NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Sending Missive!
In the morning, Damian sent two third of his forces to capture the smaller settlements around the Lonely Light. Anyone that tried to resist was beaten down and put in cells though such people were not in large numbers. Most of the young population has gone with the Lord of House Farwynd to the war and the rest were either thralls or commoners that were not keen on trying to win their Lord's territory back from Damian Stark.
The treasury of House Farwynd was a disappointment in terms of Gold coins but it was still filled with trophies that they had looted from raiding the coast of Westeros and places that were far away like Essos. He also raided the repositories where House Farwynd kept their mined ores of Iron.
Damian ordered for them to be transferred to his ships or whatever was left inside the storage after he had sent almost half of it straight to the system's warehouse to save space on his ship.
In terms of seafaring vessels, Damian captured two average-sized Longships that were anchored in the port meant for patrolling the islands. He didn't touch the smaller skiffs and fishing vessels. No need to make the lives of the thralls worse than what it already is on the Iron Island.
By the evening of that day, the Stark banner was flying proudly from the tower of the Lonely Light.
Damian also completed another minor accomplishment.
[Minor accomplishment reached]
1. Capturing a Nobles keep.
Rewards - 1000 Gold Dragons, Intelligence (+1), 1 Free Point.
[ Name: Damian Silvius Stark ]
[ Title: Adventurer ]
[ Status: Village Chief ]
[ Age: 14 ]
[ Money: 10249 -> 13478 -> 14478 Gold Coins ]
[ Store ]
[ Build ]
Str -> 12
Dex -> 14
End -> 12
Will -> 8
Int -> 12 -> 13
Constitution -> 10
Special Stat:
Mana ->12
Free Points -> 1
[Every Five years, on your nameday, a free point would be given freely that you can add to any of the above stat.]
Bloodline -> First Men
Special Abilities:
Warg -> 2
Greenseer -> 0
Special Attribute Points -> 0
[Every Ten years you get one free Special Attribute point. To gain more points, practice in the given ability or find other ways.]
[ Special Possessions: Magic Spell Book of Fertility, Treasure Map (Iron Island) ]
[ Skills: Advanced Jousting Skill ]
Damian added that extra free point to Dexterity for greater speed and reaction time.
It has been ten days since they left Cape Kraken and twelve days since he left White Harbour. The Northern Army should have reached Seagard by now and it was important that he informs them about his occupation of the Lonely Light, the seat of House Farwynd and get further direction on what he should do now.
Therefore, he sent Ace, his falcon with a missive tied to his legs, to Seagard. The falcon should reach Lord Jason in one or two days' time. He had explained everything in the missive and asked Lord Jason to relay the message to his brother. Ace would remain with Lord Jason until Lord Eddard Stark arrives there and send him a letter back through his bird.
"Lord Stark is going to be surprised when he sees the bird, Damian. How in the Old god's name did you manage to tame it? And where was it all this time?" Jory had asked when he came upon Ace gliding down from the tower's top to stand on Damian's shoulder.
"I'm a Stark and a descendent of First Men, my friend. That should explain everything." he had answered.
"What are you talking about? That explains nothing."
===================
. . .
One day later, in the solar of Lord Jason Mallister.
"Lord Eddard, I'm happy to see you after such a long time. How are you?" Lord Jason's voice boomed as he greeted the person that he fought alongside in the rebellion.
Lord Eddard Stark, the warden of the North had arrived at Seagard with his army this morning and was eagerly greeted by Lord of Seagard. After eating salt and bread, Lord Jason invited the quiet wolf to his Solar for discussion.
"I'm good, Lord Jason. Was happier still with my family at Winterfell, but now because of Balon's foolishness- Sigh!" Eddard shook his head in annoyance. He never wanted to come south after the rebellion ended, it brought him only bad memories.
"Balon Greyjoy will get what's coming for him, Eddard. Most of the Kingdoms united against him under King Robert's banner. It's only a matter of time and you will be back to your home in no time."
"I heard you killed Balon's son. Is it true?" Eddard ask
"Aye, that I did. The boy was arrogant and rash in thinking he could fight me one on one. I separated his head from his body in less than ten strikes." Lord Jason said with disdain in his tone for the Greyjoy's eldest son.
They talked about the war for some more time before Lord Jason spoke a little hesitantly.
"Eddard, there's something I wish to tell you. Your brother, Damian had arrived at Seagard a day after the battle was concluded." Lord Jason said.
Eddard became tense at hearing that. Lord Jason's tone didn't sound very good but he still kept calm a face and asked about his brother's whereabouts.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. Actually, I was meaning to ask you about him myself. Is he still at Seagard has he gone to where King Robert is gathering the Southern Lords?"
"The thing is that Damian asked for a ship which I had captured from the squids. He said he wanted to help in clearing Ironman's Bay. I accepted his request and gave him the ships since he already had a crew to man it. I had advised him not t venture far away and that I would myself sail with my fleet to clear any Ironborn vessels sailing nearby my territory." Lord Jason spoke seriously.
