The North. The Neck
-Camp of the six kingdoms-
Jon Arryn looked at the impressive structure that was the city on the south side of the Twin Wolves. That structure was one of the biggest problems when planning any kind of plan for a conquest of the north. No matter how much he thought, the city divided into two was well defended enough to say a good message.
It had taken three months to get this. A lot of work and effort in which they wanted things to go well so they could have a chance. Unfortunately it wasn't easy.
At first they had thought of making Hariric Stark come to the south. But after that it turned out that it would not be possible due to a simple fact: its stained reputation. Because of the actions of the previous king, things were far from being merciful for them. In fact, they got worse if he had to say the same since the good Stark had made it very clear that it would be a very cold day in hell rather than setting foot in the south so that it can be arrested and used in some way.
The plan had been so simple. Attract Hariric Stark to the south and take him prisoner. Of course some would say that it was without lack of honour but it was Tywin who would carry the stain and the man didn't seem to have problems for it.
However, to his misfortune, he quickly discovered that it was not going to go the way he wanted. Hell Hariric Stark seemed to know their intentions before it rained shit on them.
That meant that I had to have very well-entosed spies. And that terrified him. How many possible plans could Hariric Stark have in mind for all of them? How much could I know about it that he didn't want to be known?
He made a real effort to plan to get out of this mess and problem but everything he thought about was discarded. If Harirc Stark didn't go down to the south, he knew they had to go up to the North and that was not part of the plan.
He didn't want to set foot in the man's territory, fearing that he would take them hostage or something. Knowing that it was something he could do to that man, it was logical for that same man to think of the same idea if you stop to think about it. It wasn't a pleasant thought but it's what it was and there was nothing to change it. That's why he was surprised when hariric met in the open in front of the Twin Wolves so that they could have the discussion.
Jon sighed. The last few months had been exhausting. Tywin Lannister had not wasted time and had made it very clear that the only way for him to support the crown is to marry his daughter to Robert. With Lyanna Muerta Robert no longer had as an excuse that he was committed to all things. It didn't matter how you could see it, nor did it matter how much you could think.
In the end, Robert had no choice but to marry Cersei Lannister. This wedding had consolidated in a few words the crown with a super power. Now all that was left was to bring the herd back to the north and lower their smokes about it. The problem is that they didn't have an easy way to do it.
For Robert it was simple and they had to remove Hariric Stark from the position he was in. Obviously they could try. But no one in the North would accept it. All the lords of the north had accepted hariric Stark as their lord and it was quite easy to know if you would think that they somehow believed that he was fine.
With his intention to become independent, he will have made more than one gentleman feel comfortable with him and more than one sees him as the action of waiting for a true Stark. It didn't matter what it looked like but what mattered in the minds of many is what you are capable of and he was not wrong to say that Hariric Stark had the attention of all his lords.
Of course Robert was determined to see his best friend in the elevated position if he had to say it. It was a position that would be strong for them but that depended a lot on Ned. And knowing Ned as he did it, he knew that he was very loyal to the family, so the chances of convincing him to join a blow to depose his brother were low.
And that without, of course, the situation in this regard that the North of all things would not accept someone who turned against his own family. If the Boltons still existed, he would have entrusted it to them but they had been annihilated. Obviously hariric Stark lacked compassion for his enemies which made him feel afraid in reality.
I was looking at the structure so carefully that I didn't notice when a man arrived. Tywin was also looking at the impressive city. Its black walls of Valyria technique. The door made of stone instead of wood. All he screamed was power. Only an imbecile would challenge power and Tywin realised more than anything in this case that the situation was against them in any case.
No matter how many ways you could see the North had the highest position. That's why he had been so in favour of the plan to see Hariric Stark trapped to have a bargaining chip against the North but it seemed that Hariric Stark had more brains than he seemed because he quickly knew about his plan.
''It's hard to believe. For so long we've been making fun of the North. Delayed. Weak. Uneducated. That and much more is what we have been calling them and look at us now. We are in a situation of weakness in this regard with them for these actions''. Tywin hated many things. He hated having been surpassed by all things and above all he hated having been surpassed by the North. But here he was.
''For too long we have looked at the houses of the north as mere shadows. As if they didn't matter. The Targaryen house took advantage of them for years without caring a little about what happened to them. And now we can say without any doubt about it that the Stark house is clearly surpassing us what is the worst thing that could happen to us.'' Jon sighed.
"It's what it is because we gave them too much freedom. We should have made sure that the North in no way grew so strong on its own. But instead of taking things seriously we have joked with them thinking that it was a simple matter and now we have all this against us in the worst possible way''. Tywin was very aware that if this had happened it was because of his own incompetence.
