Coming of the Red Anchor
Homecoming
1st Month of 290 AC
Stoneyport
Steam hissed from the red hot blade as he placed in a bucket of water to cool it before hammering it again on the anvil. It was his tenth blade of the day and he was working up more as he knew many would have been broken or lost in the war. Word had come only the day before of the victory and many in the port were preparing to welcome home the victorious northern troops. Barlom was a weapons smith, though he hadn't always been. When this spot was just a small fishing village of a few hundred people he had just been a common blacksmith; fixing horse shoes, fishing hooks and farming tools for the village. Now though, the town had grown rapidly over the last six years. 20,000 people in one town was large for the north, only White Harbour was larger with over 30,000. Most had come from other northern towns and villages where there was not much work, but a few thousand had come north from Kings Landing and the Riverlands in search of a fresh start or a chance to work. That had helped boost the numbers somewhat but it was those of that steel ship fleet, and Barlom still remembered the sight of twenty odd steel ships appearing in the bay, who had really taken the numbers up when they some came ashore to settle. Supposedly there were over 10,000 in that fleet which Barlom could barely believe. Quite a few of those foreigners now had husbands and wives from amongst the locals and were having families which had also boosted the population.
Education was apparently a tradition amongst these newcomers so they set up a small school to teach everyone who wanted basic reading and writing skills along with mathematics which was given by the Maester and a few of the newcomers. The school was much loved by everyone here in Stoneyport since it gave many the chance to learn a new trade and become more useful to the town. New farming implements were also enjoyed by many of the farmers as they broke the soil far quicker than their current tools and allowed for crops to be harvested just as easily. It kept Barlom in business since he still had to fix them if they ever broke and he occasionally made new tools when requested. The glasshouses were also much loved as well since it allowed small amounts of new fruits and vegetables to be grown and sold locally, and thus cheaper, with oranges and lemons being the favourites of many. The town also purchased additional stock from Dorne and the Reach which was conducted by traders.
Barlom was busy hammering in the afternoon one day when he then heard the noise of the town come in through the open windows. He looked up and through the open door onto the street to see many heading down towards the docks including a few of the local guard, a mixture of city watch and the few soldiers who remained behind, who walked along with them to keep order. Quickly setting things down and then locking up everything he went to join the crowd to see what all the fuss was about. As they walked down to the docks, murmurs of ships arriving and the Stark sigil being spotted along with the red anchor. At the quay side, standing along the waterfront, were many cheering people as ships of various sizes came into the port and moored up by the piers or remained in the bay to drop anchor along the beaches on either side of the town. From the large ship baring both wolf and anchor came a grim looking dark haired man with a fur coat covering him and a great word on his back. The cheers grew as many recognised the man as Lord Stark himself. Barlom spotted a man with similar hair but a slightly different skin tone and manner approaching with a more genial smile who gave a bow before shaking Lord Stark's hand.
"Congratulations on your victory Lord Stark, as ever Stoneyport is yours my lord and welcome home."
"Thank you Lord Warrington, may I extend my thanks to your crews and ships for a quick journey home for me and my men. They no doubt wish to return to their families as much as I do" Eddard Stark said pleasantly.
"Of course, you and the Lords are welcome to stay in the manor as guests for the night, I'd suggest setting up camps around the town and allowing the men to come in for the taverns and other things." Ned nodded appreciatively.
"I'll let them know to do so" came the reply. The two quickly discussed some further details before Ned sent off some runners to pass messages to his fellow Lords. Over the next few hours the Northern host set up camp outside the walls of the town with the Starks, Glovers and Mormonts to the north, Karstarks and Umbers to the west and Bolton, Ryswell and Dustin men to the south.
That evening before the feast was to be held at the manor, Lord Warrington stood on the battlements looking out at the large forces camped outside. "Lord Warrington" came a voice behind him.
"Baker, how is everything?" Warrington asked without turning.
"All is well my lord. We have the blood samples of many from across Westeros now including Lord Stark and the King as requested."
"Ah good, can the DNA mapping go ahead then? I know a couple of scientists wanted to see how different these humans are to ourselves and gaining the samples from many will be a good way to compare rather than just using the local fishermen here. Though I don't see why it matters now given that some of our people have wives and children from the locals, myself included." Baker merely shrugged before sounding serious.
"It will help though with a possible issue growing in Kings Landing" Baker added.
