AN: All rights go to HBO and GRRM except for my OCs.

Coming of the Red Anchor

Training, Feasts and Courting

Late 284 AC

Stoneyport

It had been six moons since she'd arrived in Stoneyport and Dacey was having an interesting time to say the least. Her training of the new guards and soldiers who wished to learn the sword had been going well though some still couldn't put their feet right or swing properly. Thankfully Ser Rodrik handled them as the most experienced swordsman around while she helped those who were progressing. Surprisingly, to both her and Rodrik, Warington himself was not all that bad. Sure his posture and footwork needed to improve as did some of his forms but on the whole he wasn't as awful as expected for a self confessed desk worker. She could still beat him within minutes but that was up from a few seconds so that was progress she guessed. One thing that kept coming back to her though was the ships. The warships of metal that rose like giants out of the sea high above the usual height of ships. She prayed the North would never turn on them and she almost felt bad for any who now provoked the North at sea, almost. She remembered, when Lord Stark had been here, what Warrington had said when asked about why he'd shown them the fleet.

"Why show us this Lord Warrington, did you not want this secret?" Lord Stark had asked.

"Aye we do, but you as our liege lord I think deserve to know and if asked to keep what you saw quiet I think you would, as it would only benefit our enemies if they knew. As for Lady Dacey, she has proven to be a friend and someone we can work with as well as being honourable like yourself. We also do this to both of you to show that we are a force to be reckoned with and those who provoke it will suffer the storm they awaken." The determination and cold fury on his face as he said those last words still made her shiver when she thought of it. She was impressed of course and knew her parents and uncle would be too knowing that there was a fleet of ships that could beat the Ironborn so easily.

Her and James had been spending time together training, Rodrik focusing on him when they spared together. True she thrashed him but both of them learned new things, though they rarely helped James since she was far better and more experienced. When she'd ask about a particular move he had tried he laughed and said he'd seen it in a film, whatever a film was. After hearing that reply for the third time she asked what a movie was and he looked at her surprised before inviting her to his solar later that day and he'd show her. It proved interesting to say the leat and fascinating as she watched a play on this tablet that showed thing which moved a moving painting. He showed her a scene from this film where it seemed to be set in a volcano with all the lava that was everywhere and two men used blue glowing swords to swipe at each other as they jumped and fought across large pipes and then across platforms while she heard a fast tempo piece of music playing in the background fitting in with the fight she watched. The music itself also surprised her too as she hadn't heard anything like it before though she could recognise the sound of one or two instruments plus a choir occasionally. The sequence ended with one man on the embankment of the lava river and the other jumping impossibly high before the first seemed to move quickly leaving the second man laying on the ground near the lava. James turned it off at that point, "thought you might like it, a fight scene in one the greatest film franchises my people had. Some of what they did you might recognise but it is otherwise a made up fighting style for that franchise."

"Yes it was most...I don't know, just wow, and the music was so different and the instruments playing it" she gushed.

He chuckled, "you've heard nothing yet. That was a piece of classical music for a film soundtrack, written for that fight sequence. We have a wide variety of other music styles as well." Their evening then turned into a display of various musics with Dacey saying whether she like ones or not. Of those she heard, rock and some of the classical were her favourites with a band AC/DC being particularly good she thought much to James' amusement.

The next few days and, eventually, sennights saw the pair spar together as usual when Warrington could and while also being trained by Ser Rodrik, who was now growing into the instructor role and had began whipping the recruits into shape. Those from the military background seemed to do better with the sword than the common folk who had asked to join. "That's it lad side step, parry, thrust, good now reset. First stance, begin!" the clash of steel rang through the training ground by the barracks in the port as two men fought with training blades. "Boyle raise that shield lad you're letting it drop when you try to strike which leaves you open to a counter. Now start again. Leon stop giving him chances or you'll be dead!" Rodrik barked out observing the spar. From the side of the ten by ten meter arena over twenty men and women stood watching cheering for one man or the other as the fight progressed. With a final blow one fell to the ground and yielded to cheers from the crowd. As the crowd quietened they saw Lord Warrington approach with a smile. "Well done all of you, I'm told you are progressing well and most of you now know to stick 'em with the pointy end" this got a few laughs from the crowd. "Now I know you and I still have a way to go but I though you should be the first to know a feast will be held in the main square for all to come to. We will celebrate a year of House Britanican being here as well as the progress our projects have made. It will be held in a sennight to give time for us to prepare. Thank you all for your loyal service and well done on your training." Cheers filled the air at the news of a large feast that all could go to. The crowd departed and Ser Rodrik approached Warrington.