''The North getting out of control is certainly the fault of all of us. If we had only done our job with them, things wouldn't be like that, wouldn't it, Lord Tywin? That's what you're implying. That we should have watched the North more closely to make sure they didn't do anything that could get out of control.'' The truth is that yes. He blamed himself for that.
"If the North continues to advance the way it does, it will leave the south in the dust completely. Even if we manage to convince them to remain in the seven kingdoms we would have to get their secrets to be able to deal with them and obtain the same improvements that they have. If only the damn citadel did its job.
""It's only a matter of time before the citadel discovers how they do things. How they produce vidirium. Where their resources come from with how they make their elements live in the coldest climate. All that will only be a matter of time before the citadel breaks its secrets and we can all live with the same luxuries as them and break their monopoly.'' From Jon's point of view, trusting that the citadel would be able to achieve it was a very high-level priority.
"I wouldn't trust the men of knowledge Arryn so much. They have been unable to discover the secrets of the north. Devils have been unable to discover these same secrets for the time before the North got their hands on them. The Stark house is too advantaged. We have to do something of our own and you know it''. Tywin knew more about Jon than most. I knew how to see a long-term planner.
''It's a little difficult then that we find out. We don't know how he does it. Hariric Stark possesses the knowledge and has protected it in many ways. The only way I see for us to discover the secrets is if we discover the workers and therefore we are able to convince them to take our side, which will be difficult. It didn't matter what it looked like but he was sure that hariric Stark had made sure in many ways so that those who carried the secrets of the different types of resources of the north never shared them with the south.
"Then we should focus on surrounding him with people who are LOYAL not to him but to us. Getting people in life who are comprehensively more loyal to us than to him is always a good way to move around him. Your lords may be protected but your little ones are not. A threat here. A favour over there. That kind of thing always works in reality.'' For Tywin, the best way to get what he had in mind was through the manipulation of people and it was always possible if you knew how to tighten things.
"And yet have you stopped to think about the possibility that hariric Stark can learn from that movement on our part? What happens if you find out about our intentions and then act accordingly? If you discover something like that, it could have unpleasant consequences.'' He didn't like it but they were on the defensive.
"I'll leave it for the moment. However, I have to admit that I am curious about how you have planned to convince Hariric Stark that it is in his best interest to continue being part of the seven kingdoms. Why should I do it? He has more to gain than what independence really is than simply obeying your orders so that you know it''. It wasn't a good thought in Tywin's mind.
"The truth is that even I have doubts about a good plan that works in this regard. At the moment I would like to have conversations with Hariric Stark about what is important and as if he left the seven kingdoms he would be leaving many people without possibilities and benefits that with his help could be realised''. Jon has always been a believer in appealing to people's hearts.
"I hope to sell him what is due to him more than anything that he can trust what is the end result of the people of the south. You will appeal that without him and his help many poor people of what is all the south will suffer less than pleasant destinies. I can't say it's a bad plan if I have to say it''. It wasn't a bad plan.
"It's a plan that I'm up with. It doesn't have to be the best of plans. But people like hariric Stark can't stand still. Look what he did for the North. I'm sure he will be motivated to help the people of the south if he can be sold in the right way.'' It was a good plan in his opinion. Make him see that the people of the south were needy.
'It's not a bad plan. Hariric Stark could be forced and forced in that case to understand that he must above all think about the benefit of the people of the south. But tell me, how exactly do you expect him to accept it? You don't have to do it and I think you yourself will agree that anything that is tried to impose on you will end more than badly''. He didn't like the idea of not being able to impose Hariric Stark.
"That's the biggest complication. I don't know exactly how to plan it but I have a general idea. Hariric Stark wants to become independent. However, if it does, we can force it to our trade treaties in which we could obviously also exploit it in some way. Without our sales you will lose money after all''. For Jon it was a very simple plan.
''I wouldn't work in that way. The people of the south want their products. If he sees that he can't sell them at the price he's interested in, he simply won't sell them and we'll be the fuckers. You'd better think about something else. And believe me, it's better to be in a hurry. Because today we will have an important meeting that I don't want to fail in any way.'' The idea of being overcome. That someone does it better than him. That one idea, just in case, bothered him a lot.
"I just hope that irritating woman doesn't end up annoying all this. With your son trapped as well as many gentlemen, things will also be far from good. Robert has already been quick and has made it clear that he has no interest in recovering the captured storm lords. He considers them traitors.'' The lords of the Stormlands had learned that Robert did not appreciate them as much as many might think and having abandoned the lords who stood next to the dragon.
''Things are far from being the best of ways if I have to say it. That woman is only interested in recovering her son and his lords. We'd better be ready for whatever she can pull out of her sleeve with the intention of recovering them.'' He was massively suspicious of Olenna Tyrell.
