Version 2.0
As the first light of a new day painted the sky with hues of pink and gold, and the morning air carried the scent of dew-kissed grass Winterfell started to wake up.
In the solar of the castle, Brandon and his entourage gathered. The solar, adorned with simple carvings of his history, an obsidian sword, with runes saying, Brandon's ending of the Long Night, A gift from the village's chiefs. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden surfaces of the desk and obsidian blade.
Brandon, seated at his desk, rubbed the dust from his eyes before looking up.
"Alright, Jon update me on the state of trading and the trading hub," Brandon asked, kicking off the meeting.
"It's done, the village centre is now owned and controlled by House Stark, we have set up stalls and as you have asked gave an incentive by making stalls free for our first year. We will then change in later years. I also sent ravens to other villages advertising it and luck would have it a trading trader was passing by, and I asked him to pass on the news. Too early to tell what will become of it but we already have people selling at the stores, so we shall see." Jon said smiling proudly.
"Thanks, Jon, glad your chatty tendencies are working for us," Brandon said.
"Hey, it pays to know people, what can I say? Through it does pay to have a beautiful wife who traders can't help swooning for." Jon says nodding, a proud smirk on his face.
This earns him a slap on the back of the head from Lyanna as Jocelyn's cheeks go red.
"Hey." Jon starts but Brandon moves on with the conversation, though a smile does cross his face.
"Anything on Kings, Alys." He says that for the duration that Halvar was away, Alys was in command of the ravens.
"Well, Brandon let me give you some news we got from Ned Greenwood." Alys started. "There is now an open war between the Fisher, Ryder, and Warg king, last we heard they are at all-out war with one another. Over disputes of lands, fishing rights, past grievance and so on."
"The traders tell me The Marsh King and the Amber King have also gone to war; last we heard the Marsh King was marching out to fight them." Jon started. "Also got some news from the mountains, and it is a blood bath, total all-out wars between every clan, they are butchering each other for the right to claim chieftain over the mountain."
Brandon sighed "Anything else."
"Nothing much of anything else. Umbar and Forst kings are still trying to recover their lands and their people after the long night but in most other parts of the North there is war."
"Theon make sure that our boarders are watched. Have runners send ravens if anything is spotted." Brandon ordered.
"Yes, my King."
"Whilst you are at it, Theon gather some men and women who are interested or want to learn the art of healing, I will be teaching them what I learned from the children of the forest," Brandon said.
"Yes, my King."
"Sorry Bran." Interjects Jocelyn, "I also have gotten some news from the village."
"Go for it," Brandon says.
"Well, you remember a while back when the children of the forest started to teach about their gods and such. They called themselves the Old Gods, well they came to Winterfell and planted a weirwood tree which they said they were going to make into a heart tree. Well, I talked with them, and they seem like nice and good people. They didn't ask for anything just teaching some practices and principles they have like no to incest, if you want to pray then you will pray in front of the heart three, even said they do marriages. So, you can go to them rather than the village chief if you want."
"Well as long as they are causing no harm then they can stay, I have more important things to be thinking about."
Jocelyn strains a smile. "Well, I won't say they are causing no problems, some of the villagers don't like the old gods trying to upend the Celtic gods."
Brandon huffed. "People are free to practice their religion. Theon notify the guards to make sure that no fights happens between the two groups."
"Yes, my King," Theon said.
Brandon then turns to Halvar who had returned a few days past. "Right, what did you bring Halvar? How was your journey with Hawthorn." Brandon asks.
"It was quite something." Halvar starts. "We followed a lead on roaming ice spiders, we followed their tracks leading us through some villages and such. Passed by stories of Werewolves in one of the villages they were lucky that it only wanted a few humans for meal." He says shaking his head.
"Did you find Aloe?" Brandon asked.
"Aye, we found him alright, let me start from the beginning."
/
In the early morning light, the courtyard of Brandon's castle buzzed with activity. Soldiers clad in armour moved purposefully, preparing for the imminent march to war. The air was filled with the metallic clinks of weapons being readied, the rhythmic thud of boots on cobblestone, and the distant sounds of orders being shouted.
Halvar moved between rows of supplies and equipment laid out for the upcoming campaign. His eyes scanned the array of weapons, armour, and provisions with a discerning gaze.
As Halvar checked the straps of a newly crafted leather armour set, his bronze, and obsidian weapon at this side, his pack ladled with food and needs to a long journey. He quickly left the village and set for the edge of the forest.
There Hawthorn was waiting for him. "Halvar." He greeted. "Acorn speaks highly of you, and your skills. I trust that you can help me."
"I'm sure that I can." He says as his eagle sounds off high in the sky. "Through I worry that us alone won't be able to take down Aloe. Don't you think that we need more of us?"
"We will be enough," Hawthorn said. "You just need to help me track him down, with both human and forest children's expertise he won't be able to escape me." He said a grin spreading across his face.
"Ok." Halvar warily says.
With everything ready Halvar and Hawthorn embarked on their journey towards King Umbar's lands, where the roaming group of spiders was spotted.
They passed through towering trees, their limbs adorned with vibrant foliage, in a natural cathedral that filtered the dappled sunlight to the forest floor. With the air thick with moss, fresh petals, and the soft murmur of leaves and the trill of birds they moved with speed as with only the two of them, and with an understanding of their lands, they could travel far and fast.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the northward forest, the air grew cooler as the winds crossed from the bay of ice. With the sun warm on their skin and the cool air, they had a relaxing journey through the forest.
As they approached the last river, its gentle flow winding through the ancient woods. They stood at the water's edge, the river's soothing sounds of fast following water they rested. Halvar crouched down, examining the riverbank, while Hawthorn, observed the surroundings.
"The river marks the boundary," Halvar remarked, his gaze scanning the opposite bank. "King Umbar's lands lie beyond. I hope you are correct about this."
Once on the opposite bank, their journey continued, now within the Umbar King's lands.