"Sure it's wise to hold a feast? We northerners don't hold feast for just any reason ya know" he said bluntly.

"Oh no worries we won't be holding that many. This is just to help our people bond together and mark a year of us being here besides I think many will enjoy what I have in mind" Warrington said with a grin an a sparkle in his eyes.

That week saw activity from various engineers from the ships working around the courtyard to set up various pieces of equipment on orders of the Lord. While no one knew the whole plan those from the fleet could recognise some of the equipment being placed in the corners of the square on poles secured by chains and rope along with others placed on other taller poles in the centre of it which got them murmuring excitedly while the locals looked on in confusion. The feast was to start at six in the evening as the darkness began to seep in. The temperature while cool was pleasant as they were still in the summer period this world had where seasons lasted years at a time.

When the evening in question came, tables had been placed around the main square with an area left free in the centre. Hundreds, if not a thousand, people sat around tables while servants brought food out from the kitchens and up from the ports as two vessels from the steel fleet, as the metal ships became known, had come into the port to add their food production capabilities to the kitchens of the manor house and barracks. Many of the foods were known to those from the fleet; pizzas, burgers, sausages, pasta dishes along with local staples such as roast chicken, roast boar, carrots, potatoes and other vegetables grown in the North and in the greenhouses (glasshouses to the locals). As the food and drink flowed, up at the high table, at the side nearest to the manor house, Lord Warrington sat with Lady Dacey beside him to his left while Admiral Cosmo sat to his right. Ser Rodrik sat to Dacey's left and Admiral Gardner was to Cosmo's right. "Everything set admirals?" asked Warrington.

"Indeed Min- sorry my Lord" - Warrington just waved it off - "The electrics work and it should prove interesting. You had a playlist selected?"

"Yes I spoke to number of our people while putting it together. It starts off with something people here should enjoy before going modern" he replied with a smirk. He stood and rang a bell he'd had placed on his table, as he rang it people started to quieten down before silence fell. When he had everyone's attention he then spoke. "Thank you one and all for attending, I hope the food and drink is to your taste" a cheer sounded echoing around the square and through the town. "We have been here a year and it has been a long and interesting year. We have made new homes, new friends and new lands. We have developed a place abandoned and defenceless into a land that stands its ground and defends the North from those who would plunder and raid its coastline. We are still building roads and the castle but progress is made and we have a port that all can be proud of in the North and beyond. Let them know that the North is not defenceless nor a barren wilderness of barbarians. I give you a feast to celebrate our coming of the Red Anchor and of House Britanican. Enjoy!" With that the sounds of string instruments along with trumpets and the like could be hard from around as various songs were played. At first the locals seemed confused by how the sound was there and then by the tunes as it was no northern or southern music they knew.

"Mozart?" asked Cosmo.

"I believe that was Bach, but the one prior was Mozart" replied James.

"So this was the surprise, music for all to hear? How are you proving the sounds, I see no musicans?" Dacey asked.

"Yes the music and the lights, but you won't notice till the music changes to something else for these 'classical' pieces they are on but once it changes..." he trailed off with a small smirk, his eyes showing mischief. "The music is provided through the speakers, they...replicate the sound of a band for us and we control the sounds sent to them through the wires and cables that lead to each speaker. The power generators using whale oil and the like should last through the night but I wanted something special for our people for one night" he explained to Dacey as she looked at the aforementioned speakers up on poles with wires or cable he said trailing out of them. Then the music changed to the sounds of guitar picking notes followed by drums beating out a rhythm and tempo and the song began "Take me home to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty" then more music sound and the lights up on the poles dotted about the square now started to flash on and off in the beat to the music. "Told you it would change" Warrington said laughing. The people from the fleet seemed to recognise the song or at least the music where as the locals just looked bewildered as the music grew louder and faster. The music faded as the next song picked up similar in sound and tempo but slightly different. Drums and guitar played as the singing began. "I got my first real six string, Bought it at the five-and-dime, played it till my finger bleed, was the summer of '69"

"Oh I like this one," someone called out from the crowed below as cheers from the crowd as some of the members from the fleet started singing along. As the evening progressed and as more drink and food was eaten as people relaxed and, in some cases, danced to music that played over the sound system as the lighting flashed on and off to the music. Songs from Britain and America played over the next few hours mainly of the rock and pop genres such as Livin' on a Prayer, Mr Brightside, Bohemian Rhapsody, So What!, Uptown Girl and Jailhouse Rock. By the end of the night the locals had heard many different songs from the last 50 years of what was considered the best the two allied nations had produced with many enjoying the various songs and dancing along although it took time for the locals to dance as they didn't know the music.

