AN: So I've tried to make this chapter a bit more of a world building chapter while also having something happen. All rights to GRRM and HBO other than my OCs. Enjoy!
Coming of the Red Anchor
Crime and Punishment
Late 283 AC (Eight weeks since landing in Stoney Shore)
Stoney Port, The Stoney Shore
It had been two weeks since the new maester had arrived and The Stoney Shore had not stopped being a hive of activity. In the south of the territory an observation post was set up to look out for incoming vessels, equipped only with their rifles the marines were only there to keep an eye out and report any activity with their radio powered by the newly created whale oil generator. The port of Stoney Port had been mostly completed with two wooden piers jutting out to sea made out of the strong ironwood from the Wolfswood and the sea walls enclosing a reasonable area for a harbour. The mines digging coal, iron and clay were now fully operational providing materials to build homes and the port itself as well as allow for the forging of swords, arrows and armour that would eventually be needed. Indeed it was said by Maester Barneby that the quality of the swords and armour was superior to what even the Lannisters of Casterly Rock could forge. That was in part thanks to the blast furnaces they had built or were under construction which allowed for higher temperatures when making steel and forging it. They had started trade with some of the northern houses; mostly the Ryswells, Glovers and Mormonts, and trading mainly on the pottery from their clay, iron tools, as well as steel for equipping northern soldiers. In return they had bought wood, clothing and horses needed to equip their people and build what they needed. During this time they had also receive a raven from Kings Landing from the King and his council welcoming them to Westeros and confirming their lands granted.
Things had not of course gone without problems. Construction had taken more time than thought and the engineers had had to explain some techniques to local craftsmen. Some of the sailors and marines had been angry about staying or having lords which of course everyone agreed with but saw no real practical alternatives to what they had. This of course led to imprisoning some of the more violent offenders when a fight broke out but it was thankfully quashed quickly as marines from elsewhere turned up at the noise but it still left a dozen in cells and half that in the sick bays for cuts, broken bones and bruises. Things had calmed down a bit after that with most still reeling that a fight had occurred. The result was that Lord Warrington took the charter drawn up by his aid and Admiral Cosmo's and announced it to the fleet. Effectively it was a copy of the US bill of rights with some changes and adaptions. For example while it was typical that a lord would be judge, jury and in some cases executioner they had gone with keeping the current military judicial set up with a judge, jury and witness etc, the Lord would not involve himself in military judicial problems. The Lord would still be the judge for local people's problems but there would be a jury to decide if they were guilty or innocent based on evidence. Archery lessons had progressed as those learning got used to the slightly different bows but sword training had gotten nowhere fast with no instructors at hand yet.
For the locals much had changed but much had not in the eight weeks House Britanican had been at The Stoney Shore. They still went fishing or farming but their methods had changed somewhat but slowly with some reticence still. The fishermen had been shown how to make better nets for fishing and traps for crabbing and the like, while farmers were informed more thoroughly of crop rotations, which they did to varying degrees already, and manure from the newly acquired horses was sent to help fertilize the soil. Their farming tools were improved from iron to steel ploughs to make them tougher and lighter than before as well as glass houses were scheduled using sand and heating it in furnaces though it was taking time to get the furnace ready and the sand having the right mix since no one was a glass maker. Most of the engineers from the ships had manly been instructors, helping local craftsmen learn new things and teaching those that had nothing else to do learn a new trade. Mostly it was either mining or construction for the sea wall and piers. Due to the number of people and their other projects they hadn't built many new homes for the locals or themselves, just the two brick built bungalows stood plus the mansion along with a partially built Maester's residence. The rest still had their own homes in their villages which they travelled to and from or stayed in tents provided by the navy personnel. But things seemed better for them as they were informed in groups of various hygiene things they could do by the doctors; mostly washing themselves more regularly, disposal of food waste and other sorts as well as general medical help in regards to cuts, or illnesses. This in turn made the people generally happier and more willing and able to work. It was during this time that the initial though of getting the castle built in two years was thrown out the window as they learnt the local construction methods and their own. The new schedule for the castle was that once the port was finished with defences and homes built they would construct the castle with a new time frame of around 5 to 8 years. This was based on mixing both modern and local building methods, having a large workforce that will be freed up and experienced from building the port, using existing materials from the current ruin and estimates from a castle construction project in France called Project Guédelon that had finished a few years before they left in 2026 (apparently one of the engineers was a history buff who had heard of the project). So in short they were settling down as well as they could though lingering anger at the lordship still echoed. Some personnel argued for a more interventionist policy in regards to technology and knowledge, some going so far as to attempt to leave and hand out medical or educational knowledge but were thankfully brought back to the small colony. The simple reasoning was they could not trust that any advances they gave could come back and hurt them at a time when they were still settling down. In terms of teaching other things Warrington and the admirals simply thought it best to see how teaching things went with the locals they have influence over before trying something nation wide, not that they weren't sympathetic to the idea of sending medical aid to other areas. Another reason they thought best to hold off on sharing knowledge was that they could be declared heretics or worse if some of the knowledge they tried to give out got out in a bad way.