"Don't remind me. At least faith has not sent anyone although its constant demands that we have to do something with the pagans of the north who manage the power that only the gods and their most loyal vassals should be allowed. God forbid and end up offending Stark''. In these days I didn't want those things to come out in any way.
"I'm afraid it is what it is. Anyway, I'll go get ready. When the time comes for dialogue, at least one must have a plan in place to make sure that things do not end up exploding in our faces in the worst possible way. Tywin sincerely doubted that Jon had a good plan in mind.
Jon sighed. This would be the first crisis of the kingdoms and I had to overcome it by all means. Not only was the position of the seven kingdoms at stake. No. There was also the need for yes or yes from the north. In business alone, the North generated one and a half million golden dragons. What damage could the loss of that wealth do? It could be a considerable loss if they didn't walk carefully and I couldn't afford it for anything in the world.
However, I knew very well that this was going to be an uphill job. I wasn't just convincing the North. The citadel and faith were raised in arms. One wanted to investigate magic and wanted to be allowed to send a group of teachers to the north to study and understand magic while faith only wanted to see possibility completely eradicated.
It wasn't a good thing if I had to say it and frankly I didn't want anything like that to happen since I knew well and I could even say that things would be far from ending well for all of them if they didn't control themselves properly. He couldn't afford to piss off more than he was already in the north in any way.
Of course there was the fact of convincing him. I had his plans. Your ideas and much more, would you be capable of such a thing? He doesn't deny that it was a difficult job. He left immediately and one more moment he looked at the golden flower that was at that moment giving him the most fear. Olenna Tyrell was a masterful manipulator and teacher of convincing people of their own agenda but he was not stupid. She wouldn't leave here without what she wanted and she sincerely feared what the woman's plan could be in this regard.
- Southern city of Twin Wolves. Tower-
Hariric didn't want to be here. I had more things to deal with. The last few months had made it very clear who would be the new lords of the new lands. Dareon would take over what was the former territory of the Honourwoods. Meanwhile, Tykren had obtained the territory of the Boltons and Shelia obtained the territory of the Ryswell family.
To say that there had been people with long faces was an understatement. Apparently, according to them, he had to give the lands to people from the North who had proven their loyalty or some kind of nonsense. He had been very tempted to kill some people for thinking they could question him.
The fact that the lords of the north have dared to question it had pissed him off. He had given each gentleman ways to increase his economy and much more. And yet as a result I got neither more nor less than what it is in essence these people think as if they could order them. So after making it clear that he was not anyone's dog, he had made it very clear that his decision was final.
Of course some lords had been forced to leave their positions forced by their own heirs. Almost all the heirs knew him and agreed that demanding more when they still have to exploit all the territory they had in their hands was the action of a good brainless idiot. The fact that many lords of the North were seeing an increase in wealth just because of their jobs should say a lot about them, damn it.
And yet and despite that, these heirs thought that their parents were being incredibly greedy and that it was possible to get them into shitty messes that none of them wanted at that point because at the end of the day they owed everything to the Stark house.
It was only that the heirs had shown intelligence the fact that he had decided not to do unpleasant things to their homes. But the next time an idiot even thinks of doing such a thing, he was going to make sure by all means that people didn't think twice. He would take care of those who even thought that they could fuck with him somehow.
It was not the time to do cleaning but this had made a reality clear to him. Even if he established a strong and powerful dynasty in the end the vassals could be a point of weakness. I would have to deal with them somehow. It's not that he didn't trust his friends but his descendants are never known. Better be careful about it.
While he was thinking things he saw his wife getting dressed. A little sex never hurts and his wife was not in a good mood and had to find ways to distract her. He was giving her a massage when she got hot and if there was something he had learned is that when his wife wants something you give it to her yes or yes. It was better not to be around the bush and he was capable enough of keeping her satisfied.
So now she was getting dressed to meet. A laugh threatened to escape from him. Unlike the typical women of this era, she dressed in leather pants. Certainly his wife knew how to get on people's nerves since she knew that it wasn't going to make the southerners any fucking funny.
That brought back some memories. Sending Arthur to the mines had been painful for her but she had done it. They had sent a letter informing Lord Dayne that thanks to Arthur's crimes things in Dorne were going to get bad. But to make sure that the Dayne house was not the only one to blame, he made himself known about Doran's maneuver and how Oberyn had been part of the contingent of guards who protected the tower where his sister was.
Did you feel sorry for them? The truth is that I don't. I didn't feel any pity for them. Not after they have kept their sister in such a state. The fact that his sister did not have the proper care could have led to his death. Of course the midwife had died since the woman had orders that in case it was necessary to force the birth of the child by killing the mother. The woman had died and Hariric had felt very, very tempted to break Oberyn in half for the fact that he was part of. Only Elia and Ashara's hand had stopped him.
