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"Wow" breathed the boy who looked around to be the age of 11 and was having a knife wound on his back and a small slash at his shoulder.
"Wow isn't?, the plant from which I had made this is found in one of the most worst parts of the Essos. The nuisances I have gone through for this medicine and the plant alone pays off don't you think?" he said with an amused tone subtly manipulating the conversation around, giving them a cover for the medicine.
"Aye M'Lord" the boy replied nervously clearly unsettled with the change of mood of him. He was also the last of their group who was hurt.
"I am no Lord boy, I am simply an acolyte" he replied calmly as he wiped the blood from the wound and poured the contents of the spoon inside and over the wound on his back.
"You all are very lucky, if the wounds would have any more deep the medicine would not have worked" he said looking over at the wound which closed with some green smokes.
He stood up from his crouching position and saw the baffled and guarded looks aimed at him by the soldiers and guards. He could understand their reasons, none would have ever seen something in their life before.
"Severus, you were awesome. There was green smoke and then the wound completely healed" Arya spoke excitedly looking at him with amazed eyes. He forgot that the girl was still a nine year old brat who had yet to see the world completely.
"Thank you M'Lady" he replied with a small bow to show courtesy like a smallfolk.
"Aye I didn't knew there were such medicines Maester Snow" this time it was the Blackfish who spoke up, his eyes alert, wary and looking at him questioningly.
"The citadel despite being a place where some of the greatest minds of the realm reside is not a place to accept change easily. When I forged my links and went on a trip to Essos, I was a child of ten and one. During my visits to Slavers Bay, there was a small island in the Gulf of Grief which is called as Isle of Cedars. The Island was a nuisance with monkeys and wild animals but I did found some exotic plants which I have never seen there. One such plant was the one from whose dried leaves and a solution, this particular medicine was made" he said with a soft voice as he replied to the Blackfish who nodded. The citadel was indeed actually very stagnant in terms of advancements besides the Isle Of Cedars was one of the most dangerous places with the remnants of dark magic lingering in the area giving nightmares to the people who visit there.
Severus placed the glass bottle in his bag as he looked at the man who was the leader of their group who had arrived with the children. "They would be fine, just give the two of them some more food and water to counter their blood loss" he said indicating to the two of the boys who were earlier near the brink of death.
The man looked at him with gratitude and spoke up "thank you Maester Snow" he replied bowing with respect. From his mind Severus could gleam out the knowledge that the boy with scar near his eyes was his nephew.
"It was no big thing and I am no Maester, I am just an acolyte" he said slowly to the man who thanked him, this type of sight had been common for him when he toured the cities and served as a wandering doctor. He suddenly remembered the reward he had been given in Lys when he had cured a owner of many whorehouses who was suffering from high fever and his mind went to the night full of passion he had experienced there with five silverhaired girls who had been given to him as a reward. Ofcourse he was hesitant when the girls who were going to be sold as virgin bedslaves were given to him as a present, despite his denials they had rewarded him with everything apart from sex as Severus had not been in a mood to do that, despite being a man he still felt a little awkard about it in this world. Besides he hated and hardly wanted to use someone and throw them after like a waste. Right now all five of them were in Braavos in a house owned by him where they were seeing his business of fishery and gathering the items he had been searching or told the traders to bring. They had begged him to join him in his journey to North as they didn't wanted to be seperated from him. They wanted to see the world and also because the five of the girls were devoted to him as he treated them courteously with respect. They were joined later with fifteen more girls all who were gifted to him by the First Magister after Severus cured his wife from a near death fever caused by some unknown reason. The Magister had been thankful for his actions and gifted Severus another fifteen young virgin trained girls along with some wine and a feast for him along with some 25000 golden Lyseni coins which were stamped with the figure of a naked girl. His actions and treating the common men and women of Lys along with the occasional nobles had given him a popularity as 'The Healer' since he had cured everyone under his supervision. It was his popularity which had led the First Magister invite him after the alchemists and healers had failed in their job and Severus had then earned his gratitude.
