Being the second eldest grandson of a minor lord who lost a favourite son did not do much for confidence, much less the son of a Salt Wife.
House Humble, very different to the other Houses of the Iron Islands. And very different from the House they shared the most in common, the Codds. They descended from the lowest of the lows in the region, the Thralls and Salt Wives. They never forgot, unlike the Codds who thought as nobles they do anything the Humbles remained humble. Their sigil a man carrying ten poles, the man bent over as if struggling.
They lived on one of the small islands of the coast of Great Wyk, the largest of the main islands. Their keep, Faith's Grave, sight of the last intact Sept on the Iron Islands, built during the reign of Harmund the Third or Harmund the Handsome. House Humble kept it intact. Though they still joined in saying "What is die may never die." In truth they secretly kept to the Seven, the majority of their Thrall blood bring Andal. A dream passed down from father to son for the last three hundred years was the end of the Old Way, the return of the Faith and more unity with the mainland. There's also the only House to adopt the title of Baron when King Robert decreed a ranked nobility.
The one Drowned Man on their island also preached a different lesson. The Drowned God gave the Ironborn the island to tame, the harsh lands need to be controlled and defended from the Storm God, the raids and pillaging were the sins of men's greed and while the Drowned God would take any who died as a strong oarsman, he would make those he hated do the harder work. He got called a heretic for sounding as if he praised the Thralls, those without Iron blood. He claimed he got a vision from the Drowned God of these word during his second drowning to become a Drowned Man.
Adrian's grandfather was a friend of Quellon Greyjoy, Balon's father, both agreed with the Humble Dream. Quellon tried to reform the ways of the Ironborn and integrate them with the rest of the Seven Kingdoms by freeing Thralls, forbidding most raiding, discouraging salt wives, encouraging marriages with the mainland, and bringing Maesters to the Iron Islands. Quellon died at sea in one of the last battles of Robert's Rebellion, after the death of Rhaegar Targaryen. Balon become Lord Reaper of Pyke and Lord of the Iron Islands 'Odd that it doesn't include the word Paramount in the title, probably shows how small islands really are in the grand scheme of things.', Balon undid most of his father's reforms.
Balon Greyjoy, never the man Quellon was. House Humble remembered Quellon as a friend, a wise man and a magnificent warrior who towered over most other Ironborn, six and a half feet tall his grandfather remembered, saying he would suffer pains in his neck when speaking to Quellon standing up and not at the table. Balon pretty much the complete opposite, his devotion to the Old Way only ever lead to disaster, the Ironborn did not have the best reputation on the mainland at the best of times. But thanks to Balon and his policies the Ironborn were seen as monster.
Adrian reread the letter he constantly read for over a year, given to his treasured, beloved and beautiful sister Zia, a spy for the Royal Family, at his suggestion.
As a young boy he watched the Iron Islands try and fail at separating from the Seven Kingdoms, when it happened to be one of the kingdoms Aegon the Conqueror hammered and fused into his throne, when something is so firmly integrated to something else, it's hard to removed it, and even now the Iron Islands did not have the force to remove themselves from the Iron Throne.
His father Adrack understood this, but he thought being loyal to Lord Greyjoy would perhaps shed some good light on his House. He got chosen to take the fortress of Mont Cailin, then Ramsay Snow arrived, his messenger came saying if they left peacefully they would be safe, Adrack putting the needs of the dying, sick and starving men before the fulfilment of the Old Way, killed Ralf Kenning, the commander and surrendered the keep to House Bolton. Only for the bastard to kill and flay all of them.
Adrian reread the letter telling him and his family what happened once again. Zia walked in "Ad, when are you going to stop morning Dad?"
"I shall grieve for as long as my heart tells me.", Zia walked up and placed another letter in his hands, Adrian look at her briefly before reading it 'Ramsay Snow now rots in a cells, as decreed by the new Marquess of the Dreadfort Zion Bolton.', a grin formed on his face "I hope the Bastard starves." He looked to his sister, looking some much like their late mother, one of their father's three Salt Wives.
Unlike most their father loved all his wife as gave them as much sovereignty as one could within closed wall, that was one thing Adrian considered good about the Old Ways, if you ended up loving two or more girls at the same time and couldn't choose who to marry you could marry all of them.
