It seemed to Ragnar that their voyage back to Hardhome would be as uneventful as the one to Braavos. The crew had passed the Island of Skane not too long ago and were currently sailing along the coast of Storrold's Point.
The crew seemed to be in good cheer. But then they always seemed to be in good cheer to Ragnar. And they had plenty of reason to be. The tides were kind, and they had once again managed to avoid trouble with pirates. The only ones that Ragnar was really concerned about were the Skags and the Sistermen. Yet to Ragnar's surprise the Sistermen were nowhere in sight and the Skags didn't seem to have any naval presence around them. But given what he now knew about the timeline, it made more sense. For now it seemed Piracy would not be a problem for his trade route.
The voyage was a success and each sailor had gotten good coin during it.
Coin had been foreign to his people but when they figured out it's worth, Ragnar had to stop them from all from whoring and drinking their coin away in the Secret City. It seemed the fur the Norfolk brought with them was more valuable to the Essosi than Ragnar had thought. Shadow Cats and Snowbears being especially popular although the wolves were a bit less so. More than enough to pay his sailors in Braavosi coin and for them to enjoy their moon long stay on the Eastern Continent.
The Magnar had made sure to pay the crew a good amount of money. Probably more than some crews would see for years without resorting to looting and piracy. He could afford to do so thanks to the deal he had brokered with the Iron Bank and Sealord. But this was not an expense to Ragnar, he saw it as an investment. He was introducing the concept of coin and trade to his people. When they land in Hardhome the men will tell of the riches to be found when sailing with Ragnar. Of new places, wonders and people. The wealth his first crews will be making will be what chases away the fears of the sea that plague his people. He wanted to be sure that they understood the sea would be their future and that they would be willing to seek it out.
His sailors will tell of Braavos. A City with more life than anyone of them could have imagined. Even Ragnar was shocked by how alive the city felt. There were more people in that city than he had ever seen in The Lands Between. Though his other set of memories was more used to the idea, Ragnar could admit the city exceeded his expectations.
Although Ragnar was less than pleased by the duration of their stay. A moon. Far longer than Ragnar thought they would stay in the city.
'Damned Sealord' Rangar thought to himself as he felt annoyed because the man was the sole reason negotiations lasted so long.
'And I thought the bankers were going to be the problem' Ragnar mussed.
The Iron Bank was easier to appease than Ragnar thought. They did not have any issues with Ragnar's plans. Maybe a bit reluctant but that went out the window the moment they realized how much they stood to gain in gold. A cheap and exclusive source of wood was important to the city and the bankers were losing money because trade was getting expensive due to rising tensions and piracy in Southern Essos. Specifically around the Stepstones.
Not only would northern lumber be cheaper for the city, but it would also be superior. If the Arsenal had the access to the Ironwood of the Haunted Forrest, then Braavos would become a far tougher beast than she already was.
That was not the only thing tempting the bankers. While Hardhome was no replacement for trade with the other Free Cities, they gave the Braavosi something they wanted. Uninterupted trade of lumber and fur for the end of this summer and next winter in exchange for food and coin for the duration of the contract. The bankers would not lose more ships and the Sealord would be able to use the full capabilities of the Arsenal with Norfolk lumber should relations with the other cities sour further.
The Sealord was more than happy about the deal.
That was until Ragnar made his final request.
A secret of Braavos for a secret of Hardhome.
The Arsenal in exchange for magic.
The Sealord was furious until he explained his proposal in full.
Although the Sealord would usually support the Bankers, it seemed in naval matters the Bankers could not overrule the Sealord.
So Ragnar bought him over as he did the Bankers.
Ragnar showed him weapons equal in durability to Valyrian Steel. He then gifted The First Sword of Braavos a maxed out Nagakiba, equipt with the Bloodhound Step ash. The man had such high dexterity that even Ragnar was surprised by how quickly the First Sword got used the Ash of War as well the skill the sword was wielded with. This compounded by Ragnar's bloody display at the docks made sure the Sealord was forced to admit that his secret may be worth the Arsenal but was once again hesitant when Ragnar made clear that mass production of his weapons was impossible.
'I was already at my wits end trying to make everyone in Hardhome proper blades, not gonna add another army to that' The Magnar thought to himself.
The Sealord wanted more than just exclusive access for Ragnar to commission weapons for him and the bank (that they would no doubt sell to the highest bidder) in exchange for the plans of the Arsenal. He wanted a force of fighters armed with Ragnar's weapons. Ragnar had no idea what the Sealord wanted to do with such a force but Ragnar doubted that it would come back to bite him so he was open to the idea.
This was something he could work with, so he agreed to the Sealord's terms.
In exchange for the plans of the Arsenal, Ragnar would arm the Sealords personal guard of 20. Ragnar would be open to commisions from the Bank and the Sealord season round. And only the Iron Bank and Sealord.
It was an overall succesfull mision for Ragnar. He secured food for the next two seasons. He made a trading partner and most importantly, Ragnar had permission to make his own Arsenal in the North.
His kingdom would be seen as a legitimate thanks to his dealings with the Braavosi (except of course by the lords south of the wall).
Ragnar had never worried about getting the designs of the Arsenal. He had long since figured out it was just a specialized assembly line. But he couldn't make his own or the Braavosi would accuse him of stealing from their city and that could open a whole other can of worms. Ragnar was not sure if that falls under Intellectual Property or if the Iron Bank even understood the concept of IP. But Ragnar had the feeling that should he have tried it without the Braavosi, he would most likely regret it. Now he had the plans and more importantly, he had the permission. So, if the engineers and labour force in the ships following his own were sent to somehow try and sabotage his new shipyard, Ragnar would know what to look for.
And if they were untrustworthy, Ragnar would be able to build it using his own resources. Ragnar was close to having a proper fleet.
Before Ragnar left Hardhome, Haval had made 15 longboats over the course of moons. Once his friend would have access to their own Arsenal then the eastern coast would be secured from any naval threat.
He would have the Ironwood, the ships, the men and the weapons to make them the ruling power of the shivering sea and beyond. Naval power only comparable to the Braavosi.
Although the Braavosi would themselves a bit too busy soon to contemplate the rise of the Norfolk.
'They're gonna need that wood and those swords sooner than they think' Ragnar thought amusedly.
While in Braavos, Ragnar had finally managed to narrow down where he was in the timeline.
He was in the year 257 AC.
Jahearys II was sitting on the Iron throne.
A Blackfyre was leading the Golden Company.
Pirate fleets ruled the stepstones.
All this meant one thing.
The Band of Nine would soon rise and Essos and Westeros would soon be too caught up in the chaos to look north. To look Beyond the Wall.
"Here's to the Ninepenny Kings" Ragnar said aloud for the first time since falling to his thoughts once he spotted the coast of his kingdom.
Authors Note: A Little interlude from Ragnar POV
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