I do not own any George R. R. Martin articles and or any aforementioned literary articles.
Third person pov:
233 A.C.
Walder left Pentos on a cog named the, "Weeping Siren," bound for Maidenpool with his hundred men, servants, Zontar Choqu, and the fifteen men that followed him after the culling of the Brave Companions.
The cog wasn't apart of the Grey Towers company fleet, it was owned by a merchant that had gained a reputation of fairing people to and from Pentos, Braavos, and Westeros.
Walder would've used one of the Grey Towers company's ships but it is company policy that council members, and or employees can't use funds or company property for personal use.
The captain of the ship was named Maleo Aenen, he was middle aged with light olive skin, dark onyx eyes, a narrow face, black wiry hair with red highlights, and had a thin black moustache with a neatly trimmed black beard.
Maleo was a portly man wearing all bright pastel purple clothes with a fortune of gold and gems all over him, rings on every finger, gold necklaces with gems, and a mouth full of gem and gold teeth.
Let's quit talking about the dear captain, and get back to our main character Walder Frey, who at this moment sat at the bow of the ship on deck skinning an apple.
Zontar sat next to him, "Lord Frey, what do you know about the captain of this ship?" He asked
"What do you know you know about him?" Walder asked, still focused on skinning his apple
Zontar glanced up at Maleo who stood next to the helms man at the wheel.
"I know of the captain, he's a part of a group of slavers known for supplying Westerosi, Braavosi, and Pentoshi people to the Three Daughter's slave markets." Zontar whispered
"You're saying we're on a slaver's ship." Walder said, slicing up the apple
He looked at the crew in the corner of his eye, "Yes, but this ship is probably the bait ship, and we may have some enemies coming soon, we've been followed since we left port by another ship." Zontar whispered
"Find me Captain Varad." Walder said, offering a slice of apple with the tip of his knife to Zontar
"What does captain Varad look like?" He asked, taking the slice
"He's tall, well built with short greying hair, and light brown eyes." Walder said, standing up from deck
Zontar left to below deck, and soon after Zontar returned with captain Varad.
"Lord Frey." Zontar said, standing straight
Captain Varad glared at Zontar, "Milord." He said, bowing
"At ease captain." Walder said, nodding his head to the captain
"Milord, the sellsword wouldn't explain what was so urgent that I had to come this moment." Captain Varad said, hands behind his back
"It seems we're on a trap ship that may be crewed by slavers, and we are their next targets to be sold into slavery." Walder said, motioning with his head to the people around them
"What will we be doing milord?" He asked, moving his hand to the dirk at his waist
"Move your hand away from your dagger captain, act as if all is fine." Walder said, motioning down with one of his hands
The captain did as he was told, moving his hands back to being clasped behind him.
"Tell the men to have their daggers and swords ready, no armor, no shields, and be prepared to seize the crew at a moment's notice, leave some guards to protect the servants, and we may have some uninvited guests coming later." He said, staring up at captain Maleo near the helm
Captain Varad bowed and walked back below deck, Walder turned to Zontar.
"What about my men and I?" Zontar asked
"The same order for you as captain Varad's, but I want you on deck with me." Walder said, looking out across the horizon
Zontar went below deck, Walder sheathed his dagger at his belt before walking up to the helm.
Walder wore a white tunic with copper colored trim running along the edges, tan parachute pants, tan boots, a bronze torque around his neck, and a short sword at his waist along with his dirk.
Walking up the stairs to the helm, he looked for any weapons on the helms man and on captain Maleo, and there didn't seem to be any that Walder could see in plain sight
Leaning against the side of the ship, "How long will it take for us to reach Maidenpool?" Walder asked
"There is a change to the plan Lord Frey, we will be stopping in Kings landing instead of Maidenpool." Maleo said, sounding regretful
"Captain, that cannot do you've been paid to take my entourage and I to Maidenpool not Kings landing." Walder said, annoyed
"Lord Frey, you hired me to get you to Westeros, and I am doing that it's just the actual destination is different." Maleo said, irritated
Walder didn't say anything after that he just stared at the captain piercingly.
"Captain have you ever met slavers before?" Walder asked
"Not directly I could say, but it is impossible to avoid meeting slavers when sailing Essos unless you stay in Braavos, Pentos, and Westeros." Maleo said, looking ahead of the ship
"That's true, very true." Walder said, grinning
Walking to the other side of the deck, he leaned against the side.
"I am Westerosi, and there is one thing that majority of Westeros hates are those that steal people's lives, slavers are a sickness upon this world, they steal lives, bodies, minds, and hearts." Walder said, deadly calm
Captain Maleo stood still not moving an inch, he had an anxious look on his face.