The man nodded and Severus apologized to the woman whose job Severus has stolen for the time being "I am sorry for not consulting your opinions Lady Jenny" he said turning to the old lady who was brought but didn't did anything much.
"T was nothing Acolyte Snow, I couldn't have done the same as you" the old lady said with a smile as she was not perturbed by least.
The children were then taken back as the villagers returned to their homes leaving the Stark and Tully men alone like before as Severus told them to rest. As he reached inside his tent which was made safer and more comfortable with the help of runes, he didn't missed the admiring gazes from the soldiers and the men who were riding with him. His actions elevated his opinion in front of them as the men who previously thought him as a young and arrogant lad could see that he was not like the other nobles who hardly cared for the lower people present there.
Lyra looked at the items brought by the men from Ibben as she inspected each of them carefully. Master Severus no Lord Severus had told her to inspect and buy any item which she thought could help them in North. She looked at the Ibbenese infront of him and spoke to the translator who was among the Ibbenese men.
"I would want some pelts that you have as well as some oil" she said to the man who told it to the captain of the ship. The man spoke something to the translator and the translator looked back at her calmly.
"We agree with your bargain" he said as Lyra nodded and paid him for the purchases. As she collected the items she was joined by her twin sister Nyra who arrived carrying some more baskets filled with velvets and some walrus tusks.
"Got everything Lyra?" her sister asked cheerfully as she looked at her.
"I did" Lyra said with a roll of her eyes at Nyra's question. "You know sometimes I thank our Godess that we were gifted to Lord Severus" Nyra said with a small smile as she reminiscenced her past days of being trained as a pleasure slave.
"We all do" Lyra said in agreement as she remembered the boy who looked like he was a boy of four of ten when he was actually a boy of ten and two. The night when she had pleasured his Lord came to her mind when their young Lord had denied to take them as he told them that he will actually free them after they leave from Lys and they were allowed to go and follow their own paths and dreams. She knew it endeared to her fellow sisters who each were enamoured by him then and had then proceeded to show their appreciation for him. Their young Lord had a stamina unparalled to anyone she had seen as she remembered him filling everyone of their mouths with his thick and virile seed one by one after which he had proceeded to pleasure them individually. She remembered her Lord's skill with his tongue and fingers which was far greater than she had ever experienced in her trainings. It had solidified her trust as men hardly cared for them unlike their young Lord. Their group had extended by another fifteen after their Lord had cured the Magister's wife. There was tenseness at first but they mingled carefully with each other and after that the rest was history.
Her Lord had then decided to prove his worth as he had then bought a large house in Bravos along with some Unsullied after they had visited the Slavers Bay. She remembered the horrifics she had seen there and had been thankful to the Godess of Love for giving them a kind and good Lord unlike the other slaves. She had seen how her sisters were traumatized by the actions of Masters there, it was far more brutal than that of Lys. He had bought a hundred Unsullieds who then were freed by him after they reached inside their ship, none of the Unsullied left the ship after Lord Severus's offer of being freed and instead continued serving him. Her Lord quickly won over their trust after they saw his caring side when he continued healing common people and slaves alike which they encountered on their journey. 'The Healer' they called their Lord, a man whose touch was believed to heal many people from near death.
"When will we see our Lord?" Nyra asked to her as she was their Lord's chosen to lead the group of girls.
"Lord Severus told in his raven which had arrived today that he is making his way to North and will send us instructions to come. Till then we have to wait and enjoy the city of Braavos" she said telling her sister about the Raven she had received today morning.
"So we will continue learning with Syrio" Nyra groaned with a huff. Syrio Florel the retired First Sword of Braavos or in other words the swordmaster of their group of girls was one of the first acquaintances made by their Lord. The man had taken their Lord to meet the Sealord after which Syrio joined their group to tutor them in the art of Water Dancing.