Adrian hoped no foolish, arrogant and selfish Ironborn Lord planned to take Zia as a Rock Wife, she deserved a life beyond the Iron Islands, but where would she get the chance. He sighed "Thank you."
"There's more Ad, the new King Asher sent this to me, what an idea." She passed yet another piece of paper into his hands and he read it, he blinked and his grin widened "Smart boy, I'll speak with Granddad." He got up and quickly walked out 'We could avenge father by ridding us of the fool who ordered that pointless invasion of the North, Lord Greyjoy, watch out, the true King shall be coming.'
The old man sat at in his chair at the fire place slowly scribbling a letter, the door opened "Jack?"
"Adrian Granddad, Uncle Jack's still away on the ship to Braavos."
"Oh yes, the iron to sell. What brings you here?"
"Who do you think was responsible for Dad's death?"
"Ramsay Snow killed your father, dear Zia told me he's locked up."
"But why was he sent to Mont Cailin?"
"Lord Greyjoy ordered him."
"Yes, if Lord Greyjoy didn't foolishly think he had the ability to be King of theses Gods forsaken islands your son would still be here. His four wives wouldn't be morning or in the case of my Mum drowning themselves, and not in the religious way."
"Tragic yes. But we can't take down a Greyjoy."
"Not without help, from our blood."
"What blood do we have? The blood of forced labour, we are only just higher than the Thralls."
"Exactly.", the elderly Baron of Faith's Grave turn to his grandson who spoke with confidence "Edmyn Tully rose up and showed the Ironborn what those under their heals can do. The Thralls greatly outnumber the nobility and the lowborn combined all they need is organisation. Allow me your leave, nothing will be traced to you if things go wrong I promise. As well if we succeed the blockade will fall and Uncle Jack will comeback safe."
The old lord sat back in his chair, remained silent for the moment before slowly nodding "I'll pray to the Gods for your success."
With a few friends of his Adrian sailed onto the island of Great Wyk and he thought about the islands Faith's Grave neighboured with. During the First Greyjoy Rebellion Stannis Baratheon and his forces to control of the island. Great Wyk, the island with some of the greater Houses of the Islands including Sparr, and Goodbrother, who claimed descent from the Grey King's loyal eldest brother, apart from the extinct House Greyiron no other House had members chosen as High King in the Kingsmoot. Even with such great Houses with such great history the island fell to Stannis Baratheon, not King Robert, but the brother who failed to stopped the Mad King's children from escaping and who King Robert forsook by taking Storm's End from him. 'It just showed how incompetent the Ironborn truly are.'
They entered the port, Adrian and his friends, docked their ship, Adrian personal vessel, Clever Priest and went different ways, Cedric Farwynd rode off to speak with his uncle Triston, the Lord of Sealskin Point to discuss a possible alliance with House Humble on this matter. Clifton got onto another ship to convince House Blacktyde whose Lord Baelor worshiped the Seven. Other members of the crew Dryden, Laidlaw, Orchard and Price went to sort out family business. Adrian with his closest friends, his ship's quartermaster and first mate, Plato and Gilbert went to a local tavern Thralls congregated in.
Adrian knew a few Thralls. He knew to keep to his House Words, "Do Not Forget." Chosen by the founder of his House centuries ago to his decedents to remember their roots. He entered the room and the landlord looked up "Ah Lord Humble, the usual I take it?"
"Yes Elmore, one of each of us."
"Sorry milord," Plato said "I don't want to be too impaired on the way home."
"Far enough, Gilbert what about you?"
"Count me in."
"Good, two of the usual then?"
Elmore joked "Well that's unusual, you usually have something different." He grabbed two pit jugs, opened the taps on a barrel and filled them "What brings you hear today, more iron shipments to Braavos?"
"No Uncle Jack hasn't come back yet, anyway you know about this blockade House Greyjoy has placed around the islands."
"Oh yes, you nobles, the stuff you get up to."
"Actually that's kind of related. Is Sutton in I want to talk with him?"
"Upstairs, had an argument with his wife, staying here for a night or two, here's your drinks. Do you want me to get him?"
"No I want to speak in private. Can I go up?"