"The lights, how did you get them to do that?" asked Cosmo.

"Oh I just had someone with the lighting control and told them to increase and decrease as the liked. If we wanted to d it professionally you can programme it but I felt the human touch was better plus we dont hve the right stuff for it so best to just leave it with on and off manually. The speakers meanwhile, are around the square as you can see and the wiring is copper held within rope as they did back in the 1800s, it works for now as we don't have plastic but when we do we'll strip 'em and replace the lot or so I'm told by the electrical engineers. Some bits of the wiring is in the plastic coating which is stuff we could spare from the fleet though" explained Warrington. Around the square things were beginning to wind down as it quickly approached midnight and it became clear that people were drifting away, families having left earlier leaving only adults by this point, with some finding partners to take back to their rooms, even some of the naval personnel were doing so.

When the time came James and Dacey both ended up leaving together, with James escorting her back to her room as was polite for the Lord to do with a Lady. "It was a wonderful night my lord, many thanks for the feast and the music. I have never heard such variety and style. It was astounding really, it doesn't even compare to that video you showed me and some music you played then."

"Well I had to keep some surprises now didn't I?" smirked Warrington as they walked along the stone and wood corridor of the second floor. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself though, you've been a good friend these past few months and a good sparring partner, I hope you won't be too hung over in the morning."

"Bah I've drunk more on previous occasions so it won't be bad, and you've been a good host and friend too" she replied now slightly swaying on her feet, bumping her shoulder against Warrington's. They approached the fourth door in the corridor and they stood and looked at each other before realising they had been looking intensely at the other. Dacey, being the bold lady she was, leaned in and gave him a chaste peck on the cheek "thank you for the escort to my room my lord and thank you for the night." She turned and entered her room closing the door leaving Warrington outside slightly stunned before he shook himself and wondered off to his own quarters before falling into the blackness of sleep.

The next few days continued as previous, administrative duties were carried out followed by some training and sparing with Rodrik and Dacey. Trade deals with various houses across Westeros for certain items and resources were made and other deals were done with Bravos. Warrington was proud of how his people had settled in despite some intransigence from some and others still wishing to go home. But things were looking up. The castle was slowly taking shape and the port had developed nicely the only problem was the brothel that had started up and James had no idea how to handle it. While legal and fine by Westerosi standards, by British and American standards it was down right wrong with brothels being illegal in both nations though some prostitution occurred they weren't to the scale or conditions these places were. The admirals were not much help either as they didn't know what to do about it apart from trying to reinforce military standards amongst the crews to limit it as best they could. He also made to check who owned the brothel so as to make sure no loose lips would cost any lives. Thankfully it was locally run and owned for now at least. So from then they mostly fell into a routine which felt comfortable while the new wooden ships patrolled the seas and insured safe travels from the trading ships from the Reach and Westerlands as well as a few from Bear Island who were becoming close allies and friends as time went on.

Mid 286 AC

The crews of the fleet had gradually grown fond of the locals. Sure it hadn't been easy going from democratic republic or constitutional monarchy to an absolute monarchy and a feudal system but the crew of the steel fleet had slowly, cautiously, and in some cases begrudgingly, part of the North. The simplicity of the life style, the generally honest and the plain speaking of the people was refreshing for many and easier to live with. Cobbled stone roads now stretched from Stoneyport to Barrowton and then onto the Kings Road while others led up to Deepwood Motte and a third had now been completed which led directly to Winterfell, the capital of the North and home of the Starks. The castle, about two miles from the port, had made good progress with its keep and inner wall now being completed along with a handful of building in the inner ward, while construction of the outer wall and outer wards were now beginning. The towers on the inner wall were also mostly completed with only two needing more work. Trade routes had now established themselves with the Westerlands and the Reach along with most of the North also trading with House Britanican for its quality steel, building material and cheap glass. These deals brought in much wealth that was mostly reinvested into the towns and construction efforts around Stoney Shore, such as the castle project, the road building and various house building programmes around the territory.

