GOT - Part 20
Near Winterfell. The North.
During his often troubled lifetime Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, had been to many far off places and he'd seen many things, between the deserts of Dorne and the Wall, but never in all his years and talk his travels had he seen anything like the strange vessel which had landed outside of his home.
With him rode his two eldest sons and one of his daughters, Robb, Jon and Arya, there had been a time when his lady-wife would have strongly protested in allowing Arya to ride out with her father and brothers as she did now, but Catelyn Stark had given up on trying to make her youngest daughter act more like their eldest.
Arya refused to wear dresses and to take up sowing, she was too much like his sister, and while Lyarra Stark come to a bad end, Ned couldn't help indulging his wolf-blooded child. So he had brought her along with him and his older sons when he came to check out the strange craft. He hoped that this wasn't a mistake.
His two eldest boys, Robb who would inherit Winterfell after him, and Jon who Eddard had so far refused to allow to leave Winterfell despite him being old enough to go his own way, had ridden with him, along with a number of Northern men in case there was trouble.
As the Lord-Paramount it was Eddard's duty to see to his people's safety so he'd had to come out here to make sure that this colourful craft was not some sort of threat. That made him glad that he had so many loyal men with him as well as three somewhat tamed Direwolves who were more fearsome than any warrior.
"It has to be like a ship at sea, just one that flys" Robb was saying "And if it is a ship then it will have a crew".
That made sense to Lord Stark. It didn't exactly look as if it had been made by any men he'd ever met, but Eddard knew that there was much more to the world than the few parts of it that he'd seen. Who knew what could be found in some distant part of Essos or across the Sunset Sea.
"Imagine if I had a ship like that," said Theon Greyjoy.
The heir to Iron Islands was no doubt picturing himself returning to his mostly forgotten home in a craft vastly superior to any in his father's fleet. Not that he ever would, Eddard's friend the monarch of the Seven Kingdoms had made it quite clear that Theon wasn't to go anywhere near the Iron Islands.
"I doubt that the owners will simply hand it over" commented Jon Snow.
Ned knew enough about ships to know that not just anyone could sail them. It took training and many skilled hands, a flying ship would demand even more he guessed.
"However built that wants it to be noticed" remarked Arya.
Her two older brothers gave their sister questioning looks.
"It's very colourful" she stated "There's no chance you'd miss it during the day. That means its captain wants us to know he's here".
Eddard praised his daughter for her insights and considered her words. She was right, whoever was captain of this strange vessel was making no attempts to hide the presence of the foreign craft.
"If they are friendly then no one draw steel until I give the command" ordered Lord Stark "I don't want to anger a people powerful enough to construct such a ship".
If this was a creation of some shipwrights in a far off land then these people might see the Northerners as the people of the Seven Kingdoms saw the Wildlings. Not that he could know this for sure as he assuming quite a bit. He didn't even know if there were men within that strange vessel.
The Stark party rode closer to the airship and saw that there was some sort of ramp extending from the back.
"Are they carrying cargo?" questioned one of the men.
A good question. Eddard didn't get the sense that this was any sort of military vessel, it was too noticeable, rather garish in fact, as Arya had pointed out, warships tended to be more functional in design.
However, a trading ship coming to far off lands would want to be noticed if its master was seeking customers. He felt that he could be right, this was just not the time to be speculating.
The group led by the Lord of Winterfell came to a stop close to the ramp and then Eddard considered dismounting so as to appear less threatening, only to decide that staying on his horse was wise in case the talks went badly. Fleeing wasn't his style only he had he did have three of his children with him, not to mention his ward.
Down from the ramp came a man in some expensive looking armour and a sword at his side. He seemed confident as if was in charge of this situation, at his side was a warrior woman who was also armed and armoured. Also, there was a small brown-haired girl with him who for some reason made Eddard feel a bit nervous.
An odd sight in most of Westeros, but not to Eddard Stark who'd spent time with the ladies of Bear Island during two wars. What did strike the lord as strange was the axe the women carried slung over her back, it didn't look like any weapon he's seen before. He wouldn't mind a closer look at it.
"I am Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of The North," he introduced "I greet you on behalf of... the people of this kingdom".
Ned had been about to mention King Robert, only he decided against doing so as it might simply confuse someone who was a stranger to these lands. For now, these strangers just needed to know that Eddard was the man in charge around here.
"I am Captain Gothic of The Pathfinder," said the armoured man, before he gestured to the woman beside him "This is Faith, I think you'd refer to her as a sworn shield and this is Cameron".
There were some other women hanging back. Eddard wondered who they were and would enquire if given the chance.
"Captain Gothic of the Pathfinder. Why have you come to The North?" the Stark leader asked.
He'd never been one for needless talk and blunt questions often got him the information that he desired.
"We're traders and explorers from a far off land" answered Captain Gothic
"We've come to sell our goods and to acquire knowledge".
Could this be some prelude to invasion? Might they be scouts from some far distant kingdom here to gather information to learn about strengths and weaknesses? Eddard needed to find out more.
This was when the supposed trader handed Eddard a letter which the Lord-Paramount soon read.
"What does it say, father?" asked a curious Robb.
Ned finished reading before answering.
"It's a note from Lord Manderly," Eddard told his group "His sons have inspected the flying vessel and cleared the cargo. He claims that Captain Gothic was a good guest when he visited New Castle and that he carries nothing that threatens The North".
He knew Lord Manderly's writing and the hand that wrote it seemed steady, not the writing of someone being forced to say something while under threat.
"I've received no raven, but the note mentions that he sent one," said Eddard.
Gothic didn't seem concerned by this.
"My airship is faster than any raven" he claimed.
If so that was very impressive.
"What are you trading?" he asked.
Gothic gestured up the ramp.
"Luxury goods, tools, spirits and wines, some treasures, and curiosities from far away" the captain answered "You are welcome to do your own inspection, my lord. Before any trade is allowed".
That would be wise as Lord Manderly hadn't inspected the vessel
personally and it never hurt to be cautious. Besides, he was curious to see more of the airship.
"I will come and inspect your cargo with two of my guards" he declared "The rest of my party will remain here".
Gothic led Lord Stark inside the ship which Eddard noticed was far plainer on the inside once you looked past all the containers. He also took note that Gothic had many well-dressed female servants and guards who carried what he knew to be weapons even if he'd never seen the like of them before.
