Chapter 17: 17
The stark
I do not own this story.
CH17
After rescuing Brandon from the clutches of the House of the Undying, his life hung perilously in the balance. Unconscious and vulnerable, immediate action was needed to save him. The Ayas who examined Brandon strongly advised swift transportation to the Order of Arborist in Wintertown. Within its hallowed halls resided an elite cadre of Aya, whose unmatched skills in medicine and magical healing has the highest chance to turn the tides in Brandon's favor. With hearts heavy with concern, Lyanna, Uncle Benjen, and Uncle Ned joined Brandon's journey back to Wintertown.
Sent along with Brandon was the young girl and the young woman we had also saved from the warlocks, determined to provide them with the healing they so desperately needed. A sample of the mysterious concoction poured down the young woman's throat was also sent, although Sybelle believed it to be a potent brew of several poisonous herbs, including a dangerous level of nightshade.
000
In the city of Qarth, I established a ruling council. Knowing the importance of representation, I appointed three positions exclusively to those who were once shackled by the chains of slavery. With this ruling council firmly established, Qarth shall be led by only the most loyal and dedicated individuals. This council will be overseen by the council in Winterfall, under their watchful eyes, the great city shall thrive and prosper, its affairs managed. This will grant me time, free from the shackles of mundane governance.
No longer burdened with the minutiae of day to day ruling, I shall still retain full control over Qarth. My authority will remain unchallenged. The council, handpicked by me, will be bound to follow my every decree, their every action guided by Winterfell.
However, recognizing the need to increase the population, I sought to bring in a fresh infusion of people with the blood of the first men. From the North, I brought forth my ever growing population. With them came the sons and daughters of loyal noble houses who, although not destined to inherit their family's lands, possessed great potential. Their inclusion would ensure a blending of cultures and traditions, enriching the fabric of Qarth with a new tapestry of perspectives.
And among this council, I proudly placed my own brother Jacks. By now he was a fully anointed herb hunter. His loyalty, sound judgment, and keen intellect made him a fitting candidate for this vital role.
A meeting room was crafted, adorned with magical mirrors. These mirrors, imbued with enchantments, served as a link between the councils of Qarth and Winterfell. Through this connection, the wisdom and experience of the North would guide and oversee the council's decisions.
000
Through my control of Qarth, I will hold dominion over the riches of the East. The silken treasures, the aromatic spices, the exquisite teas, the gleaming jade, and the dazzling array of precious stones from the empire of Yi Ti shall all be mine. I will reshape the very fabric of trade and commerce. No resource shall pass through without my decree, for I am now the gatekeeper to Yi Ti.
No longer shall Esso or Westeros have unrestricted access to these coveted treasures. Let the merchants of the world tremble, for their fortunes lie in my hands. I shall manipulate the markets, playing with their desires and aspirations as a master puppeteer. The scales of supply and demand shall tip in my favor.
The arrival of the Company of Roses to Qarth marked a momentous occasion. With my agreement with them previously I negotiated a new agreement that would establish Qarth as their home-base. Granting the officers of the company and leaders prominent titles and lands. Giving them holdings in Qarth and in my expanding eastern territories. Moreover, I harness the immense military expertise of the company to train my soldiers to unparalleled levels of excellence. I understand the importance of adapting to different terrains, which is why I have established a program that allows my northern soldiers to embark on tours with the Company of Roses. This invaluable experience will acclimate them to the challenges of diverse landscapes, ensuring their readiness for any battle that lies ahead.
Those officers, leaders, and soldiers possess a level of expertise that is unparalleled, forged through years of warfare. Now, their exceptional abilities are poised to shape the destiny of this bustling metropolis. No longer confined to distant battlefields, their adroit minds are entrusted with the immense responsibility of building, maintaining, and deploying our forces in the east.
Dividing the company into two distinct entities. The first will keep taking mercenary contracts, utilizing their exceptional abilities to engage in warfare across the continent. Through this, we bolster our numbers and establish a formidable presence, ensuring that our reputation as a force to be reckoned with reverberates throughout the lands.
Meanwhile, the second organization assumes the solemn responsibility of maintaining order and safeguarding my burgeoning dominion in eastern Essos. They shall protect my holdings, quell dissent, and destroy any who dare to challenge my authority.
