AN: Hey guys. Probably gonna be a short chapter today. I'm writing this while getting ready for work. Another easy to understand title.
In my opinion, reading chunks of chapters together helps me to understand the story Better when it's one cohesive continuation. Almost at 20 chapters! Hope you enjoy.
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The North, Whiteharbor, 128 AC
Harald Pov
I arrive above the white stone city of the Manderlys and land a little ways up the white knife so I can keep Fafnir hidden as long as possible. My advantage over the Targaryens, both sides, is that none of them know me. In fact, I'd doubt even the spies that've tried to make their way North to learn about my return were swiftly handled by Karl and the Crannogmen.
Others may belittle them for being short and lithe. But I know how dangerous and important they are to the safety of the North. For thousands of years they've been the first line of defense when encountering foreign bodies trying to make headway into our country.
According to my spy, the maester at winterfell as 'become Ill.' Not going to make it. Good. After he dies I'll show my brother all the missives my people have been able to collect since we returned.
Thankfully we've stopped any messages from reaching their destination, the Citadel. However, this was just a precaution as being from the other world I didn't know forsure if the Maesters were as dubious as people on Reddit claimed.
Hearing about all the messages that they've tried to send back home however is all the proof I need. Before we begin any talks with the Targaryens, every single maester in the North will hang from the Weirwood trees.
I had to really convince Fafnir to allow me to go into the city alone, but after nearly 30 minutes of pats and soothing words I was able to get him to head toward the Bite and hunt before we leave.
I head towards the city on foot while he goes into the clouds to drop down onto his prey from above.
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The sun has gone down by the time I reach the city gates. I'm stopped by the guards as I begin to make my way in with a merchant group.
"Oi, who the hell are you?" The man asks me in the common tongue while grabbing my shoulder. I bite down on my annoyance at being touched. I try my hardest to show people respect.
One such action that doesn't show respect is the way this guard has grabbed me. I slowly breathe to calm down and then speak through gritted teeth.
""Allow me inside. I must speak with my brother.""
His grip tightened and he tried pulling me away from the group to the side. He was to be disappointed.
I'd had enough. In truth I just wanted to sleep after killing countless people in a matter of hours with Fafnir, and this stupid guard wanted to single me out To I assume extort me because of my nice clothes/armor.
I sweep his leg out from under him and when his back hits the ground I stomp on his chin and am met with a nasty crunch.
I don't spare the asshole a second look. Too focused on his partner coming my way with an unsheathed blade.
He stops in mid swing as I finally raise my eyes to look at him face to face. He drops the sword and I move toward him.
One knee in the gut puts him on his knees, I raise his head with his hair in my grip and speak, ""My name is Harald Stark. Surely you've heard of me right?""
A shakey nod filled with blood stained coughing is my answer. I realeased the grip I had on his hair and began walking through the gate. I really need to stay in an inn tonight. I know Cregan. He'll want to talk my head off wanting to know everything and I simple don't have the patience for it right now.
I get a room and refuse the little maid who snuck into my room trying to wash me in the wooden tub full of warm water.
I never let any of them do it however. As soon as I could wash myself I refused to have help. Anybody who knows anything knows how vulnerable you are during a bath. Any enemy could employ a women to do their bidding.
Then the girl who nobody knows slips out into the night and across the Narrow Sea to live out her days. I will not become a part of someone else's story in that regard.
No. If a women wants to wash me, it will be my wife. A women I'm going to have to trust at some point. This is why I always refused to marry an Andal. I could never trust her or her family.
Hell, look at house Tully in the Game of Thrones series. If memory serves, they did nothing in the war but ADD problems for Robb Stark. Including his own mother Catelyn.
So not only will they stab you in the back on a moments notice, but even when they're your Allies they fuck everything up by breathing? No thank you. Can't be me.
With the factor of giant elemental breathing lizards added into the context, marrying any women of such decent is nothing short of suicidal lunacy. I'm quite content with living sanely.
I drift off to sleep with many thoughts on my mind. War, marriage, and the ever present threat of the White Walkers.
Those are always the most prevalent. The spear of ice the Night King thrown into viserion and the pitiful screech he let out while sinking into the icy depths of the lake they fought over.
My minds last conscious thought is one of determination, 'let them come.'
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Cregan Pov
As I make my way Into the great hall of Whiteharbor my tired ears hear little snippets of conversation but truth be told I'm far too ready to see Harald to inquire about what he's done. His temper is like a winter storm fierce and violent.
Given his animosity for the Ironborn and all they stand for, I'm not super excited to learn how his first interaction with them went.
As I sit myself on the high table I'm greeted by Lord Manderly, ""Hello my lord. Did you find the accommodations up to standard?""
I chuckle, pat Dusk, and reply, ""Indeed Lord Manderly. I-""
I'm am cut off by a guard nearly running up and handing a missive to the Lord of Whiteharbor.
After a few seconds of reading he chuckles and hands it to me. On the paper tells of an altercation between a man with glowing grey eyes and the guards at the gate of the city lastnight. It's said one of the guards died.
I sigh. Harald doesn't usually kill people. Beat them half to death? Sure but not outright kill. This gives me insight into his mood. He's angry and lashing out. Another thing I'll have to consider when confronting him about all I need to know before he takes off into the night again.
I ask the guard, ""where is he?""
The guard bowed and spoke, ""he along with Lords Umber and Reed have boarded one of his ships early this morn.""
I nod and don't even eat. I need to get this out of the way. Hopefully it goes okay.
I notice Lord Manderly in step with me and decide to keep quiet while we make our way to the dock.
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I'm pointed to the other ship my brother brought with him that didn't contain his men. While confused as to what was in here I decided to let it go as I'm about to see such things myself.
I enter to a ring like structure made of wood. Surrounding the ring are many men with drinks already in hand. Toasting and spilling then drinking and shouting out.
I move to the front with Dusk helping part men as his presence makes even the most drunk men sober up just a bit. Once there I see my brother with a bloody mouth and his shirt removed standing across from an equally bloody Gage Umber. Both have huge smiles on their faces.
'It seems Gage wasn't as angry at Harald as he claimed to be.' I chuckle to myself as I decide to relax and try to enjoy the spectacle with the others around me. Serious talks can wait a morning.
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AN: there we go guys. Sorry. In a bit of a rush today. I Will see about doing another chapter when I get off because I don't have work tomorrow 🙌🏻
See you guys later! Look for pictures!