He wasn't worried much about the armed guards as these people would be fools to allow anyone on board their vessels when they had such wealth inside if they didn't have a few armed guards.
"As you can see no weapons, or animals, or even food," said the Captain "We have valuables, and practical items to trade as well".
The ruler of Winterfell recognised some of the tools that these people would be willing to sell. They looked like good steel.
"I hope you are planning on driving my own craftsmen out of business," Eddard remarked "I hear enough complaints from them as it is".
He could see how people would prefer these higher-quality goods over what his own people were able to produce. Steel must be plentiful in the lands these people came from. He would have to enquire about it later.
"We don't have enough cargo to supply anyone's needs in the long term," said Gothic "And if you are concerned about your people losing out, I would be willing to pay a tax on my goods to make up for lost revenue".
That seemed fair. He'd have to talk to Maester Luwin about it.
"With the King bringing half his court with him you'll find a market for much of this" Eddard promised.
Anything that kept the Lannisters out of Winterfell even for an hour would be a blessing in Ned's mind.
"The people of Winterfell don't have much to spend on curiosities," said Lord Stark "I have to wonder why you didn't go south".
There were better markets there and richer lords who could afford to buy many trinkets. The Northerns would be more interested in what was practical, although the ruling families in these lands weren't without a few coins to spare, and many southern nobles would be visiting as they'd tagged along with the king.
"I intended to," said Gothic "I came to White Habor from Braavos so coming to Winterfell made sense and you Northerners honour your deals".
Well, that was true and Winterfell wasn't a bad place to come for trading now that news of the king's visit had been spread about. Wintertown was filled with more than the normal number of visitors.
"I'll give you leave to visit Wintertown" Lord Stark declared "And I won't stop anyone from visiting your airship. In exchange you will not disturb the peace and we can discuss a tax later on".
While Eddard trusted Lord Manderly, as the old man was far more observant than many would suspect the ruler of Winterfell would have his own men keep an eye on traders. If things went well he'd invite the Captain to dine with him and try to learn more before Robert arrived.
Preparing for the king's visit was taking up a lot of his time and so Eddard would have to trust others to keep tabs on these visitors. Perhaps his eldest sons could be put to work on that task.
"Take this for your eldest daughter" offered Gothic who held out some piece of woman's jewellery "I heard from Lord Manderly that Sansa Stark enjoy such things".
It was similar to what the women who served the Captain wore. Something traditional for women to wear back in their lands the lord figured and Gothic was right, Sansa did enjoy such finery much to the dismay of her father's coin purse. She was spoiled, but it would be very rude to refuse such a fine gift.
No doubt his wife and daughter would want to ride out to inspect what was on offer. He'd have to arrange a proper escort since it didn't look as if these travelling merchants had any horses of their own.
"I'd like to see the rest of this ship," said Eddard.
Before he let any of his family take a step onboard he was going to have a proper look around. It wouldn't hurt to indulge his own curiosity at the same time.
GOT - Part 21
Near Winterfell. The North.
"That went well" I commented as the Stark Party rode away.
I'd given the northern lord his tour, letting him look around the Pathfinder, he'd been more careful than other leaders whom I'd met and had asked a lot more questions. Which made some sense as Winterfell wasn't known as a trading centre so naturally, he'd be more suspicious of us than the likes of Illyrio or the Sealord.
He might also be concerned about us being the vanguard of an invasion force. I certainly wouldn't have ruled that, and I felt certain that the Sealord hadn't either.
"You need to send me after Ramsay Snow and his father," said Cameron "Natalie can act as your protector".
Her words caught me by surprise.
"Why?" I asked.
She normally took her role as bodyguard very seriously.
"Because of the wolves", she answered.
It took me a moment to realise what she was talking about. Dogs react poorly to the presence of Terminators because they look human, but don't smell right, the Direwolves must not have been able to smell her from where they had been hanging back. Since the Starks had six of the beasts that meant Cameron would have to keep her distance.
"I forgot about canines and cyborgs not mixing" I admitted "They're like Witchers and cats".
How could I have let that slip my mind? We'd all read Game of Thrones the book yet Cameron hadn't mentioned it yet either. Then again with the changes in the timeline due to Universal Calibration, the Starks might never have found those Direwolf pups.
"Roose Bolton could be a threat as well," Cameron told me "He betrays the Starks at the Red Wedding and you might control the Starks by then".
Might as well take them both out if she was going to the Dreadfort. The Boltons were a nasty lot in the show and Roose's other son might be a better leader if he lived.
"Makes sense, Okay kill them both," I said "Do you know where you're going?".
She was already heading out of the ship.
"Yes!" she called out "I'll be back in a few days, a week at the most. Don't leave without me".
That didn't seem like long, and it wouldn't be enough time for a human. Cameron didn't need to stop for rest, or for food, she could just run there without stopping, kill Snow and then run back. Portals from Grand Manor wouldn't get her back here due to the odd way they worked.
"Eddard Stark seemed pleasant enough," remarked Dany when I entered the bridge "I always imagined that the Usurper's attack dog would be a cruel man".
No doubt her older brother had filled her young head with the idea that the Eddard Stark was some bloodthirsty barbarian who foamed at the mouth at the prospect of spilling Targaryen blood.
"If you get to know him you'll find out that he's really just a family man who prefers to stay at home," I said to her "The Starks are fairly decent people by the standards of this world. And as I've mentioned before it was your father who started the rebellion".
Given that it might seem odd that I'd just given Lord Stark the means by which I could enslave his eldest daughter. Only given what happens to her in the show she might be better off if I sold her and I could always just leave her where is with orders to get on with her life. I just wanted whatever points she was worth. Alone she was near worthless. but points added up.
"Robert didn't even want to be king, he just had the best claim since he's your cousin," I told her.
She didn't care about that.
"He also laughed over the bodies of my nephew and niece, stepping over their corpses so that he could take my family's throne" she stated.
To be fair if someone had done that to my nephews and nieces I'd be pissed. Plus Robert has ruined this country through poor management and due to him overindulging in his vices.
At least she didn't want the damn pointy chair for herself. No, she was picturing her firstborn son sitting on it.