Knowledge of their existence had filtered down to other areas of the country as over the next few days as their eighth week since taking Stoney Shore progressed a few other northern houses sent ravens of welcome. One raven though came from a port to the south in the Riverlands called Seagard with a Lord Jason Mallister sending a warm welcome and a warning of Ironborn, he ends the letter by suggesting a mutual alliance to clear the shipping lanes of raiders since House Britanican is the only naval force to the North and with them and House Lannister the three can enclose the Ironborn if they ever threaten Westeros.
"What do you think of that offer Maester? Admiral?" asked Lord Warrington, sat at his white weirwood desk, recovered from the castle. The two glanced at each other before answering.
"Minister the offer of an alliance against pirates could be useful, it will buy us time to get ships built as we can only rely on our ships for so long and they have limited fuel and ammunition. As you know I have instructed ballistae and catapults added to the ships but with the guns and missiles limited it does...complicate things" Admiral Cosmo advised.
"While I have not a full understanding of your weapons problems an alliance would be beneficial as it would secure trade routes heading north and open up more possibilities that someone would trade with the Northern houses. They would also be the only ones capable of assisting in an attack on the Ironborn or helping repel one by them" put forth Barneby.
"Yes I will think on it then. Have we had any trouble with the Ironborn yet Admiral?"
"Nothing yet, no ships have come north of Cape Kraken the entire time its been watched. We have two submarines out there and two destroyers patrolling the waters out of sight of the Iron islands and in line with the subs. If I had to guess? They like only just heard of us and are preparing something. Maybe I'm just paranoid but it has been quiet and according to the Mormonts they raid frequently but not often. In short we should be due a raid, but the might increase the fleet size if they know there's ships to fight" the admiral informed them.
"I would have to agree my lord. It is likely they are building up for an attack on Stoney Shore to put you in your place and destroy what you have to prevent a challenge. I suggest caution and vigilance."
"Keep watch then Admiral, and if a fleet come north of Cape Kraken and they're flying sigils of Ironborn and show intent to reave and pillage, destroy them. Capture the ships and crews if you can but leave nothing left. I want them guessing on our strength and abilities" responded Warrington sternly.
"Understood, they'll make good target practise for my people and somewhere to vent some anger."
"Good, Maester have we found a suitable swordsman to teach our people?"
"There is a possible option, a sell sword called Bronn, rather amoral and pragmatic but said to be good in a fight. With steady income from training you and your people he could be inclined to stay, that said he is a sell sword and if given enough could betray you."
"Look for others, perhaps one of those knights you have told us about, but keep this Bronn in mind. We are not desperate yet and have no land based enemies. Alright thank you for your thoughts" he concluded.
Iron Islands, Pyke
Across the sea and to the south they had indeed heard of a people who had gotten lost due to storms and had been granted land in the north.
"These greenlanders clearly no nothing of the sea if they got lost. If they seek to challenge us lets show them the true masters of the Sunset Sea!" called one young man.
"As you know we are building our forces to take on the mainlanders and declare ourselves free and bring back the Old Ways. The usurper has no loyalty of mine or our islands and he is weak from war, they will not challenge us as they can not get to us. But we must prevent these newcomers from posing a threat. Euron my brother, do you think you can make these people shiver in their boots and reap what we sow? Destroy their ships and ports prevent them becoming a threat to us." called a man with a gaunt face and grey hair.
"Yes brother for what is dead may never die" "What is dead may never die" chorused the crowd. "Give me 20 ships and I with reap and reave along Stoney Shore and destroy their ability to threaten us" said Euron.