"I thought he would come back in a day or two, or maybe meet up with my fleet when they are patrolling. But it's been ten days since then I still haven't heard a word about-" Just as Lord Jason was about to complete his sentence, a white-blue falcon flew in through the open window. The bird landed on the table with a flap and stared at the two startled humans who were about to call in the guards.
"Gua-"
"Wait, Lord Jason, look there. Something seems to be tied to its leg." Eddard had a keen eye so he was able to spot the rolled parchment when the falcon landed on the table.
"Who in the seven hells sends a Falcon with a letter?" Lord Jason cursed lightly. He was truly startled for a moment there. The Sky Blue Falcon was almost as big as an adult dog. It was the biggest he had ever seen in his life. Almost as big as the eagles flying around Seagard.
He had almost mistook it for an eagle at first.
"You should check it, Lord Jason. If it came to your solar, then it's most likely for you. It could be important." Lord Stark suggested.
"You are right, Lord Stark. I should probably do that." Lord Jason slowly extended his hand toward the bird of prey. The falcon kept staring at Lord Jason's face intently and Lord Mallister swore he saw its eyes turn white for a moment. When he looked again, nothing seemed to have changed. The falcon didn't peck at him or attack him with its talons. Instead, the bird remained calm the whole time the middle-aged man tried to untie the missive from its legs.
"Haha, I've never seen a bird this tame before. Even the Maester's ravens give a peck or two when he ties a letter to their legs." Lord Jason said joyfully when he successfully untied the parchment rolled around the Falcon's leg. The bird even let him pet his feathers without issue.
"It is indeed very tame." Lord Stark looked at the bird suspiciously.
"Praise the Seven, Lord Stark, it's a letter from Damian. Your younger brother." Jason exclaimed in surprise. He then read the whole letter, his face changing from joy to disbelief.
"What does it say?" Eddard quickly asked.
"Well, I think you should read it. It's also opened for you." Lord Jason handed the letter to Lord Stark and he himself went to the gate and asked his guard to bring him a few slices of meat from the kitchen.
Eddard started reading the letter with his brows scrunched together but as he read, his face slowly relaxed before turning happy. By the time, he had completely read the letter, his face had turned full of pride and wonderment.
"I can't believe it. Your brother has taken down a keep by himself with only some hundred men. Lonely Light might be the weakest in terms of overall strength, if compared to the rest of the Iron Island but it isn't easy to capture the keep of House Farwynd with such small numbers. That too without any causality if the letter is to be believed." Lord Jason said.
"Yes. Damian has shown his worth, but the risk he has taken was also great. He should not have rushed into the sea alone." Lord Stark said after reeling in the pride on his face.
"Oh, common, Lord Stark. I know you are proud of the young man. If my son, Patrek, had accomplished something like that, I would have held a Tourney in his name." Lord Jason jested and then said, "What do you wish to do now? Do you want him to hold his ground or order him to come back and earn some more merit in the war?"
". . . I don't think he will stay put on the Island until the war ends. It's better he doesn't do anything reckless like attacking another Lord's keep on his own. Say, Lord Jason, how many ships do you have? Can you ferry some of my bannermen with yours to. . ."
Lord Jason raised his brows in surprise when he heard Lord Starks request and what he planned to do afterwards. He said, "Do you think it's a good plan? What if the Iron Fleet that is raiding the south comes back to reinforce-"
"They won't be able to come back, Lord Jason. I got a letter from the King two days ago. The Royal Fleet commanded by Lord Stannis Baratheon, supported by warships from the Arbor, Oldtown, and the Reach, is about to deal with the longship threat of the Iron Islands. They should be facing each other in the straits of Fair Isle as we speak and I believe we will come out victorious. It is a great chance to hit them back." Lord Stark said with a sly glint in his eyes.
"Fine then, I will make the preparations. Who are you going to send anyway?" Lord Jason asked as he fed the Falcon with some slices of meat the guard has brought back.
"The Mormonts and the Manderlys. Damian has fostered with the latter so they should work fine together." Lord Stark said after some thinking. He then asked Lord Jason for a quill and paper to write a reply for Damian.
After sealing the letter with his crest, Eddard rolls and ties the parchment around the Falcon's leg and sees it taking off in the direction of the Iron Island.
What Lord Stark didn't know is that Damian was listening to their conversation by Warging into Ace. After increasing his Warging to level 2 and doubling his mana reserve, the bond between Ace and Damian has strengthened so much that he could now warg into his bird even though there was so much distance between them.
Therefore, Damian knew about the plan of his brother and could make preparation to leave the island a little earlier. He should be able to reach the meeting point at the same time or maybe arrive earlier than Lord Starks bannermen.
"Blacktyde and Orkmont, is it? Well, it's good as any other place."