Chapter 13
The Red Keep, Late 281 A.C., five days later (four days before the wedding)…
"The exterior structure of the Queenscrown tower is still sound. There are a few missing stones on the merlons that need to be replaced, the tower needs new coating of mortar and the merlons need a new coating of gold paint." Yorren, wandering crow of the Night's Watch, explained to table with Lord Stark, Ser Wylis Manderly, Lord Karstark, Lord Umber, myself and to my surprise, Lady Lyanna with baby Brandon. Yorren was attending this meeting on the rebuilding of Queenscrown due to having been to the tower twice as it was a common stop for wandering crows and new recruits on their way to and from the Wall.
I noted that cost wise, the exterior wasn't going to be bad, but I had to know about the interior.
"And the interior?" I asked and Yorren looked at me and responded.
"The interior needs a lot of work. After being abandoned for nearly a century, much of the wood has rotted on furniture and parts of the floors. Practically all the iron for the grates, door locks, and whatnot have rusted and need to be replaced…" Yorren responded with a laundry list of things the interior would need renovated or replaced. It was definitely more expensive than the exterior, but I was fine with that because working with stone is much more expensive than wood. The table listened patiently to the wandering crow, absorbing every detail and when he finished, Lady Lyanna spoke.
"Yorren, how large is the island the tower stands on?" she asks and my eyes are drawn to baby Brandon. Small flashes of his book and show forms flicker across my mind and I briefly contemplate his change destiny from a brother of the Night's Watch to a minor lord.
"The holdfast and stone steps take up most of the island, with the rest taken up by rocks and oak trees. Not much room for an expansion if any." Yorren answered the lady's question. She opened her mouth to ask another question before Lord Stark threw her a look and cut in.
"Thank you Yorren for your insights on the tower and village. You are dismissed." He said with a nod and the wandering crow left the room. Lord Stark turned to Ser Wylis to his right.
"Ser Wylis, your thoughts?" He said and the knight's brow furrowed as he briefly contemplated before speaking. "From what Yorren of the Night's Watch says, the rebuilding of the tower is a simple affair with most of the costs laying with the interior. I estimate that costs should be around five hundred to a thousand gold dragons, though of course, I would have to visit the tower myself to get a more accurate assessment of the damages and costs. I will also assess if any expansion is feasible." Ser Wylis answered as Lord Stark and I nodded, both agreeing with the rough assessment of the costs without any expansion. This was a relief for me because I was afraid the costs were going to be around two thousand gold, but the lack of significant repairs needed for the stone tower and only the interior needing renovation brings down potential costs. However, if an expansion was deemed feasible and accepted, it would raise the costs to be closer to the two thousand gold price tag I was dreading.
Ser Wylis spoke again. "Getting the materials to the island will be a pain but luckily, we don't have to move much stone unless there's an expansion. Moving on to the village, it is mostly dilapidated cottages and houses, an inn and a smithery. When it was settled, it had some two hundred orchard farmers but from what I hear you intend to build a larger village Lord Stark."
"Aye. I intend to settle the two hundred smallfolk each from your house and House Dustin in the village proper and lands around the lake and a wooden palisade will be constructed around the village. The thousand smallfolk from Stark lands will settle in the lands between the tower and Kingsroad. The settlers from the other houses will settle where they please though I suspect they will go to Queenscrown or around the Kingsroad. Lord Umber, Lord Karstark, have you decided where your settlers will go?" Lord Stark asked the two lords sitting across from me.
"Aye. Our settlers will build a village next to the Kingsroad, just north of our border with the new house." Lord Umber answered gruffly.
"The Karstark settlers will construct a village on the Kingsroad due east of the tower." Lord Karstark answered plainly and Lord Stark nodded.
"Sensible locations. One more announcement on the Queenscrown lordship. My sister and I have quietly discussed with his grace to lower to portion of the harvest from half to one-tenth, half of the income from taxes will still go to the Night's Watch." He stated, answering an unasked question in the back of my mind of how viable the lordship would be if they had to fork over half of their food each year.
