The Journeys of Arya Stark
Day 1- We've set sail aboard the Nymeria, setting sail to the west beyond west. I, Arya Stark, captain of the ship and crew of the Nymeria, have set sail from ship to travel west of the known world, to go where none of Westeros have ever dared go, and sail beyond the known horizon. I shall keep this journal as my own memoir, my personal confidant.
I am Arya Stark of the North, yet with the death of the Mad Queen, Daenerys Targaryen, the banishment of my brother Jon Snow, the ascension of my sister Sansa to the throne of the North, and my brother Bran "the Broken" set as king of Westeros, my purpose is now gone, and I look to my own desires. Long have I desired to see what truly is west of Westerose, and so now I have finally set out to do so. I will write when I have time and desire to do so, but now the journey begins. We have set out from King's Landing.
Day 5- I've been very busy, and the position of captain is one new to me. The crew is a wild one, but they are rather bold to travel with me. We have begun to sail around the coast, and I plan to travel to Lonely Light Island, the last known reach of all of the known world, and from there, who knows!
Day 11- This crew! Ah, rascals and dogs, I swear! I've had a lot of trouble teaching a few rascally ones respect and such. But they are loyal, at least I feel they are. My first mate, an older sailor from Dorne, Layn Carly, is one I am very grateful for. He's a seasoned shipman, and a good companion to show me the ropes. This is all a new position for me, but I think I'm getting the handle of things.
Day 23- We had our first small storm, just off the coast. It didn't damage the ship much, but we are making steady speed. We head off to the Iron Islands soon.
Day 29- Reached the Iron Islands, sailing toward Lonely Light Island.
Day 37- We have finally reached Lonely Light Island, and I've given the crew a night of indulgence. Restocked and supplied, we set out tomorrow. I do not have much of an idea of how to go about this, but merely drive forwards. May the gods protect us.
Day 38- Our trips seems to be going well. A fair wind and a calm sea have kept the crew in good spirits. So far, all seems well, but my first mate tells me to be watchful, for a storm and told me a whole plethora of seamen stories, of pale mists in the north that freeze ships solid, strange lights, and ice dragons that breath icy frost upon ships. I am not much of a fool to fall to old sailor's tales, but I have seen things thought to be myth, so I shall remain watchful.
Day 43- Still sailing, steady wind. I feel slightly unnerved, surrounded by this vast ocean of blue and grey, yet I must not show fear before the crew. It is both a strange and wonderous feeling, but I hope to find land soon.
On the topic of land, I have wondered long upon what, if any, great landmass or islands exist beyond Westeros. Most believe that our world is round, so one could sail all the way round the entire earth, ending up far upon eastern Essos, or even Asshai-by-the-Shadow. Or, there may be a whole string of islands or an archipelago that we shall come across. Or there might even be a whole continent or great landmass. I have heard tales of a few Ironborn who have travelled there, coming from the Sunset Sea, with tails of "Thule". Finally, there are some who suggest that the descendants of the Starks might live there. Thousands of years before the Conquering, Brandon the Shipwright, ruler of the North, build a great fleet and sailed into the Sunset Sea, never being seen again. A few claims that they actually survived, and their descendants actually live in some unknown landmass. Whatever the truth, it will be discovered.
Day 46- No wind today. It is very hot, and the one of the crewmen, a self-proclaimed red priest called Desmor Willum, says to "Beware! Danger comes!". I've been quick to silence the old fool, but the crew seems a little uneasy.
Day 48- Passed by the first island we've seen. A small, very tiny squat of sand, just one worth of passing by. One of the younger crewmen has named if "Brarton Island" after himself.
Day 49- We landed on a small group of three islands. While they are very small, they did offer a small respite for the crew, and we quickly explored the whole island. We gathered a few known fruits, and have set off again, jotting down the location of the Lonely Triplets.
Day 53- A big storm has washed over our ships. It continues to pour and rain. Hard storm, and it still rages.
Day 54- Still storming outside.
Day 57- Finally! The storm has subsided! So far, alright, but the crew is a little unnerved, and so am I. But we will press on. A small squall can't suspend us forever!
Day 67- Almost one full month since we've set out! So far it has been nothing but and endless expanse of pure ocean, a great flat plain of blue. The crew is beginning to grow a little uneasy, but so far all is well.