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"A potentially very important problem in Kings Landing my lord. All three of Robert's heirs bare no sign of Baratheon colouring. They show all Lannister."
"So? Perhaps they just favour the mother or do you fear something else?"
"It is concerning due to the degree that they favour her over him. We found a few of Robert's natural children, including one in the Vale, and they all bare a strong or passing resemblance to him. These three supposed trueborn children do not. I'd like permission to try to secure a blood sample or something to compare to the sample of the King we now have in order to confirm it" the man asked nervously.
"That is a dangerous proposition."
"Not the fact that I'm say they aren't his?" Baker returned and James smirked.
"Technically both statements are, however, this will be a serious matter if the king is truly without an heir. Even we back in Britain would not tolerate such a thing and we are a democracy just like the US. This will need to be dealt with carefully. Varys the spymaster will no doubt be vigilant to anything we may try, though he may already know or suspect this heritage. Also the Lannisters themselves are a brutal but cunning family, or at least their Lord Tywin is. He knows politics and scheming like many politicians or warlords back home. I'm sure he'd give even our best political operator a run for their money. If you are to try to gain a sample of some kind be vigilant and careful. I suggest a hair sample as that you can ask a servant to get one easily enough. After all what is special about a single hair?" Baker nodded and turned to leave before Warington spoke again. "The war, how did we fair and what are others doing about us?"
"The fleet did well my lord, though Theon Greyjoy died in the bombardment of Pyke however no one seems to have really cared except the father though Lord Stark seemed slightly aggrieved although perhaps more because he brings the sister with him. Lord Stark has taken the only surviving child, Asha Greyjoy, as a ward to ensure Balon's compliance per the King's command" Baker reported. "Lord Tywin seems to be showing an interest in us but I am monitoring it carefully and those that he sent north to try to steal any secrets have been watched and dealt with. Also it seems that a Petyr Baelish, known as the Master of Coin, is attempting to purchase the brothel in the port. I have had to block his attempt to place a girl or two in there already as they were likely spies. What do you want done with the purchase?"
"Block it, I will not allow someone like him in this town. Your reports from Kings Landing show he cannot be trusted nor that he treats his employees well. The reports also indicate that he has the second largest spy network in the country so I want him to have as few as eyes as possible here. Right, anything else to report?"
"All relay stations are deployed to the various mountains across the continent, we have more or less total radio coverage to allow communication for any agents or ships" Baker concluded happily.
"Good, that is good. When can you get cameras deployed inside the Red Keep?"
"Sir?"
"CCTV, I want to know the goings on in court. Place small cameras and microphones in the main sections of the keep and a few places off the beaten path. It will allow discrete monitoring without relying on an actual spy inside apart from when actual placing them."
"I see, of course my lord, I will see to it. It will be useful seeing what occurs inside" Baker commented while pondering how to do it. With that the two men parted ways and James returned to the manor for the fest that was due to start shortly.
Lord Stark sat as guest of honour at Warrington right hand side while his wife Lady Dacey sat to the left with a small boy of two sitting happily beside her. The feast was pleasant enough he felt and many of his fellow lords were enjoying the ales and beers that their host provided. A new beverage called vodka, which was a strong single shot drink, was proving to be quite popular amongst the men and was almost a bit too strong for himself. As for the foods, those too were enjoyable and varied, with some exotic items that Ned would have thought came from Dorne until he was told the recipes came from their homelands but were adapted using local ingredients including some from Dorne, so he was half right. The music was also something new and he could not see any minstrels but he could still hear music coming from all around. He did not partake too much in the drinking, thinking more on the war which had just ended, the screams of the dying and the pointlessness of both it and the previous rebellion which had ended with his friend as king. He also pondered on how to handle the young girl of ten and two who was up in her room in the manor under guard as well as of wondering what to do of his 'son', Jon. He sighed and, without meaning to, caught the attention of Warrington. "Penny for your thoughts Lord Stark?"
"Huh?" Ned said rather distractedly.
"Are you alright? You seem rather deep in thought" Warrington commented.
"Oh just have much on my mind" Ned replied rather tiredly.
"Anything I can help with?"
"Just the matter of the Greyjoy girl" Ned answered, not wanting to bring up Jon lest questions be asked which he did not want. "She will likely be quite headstrong and sullen for some time, understandably so given the circumstances. I do not know how to handle her correctly. I fear she will be worse than Lyanna was at her age" Ned said with another sigh.
"Lyanna?"