"Anything for my favourite costumer."
"Thanks." He turned to his friend "You two find a seat I'll be down in a few minutes."
In a guestroom Adrian found the Thrall Sutton slumped on the floor asleep. He kicked the man who woke up "Oh it's you."
"Oh it's you my Lord." Adrian joked.
"Go drown yourself." Sutton said getting up "What up then?"
"I need your help."
"Why else would you be here? Trouble down your family mine?"
"No, you're a good speaker people listen to you. What about you and me insight a revolt of all Thralls, and maybe some Salt Wives against House Greyjoy and their idiot followers?"
Sutton burst out laughing and went on laughing for a short while until he noticed Adrian didn't laugh "You're not kidding?"
"No." He took out a copy of the message from Lady Tysha and gave it to Sutton, "You're lucky I taught you to read."
"King Asher Baratheon thinks it would be a good idea for the Thralls and Salt Wives of the Iron Island, people made into slaves in all but name should revolt and bring House Greyjoy down, the King plans to help if achievable. Storm God this is new."
"Not really, heard of Edmyn Tully?"
"Couse. So this King Asher wants us to bring down the Ironborn in their own home?"
"Apparently."
"What do we get out of it?"
"I'll get my sister to look into that and get back to you. But could you start spreading the words. House Greyjoy don't sow, but will sow the seeds of revolt. And the Thralls will listen to your more than they will me."
"What happens if it goes wrong?"
"I'll take the blame, it not like the other Houses like my family to begin with."
"Okay I can do that, in the meantime care for a drink?"
"Already a head of you, Plato and Gilbert should have found a table be now."
"Good man, first one legless pay the coopers, what's the source so far?"
"Two to me, and two to you this year."
"Still early day my friend."
"Oh and five to Gilbert, he's drinking too."
"By the Grey King, not again! I remember the time we played with him, we had to share the bill."
"Yes and if I recall, I paid most of it."
"You've got the money mate. I'm just a poor miner taken from my home."
"If we do things right Sutton we could very well change that."
"No," Adrian said "remember people didn't know if Daron the Second was a bastard, and he stayed as King."
"Because his sons and half-brother got rid of Blackfyre." Gilbert said "We could have had Maelys the Monstrous as king."
"Not Maelys," Sutton said "Would've been Aegon Blackfyre and his children, if any."
Elmore walked up "Closing time gents." He grinned "Have to say you've fared better the last couple of time, anyway you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."
"Wait," Sutton said "I thought we had a deal if I go home to Pearl like this."
"Sorry force of habit," he turned to Adrian "You've got a ship to get back to don't you?"
"Yes," Adrian said getting up with Plato's help "we've got to get to, where again Plato?"
"Sealskin Point Captain."
"House Farwynd?" Elmore asked "Better be careful with them, I heard they can change into sharks."
"Never seen Cedric do that," Gilbert said walking past "no matter how good a swimmer he is."
The upshot of Cedric's talks with Lord Triston Farwynd lead to the support of his House, not just the main branch but most of its cadets branches to, however House Humble would still be in charge. Adrian accepted this before going into the settlement around Sealskin Point and letting his associate spread the thoughts of rebellion.
House Blacktyde said they were willing to fight to stop this war, but like Farwynd they knelt to Adrian.
The blacksmiths began to work double time, not only forging weapons and spare part for Nobles but also secretly arming the resistance.
With Zia Humble coordinating the weapons travelled across all the islands over the course of a few months without detection of House Greyjoy or any loyal House.
House Codd even tried to get into the action. Left-Hand Lucas, who Zia with her own small Island spy network set up when they started the resistance, claimed to be in contact with the estranged Euron Greyjoy wanted a piece of the action.
Adrian went to the seat of House Codd. Adrian agreed with their House Words, 'Though All Men Do Despise Us.', he really did despise House Codd, the Aegon the Unworthy of Houses, they believed as noble, no matter how low down, they could do anything, the mainland slang of a cod being a sham, like in terms "cod Andal." helped describe this house.
