An: Harald won't spend a lot of time on the westerosi mainland. There's about a year or so until the death of lucerys Velaryon. During that time I'll be using the year to get his kingdom set up. At least partially. I have a couple different options on the images page for castle frost. Let me know which ones appeal to you more.
During this time we'll also meet his dragon. I honestly can't wait to write that chapter. Such progress in skagos will be interspersed with Targaryen/Velaryon povs. Thanks. Hope you enjoy.
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Harald pov
After an hour of monotonous small talk between myself, my brother, and lord manderly I found myself already eager to leave whiteharbor.
Not for anything the manderlys did to me or anything like that, I simply know time is of the essence. Everything I need to do is to be done by the years end or I won't be able to help this war at all. Moreover, I won't be able to gain true autonomy without being so prepared the prospect of trying to conquer my newly arisen kingdom will seem like the least favorable circumstance for the what will be diminished royal family.
As far as how I'm going to compete with giant fire breathing lizards? Well i have the perfect counter for them.
Throughout history of this world only two things have been able to kill a dragon:
1.) another dragon
2.) ballista
Now, seeing as I'm a stark through and through such things are impossible to me. Not only am I so stark my eyes look like full moons, but my connection to the weirwood trees is odd to say the least.
Among the many super religious people of the north I've asked about their own interpretations of the weirwood tree, all of them seem to pale in comparison to my own connection with them.
I can FEEL them. A physical connection when I gaze upon and touch the ghastly white bark and beautiful crimson colored leafs. This is something I haven't been able to truly understand yet, but I will soon enough.
I've spent my time since leaving home forging connections with powerful figures.
I also have secretly brought the men of the company of the rose back to the north. It was said they wouldn't come back until a son of stark called for them.
My name and the mention of what's coming beyond the wall were enough to make all of them eager to return home. Their excitement however was dashed when I explained my plans to them, very simple but very ambitious as well.
I planned to take a few strong clans with me from the north of the wall. That alone will help me get thousands of people to mix with my northern sellsword company to make a formidable force.
I also plan to contact the giants.
I honestly can't believe how dumb my ancestors were. To allow such useful creatures to go beyond the wall is the height of stupidity.
These guys will be my ballista. Mobile ballista that can strategize and adjust to situations unlike an unfeeling tool of wood and metal.
These guys with some of the knockoff Damascus steel I plan to produce will surely be formidable enough to make any dragon think twice about invading my lands.
Anyone who wishes to know the validity of the giants strength need only to watch when the freefolk attacked the wall. A giant shot an arrow from a good distance away from the wall and still go to the top, killed a man, and proceeded to break the wood structure above him.
I've been dreaming about these beings since I came to this world. They are going to be my best friends if I have anything to say about it.
I'm broken from my thoughts when my two closest companions come into the great hall of merman. Torrent the red who looks and talks like sheamus from wwe in my last life.
Next is my best friend edris. He basically looks like a younger version of heimdall from the mcu thor movies.
As they reach the high table I'm currently seated upon, edris speaks in the language I've taught all my men to keep things we want secret from any 'outsiders'. It's a mixture between Spanish and Italian, in my not so humble opinion, it's as beautiful as Valyrian.
(Lord Harald, we've procured the items you requested. By nightfall they should be stocked in the ships. We've also sold a substantial amount of the whiskey you put on stock. Just a sip was more than enough to get people to buy it. Especially with its price.)
My brother looked at me weirdly, clearly asking questions with his eyes. I sigh inwardly thinking about our upcoming meeting. I just hope we don't come to blows.
I break away from such thoughts as I respond to edris in kind, (good work. Come my friends, eat and introduce yourselves to my brother and our guest.)
What followed were quick greetings from my companions who went to eat and drink while I prepared to face my older brother.
Deciding a gift would be best first i motion for my steward to pull the first few bottles of whiskey I made after perfecting the formula. It's the oldest and by association, best whiskey currently in the world. I still have a caseful of the 'originals' but i need to get my brother loser than this shitty substitute for beer will do.
""Cregan, try some of this,"" I say after pouring the ice cold liquid into his cup while doing the same for lord manderly and Wylan.
Cregan looked at me for a moment before downing the shot sized amount I'd given him just like he'd seen me do.
Lord manderly was next while wylan smiled and waited. He needn't have waiting long because as soon as both newcomers swallowed their drink a cough fit erupted.
After a few moments collecting himself Cregan said, "old gods be good Harald. What is this? Liquid fire?"
I slightly shivered remembering what the true liquid fire was and how devestating it can be when used properly. I slightly shake off my thoughts of the medieval atom bomb that exploded over blackwater bay in time to hear lord manderly question Wylan as well.
"He's right lord Harald. Wylan, you actually drink this stuff?" He asked still coughing. 'It seems my brother is made of sterner stuff,' I think hiding my amusement.
Wylan responds to his dad, "yes father. Lord Harald made this concoction almost 6 namedays ago."
I saw the merchant in lord manderly begin to eye the liquid with greed that I know to well. However, I know he knows the stark name is not to be trifled with, like everyone in the north.
So, I prepare myself to offer the deal I'd come up with in order to sell this whiskey and make it famous. I know just how powerful such things can be, and just what kind of money can be generated from alcohol in this world. Just look at dorne and the redwines.
After drinking almost two bottles of whiskey, I know now is the time to speak to Cregan. Unlike me, my brothers incredibly drunk. I can't say I expected anything less after all, it's his first time drinking hard liquor.
This is also why I plan to speak to him now. So tomorrow I can arrange my meeting with lord manderly then be on my way.
I've also been thinking of ways to get the treacherous bastards out of the north, the Boltons.
Anyone who has working eyes knows their just lying in wait for the starks to be weak before they make a move on my family and the north at large. Again, such things can be seen from the GOT show. Roose Bolton challenge Robb stark at every turn during his war against the lannisters.
That also brings me to the north's biggest thorn, the iron islands.
While I know they're on the side of Rhaenyra during the war, I cannot and will not be associated with such filth. As soon as I'm able I will turn those shit stained rocks to rubble.
My dark thoughts are broken as i and Cregan reach his chambers, his Direwolf behind us going to the brazier to get warm.
We sit at the desk and I begin my speech.
""I'll be leaving tomorrow.""
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An: oooh little cliffhanger. Next chapter I will reveal all the plans for the future kingdom of ice. As I've tried to relay during these chapter, Cregan and Harald are extremely close and alwyas have been. This will play a key role in the war, as any who know how it played out know how dangerous Cregan stark was.
Hope you enjoy.