3 Months before the death of Jon Arryn

Dagar

Dagar was still nursing many wounds after the attack by the Harlaw cowards four nights ago. He had not touched a drink since that night, which was an incredible feat for him. He had only visited the brothel once, and had been sure to keep himself ready in case of another attack. The exquisite creature Dagar had spent the hour with was not used to being paid so little attention to, but Dagar was alive and satisfied, had gotten his money worth, and didn't much care what the woman thought of him.

More importantly, during the last few days, Dagar had discreetly told his crew, those he would be taking on the expedition to a place the Ironborn had never been before, that they were setting sail on this day. He had told them to be ready to sail before the sun was a full hand's breath above the water. Half of the sun was above the horizon now, so Dagar figured he had a little bit of time before he needed to get back to his ship.

Dagar needed the time to walk the outskirts of Myrekeep, as he thought about what Dagmar had told him that night in the hull. Dagmar had confessed to wanting to captain his own ship, and more or less promised to challenge Dagar at some point for the Venture. Dagar had wrestled with that fact for three days before finally telling Dagmar the departure time for the journey.

On one hand, there was no one Dagar trusted more than Dagmar. If Dagar were the type of man who had friends, then Dagmar would be his closest one. And besides, the Iron Price was the Iron Price; if Dagmar was willing to pay it for the Venture, who was Dagar to judge? After all, the Iron Price was how Dagar had come to captain the ship. It wouldn't be the worst way to go, falling to Dagmar's axe.

And yet, two things made Dagar uneasy, three made him question his decision. First, whatever their relationship was, it still seemed foolish to bring aboard someone who had openly admitted his desire to kill Dagar. Second, Dagmar commanded the crew's loyalty. While the crew respected Dagar a great deal for the way he had taken control of the ship, Dagmar was the man the crew would follow if push came to shove. While Dagmar was a true Ironborn, if he turned craven Dagmar could probably convince the entire crew to mutiny. Last, having seen the display of arms Dagmar put on when he saved Dagar's life, Dagar was not sure he could kill Dagmar, even if were healthy. The problem was Dagar was not healthy. In his current condition, Dagar stood no chance against Dagmar, should the latter attempt to take command. It was not death that scared Dagar; no, what terrified him was going down without a fight.

His walk had taken Dagar back to the sea. The beautiful sea was one of the most exquisite things a human could experience. Dagar would never understand how some people lived so much of their lives so far from it. To be separated from the sea was like being severed from the birthing cord while still in the womb. It was life. And Dagar could not resist it.

What was done was done. Dagar could not rescind Dagmar's invitation to join him on the expedition. Nor could Dagar, for better or worse, resist the call of the sea. Perhaps Dagar should not have invited Dagmar, but it was too late for those concerns. Dagar was committed to his course of action.

After an uneventful walk back to the Venture, Dagar was greeted by none other than Dagmar.

"Captain," he said, bowing his head slightly. "The ship will be ready to depart on time. The entire crew has been accounted for, unless you added some extra hands to this trip, and we stuffed the intruders from the other night into the latrine pit of the brothel. We were going to throw them overboard, but Valon insisted no salt wife should be buried at sea." Dagar nodded. "He seems to have taken to your opinion of the Harlaws" Dagmar added, in low voice.

"If he didn't," Dagar began, "he wouldn't have stood by while I commandeered this vessel."

"Perhaps" Dagmar conceded, "but I don't know what man would have been crazy enough to challenge you that day. The way you fought, beautiful. It was art, the way you killed those men. I don't think the Drowned God himself would have challenged you that day."

"The first time I fought three Harlaws was the best I've ever fought. The second time I fought three Harlaws, I almost met the Drowned God."

"You win some; you lose some."

"Normally, you win until you lose. Then it's all over."

Dagmar nodded, and Dagar started to walk away from him.

"Captain" Dagmar called after him. "The men were wondering if we could rename the ship. They thought Venture was a foolish name."

"It is" Dagar said. "What do they want to change the name to?"

"They wanted to name it after their captain. The thought the Redsteel had a nice ring to it, or perhaps the Bloody Axe. Some fool suggested The Reader, suggesting intent to continue the war against the Harlaws. I told them none of those names would work. After all, the ship has two Redsteels and many bloody axes. The Reader was a pathetically weak name for an Ironborn ship."

"I agree" Dagar said simply.

"But then old Valon, a man I'm coming to realize we should consult more often, had the perfect name for your ship."

"And what was that?"

"The Iron Price"

"Not a bad name."

"With your permission, Captain, I'll spread the word to the crew about the ship's new name."

"You have my permission, Dagmar. And when you are done with that, see to it that the ship gets underway, and set a course due north."

"North, sir?" Dagmar questioned. "There's nothing to the north the Ironborn haven't already pillaged except … except-"

"That is correct, Dagmar. We are going north of the Wall."

"What's north of the Wall?"

"At the very least: salt wives and the fame of going where no Ironborn has gone before. At best, exotic treasures beyond anything we can dream of."

"I'll follow your lead, Captain" the man said hesitantly, before departing.

As Dagmar began barking orders to crew, the hesitancy vanquished from his voice, Dagar began to think he was wise to include the man on his excursion. But something about a ship named the Iron Price irked Dagar. But he shoved the feeling aside, turned his gaze to the north, and felt his bloodlust begin to rise.