He broke out of his anxious freeze with a laugh, "The majority of the world would disagree with you." He said, pulling out a Myrish far-eye
He was looking out at the horizon behind the ship.
Walder looked where he was looking, there was a ship heading in their direction.
"Drop the sails!" He yelled, still looking out at the ship
"Why are you stopping?" Walder asked
"That ship is waving a white flag; we need to stop and help them." Maleo said, turning to look at Walder
Walder looked out across the lower deck, Zontar came up with his fifteen men, while Captain Varad came with ten Frey guards.
"Can I see the Far-eye?" Walder asked
"No, do you know how much this cost me." Maleo said, annoyed
Walder made a shrill whistle, "Zontar come over here." Walder said, placing his hand on his weapons
Zontar stood next to Walder, while five of his men surrounded Maleo and the helms man.
"I will ask again; can I have the Far-eye?" He asked, giving Maleo a sweet smile
Maleo held it out for Walder to take, taking it Walder looked out at the incoming ship, it was a galley bearing plain white sails, and had a deck full of armed people.
"Seize the crew and take them down below deck, tie them up, and kill any of them if they resist." He said, handing the far-eye off to Zontar
The guards dragged the crew kicking and screaming to below deck while captain Varad and Zontar remained on the top deck with Walder.
"Captain Varad, Zontar what do you make of the newcomers?" Walder asked, looking out at the incoming ship
"They are definitely not in trouble at the speed they're moving at." Zontar said, looking through the far-eye
"We should stay and fight these pirates." Captain Varad said, glaring out at the ship
Putting down the Far-eye, "I agree with the captain to stay and fight, and it's not like we can out run their ship." Zontar said, handing the far-eye to Varad
"We should have some men on deck while the rest stay below deck for when they begin boarding, and then we can overwhelm them back on to their ship." Varad said, looking out at the ship
"Then that is our plan, Zontar you and your men will be with me on deck, while you captain will be down with the men below." Walder said, drawing his sword
"My lord you should be below with the men, I will be on deck!" Varad yelled, looking away from the incoming ship
"I cannot sit by and wait while others fight battles for me." Walder said, clutching his sword tightly
"I am sorry milord; I didn't mean to offend you." Varad said, bowing to Walder
He gave the far-eye to Walder before he left to below deck.
"Why have my men and I on deck with you?" Zontar asked
"I see this situation as a way for you and your men to prove yourselves to my men and more importantly to me." Walder said, giving Zontar a thoughtful stare
Zontar gazed out at the ship, "Live or die, I will gather my men." He said, going down below deck
Walder watched the pirate ship through the far-eye as it began to drop its sails and switch to its oars.
In his old world, Walder always dreamed of being a pirate on the sea, exploring new and unknown lands, gaining extraordinary wealth, and endless freedom from the law or the will of others.
But now that he thinks about it, being a pirate in this world is a slippery slope it wouldn't be like the golden age of piracy in his old world, where there would be fleets of treasure going across the sea.
A pirate in this world was more likely to sell a trade ship, its cargo, and the people on the ship into slavery.
He wouldn't have been satisfied with just being a pirate, he would've wanted more and more until he became something more than just a pirate on the high seas.
Someone coughed behind him bringing him out of his thoughts, turning around it was Zontar and his men standing there armed and ready.
"Lord Frey, we're ready to meet them." Zontar said, armed with his spear and shield
Walking down from the helm, they stood on the main deck gathered in a circle.
"Keep low and out of sight, have some of your men at the helm to pick off some of the pirates with their bows while the rest of us will cut down any boarders." Walder said, drawing his dagger
Two of Zontar's men went to the top deck, while the rest spread out crouching low along the ship.
Time seemed to slow a crawl as they waited for the other ship to come for them, the only sound around them was the waves nocking against the ship, the swishing of the rigging, and the thump of their own hearts.
The tension was broken by the thuds of hooks latching on to the side of the ship, and the rumble from the pirates on the other ship.
Slowly the Weeping Siren was pulled by the pirates towards there ship.
Walder slowly peaked over the edge, the pirate's galley was a sizeable ship with three sails, three rows of oars on either side, iron battering ram with an unblinking eye on it, and a deck full of many different armed slavers.
The pirate's ship was built for combat while Walder's ship was built for trade, the only advantages he could think of was that his ship was taller, and that he had a one hundred and fifteen trained killers on board.
The noise of both ships nocking together brought him out of his thoughts.