000
In the following year, after my conquest of Qarth, I set in motion the conquest of the northern part of Great Moraq. I began the construction of a formidable fortified port city off the Strait of Qarth. Barbrey port city was constructed using my sister's golems.
I vowed to make the city of Barbrey into a majestic stronghold. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable architecture and impenetrable defense mechanisms of Constantinople, I set forth to construct a replica of the legendary Theodosian Walls. These colossal fortifications would instill fear in the hearts of any who dared to challenge the city's supremacy. The walls and towers of this magnificent fortress will stand tall, constructed with solid limestone blocks, divided at intervals by layers of red brick.
Every detail has been meticulously planned and executed. The inner wall, standing at an impressive 11 meters above the outer terrace, is fortified by an array of 46 polygonal and rectangular towers. Rising to a height of 19 meters, these towers serve as sentinels, watching over the city.
The walls themselves boast an impressive thickness of five meters, instilling a sense of impenetrable might. Towering at a distance of approximately 55 meters from each other, they create an imposing barrier that leaves no room for doubt. The inner terrace, with its 21-meter width, serves as a strategic vantage point for those entrusted with the city's defense.
Beyond the inner walls lies the outer fortification, a sight to behold. Standing at a height of 9 meters above the outer terrace, these walls are as much as 3 meters thick. Supported by relieving arches that bear the weight of the walkway, an additional 65 towers punctuate this outer defense, further fortifying the stronghold.
The outer terrace itself stretches wide, measuring an impressive 20 meters, providing ample space to maneuver. As if to add another layer of protection, a moat surrounds the fortress, its width spanning 20 meters and its depth reaching a maximum of 7 meters. Such measures leave no doubt that breaching these walls would be a formidable challenge.
Even in the design of the outer walls, posterns, discreetly placed within some towers, offer access to the outer terrace, providing strategic advantages for those tasked with defending the fortress.
This stronghold is not without its entrances. Four main gates, grand in their stature, proudly welcome visitors and residents alike. In addition to these, several secondary posters are scattered along the walls, each serving as a discreet passageway for those who know their secrets.
With this naval city the waterway will no longer be freely accessible for others - it shall now be controlled by me. With my control of this section eventually the western part of the Jade Sea, a waterway of immense significance will eventually fall under my iron grip.
000
During the time when the city of Barbary was being constructed conflict arose with Qartheen people from outside of Qarth . Qarth had several territories that it ruled, and I had no desire to actually conquer or hold these locations at the time being. Qartheen people in these locations didn't like the fact that foreigners are holding their capital. Many of the ruling families in these locations were related to the ruling families of Qarth that I had brutally executed. It took them almost a year and a half before they were able to gather their resources and alliances before the first conflict arose.
The Qartheen from Port Yhos, Qarkash has been gathering forces to invade Qarth assisted by New Ghis. New Ghis also coordinated the invasion with Faruos and Asabahd who were supported by the empire of Yi Ti. The invasion force to reconquer and enslave all inside Qarth. They had also ended up contracting several sellsword companies, as well as two dothraki khalasar.
Knowing my city was not fully able to defend itself without assistance with the numbers that were coming at us, I took to the skies aboard my flying ship, armed with runic cannons. I knew that the key to victory lay in crippling the enemy's forces before they could group up and organize, and before they set foot in my territory.
Flying above the clouds over the vast sea, I observed the enemy ships that sailed towards our shores. With precise aim my cannons rained down destruction upon them, sending their vessels spiraling into the depths of the sea. No mercy was shown, for the invaders had forsaken any notion of mercy themselves. We took the time to find any survivors and put arrows in them.
But it was not only the ships that posed a threat. I next turned my guns towards the mercenary companies. We track them through the red waste, as they were marching to join forces with one of the Dothraki khalasar.
Anticipating their meeting within two days, I commanded my cannons to unleash a devastating barrage from above, obliterating their ranks in a deafening symphony of destruction. As our ship landed, my forces charged into the chaos, swiftly dispatching any surviving mercenaries. Their decapitated heads were collected and piled high, a macabre testament to the price they had paid for their allegiance. Salvaging their supplies and tending to the few remaining horses, we left.
