Chapter 9 - Getting To Work at Starfall

The first thing Hanko did was raid the library of Starfall. He made sure Lydia and Elane had their own Focus devices and the three of them took the time to flip through as many books as they could to scan them with the Focus. They did this for most of the morning after breaking their fast, interacting with the children as issues cropped up. Scanning didn't go as fast as Hanko wanted to, especially with no Maester there to recommend which books on specific subjects he was looking for; however Hanko was able to get many books on poisons as House Dayne seemed to specialize in them.

After the morning sprint scanning tomes, Elane would continue with scanning tomes and looking after Aegon while Hanko and Lydia came out to the practice yard and Hanko would run her through her paces lightly in training. He didn't want to overextend her stamina just yet as she still had Aegon to take care of afterwards. Combined with her already frail body, it was a juggling act trying to get the right amount of exercise to rest ratio.

At night, Hanko would lock the library up so no one could enter, and then make as many clones as could sit at the libraries tables, each with a Focus so they could scan the tomes.

By the end of the week, they were able to scan almost the entire library's contents. Of course, that was also right when Ashara went into labor.

They had decided to keep those around in the labor room to a minimum in order to still keep Hanko's and Shi's secret of their chakra. It took a lot less time than Lydia's birth, only an hour in, Hanko and Ellia were able to help in delivering Ashara's baby boy.

The problem came when the babe was unresponsive. Ashara started to panic, and Shi kept her to the bed and patiently calmed her with healing palms, while Hanko got to work on his own healing palms to resuscitate the babe. Combined with Elane doing some light CPR that a babe could handle, they were able to hear the first cries of the boy, much to everyone's relief.

Once Ashara and her boy were settled, the group was summoned by Lord Dayne.

"Lord Hanko, I cannot thank you enough for helping my house not only with Ashara's birth, but breathing life into her son. I do not know how you knew the techniques used, however that knowledge seemed to make all the difference. I would love to have a tome on that knowledge; however that is wishful thinking I'm sure. What can we do to ever repay you for all you have done?"

"I do have a request."

"Name it!"

"I need a ship chartered for your brother and the other old Kingsguard. I have need of them to complete a set of tasks."

"What about you my Lord, would you need a ship chartered for yourself."

"I appreciate the offer, however I and my apprentices will be traveling by foot to Sunfall on business."

Lord Dayne nodded in understanding, and then offered. "My Lord, maybe you would like an escort to Sunfall, to be safe on the road."

Hanko shook his head. "Apologies my lord, however I've found in my travels that being in a smaller group allows us to be a less-noticeable target for otherwise unsavory individuals." Hanko also decided on something else. "I have another thing I would ask, something much smaller."

"Of course my Lord, if you think it is smaller than just chartering a ship, I see no problems at all." Lord Dayne chuckled good-naturedly.

"I have a 'gift' I would like to leave here. You wished to know some of our knowledge in our techniques and how we accomplished what we did with your latest nephew? I have that and more I can leave here in way of my 'gift'. I will show you something." Hanko brought out a Focus from his 'pocket' where he had placed it before the meeting. Lord Dayne lurched up in his seat and the guards were more attentive as they all noticed the small triangle in Hanko's hand was glowing with a light blue line in the middle.

"By the gods," Lord Dayne breathed. "What sorcery is this?"

"This is no sorcery Lord Dayne," Hanko answered. "This little thing is technology. It can grasp many functions. Knowledge, instantaneous information transfer, cartography of your surrounding area updated by the second, and much more all the fingertips when utilizing this."

Lord Dayne's eyes went wide. "That is...impossible...I've never heard of anything like this-"

"Because nothing like this has ever existed before," Hanko confirmed. "I can show you how to use this right now if you wish."

Lord Dayne's guards stepped closer to their Lord in warriness. Lord Dayne motioned them to stop however as he looked upon Hanko. "If what you say is true, I would be a fool to not learn this."

Hanko took his own Focus from his storage, making it seem like he took it out of his back pocket to not alarm them. Placing the Focus on the side of his head right above the ear and letting it go, the onlookers watched as it stayed there, unimpeded.