"But father, surely me or Maron can destroy these greenlanders?" asked the first who had called out
"No! Euron shall as he has paid the Iron price and is a capable leader, you will pay your price on less important or potentially dangerous tasks before I set you to destroy an entire coastline, perhaps if it was just a raid on one village maybe but an entire shore with ships and soldiers? Not yet for you boy. Now go Euron. Destroy them."
"By your command dear brother" Euron said with a bow and flourish before walking out of the room with a jaunty swagger.
"Continue to prepare for our freedom men, with these newcomers burnt we will have no opposition and then we shall rule the seas and reave and pillage as we like!" "AYE!" and cheers followed loud enough to wake the dead.
The following day Euron was on his ship, The Silence, leading his fleet of twenty ships to pillage and reave the Stoney Shore. It had taken a day to reach past Cape Kraken and Blazewater Bay and they were lucky to have the wind at their back. "All right you lot, we will render these greenlanders impotent against our future supremacy, we shall smight them down and take their women and we shall pillage and raid their coasts. Let us show these cock suckers what true Ironborn are!" Silence only came back to him though the men raised their arms. "I'm sorry but I thought you were suppose to cheer at that? Cat got your tongues? Oh wait I do, my mistake ha ha!" he said with a cruel smile and a cackling laugh. When he finally stopped laughing a crewman pointed to the small boats coming from the various ships in the fleet. Once everyone was on board Euron took charge. "All right lads, this is what we gonna do. They only have twenty ships and are mostly likely unmanned as they have all gone ashore to settle so we will charge them quickly causing as much damage as possible during the night. They won't see us or be expecting us, so we can go unchallenged once they are destroyed. Understood?" Most of the captains nodded. "Lord Drumm why are you here? Surely and old man like you should be back on the islands getting old and staying in bed leaving this to those that can fight?" The older man in question looked at him with a sneer.
"Aye I maybe older than most of you twerps but I can still fight and captain my ship. Plus my sword will cut through any who oppose me and I still have Andrik with me. I think you'll find I am more than capable and still will be even in twenty years" he said while clutching the pummel of his Valyrian sword. "So what are we waiting for Greyjoy, lets get some greenlanders!" The other captains cheered and Euron smiled maliciously, yes this was going to be great fun.
Unbeknownst to them, their fleet had been followed by two Virginia class attack submarines shadowing them at depth so as to not be spotted. "Down periscope, drop down by 100 feet" called the captain. "Send word to Admiral Cosmo, twenty Ironborn vessels going by sigils on course to Stoney Shore. Likely ETA is day and a half, so during the night. Prep for possible night attack."
"Aye sir" came the reply from the communications officer who began flicking switches and speaking into a small microphone.
The Stoney Shore, USS George H W Bush
"Admiral, call coming in from the USS Iowa off the coast of Cape Kracken. Ironborn vessels on northerly heading. Twenty ships with an ETA of tomorrow night" called out his comm officer.
"Hmm, thank you Jenkins, assemble all captains for briefing immediately. Get Gardner and Warrington aboard too. Meeting in one hour" he said gruffly.
Exactly one hour later the captains and admiral were present in the briefing room with him. "As you may have head by now, a fleet of Ironborn vessels are on approach course. Current estimates put their ETA as tomorrow night so they likely want to sneak in and hit us while we sleep. That is too late and we will hit them before they are ready. We will go in guns blazing hard and fast. You are authorised to use what guns you have but no missiles. Any thing you want to add Minister?" he asked turning to Warrington who sat beside him.
"No I think that as long as you are comfortable with the plan carry on. Try and take the ship captains prisoner if you can but otherwise engage as you would with pirates. I think the only other thing would be try capture the ships if possible so we can use them." Cosmo nodded in understanding.
"Yes it would be beneficial if we can capture their ships as it'll boost our numbers, I suppose you would want to trade them with the Mormonts too as thanks or for us to use"
"Yes good point admiral. I'll leave it in your capable hands as to how we attack."
"Want to come watch? Just keep out of the way though."
"I'd be delighted Admiral" he replied smiling. The rest of the meeting covered their tactics and departure times.
