When Damian emerged from his mystical sanctuary, he beheld his loyal summons diligently unearthing the pillar. They were on the verge of dislodging it from its original resting place. As he drew nearer to inspect the pillar's base, a thrilling discovery awaited him.
To his amazement, the pillar revealed a hollowness within, concealed at its foundation. Upon closer examination, Damian identified a fissure in the base that, upon further scrutiny, turned out to be a corroded metal door. This door, curiously bereft of a handle, concealed a hidden compartment that beckoned for exploration as they swung it ajar.
Within the compartment, their quest yielded a mysterious discovery: a hefty black stone, its proportions matching that of a grown man's head.
Damian couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as they found nothing else within the hidden chamber. Yet, his disappointment soon gave way to intrigue, for the system had deemed this enigmatic stone a treasure, making it impossible to disregard.
Two of Damian's summon soldiers endeavoured to retrieve the stone, only to discover its weight exceeded their expectations. In response, two more soldiers lent their strength to the endeavour. The combined efforts succeeded in hoisting the stone out.
"What could this be?" Damian wondered aloud, his scrutiny fixed on the rough, oval-shaped exterior of the black stone. As he examined it closely, he realized that the mark on the treasure map had vanished. This provided a compelling clue that the black stone was, indeed, the coveted treasure they had sought. However, the true nature and significance of the stone remained a mystery.
With a sense of both curiosity and caution, Damian decided to deposit the black stone into his space world. There, he could delve into its mysteries at a later time, conducting research to uncover its secrets and purpose.
Raymond's question about the pillar prompted Damian to reflect for a brief moment. Ultimately, he made a decision regarding the bone pillar they had excavated.
"Bury the base with soil once more, Raymond. The bone pillar serves no purpose to us. Leave no evidence of our excavation," Damian instructed simply. It was clear that the bone pillar held no significance for him, and he saw no reason to disturb its resting place.
"As you wish, my Lord," Raymond acknowledged before issuing the directive to the other soldiers under his command.
With that matter resolved, Damian descended the hill with a contingent of soldiers, concluding his treasure hunt. As the darkness of evening settled in, Damian made his way to one of the chambers reserved for him within Drumm Castle. His objective was to change into fresh attire and prepare himself for the celebratory feast organized in honour of their victory over Old Wyk.
. . .
When Damian made his way to the unassuming hall of Drumm Castle, the soldiers bearing the banners of House Manderley and House Mormont had already commenced their revelry. However, not all of them were present in the hall, as a significant portion remained stationed outside to ensure the security of the castle and prevent any untoward incidents.
As Damian entered the hall, he was greeted by a spirited welcome. Lady Dacey, sitting at the high table alongside Jory, Selena, Arslan, and Captain Sirius, hailed him with enthusiasm. Her voice rang out loudly, and she extended an invitation for him to join their gathering.
Raymond's from the feast was notable; he was diligently occupied with overseeing the security measures outside, ensuring that the original inhabitants of the castle did not engage in any subversive activities and that the security of Drumm Castle remained intact.
As the conversation flowed, and the topic turned to the island of Old Wyk, Lady Dacey suddenly voiced her discontent. "I hate this place," she declared with a note of bitterness in her tone.
Curious, Damian inquired, "Why do you say that, Lady Dacey?" He suspected the reason behind her strong sentiment but wished to hear her perspective.
Her response confirmed his suspicions. "This is the epicenter of Ironborn religion, and their accursed Drowned God," Dacey replied, her frustration evident. "You know how much their way of life has affected the North, particularly my homeland, Bear Island. I don't understand why not a single king has taken decisive action against them. They should have been eradicated from the face of this world." Her words conveyed a deep-seated resentment and a longing for a different fate for the Ironborn.
"It's not an easy path to take, Lady Dacey," Damian replied with a sigh. "Genocide is a grievous act, even if many harbour a desire for it to be done to the Ironborn."
"But then this threat of Ironbron would always be looming on our heads. You have seen how many times in history they have tried to claim their 'iron price' and the thralls is just another word for a slave" Dacey said.
"Aye," Damian sighed, his gaze drifting to the flickering torchlight dancing on the hall's walls. "You're right, the Ironborn, a menace as old as the waves, always lurking on the horizon if we don't act. But the truth is, we lack the authority and the might to make a real change."
In the world of Westeros, where traditions and ways run deep, finding a way to alter this ancient conflict is a treacherous path. However, Damian harboured a desire to change the status quo. He merely awaited the tumultuous times ahead to chip away at the Ironborn culture, by any means necessary.
At least, Damian had the power to do that or will have in the near future. He just needs to make use of this war to profit and weaken the Ironborn as much as he can so that in the future he will have an easier time carrying out his plan.
After more talk and a hearty meal, Damian retired to his chambers. It wasn't long before Selena joined him, seeking to share his warmth in the bed.
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