Chương 13: Meeting between Wolves (2)
Winterfell, the North 129 Ac
(Cregan pov)
Looking at the young lord Reed, Denlen, I see all the features of his family in him. Small, brown of head and green of eye. He was a perfect looking Reed. Embodied everything they've stood for since the time of the long night.
I allow him one night of respite. For tomorrow I will need to discuss the man he and his father want me to meet. I'm quite flummoxed truth be told. As far as I know, the only stark alive is me and my bastard sister Sara.
While I won't act like I know everything. I had thought I knew my family at least. But It seems even that remains to be seen.
But what if his name? Valhalla? I've never heard of the like. From the ravens sent by the reeds, he is white of hair and grey of eye. I didn't speak of the dragon-looking wolf to Denlen tonight, but tomorrow we will speak. It's time i learn all there is to know about this Arthur Valhalla.
———————-
The next morning
After waking up to dusk licking my face I pat her for a few minutes before making my way to the godswood. It's the only place I feel true peace. Like all my ancestors are watching me, guiding my thoughts and actions.
Many people call the northerners barbarians. However, those are just people who couldn't beat us like the did everyone else. My ancestors held up against the andals for centuries. Destroying each and every attempt they made on our home.
Many people say this about my family. The starks. But truly it was due to Denlens own ancestors that stopped any trek northward for the andals. Which is part of the reason we starks have always held the reeds in high regard.
Mysterious men they are. Denlen and I are friends, yet I don't know much about him for true. 'I know he's loyal to the north. And that's enough.'
I'm broken out of my communion with the old gods by denlens soft voice.
""My lord"" bowing his head in deference.
""Yes Denlen please. Let us discuss my kinsman you and your father speak so fondly of."" I gesture to the spot beside me on a large root that I know every other lord of winterfell has sat upon. As have many of their bannerman.
Taking a seat Denlen starts by speaking. ""You know of the green dreams of my family correct?"" At my nod of confirmation he continued, ""my father possesses this gift. Much like Warging In your own family, we always have a greenseer of our blood. This was granted by the old gods for protection.
Anyway, he was given a dream of a great black and grey dragon. One ridden by a man with a Direwolf.""
Hearing the last sentence I gasp. ""He has a wolf?"" Denlen nods and speaks.
""Indeed my lord. Quite the big one. About half a head taller than sweet dusk. Calls him frost. I won't speak on him more. You just have to see it. The wolf and it's look are part of the reason my father believed him so readily. That and the man himself. Make no mistake lord stark. We are speaking to a true dragon lord. One with ice running through his veins.
Make careful with your words. ""
He said stunning me. Never had it been written of a banner man telling a stark what to do and surviving the day. From my face Denlen can see that too. He speaks again before I can.
""Be at peace my lord stark. I only wish to warn you. Arthur Valhalla is a good man from what I can tell. Stern, indifferent, and serious. But he's also very easy to speak too if you simply respect him as he respects everyone else. The second that respect is broken though..."" he trails off. Leaving me to imagine the consequences of such a thing.
""So another version of prince daemon?"" I ask with a snort. Daemon might scare everyone else in the realm. But without the blood wyrm he was as normal as any man. Just a bit Ill tempered.
Lord Denlen quickly shakes his head, ""you misinterpret my words my lord. To say 'like prince daemon' is a vague thing. What I will say is a dragon will always be a dragon. Best to stay away from the flames.""
He continues before I can return his words, ""he is respectful of those who show him the same respect.""
I nod without words. Denlen has given me much to thing about. The old gods smiled on me as it will take at least a sennight to reach long lake.
————————
Sparta the Bay of seals 129 Ac
(Arthur pov)
After ensuring my gifts for lord stark are secure I make my way towards long lake. Eager to meet the man Denlen and jagen spoke so highly of. My gifts reflect the respect I hold for Cregan stark.
A fifth of my family famous (in Valyria) whiskey. It seems the world has completely forgotten about it in the 200 years since we died off.
Something I plan to take full advantage of when I start building infrastructure on my island. Valhalla whiskey will be a hit in the seven kingdoms because they don't have anything like it. The uniqueness alone and who it will be made by will be enough novelty to get some even if you don't enjoy drinking it.