The sea had calmed as the day wore on and the sun was getting sloe to setting. Euron smiled as he thought on the fight tonight. Yes, it will be glorious. They were still heading along the coast approaching the end of the land before they'd have to turn into the bay that was apparently where these newcomers were based. The crew was slowly waking having taken the day easy to prepare for the fight tonight. It was then he heard a horn from above. Looking up to the crows-nest he spotted the sailor above pointing to the horizon to the north east. He could make out some spots but nothing detailed. Taking out his Myrish eye he unfurled it and looked through. That was when he saw them and his heart paused and his breath hitched. Sailing towards them were monstrosities. Larger than anything in the known world, even their smallest ship was larger than any he'd ever seen. And worse still; they were all made of metal with no sails. He could see some catapults and ballistae have been added on to the ships as he looked them over, which looked out of place for such warships though the shape of the add-ons were unusual and not quite like previous designs he'd seen. What was just as troubling though was their speed. These ships were charging towards his fleet at incredible speeds. He heard more horns now as other ships in the fleet spotted the oncoming enemy ships drawing him out of his stupor. By the drowned god he need those ships, if he had those ships he could rule the sea unchallenged. "Man the ballistas and catapults!" he yelled at his crew, "Arm yourselves, we're gonna capture some mighty ships lads!" His crew jumped to action and he saw similar actions on the other longships in his fleet. Men loaded bolts into firing position while cranking the rope into the right tensions. While the Silence was larger than the other ships in the fleet with its many sails and battle ram at the front it was still smaller than their opponents, as the two fleets got closer Euron had his fleet split up to try and surround the enemy and board them but before he could do so two ships behind him exploded into pieces, lumps of wood, rope and sail went everywhere while sailors dived overboard to escape the flames, forcing the Ironborn forward and away from the burning wrecks of the two ships. Then a series of loud bangs and booms sounded with large holes gorged into the fronts and sides of a number of his ships before the masts of another three longships collapsed in explosions sending splinters into their crews. Euron watched the chaos around him as his fleet was slowly torn apart, and we aren't even in ballista range yet. By the gods I want one of those ships. "Unfurl our sails, full ahead lets take them ha ha! Ramming speed!" he crowed madly taking the helm and steering it towards the nearest opposing vessel while his oarsmen increased their rowing. The nearest ship turned out to be the smallest ship around though it was still larger than his. On the deck he could see a number of sailors taking aim with some fixed emplacement, must be some small ballistas he thought before the deck was ripped up in lots of splinters as a loud buzzing sound was heard coming from a man who was holding a rectangular object which was mounted on a stand by the railings. Euron watch as his men had legs arms or faces torn apart by wholes rapidly appearing in them, chests appearing to have been drilled through by nails with blood spurting over the deck. It was in that moment that he had his first taste of true fear for the first time in many years. Never before had he seen such destruction done to men, it made him hard as it also terrified him wanting one of these weapons to rule the seas with. It was then he noticed the buzzing had stopped and a group of ten and two had now boarded by climbing up the sides of his ship. "Ha fools, you carry not even a sword, gut them men!" he yelled at these interlopers. What happened next he hadn't expected, instead of cowering or trying to fight they raised up some tubular objects much like how one would hold a cross bow and pressed a trigger on them similarly. Bang! Bang! Bang! rang out as his men dropped down or were pushed back, charge after charge repelled and his men lay on the deck, blood running over it and dripping down the sides as Euron watch the last of his deck crew get cut down as one would cut fields of corn in harvest. "How?! You greenlanders can't be this good, fight you cowards" he drew his sword and raised his axe and approached the group of weirdly dressed and armed soldiers stopping less than seven feet away. They turned to him, "Pirate, surrender or join your friends. Surrender and you will be treated fairly."
"I am Ironborn and what is dead may never die" he spat at them. "Fight me then bastards!" One of the men stepped forth accepting the challenge, he seemed to pump the odd weapon he held and then there was a loud bang after he pointed it at him. Euron felt like he was punched in the stomach by the Mountain That Rides as he was launched back and fell to the ground. He lay there trying understand what had happened, he turned to look across the fleet and saw that only ten ships still stood whole and he could hear more bangs and booming sounds from the other ships along with yells and cries of pain. Blood leaked from his mouth and gushed from his chest as he coughed up more blood. He heard more shouts and bangs from below as the rowers tried to attack the boarders but they too were slain quickly and methodically by these unknown greenlanders. He snorted, yeah they were not green like true greenlanders, these people knew how to fight quickly and brutally at sea. He managed to turn himself onto his front and drag himself towards his cabin to get bandages. "How the fuck are you still alive?! You took a shotgun round at point blank range!"came a voice behind him, or was it above, he turned over and saw another man standing above him. "Surrender friend and we can heal you. You've lost. There is nothing to be gained from fighting any more. Let us help you now." came the pleading voice of the man.