"Lord Umber and Lord Karstark, I heard you apologized to Lady Myrra yesterday by the training courtyard. Consider that part of your punishment fulfilled." Lord Stark informed them and I fought to keep a smug grin off my face as I heard them grumble. Myrra and I had gotten tired of waiting for an apology so we ambushed them by the training courtyard when I was near them in front of a good three dozen Northern and Southron lords.
"My betrothed just happened to show up to wish me luck on my spars. She noticed the two Northern lords but didn't know who they were so I introduced her to them. They introduced themselves and apologized for their public insults." I said failing to keep the smug grin off my face as the lords in question stared daggers at me for my bullshit. I did technically introduce Myrra to them, but the venomous look she gave them when she first laid eyes on them meant she knew exactly who they were.
"Lot of good that luck she gave you. You lost spars to Lord Edric "Silveraxe" Fell, Tyrek Lannister again, Lord Jorah Mormont, Farlen Umber, my cousin Cregan, and lost a best two out of three bout with the Red Viper!" Karstark sneered and my grin disappeared and I threw him an irritated look.
"You're forgetting the part where I defeat Ser Adam Marbrand again, both my uncles and all three of my cousins, Ser Andar Royce, your other cousin Arthor, and I won one spar against the Red Viper even if I lost the bout." I immediately shot back.
"Lord Seastark." Lady Lyanna cut in this time and interrupted us. "His grace and I heard about your trade deal with Captain Sho and the trade fleet you and Lord Dustin are creating was brought up in a small council meeting." She said, those piercing grey eyes giving me the guarded look she seemed to strangely reserve for Tywin and I.
"Oh? And what did his grace and the small council think of the trade fleet?" I asked, genuinely surprised the king and small council were talking about it.
"I wasn't at the meeting but his grace told me about it. They were intrigued by the idea of sending a trade fleet to the Summer Islands and comparisons to the Sea Snake were brought up. Lord Arryn and Prince Stannis argued for the creation of a royal trade fleet with goods from the Stormlands, Crownlands, and the Vale to be sent to the Summer Islands once the loyalist were dealt with and Lord Royce and Ser Estermont arguing for caution. His grace was swayed by his brother and the Hand and I suggested House Manderly and other Northern houses on the eastern shore could potentially join such a venture if they wish." She said before looking at Lord Umber, Lord Karstark and Ser Wylis, who were surprised at both the King accepting the idea of a trade fleet and that they were being offered to be apart of said trade fleet. The two lords looked at each other before coming to an unspoken agreement.
"Lady Lyanna, we would be honored to contribute to his grace's trade fleet." Lord Umber said with a smile while Karstark nodded and I resisted rolling my eyes. Two days ago, I heard them bemoaning an ancient and proud house like the Dustins being reduced to trade and copper counting due to their alliance with me and now they're trying to get in on a trade fleet.
"I will inform my father about this but I have no doubt he will wish to be apart of his grace's trade fleet." Ser Wylis thanked Lady Lyanna genuinely.
"What did the Master of Coin, Lord Mallister, think of the trade fleets." I asked, noting the one member of the small council not mentioned besides Ser Barristan or Pycelle.
"He was supportive of the Iron Throne building a trade fleet and met with my brother and two Riverlords." She said and looked at her brother, who picked up where she left off.
"Aye. Lord Dustin and I met with Lord Mallister, Lord Blackwood, and Lord Frey and all three wished to invest a trade cog of roughly one thousand gold dragons of goods." To my and the table's shock except Lady Lyanna.
"That is certainly a boon. I take it Lord Dustin told you about my future goodfather wanting to invest a trade cog and a similar amount of gold coins into the trade fleet?" I asked to the surprise of everyone but Lord Stark.
"Indeed, he did. It is just the Lannisport Lannisters, correct?" Lord Stark asked and I knew what he meant.
"Aye. Lord Harrold mentioned Lord Tywin was intrigued by the trade fleet and is willing to let Westerlords invest but is not investing himself. No other lords in the Westerlands have approached me, though if the king announces his own trade fleet that could cause them to start investing." I say the last part absentmindedly and I notice Lady Lyanna subtly tense up in the corner of my eye as I face Lord Stark.
"I will not stop other houses from investing in yours and Lord Dustin's trade fleet but how much is the North investing?" Lord Stark inquired.
