Jon had to admit that White Harbour was a beautiful city, a bit small but beautiful nonetheless. Located south of Winterfell, it is the largest settlement north of the Neck, but the smallest among the five major cities of Westeros. White Harbour is the North's primary trade port. Its location on the mouth of the White Knife provides opportunities for trade further north. The walls and the houses built inside those walls were all whitewashed and from a distance, it would look like the entire city is made out of white marble. Right now Jon and his company were near the Wolf's Den being led by Manderly men to New Castle the seat of Manderlys. Their horses we're climbing up to the hill New Castle is built around and the path was littered with steps. It is a broad white stone way that leads up from the Wolf's Den by the water to the New Castle on its hill. Marble mermaids light the way, bowls of burning whale oil cradled in their arms. From the top, there is a view down to both harbours. Even from this distance, they could hear Seagulls crying from the shores.
The Ironwood doors of New Castle lay open and the Manderly men led them into the castle's courtyard. By the time they disembarked from the horses, Lord Wyman Manderly himself came to greet them which surprised Jon.
"Lord Manderly." Jon quickly bowed in greeting lest he disrespects the lord of White Harbour
"It has been some time since someone with a Stark blood visited White Harbour. Last time it was your father right before the rebellion started. House Manderly welcomes you to our home Jon Snow." said Lord Wyman and one of his sons gave them bread and salt.
As Lord Wyman greeted Asher and Dacey, Jon looked around the castle appreciatively. It was built on a hillside facing the direction sea at the mouth of White Knife. Half of the hill was excavated to build the castle while the other half was still preserved as best as it could be. Although, Jon did appreciate the amount of effort the Manderlys gave to keep the place pleasant and clean. The entire ground around New Castle was paved with well-cut stones. The walls had painted effigies of mermen wielding a trident depicting the banner of House Manderly. With guest rights given all three of them were led to Lord Manderly's solar and on the way Jon saw a large hall and he realised that this was the fabled Mermen's court. The walls around the hall were made of ivory wood and all of them depicting different creatures of the sea. Lord Wyman's study was also similarly decorated and Jon could see an occasional depiction of the seven-pointed star as well as Weirwood trees.
Lord Wyman was the first to take his seat behind a table and indicated to us to take our seats.
"Lord Stark explained to me about what the three of you are planning. I don't know what you hope to accomplish in Braavos but that's not my problem. As a result of our discussion, Lord Stark took my advice and deposited five thousand gold dragons in the Iron Bank. The account is in Jon's name and this promissory note will prove the transfer." Lord Wyman handed over a wooden box that contained several sealed parchments
"A further five thousand gold dragons are in a wooden crate waiting in your ship. The captain of the ship is very familiar with Braavos and he will help you find your lodgings in the city. Any doubts you have will be cleared by the captain. His name is Captain Devon and he is waiting for you in the docks. But first I insist that all three of you join House Manderly for lunch." The portly lord of White Harbour jovially said as he led the three of them to a hall where the servants and the rest of Manderlys were waiting.
Two hours later Jon was standing that he port side of the ship helping Nester and Shack with a wooden crate that held the dragon egg, emerald gems and his two Valyrian steel blades. That was the last cargo the merchant vessel was meant to be loaded and with it, the ship was ready to sail.
"Alright lads, tighten the jib sheets. The sea awaits us!" Captain Devon shouted to his men and there was a rush of activity onboard
Slowly the vessel began to move forward and as minutes passed the land became farther and farther away.
"Well, there goes the North." Asher murmured as he joined Jon by the port side casting one last look at the land they are leaving behind
"We will return Asher but when we do it will be in a stronger position than ever." said Jon as he too stared at the land that he was leaving behind without blinking
"So what's the plan? While the funds we have are substantial it is not going to last forever. Do you really think that you will have a better life in some foreign land, Jon?" Dacey butted in as she joined the two of them at the railing
"I don't intend to live my whole life in Braavos or anywhere in Essos for that matter. I just need two years at most and then we will be back to Westeros doing something very important."
"Doing what?" Dacey asked curiously
"You will know in time. Just trust me when I say we will return. It may not be next month or this year but we will return." Jon promised and having said his piece he went below the deck to his cabin. Closing the doors he pulled out the trunk that Nester and Shack had secured under his bed. He took out the special scabbard the Children gifted him. The sword did not weigh much and he pulled the blade out of the scabbard. His cabin was immediately filled with red light as the Lightbringer was out in the open after thousands of years. It had taken quite a lot of effort to secretly transport the sword as well as the emeralds into his room.
Jon sheathed the blade and put it back in the trunk while taking out a scroll and a piece of parchment. The voyage was going to take the better part of a week so why not make use of it by continuing his studies on the Old Tongue. It was a good thing that he had the presence of mind to copy the scrolls in Winterfell in his spare time. With that thought, he went out of the cabin to rope in Dacey's help in translating the scrolls.
Thoros was not a religious man. In his youth, he may have been one but after all these years seeing what he has seen he doubted there were any gods or if there were any he highly doubted the divine cared two shits about the mortals. He was born in the Free City of Myr and from a young age, he was part of the red temple R'hllor. He was trained to be a Red Priest and when he was of an age he was sent to Westeros to convert Aerys Targaryen who was widely known for his obsession with fire. The Red Priests of Myr had assured him that he would find his calling in Westeros but he failed in converting the Mad King. Then Robert's Rebellion happened and he was there when the Stag dethroned the Dragon. By that time he had lost all faith in the Red God or any good for that matter.
Losing his faith in the Red God was the best thing that happened to him in one sense. The lack of faith led him to dedicate his life in finding pleasure and what better pleasure was there than drinking and whoring. Thoros even managed to find a kindred spirit in Robert Baratheon who became a regular companion. The new king may not know a thing about ruling but he at least knows how to enjoy life. Then the Greyjoys rebelled and Thoros was there to fight the Ironborn. He was the first to go over the walls of Pyke and he was personally knighted by Robert Baratheon himself.
All of this happened years ago and yet he couldn't help but feel that he was meant to do something greater. Right now all he was doing is wasting his time by drinking and whoring. It was fun to do so but lately, he has been having this feeling that something was happening. This was why he was staring at a flame from the inn he was staying at Kingslanding. He has been staring at the flames for hours and he was about to douse it but then he heard a whisper from the flames. He looked intently into the flames and he began to see once again. It had been decades since he was able to see visions in the flames but it is happening again and he now knew what to do. He has to leave Kingslanding and the bastard daughter of Valyria awaits his visit. The rest of his story will be told there.