"I am Ironborn and we pay the iron price. It seems today I paid with my life, but what is dead may never die and you will suffer for eternity by my brother's hand. But first I'll take you with me" and using what little strength he had he lurched himself up off the ground pulling his knife attempting to stab the neck of the man, who jumped back in surprise brought up his right hand which held some object, then there was a single bang and then...nothing.
The body of the man fell to the ground, a hole in his head and a knife still in hand, as Major Walker turned to watched over his US marines and holstered his pistol. It had been a bloody business taking this ship, the crew had been like rabid dogs trying to kill his boarding team but they were no match for shotguns and assault rifles. It seems the story had repeated on other ships from the sounds he could hear. They began to check the bodies for belongings and anything of use before throwing overboard to join the sea. "Carry on here sergeant, I'm reporting back to the Bush" he called to one of the men.
"Understood major, we'll need a few people to help as this is quite a big ship sir." the sergeant replied.
"Understood I'll have some more sent this way."
Admiral Cosmo stood on the bridge observing the clear-up. It had been a swift and brutal assault on these Ironborn. The submarine attack on the rear ships had helped cause confusion amongst the fleet and then their cannons and miniguns had wrecked the ships. They had captured ten ships in the end along with a few captains and others who had been moved to the brigs of number of ships. Most surprising they had even recovered another fancy sword from one prisoner. Lord Warrington stood to one side taking in the results of the engagement with interest. "You decided what you're gonna do with the sword Admiral?"
"What did you think we should do with it then?"
"I would have suggested it be given to the head of the navy and a symbol of his position much like my sword is a symbol of the new lordship. So, fancy a nice sword?"
"You do know I already have one as a ceremonial blade right?"
"Details," Warrington replied with a dismissive wave. "You can give that to Gardner as he did not have one packed with him. Otherwise I'd have said give to the guy who beat that iron lord."
"He didn't beat him, the lord surrendered after we had killed most of his crew in the initial assault on the ship."
"Well then my initial idea for the head of the navy to have one then stands" Warrington replied smugly. "What do you make of the ships captured?"
"They'll be useful once they're fixed up and given some improvements. Mostly just better ballistae or scorpions. Might copper bottom them as well to make them quicker and last longer. They'll need fixing up first so probably a year to get them all in fighting shape. Any thoughts on what you'll do with them?"
"I think we'll keep all but two and give those to the Mormonts. Fix them up then hand them over. Do you think any of those wrecks might be useable? Either for target practise with our new weapons or for resources?"
"Possibly, I'll have some divers take a look once we've organised the captured ships. The prisoners?" asked the Admiral. Warrington sighed.
"I honestly don't know. Part of me wants to imprison for life as we technically don't have the death penalty but the North and laws of Westeros does and would probably execute most of them or send them to the wall. They don't have prisons here. Just cells in castles to keep captives before punishment is decided. I'll have the maester send a raven to Winterfell requesting instruction. Maybe Lord Stark will have some idea on what to do."
"And if he says execute those not going to the Wall?"
"I may be forced to. It is the laws of this land, plus its not like the US was without capital punishment and even the UK would have polls saying people wanted it for extreme cases but still we stopped it back in 60s and it was made illegal in the 90s for everything. So yes I may have to though I'll avoid it as much as possible" he sighed, not looking forward deciding their fates. "Would trials matter?"
"Only in determining their guilt but since they were all caught in action against us it would make no difference" Cosmo said. "What is the punishment for their piracy and attempted reaving?"
"I believe death or the Wall instead of death if they choose. In short they die either way by the sound of it and by all local laws I have no choice if the court decides them guilty. They could challenge in trial by combat apparently but since none of us are swordsman we'd just shoot them in a good old fashioned pistol duel. So no difference in outcome. Guess all we can do is make it quick and as painless as possible. Either bullet to the head or if forced to use that Valyrian sword, should be sharp enough to make t quick."
"Beheading?" questioned Cosmo.
"Or through the heart, which is quicker?"
"Er well, the head I'd guess if you can do it in one, that's the reason we stopped it was inconsistent unless you had the upper strength to take the head if my history is correct."
"I see" Warrington replied, the pair falling into silence as they thought more on punishments and the fallout from the attack.
