章 3: Chapter 2

Year 17 (272AC)

It started out with dreams.

When the Faceless One (over the years I've taken to worshipping him and seeking his guidance as god. I initially was going to follow the old gods but then I thought I already have a patron god in him so why not worship him) told me of the magic I would gain I thought it would be more flashy.

I dreamt of flying high in the sky. In the body of a crow I sailed the winds and went from shore to shore. I saw how the North looked from up high.

I eventually woke up only to find the same bird perched on my window looking at me. It was then I knew I had gained my first bond.

I named him Hugin in reference to the ravens of the Allfather Odin.

Weeks later I bonded to a second crow which I named Munin.

I tried bonding to insects but it was not possible. Their minds were too fragile or I was not subtle enough. Regardless I'm okay with just Hugin and Munin for now. If the need arises for more in the future no problems.

I also started receiving dreams. Strange dreams. A man holding a flaming sword fighting against what I can only describe as an ice elf.

The two did battle with the man disarming the elf. The elf backed away and raised his hands.

And the dead rose with him.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Was that one of the Others. Is this a vision of the past or the future. Whatever. World's like this already have a predestined hero. I just have to stay out of his way and do my own thing.

On a side note, I lost my virginity in this world. I went back to the brothel I grew up in to have a dalliance. I met the lady who runs the brothel named Gilliane. She remembered me and we spent a good while talking and catching up on each others lives.

I even forgot what I came for and was immersed in the conversation. Its been long I spoke with a woman I could connect with. She has been raking in cash recently thanks to the influx of people making their way to Winterfell for the Harvest feast.

We met up for several weeks in a row before I finally made my move on her. With a slight touch on her hands, a blush when she teased me for being foward. We eventually started making out and finally led to having sex.

She knew I was a virgin when I came quick the first time but we remedied that as we continued. I learnt from her how to please a woman thoroughly instead of the 'blundering' other men are known to do in this time.

Fingering, eating her out and the rest. Eventually I became known in wintertown as her paramour. Tales of my prowess spread after the other whores heard her loud moans from her quaters. Some of them even offered for me to fuck them for half the price. Snort. These women won't seize to amaze me.

During these years I earned another moniker, 'The Crow Feeder'. My birds have become something I'm known for. Adding my prowess in combat which I honed in the harsh lands of the North.

I haven't been offered a place as a personal guard of the Starks as I expected. After all my contributions to them I guess I am so beneath them they won't even spare a glance.

This only fueled my decision to leave. I am without a doubt the best soldier in the north. I even tried to make friends with heir, Brandon, but was shot down for being a 'grasping fool'.

I didn't know wanting to have a good relationship with your future boss was the wrong thing.

I started preparing for my journey to Skaagos. First I needed information and rumors said Winterfell's library was one of the best in the world. I had a photographic memory and through partition I taught myself how to read and speak in different languages such as Valyrian, Common even the Old Tongue.

Those on Skaagos still speak it quite frequently and I would not want to be seen as an outsider there too early.

I learnt the sleeping patterns of the household and the patrol patterns. Using it I snuck into the library and for three moons I read every single book in there. Even the ones about magic, forgotten history even the maester's letters.

I knew the Citadel was shady but damn. According to what I can infer. Most if not all Maester's are tasked to spy on the houses and attempt to manipulate for the Citadels needs.

They want House Stark more linked to the South. And with Lord Rickard's behavior it won't be a problem for Walys over here.

I even learnt about poisons. How to make them and how to gain resistance to them. I learnt about the Long Night from a book written in the Old Tongue and let me just say the stories we hear about now are watering it down.

With my education complete I mentally say goodbye to the library cause I would never come here again. For the remaining moons before my name day I spent them forging the weapons that would aid me in my future endeavors.

To be a knight I'll first have to be a hedge knight. And to be a hedge knight I'll probably start off as a sellsword. Hopefully along the way I'll get knighted then swear myself to someone or a house I like.

I made a new and improved suit of armor that is more fitted for me and can be taken off and put on by myself easily and in haste. Still made of Cold Steel.

Since what I am looking for in Skaagos is a sword and a shield I decided to make a spear.

A long spear with copper and iron alloy smelted together to make the copper spear head while using Cold Steel to make the body or the shaft of the spear. I wanted to use Ironwood but its too expensive so I decided against it.

With that my preparation was ready. I had sex with Giselle one last time. I said goodbye to the guards telling them I was going to make my way in the world.

I spent time with Mikken and master. Thanking them for without their help I won't be were I was today. I gave my house keys to Mikken saying he can have it until I come back for visits. I presented my master a new forge hammer I made for him.

With all my goodbyes said and done I bought a black horse from the stables for three gold dragons. Named him him Strider.

And my next journey began with my next destination already decided.

The Island of Stone, Skaagos.