Presumably they didn't want to join the resistance to spread the idea that none should be slave, the people who most need the protection of a government should be afforded that protection, that the Old Way just lead to tragedy in years after Aegon's Landing, when House Targaryen changed the rules and changed the world and that the Iron Islands would benefit changing to meet it. No House Codd most likely wanted to overthrow Balon, to put Euron on the throne thinking the new King would grant them a boon. The Crow's Eye would probably have him, his House, House Farwynd and Blacktyde executed for treason.
The Clever Priest sailed toward the island keep of House Codd when a raven flew onto the deck with a message. Adrian removed at read it 'To Adrian of House Humble, I am giving you permission to begin the rebellion when you so choose, give your enemies no quarter, send them to their Drowned God. When word reaches us we shall assist. King Asher Baratheon, First of His Name.', Adrian grinned, he turned to helmsman "Turn this ship around Mister Ruskin, take us home, the King's given us the word."
"Aye-Aye Captain." He pushed the crank to turn the stern-mounted rudder. Everyone held onto ropes and woodwork as the ship rock to the left and did a one-hundred and eighty degree turn.
Once up again Adrian read the letter in full 'You asked what benefits will come for a successful rebellion, first any House who fights on the side of the Thrall are allowed continue, my only request is the rejection of the Old Way. The Drowned God could still be worship, however more ceremonially then properly, but the Faith of the Seven should return to the Islands as well.', Adrian agreed with this. The King promised great rewards for House Humble and Farwynd for their help.
Adrian watched another miner jammed his pickaxe into another Ironborn's head and a blacksmith bash the head off another, blood ran on the hard earth, the violence reminded him of the violence on Great Wyk during Stannis Baratheon's siege, as a boy then he merely watched from a far, but here in the heat of the battle against the outnumbered houses it showed him the brutality of war 'No glory can come from this surely?', someone tackled him and he hit the ground. He looked up.
One of the Goodbrother boys, probably Greydon, stared him down angry. The Goodbrother brought his sword and Adrian rolled out the way. He got up and drew his sword. The clashed of steel on steel rang through the field.
It reminded Adrian of when he forged his sword. An experiment. His strength put into his blade. For the metal he took a prized possession of his. When as a boy he saw a star fall into the sea, he swam out to dived deep, he nearly drowned collecting the lump of metal which he found where the star landed. Like Dawn of House Dayne, his sword, Hellrobber, was forged with the heart of a star.
Adrian use his pure strength into his attack, the Goodbrother blocked and kicked the Humble down. Raise his sword high, but the sword shattered. Adrian grinned and jammed Hellrobber into the Goodbrother's heart and out his back. Pulling the sword out of his opponent he wiped the blade on the Goodbrother's clothes and whispered in his ear "What is dead may never die." Before dropping him to the ground and sheathing Hellrobber.
Plato grabbed his shoulder "Great Wyk is more of less subdued, I image the King needs you at Pyke, Lord Triston agrees to finish here, let get back to the ship Captain."
"Very well Mister Plato."
Clever Priest and the personal ship of King Asher, not King Robert's Hammer though it played its part, but a ship given the Asher as a present by Stannis Baratheon, which he named Aegon the Fifth. Quite why he didn't know, Aegon the Unlikely while considered a generally good king, like all Targaryen Kings after the Dance of Dragons faced rebellion throughout his reign, much of what he left the Realm ended up removed and forgotten.
Both ships anchored and the gangplank between ships brought them abroad the Royal Vessel. The King stood at a table with a map of the islands, dressed in the black loose clothing Adrian didn't recognise and a crown of gold, with an unusual curved sword at his hip. Beside him stood a towering figure, hair bright orange with an intense scowl, a massive sword, wider than any he saw before and an odd white x-shaped strap, with a red metal shoulder pad to hold the blade in place. Adrian's blood ran cold when he saw the helmet the man held in his arms. Around both men four of the Kingsguard, included Ser Barristan the Bold, and Jamie Lannister the Kingslayer.
The King looked up "You must be Adrian Humble." He stood up straight and Adrian looked up and blinked, the King stood at almost six and half feet. His curled black hair reached his wide shoulders. The King smirked "I've been getting rather surprised looks for a while now. Anyway I can't thank you enough for taking this challenge, all we have left is to take down House Greyjoy."
"Of course your Majesty, but what about Euron Greyjoy?"