"Your punishment will be to never hear from your sister or your niece again. You will never see a trace of them again. You can never hear them laugh. His laughter from the past will turn into pain for the loss you have. Let Oberyn be known forever. And if your brother makes me a trick like that again, I'll kill even the little children in your family. Until the last Martell''. It hadn't been his best day if he had to say it but in his Defence that imbecile could have killed his sister.
Hariric wasn't the only annoying one. Ashara was less than happy and if his wife was less than happy then it was a bad day for people. Ashara had made it clear that Arthur was an idiot because he believed. Arthur's blind faith in Rhaegar had cost the seven kingdoms dearly. He had certainly had plans for a separation but it wouldn't be because of bloody damn it.
Instead, he had to put the northern armies to it. It's not that he didn't feel sorry for what happened to his enemies. Only the poor victims who were on the way. The armies barely had professionals and almost all that there was were equipped and armed people in reality but without training.
As Vlad once told him, he sacrifices an entire town to save ten. By completely destroying a town and leaving no survivors, the other nine would leave without touching since they would surrender yes or yes. However, in this case he had to do it for more serious reasons. The North was not respected or feared. A mockery. A laugh. That's all they thought of the Northerners.
He had to make sure that the idea in question was erased from their heads and that's why he had done what he had done. In the end, what she had decided was a human action designed to make sure that her future enemies thought twice before screwing her up.
"It's such a quiet day, don't you think? The day is shaping up as a normal one. And yet it is the meeting of two forces that if they do not walk with an eye could go to war. I don't think it's the best thing to happen if you know what I mean husband''. Ashara had approached her husband to look out the window. The lords of the south had come accompanied by a serious force.
''The day is shaping up as a really beautiful one. It's a shame that we have to waste the day here without dealing with people when we could be quietly at home with the children. Gods know that children deserve a little opportunity for quality time with us.'' Honestly, since he returned, his children had not wanted him out of their sight.
''With my complete honesty I will say that this is a waste of time too. The south won't want us to leave. They would be losing power and control and as everyone can witness when people lose power they feel clearly offended and do not react well to it''. Ashara just looked with hard eyes in the direction of the southern group.
"They expect us to kneel to them. Tch. What a lot of arrogance they have in their fucking minds. I would honestly like to know where they get the damn idea that they even have the authority to somehow demand that they have the right to this shit''. Hariric was not in the best mood. Far from it.
"I think you already know what they want. On the one hand, they want the north to be subject to them. A voluntary piece of his so-called great power game. What a mockery. But at the same time we have to see it from their point of view to know the ways to be able to counter them properly.'' Ashara knew and had more or less an idea of what her enemies could expect from them.
"Well, let's start. Why don't they want to see us go? Because they think we are good dogs to be taken care of. I sincerely believe that Arryn had hoped that this whole war would have somehow forced us to ally with them. Unfortunately, it is not the same to face a professional army than a bunch of idiots who only know how to attack in a mob. Although many would be surprised that the North has won, he did not find it so surprising.
"Right now they will be shaking with fear in their boots because they think we are a threat that cannot be let go without more. Hell, I'm sure that this whole war has been a very hard awakening for them and they want nothing more than to make demands. Honestly, I have more important things to attend to than this complete shit''. Honestly, I was still furious that Oberyn and Doran did what they did and that without mentioning Arthur's mentality.
"I would like to be able to say that what they think is complete idiocy but it is what it is. They are eager to make sure that we are not leaving and I sincerely believe that as a queen you are the right person together with me to kick them in the ass that says that this is our last act as members of the seven kingdoms.'' In Hariric's mind he could understand where his wife was.
"According to our information, our exit would affect the loss of a million dragons of monetary loss. Can you really see the southerners of all things say that it is possible that they lose such a large amount of money? Because I don't think so. That those people wouldn't accept it.'' Fuck, they would never accept that they would just leave just for that.
''One and a half million is a good amount if you stop to think about it dear wife How much good would we be able to do with that million? Oh yes. Right now we are using it in the three new strengths we are working on''. The fortresses of Dareon, Tykren and Shelia were already beginning. The workers had been called for it, what no one knew is that once again he would be using his ghost workers.
''The money that is wisely spent on what it is to be able to do a good job. The truth is that Dareon and the others benefit from this. And if I have to be honest, I prefer to spend the money on more things than giving it to the people of the south for their own shitty personal projects. Frankly, in Ashara's mind, the money spent intelligently is the one that was used in resources for the whole north in the end.