"I'm sure we'll get the chance to kill or ruin plenty of Lannisters," I assured my wife "Given the chance, I'll kill Clegane and Lorch for you or just send Widow after them".
We'd discussed this more than once so I decided to change the subject.
"For now we need to prepare for some important visitors and try to bind as many Starks as we can before the king arrives" I was now saying "We need to control the game if we want to win it".
I would have liked to have gotten a choker on Arya Stark, who from what little I'd seen of her, was older in this timeline due to the Universal Calibration Perk, but Sansa Stark was far more likely to accept a pretty gift from a stranger. Besides, there was no rush, I would get quite a few new waifu during my time in Westeros.
"Lord Stark will allow us to visit Wintertown" I mentioned "That place will have a market you girls can visit, and hopefully someone who can do some currency exchange".
I would need to make contact with Winterfell's Maester before things got too busy and find out if he had any rare books to sell. I might just trade him a design for a primitive printing press in return. I could certainly get him access to plenty of paper.
Another thing to think about was getting control of Catelyn Stark, not because I wanted to fuck her or sell her, but because she does some really stupid shit in the show and books such as seizing Tyrion Lannister, something that starts a war. Best to make sure she stays at home and leaves the game to those of us who can cheat.
"I was hoping to see Winterfell up close," I told Dany "Maybe even get some training in with the sword".
Faith's fighting abilities were part of being the Slayer and therefore not really something she could pass on to me via the Martial Talent perk. Cameron and Black Widow were good with other weapons, and they were teaching me about them, but I would need to quickly master the sword if I was going to fit in at all with this warrior dominated society.
Thankfully I would learn fast and might be able to convince some knight to train me in exchange for some gold or goods.
So much to do. At least I wouldn't get bored.
GOT - Part 22
Winter Town. The North.
While I'd not yet been able to enter Winterfell itself, my companions and I had been made welcome here in Winter Tower, which was right next to the Stark's seat of power. The town was cleaner than I'd expected, most likely due to the coming royal visit, and more heavily populated than normal, again due to the visit by the king.
By gathering information from different sources, including a few of the merchants I was doing business with, I learned that during spring and summer, both of which could last years, four-fifths of the winter town's homes are empty. During autumn and winter, which also lasted a very long time, the town becomes home to people from all throughout the region, including farmers, villagers, and even clansmen from the northern mountains who normally kept to themselves.
When full, Winter Town might have a population of around fifteen thousand. Right now it had about a third of that due to the coming royal visit, and when the royals arrived their entire party wouldn't fit in Winterfell and so some of them would have to be housed within the town.
I'd heard some of the townsfolk claim that the hot springs of Winterfell are warmed by a dragon that sleeps below the castle. Silly gossip, of course, the founder of House Stark had just been clever enough to tap into something natural. Yet I'd paid a little to hear such stories if only because spreading coin around make people more accepting of my presence here.
When seeking out someone to help with my Winterfell Whisky idea I'd naturally sought the man who ran the local brewery, he was so important that he even had his own little office that we could use for our meeting.
This made sense as the brewing of ale was big business in a medieval setting and despite its alcohol content, it was often a lot safer to drink ale than the water since people this primitive don't know about germs.
I had tried to explain to Maester Luwin about them, but it's hard to convince people that something they can't see actually exists. I'd have to pick up a microscope sometime soon and show him. Although the Maesters do seem to understand a little about basic hygiene and medicine as they use boiled wine to treat injuries in some way and milk of the poppy as a painkiller.
What mattered to me at this time was having the Northerners be willing to start producing whiskey because if it becomes profitable, then it would be a regular source of income for me as well as another way to spread my influence.
"The still for making whisky is usually made of copper" I explained to a few of the men who ran alcohol production around here "I can provide you with copper, but I need people to build the actual still".
I'd managed to get a simple diagram from the BTVS world as they did have the Internet in that world and printers.
"This is the simplest kind of still my people use for distillation, it is commonly known as a pot still" I explained, "It's consists of a single heated chamber and a vessel to collect the purified alcohol. Which you can use to clean wounds as alcohol kills germs".
I did my best to explain how the alcohol vapours rise up into the head of the still and how they are then drawn off into an arm and then to a coil. The coil is submerged in cool water, which condenses the alcohol back into liquid. The liquid alcohol runs out of the coil and into a collection vessel.
Maester Luwin had been invited to attend this meeting and to offer his expertise. He'd come to see the airship he started asking a lot of questions. Some of which I could actually answer.
"Yes, you mentioned that boiling water kills these germs," Luwin said "We Maesters have discovered that boiling the water given to the sick seems to help in their recovery".
If I could pass on a few tips and save some lives it would be a good thing.
"You can use vodka and whiskey to clean wounds," I told the Maester "If everyone, nobles and smallfolk, make sure to boil their water and dispose of waste properly, you'll find that disease becomes less common".
Even if these ideas never passed outside of Winter Town it would still make a difference.
"Whisky is often aged in barrels for years so as to make a smoother drink so it won't make you any profit for years, but you can sell different quality whiskies, sell the oldest barrels to the most wealthy and sell the cheaper stuff that isn't as well age to less powerful nobles" I was now saying "And there are other spirits I can teach you how to make that don't need to be aged. There's a drink called Vodka that is made from grain that is mixed with water and then heated. Yeast is then added to the pulp, this begins fermentation, the process that turns sugars into alcohol".
I was working on creating detailed instructions that could be written down on some parchment, but they would be English so I'd have to wait for Cameron to return and copy them for the Maester as I didn't have any quick way of learning to read and write the common tongue of Westeros.
"Making vodka from potatoes isn't too much work I'm just not familiar with the exact process" I admitted "But I do have that information somewhere on my airship".
The locals looked over the designs.
"We can make this still of yours" stated one of the brewers "If you can supply us with the copper and we'll need some coin for the crops".
That was easy since copper wasn't too hard to come by in an industrial society. Getting my hands on an entire still was possible I'd just rather the people here learn to build there as they'd been in a rut when it comes to technology for a long time. Adding some new knowledge could give the country a kick in the pants.
As for the money required to bring in the crops that would need to be fermented, this was no problem for me since I was selling stuff at quite the profit, but real wealth came from making long term investments. I was immortal and would live long enough to see how my efforts paid off in this world as well as others.