But my gaze did not linger on the lifeless mercenaries for long. The formidable Dothraki were next in line, deciding to deal with the smallest band of 2000 riders and their enslaved companions. Like a shadow in the night, we hovered above their camp, discreetly infusing the air with paralyzing potions. Patiently, we awaited the tranquilizing effect to take hold. And when the hour had passed, my men and I descended upon the slumbering camp, skillfully separating the helpless slaves from their Dothraki captors. We put the slaves to sleep before moving them onto the ship in a secure holding.
I then had every single Dothraki have their hands and feet chopped off and cauterized. I then move them further into the red waste finding a hill I have their tent re-set up. Placing them amidst the unforgiving dunes, I ensured they were close enough to catch a glimpse of the tent in the distance. Little did they know the malicious truth that awaited them as the sun rose on the morrow. For I had left the 1950 riders stranded in the heart of this barren desert, the scorching heat threatening to drain their hope and life. With sadistic satisfaction, I anticipated their feeble attempts to crawl towards the distant pavilion, hoping for aid or even a drop of water. The perilous distance I had imposed left me with little doubt that most, if not all, would succumb to the elements before reaching their salvation. even the tantalizing water jugs I left behind, their contents replaced with sand, would offer no solace.
My men, with their observation, have identified and accounted for 50 Dothraki warriors who were in charge of this band. They also had their hands and feet chopped off and cauterized and healed, leaving them with stumps. In addition, I had their tongues ripped out. In the darkness of night, I positioned them near the entrance of Meereen. I knew their fate was they met their demise swiftly, succumbing to a swift death, or were cruelly dragged into the heart of Meereen to endure unimaginable torment and ultimately meet their end in the blood-soaked fighting pits. I reveled in the power of my decision, knowing that their suffering would become a spectacle, a macabre delight for the bloodthirsty masses.
The other was much larger with roughly 10,000 riders. We repeated the same action, poisoning them, chopping their hands and feet off. I had all their hands and feet stacked in a pile inside the tent at the top of the hill. This time I had the leaders crucified overlooking their men as they crawled to their death. I placed their own hands in feet tied together around their neck. Hopefully this will attract some predatory birds, such as vultures.
000
After dealing with the invading forces, I decided it was time to confront the people who had hired them. I commanded my ship to hover at a height of 9 km above the cities, ready to unleash my wrath. With a calculated and devastating plan in mind, at the larger cities I released three colossal concrete structures from my vessel. Each of these monstrous projectiles weighed a staggering 6000 pounds, designed to inflict maximum destruction upon impact. As they hurtled towards the traitorous settlements, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over me. These tear-shaped instruments of vengeance shattered upon contact, leaving behind nothing but chaos and ruin in their wake. any building or structure near the impact was vaporized. The once thriving cities now lay in ruins, a stark reminder of the consequences that awaited those who dared to cross me.
The smaller settlements crumbled under the weight of my retribution; their very foundations shattered by the force of the man-made meteorites. Most of the settlements were completely destroyed.
It took me three months to completely destroy the entire gathering forces. The cities were just destroyed with most of the population dead. They're invasion fleet and mercenary companies disappeared in the wind never to be heard from again. And only corpses were left of the Dothraki horde and the mercenary forces.
In Yi Ti all I did was destroy several of their defense's structures and buildings that they had to keep out Jogos Nhai and prevent them from raiding into their territory. I also secretly dropped off weapons and armor that I had collected from the Dothraki, and the mercenary groups near some of the Jogos Nhai forces before turning any defenses of Yi Ti in the area to ruins. I also bombarded several cities that held decent garrisons, weakening their forces on the front line.
Speculation of the destruction to the forces and to the cities involved in the invasion and attack of Qarth arose but no one could say certainly what had happened. But that was not enough. I sought to cripple Yi Ti's economy, to make them feel the sting of their own arrogance. I devised a plan to drop stone meteors upon their trading ports, striking fear and destruction from the skies above.