"My sister" Ned stiffly replied after a moment. "She died in the rebellion."
"My condolences. In battle or…"
"I'd rather not talk about it, those were...bad times for my family leaving just me and my younger brother alone."
"Apologies, I meant no disrespect, just that I had not heard the tale of the rebellion other than in general terms. That you and Robert rebelled and overthrew the mad Targareyens, ending with the sack of the capital."
"Aye that is the basics of it. Ask your wife if you wish to know more, I believe she and Lyanna were relatively close being of similar temperament and outlook. I would, if I could, forget the whole war and return to how things were before" Ned said sadly.
"Of course, my apologies for bringing up bad memories." Ned snorted.
"Hardly your fault Lord Warrington, I was already amongst them due to my new ward and the rebellion we just fought in" he said with another tired sighed.
"You know, you aren't the first, nor will you be the last to think such after a long campaign my lord. Many in our military back home have been in similar states after conflict. We called it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. I believe the best way in dealing with it usually was to talk about it with others. If you need to talk, my door is open, though perhaps speaking with someone who was there would be better since they will understand more easily" James suggested gently. Ned raised an eyebrow before looking out at the revelry around the great hall and thought on the suggestion. 'Howland could be one to talk with since he knew of Jon, the secret would be safe and my promise kept'.
"I thank you for the suggestion, I will...consider it."
"As you wish my lord, I would like to speak with you properly before you leave if possible though." Ned grunted an affirmative before slowly standing.
"Thank you for the feast Lord Warrington it was most enjoyable but I am tired from the journey and the war so if you excuse me."
"Of course, sleep well my lord."
"Lord Stark" Dacey said with a polite nod. The two watched as the man made his way to the doorway where he paused and glanced back at the hall, to see the Greatjon laugh loudly at some joke while Lord Bolton sat quietly observing everything from a corner, before then leaving to his quarters.
The next day was the height of activity as many were rushing to and fro, dealing with requests and orders to move trunks and various items here and there. Up in the solar Warrington and Ned were talking quietly. "I had a suggestion about Moat Cailin" James said.
"Oh? What is your interest in that old ruin?" Ned asked curiously.
"As you know we have just finished restoring and rebuilding the castle to secure our hold here on Stoney Shore and I wondered if you wished the same for the Moat?"
"Go on" Ned said after thinking carefully and decided to hear his vassal lord out.
"With us here and the Manderly's to the east we have our coastlines secured. The Wall and the Watch secure our north but what about the south? You have an old ruin that may or may not hold and rely on the hit and run tactics of the Crannogmen. According to my own people's survey of the ruin it could be easily taken from its northern approach. All one would need to is get lucky enough to pass along the Fever river and you could come at the moat from the north."
"The North does not need it, we are at peace and there is hardly anyone who comes this far north anyway since they know they can't invade that way."
"Lord Stark, they will now. The coastlines are secure leaving only to come through the Neck as the only option. As for being at peace, yes we are. But if you want peace, you prepare for war. While we are at peace you should make preparations for one. For example; you make sure you can equip your people appropriately, you train them or you build fortifications where needed. In this case, restoring Moat Cailin" James argued.
"We lack the funds to undertake such a task" Ned said weakly. He knew it was a weak argument and so did Warrington. But he did not want to consider thinking about a future war especially when he'd barely got back from one. This Greyjoy rebellion and Robert's Rebellion were bad enough. "Why do you think we need it restored? You patrol down to Saltspear and nearly the entire coast now, while Lord Reed monitors the Fever River and Barrowton is nearby enough that they can watch Saltspear too."
"To be prepared my lord" James says simply.
"There is not likely to be any war requiring the Moat's use anyway what with Robert and his family on the throne."
"Aye that is true, but who says they will always be there or that something else does not spark a war?" James returned. Ned sighed heavily. Gods he wished his father was here or even Brandon so he could just follow their commands instead of making these sort of decisions. He was never trained or taught stuff like this, just to lead men for his father or brother. "Let me pose another question. What were you going to do with your son Brandon or your natural son Jon? Were you planning to foster? I hear that is the done thing here."
"Aye at some point, Robb and Jon are old enough they could foster for a year or so now while Sansa would need to wait longer. As for what I plan to do with Bran and Jon, well Bran would get a keep near Winterfell. Tumbledown Tower is near by so he could be given that to support Winterfell and make a village out of it. Equally I could give him Queenscrown up in the New Gift if I make arrangements with The Watch. With Jon, I...I don't know. He can't inherit much if anything, likely just be captain of the guard for his brother Robb or he might join the Watch itself, it is a noble calling."