"Lord Dayne," Hanko stepped forward with the spare Focus. "Just like you saw how I put this Focus on my head, you can do the same. I must warn you, when you do, your surroundings will immediately show a bright light you are not used to before when you place it on your head. I ask that you do not immediately throw the Focus from your head and cry out in alarm. Though it looks metallic and hardy, it can be considered fragile as it has many smaller pieces inside combined to allow it to work the way it does."

Lord Dayne nodded before carefully taking the Focus from Hanko's outstretched hand. He turned it over and around in his hand to admire the sleek design of this 'technology' Lord Hanko called it. After a good minute of just admiring it, he moved the Focus to his head, and before touching it to his head, actually shut his eyes. Not wanting to be immediately shocked by what Hanko said would be bright lights. He waited a couple seconds, but with his eyes closed nothing happened. Slowly opening his eyes, Lord Dayne was in awe of what he saw.

Hanko let Lord Dayne bask in his new alternate reality vision. Lord Dayne even tried pressing on the lights on his own and almost jumped every time the lights changed as different options became available. It wasn't a minute later that Lord Dayne looked confused at what he was doing when Hanko decided to guide him.

To the guards, it looked strange as this 'healer' showed their Lord through something that they themselves could not see. On the other side of the room, Elane was showing Arthur Dayne how to use a Focus as well. As Hanko explained things like 'menus', 'submenus' and different forms of media like 'messaging', 'libraries', and 'videos'. With each new item brought up and their descriptions, Lord Dayne was vibrating in excitement. By the end of the simple explanation and Hanko's pointing to a User Guide of the Focus, Lord Dayne was exhausted from each blow the new information did to his thoughts.

"...Lord Hanko...There is nothing that we have done or could ever have done to deserve this..." Lord Dayne sighed. "This...this gift from the gods."

"Do not get me wrong, I understand this is a lot to handle, however this is not the end of what I had in mind." Hanko admitted. "Since as far as I know you are now the only keep without a Maester, I want to use this as a sort of 'testing grounds' if you will. In essence, this gift comes with stipulations."

"What do you mean," Lord Dayne sighed in...relief? Maybe it was too good to be true and now that Hanko was asking for something in return for this gift, it made the Lord Dayne understand. However his first thought was what could I give in exchange for this though?

"I want to place a bigger machine somewhere in starfall, however I would need a place that is both small, dry, cooler than the outside, and remote for...a couple house-spans from other buildings or residences."

Lord Dayne seemed to ponder this request. It wasn't that great of a request in the grand scheme of things. "Is that it? I'm sure of at least three places off the top of my head that could work. Is there anything else that you need for this gift?"

"I would also need this place to be guarded around the clock for however long you choose to host it. Preferably two guards at each entrance and one guard on all building sides. Also, if it is a small enough height, guards on the top of said building."

"That seems oddly...specific." Lord Dayne noted.

"The reason is because I would have the 'machine' inside the building, but would be utilizing other means and putting something on top of the building to 'transmit' or 'carry' something called a 'signal'." Hanko explained. What this would allow you to do, is use your Focus as part of a larger 'network'. As places become available I intend to set up this network across the Seven Kingdoms." Hanko noted. "As the machine would be the first of its kind in the Seven Kingdoms, the most you would be able to use it for at the moment would be storage. However, once I setup others of its kind across the kingdoms, you would be able to send messages across this 'network' to other kingdoms...within seconds."

That seemed to boggle the mind of Lord Dayne and his guards. "Seconds!?"

Hanko nodded. "Not only would this remove your reliance on Ravens, but strategic messages could be sent to other Focus devices across the Kingdoms in such a time frame that you could hold an entire back-and-forth conversation with the Northern-most kingdom without having to wait weeks on end."

Lord Dayne tiredly sat in his seat. "I must say. This 'gift' of yours would change the Seven Kingdoms...and I don't know if it will be good or bad."

Hanko nodded in understanding. "I understand your concern, however I do this for the only cause that matters."

"And that is?" Lord Dayne now was looking to Hanko in apprehension.

"Tell me, as part of the group of Dorne known as 'the stoney Dornish', what do you know of the Long Night?"