I didn't even care much if it wasn't ever very profitable as I had plenty of other ways of making money and my trading business was going very well.
"This knowledge will spread" stated Maester Luwin "And others will start to make their own stills and the ingredients are cheaper to purchase in the southern kingdoms. I'm surprised you're offering this to The North and not to The Reach".
I might still do that.
"There are varieties of whisky and vodka" I explained "And I know about a drink called gin that involves fermenting berries".
Or the Internet did at least. I'd read fanfics that involved people introducing spirits to Westeros despite the fact that few people have the knowledge to recreate the strong drinks from just memory. Sure I knew some bits and pieces, but I could have done even this much without access to modern sources of knowledge.
"I could sell some of those varieties to other kingdoms while letting Wintertown produce its own," I said "But you have to remember that good whisky needs to be aged. Since The North will have this knowledge first, so you'll have a head start. I'm also willing to invest my own money into this project. I even have samples of these spirits that can be served during the royal visit so as to gain interest".
There'd be a lot of fine details to work out and I'd need some sort of contract to be drawn up. I was in no rush and I had lots to keep myself busy with while I waited for people who mattered to become ensnared by my bindings.
GOT - Part 23
Winter Town. The North.
I hadn't even captured Sansa Stark yet as while she'd gotten her piece of Tempest Jewellery it took time to take its full effect upon someone. Not that it really mattered as I'd heard the king's estimated time of arrival had again been pushed back.
Since we would be staying here for a while I'd rented out a warehouse so that I had space to store some goods and a place that I could meet people in as I tried to advance this kingdom. As promised there were plenty of men willing to do honest work for good pay so I was able to employ locals to move goods for me.
Despite only having been for two days I'd already gotten into business relationships with a few merchants and while most of the people around here were rather busy I was able to hire workers to set up stills for the production of whiskey and vodka. These enterprises would be run by locals with me getting a small share of the future profits.
Setting up these new businesses had involved me talking to those running the local inn and taverns as they needed to be assured that I was going to the ale business and that they would get discounts on the new drinks. The spirits would need to be regulated to limit who could buy them and how much could be sold or Winter Town would end up with drunks everywhere
Upon my second evening visiting Winter Town, I found myself sharing a few drinks with Lord Stark's bastard, the young man called Jon Snow, who I felt somewhat sure had been sent to meet me by his father if only to keep an eye on me as even if that might not be a very honourable thing to do it was smart.
The local lord was simply too busy to devote time to watching me and wouldn't entrust such a task to just anyone. Robb was the heir and so he might also be occupied by other matters.
Jon and I started getting along fairly quickly as while the Bastard of Winterfell was not the most sociable of people I was very interesting to the locals and since I was still something of an introvert I knew what they were like. This made it easier for him to talk to me.
Jon had quickly accepted a piece of Tempest Jewellery from me that came in the form of a bracelet. In a matter of days, he'd be one of my familiars and it would be good to be able to keep tabs on the lad given how he played a rather important role in events that would shape the future of Westeros.
Currently, the local lad was telling me all about how he planned to join the Night's Watch as we drank some fairly decent ale. I didn't trust the water here, even with my perks, but I'd decided to risk it with the booze. I didn't think I could get drunk due to my Body Defence, but I was willing to try getting a little tipsy.
While chatting with Jon I'd gotten the sense that he didn't get to talk to many people. Bastard or not he was still the son of the Lord-Paramount so he had to be careful about who spoke to, in case he gave something important, at least when there were so many visitors around.
As for him spying on me, it wasn't as if I was trying to hide the fact that was here to make money and maybe make some improvements. Lord Stark was free to summon me to his solar (what they called a study or office here) if he so wished. The fact that he knew this was most likely he'd sent Jon just to get to know me rather than have guards follow me around.
"Once my father gives me permission to leave Winterfell I'll be off to The Wall to join the Night's Watch," Jon told me as we drank some decent ale "There's no place for me here".
Since I knew that he needed to leave Winterfell and find his own way in this world, a place that didn't involve Catelyn Stark glaring at him, I shouldn't try to discourage the lad from leaving, yet The Wall wasn't his only option. Something I pointed out.
"And what do you suggest?" Jon said a little heatedly. "You think I haven't thought about it? I'm a bastard".
He spat the word bastard like it was a curse rather than just a way to describe born out of wedlock I found this to be really stupid since any sin involved in the creation of bastard children was the fault of the parents for sleeping with someone outside of marriage.
There were valid reasons as to why I'd spent good points on perks that allowed me to control if a woman I'd fucked got pregnant or not.
"Who would take me in, if not the black brothers of the Night's Watch?" he asked.
This was something I'd given some thought to.
"I'll hire you if you want some work" I offered. "I don't care if you're a bastard, it doesn't matter to me that your mother and father weren't married when you were born. I have a bastard brother of my own and I like him a lot more than the brother who was born within marriage".
Although given what had happened to me I had to wonder if they even counted as my family anymore. We hadn't exactly been close when I'd been living in the same country as them and now we lived in separate universes.
"I could do with someone who can teach me to hold a sword, and how to use a bow" I was now saying "My combat training has been rather different than yours and I will need to fight like your people to if I'm going to win any respect".
Bindings don't just start working after 72 hours it's more subtle than that so the bracelet I'd given to Jon Snow would already be having an effect. I could tell that internally he was debating my offer.
I didn't intend to do any gender-bending with Jon, and I was sure that there were options for that sort of thing given who I worked for. He would serve my group better as a familiar and local guide as even with my knowledge of the books as well as the show there would be things about the Seven Kingdoms he would know that I didn't.
"I'll be heading to The Wall after I see the king" I then told Jon "I've heard that it's an amazing structure. I plan to go see it up close".
The Nightwatch had nothing I wanted, but aside from seeing the Wall in person, I was considering introducing Dany to Maester Aemon and letting him know that he still had family out there as I felt sure that he wouldn't tell anyone.
I was tempted to go north of the Wall to find the Three-Eyed Raven as the Geenseer had information that I desired.
Despite the dangers, I was even considering going to King's Landing for the Hand's Tourney before going to The Citadel so that I could trade knowledge with the Maesters there. I'd be careful around those old men in robes, but it was tempting to forge even a small chain as you don't need to commit their order just to study and pass exams.