With every destroyed trading vessel and devastated port, Yi Ti's felt their economy crumbled beneath the weight of their own folly. And I did not stop there. I targeted their garrisons and marching armies heading to prevent the invasion in the western border, raining down boulders from the heavens above. Yet, I ensured that no fingers could be directly pointed at me. They could not comprehend the source of their misfortune, for I operated from the shadows.
Yi Ti, a civilization known for its ancient traditions and unwavering resilience, found itself teetering on the brink of disaster. The enemies that had breached their once impenetrable defenses had inflicted severe damage, causing chaos and upheaval within their borders. To add insult to injury, satellite cities that Yi Ti had once governed with authority now rebelled against their control, further exacerbating their precarious situation.
As the Jogos Nhai invaders overtook Yi Ti's furlough lands, the remnants of the once formidable garrisons lay in ruins, their defenses shattered and rendered powerless. The bustling port cities, once thriving hubs of trade, now stood as mere shadows of their former glory, swallowed by the relentless assault.
The representatives from Yi Ti approached me, their plea for aid tinged with a newfound urgency. Recognizing the devastating impact on their trade, they offered favorable deals and sought to establish a partnership, desperately in need of food, supplies and steel to rebuild their shattered defenses.
The Emperor of Yi Ti, although not in immediate danger of being overthrown, feels the weight of his empire's devastation. There were already acts of rebellion happening in his territory before the invasion, and this bolstered some of his generals to support the traitorous nobles. He also knows that it would take countless years to repair the damage inflicted upon his beloved land. Thus, he was willing to negotiate, to swallow his pride and offer extremely favorable terms in exchange for my support.
Their once arrogant demands and insulting trade negotiations have been replaced with a humbled tone as they eagerly seek my favor. I seize this opportunity to secure trade deals that benefit me and my kingdom, ensuring that the wealth and resources of Yi Ti flow into my domain. I demand preferential treatment, exclusive access to their most prized goods, and the establishment of trading routes that only I control.
000
In the midst of my campaign against Yi Ti, I received a call from Sybelle. Her urgent voice quivered through the magical device, delivering news that sent both excitement and apprehension coursing through my veins. The dragons were on the brink of hatching. I swiftly embarked upon the journey back to Sybelle's Amber castle. As I arrived, I was guided to the new entrance into the Dragon's Lair. A sense of awe washed over me. In the last two years she had expanded and constructed a vast underground hall near the volcanic vents, a mere half a mile away from the city. In this chamber of immense power, we began the sacred ritual, our voices resonating that disregarded fear or doubt. The anticipation mounted as we channeled all our energy, weaving our destiny into the very fabric of the dragons' existence, binding them to our cause.
Using the warlocks, we made a sacrifice then we fearlessly walked into the raging flames, ready to offer our blood to the dragons' eggs. The inferno grew, consuming us and the unborn creatures, as crimson droplets dripped from our bodies onto the ancient shells. As the flames intensified, we fell into a deep trance, the magic propelling time forward in a whirlwind of moments. It seemed like mere seconds had passed when the blaze suddenly ceased. Returning us to the present, I gasped in awe as I beheld my sister adorned with two magnificent dragons. On her right, a majestic beast draped its scaled tail possessively around her neck, while on her left, another perched gracefully in her hair, its delicate legs clinging to her shoulder.
Her Dragon, perched proudly on her right shoulder, was a magnificent creature with sleek, ebony scales that stood out against her pale skin. Almost entirely black, it boasted a unique touch of vibrant red encircling its fierce eyes and adorning the tip of its tail. Its presence exuded an air of mysterious elegance, complemented by the blue dragon on her left shoulder. This dragon, adorned in shades of blue, displayed a brilliant white streak running from head to tail, adding a contrasting vibrancy to its appearance. As she stood, the blue dragon suddenly opened its majestic mouth, emitting a small screech while unfurling its tiny but magnificent wings.
In that extraordinary moment, I found myself surrounded by three enchanting dragons, each exhibiting their own unique charm. The vibrant red and blue dragon on my right shoulder gently nuzzled against my face, emanating an overwhelming sense of affection. Its fiery eyes seemed to convey emotions beyond words, as though it could understand and connect with my very soul. As my gaze shifted, I discovered a smaller white and green dragon nestled in my lap, with delicate horns that elegantly adorned its head. It exudes an aura of curiosity and innocence, captivating me with its playful antics. And on my left shoulder, perched the mirror image of my sister's dragon, an enigmatic creature cloaked in darkness. Its jet-black scales were punctuated by a blood-red tail and mesmerizing patterns adorning its eyes and spine. The broken red pattern on its spine.