Lord Dayne seemed pensive as he recalled old memories. "Do you mean the stories of the White Walkers and how the Children of the Forest and the First Men fought them back to beyond the Wall?" It took a few seconds of Hanko not answering but with a stare before Lord Dayne felt like he was about to have a heart attack from the meaning behind Hanko's words. "No...that can't be...The Long Night...The White Walkers...they are real?" In between each break in his speech he was breathing deeply and turning ever more pale. His brother Arthur, the Kingsguards, the ladies, and Lord Dayne's guards also looked the same. He then looked with fear and Hanko. "What are we going to do? How much time do we have?"

"Please calm yourself Lord Dayne, we still have time." Hanko answered, but then turned quizzical to Lord Dayne. "I'm curious though, I thought it would take more for you to believe me."

"Lord Hanko, if you and your sister hadn't already done all that you have done for my House maybe I would not believe." He then pulled the Focus from the side of his head to present to the group. "However, not only have your family done so much for my House already, but you also gave us this. Something which many men in the Seven Kingdoms would call otherworldly, or sorcery. Of all the different things it can do, of the so few things you ask of me and my House. I can only assume that your reasoning behind doing all of this is to get House Dayne into the war-effort against the enemy of the Living."

Hanko smiled. "You are indeed correct Lord Dayne. I have only just started, and like I said, we still have some time to prepare. Last time I checked, we have at least 15 years."

Lord Dayne sighed in relief again, then smirked. "At least we have some time then." He then looked at Hanko thoughtfully. "I'm still trying to understand you though Lord Hanko. You are giving so much to prepare the Seven Kingdoms for what has to be the worst war to come. I don't understand why? Why do all of this for people who, I have to admit include myself, most likely do not deserve this help."

Hanko just shrugged in a japing manner. "Cause I hate zombies?" Lord Dayne looked confused. "Damnit, I'll have to leave some zombie flicks for you to watch on your own later. On a more serious note though, it's because I have seen what could happen without my help. It would be considered a massively bloody affair that would not help the living at all." Hanko elaborated. "I have made contact with the new Warden of the North; Eddard Stark of Winterfell. I have informed him of what is to come and that I will be staying North with him for the most part to help them prepare."

Hanko's voice turned into a solemn tone as he stood up straighter and addressed Lord Dayne. "So I ask you Lord Dayne; help the living against the dead. I will be leaving you with the start of the Internet here at Starfall where I will leave you knowledge on all subjects that would make the Citadel look like a closet filled with sparse books in comparison. Knowledge on money-making ventures that I would ask you to use to fund the war-effort against the dead. To give paying labor to your smallfolk and incentivise them to produce towards the war-effort, or even to make way to the Wall to join the Brothers of the Night's Watch as they will soon be in desperate need of more than rapists and cutthroats manning the Wall."

"I ask you this, not as a powerful person in my own right, but as someone who is going to unite the living to fight against the dead. In exchange, I offer not only the knowledge, but the guarantee that should your House come under threat, or your castle come under siege, you will have the full backing of myself to defend you and yours."

"I'm sorry Lord Hanko, but that is one thing I cannot believe." Lord Dayne argued. "You are a great healer of that I have no doubt, and you come with this otherworldly 'technology' that will change Westeros; however I do not understand how you could defend House Dayne on your own?"

Hanko smirked, "That is because although I have done those things, I haven't shown you all that I can do." From behind him, the healer that was 'introduced by Lady Shi' came forward.

Tiger

Undoing her Transformation Jutsu, now Lady Shi stood in front of Lord Dayne, making his and his guards' mouths drop in shock.

"We are Ninjas," Hanko and Shi stated in concert. "And not even the Night King is prepared for us!"

They hashed out some minor details and Hanko gave him a box of Spare Foci that were only able to be synced to others through Lord Dayne's own Focus. This would allow him to give Foci to anyone he needed to. At the end of their audience, Lord Dayne darkly chuckled as he admitted 'he is still wrapping his head around it all'; before sending one of the guards in the room to take them to the particular location Hanko requested for his server.