"You can come with me; see what these black brothers are like before making your decision" I offered. "And until then I'll hire you to teach me how to use the sword, and how to fire a bow. If that works out we can travel together for a while. I'm planning to go see more of the Seven Kingdoms so if we get along then let me take you as a sworn shield who can help keep my people safe".
Becoming someone's sworn shield isn't like becoming a hired thug, it's much more honourable than even being someone's bodyguard in my world, as it requires an oath and is a long-term commitment. Sandor Clegnane might say otherwise, but Jon Snow would take such an oath only if he was serious about it.
"You can earn yourself some good coin and gain some experience in the world before going to The Wall if that is what you want," I said "We can part ways later. The Wall has been there for centuries and it won't collapse anytime soon".
Jon did some more thinking and I left him to it for a time before speaking to him.
"You should talk to your father first, get his approval" I suggested.
The Bastard of Winterfell would give my offer some thought. I could tell that he was tempted to just say yes so that he could get out into the world.
"All right," Jon said, still a little reluctantly. "I'll talk to my father about your offer".
The bracelet would ensure that he would choose to follow me, but it wouldn't hurt if this was something he wanted, the binding process was possible to resist and he'd have an easier time adapting to a new life if he felt that he'd chosen it.
Plus like myself, and the wife, he was a dragonlord even if he didn't look like one. If I could find more dragon eggs then I could show him to hatch one of them and have another dragon on my side.
I'd have to be careful not to leave him alone with Dany as her family are into incest. Jon was too honourable to mess around with another man's wife, but Dany had ways of convincing people to do what she wanted and she was a Targaryen. I best make it very clear to her that she wasn't to try carrying on her family traditions with the lad.
I should get Jon a woman of his own. Maybe I could find Ygritte or some other strong-willed woman. Something to think about.
GOT - Part 24
Winterfell. The North.
Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen hadn't been blessed with the most stable of childhoods due to having been moved around by her brother from one Free City to the other as they fled the Usurper's hired knives as Viserys had called them.
Dany hadn't actually seen any of the killers that her brother had feared, and that was a good thing since if she had she'd have died. More recently she'd begun to wonder if they actually ever existed. If anyone in Westeros even cared enough about the last Targaryen to have the two of them killed or to somehow use the exiled royals against their rivals.
If they were those in the Seven Kingdoms who would rally behind them and overthrow the Usurper then those lords would have seen to the safety of the last Targaryens. There would have been disguises, false names and loyal men to watch over the both of them as they moved around Essos. She and Viserys would have been prepared for their return.
This didn't mean that the Usurper couldn't still be a danger. Her husband had been wise enough to hide her Valyrian features and to forbid her to use her real name as the false king Robert would see Daenerys as a threat, more so than ever if he found out she was married to someone with Gothic's power, and his temper was fierce. He would have ordered her death regardless of whether Dany had guest rights or not.
Hiding her become all the more important now that she had a child growing inside her. She would hopefully have a son, that she would see sitting on her father's throne one day as she advised him. It made sense to Dany to raise a boy for the role, and to bond him one of her husband's unhatched dragons. The Seven Kingdoms would see such a prince as Aegon The Conqueror come again.
That was many years away, but she had been assured that growing old would not be an issue for her once she'd seen 25 years. That might cause problems for her grandchildren as baring murder or a horrible accident all of Gothic's decedents would share his immortality, meaning that if all went well then it could be a good long while before any of Dany's grandchildren inherited the Iron Throne.
The hidden princess pushed those thoughts aside as they were issues for later, and instead, she focused on the conversation going on around her. She'd been invited to join Lady Sansa's sowing circle by the Stark girl, an honour not normally given to the wives of visiting merchants, and it was clear to Dany that Sansa Stark was now one of her husband's harem even if the Stark girl didn't understand yet what had happened to her.
Dany needed to befriend Sansa and explain what was happening to her and what her new master wanted her to do. Which wouldn't be much as she knew that her husband found the Stark girl to be annoying, and wouldn't be travelling around with her, and Dany couldn't blame him for disliking the girl given the way she nattered on endlessly about things that didn't matter to anyone other than herself.
That was why he'd wisely made the young lady a familiar rather a proper companion so the Stark girl wouldn't develop any romantic attachments to her new master. Not that this had stopped Dawn, her husband's ward, from acting as she was Gothic's absolute favourite.
On the subject of Dawn, she played the role of spoiled merchant's daughter rather well. She'd spent time talking of the cities they'd visited and the wonders of their homeland, a place called America. Which she seemed to forget Gothic actually wasn't from. It was just a shame she'd never learned to stitch like a proper lady.
"I'm sorry to say that Dawn lacks a lady's upbringing" Dany commented when the Septa inspected their needlework "Before my husband took her in for her protection she didn't have any proper role models".
Granted Dawn hadn't actually grown up with Faith, but she could remember it and she'd inherited her sort of mother's disrespectful attitude and desire for fun.
"I can speak for myself," Dawn said.
Dany gave her a look that reminded her husband's ward that she needed to behave or it would ruin Gothic's plans.
"Sorry, I just need to practice," said the human form of The Key.
The Septa wasn't foolish enough to insult, even with constructive criticisms, such important guests, and instead began instructing Dawn on the basics of this important womanly art, which Dany herself had somewhat mastered despite her own rather rough upbringing and the lack of regular tutors.
"Lady Sansa, you mentioned that you've been engaged to Prince Joffrey for a few years," said Dany "But you've never actually met, have you?".
Since she was a familiar rather than a proper companion the binding hadn't altered the Stark girl's romantic interests. Oddly Dawn had no interest in any man other than her foster father, perhaps because Faith had been bound as a companion when she'd helped create the girl.
What mattered with Sansa was unless she was ordered to act her own family or to make a move that threatened her beloved Joffery then Gothic would have the future queen under his control. Plus a few extra points never went a miss.
"No, we were promised to each other by our fathers when they last met" Sansa answered "Father loves the North too much to be gone for long so he didn't stay in Kings Landing much past the meeting the King called for about four years ago".
Dany knew that some things would be different than in the book she was learning to read that was written by some Maester called Martin that documented events yet to happen. Sansa should be younger and not engaged before the king arrived. However, a Perk purchased by Gothic had altered certain things. Including Dany's own age.