Winterfell
Lord Stark was sitting in his solar with Ser Rodrik going over the latest on his guards and patrol routes when a knock at the door was heard. "Enter!" he called out. In came Maester Luwin his chains clanging and holding a scroll.
"Raven in from the Stone Shore my lord" he explained apologetically.
"No worries Maester, let us see what Lord Warrington has to say. It is earlier than his other ravens so must be important."
"Indeed there is still two sennights till the moon is complete. He has been on time previously in his raven a moon reporting."
"Yes it has made for some interesting reports. Jorah Mormont was quite happy with the new trade when he wrote me upon his return" Eddard said while unravelling the scroll to read the letter.
To Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North,
I am writing to inform you of an attmepted attack by the Ironborn on Stoney Shore. We intercepted twenty vessels commanded by a Euron Greyjoy. Ten vessels were captured including Euron's vessel, which I am informed is called The Silence, the rest were sunk with all hands lost. We killed most of the remaining crews during our boarding of the ships but have taken survivors prisoner including a Lord Drumm. I am requesting instruction on how to handle the prisoners.
Your loyal servant and defender of the coast,
James Warrington,
Lord of House Britanican
Lord of Stoney Shore
"It seems Warrington has been busy" Eddard said upon reading the letter.
"Ha busy you call it my lord!? They killed Euron Greyjoy and took on a decent size fleet and captured ships. By the old gods they're good" Ser Rodrik said with a laugh.
"What will you advise Warrington to do my lord in regards to the prisoners?" Luwin asked attempting to get them back to the question at hand.
"A fair question. I believe that they should be sent to the Wall or executed per the law. I'm sure I informed Warrington of this when he was last here or in a letter to him. Wonder why he asked?"
"My lord meaning no disrespect but from my impression of them they will not kill a defenceless person, especially as punishment. They seem weak, even more so than southerners. Oh they'll fight and fight well, but it seems they don't do bloody when they make war. You saw those weapons of theirs. They need only a few of those...er bullets they called them, to kill a man from range. We get in close and hack limbs. They don't know war any more so they're probably squeamish to kill prisoners. He's probably hoping you give him an alternative" Rodrik said rather dismissively while shaking his head in disappointment.
"That is rather insightful Ser, how did you come to that conclusion?" asked Luwin.
"Observation, and from some talking to them and those who spoke to them. Plus the look of their soldiers, even their veterans, I can see they didn't have the same look my lord has or those that came back from the war. They have a soldiers look I agree but not the brutality of war. Theirs is too clean. They'll adapt I think, they fought and beat the Ironborn so they're capable, but I think that they'll avoid hard choices. For now at least until forced. Force them now my lord, then they'll survive the north" Rodrik explained. The others in room looked thoughtful as they considered what had been said.
"I think that he might be right Maester, I did see something similar to as Rodrik says."
"Indeed my lord, thinking back on how they behaved and acted I would probably agree."
"It would seem best to instruct them to punish those responsible for their crimes or to send them to the Wall. Let us hope that this forces them to toughen up and adapt to the north." With that Lord Stark began writing a letter explaining the punishments for various crimes and the granting of service to the Nights Watch along with hopes that not much damage had been done.
Stoney Shore
It had been almost two weeks since the attack, three days since a reply from Lord Stark and Lord Warrington sat in his study in the mayoral mansion in Stoney Port in contemplation and avoidance. Avoidance of deciding what to do with the prisoners. Prisoners who by northern law were slated to be executed for their attempted piracy, raiding and raping as well as for their previous raids. A knock at the door and in came Admirals Cosmo and Gardner. "Admirals, something I can help you with?" They took their seats in front of his desk and sat uncomfortably glancing at each other before finally one answered.
"I'll be succinct then. The prisoners. Have you decided what we are doing with them?" Cosmo asked.
"Well, that's pretty succinct I'll give you that" Warrington said with a sad smile. "Honestly I have no clue. The trials?"
"Done, all were guilty. Now the punishments?"
"According to Northern and Westerosi law, reinforced by Lord Stark's letter, it is death or the wall for nearly all of them. The first timers are to loose a hand. But do we really want to go down that route to what many would call backwards, dark times? What do you think? What do your people say?"
"They're split. Some say do as local laws dictate no matter how distasteful though that group is split into those who'd want to dish that sort of punishment i.e. ones we need to watch so they aren't bad apples and those that just want to...er well, 'when in Rome' as they say. The others say we should build our own prison but send those we can to the Wall." Cosmo said apologetically.