Scratching the red and black Dragon's chin, I followed my sister towards the table and took my spot, where we had gathered food for them - a peculiar mixture of alcohol and goat's blood. The concoction consisted of three cups of goat's blood for every half a cup of alcohol, a carefully crafted recipe to satiate the dragon's insatiable appetite. As we commenced the feeding ritual, the dragons. I grasped the sack of nourishment, my heart pounding with excitement. Slowly, I began trickling the liquid into a bowl, my firm voice commanding the dragons to approach and indulge. In that moment, an indescribable joy radiated between my sister and me as we witnessed the dragons savoring our offering, unable to suppress the smiles on our faces.
After the dragon feasted to their heart's content, their majestic presence turned towards us. Letting out a gentle yawn, they instinctively began to coil around us, but we gently lifted them and placed it in a cozy corner adorned with plush cushions. As we settled down, our loyal companions snugly nestled beside us. My dragons chose to curl up closest to me, forming a protective ball, while my sister's dragons mirrored the same, positioning themselves near her. Even though their bodies were interconnected, they maneuvered themselves to ensure their heads were directed towards us.
While moving from each one, rubbing their scales, I looked at my sister and said, "They are marvelous, aren't they?" She nodded, agreeing with me, and mentioned the amazing amount of heat they were emitting. Looking down at the dragons, I pondered the perfect names for each of them. My eyes landed on the black and red dragon as I stroked its red spine down to its tail. I turned to my sister and said, "I think I will name her Nox." My sister's expression showed surprise at my odd name choice, but she then smiled and pointed to the blue and white dragon, declaring, "He's going to be Blizzard." She continued to stroke the red and black dragon and stated confidently, "Her name will be Ember." I looked down at my other two dragons, feeling a connection, and announced, "The white and green one she will be named Naga, and the red and blue one he shall be called Drakon," asserting their names.
For the next six months, our lives revolved around the dragon. We rarely ventured out, relying on the mystical power of my runic mirrors to conduct meetings and communicate with the outside world. It was during this time that my mother paid us a visit, staying with us for a blissful month. She was mesmerized by the majestic creatures. The dragons sensed the depth of our love for her. The dragons could feel our emotions and reciprocated with an unwavering adoration for our mother, chirping and moving closer to her whenever she entered the room.
As the dragons grew, reaching the three-month mark, they began to exhibit remarkable abilities. They could now glide and fly for a couple of hours, their intelligence surpassing our expectations as they matured at an accelerated pace. I couldn't help but recall the dragons of Daenerys from the show, and I found solace in the fact that our ritual had been successful. An instinctual bond formed between us and the dragons, and through our emotions, we found a way to communicate on a profound level. Though they couldn't speak in words, they conveyed their emotions to us in bold tones, while comprehending our verbal commands.
We were astonished to discover that our dragons not only had an inherent understanding of Valyrian commands, but over time, they also learned to comprehend us in the ancient tongue as well as the common language. Teaching the dragons became a captivating experience that my sister and I embarked upon eagerly. We were constantly amazed by their intelligence and devised intricate puzzles to gauge their comprehension abilities. After six months, our dragons had grown significantly, becoming only slightly smaller than Daenerys' majestic creatures. With the cavern expanded into a vast space, the dragons relished in slumbering near the vents and soaring through the cavern from ledge to ledge.
It was a remarkable milestone when I finally felt confident enough to allow them some independence in the vast cavern. Eight months had passed since their birth, and during that time, they had imprinted on us completely. I had taken every precaution to protect them from any potential harm or tampering, ensuring their safety and well-being. As for the rumored dragon horn, I wasn't certain if it truly existed, but I was certain it wouldn't affect my dragons.