"You'd send an innocent boy to the Wall?!" Warrington exclaimed. "A wall full or murderers, thieves, rapists and god knows who else?! Do you not care for him at all to send him there. Bloody hell man." Warrington seemed pretty angry at the thought of Ned sending the boy there. "We could take him then if that's what you think of your own son. He can lead our ground forces or captain a ship maybe. We care not he is a snow, if he's good we'll have him" Warrington argued after calming somewhat.
'Hmm yes that could work for him, but he'd be safer at the wall though' Ned thought sadly.
"Who'd be safer?" Warrington asked curiously, suddenly knocking Ned from his thoughts.
"Pardon?"
"You mumbled something about he'd be safer at the Wall, who?"
"Oh er nothing, it does not matter. I will think on the Moat. You are right that maybe Bran could take it but I need time to think. Plus I have to deal with Asha first. As for fostering I will consider that too. I thank you for your time and will hopefully not need to come this way again due to war." Ned stood up quickly making for the door.
"Indeed, it was good to see you again my lord" James said slowly from his seat behind the white weirwood desk.
"Lord Warrington" Ned said respectfully before leaving and closing the door behind him. James leaned back in his chair, staring at where Ned had just been suspiciously, as he brought his hand to his chin while he hummed thoughtfully on what had just happened. 'That was incredibly odd. And who would be safe?' he pondered.
Mid 290AC
With the Northern host now gone Stoneyport quickly returned to its normal hustle and bustle. The glass works were progressing well using the sand from along the vast shoreline of the North while also importing some samples from Dorne. Indeed Dorne had quickly become one of their closest trading partners, mostly focused in Starfall and House Dayne although some was conducted in Sunspear too.
One problem they found though were the threats from Myr over glass making. The glass produced in Stoneyport was cheaper and slightly better quality than that of Myr, this of course then led to most of Myr's Westerosi business going away and coming to Stoneyport instead. Indeed windows, statues, chandeliers and eyepieces were a common request by many Houses around Westeros with the Maesters of the Citadel in Oldtown requesting custom pieces such as telescopes, binoculars, lighting pieces like the chandeliers or even what could be called a primitive microscope. This of course led to one thing, a trade war with Myr.
The 'war' started in late 287 AC and was mostly irrelevant to House Britanican since they could just one up Myr with better production methods or a reduction in prices which in turn started to ruin Myrish glassmakers as they could not compete with the prices or the quality. It was after a few years of trying to compete that Myr then tried assassination and sabotage. The attempted assassination, via poisoning, was made during an evening meal a few moons after the Greyjoy Rebellion ended. The result was James being rushed to the USS George HW Bush for critical care while his wife and son looked on worriedly and angrily. Once poison was identified, the Tears of Lys, the doctors were able to treat him before placing him into a coma in order to aid recovery. During that time, which took almost two days, Rob Baker, the former MI5 spy turned spy chief, had found the culprit while they tried to escape on horseback towards White Harbour since Stoneyport had been locked down. Following normal interrogation techniques which revealed very little they resorted to some older, harsher methods; waterboarding and other physical and mental techniques, which after six days eventually broke him to reveal Myr had paid him, an expert assassin, to kill and ruin Warrington.
"What do you intend to do about it?!" yelled Dacey angrily. She was standing in her husband's solar with Baker, the two admirals along with Maester Barneby.
"There are different things we could do, for now we have let it be known he is critical and close to death while he is actually only in a coma. He is well and should wake soon" Cosmo replied calmly.
"So we wait until he wakes up which could be gods knows when. So what can we do now?"
"We could pay a mercenary company to attack Myr or do so ourselves. I believe that the disputed lands would be a good excuse to pay a company to attack Myr though they may not do much damage."
"We could bomb them instead to guarantee damage" suggested Gardener. "Hit them where it hurts, perhaps destroy their own glass making leaving us the only makers and throwing them into chaos." Cosmo hummed thoughtfully.
"If you ruined the Myrish economy they would not be able to afford to take part in the war in the Disputed Lands leaving it open for the other two to fight over" Barneby informed them. "That in turn could further ruin them as the victor could try to conquer them afterwards."
"This bombing would cause great damage to Myr?" Dacey asked the two admirals. They glanced at each other before nodding.