Their progress was coming slow since none of them knew anything about swords but their Lord had stressed and advised them to learn that since it might help them in defending someday. The girls had immediately agreed afterall they had personally saw the cruelties in the Slavers Bay. The idea sounded interesting but soon proved to be a nightmare as they received bruises everyday from Syrio's harsh training. When their Lord was in Bravos he personally applied the Balms of his creation at their bodies which just proved how much he cared about them both physically and mentally. Ofcourse none of the girls were taken by their Lord till now but Lyra knew that it was not going to be long considering that her Lord was growing fast and soon he would crave to experience the pleasures of flesh. The girls were pretty much excited to be taken by him and she knew that nearly everyone of them loved their Lord completely, besides their Lord had finally caved to their demands after much pleading on their part and promised that he will never leave them all but they still would be allowed to leave and make their way and follow their plans if they had any sudden plans.
They didn't wanted to be separated by him and he understood their desires besides Lyra personally knew that her Lord cared deeply about them. It was apparent from the fact that he even taught them reading and writing which very few of them knew. He taught them the common tongue as well as some primary healthcare and other things. Now they knew how to take care of wounds and heal some simple illness.
"No pain no gain" Lyra said lightly with a smile to Nyra remembering one of her Lord's many sayings.
"Huh, you are right though" Nyra spoke with a smile as she looked at the velvet. Their Lord had given them much money to buy for themselves as well as to buy other essential things from the money which he had collected by treating the various nobles of Astapor during his quest for the Unsullied.
"So after the next raven we will finally go North?" Nyra asked eagerly.
"It seems so" Lyra said as she suspected that it would happen like that. Lord Severus did told to wait for the commands in next raven.
"I can't wait to tell others. I have already bought some velvet clothes for us and the merchants said that they still have some more. Myra could arrive next to shop more of them" Nyra said eagerly. Myra was another of the girls who was bred and trained from birth to be a pleasure slave. Their trainer had named them alike, Lyra and Nyra for both twin sisters. Myra, Syra and Siera for the remaining three of their group. There were more but all of them were separated and sold differently.
The group of girls were chatting among themselves when they reached their manson. Nyra immediately told the group of the girls about what she had seen and bought in the market. Many of them were enamoured by the quality of velvet and immediately took some coin with them to buy it as the velvet looked completely elegant. It didn't mattered that they already had many clothes of velvet as they had bought it earlier from the Lorathi traders. Moreover when Nyra mentioned about how they primarily wanted steel, the girls were more than eager as they started to make plans for their purchases and hurried one by one. It was a common sight for Lyra nowadays, none of them were jealous of each other as they were taught about the divine art and skill of making love since birth. Besides everyone of them was more than ready to share their Lord between them for Lovemaking.
Lyra just hoped her Lord was safe, sometimes being their Lord's second in command took too much energy from her not that she would ever complain.
Severus looked at the castle infront of him as they finally reached the infamous Twins. It had taken five long days of travelling before they finally reached there, it would have taken longer had it not been due to him drawing some runes over the chests to make them lightweight. The Blackfish had also eliminated the bandits they found on the road and who were responsible for the injuries on the kids. The bandits were good but they were no match for soldiers and the Blackfish himself.
"Ser Blackfish" greeted the man who was in his sixties with a weasel like face.
"Lord Stevron Frey" Blackfish greeted with a nod as he looked at the heir of Twins, "How fare your father Lord Stevron?" Blackfish asked calmly to keep up the courtesies.
"My father is doing well, though his legs have failed for which he couldn't arrive to greet your party" he said calmly looking at the Blackfish.
"A shame that it still couldn't hamper his weddings though" a Tully guard japed slowly from besides Severus who was riding alongside him. Severus gave him an amused smile as he spotted the Blackfish denying their invitations of resting in the Twins as they were in a hurry besides it was hardly noon.