Overall events were on track. Sansa would meet Prince Joffrey soon, the Usurper's heir who was not his son, and Sansa would trick herself into thinking she really loved him. What a foolish girl. Joffery was no real prince, he wasn't even a noble, he was an insane bastard boy who had been spoiled by his bitch of a mother.
Not long ago Dany would have thought that the daughter of the Usurper's mad dog would deserve to have horrible things happen to her since her family were all traitors. But she understood better now. Her father had been needlessly cruel and her eldest brother had started the war. Besides, the Starks had lost enough during the rebellion.
"We've sent letters to each other" Sansa was now saying "But it's not the same as getting to met him".
It was good that Gothic would be able to give the Stark girl sanctuary if she needed it. She was annoying, but she could be useful and didn't deserve what could happen to her.
"I'm sure you felt the same way when you met your future husband," said Sansa.
She'd give the girl credit for not asking about Gothic too directly. She'd actually been a little sly about it, yet Dany could tell that Sansa was too eager to talk about him that she should be. There was a gleam in her eyes.
"Perhaps we could have tea and talk about marriage later" suggested the disguised waifu.
Then they could discuss Gothic and his plans for her.
Part 25
Winterfell. The North.
"So this is a blast furnace?" asked Maester Luwin.
I standing in the Solar with Luwin and Lord Stark, who'd found some time to look into what I was getting up to, and currently, we were going over a design for a crude blast furnace that I believed that the northerners could build if I supplied knowledge along with some funding.
"They are used for smelting on a larger scale than you're used to" I explained to the two natives of this world "I've read about even the more basic blast furnaces producing hundreds of tonnes of iron every year".
I show them both the picture of the completed forge which would be built of thick stone and brick so as to create a tower with a narrow chute at the top for dropping in the fuel, ore, and limestone. Another piece of paper showed a cut out of the chute, that started narrow at the top, slowly widened as it dropped lower, then suddenly narrowed again right above where the pipes from the bellows merged in to feed the combustion process with air. A door sat at the bottom of the edifice for the removal of the iron and slag once the whole process was over.
"A water wheel would help with running the bellows," I said, "And while that wouldn't be much help come winter you could always build one next spring. I have a design for what should be a better water wheel as well".
There was more on offer.
"Another thing I can teach you is something called the Bessemer Process," I told the natives of this world "It allows you to produce steel from pig iron faster and more cheaply than you currently do".
Luwin was studying the designs closely while taking notes as I did my best to explain how they could start producing cheaper and more plentiful steel.
"Even if this works it is a risky investment" commented Lord Stark.
Nothing worth doing is easy.
"If you don't seize this chance to make House Stark a great producer of steel then I can go elsewhere," I told the ruler of Winterfell "The Iron Islands have a lot of iron, but not much in the way of trees for the making of charcoal. You have the Wolfswood and if managed carefully it can provide you with all the charcoal you'll ever need. You're on the Kingsroad which makes trade easier than going to the islands".
I'd rather not deal with House Greyjoy even if doing so did give me a chance to bind Yara Greyjoy who I'd rather liked as a character and I'd always liked Gemma Whelan when she was on Upstart Crow.
The Iron Born were far more likely to try taking The Pathfinder for themselves than to trade with me honestly. I simply didn't have the resources to pacify the islands even if I could lay waste to them.
"The Westerlands could have a lot of iron in their mountains and certainly enough money to fund my projects," I said.
I'd mentioned those two groups on purpose as both of them were not friendly with the Starks.
"That wouldn't be wise" stated Lord Stark "The Ironborn do not trade and the Lannisters care only for the gold in their mines".
I'd figured that he would say something along those lines.
"The cost of importing that much iron ore will be high, but the profits from the steel will be higher and I can pay for the creation of the furnace" I was now saying "What I need from Winterfell are labourers and for you to order the raw materials since they'll get here sooner if a Lord-Paramount sends out for them".
My monthly salary from The Company was much higher than expected due to me getting bonuses for so many captures and the salary as it turned out could be converted into local money. Since workers around here are willing to do hard labour for low wages I could afford to pay them without making use of my treasure stash. It was good that Winter Town was more full of people than normal.
"We might want to wait until the still for the vodka is up and running" suggested Maester Luwin "Assuming that we get the process right we could the first batch ready for the King's visit even if it will be rushed".
Vodka doesn't need to be aged like whisky to make it drinkable.
"Then if all goes well we can begin work on this furnace. I can see this furnace taking months to finish, however, if we wait until the King is gone no one will know about the furnace until it is already producing steel".
Preventing the knowledge from spreading would be impossible, but by the time it did spread those others who managed to build their own without my aid would only be able to start smelting with the Starks would have enough steel to arm and amour a lot of men assuming they simply didn't sell it all.
"Might I suggest using a windmill rather than a watermill?" offered Luwin "That way production won't stop completely if the river freezes".
Why didn't I think of that?
"We shall see how well this vodka of yours works out" he decided "I'm willing to take a gamble with the whisky because I know that many lords would like such a drink and we can store barrels underground over the winter, to let it age before selling it without too much cost since mostly we just have to make sure that no one steals it".
Maester Luwin agreed with his boss.
"I understand that you can afford such investments" Lord Stark was now saying "But can you be sure that Winterfell will keep selling once the knowledge of how to make it is spread all over the Seven Kingdoms?".
A good question
"Back home there's a country called Scotland," I told the local lord "They weren't the first to start making whiskey, but that country has a reputation for producing the best whiskey, so even after 200 years people will still say that their's is the best. I intend to promote Winterfell whisky across the Seven Kingdoms to ensure interest and everyone else's will always be inferior to your whisky".
I had to more say.
"Besides, you'll know to let it age for a few years before selling it while others will try to rush it and make nothing more than moonshine" I added, "Also, as I told Maester Luwin there are varieties of whisky I can teach you how to make so as to keep you ahead of any competition. There are better stills you can build and there are ways to flavour whisky".
"Moonshine?" Luwin asked.
Hopefully, I wouldn't regret mentioning that.
"It's what some people call poorly made unaged whiskey" I explained "With the right knowledge and equipment you could make it at home, but I thought it best not to let people know as would undercut the Winterfell whisky and allow people to get drunk more often. Which leads to a lot of other problems".