The location was perfect for what Hanko had in mind. He started immediately to set up the Server and antennae; allowing the rest to go back to the castle directly and continue working with Ashara in case she needed any help. As for Hanko, he took three days to set up the server, antennae, and the renewable sources of energy through smaller wind turbines and solar panels on top of the small abode. During that time, Lord Dayne was working with Arthur and the Kingsguard to get a ship ready for their journey.

Once Hanko was done with setting up, Lord Dayne immediately had the guard posted. Testing out the connection with his Focus, they confirmed everything was in working order.

Then the time came for Ser Arthur, Ser Gerold, and Ser Oswell to leave towards their assigned destination.

- Flashback: two days ago -

"I'm asking that you first go to High Garden, and deliver my message to Lady Olenna," Hanko requested of them. "I believe Ser Gerold might be the best one to deliver this message, however if you want to go as a group, or as an individual, or even have someone else deliver it, I'll leave it up to your decision as things could be hostile there for all I know."

"Second, I would ask you to travel to Lannisport to then either drop off the message to be delivered, or deliver the message yourselves to Casterly Rock and Lord Tywin. Again, your decision."

"Finally, I'm asking that you get past the Iron Islands and land on Bear Island and deliver my message to them. I should have Eddard send word ahead of you so they know to expect you and it won't be as hostile...hopefully."

"After that, I would place it up to you on where to go, but I would make suggestions if you will."

"The first place I would offer is The Night's Watch. I know it doesn't sound that appealing, however the more help we can get them the better. Having a single or more former Kingsguard there to whip them into actual fighters could be helpful to them. The other place I would offer is to find passage across the Narrow Sea and search for Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen." This had them by surprise. "I know that the Queen has already, if not, will soon give birth on Dragonstone to Daenerys Targaryen. I believe she will be the better Targaryen out of the two. This might change though as I might get to them before the birth. I would also ask that someone brings word to the Company of the Rose in Essos, informing them of the war to come and asking them to come back home."

"I noticed you didn't mention getting messages to other kingdoms. I mean, we all know why you don't want to deal with the Ironborn, but what about The Riverlands, The Vale, and The Stormlands?" Ser Oswell brought up.

"I do not plan on dealing with them until the corruption is ripped out of them."

"What do you mean Lord Hanko?" Arthur asked.

"I believe that those Kingdoms plotted to go through with the Rebellion beforehand," Hanko proposed. "They then used the excuse of Prince Rhaegar kidnapping Lyanna Stark bring the North into the fold and to ignite the wildfire that became the Rebellion at full-tilt. I want to either make sure the right people are in place, or just get rid of their Lord Paramounts entirely "

The Kingsguard didn't show much emotion, but Hanko could tell there was anger at those kingdoms for plotting the rebellion.

"Can you please complete these tasks I have given you?"

"Of course Lord Hanko," Arthur assured. "This is nothing compared to what you have done for my family and House. This is the least I can do for you." The other knights nodded.

"Then I wish you good fortune on your journey, and if you need help at all, you know what to do," Hanko reminded them. He had already given them each a single-use Hirashin kunai for emergencies.

Arthur said his goodbyes to his family and headed out with the other knights to their designated ship. Though he wanted to stay with his family, he knew he couldn't risk his family getting the political backlash for keeping him there.

The ones left in the group were Hanko, Lydia, Elane, Rhanya, baby Aegon, and Shi's clone.

The group entered the main hall for their last audience with Lord Dayne for a while. It didn't take them long to gain the audience. "We wanted to bid you farewell before heading out, Lord Dayne."

Lord Dayne smiled back at his benefactor. "I thank you, Lord Hanko. I give you my oath that I will do everything to get Starfall and House Dayne to contribute to the coming war."

Hanko nodded to Lord Dayne before they broke off into groups of three. Hanko put his hands on the arms of Lydia and Aegon. Shi's clone took the arms of Elane and Rhanya. Hanko looked at Lord Dayne and grinned. "See you soon."

With a screening sound, they disappeared from the hall in a flash, leaving a shocked Lord Dayne and guards.

"I swear, if I ever decide to do anything against him, I give any one of you permission to smack me, with no penalty." Lord Dayne said to his guards. They all only nodded in affirmation.