"As you wish Lord Brynden" Ser Stevron said with a nod as he ordered the men with him something who hurried towards the castle back.
The Blackfish nodded and their party continued their travels as they entered inside the castle. Severus had to admit that the castle was strong and strategically built with defence in mind. The castle had high curtain walls, deep moat, and a barbican and portcullis. Channels had been dug to form moats, turning the castle into an island. The stone bridge which arched between the two castle was wide enough for two wagons to pass simultaneously. Severus had crossed The Twins earlier during his travel to Citadel. The Freys regularly increased tolls to cross their bridge and none of the merchants or Lords liked the Freys due to it not to mention the constant offers of bethorals or squirings to the other Lords.
"You all continue, I will go and meet Lord Walder Frey" he said looking at their group as he finished it with a frown on his face. Clearly he was not eager to do so but some times the courtesies needed to be observed. It was times like this Severus thanked himself for not being a Noble as he couldn't imagine himself observing so many courtesies.
"Severus why did Granduncle Brynden went there alone and ordered us to go along the bridge?" Arya asked from besides him as Mycah rode besides her in Severus's horse which he had lent to him as he had an extra with him.
"Regardless of how much Lord Brynden hates the Frey's, he is still one of the members of their Leige Lord's House as such there are some ettiquetes and courtesies needed to be seen and observed, and it will be quite rude to not visit Lord Frey when we are passing through his castle" he said slowly to explain the younger Stark daughter.
The girl nodded while she didn't liked observing or learning about courtesies much she still was sharp in mind.
"How does travelling in a ship feels like Severus?" she asked eagerly, her curiousity winning out as she started to ask him more about his adventures. She had heard during the dinner with King about his stories of free cities and she didn't had the time to ask him about it. She had been far too busy with pestering her uncle about stories.
"Its different experience for everyone M'Lady, while it felt fun to me many of the travellers caught sea sickness" he said with a small amused smile as he remembered the green faces of people. Severus won't admit it but the little Stark girl was fun to be around, she had a wildness and fierceness in her which he hadn't seen much. She reminded him of a gentler Bellatrix before she was betrothed to Lestrange. Infact he could sense that the girl would love swordfighting more than sewing.
"If I am not wrong then you want some stories of mine in free cities, don't you?" he asked with a small curious look aimed at her. The girl instantly nodded with vigour and there were laughs as everyone who were near them heard and witnessed it. The girl had nearly mingled with everyone of their group in talks and Severus had to say her childhood charisma and actions were a subject of fun and humour for many.
"Well my first city after I aboard my ship from Oldtown was Sunspear in Dorne" he said calmly and saw that his fellow travellers were paying attention. Behind them Maved was riding with the aurochs as Severus rode infront of him. The Freys had a reputation and he didn't wanted to have his gold stolen or misplaced. He may not need them much but it didn't meant that he will foolishly distribute it.
"Dorne as you know is rather a lax place. The bastards and ladies have much freedom there and you may say that people are very lax there. Their wines taste sour and they have some fruits which you would not normally find in the rest of Westeros" he said slowly as he looked at his fellow companions.
"Maester Snow they say Dornish are very hot blooded, is it true?" Desmond asked from infront of them.
"Aye Desmond, you may say that on both accounts and the heat there would cause you all to sweat buckets" he said with a slow tone confirming Desmond's question without some explicit words infront of the nine year old girl.
"You had a good time there Maester?" came the question of an amused Desmond.
"I was a child of ten and one Desmond, regardless I didn't indulged in certain pleasures" he said with a small smirk.
"Well I even saw some of the women there fighting with daggers and blades" he said turning to Arya who seemed to be confused about what they were talking. The girls fighting part did managed to capture her attention nicely.
"Really?" she asked looking at the him.
"Yes M'Lady and it is not frowned in Dorne to wield weapons by noble Ladies" he said looking at the second castle they had finally reached.