"Well, it's money that can be invested in things for the North itself if you stop to think about it. And I also don't feel comfortable having a relationship in the south knowing that these people can spend the money we earn hard on only things that are of their interest''. That gold could be used in more projects such as the improvement of the strengths of its other lords.
"Do you know what makes me most amused about this meeting? That they think we're being irrational. I still remember the last report of how they think you are exaggerating things to be able to declare independence. What a bunch of bastards with a damn ego problem''. From Jon Arryn's point of view they were exaggerating all this.
"I don't see it so much as a problem. In addition, once we settle this, it's over. I'm tired of them sending me shit and if they think I'm just going to sit without more and wait for them to tell me that I can't declare the independence of my kingdom after the shit they've done they're in a very painful awakening if I'm honest''. Seriously, in Hariric's mind he couldn't understand how these people could tell his face that he couldn't be independent.
"I feel you more than a little eager to end this. I can't say I blame you. There are already more things to attend to and honestly I don't want to waste my time dealing with the southerners and what they think is what should be done''. Ashara was less than happy about wasting his valuable time discussing things. Not when I had more things to do.
"It's not just that. There are more things to do than just arguing with people who expect us to simply obey. That is, they are partially responsible for the shit that has happened and we are expected to forgive them without more. Look, there are people who can be considered idiots if I have to say it. Hariric was not in the mood for this either.
'They wouldn't leave us alone until we sit down in the negotiations, do you know what's fun? That seemed to think that they could simply invite us to the south without us expecting in the least an ambush or something like that. Talk about the most idiotic people. Especially with their precious reputations''. One's reputation was how it was seen.
"They would expect us to simply do what they would expect without further ado. The truth is that I'm more than tempted to tell them to fuck off just because of that insult. I may have agreed to meet and everything but people should not be mistaken this is more than anything because I want to settle this issue and put things in order with the south''. From Hariric's point of view, arguing without meaning would not lead him anywhere if he had to be honest.
"I still don't like being in the same neighbourhood as Robert Baratheon. That man deserves a good kick in the balls for even thinking that he could have forced Lyanna's marriage and him. Honestly, the fact that the man thought he could simply demand it as in the last letter was the most annoying.' For Ashara, things were as clear as water.
''He got into his head. I think I remember that this is as always: one wants what one really cannot achieve. Robert got an idea of Lyanna and thought she was perfect for him. Which is complete shit if I have to say. If something deserves a good kick in the ass just for that detail in question since thinking of my sister as an object fucks me up a lot''. The mere idea that he saw his sister as a tool without more. An element to use and this was already something that enraged him a lot.
"You know they're going to ask how he died, right? They may even have ideas. And if Robert even suspects that Jon is the son of that silver-haired imbecile, he could unleash a war of wide magnitude if you stop to think about it. It's not the healthiest idea I had in mind.'' Frankly, she didn't care if Robert Baratheon got angry because Lyanna had had a child with another. No. What mattered to him was how far the pair of idiots could go to kill the child.
"If any idiot even thinks he can put a hand on my son, they will learn the hard way that that is a big mistake that they should never have even imagined. The consequences would simply be greater than anyone could imagine and I would make sure to have the entire Baratheon family in a pica''. That boy was his sister's son. Whether it's a rape or not.
''It's problematic but it's what it is and we have nothing more to do but be sensible about it. At least if we are lucky we can say that Jon will be safe for a while. However, we'd better get ready. Speaking of that, did you really have to fuck them so big, honey?'' She was obviously referring to a certain object that was in the possession of Hariric.
"I don't know what you're talking about. It's not like I have weighty reasons to look for any excuse to be able to mess with a man who I thought could fuck me in some way. At least I hope that things show even more how inferior they are compared to us anyway''. Hariric laughed with a certain amount of malice.
"You're honestly sometimes a big boy if I have to say it. But I can't say I can blame you either. Not after knowing that that man would be on our neck like the king's hand trying to force us to fulfil his fucking demands. Just so you know, that's what prevents me from getting angry with you and considering you childish, nothing more. Yes. Ashara could mess with her husband quite well, could someone blame her?
"Honey, please, if I really wanted to mess with him in some way, I would only be hitting hard and painfully where I know it hurts the most. What I am doing now is just to make it very clear how far below he is compared to me and how we have escaped from his personal interests''. It might seem like an exaggeration but from Hariric's point of view it wasn't.
''There are times with total honesty that I have to ask myself how the hell you are capable of half the things you are capable of husband. Anyway, I'll let it go for the moment. We're going to settle this matter and go back home. Above all, I want to be with my children.'' With his final words said, Ashara went out to go to the fitting room.
Hariric saw his wife leave and smiled. The truth is that he was very upset by the interruption of these southerners. He had sent a letter and had made it very clear that he was going to become independent. Why did they even think they could somehow come and demand that he think twice?