In terms of training; the new wooden fleet, with mostly copper bottoms, were now fully crewed and the ships had a mix of new recruits and old sea dogs leant from the Manderly's to aid in setting the fleet up since the crews of the steel fleet lacked, to some degree, the sailing experience for wooded ships. The marines had now adapted to being the army of House Britanican with the barracks up at the castle and in Stoneyport as their main bases. They had also diversified their troops where they could. Most marines still stuck with their rifles but they also learned either the bow, cross or long, or the sword. Those with the sword had progressed well according to Ser Rodrik and he had proudly said that for novices they could now put up a decent fight if needed. It was now about instilling muscle memory and training a few to tutor new recruits as well as continued training of the others. The one thing though which had many peoples' eye was the relationship between James Warrington and Dacey Mormont. Wagers and bets had already been placed on when the two would finally get together and some were now starting to make losses, much to others' amusement. The pair trained regularly together and also went for walks along the shores enjoying the other's company, but Dacey also travelled back and forth every few months to return home to Bear Island. Indeed thanks to the new armour she had, she'd helped fight off a few Wildling raids earning much acclaim for her skills and the armour she wore; it had snarling bear faces on the shoulder pads and the rampart bear on its chest piece made especially for her as a nameday present from Lord Warrington. "Dacey, how was the voyage back here? Pleasant I hope?" Warrington asked as they walked along the shore a few minutes from the outer wall of the port, a few soldiers hanging back respectfully behind them.
"Indeed, there was no trouble my lord -"

"Please call me James, I've said before when it's just us out here walking."

"Er yes of course, sorry habits. James then. And we had no trouble, your fleet keeps the Ironborn well away from the North now so Bear Island has flourished like never before and we are wealthier too. My uncle, Jorah, is doing well though sometimes he doesn't spend too wisely so mother has to bash him on the head to remind him to spend wisely and save" Dacey said with a chuckle remembering the last time Uncle Jorah had made some losses on a bad trade deal and Marge had almost ripped him a new one.

"I bet she does" James replied also chuckling while remembering the no-nonsense woman who took none from anyone. "She is well too?"

"Mother is fine thank you though she may be with child again though she hasn't said."

"Well I wish her well if she is, another she-bear eh?"

"Ha! It is likely, my younger sisters are are already turning out to be tough little warriors so I wish them well in dealing with another if she is."

"How old are they?"

"Alysane is three and ten and Lyra will be six namedays in a few moons. Both are doing well with the mace and sword. They seem to get along well too so I hope they can with a new sibling if one comes."

"Good to hear. Actually I wanted to discuss something with you. We have been good friends now for sometime wouldn't you agree?" she nodded and hummed committally. "Well I wondered if perhaps you'd like to take that a bit further?" She stopped and looked at him, an eyebrow raised, as he stood beside her.

"You mean, you'd want to court me?"

"Dacey you have made living here bearable, pun intended" she smirked at that awful joke, "but I have also enjoyed your company and grown quite fond of you after all this time if I do say myself."

"I'm quite fond of you too, and yes you've probably been one of my first friends off of Bear Island, I know there is an age gap of three and ten but that is not that uncommon here, I believe the worse I've heard of is Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully, I feel awful for the girl to have to be with an old man but that is life here. Being with you would be no chore."

"Oh gee thanks for that ringing endorsement" James said snarkily. Dacey just grinned back at him. "So would that be a yes to courting then?"

"A maybe" she said slowly, drawing out the word to annoy him a bit more. James growled slightly at that which made her laugh. "I'm teasing you my friend. Yes I'd be interested though you will need to write to mother and my uncle for permission." James smiled which Dacey returned happily and the pair leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips to seal their affection and courtship. The letter requesting it would be sent off that evening with a reply returning two days later. The pair read it and smiled.

To James Warrington, Lord of House Britanican and Stoney Shore,
After receiving your request me and her mother Maege discussed it and found little fault in cementing are dense and trade agreement that both a benefited from. I know Maege has spoken well of you and that in itself tells me you are a suitable candidate for my niece. That my niece is in favour too makes it that I can find no true fault with the match. I give you my blessing to court but I insist that any acts of intimacy must be refrained from until marriage aside from the odd show of affection. My niece must be unspoilt on her wedding day should the pair of you progress that far. I wish you well and hope the two of you have many happy years ahead.
Signed,
Jorah Mormont, Lord of House Mormont and Bear island

With the letter read and passed between the two they kissed happily again enjoying holding the other close before breaking apart and Dacey left and James made a note to inform his advisors. He had a sneaky feeling that someone around the port had made a lot of money of the bets he'd heard about, can't they find anything better to do than wager on my love life James grumbled.

AN: Hope you enjoyed this and sorry for the delay. I have been, and will continue to be, focused on the Rebirth of Ares based on Stargate, but I found I had this mostly written so decided to finish it and publish for you my lovely readers. There will be another halt to writing this as I focus on my other work before returning to Red Anchor.