"I am investing roughly two cogs and five-and-ten-hundred gold dragons worth of mostly amber and sticky-stone while Lord Dustin is putting in one cog and one thousand gold dragons worth of trade goods like iron, copper, and tin between himself and his bannerman Lord Stout and Lord Brownburrow. The other Northern lords of the western shore, including the Flints of Flint's Finger have matched me with a combined two cogs and five-and-ten-hundred gold coins worth of trade goods." I reported while ignoring the slightly alarmed looks that Lord Umber and Karstark had when I mention one of their allies investing.
"I see the North is investing a good deal into this and so will House Stark. I will invest one thousand gold dragons worth of iron, copper, tin and other goods, and as part of my wedding gift to you Lyanna, half of the profits for House Stark in this venture will be held for Brandon when he reaches maturity." Lord Stark announced to his sister's joy as I look at Brandon and wonder if he's Westeros' first trust fund baby.
"Lord Stark, I'm honored you're investing in Lord Dustin and I's trade fleet. The addition of your investment means I'll have to add another cog for a total of six cogs carrying roughly five thousand gold dragons worth of trade goods." He nodded and I continued.
"The plan for the trade fleet I've made with Lord Dustin is that the trade fleet led by my cousin Wyman will assemble and sail from Wolfsport when I leave for my wedding in Lannisport with the Northern lords who've agreed to attend a year from now. Though now that you mentioned Lord Mallister and the Riverlords' investments, it means we'll stop by Seaguard and pick them up on the way to Lannisport. We get to Lannisport, I get married, and when I leave with my new wife with the Northern guests, the combined trade fleet sets sail for the Summer Islands, stopping for trade and provisions at Oldtown and Sunspear. They will sail to the Stepstones before sailing directly south to the Summer Islands, hopefully reaching Stone Head Island before sailing to the northernmost main island of Walano, stopping at the settlement of Last Lament before sailing to Lotus Port, the main goal, the island of Koj where the Sho clan and their sworn lords, the Princely house of Xaq. From there, the Isle of Birds, the northern coast of Omboru, the middle main island, then north back to Walano to visit Tall Trees Town, the closest settlement to a capital in the Summer Islands as it is a religious center with the Priestesses of the Talking Trees and where the Council of Princes convenes to elect a King of the Summer Islands in the brief times the islands have been united. Then back to Stone Head, the Stepstones, then stopping in Sunspear, Oldtown, Lannisport, and Seaguard for provisions and to sell our new goods for coin before returning home to Wolfsport." I reported long-windedly before taking a breath.
"I see you and Lord Dustin have truly put thought into this and took advice from Captain Sho. That gives me confidence in your venture." Lord Stark said with a nod. "By the way, I believe this is yours." He says and hands over my first wayfinder back but I wave him off.
"Worry not Lord Stark, I made a new, better one for myself. You can keep it or even give it to the future lord." I say with a laugh while tilting my head to baby Brandon, not particularly caring what happens to my first DIY compass if they don't needlessly disrespect it.
"Very well." Lord Stark says hesitantly before turning to the rest of the table. "One more announcement, his grace is looking to rebuild the Goldcloaks under Ser Manly Stoakworth and my sister recommended Lord Umber's younger brother Farlen Umber and Lord Karstark's cousin Cregan Karstark for positions as captains and his grace accepted." He said to Lord Umber and Lord Karstark's astonishment, who looked at each other before thanking Lord Stark and his sister as he dismissed us. I thought about this development as I left. I wasn't worried because while captains in the Goldcloaks did give both houses some prestige, a tiny bit of influence in the capital, and maybe a tiny bit of gold from corruption but nothing that affected or threaten me. I was out the door when I was pulled from my thoughts by a voice.
"Lord Seastark, I heard you found yourself a Southern knight in your service." Ser Wylis walked up next to me and matched my pace.
"Aye. Ser Maynard Hill, bastard cousin of my future goodfather…" I began explaining House Seastark's first sworn knight. We talked as we traversed the halls of the Red Keep and I invited him to meet the knight and my betrothed. He agreed and along the way we bumped into Ser Wylis' younger brother Ser Wendel, who decided to tag along.