"So essentially all the thoughts I'm thinking. Great, I hoped there'd be a decisive view I could go with" grumbled Warrington.
"I'm sorry, if it helps we will both back you on whichever you choose. I think most will as they know this is not an easy choice and it sets a precedent."
"Oh believe me I know, I also know how brutal humans can get. Look at our own histories and the ones here. We only got rid of the traitor's death in the 1800s; hung, drawn and quartered. Hanging we made illegal for most things back in the 60s. You still execute murderers by chemicals" Warrington continued to rant on history and morals and various other topics before finally sighing.
"We are military men, decide and order it. We can not keep them much longer" Gardner said sympathetically.
"Do we have a way to kill painlessly?"
"Only a bullet to the head, or a sword to their neck. Your Valyrian steel blade will do it I'd think. Or mine I guess. Haven't looked at it much even though it's on my wall."
"And we can't afford to spend a bullet on executions. A sword it is then. Do we have someone strong and accurate enough to make good on it? At least until I can. He who passes judgement should swing the sword. I don't like it but it's one of the things I did like about Lord Stark, he doesn't shirk from his duties and does it personally so as to make sure he does not pass sentence lightly" Warrington said tiredly.
"Aye the Marine Colonels or their most senior Majors could do it. Are you sure this is how we are gonna go Minister?"
"No but we can't keep them nor can we look weak to the North or the rest of them. I just hope history remember I didn't want this" he said with another heavy sigh. "Inform the prisoners it applies to; the block or the Wall. Get the chosen Marines ready, have my sword and yours brought to them. Give them an hour or two to practise on blocks of wood or something. Then this afternoon, in the main square, we'll do it. Get it over with and try and deal with the fallout amongst our people. God help us when this is over."
"We'll see to it Minister."
It was late afternoon when the first group who had chosen the block were brought out. Lord Drumm hadn't thought these newcomers would actually do it in the end but after two sennights they finally grew the balls and brought them ashore to the main square of this port. He looked about as they landed seeing the impressive stone sea wall with defence emplacements spread along it, he saw a mansion not too far from the main square along with a number of stone buildings and some made of some other building material. There seemed to be forges over to the north from the smells and the smoke he could see while to the south construction of houses took place. There was a crowd waiting for the first group of ten including himself. A mix of the weird newcomers and local northmen. What confused him most, though he did sneer, was the pity and sadness on the faces of most of the newcomers while there was anger and glee on the north men's. They were brought to a raised wooden platform in the centre, where he saw two soldiers standing, each with a Valyrian steel blade, one of which was his. He snarled at that but also surprise that they now had two blades, no one he knew of had two and now they did. He ground his teeth in anger. A man stepped forward backed by two older men in uniforms. "Attention Ironborn. This is your last chance to choose the wall. I beg you, please reconsider this a final time, you can still live yet."
"Bah you know nothing of Ironborn, for what is dead may never die. We are already dead so get on with it you pansy greenlander. We lost and now we pay the iron price" called out Lord Drumm in answer before spitting on the ground.
The man sighed. "So be it Lord Drumm. You're first. By your own blade or by my House's?
"Just do it" Drumm spat. The man nodded and the guards brought him up to the spot before forcing him to kneel at the block.
"Do you have any last words?" The man asked.
"None for you" Drumm answered then he spat at his boot.
"Very well." With that he was held down and he saw his own blade, Red Rain, raised before he knew nothing but darkness.
AN: So, that happened. I hope the slow process and the questioning of the right and wrongs of it came across alright. The idea is that the courts decide guilt or innocence, with the Lord or others carrying out the sentence for the crime. Also mad Euron made an appearance, I knew that he'd probably die fighting the US/UK fleet but I didn't know whether to include him now or later. Hope I got the characterisation of them all right. I'll probably change the rating to M for language and violence now though. In regards to reviews thank you for all of them and I just want to address some thoughts first:
For those thinking the Walkers will be a cake walk I will say this, what evidence in books or shows says a bomb will destroy the NK or a WW? The Wights yes as they are basically zombies but you still need Valyrian steel or dragonglass to kill NK and WW.
I have no intention for tanks as that has been asked a few times if only because they had no tanks in the fleet because they were on a naval exercise so why would tanks be onboard, plus hard to make them with what they got.
Any reviews welcome along with thoughts to improve it. Many thanks, J signing off.