He could hear people beginning to climb up the side of the ship, "Repel boarders!" Walder yelled
At that moment one of the pirates was about to climb onto the deck, Walder chopped the pirate's hand off with his short sword sending the pirate screaming back on to another boarder.
His men and him repelled boarder after boarder, but soon boarders began to get on the deck, and more of the soldiers had to stop repelling boarders that were still trying to board and deal with the pirates on deck.
Walder ran to the entrance to below deck, "Captain Varad, now!" He yelled
The captain came charging out with soldiers following closely behind him.
Varad ran at a pirate that was wielding a curved sword, the pirate slashed at his head.
Parrying the slash, the captain got close and stabbed the pirate up into his gut with his dirk.
The pirate fell to the ground on to his back holding his wounds, the captain finished him off by slashing his throat with his sword.
Leaving the dead pirate, Captain Varad went on to fight another pirate.
While all that went on Walder ran to the higher deck with the two archers, looking out over the other ship.
He saw a man wearing expensive cloths, and a large hat yelling out commands through a cone to the men around him.
"Take him out!" Walder yelled, pointing at the man
The archers fired at the man hitting him in the chest and stomach, he fell to the ground still alive.
"Prepare to board!" Walder yelled, out over the deck
Walder took a running leap on to the other ship, cutting down any and all who challenged him.
The battle had ended with Walder's victory over the Slavers, but at the cost of five of his men, and two of Zontar's men.
Walder stood before the fallen men, looking at them with anger filled eyes.
He was angry that these men wouldn't be returning home to those that love them, but instead they are now going onto meet their ancestors.
The bodies were wrapped fully with the cloth from the pirate's sails, along with a piece of parchment tied to each of the bodies with the dead's name.
"Milord." Someone said, from behind him
Turning around he saw that it was Captain Varad standing with Zontar.
"Yes, Captain Varad?" Walder asked, solemnly
"What shall we do with the captured slavers, and their galley?" He asked
Turning back around, Walder looked over to the slavers tied together.
"Captain Varad, search them for anything valuable then slit their throats, and dump them into the sea." Walder said, indifferent to what he just ordered
He looked at the galley, "Did you find anything on the galley?" He asked
"Lots of chains, rope, food, drinking water, weapons, maps, and some valuables." Zontar said, stepping forward
"Zontar, take everything then burn the galley." Walder said, walking up to the helm
Zontar left to do as he was told while captain Varad followed Walder to the helm.
"Milord, what about the crew of our ship?" He asked
Walder thought on it for a moment, "Once we reach Kings landing, we will deal with them." Walder said, looking out over the ship
Captain Varad left the helm, "Have someone bring captain Maleo from below deck." He said, straight faced
Walder stood at the top deck watching his orders being carried out.
A pair of guards brought out captain Maleo from below to the middle the deck.
Walking down the stairs Walder stood before the captain with his hands clasped behind his back.
"You will take my people and I to Kings landing, and if I suspect that you are going off course then I will be forced to do something unwelcoming to you." He said, calmly
Captain Maleo looked up at Walder, he looked like he had been beaten recently with a black eye, busted lip, and crooked nose.
"I will take you to Kings landing if you pay me, promise to not harm my crew and I once you are in port, and to let us go?" Maleo asked, giving a bloody grin
Walder knew that he couldn't allow the captain to have much wiggle room to bargain especially when no one in his retinue knew how to navigate the sea or crew a ship.
Walder faked thinking on his answer, "No payment but I will promise that you won't be killed by me once we're in the port of Kings landing, and the letting you go is up for later negotiation with the local authorities." Walder said, smirking
For every crime in Westeros there is the option of taking the black, but that option is never been offered when the crime was of slavery.
Knowing this Walder knew when they made port, he wouldn't have to kill the slavers himself the locals would do that for him.
"Thank you for the generous offer lord, I accept your deal." Maleo answered, with a false enthusiasm
Stepping back, "I glad to hear that you're so agreeable." Walder said, rubbing his hands together
Turning to the guards, "Put him to work, and if you think he's leading us wrong, remove a few of his teeth." Walder said, straight faced
"Yes milord." Both guards said, bowing at the waist
After the two guards left with captain Maleo to below deck, Walder went back to the top deck waiting for any work to be finished.
Four hours went by before the pirate's galley was cleared of anything and everything that was worth taking before it was lit ablaze, and left onwards to Kings landing.
Captain Maleo stood at the helm under the guard of Zontar's men while the crew worked the rigging under the watchful eyes of Walder's men.
