章 65: 65. Attacked
Word of North's new might had been circulating around Westeros for a while now, and all the major lords were invited for the opening of the Iron Bank of Westeros.
The city of Norgold had been opened with full grandeur. People had been moving into the big city for a while already, so the opening was just for the show. The business had already been going on there. The naval headquarters were there, so many Northern navy warships also patrolled the waters near the city.
The population of the city was already 200,000 and they were all working people. The Northern Lords were told to buy a shop in the shopping district and a big warehouse as a large amount of trade would happen from here. The fact that the Braavos was also not very far away from Norgold also made sure that more people visited the new city.
He had been staying in the city for the past week and helping organize things. He was just waiting for other Lords to arrive and open the bank tomorrow. For the ease of travel, Alexander had given the method of making concrete and asphalt. All the northern roads above the neck were newly built with it. The best and widest of them was King's Road. However, he expected many lords to come from ships, only those who want to assess the north would come by road.
"Boss, I received word from Jormun. He said that many tribes have agreed and are headed to Hardhome." Dobby informed.
"Good, redirect the new 100 ships coming here to Hardhome. Their first task is to take them to Skagos. I will join them the day after tomorrow," he replied.
...
One by one, people started to arrive in the city. Robert was still a bit scared of Alexander so he didn't come. Instead, he sent his Lord Hand, Jon Arryn. Tywin Lannister arrived with his brother Kevan Lannister. He didn't bring Tyrion, as he saw him as his family's disgrace.
Oleena was already there. Hoster Tully came with his younger brother Brynden 'Blackfish' Tully. No one came from the Stormlands as its lord was more interested in Tourneys than business. Surprisingly, Doran Martell came with his brother Oberyn Martell.
It was the Iron Bank's opening so it wasn't Alexander's show to run. He was there as a guest. He had already fully taken over the Iron Bank. The new 5 elders were Alexander's disguised Wolf's sword and the older ones were dead. They did a good job of managing everything.
The Iron Bank was a feared organization. Nobody wanted to fall to its bad side. It was even more feared now that they had taken over the Golden Company. The Golden Company had now sworn forever fealty to the Iron Bank. They would fight if someone denied paying back the loans.
The Bank was opened with some fireworks and then everyone was given small booklets to see the services offered by the Bank. Its latest addition, the Iron Savior, an insurance company, gave trade vassals security in the seas. It said that all the ships registered with the Insurance will be insured from any pirate attacks. If they are still attacked then the bank will give its material's worth to the owner party. The whole thing was a tie-up with the northern navy.
This also meant that from now on, the Iron Bank and the North would be in a strong partnership, and attacking the North would mean partially attacking the Iron Bank.
After the opening was done, it was time for a garden party and mingling with each other.
Alexander was talking to Oleena with a Butterbeer bottle in his hand.
"So, this is what you meant by 'another way'. If what the pamphlet said is true then it would surely help us sell our food in the far east." She said.
"And I advise you to move fast. What if someone else makes a deal with buyers there before you," Alexander warned.
"I certainly will, but for now, let's enjoy this tasty food," she said and took a bite from a lemon-flavored pastry. Then she went to get some more.
"Lord Stark, what a magnificent city you've built. Not just that, but you've also attracted the Iron Bank. This will surely help many Houses in Westeros." Jon Arryn came up to him.
"Haha... Just call Alexander, Jon. We're both old boys here," Alexander jokingly replied.
"Haha... Yes yes..."
"So, how's King's Landing doing?" He asked.
"Fine, I'd say, but I can't say for how long. The warning you gave Robert that day worked wonders for a while but since he married, he's been getting worse. He returning back to being his old self. Whoring and organizing Tourneys. All the hard work we did all these years went to waste. The crown has started to lose money and unemployment is rampant." Jon sadly replied.
"Hmm... I can't do much for Robert but I can do a lot for the people of King's Landing. I'll come to King's Landing sometime in the future and talk with you there. How about that?"
"I'll be eagerly waiting, Alexander," Jon nodded.
"Now, to the happy news. I heard that your wife is pregnant." Alexander changed the topic.
Jon happily smiled hearing that, "Yes, let's just hope that It's a healthy child"
"Oh, surely will. When the child gets old enough you can even send him or her to be fostered here. There's no better place to learn how to be a good lord than the Tower of Knowledge." He bragged.
"I might just do that." He said. Then Oberyn and Doran Martell also joined them. Doran didn't have gout yet, so he could walk just fine.
"Lord Stark, thank you for inviting us here," Doran spoke.
"Yes, so many of us," Oberyn said looking at Tywin.
Alexander was about to reply but something bumped into his leg. He looked down and saw little Rina. She was so engrossed in eating her ice cream that she didn't see where she was going.
Her ice cream cup was about to fall but Alexander caught it quickly.
"Hey, sweety, Don't walk while eating or it will fall. I made a lot of ice cream for you so there's no hurry." Alexander said and picked her up while she continued eating.
"Sorry, Grandpa. I'll be careful." She replied and ate another spoonful of cold dessert.
"Ah... This must be the cute Rina. The great lord Stark and his beloved granddaughter have been the talk of many ladies in King's Landing. There are even some paintings of you and Rina sitting on your shoulder," Jon exclaimed.
"Haha... Many people usually see me playing with her so they must have started talking. Still, no harm done," Alexander laughed it off.
Oberyn continuously looked at Rina. Alexander also noticed Elina in the background looking at him nervously. Worried that Oberyn and Doran might recognize Rina as Rhaenys.
"What is ice cream?" Oberyn asked.
"Oh... it's cold and tasty," Rina cutely replied.
"Haha... Then I must try it. Will you show me where this ice cream is Rina?" He asked.
"Sure, just follow me" Rina got down from Alexander's arms and ran towards a table with her empty cup. She probably just wanted to get more for herself.
~No need to worry, child. No one can recognize you~ he sent a mental message to Elina.
She nodded her head and walked off to talk with someone.
After that, Alexander returned to his office. There were enough people there to help any Lord in setting up whatever business or deal they wanted. He wasn't needed there. His main focus for now was the Freefolks. He needed to go to Skagos first and change its topography.
Leaving Norgold, he alone flew to Skagos. It was really a Barren land. Not many people lived there either and most of them were cannibals. The talk about Unicorns was fake too. There were some weird species of horses that the people of the island used. The horses had 2 sharp straight horns on their heads. The horses were also trained to use them in fights.
He purified all those that deserved death and corrected others with Time Torture. He couldn't really kill everyone. If he started doing that then most of the world's population would be gone. After dealing with the local people he started changing the island's topography. He flattened the barren mountains and in their place created grasslands, forests, small hills with mines. Rivers were already present.
~Now, all that remains is bringing the Freefolks here~ he said to himself and again flew up to catch up with his fleet of 100 ships.
The ships took 3 days to reach Hardhome. By then, all the tribes had gathered there. They were reluctant to come to Hardhome as they considered it a haunted place but still came as it was the best place to board the ships.
"Haha... How are you Jormun? It seems you've become a big leader here," Alexander greeted.
"They unanimously agreed to let me lead this time. This also makes me their target if things don't go as promised," Jormun replied.
"Then you should be happy as the island is better than one can even expect" Alexander patted his shoulder.
Then they started to walk off to the tent where other leaders were present. But suddenly, out of nowhere an arrow came, targeting Alexander. He quickly caught it with bare hands before it even touched him.
"Hmm.. this craftsmanship is from Vale. Bring that guy to me," Alexander said and pointed to a man in the crowd.
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