Day 77- We have seen a small string of islands. Layn thinks there may be an archipelago we will reach soon. I am very thankful for the old sailor, even if he is prone to talk, a lot, about all sort of strange wand eerie tales.
Day 79- More islands. Every day we see a few, and every now and then we resupply our ships, with what little fruit we may find.
Day 82- Out ship is now surrounded by a small archipelago of islands. Layn thinks this is just a small part of a vaster assortment of islands, some closer and some further away. Time will tell if this is true.
Day 87- We have struck another storm, fiercer than the last, but have remained intact. Beyond that, we have moved out into wider ocean, with a few islands here and there, and the crew has seen actual people! I have only seen a few glimpses here and there, so I cannot make a very well description, but they appear similar in one regard to the Summer Islanders, but wear very little clothing, the most basic and primitive one can imagine them as, in small canoes with wooden spears and strange tattoos. They appear to be tribal and savage, as when our ship passed by one island, they threw spears and stones at us!
Day 89- The crew is beginning to grow restless, as we have travelled as farther than any Westerner has ever gone! But I must keep up the courage of the crew, or I may face a mutiny on my hands. Beside that, we have been going through many squalls and storms, which have only served to damper the mood. Provisions are getting low, and I fear things may turn for the worse.
Day 90- The weather has cleared up, and the crew is cheerier today, but I fear it won't last. We have been at sea for almost three months, and if we do not find land soon, then the crew may go to drastic measure to get back home!
Day 93-Little to write down. We are still making a good heading, and the wind is at our back today.
Day 95- Land! Land at last! Finally, we have found land! I shall write quickly, with all that has happened. The ship was sailing as normal, and it was the middle of the day, when there was a cry that rang our among from the front of Nymeria "Land! Land!" I have never loved the sight of land so much before, when I gazed out before me to see a soft beach and rolling hills and a thick forest. Let me hold my pen for a few seconds. There, now I can write. To begin, we have at long last found a true continent, far beyond the horizon, and reaching beyond all comprehension. The ship is currently anchored in a small natural harbor, protected from harsh weather. And already we have found the native populous, a race vastly different than our own. The moment we landed a group of villagers already had gathered, staring with awe, and fear, some bowing, and others grabbing weapons. After a few rudimentary gatherings, the villagers brought us to their village, to have a feast. While I was weary of them, they offered us food, and one of my men, Gravven Sharp, immediately set out learning their language and customs, and that will be his purpose for our stay here. Other than that, the crew has returned to the ship. I have a few hands keeping watch, in case of attack, but so far this land seems peaceful, but I doubt it is all that. In regard to the natives, they have high cheekbones and large front teeth with a slight gap, and large heavy earlobes. There hair is long and fitted with feathers of strange birds, and they follow a primitive tribal society, with elders, a chief, and a shaman, in a village of wooden huts and animal hides.
I have chosen to name this continent Thule, in honor of the name given by the Ironborn.
Day 96- So begins our true exploration of this new world. Slowly we are explaining who we are, and we have had several long talks with the village elders. Gravven is learning the language, but it will take a long time. What we do know is that this village is one of many in a large landscape of growing trees and huge hills, which appear not to different than some from Westeros. The people actually did not appear to be shocked to see us, until they learned we had sailed from across the sea, a concept difficult to transplant into their minds. What has been most intriguing is that the Thulians have talked about a people similar to us, with large wooden ships that sail by them! Their descriptions of these people make them sound almost like those from Westeros!
Day 101- We have been immersed with these people for so long, learning their ways, and telling of ours. Gravven is making astonishing gains in mastering their tongue. We have learned a lot about Thule, such as a powerful nation of "ship-men of the sharp swords", or the "wolf-people", who live far to the north. Then they tell of the some great gulf to the south, and huge mountains that reach the sky, and beyond that, vast wastelands where some sort harsh people who live in great walled cities, and finally, south than all they know is the a people that Gravven can only describe as "the Empire of Blood", whose insaitible bloodlust and want of power leads them into eternal conflict an sacrifices to their thirsty blood gods.
Day 111- More communications and conversations. We have done lots of trading, and now are ship is stocked again, and full of rare and exotic treasures. As much as it has been enjoyable staying here, I yearn to see more of this land. But we shall stay for a while longer, to chart our next course.