It's almost as if they thought they had authority in some way over him. The mere idea was pissing him off but fortunately for many people he knew enough control to prevent his fury from escaping completely. But the anger would still be there. An anger that threatened to hit someone in a painful way if they bothered him.
His concern was in Jon. Lyanna loved him so much. He was his son. He could be the fruit of a rape but he was still a son. For a moment he thought about what the southerners could do to him and he got angry. Use it in political games. Threaten your life. Just the idea that people even thought they could do such things was enough to unleash their anger.
Fortunately, his nemesis blood was partially satisfied. There was still to punish Arryn but he was no longer in a press. No. She would be patient and over time she would have not only the head of Arryn but of all those who had prospered under her mandate.
Sighing, he went to dress himself at this moment. Although I had little desire to do this, I agreed that it was time to meet with these people and settle these issues in a final way. The time when the North had been part of the seven kingdoms was over. He knew it. Although some may doubt it in some way, he could say it differently.
Meeting point-
This was an event that many would categorise as unique. The meeting between the North and the South. Many thought that the North could never be a threat to the power and strength of the south. That the brave knights of the south were great forces that had to be taken into account above all things and that the great lords of the south completely surpassed. The time of the wolf had changed that.
The lords of the south were sitting on one side while the table was formed and put in the middle. None was above the others. On one side was the south. With men like Hoster Tully, Tywin Lannister, Jon Arryn and of course the king and queen. Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister. If someone looked south, they would say that they were trying to look imposing. Four gentlemen and one of the so-called most beautiful women. Behind them was a contingent of soldiers clearly who were there for protection. But the North was not far away because there were also several people who had to be recognised.
Ned Stark The silent wolf. Half a metre eighty. His body was well built and he had his hair gathered in a ball tail. On his waist he carried the Winter Lament a sword of Valyrian Steel. As if that wasn't enough, he dressed in decent clothes and had a hard and gray look that screamed strength.
Another person was Jon Umber The Giant of the North located in two metres twenty of pure muscle with his sword a mandoble of Valyrian steel on the back that was called Chain Breaker.
But the two that stood out the most were Hariric Stark the winter wolf with the modified Ice sword on his back and his wife Ashara Dayne with her gae Bolg spear next to him. The two looked better than good and with their own crowns. Where the crown of the south was made of gold, the crown of the North... it was made of valyrian steel in a tone of ice blue.
The two powers looked at each other intensely. You didn't have to be a genius to see the tension between them. Ned looked calmly but could feel the intensity of Hoster Tully. Jon looked calm but actually looked annoyed at the whole North because of his weapons and his image. Tywin looked annoyed by the Valyrio steel weapons. Then there was Cersei who only looked with anger without repressing Ashara herself realising not only how beautiful she looked but also clothes that fit her much better. But the most intense look was that of Robert Baratheon towards a hariric Stark who seemed interested in knocking him down with his gaze.
Robert Baratheon looked intensely at Hariric Stark. He was aware of how much he disliked the man. He was aware of how Stark had been against his wedding with his sister. To say that he despised the idea without hesitation was an understatement. The man did not swallow it and had made it very clear that he was not worthy of his sister. But Robert hadn't cared at that time. What else could he care about his opinion when this had been decided yes or yes? It didn't matter in Robert's opinion. It was just the opinion of one more man. But then Robert began to feel small and incapable.
How did this happen? Simple. The North began to expand and open up. To become a true power. It didn't matter how you saw it or how much you thought about it. Hariric Stark rebuilt a kingdom by himself. That would only make it go to the history books. Like another of the great men. It didn't matter how much I thought about it. And then he began to get along with the king. First a sword of valyrian steel. Then glass material and premium silks. No matter how much you thought about it, Hariric Sark was planning something and Robert Baratheon was far from being an idiot, could he be plotting to get rid of him? Avoid marrying his sister? The mere idea began to enrage the baratheon.
Then the war broke out. He had thought it was his time to shine. But Jon said that they would wait until the north asked for help. A mischievous smile appeared on his face the day they told him such a thing. I was looking forward to the idea that the great harirc Stark would come asking for help. And God was going to milk him. But then it happened. Hariric Stark went to war... without allies. The only one. For himself. Then they discovered that the north had a powerful professional army. The mere idea was his blood if he had to be honest since he saw how the army of the north crushed force after strength without compassion. I'm freezing his blood.
Hariric went to war and won it. I kill Rhaegar Targaryen. I destroy the armies of the south. He did that and much more. Without compassion. Without mercy. And then something else was added to the legend of Hariric Stark. He wasn't just a creator. He was also a military leader. I plan each battle to finish and crush with your enemies. And then it turned out that he had another power: magic. The mere idea was giving it more and more problems. When would it end? When would the man who hated him be more discounted? When would the man he wanted to subdue by all means stop growing up like a damn giant?