Walder sat near the helm watching the burning galley grow smaller and smaller in the dying light of the day.
"Captain Maleo, how long will it take to get to Kings landing?" Walder asked
"If the northerly winds prevail it will take five days to reach Kings landing." Maleo said, looking towards Walder
Zontar and Captain Varad walked up to Walder, the both of them bowed to him in varying degrees.
"Milord, everything is done as you ordered, I took the liberty of setting aside some of the loot for the dead's families and along with their belongings." Varad said, solemnly
"That's good captain, make sure that the bodies are taken off first when we have docked along with their loot and belongings." Walder said, standing up from the deck
Dusting off his pants, "Have the men on eight-hour guard shifts in groups of five on deck with the prisoners." He said, yawning deeply
Bowing at the waist, "Yes milord." Varad said, walking away
Zontar stepped forward, "Lord Frey, what about my men and I?" He asked
"I want you and your men to guard all the weapons that we've gathered below deck, do eight hour shifts in groups of seven." Walder said, scratching his chin
"Yes, lord Frey." Zontar said, bowing his head
As Zontar turned to leave, Walder said, "I'm sorry about your men, they deserved a better ending."
"Thank you, lord Walder." Zontar said, turning back to look at Walder
"Lord Walder, you should get cleaned up." He said, leaving
Walder looked down at himself, his white shirt was now a dark brown red, and his tanned pants were spattered with dark dots.
Looking at his hands they were a light red now with blood stuck in his nails.
He was calm even when covered in blood, in the past he would've been frozen in horror, and sick to his stomach.
But now all he could feel was cold and calm, but he couldn't really actually say he was calm it was more akin to quiet.
Looking away from his hand he grabbed a bucket and threw it into the water, pulling it up he began to scrub his hands, and nails.
He did this until his hands, and nails were close back to their original color.
Standing up, he saw a servant girl out on the deck, giving a high-pitched whistle he got her attention.
"Bring my long coat from my things to me." Walder said, throwing the bucket out again
"Yes, milord." She said, hurrying back below deck
She soon returned with his coat that was a over coat made from a single lizard-lion hide.
"Hold it up for me." Walder said, taking his sword, dagger, belt, and boots off
She held it up blocking view of him from everyone but her.
Walder began to strip down to his skin before went back to scrubbing anywhere he saw blood.
Turning to her, "Are there any spots of blood I've missed?" Walder asked
"There is a bit around your hairline milord." She said, plainly not bothered by his state of undress
He dunked his head in bucket while scrubbing the top of his head.
Pulling his head out, "Anymore?" He asked
"No milord." She said, looking him over
Folding his clothes he placed them with his sword, dagger, belt, and boots.
"Thank you my dear that is all." He said, accepting the coat
Taking his stuff, he left to below deck to sleep.
The next five days weren't a relaxing or pleasurable experience, everyone had to be constantly vigilant since they were stuck on a ship with enemies.
On the third day of travel, a few of the crew tried to get to the weapons locked below deck, and the results of there attempt were the death of one sailor and two other sailors beaten bloody.
From that point onward the Frey's started to use the chains they looted from the slaver's galley, and when the grew wasn't manning the sails and rigging they were chained to the deck.
On the fifth day of sailing, they reached Kings landing late in the day with the sun dipping below the horizon.
Instead of docking that day they decided to drop anchor off shore and dock at the earliest light the next day.
When they docked in Kings landing, they offloaded the dead, their possessions, and their loot before they sent someone to get the gold cloaks to come and take away the slavers.
Walder stepped off the ship as the gold cloaks lead away the slavers to their fates of being food for the crows.
He wore a red velvet tunic, black pants, black boots, a lizard-lion overcoat, and his bronze torque around his neck.
His short sword and his dirk were at his belt, but they were hidden from sight by his lizard-lion overcoat.
Sitting on a barrel he negotiated the price for the ship and its contents with a local merchant that heard about the original owner's fate.
"Three thousand dragons for the ship, and five hundred stags for the contents." Walder said, watching the ship being emptied of everything he wanted
They took the weapons, the food, and the fresh water, any loot gained from the slavers was already broken up among everyone.
"That ship was used for slavery." The merchant said, pointing at the ship
Not turning his head to look at the merchant, "So, that doesn't discount the quality of the ship." Walder said, simply
"I'll do you a favor, I will make the price for the ship and contents three-thousand dragons." Walder said, turning to face the merchant
Before the merchant could reply a man in Targaryen colors showed up with four guards following him.