Stark mulled over my words.
"I know that you'll get a share of all the profits made," he said, "But this seems rather risky for you as well. We'll lose good crops if you sell this knowledge to other houses and they drive us out of business, and some houses might not pay what you are due".
The profits would be nice, but making money wasn't really the point. This was all about introducing new ideas.
"I trust House Stark to honour its deals" I replied.
As for the other noble houses? Well, I had laser cannons.Last edited: Mar 10, 2022 Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:dronmk2, rickardlindrothyahoo, Daimon Agafo and 152 othersGothicjedi666Mar 10, 2022Reader modeAdd bookmark Threadmarks MastersgtWell worn.Mar 10, 2022Add bookmark#375Gothicjedi666 said:Spoiler
I Owe My Soul To The Company Store (Waifu Catalogue)
Part 24
Winterfell. The North.
Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen hadn't been blessed with the most stable of childhoods due to having been moved around by her brother from one Free City to the other as they fled the Usurper's hired knives as Viserys had called them.
Dany hadn't actually seen any of the killers that her brother had feared, and that was a good thing since if she had she'd have died. More recently she'd begun to wonder if they actually ever existed. If anyone in Westeros even cared enough about the last Targaryen to have the two of them killed or to somehow use the exiled royals against their rivals.
If they were those in the Seven Kingdoms who would rally behind them and overthrow the Usurper then those lords would have seen to the safety of the last Targaryens. There would have been disguises, false names and loyal men to watch over the both of them as they moved around Essos. She and Viserys would have been prepared for their return.
This didn't mean that the Usurper couldn't still be a danger. Her husband had been wise enough to hide her Valyrian features and to forbid her to use her real name as the false king Robert would see Daenerys as a threat, more so than ever if he found out she was married to someone with Gothic's power, and his temper was fierce. He would have ordered her death regardless of whether Dany had guest rights or not.
Hiding her become all the important now that she had a child growing inside her. She would hopefully have a son, that she would see sitting on her father's throne one day as she advised him. It made sense to Dany to raise a boy for the role, and to bond him one of her husband's unhatched dragons. The Seven Kingdoms would see such a prince as Aegon The Conqueror come again.
That was many years away, but she had been assured that ageing would not be an issue for her once she'd seen 25 years. That might cause problems for her grandchildren as baring murder or a horrible accident all of Gothic's decedents would share his immortality, meaning that if all went well then it could be a good long while before any of Dany's grandchildren inherited the Iron Throne.
The hidden princess pushed those thoughts aside as they were issues for later, and instead, she focused on the conversation going on around her. She'd been invited to join Lady Sansa's sowing circle by the Stark girl, an honour not normally given to the wives of visiting merchants, and it was clear to Dany that Sansa Stark was now one of her husband's harem even if the Stark girl didn't understand yet what had happened to her.
Dany needed to befriend Sansa and explain what was happening to her and what her new master wanted her to do. Which wouldn't be much as she knew that her husband found the Stark girl to be annoying, and wouldn't be travelling around with her, and Dany couldn't blame him for disliking the girl given the way she nattered on endlessly about things that didn't matter to anyone other than herself.
That was why he'd wisely made the young lady a familiar rather a proper companion so the Stark girl wouldn't develop any romantic attachments to her new master. Not that this had stopped Dawn, her husband's ward, from acting as she was Gothic's absolute favourite.
On the subject of Dawn, she played the role of spoiled merchant's daughter rather well. She'd spent time talking of the cities they'd visited and the wonders of their homeland, a place called America. Which she seemed to forget Gothic actually wasn't from. It was just a shame she'd never learned to sow like a proper lady.
"I'm sorry to say that Dawn lacks a lady's upbringing" Dany commented when the Septa inspected their neddlework "Before my husband took her in for her protection she didn't have any proper role models".
Granted Dawn hadn't actually grown up with Faith, but she could remember it and she'd inherited her sort of mother's disrespectful attitude and desire for fun.
"I can speak for myself," Dawn said.
Dany gave her a look that reminded her husband's ward that she needed to behave or it would ruin Gothic's plans.
"Sorry, I just need to practice," said the human form of The Key.
The Septa wasn't foolish enough to insult, even with constructive criticisms, such important guests, and instead began instructing Dawn on the basics of this important womanly art, which Dany herself had somewhat mastered despite her own rather rough upbringing and the lack of regular tutors.
"Lady Sansa, you mentioned that you've been engaged to Prince Joffery for a few years," said Dany "But you've never actually met, have you?".
Since she was a familiar rather than a proper companion the binding hadn't altered the Stark girl's romantic interests. Oddly Dawn had no interest in any man other than her foster father, perhaps because Faith had been bound as a companion when she'd helped create the girl.
What mattered with Sansa was unless she was ordered to act her own family or to make a move that threatened her beloved Joffery then Gothic would have the future queen under his control. Plus a few extra points never went a miss.
"No, we were promised to each other by our fathers when they last met" Sansa answered "Father loves the North too much to be gone for long so he didn't stay in Kings Landing much past the meeting the King called for about four years ago".
Dany knew that some things would be different than in the book she was learning to read that was written by some Maester called Martin that documented events yet to happen. Sansa should be younger and not engaged before the king arrived. However, a Perk purchased by Gothic had altered certain things. Including Dany's own age.
Overall events were on track. Sansa would meet Prince Joffery soon, the Usurper's heir who was not his son, and Sansa would trick herself into thinking she really loved him. What a foolish girl. Joffery was no real prince, he wasn't even a noble, he was an insane bastard boy who had been spoiled by his bitch of a mother.
Not long ago Dany would have thought that the daughter of the Usurper's mad god would deserve what horrible thing happened to her since her family were all traitors. But she understood better now. Her father had been needlessly cruel and her eldest brother had started the war. Besides, the Starks had lost enough during the rebellion.
"We've sent letters to each other" Sansa was now saying "But it's not the same as getting to met him".
It was good that Gothic would be able to give the Stark girl sanctuary if she needed it. She was annoying, but she could be useful and didn't deserve what could happen to her.
"I'm sure you felt the same way when you met your future husband," said Sansa.
She'd give the girl credit for not asking about Gothic too directly. She'd actually been a little sly about it, yet Dany could tell that Sansa was too eager to talk about him that she should be. There was a gleam in her eyes.