Day 113- My hand shakes as I write! For now, we are truly not alone! During the middle of the day, a ship appeared, one that appeared in some regards similar to our own. When the crew saw our own, they made a commotion, and landed next to us. Although the crew was weary, the other ship made no sign of intention to attack, so I let them board.
I was quickly astonished at the sight, for these men appeared very similar in appearance to a typical Northman, except with mixings of the natives! They even spoke our tongue, but with a heavy accent impossible to describe here. Finally, what appeared to be their captain (based upon his leader-like presence, and how the men looked upon him with reverence). To be most brief, he said his name was Marak Cairrls, and explained that he descended from a northern land, which the villagers call the Land of the Wolf-People, or the North Islands by these men. He was most intrigued to see us here, as his people rarely made contact with those of the Tribelands, except for a few tribes in the north. After explaining ourselves, the captain grew greatly interested and ecstatic, and wished to know all about our home country. After more lengthy conversations, I grew relaxed about his nature, as he clearly meant us no threat, and talked about Westeros. In return, he explained that his ship was sailing north after having gathered supplies near a great canal of some sort, and also fighting off some enemy, rival ships of the "Desert-Cities of the South". My head is swirling with all of this, and it is almost too much! But suffice to say, we have entered into good terms with these foreigners, and they have insisted we travel with them to their land. As my purpose here in this village seems all but finished, I might as well oblige them. We set sail tomorrow.
Day 118- Good sailing, and a fair weather. We have begun to enter a far colder region, and according to the according to the other ships, we will continue further until we reach a vast region of cold ocean and a wide archipelago, the North Islands, or the Northland.
Day 123- We have finally reached the home of the "Wolf-Folk", and it reminds me of the North, or perhaps the Iron Islands, slightly. There are many large islands with impossibly high cliffs, manned by large fortresses and walls and defenses. Several islands use winches and pulleys used to pull travelers up them. We have stopped at one island, called Foyre Isle. Marak has told me we will continue further inward, to their very capitol, and central island, Whitebay, and the city of Wolfclaw.
Day 127- We have reached their main city, and it is very impressive. The island is a perfect protection, with impossible cliffs that are straight and impossible to scale, with and opening where ships may enter into a calm bay. That opening is manned by many defenses and giant carved wolf statues, and in case of attack huge iron gates and chains, and they have nearly unlimited amount of resources to outlast any siege. The city itself reminds me of Braavos, with great harbors and shipyards, wide streets paved with stone, and large castles and towers. A mountain sits at the center of the island, huge and imposing, and from it stands a great number of walls and tiers of a vast castle, with huge catapults and wide banners of a grim wolf. I go now to meet some important figures of this land, as word has already spread of us in this land.
Day 130- It has been very busy, and I have been all over this city, as its kings and council of lords have taken a great interest in my ship and my crew. They have questioned me about everything, where we are from, our lands and lords, and all other things. At the same time, I have asked them all about their realm, and my ship's scribe has been quite busy recording and questioning them about, well, everything! I have found little time to write as of late, but I shall continue to add to some of the knowledge I have gained here,
Day 137- The North Islands seem to be made of up of a union of islands, each with its own lord and house, but these houses all bow to the King of Wolves, who rules from this city. The king himself if old and wise, and seems a good fellow, with several sons and daughters. They have long been a sea-faring people, who rule most of the north of Thule, and have some peace treaties with northern tribes. The southern tribes are usually left to themselves, and the ships of the Northland have more business in the south. They trade with several of the Desert-Cities, thought they often have to face rival navies, as not all of the Desert-Cities are peaceful with them. Finally, at the very south is the Empire of Bloods, which has wild and cruel peoples, who are always at war to gather prisoners, and sacrifice them to their sun-god.
Day 145- My, how strange it seems now! I have nearly forgotten about this old record all together! Yet, I have returned to it, as now we begin on 0ur travel back to our own land. We leave with rich treasures, spices, maps, resources, and strange animals. One of the courageous folks of the North Islands will accompany us on our journey back, as these nations hope in create a peaceful unity with each other, and form trade with each other. But on our return, how I wonder shall we be received! Indeed, our world, this world of fire and ice, just got a lot bigger, for all!
I apologize, but I've been busy. Anyways, here's the last chapter, at least for now. This story archive will probably expand over time, and at any time a new story will pop in! Thank you for favoriting it, and reviewing it! Also, I'll probably take a break from writing for a while (school stuff, you know!), but I won't be going anywhere! Guda budscap!