"Sellswords who is your leader, the Lord hand wishes to speak to him." He said, with a distain towards Walder and his men
Instead of standing up Walder continued to negotiate until they came to the price of one-thousand and five hundred dragons for the ship.
"I said I am looking for your leader, the lord hand wishes to speak to him!" He yelled, sounding frustrated
Standing up from his barrel, "Captain Varad!" Walder yelled
Captain Varad was on the ship, Walder was motioning for him to come over.
Walking over to Walder, "Yes milord?" Varad asked
"We've come to a price of one-thousand and five hundred dragons for the ship, and I will be dealing with the man who believes we're sellswords." Walder said, whispering the last part
"I am the leader." Walder said, walking up to the group
"The lord hand wishes to speak with you." He said, annoyed
"Lead the way." Walder said, looking the guards up and down
As the messenger and the guards lead Walder into Kings landing through the mud gate, Walder smelled the worst thing in his lives.
He had hoped that when he first goes to Kings landing the smell wouldn't have been as bad as he thought.
Turns out it was so much worse than he could've imaged, to his enhanced senses it felt like he was being suffocated by the stench.
Pulling a rag out of his coat inside pocket, he held it over his nose tightly hoping that it would diminish the stench.
As they entered the Red keep it was abuzz with people filling carts with crates, barrels, bundles, and many weapons.
As soon as they reached the tower of the hand they stopped at the entrance.
One of the guards stepped forward, "We will need your weapons before you meet the lord hand." He said, with his hand on the pummel of his sword
Walder looked around at the other guards with a smirk before he took his weapon belt off handing it over to another of the guards.
"Don't hurt yourselves." Walder said, as he followed the messenger into the tower
Reaching the top of the tower the messenger lead Walder through a door with guards on either side of it.
The room was filled with mountains of parchment, books, scrolls, and in the middle of all it was a desk with an albino man sitting at it going through pieces of parchment.
This man was Bryden Rivers but he is better known by the moniker Bloodraven, and he is the hand of the king for king Maekar Targaryen.
"Milord, I brought the leader of the sellswords." He said, bowing to the man at the desk
"It is good to finally meet you in person lord hand." Walder said, bowing at the waist
The servant left the room without a word, closing the door behind him.
"We've spoken before?" Lord Bryden asked
"Our correspondence was about the legitimization of my daughter, and the renovation of a part of the Kings Road." Walder said
"Lord Walder Frey it's nice to meet you, and sorry about believing you were a sellsword." Lord Bryden said, putting down his quill
"Its fine, but what would you need sellswords in a time of peace?" Walder asked
"I take it you haven't heard about house Peake in the Reach rising up in rebellion against House Targaryen." Lord Bryden said, gazing at Walder
Walder had forgotten about the Peake uprising since he thought he would never actually get involved in it.
"I've been in Essos settling some business." Walder said, taking a seat across from Bryden Rivers
"I am sorry to hear about the passing of your uncle." Lord Bryden said, looking up from his piece of parchment
"Thank you." Walder said, sounding sincere at his acceptance
"I would like to call upon house Frey to join king Maekar and his forces in putting down this uprising?" Lord Bryden asked
"It will take time to get to the Twins and call up all my banners." Walder said, plainly
"That will not be needed, how many men do you have with you?" Lord Bryden asked
"I have a hundred and eight men with me." Walder said, thinking on the number
"That will be enough, do you accept?" Lord Bryden asked
"House Frey will answer the call." Walder said, nodding his head to Bryden
"King Maekar is leaving tomorrow with his host." Lord Bryden said, checking a piece of parchment
"Before you leave back to your party, do you know what a Greenseer is?" Lord Bryden asked
"From the stories my wife tells our children a greenseer is a person who is a warg but also is a person who has prophetic dreams that show them what is, what was, and what could be." Walder said, trying to remember what he could
"Do you know anything else?" Lord Bryden asked
"Alora says, "Those descended of magical blood are more likely be born a warg or a greenseer, and that a warg is uncommon but not as rare as a greenseer." Walder said, scratching the back of his neck
"Thank you, you can go now." Lord Bryden said, with a thoughtful look on his face
"If you want more information, I would send a raven up to the north." Walder said, getting up to leave
Bryden River didn't say anything just stared off into the distance.
Walder reached the bottom of the tower, and retrieved his weapons from the guards before he left the red keep.
Walder has much to put in order before tomorrow, he knew this will be where everything picks up.
I would like to clarify that my character wouldn't let anyone sleep with his partners in the way you're thinking, he doesn't share in that way.
For my later writings, can you describe my characters personality.