My next gift is an outfit of the same style as myself. I had the seamstress' make a grey and black cloak with fur lining the neck.
(Image, change the red color to black)
I hope he enjoys the style as much as I do. I love the mysterious Odin vibe I give off when I stroll around with my hood up and cloak over my shoulder hanging done my body.
Like a grim reaper strolling around for his next catch.
Anyway, by the time I land it should only be a day or two wait for Cregan and Denlen. I made sure to specify that any large number of guards will be put to the flame.
So only 3 guards were allowed for lord stark. Whether or not he agreed to that stipulation I do not know. What I do know however, is that I will not be cowed by numbers into dancing to another's tune.
Time to take the measure of Cregan Stark, the wolf of the north.
(Image of the north)
———————
Long lake, the north, 129Ac
(Denlen reed pov)
As I make my way with lord Cregan to meet Arthur I have a hard time keeping myself under control. I didn't tell Cregan Arthur was like himself, as that would make him arrogant about this meeting, thinking he could minipulate Arthur.
I had to dissuade him of that. Which is why I spoke the words I did in the godswood. The man truly wasn't someone you wanted to make an enemy of. And I haven't even seen his dragon yet. Something that will be happening if I have any say about it before I leave long lake on my journey home.
From what Arthur told my father and I of his plans, some of them won't be liked be cregan. But as Arthur said, "who's going to stop me?"
And he was right. The man wanted to build up a safe place for his family to thrive. Who was I or anyone else to take that option away from him? Especially since the lands of skagos or Sparta as it will be called, we're abandoned by the north centuries ago.
——————
It's nighttime by the time lord Cregan, Lucas cassell and myself get to long lake.
After making a fire and catching a few fish to eat, we're all making small talk when the sound of wings beating can be heard for what I assume to be leagues.
Looking up I catch sight of the shadow. By the gods. That beats is huge. I haven't seen any dragons with my own two eyes, but that must be larger than normal.
Looking to Cregans eyes my guess is right. He's seen the prince jaceaerys' vermax with his own two eyes.
I say something to lighten the mood, ""thank the gods hes a friend,"" getting laughs from cassell and the guard I do not know the name of.
Cregan, however, has a serious look on his face. Staring at where the dragon landed on the other side of the lake.
———————
Seeing Arthur's large bird Perch atop a tree on the other side of the clearing lets me know he's close. The slight growl that leaves dusks throat also alerts everyone else to the fact that our guest has arrived.
Seconds after the growl the leaves rustle and another deep, thunderous growl leaves the tree line. Reminding me just like what frost did the night my father went out alone to face lord Arthur.
At the acknowledgment of Cregan Lucas and the guard stop reaching for their weapons.
Then we see Arthur. He stepped out in an incredibly intricate version of the usual style of cloak he wears. He also has a pack on his shoulder and the ever faithful frost standing with his head at even height with Arthur's.
The two truly made for an imposing sight.
A pregnant silence passed by. Both Arthur and Cregan looking at eachother with what I can only describe is two wolves having a conversation without words.
Their Direwolves are nose to nose. Barely letting small growls out that tell far more about what's truly happening in this stare down than human eyes can see.
Image (c)
Image (a)
Finally after minutes of silence. The two move at the same time. Catching each others arms with smile.
""Good to meet you lord Cregan. Long have I wished to see another Direwolf. It seems I can die happy now."" Arthur said in his melodious voice.
Cregan seemed taken aback, whether that was from the beautiful voice that didn't match the face he wore, but also from the slight glow of lord Arthur's eyes. Even I, having seen them before, am always incredibly awed by such things.
Any true follower of the old gods can see he's here under their direct supervision. White hair and red eyes, a wolf of the same shade?
He was all but screaming 'I'm the old gods emissary'
And with that, a meeting that would change the north forever began.
AN: hope you like it. Don't want to get into the nitty gritty of their negotiations. Will introduce those as I see fit within the story. Just wanted the face to face.
Now, time to save a Princess. And win another one ;)
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