I couldn't stand it. And then it happened. Hariric Stark claimed the independence of the North and the foundation of the kingdom of Asgard. It didn't matter what it looked like. It didn't matter how you thought about it. No. What mattered in Robert's eyes is that the North was blooming to levels never seen before and he wanted to stop it. But How? How did such advances stop?
It was the strangest thing he had ever thought of in his entire life. I couldn't see a way to stop it. And then here it was. Looking at him with that cold look and with fury in his eyes. He was not a happy man in the least and from what he could say he was less than satisfied with this meeting. So I was about to finish this.
''I hope that in addition to taking a look at those present there is a weighty reason for all that meeting. You southerners may like to leave things unattended but I'm not the same way and believe me when I say that I take seriously what it is to do my job''. Hariric Stark's voice lacked warmth. There was no positive emotion coming out of him.
"We are here for several reasons, boy. We are here to know that he is going to be one of the hostages you have. You have my damn son in your possession and I would like to know what will become of him''. Olenna was sitting in a separate part as if she were not loved. She was furious about the fact that she was treated like that.
"Although I think this meeting could begin with many other ways, the truth is that I agree with Lady Olenna. You have in your possession many heirs and even lords of the south and we would like to know what you can do with them. We could start conversations for their recovery.'' Jon sighed knowing that Olenna Tyrell could be classified as a nuisance but did not deny his words.
"You should consider yourself lucky old woman. Especially seeing that that son of yours was stupid enough to be in this shit. Many of us have been of the mind that your son and the many other lords of the Dominion should have been killed so that you know it''. Jon wasn't happy.
"Jon doesn't need to bother so much. After all, she is afraid that we decide to use her son as a bargaining chip. Just like the other gentlemen. To be honest, I was very tempted to execute them all and that that served as an example of not fucking with the kingdom of Asgard ever again''. Hariric saw how everyone's eyes opened completely.
"It's not that he missed me. Once wild, always wild, isn't it Hariric Stark? Tell me again. What did your men do with each soldier they have faced, eh? Without the possibility of surrender. Without mercy. You don't have the features of a gentleman. Just one more tyrant that I enjoy killing everyone who got in his way''. Olenna gave the young man a furious look hoping that would be enough to make him feel bad in some way.
"I'm not a gentleman. I'm a King. The King is the one who carries with the most arduous and hard tasks of all my dear olenna. Today I'm only doing the right thing. Make sure that nothing and no one dares to try to fuck with the North again. How many men will help your lords fight from now on knowing that their enemy... is me, huh?''. Hariric could see the woman's look of disbelief.
"People will get up when we ask them to. The sheep don't understand lions like we do and should make a real effort to avoid our attention from all things. I don't think those sheep understand what their life is like without us.'' Cersei looked with pure hatred at the so-called King of the North. How did this man of all things dare to treat them this way?
"If that's your way of thinking, I can assure you that you won't last too long. Truth be told, you call them sheep. I would call them the pillar on which we all work. If you stop to think about it, it doesn't matter what it looks like, but the important thing is that if those people become rebellious, you will suffer from hunger, your armies will not move and will kill you while you sleep.'' Ashara mocked the pure idiocy of this idiot woman.
''We got off topic. We are here to talk and engage in dialogue about the recovery of the different gentlemen who are trapped. So forgive me for saying this but I think the important thing is that we return to the subject and discuss his release please''. Jon was a little... scared. Ashara Dayne's look was not that of a weak woman, far from it.
"All of them rose up against the Stark house when they were having a problem with the Targaryen house. Each and every one of them became enemies of the Sttark house at that time. As a rule, I should execute them all and settle the issue where it is. That's how I see it and there's nothing that can just change the direction of my thoughts''. Hariric was clear.
"We understand that you are affected by your loss. And we actually agree that pain is a serious reason but I agree that strong relationships can be reached if everyone who is trapped is freed of good will.'' Jon didn't like how this was going.
''Compassion is a trait that I lack at the moment because these people got into an affair between the Stark house and the crown of which I once swore. It was a problem between two. And yet houses of every fucking kingdom got in the way with the thought of taking advantage of themselves. Believe me, Lord Arryn, my fury is far from being satiated at this moment''. Far from it, damn it.
''What my husband says is true Lord Arryn. The Stark house never wanted violence with the crown. The previous Lord Stark Rickard Stark was the same to what was the capital to start dialogue and was captured and taken hostage so that the north submitted to the will of the crown. It was a conflict between the Stark house and the Targaryen royal house. Where should the other kingdoms get into, eh?''. Ashara could see that Lord Arryn was not happy for her.