"He most definably keeps to the Old Way; he'll be eliminated in due time."
"I see your Majesty." He turned to the other man, the King grinned "Adrian Humble, this is Lord Ichigo Kurosaki of Castamere, have you heard of him?"
"Yes." He said amazed "Lead the winning charge against Stannis Baratheon, the only man to ever stop Wildfire."
"Well." Hhe King said "The Alchemist's Guild know how to stop Wildfire, didn't stop the Fire of Summerhall sadly," he looked off and mutter about what happened to kill his Great-great-grandfather. Adrian blinked, he didn't know House Baratheon carried the blood of the dragons. He hoped this King would not go mad like most of the others.
Yara Greyjoy lead an assault with a few loyal men, but the quick and efficient Castamere Squads them down, but the two Kingsgaurd assigned to help were killed easily. Adrian looked at the castle as the arrogant Balon Greyjoy watched from his tower and lowered his head. The Humble noticed no siege weapons he wondered what the King planned.
"Lord Ichigo, if you would please." The King said to his friend. The Marquess pulled out his sword with one hand, Adrian's eyes blinked constantly at this, made from Valyrian Steel a sword of such size couldn't be held in one hand.
Lord Ichigo placed his other hand on the hilt and shouted "Zangetsu." The air started to vibrate and the Marquess held two giant black knives. He placed the smaller on his hip and held the larger in both hands, red and black energy started forming around the blade, held it high and shouted at the top of his voice "Getsuga Tensho!" and a crescent shaped energy blade flew almost too fast for Adrian to see.
It passed through Pyke, a massive flash of the energy's colours occurred and everything above the point of strike disappeared. Stone, wood, object, even part of the cliff it stood on. No sign of Balon Greyjoy could be found, whatever Lord Ichigo did it destroyed him and his castle.
The last two members of House Greyjoy knelt before the King in chains. King Asher took out his blade. Both men's eye widened. Victarion shut his eyes and pulled his hair back giving the Baratheon King his neck and said "What is dead may never die.", Aeron repeated it. Asher brought his blade down and took Victarion's head off in a single stroke, before repeating it with Aeron. He sighed and sheathed his blade, the rebellion over, House Greyjoy and its armies, no more, thus the War of Three King, finally done.
The King turned to Adrian, Zia Humble walked out from the crowd and knelt before the King, Adrian did so too. The King nodded "Thank you." He looked to Zia and handed her a parchment "For their actions in organising and commanding the now free Thralls of the Iron Islands, I bestow on House Humble the title of Lord Paramount of the Iron Islands and give you the Islands of Harlaw, Pyke and Old Wyk. Command these lands as you see fit, but please inform me of any changes. As part of this I shall make your House Dukes." Before their eyes widened, the King continued "Lord Triston of House Farwynd of Sealskin Point," the Lord stepped out "For your part in this I give you the Islands of Great Wyk, Sandcliffe and Oakmount, and the title of Marquess, I'll let you sort out the ranks of your cadet branches. House Blacktyde are likewise raised to Marquess, and they shall keep their island."
"Thank you your Majesty, I swear many great things shall come of this day."
"I pray to the Gods for it to happen." He turned to Adrian "Adrian Humble, for leading this revolt within a revolt, and your loyalty to the entire Seven Kingdoms I name you Master of Ships, you and your crew may come to King's Landing if you accept."
"Your Majesty, I would be honoured," and a grin came across his face "with your permission I want to introduce the Braavosi method of ship building here."
"A very good idea." The King said. Adrian stood up and suddenly felt a slap on his back Gilbert laughed "Well done Ad.", Plato smiled "Quite, what an appointment."
Lord Ichigo walked up to the King "Am I allowed to go? I've got Castamere to run and a wife and children to return to." He scoffed "I thought becoming a Dad to triplets was a feat, but Asher, quintuplets, Kami."
"It's not like I planned it. Yes, we can all return home, also give Robb and Talisa my belated congratulation on the birth of their son Marlon, also tell them the plan to have him inherit the North is still to go ahead."
"Okay." He turned to his force and walked to their ships. Asher returned to Adrian "For them moment we should stay here and work on rebuilding what's needs to be rebuilt."
Until Next Time.