Howl of the Seawolf (OC/SI)

[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!

 

[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!

 

[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.

 

[kaizerfox]

Interlude: Malora

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

Malora POV…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What is it goodbrother?" Jonos asks curiously.

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

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

Later…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is that what I'm witnessing?

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

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

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

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

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

"Break not, the Law of the Tongue!"

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

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

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

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

"You go now. See again later!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope you guys enjoy!

 

[kaizerfox]

Interlude: The Queen

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

Lyanna POV…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Later…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I shake my head and banish the terrible memory.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Later…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What happened after the hunt?" Robert asks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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