The cavern itself was a marvel, adorned with ancient expansion runic that drew power from the volcanic vents, infusing the environment with magic. Within its depths, a massive forest flourished, interspersed with open plains and a small desert. Spanning approximately 300 acres, the cavern provided each dragon with their own carved cave near the volcanic vents. While there was ample cattle for the dragons to hunt, we mostly delivered their food directly to their designated caves. Everything was carefully orchestrated to ensure their comfort and nourishment.
000
Finally, the dragons had settled and seemed to be content in their enclosure. With my takeover of the western part of Jade Sae successfully stabilized and the massive influx of money coming in from trade, I began to relax. I grew confident enough to start selling glass at a higher standard than in Myr, not that I was worried about them. Firstly, they couldn't do much, and secondly, they knew about my fearsome reputation for anyone foolish enough to cross me. News of what I had accomplished in Qarth had spread far and wide, further solidifying my status. On top of that, I believed that Myr was more threatened by my introduction of a high volume of quality silk into the market than my glass sales.
Additionally, I began buying vast quantities of crops from the other kingdoms. Future plans have already been made to strategically destroy many of their farms, making my surplus of food highly desirable. I then was planning on selling it back to them at a steep price. Especially to the reach, this will be my vengeance on them for the centuries of selling their crops at a higher price to the north. Practically bleeding us for centuries, because we had no other option, but to buy their crops. The north never forget, and I never forgive.
Our production of crops is overwhelming, and I have proudly become the main seller of food to the city of Asshai and much of western Essos. With our ingenious use of magical storage, we have amassed enough food to last a staggering 25 years while still being able to feed the ever-growing population. Our greenhouses are fully operational, churning out bountiful quantities of various fruits, vegetables, and crops. As if that wasn't enough, we have even constructed a massive underground and magically powered enclosure spanning more than 500 acres, which is home to a thriving population of cattle and sheep. The sheer magnitude of our agricultural endeavors is truly remarkable.
With the massive surge in births, our population has bloomed to unprecedented numbers, surpassing any previous records. A few years back, the last account estimated that we had a population similar to the densely populated region of the Reach. However, the recent developments have been astonishing. New towns have been sprouting across the northern lands, as our people seek new settlements and opportunities. Additionally, a significant portion of our populace has begun migrating as far as the bustling city of Qarth and my surrounding territory in eastern Essos. Being able to relax was kind of nice; it had been a while since I had taken a break from work and just enjoyed some leisure time. So, when my family invited me to join them in watching the championship game of lacrosse, I couldn't resist.
My brother, Jack, had formed his own team called the Jacks Shadows, which was a playful tribute to a song I used to sing to him from the Wheel of Time series. Jack was my minister of Qarth but during lacrosse season he would stay at Winterfell and practice and play with his team. He would do his duty using the magical mirrors.
It was heartwarming to see how the game had gained immense popularity in the north, with every noble house sponsoring teams and even bigger villages creating their own. Today, the Jacks Shadows were up against the Bears, and as you probably guessed, they were representing the fierce and formidable house Mormont.
As I walked into the stadium, a rush of joy washed over me as I spotted Uncle Benjen and Melessa sitting alongside my mother. Nestled beside them were their children William who was six and little Barbary who just turned one. And sitting next to Uncle Benjen was Lyanna and young Brandon. Brandon's journey to recovery had not been an easy one, and the lingering traces of weakness were evident. He suffers through seizures from time to time, and there were moments when walking proved to be a challenge. Yet, with the support of the healers, he was slowly but surely getting stronger.
For the first time in a long time I was happy to see Lyanna. I have observed her over the years and was happy to see that she seems to have been devoting her time to take care of Brandon. I remember her first look at Brandon when we retrieved him and brought him to the ship.. no amount of vitriol I could yell at her would have caused her as much pain as she felt when she saw Brandon. I had not fully forgiven Lyanna , and don't know if I could ever forgive her. I admit that it is mostly my pride that she hurt, but that anger was rekindled when I saw Brandon. It started lessening in Qarth and after the last two years I saw her devoting so much time and helping him recover. And the fact that Brandon clearly loved his mother.
The most heartwarming sight, however, was seeing him forge a beautiful bond with my younger sister, Maisie. Their shared love for literature had brought them together, and lately, they had become inseparable. My mother often spoke of how they would spend hours in the library, creating their own little haven adjacent to it. My heart swelled with pride as I watched my sister chatter away animatedly.
