of Blackpool's eyes meet mine and he gives a grateful nod. I grin and return the nod, content with Lord Slate owing me favor for making such a prestigious match for his house possible. While the wedding in Oldtown is still six moons away, Jonos and Malora will stay in Castle Warg while I train her. Jonos will be staying to prevent any scandalous rumors of Malora's presence in my home, with him and his father told of my gift and sworn to secrecy.

The frigid blast draws a grunt from my conversation partner Lord Gerion Lannister, wearing a matching ushanka but with the Lannister lion.

"I don't know how you Northerners can survive this cold." He grumbles with a shiver.

"Why do you think the North is sparsely populated and traditionally poorer than the other kingdoms? Our winters have always been longer and harsher, killing more people and costing more coin to survive. It's lands may be vast but its farmland is limited and the quality, passable at best But we endure regardless because we are Northerners." I explain with a wry grin. I see the Lord Director nod his head in understanding.

"Makes sense, though the North isn't as poor as it once was, is it?" Gerion asks already knowing the answer.

I let out a chuckle. "No, it is not."

Between my inventions and the trade companies, the North has grown wealthier as a whole with the western shore houses, Dustins, Starks, and Manderlys being the biggest winners. The rest of the North, from the Umbers to the Reeds have benefitted from my actions and their ripples but to a far lesser extent. Midwives were using forceps as far as Barrowton, Ice Harbor, and Winterfell, saving babes and mothers. Farmers were using my plows, harnesses, and seed drills as far as Moat Cailin, currently sitting idle waiting for spring. My canned food production has expanded with the founding of the Seastark Canning Company, now contracted to supply canned food to the Sunset Trade Company. The ice trade from the Northern Mountains, a new big moneymaker, is currently in hibernation since no one wants ice in winter but when spring comes again, so too will the demand. Cheaper grain from my dealings with the Hightowers have, not just my house, but all the western shore houses better prepared going into this winter. From talking to my fellow lords, their food situations remain strained if stable, with no reports of any widespread hunger or famines. Quickstone has been spreading throughout the North and once spring arrives on top of paving the Wolfswood and Kingsroad thanks to a deal with Lord Stark for tax breaks. Next year will be the last of my tax-free years but thankfully I'll still have five years of half taxes after that. And that wasn't getting into future plans for a whaling company…

"Are you coming to Lannisport when your cannery is established?" Gerion yanks me from my thoughts. Mentioning one of the future branches of my canning company, the others being Seagard and Oldtown

"Aye, I'm heading to Oldtown for a wedding and to inspect my cannery there. Myrra would kill me if we didn't stop at The Crag, Fair Isle, and Lannisport along the way!" I say with a chuckle.

"Well, my brother will want to meet with you about your cannery, evaluate Tyrion's progress, and host your family for dinner." Gerion explains.

"No doubt to see if I'm keeping my promise of forging Tyrion into Ser Jaime's Kevan…" I say with a snort. "…Wouldn't mind seeing your wife and Tyrone again."

My wife would certainly love to see you two again and you have yet to meet my daughter Tynisha. It was a shame I couldn't be there for her birth but she's growing fast at seven moons old and Tyrone recently had his second nameday!" Gerion says excitedly and I have to fight to not to burst out laughing at the names of his children.

"I know what you mean, feels like yesterday the twins were born and next thing I know, they're three with two younger siblings!" I say wistfully. Unfortunately, Gerion unintentionally ruins my reminiscing with his next words.

"Speaking of twins, my brother will no doubt be pleased to finally have grandsons!" My smile strains at the mention of the pair of ravens that arrived yesterday and the day before. One from Casterly Rock and one from King's Landing bearing news of the births of Sumner Lannister and Joffrey Baratheon, both blonde and green-eyed.

All of Myrra and I's best efforts, even going as far as to use Tyrion and Lucos were for nought. Ser Silence managed to find time and privacy within the labyrinth of rooms and corridors within Casterly Rock to sleep with Cersei, knocking her up with Joffrey. Shiera getting pregnant around the same time was a surprise since it meant he took time to sleep with his wife during Burton and Dacey's wedding.

Of course, Stannis finally gets an heir and it's a Lannister incest baby, man can't catch a break no matter the timeline! Joffrey's incestuous lineage presents a problem because he's set to not only inherit Storm's End, but the Iron Throne as well because despite Robert having two daughters, Stannis is still the official heir! I didn't expect this to be an issue because for all of Westeros, the rule of succession clearly stated "daughters before uncles" and I thought this would be the case.

Turns out it isn't. Why? Because of Baelor the Befuddled (like any good Northmen I refuse to call him "Baelor the Blessed"), made a royal proclamation that "No queen shall sit upon the Iron Throne while she has uncles and male cousins". This effectively reversed the traditional inheritance laws of "daughters before uncles" but only for the Iron Throne. I never knew about this because either Martin never bothered to mention it or it's a small difference between this world and canon. Hopefully the king will either have a son or designate Princess Argella as his heir.

"Yes… do pass on my congratulations to your brother." I keep my composure as Tyrion and Ser Silence himself walk up to us. Having already given my congratulations for the birth of Sumner Lannister, Tyrion and I bid farewell to his brother and uncle. Lord Hightower finishes his conversation with Lord Slate and goes to board his ship, giving me a respectful nod on the way. Humfrey, Jonos, and Malora make their way over to Tyrion and I and we in turn walk to pick up Patrek as he says his farewells to his father. Asher is still in Castle Warg as the Forresters will leave tomorrow with the Wolfswood clans by dog sleds. Along the way I make idle conversation with Jonos and Malora while three quarters of my fosterlings whisper amongst themselves. Tyrion, being the bookworm he is, has already read all the books in the castle library, including History of the Greenwoods and is quietly discussing it's chapter of skinchanging with Humfrey and Patrek. Or at least Humfrey unlike Patrek and Asher, he also read the book.

"…said the Warg Kings received their skinchanging abilities from the Old Gods after performing blood sacrifices at the same heart tree that stands in Castle Warg!" I overhear Tyrion whispering excitedly to Humfrey unease and Patrek's silent horror. Ironic because I have yet to tall them of my secret and that I'll see if I can train them in skinchanging. Humfrey's quickly glances behind him at me and meets my eyes. I simply grin and say nothing as I listen to Jonos and Malora mostly talk between themselves, leaving me as an awkward third wheel. Not that I minded since it gives me time to think about what Tyrion said about the Warg Kings and the heart tree in my castle. Maybe I can do something with blood…

A/N: I'm back! Sorry it took so long, real life and writer's block got in the way. I ended up rewriting parts of this chapter multiple times. I'm still not fully satisfied with it, but it's been long enough.

 

[Wolffils]

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.

 

[ATP]

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.

Click to shrink...

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?