"I will tell the tales of my adventures later M'Lady as we have finally reached the other castle. I can tell you more about it later though" he said as he looked at her with a small smile. The girl would make a fine killer if she was trained perfectly, he thought as he looked at her with a thoughtful look.
"How long are we to reach Greywater Watch Maester" Desmond asked from besides him as they tredged through the swamps of the area.
Severus had heard that the swamps here contained crocodiles.
He tilted his head at him, "shouldn't you be telling me about that Desmond, afterall you were there with King's Party" he spoke up as the envoy of Lord Reed who had arrived and brought the invitation to dine at Greywater Watch led them through the swampy trails.
There were a wide number of poisonous plants was Severus first conclusion as he looked through the area. They must be skilled in poison, he thought as his mind went to the crannogmen who lived here.
The people of North didn't had much say about the crannogmen as they were mysterious people. According to the rumours they ate frogs and the crocodiles here. No Lizard Lions not crocodiles he corrected himself. A different type of reptile which even Severus had not seen earlier till his arrival to this world. Hell he never saw some creatures until he arrived here such as the fifty five aurochs which were travelling with him. On his way to the Twins and seat of House Frey, he had used skinchanging and brought them near the group after which a little persuasion to Blackfish about how Aurochs were becoming rare in North and how they could help in maintaining the population was enough. He couldn't comment against it as nearly the heavy items were loaded on aurochs instead of horses now. There were some thirty cows too which he had picked and bought from the men of Riverlands. A little potion and their milk production will be increased four times without any side effects. Perhaps making cream and other dairy products and selling them would be a nice side business.
It had been near noon when they started travelling through the swamps and it was now near evening.
Finally they passed through some trees and finally reached their destination. Greywater Watch was an interesting castle in Severus opinion as he could hardly saty that he had seen floating and moving castles before. This was going to be interesting, he thought amusedly.
Two Hours Later...
Severus looked at the table which was there for guests. He was sitting alongside Desmond and Porther who were sitting alongside him.
Lizard Lion meat was served today and he looked around the hall and saw some of the crannogmen serving. They were not much long in height but he didn't knew on which to blame. Their supposed relations to Children of Forest or poor diet.
On the important guest table, Arya and Blackfish were sitting along with Lord Howland Reed, his wife Jyana Reed and his son Jojen and his daughter Meera Reed.
Meera Reed was making conversations with Arya who was apparently enjoying it judging by the face which she was sporting whereas Lord Reed and Lady Reed were taking with The Blackfish.
Their son Jojen Reed was however simply staring at him sometimes during the meals and Severus had half a mind to go and reprimand the boy. For fuck's sake he was not a swordswallower and if the young boy was thinking of something then he better keep it to himself. His staring was already bordering on creepy.
The meals finished and he was starting to make the way towards some guest quarters when the boy Jojen stood up from his seat and walked to him.
"You shouldn't be here?" came the questioning and strange voice of the boy who walked to him.
"Pardon me M'Lord, but if you want I can leave through your castle immediately" he said after a moment of thought. The boy was clearly bonkers but he was still a Lord and it wouldn't do well to raise blade against him even if Severus knew he would win against most of the soldiers.
"No, you shouldn't be here, you are changing the song. Who are you?" he asked his green eyes panicking slighlty.
"My name is Severus Snow M'Lord and I don't know any song about which you are speaking" Severus said calmly but he was getting irritated slowly now at the behaviour of the boy.
"Jojen that's enough" came the voice of Howland, his tone calm but stern.
Jojen backed down but his eyes still held an odd wariness in them mixed with confusion.
"Maester Severus if you would remain behind a little, Ned told me in a letter that you wanted to convey something" Lord Reed requested politely.