Ser Wylis was Lord Stark's age of eight-and-ten while Ser Wendel was my age of six-and-ten. Soon enough, we reached the doors to the Seastark guest quarters. I open the doors and was greeted by my cousin, Myrra, Ser Maynard, and a brown-haired man in his late teens in a simple gray tunic and pants standing next to two paintings, who gave a deep bow with paintbrush in hand.
I greeted them and introduced the Manderly knights to everyone but Wyman, who already met them before.
"Wyman, did you take the silver and gold necklaces to the jeweler?" I inquired and Wyman didn't say anything but reached into a bag to pull out two necklaces, one silver and one gold. I looked closer to see large polished blue amber on both, with the silver having a carving of a direwolf on the back, while the gold had a lion. I nodded in satisfaction.
"No problems with the jeweler in fitting the blue amber in despite never working with amber before." Wyman responded with a smile. "They will make great gifts for the royal brides!"
"Indeed, they will. Especially since it will replace the one Lady Lyanna lost in her…abduction." I say the last part delicately. To say it was a delicate topic in the Red Keep was an understatement. While there are no laws or proclamations against discussing what happened to Lady Lyanna, one didn't want to face the wrath of the King and the North if one talked too negatively about her… loss of maidenhood too loudly. A minor Crownlord named Hubard Rambton got a bit too deep into his cups and talked about her being spoiled goods among other vulgar words, and was kicked out of the Red Keep and uninvited to the wedding before the Northern lords could get to him.
"Ser Wylis, Ser Wendel, this is my betrothed Lady Myrra Lannister of Lannisport, Ser Maynard Hill, and a painter I found in King's Landing, Lucos. He's painting House Seastark's wedding gift to the king and prince." I say, showing off the two paintings he finished.
The first was for the King, showing a red, three-headed dragon being killed by a blue falcon and white trout attacking its tail, a golden lion biting the left head and a gray direwolf biting the right head. The center head was impaled by a crowned stag while a distant King's Landing is shown to have barrels of wyldfire underneath. Half artistic expression, half feudal propaganda is what I'm hoping is the King's taste in art. It certainly wasn't any renaissance painting or of that quality, but it was a noticeable step-up realistic colors, lighting, shadows, and depth from the plain, flat style of painting that's prevalent in Westeros. The best Earth comparison I can think is comparing thirteenth century Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone to European medieval paintings a century or two earlier.
The Second was for Prince Stannis, depicting a strong but haggard stag with several Stormlords like the turtle of House Estermont and the owl of House Mertyn protecting Storm's End with a young fawn against an onslaught of human Reachmen smallfolk levies attacking while a fat golden rose sits at a table with other Reachlords feasting. Meanwhile the Onion Knight's ship is docking at Storm's End avoiding the distant Redwyne ships.
The two Manderly knights examined the recently finished paintings and commented on the high quality and I let a nervous Lucos introduce himself in his rough Fleabottom accent that he was an apprentice to a painter that died to the Mad King's flames for not painting him to his liking and eventually found work in the Wayfinders Guild painting house sigils. I discovered his artistic talent when I was building the guild and while the canvasses, paintbrushes and paint was expensive, he was good enough to be one of the best painters in the realm.
The knights complimented Lucos on his work and asked him if he was working for me and I confirmed that I was his patron and that he would be coming to Castle Warg. The knights turned their attention to my betrothed and Ser Maynard and as I watched them smile and converse, I hear Lucos shift around nervously.
"Milord, do you really think my paintings are good enough for the King and Prince?" Lucos asks me in a rough Fleabottom accent like Lord Davos' accent.
"Aye. I reckon they those two paintings are among the best paintings in the Seven Kingdoms." I answer truthfully but only cause the bar was Bayeux tapestry level. I was trying to wrap up my business in the capital before the wedding as Lord Stark, Brandon Snow, and the Northerners will be leaving a week after the wedding. We head straight up the Kingsroad to Winterfell, where we divide up the war loot and go back to our castles and holdfasts while Lord Stark's wife Catelyn Tully was pregnant in Riverrun and expected to give birth to Robb in a few moons.
I watched Myrra talk to the Manderly knights before they left and mentally checked off another important Northern house she needed to make a good impression on.