"I understand. So what would you like to do to be able to solve this in a diplomatic way, gentlemen? If it's because of the price of a ransom, the truth is that I don't really know what to do. I hope you both agree that whatever is kept in mind is not an exaggeration.'' Jon could feel Tywin's desire to talk.
"That's why my husband and I came up with this. A contract. In exchange for a thirty percent reduction in taxes for what is trade we agree to return each of the hostages alive and in perfect condition. As you can see here will be the three ports good four since Lord Arryn would also sign for the port of the valley lands''. Ashara could feel the gentlemen thinking. Possibly they were thinking about the great idea that they could get away with it.
"Things are not so simple. They are never. If they were, the world would be simple. Tell me Winter Kings How did you think of all the things to ensure that the terms of the contract are fulfilled?''. Tywin was looking at the contract. In addition to what was the tax discount for the sale of goods, there were more things to mention, such as the reprisals that would be carried out in the case of being in some type of action such as an attempt to sabotage the ships, steal the ships either directly or indirectly and much more.
"Ah, who said those contracts are simple? Those contracts will be tied to the blood of everyone present and that includes all family members. If only one of those who sign breaks the agreement, then he will suffer the consequences, hence basically mentioning the reprisals in case of breaking the contracts. We call it geas contracts, aren't they a wonderful invention thanks to magic?''. Ashara enjoyed the look of pure horror that appeared on everyone's face while Jon looked more carefully at the contracts. Great Jon was laughing.
"Don't you think in any of the ways that I would be leaving this without more to be realised without a consequence, right? Magic is a wonderful thing. The option you have before you is simple. You sign the contracts and therefore we are all tied up. I return without touching any of the nobles in my possession. And in return you fulfil what was agreed. It's that simple''. Hariric was sure that they were going to raise doubts. But what was not expected was the immediate response of reading more intensely. Hoster was especially outraged by the contract of all things, which was not to say a small amount. But well, he was savouring it. After thinking about it, he saw Olenna sign the contract as if he had no choice.
Like one, everyone present began to sign. I could see the annoyance in each of them and hell you could even say that they were less than happy but Hariric and Ashara care little. No. They knew there might be sabotage attempts. For example, there would be people interested in sinking the ships they had or taking their loads for them so I would take more measures. But having the lords and gentlemen of the different port cities under control would mean in a few words that that shit would not happen in any way and that only an idiot would try.
"With that said, I know you have more things to discuss. The separation of the North. The kingdom of Asgard has declared its independence and I have no intention of going back. There is nothing you can say that convinces me differently and there are no offers that can be made either''. Hariric decided it was time to go get the elephant in the room.
'The North took an oath to submit to the targaryen. And I have claimed the iron throne because of my blood Targaryen so you are tied to me whether you like it or not you fucking asshole''. Robert was tired.
"Ahhh, really? If you have taken that then... you have taken their debts, are we going to start with it? First the taking of my father as a prisoner. Second, the kidnapping, rape and death of my sister. Third, provoke a war. Fourth, break the ice and fire pact. Do you want me to continue there? There are many insults that the targaryen house has given to the north and if I have to be frank I am more than a little anxious to claim the damages caused friend''. Hariric was more than pissed off that they thought they could leave here without paying.
"I think you're exaggerating. This is a new beginning. An opportunity to take the seven kingdoms to the top. Just think of everything we can do jointly between the north and the south. Separately, we are strong, together? We would be even stronger''. Jon didn't like how this was going.
"I don't need to give him opportunities. I don't need to sit with you. The north separates is the point and end. You have had about three hundred years to ensure that. And yet the fact is that my kingdom has been attacked, trampled and beaten. If you consider yourself so superior, here is your prize. That's all and a settled point for me''. Hariric could see that they were not going to stop.
"Please think about it for a moment. We understand all the damage that has been done to the south. We understand that we have taken advantage but you must also understand the damage that the separation of the north of the seven kingdoms as a total whole would do.'' I couldn't believe it. Hariric Stark was making it very clear that he had no problem breaking ties with them. This was bad. I had to find a way to keep him tied to the seven kingdoms. I had to somehow get the north to accept
''Lord Arryn with all due respect Why? Why should I care what happens in the south when in the north we have our own worries? You've had three hundred years and you won't change, do you think I don't know? That one you call king was already plotting to milk us in some way. The different gentlemen thought about demanding us so this is what I say: no more''. The time of accepting the demands of other lords was over in the eyes of hariric Stark. Why was he supposed to obey people's demands? Why did I have to accept his demands?
''The Northern Kingdom no longer exists. We are Asgard. And we declare ourselves independent''.