I saw little Jenny also there, sitting near my mother. She had miraculously made a recovery from her ordeal at the Tower of the Undying. She still has some scars and still wakes up with nightmares, but with help she seems to be getting better. Unfortunately, her older sister did not share the same fate. While working to cure her sister, the healers were left bewildered, unable to comprehend what the warlocks had been feeding her. It was only too late that they discovered the macabre truth - the substance the warlocks administered was slowly disintegrating her body into a grotesque sludge. The healers, desperate to save her, worked tirelessly to decipher the enigma and develop a cure. But time slipped through our hands like grains of sand, and by the time they comprehended the horror, her insides had already been reduced to a mere liquefied semblance of life. The only solace was that she had slipped into a coma before boarding the ship bound for Wintertown.
As I approached the group, little Jenny's eyes brightened up, and a wide smile spread across her face. She quickly got up and rushed towards me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug followed by William. They both began excitedly telling me about finishing their classes and sharing their impressive marks. Jenny mentioned that my mother had promised her a caramel apple while watching Jack's play. Jenny was upset with William for suggesting that the Bears would defeat the Jacks' shadows. William started to argue back that of course the Bears were going to win. He told her that his friend, Lyanna's older sister Dacey was playing. By now, everyone's attention was on us as we made our way to our seats. I greeted my mother with a warm hug and a kiss on her forehead. Looking down at Brandon I smiled at him. Then turning towards Maisie affectionately ruffled my sister's hair, causing her to protest and fix it again with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Will you stop that, Leon? Leave my hair alone. Just because your hair looks like you just rolled out of bed doesn't mean other people don't like to take care of their appearance," she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice. The rest of the party couldn't help but grin at the playful banter. She shot them a glare before turning her attention to Brandon, who was openly sniggering. Giving him a narrow-eyed look, she said, "Don't encourage him, Brandon. You're better than that. Don't be like my two scoundrels of brothers." I tried to ruffle her hair again and said, in a faux stern voice, "That's not nice, don't call Jack a scoundrel." She looked at me with a huff, dodging my hand, "Jack's the responsible brother." She turned her nose up and said "I'm talking about you and Olly,"
"What about me?" retorted Olly, appearing from behind me with a mischievous grin on his face. Clearly relishing the chance to join in on the conversation, he gave me a half hug, his disheveled clothes betraying that he had likely been tangled up with a girl not too long ago. He dropped into the seat next to our sister, making it quite evident that he had some amusing tales to share.
Before Olly could rile up Maisie, my mother interrupted him and asked where he had been. With a mischievous smirk on his face, he casually replied that he was just introducing himself to some friends. Maisie, always one to catch on quickly, chimed in, "Friends? You mean introducing yourself to Lena, the blacksmith's daughter?" The mention of Lena caused a flicker of concern to dance across my face as I turned to look at Olly. Sensing the tension, my mother intervened, her eyes silently promising a later conversation. With a stern yet gentle tone, she silenced Maisie with a simple, "Maisie."
I greeted the rest of the group with warm smiles and hellos, making sure to make everyone feel welcome. As the group settled into their seats, I took a moment to ensure that everyone was comfortable and had everything they needed. I called over a servant to bring some treats for the children, knowing they would appreciate a sweet snack during the game. The chilled water, meanwhile, provided a refreshing respite for myself.
Just after I had given the signal to start the game, Theon Snow entered our box, holding a letter in his hand. I greeted him warmly. After I skimmed through the contents. While I was reading the message I noticed that Sybelle had snuck in and sat next to Aunt Melessa. With a mischievous smile, she gently picked up little Barbary and confidently placed her on her lap.
I passed the message over to my mother for her to take a look as well. Watching her read it, I turned and asked Theon "are all the preparations ready". Before he could respond, my attention was caught by the announcer's voice as he announced the name "Rose Stark, the youngest member of the Jack shadows." The crowd erupted in cheers, and even little William, the little Bears fan, couldn't help but join in the excitement. I looked at my mother and at my siblings, who had a smug smirk on their faces. My youngest sister Rose looked up at me from their field standing next to Jack, she waved at us before joining up with the rest of her team.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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