"It can be done, we would need a map of Myr so we target the right spot."
"If what you are trying to do is what I think it is, then destroying their industrial sector at night should do what you wish and keep casualties down, unless you want to do so during the day?" Barneby commented.
"It would cripple their glass making and we could hit their government building too which could help" Gardner admitted.
"Well how far is Myr from here?" Cosmo asked.
"I'd say around 2,500 miles give or take Admiral" estimated Maester Barneby.
"Well the F35 is out, it can only do 1,700 before it needs to refuel. We'd need to be a maximum of 850 miles for a safe two way trip."
"Move the carrier then Admiral" Dacey said firmly.
"Ma'am?"
"My husband, our lord, is critically injured because of them, we cannot let it stand. We northerners hit back and hit hard" Dacey said vehemently.
"As brash as you Americans eh George?" Gardner said dryly.
"You were the one who suggested this bombing of them in the first place Gardner, so what would you do then?" Dacey growled out.
"Merely suggesting it does not mean you have to do it, we brainstorm first and then come to a decision. Now as for us Brits, we try to take a calm measured approach which resolves the situation in our favour, hopefully. And assuming the politicians don't bungle it" Gardner replied and Cosmo snorted at the mention of politicians. "In this case" Gardner continued, "sending mercenaries to attack them or their interests would do damage and show them we mean business."
"Pardon me for saying my lord Admiral, but that would not have as big an impact as you would think if you mean to help someone attack the disputed lands. Your best bet would be a direct attack on Myr by whatever means to damage their glass making and the like. Only that would force them to submit and likely throw them into chaos too thus leaving us alone" Barneby informed them. The two admirals sighed almost in unison which almost made Dacey snicker at the similarities between the two men.
"We could always wait for James to wake, the doctors estimate he'll come out of the coma in a few more days. We could wait and see what he says?" suggested Gardner. Dacey sighed in frustration while Cosmo looked conflicted.
"We could begin moving the carrier south and away from the coast now so that it won't be spotted so that by the time Warrington's awake and able to decide things it will be in position to strike? Besides I'm sure the crew will enjoy the chance to get the ship going again" Cosmo finally said. Gardner looked up and hummed thoughtfully before nodding in agreement. Dacey smiled and nodded happily.
That night the Queen Elizabeth with two escorts set sail for south of Dorne and the Stepstones while remaining west of Lys. It was around 3600 miles and would take them just over six days. Warrington eventually woke up on the seventh day, much to the relief and happiness of those in Stoneyport. He was given a brief overview of what had happened and who caused it while he was laying in the hospital bed and he was understandably furious. Once he was told of the plan to bomb Myr he gave a weak nod before falling asleep again.
Hours later four F35 fighters took off from the Queen Elizabeth and hurtled towards the ancient city of Myr in a diamond formation high in the sky. The four pilots soon spotted the high stone walls and the grassy plains which surrounded the port city. Ships could be seen down in the bay below travelling around and transporting their cargoes while a large fleet was anchored just off shore. From up high, using their sensors and cameras they soon detected the industrial heart of Myr and planned their bombing run. Thanks to being comfortably under in their fuel safety limit they had enough to fly over the city a few times in order to pick targets. After their third fly over they turned again so they could return to base after the bombing run. Up high, where no one could see or hear them, they approached the city a final time and dropped their Paveway 2,000 lb laser guided bombs which then plummeted down on the unsuspecting city. The four jets then screamed off, heading back to the carrier while leaving behind eight bombs that rapidly descended upon the city. 30 seconds later eight large simultaneous explosions shattered the relative calm and the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Eight medium size craters the size of buses appeared, levelling large parts of the industrial and administrative sectors of the town thanks to the explosions themselves and the subsequent shockwaves. Fires were quickly started by the eight fireballs which erupted from the bombs and began to spread across the city causing further panic and chaos. Only days later would they learn that their glass and textile industries along with the city leadership were gutted when many of the traders, makers, apprentices and some Magisters were killed by the bombs, collapsing buildings or fires. It was a devastation that Myr would never quite recover from and many would wonder how it happened.
AN: Hope you all enjoyed it and found it relatively believable. I found while doing this that sail and rowing vessels are just so remarkably slow, it would take a month for a ship like the Silence to do what the QE and her escort ships did in six days. So Myr has been knocked down a few pegs which may impact the Disputed lands now and of course everyone will scramble to find out who and how. Next up: a timeskip and Ned visits his navy again.