"Perhaps we could have tea and talk about marriage later" suggested the disguised waifu.
Then they could discuss Gothic and his plans for her.Click to expand...
Gothicjedi666 said:I Owe My Soul To The Company Store (Waifu Catalogue)
Part 25
Winterfell. The North.
"So this is a blast furnace?" asked Maester Luwin.
I standing in the Solar with Luwin and Lord Stark, who'd found some time to look into what I was getting up to, and currently, we were going over a design for a crude blast furnace that I believed that the northerners could build if I supplied knowledge along with some funding.
"They are used for smelting on a larger scale than you're used to" I explained to the two natives of this world "I've read about even the more basic blast furnaces producing hundreds of tonnes of iron every year".
I show them both the picture of the completed forge which would be built of thick stone and brick so as to create a tower with a narrow chute at the top for dropping in the fuel, ore, and limestone. Another piece of paper showed a cut out of the chute, that started narrow at the top, slowly widened as it dropped lower, then suddenly narrowed again right above where the pipes from the bellows merged in to feed the combustion process with air. A door sat at the bottom of the edifice for the removal of the iron and slag once the whole process was over.
"A water wheel would help with running the bellows," I said, "And while that wouldn't be much help come winter you could always build one next spring. I have a design for what should be a better water wheel as well".
There was more on offer.
"Another thing I can teach you is something called the Bessemer Process," I told the natives of this world "It allows you to produce steel from pig iron faster and more cheaply than you currently do".
Luwin was studying the designs closely while taking notes as I did my best to explain how they could start producing cheaper and more plentiful steel.
"Even if this works it is a risky investment" commented Lord Stark.
Nothing worth doing is easy.
"If you don't seize this chance to make House Stark a great producer of steel then I can go elsewhere," I told the ruler of Winterfell "The Iron Islands have a lot of iron, but not much in the way of trees for the making of charcoal. You have the Wolfswood and if managed carefully it can provide you with all the charcoal you'll ever need. You're on the Kingsroad which makes trade easier than going to the islands".
I'd rather not deal with House Greyjoy even if doing so did give me a chance to bind Yara Greyjoy who I'd rather liked as a character and I'd always liked Gemma Whelan when she was on Upstart Crow.
The Iron Born were far more likely to try taking The Pathfinder for themselves than to trade with me honestly. I simply didn't have the resources to pacify the islands even if I could lay waste to them.
"The Westerlands could have a lot of iron in their mountains and certainly enough money to fund my projects," I said.
I'd mentioned those two groups on purpose as both of them were not friendly with the Starks.
"That wouldn't be wise" stated Lord Stark "The Ironborn do not trade and the Lannisters care only for the gold in their mines".
I'd figured that he would say something along those lines.
"The cost of importing that much iron ore will be high, but the profits from the steel will be higher and I can pay for the creation of the furnace" I was now saying "What I need from Winterfell us labourers and for you to order the raw materials since they'll get sooner if a Lord-Paramount sends out for them".
My monthly salary from The Company was much higher than expected due to me getting bonuses for so many captures and the salary as it turned out could be converted into local money. Since workers around here are willing to do hard labour for low wages I could afford to pay them without making use of my treasure stash. It was good that Winter Town was more full of people than normal.
"We might want to wait until the still for the vodka is up and running" suggested Maester Luwin "Assuming that we get the process right we could the first batch ready for the King's visit even if it will be rushed".
Vodka doesn't need to be aged like whisky to make it drinkable.
"Then if all goes well we can begin work on this furnace. I can see this furnace taking months to finish, however, if we wait until the King is gone no one will know about the furnace until it is already producing steel".
Preventing the knowledge from spreading would be impossible, but by the time it did spread those others who managed to build their own without my aid would only be able to start smelting with the Starks would have enough steel to arm and amour a lot of men assuming they simply didn't sell it all.
"Might I suggest using a windmill rather than a watermill?" offered Luwin "That way production won't stop completely if the river freezes".
Why didn't I think of that?
"We shall see how well this vodka of yours works out" he decided "I'm willing to take a gamble with the whisky because I know that many lords would like such a drink and we can store barrels underground over the winter, to let it age before selling it without too much cost since mostly we just have to make sure that no one steals it".
Maester Luwin agreed with his boss.
"I understand that you can afford such investments" Lord Stark was now saying "But can you be sure that Winterfell will keep selling once the knowledge of how to make it is spread all over the Seven Kingdoms?".
A good question
"A back home there's a country called Scotland," I told the local lord "They weren't the first to start making whiskey, but there's has a reputation for being the best so even after 200 years people will still say that there's is the best. I intend to promote Winterfell whisky across the Seven Kingdoms to ensure interest and everyone else's will always be inferior to your whisky".
I had to more say.
"Besides, you'll know to let it age for a few years before selling it while others will try to rush it and make nothing more than moonshine" I added, "Also, as I told Maester Luwin there are varieties of whisky I can teach you how to make so as to keep you ahead of any competition. There are better stills you can build and there are ways to flavour whisky".
"Moonshine?" Luwin asked.
Hopefully, I wouldn't regret mentioning that.
"It's what some people call poorly made unaged whiskey" I explained "With the right knowledge and equipment you could make it at home, but I thought it best not to let people know as would undercut the Winterfell whisky and allow people to get drunk more often. Which leads to a lot of other problems".
Stark mulled over my words.
"I know that you'll get a share of all the profits made," he said, "But this seems rather risky for you as well. We'll lose good crops if you sell this knowledge to other houses and they drive us out of business, and some houses might not pay what you are due".
The profits would be nice, but making money wasn't really the point. This was all about introducing new ideas.
"I trust House Stark to honour its deals" I replied.
As for the other noble houses? Well, I had laser cannons.Click to expand...
I have marked each word, name, sentence, or section that either reads as off or is misspelled.Last edited: Mar 10, 2022 Like Quote ReplyReport Reactions:Kaiserfrost, Ayashi, Par Tzu and 2 othersGothicjedi666Lover and writer of SI fics.Mar 10, 2022Add bookmark#376Mastersgt said:I have marked each word, name, sentence, or section that either reads as off or is misspelled.
Why did you keep highlighting whisky in the last chapter?