"As you order M'Lord" he replied as he looked at the Lord of Greywater Watch, Severus could already feel the thrum of magic which was present in the castle which clearly meant that the Crannogmen knew somethings about magic. He had spotted the runes of first men at the boats and the castles which indicated that their magic primarily was runic type. The runes of first men were mostly symbolic but there were some runes which when smeared blood produced the magical effects. It actually depended on the amount of latent magic present in the blood. Since he was a wizard he could easily push his magic to runes however such was not the case for all. The Valyrians sacrificed slaves in thousands and hundred thousands in number which then resulted in them being magical through sacrificial rituals, which was also the reason they married mostly in the family, to keep magic safe.
When everyone left the small hall, it was only five people who were left after ten minutes as Meera returned after showing Arya and the Blackfish their quarters for night.
"Your son should keep his greensight talks to himself M'Lord, it is not wise for him to go around flauting it infront of the strangers especially people of South" he said slowly looking at Lord Reed who gave a small sigh after he heard it.
"It seems your reputation is well earned Severus Snow or should I say 'The Healer' your famous name throught Essos" Lord Reed spoke calmly looking at him impassively.
"Anyone would suffice though the former is preferrable, your son's greensight was however a little shocking to see" he said calmly looking at the man infront of him.
"Pardon me but how did you know that Jojen has the greensight?" Jyana Reed asked looking shrewdly at him.
"It was not too hard, your son said that I should not be here and I was changing someting. It is easy to conclude than that he has the greensight afterall he should only have known and seen it through greendreams" he said looking at the woman with blonde hair and green eyes infront of him.
"Your brilliance and intelligence is well spoken then" Lord Reed said with a small smile of his own. "I don't think we need to stress you the importance upon Jojen's secret considering you are a skinchanger too. The people of Neck were closer to Children Of Forest which is the reason we crannogmen have frequent greenseers and skinchangers" he continued with a small smirk at the corner of his lips.
"I do" he replied, that was apparently news to both of the Reed siblings who stared curiously at him.
"Rest assured Severus, I will have a talk with Jojen about this" Howland Reed spoke with certainity in his voice.
Severus simply nodded and Lord Reed continued, "Ned told me in his letter that you were going to present something useful for us" he continued curiously afterall Ned Stark had been Howland's Reed closest friend and Ned's word was enough for Howland to trust the boy.
"Aye M'Lord, when I was talking about North with Lord Stark alone in his cabin. He told me that there were no staple food for North as grains could hardly be stored for long years of winter unless they were bought again. During my journeys I encountered many traders of Yiti who tried to sold a crop called 'Rice'. Technically the crop is a water demanding one and can be grown in water logged conditions like here, it would grow quite well in the Neck. Since Lord Stark wanted me to be here and plant the first batch of rice whose seeds I had fortunately with me" he said briefing them about his orders with Lord Stark, though it will make him a little late he didn't cared. He hardly would take fifteen days to see results since these rice seeds were treated with magic. Using a little help of blood magic and blood curses principles, he had spelled them in such a way that every generation produced thrice the yield along with a timespan of two and half months. Most importantly they will be able to grow in cold climates.
"Is it true?" Lord Reed asked sharply looking at him with every bit of seriousness in his eyes. He simply nodded back at his question to affirm his words.
"Tell us more about this crop, Maester Severus" Jyana Reed asked curiously looking at him.
"There are many varieties of rice M'Lady but the most important thing is that rice won't ever be spoiled if it is stored in cool and dry conditions" he said amongst the wide eyed looks of the Reeds.
"It would greatly help the men of Neck and North if you will be able to plant them Maester Snow" Lord Reed spoke with wonder in his tone.
"You can say to Blackfish and Lady Arya that I will remain here for somedays and perhaps depart after some fifteen or twenty days" he said looking at Howland Reed.
"I will speak to them, Meera will show you the quarters Maester Snow if you want" Howland Reed said looking at him with a thankful look in his eyes.
"That would be a pleasure M'Lord" he replied with a small nod afterall he would love to rest a little.