AN: hey guys. Here I am again. Like I said I would be. Honestly I'm here for me as much as all of you. This is the best way I've found to constructively let out emotion while also being productive and staying away from the cesspool that is X, Instagram, Snapchat, and so on.
So, just know I appreciate all of you who hold me to writing. It's slowly become a therapeutic exercise more than almost anything else.
Please enjoy the chapter.
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Whiteharbor, The North, 128AC
Harald Pov
After the initial meeting and subsequently calming down Gage Umber, the true war plans begin to emerge.
""Karl, I need the crannogmen to shelter my group of 5 giants until I'm ready to make a move on vhagar.""
I speak to my small, quiet friend. He nods once before replying, ""I would be honored to have them return to the Neck. All I need to do is ask my father. What are your plans with them there?""
I think before deciding to reveal a little more of my plan. ""Harrenhall is the key to war in the south. From there you get your men anywhere sans the North. I need you to escort them to the Isle of Faces. When the time is right, we can use them as mobile Ballista to severely injure or outright kill the greens dragons.""
Everyone goes silent at my words then looks back to the group of giants all sitting in various spots around the room. I see realization start to light up in there eyes when they realize my obsession with the Giants stems from their ability to deter or even kill dragons given the right resources and circumstances.
Cregan speaks up from my right, a slight tremble in his voice. Whether that be from excitement at the idea that the Targaryens can no longer 'control' us with the threat of our own dragons or the walking super weapons known as the giants I don't know.
""Harald.... This is madness. How have no starks understood this before?! Hell we might have remained 'Kings of winter' with such Allies.""
His disbelief is fair. I speak to him to calm him down a bit, ""well, our own father was a second son who was then thrust into heirship after the spring sickness hit. The only problem with that though is father spent his entire childhood being fostered in the Riverlands and not the Blackwoods either. The seven worshiping bastards. In truth, that is why you yourself don't know of this. I can't speak for past generations, but this one was affected by the fostering to an andal worshiping house. Something that will not happen again while I live and breathe.""
Before he can respond I keep speaking though. This is the time to tell them MY plans for MY kingdom.
""As you said Cregan, we are no longer 'Kings of Winter'. However, i and my descendants will become the 'Kings of Ice'.""
I see slackjawed Northmen all around me. The giants don't react because they don't understand the significance of what I'm saying.
Gage speaks in a harsh whisper. As if the conqueror himself is standing in the room with us, ""what the hells are you talking about? Such a thing is Treason of the highest order. Do you not see the upcoming Dance of Dragons as a cautionary tale?""
While I appreciate the concern, I'm not an idiot to think I can take the 7 Kingdoms on by myself. But I also am not committing treason.
""What treason am I performing? I'm naming myself king over a chain of islands the Targaryens never conquered. I doubt they know it exists aside from Corlys Velaryon. And lastly I— Harald Stark—- have never kneeled to any man or women in my life. Never once has my knee touched the ground. I didn't go swear my allegiance to King Viserys and his named Heir Rhaenyra Targaryen.
I was also banished from my home, forgoing any claim I have on Winterfell. Not only this but I've never come back to the North aside from Whiteharbor. I've spent all my time on the sea and in Skagos. In truth? I'm little more than a glorified pirate. At least I was until I claimed Fafnir and subsequently the now named Athens.""
That was my reasoning. Which I felt aptly outlined my freedom from the seven kingdoms. Not only am I free, but I needed no help to conquer and start construction on my land and keep.
Cregan sighed a tired sigh. One that sounded like a dad who'd just had his son dump a crazy idea on him. And while it sounds crazy, he also hears the logic in the argument.
I decide to break up the monotony and dread such a conversation brings and speak up, ""are you all ready to meet Fafnir?""
I see every man's eyes turn to me moon wide and laugh. I call out for a servant to go tell the captain to sail to take some sailboats out so we may ride on the white knife up to the cave system I left Fafnir at. I also sent word to Wylan to inform his father that we've gone hunting to get our land legs back before we have to take off again.
Within 20-30 minutes we had boats I derived from the game assiassins creed. The ones used in later generations like Origins and Odyssey to get around small river systems.
I call out as we begin the trek up river, ""do not approach him. He's not a being of immense patients if I'm not involved.""
I see all the men turn serious at that. Good. I'm speaking the truth to them. Fafnir definitely lived up to his species reputation with everyone but me. With me the guy acted like the biggest puppy you've ever seen.
I just hope they really heed my words...…..
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Driftmark, The Narrow Sea, 128AC
Corlys Pov
I'm going over my reports of the sailor spies i employ all over the known world. I myself have mapped a good part of it which means the ability to commune with those people who can help in a time such as this is paramount.
Such things are why I learned something interesting from one of the lads I sent to get into the lannister navy. As the only true threat on the western coast I've always kept a close eye on the descendants of Lann The Clever.
It seems there are rumblings that the IronBorn raids on small villages has stopped completely. Anyone with eyes knew the iron born were upjumped pirates. And their recent activities are in line with their behavior over centuries. When a war is about to break out they take that chance of chaos to stay true to their words, "we do not sow."
But for them to have completely stopped? I'll need to send men out there to check discretely. I begin a missive to do just that. What could've happened to make the IronBorn stop being IronBorn?
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Harald pov
By the time we arrive at Fafnir's current location it's almost dark. The sun has begun it's Descent.
As we hop on shore I hear a trill come from the cave and then every man sees the glowing eyes of my friend within the cave.
""H-Harald,"" Cregan speaks out but I give him no response. I Just walk towards the cave and hold my hand out while the massive head of my dragon meets it half way. His crystals glowing that eerie white color indicitive of emotion I've learned.
As I'm patting him I turn back towards my brother and friends and see the expected sight. Fear from Gage, Awe from Karl, and Reality for my brother.
I decide tomorrow I'll show them what exactly Ice-Stone can do. My new blade is ready.
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AN: hey guys. Do hope you enjoy the chapter. I'm busy this week so it's not easy to get these out. Thanks for any and all support.
Have a good day!