*I would advise to go back and read The Battle in the Blackwood Vale first POV to remind yourself of the POV in this chapter.
**I used 'Blood of Dragons' as influence for the titles of court in King's Landing
It had been ten years since the end of The Lion's War. The war ended in 300 AC. The civil war in the Reach continued with fighting and skirmishes for another year into 301 AC. Eddard Stark had resigned as Hand of the King in 303 AC.
Robert I Baratheon was said to be a changed king after the war. He was no longer as fat as he had been since the Rebellion, but he was far more morose. It seemed as if a cloud had lifted from the King's eyes during the conflict. Robert made no effort to hide his closeness with a few particular knights of his Kingsguard. Notably Ser Guyard and Brienne of Tarth. Rumors began to run rampant of a sinful, affair between he and his lady protector, but those who knew Robert, and those who knew Brienne, knew this was nothing but flights of fancy.
Ser Jaime Lannister was sent to the Wall at the end of the war. Though, by royal decree, he was no longer to be known as the Kingslayer. No one knew why the King had passed this decree, though words spread through the realm how Eddard Stark, when he was still Hand of the King, had convinced him so. Cersei Lannister was bound and placed on a ship for the east. Sailing across the Narrow Sea, landing in Lys. Word was lost upon what happened to the former Queen. Joffrey Waters was originally intended to take the Black, however, as more crimes surfaced of his; including butchering whores, abusing his younger siblings, and the murder of two young girls of a bread merchant, the former Crown Prince was executed by Eddard Stark. Myrcella and Tommen Waters were legitimized as Myrcella and Tommen Lannister and sent to Casterly Rock.
Despite their legitimization, they were placed last in the line of succession to House Lannister. Tyrion Lannister, now the recognized heir to the Westerlands, remained as Master of Coin after the war. He was an effective one, and able as well. However, in order to learn the intricacies of lordship, he resigned his commission in 306 AC and returned to the Rock to learn under his father. King Robert I Baratheon appointed Ser Wylis Manderly to succeed him as the Master of Coin.
Although he was the heir to the Westerlands, it appeared that Tyrion Lannister was content with siring no legitimate heirs, more comfortable that his uncle and his line continue after him. Tyrion Lannister has yet to marry.
Prince Stannis had remarried, this time to Lady Myranda Royce of the Gates of the Moon. It was supposedly a loveless, but respectful marriage. Prince Stannis and Princess Myranda already sired two children in the past seven years. Prince Raymont Baratheon was born in 304 AC. Princess Morgana Baratheon followed in 307 AC.
Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, had repeatedly refused offers of marriage, despite his lack of a direct heir. Reportedly, this didn't seem to bother the young lord. Who instead, invited Ser Loras Tyrell to serve as the Master-at-Arms of Storm's End.
In 300 AC, the last opening in the Kingsguard was filled by Ser Ellery Vance. Though Ser Preston Greenfield was eventually saved from his wounds sustained during the Battle of Ashford Meadows, he was always weakened. He eventually died from long standing issues with his wounds in 305 AC. He was replaced on the Kingsguard with Ser Godry Farring.
Eddard and Catelyn Stark had decided that six children was enough. And despite their continued…amorous meetings, Lady Catelyn elected to use moon tea for the rest of her life. Robb Stark, after learning of the skill of his wife Dacey, leading the North from Winterfell during the war, fell more in love with her then originally thought possible. In 303 AC they welcomed into the world Mariah Stark, their first daughter. And in 305 AC, they sired another son, Donnor Stark.
Edwyle Stark married Roslin Frey in 304 AC. The wedding was attended by houses of both the North and the Riverlands. A minor scandal happened when Lady Roslin, slapped her father, Lord Frey, after he had dared touch her where he had touched so many other girls. In a humorous, at least for the rest of Westeros, turn of events, Lord Walder Frey recoiled and fell down the dais that he had climbed onto to originally touch his daughter. The old rat had cracked his skull as he fell. Though there were calls of kinslaying, none of the Freys dared to incite the Northerners, and the rest of the Riverlords, who had grown to hope for the new lord, Stevron Frey. Edwyle and Roslin welcomed their first child into the world in 306 AC; little Ronnel Stark.
Sansa, now Lady Sansa Dayne, gave birth to her and Edric's first child; a son named Garin Dayne, in 304 AC. This was followed by another son in 306 AC, Aldon Dayne. In 309 AC, Edric and Sansa Dayne sent their eldest, Garin, to ward in his mother's home of Winterfell.
Arya Stark, despite her maturing beauty, was still the wild stallion that she had always been. Yet, on the family's return to Winterfell from meeting Eddard in Moat Cailin, Lord Stark observed how young Daryn Hornwood was able to calm her stormy spirit such as no one had been before. The man was incredibly shy around her, however. Finally, in 306 AC, a betrothal agreement was announced between Daryn Hornwood and Arya Stark. They would marry in 308 AC. No child has come from the marriage as of yet.
Brandon Stark was a sad case. He had been nearly crippled when he was only a boy, but through hard work, he had been able to reach a stage where he was able to walk without a cane. A limp would follow him for the rest of his life. However, where the boy was once enthusiastic and outgoing, had grown shy and self-deprecating, and not in a good way. His insecurities plagued him for many years. To this day, he still resides in Winterfell, serving as a mix between a squire and apprentice to Vayon Poole and Maester Luwin. Lord Stark, and his older brother Robb, have made attempts for him to reach out to make friends or find love.
Rickon Stark was always the Wild Wolf of the North come again. As soon as he was old enough, he begged his parents to be sent to another house to ward. Originally, he had been sent to House Manderly in White Harbor. But the more refined tastes of the Manderlys clashed with the fierceness of Rickon. Although there were no hard feelings, Rickon was soon sent instead to the Umbers of Last Hearth, already known for their fierce temperaments. In 305 AC, the North was sent into a scare when Rickon Stark and his friend, Wil Umber the youngest of Lord Umber, went missing. They had been traveling with a party to visit the keep of Karhold. On the way, they went taken. Evidence pointed to kidnapping by wildlings that had snuck south of the Wall. Though, an ongoing investigation is still occurring. Lord Stark is convinced they were kidnapped with help south of the Wall.
A host raised by Lord Stark and Lord Umber was sent north of the Wall under the command of Robb Stark and Smalljon Umber. This expedition lasted for a number of moons, with the rest of Westeros watching it unfold. Nonetheless, it was ultimately unneeded. Through a series of unknown events, Rickon and Wil found themselves on the island of Skane. It was only after his rescue did the North breathe a sigh of relief. Since this moment, the youngest Stark has been known as Rickon of Skane. The reputation of the Skagos helping his already wild nature.
One of Brandon's and Rickon's closest friends, was their childhood ward, Orvyn Dustin. Orvyn was a distant cousin to the previous lord, Willam. Orvyn's grandfather, Jonos, was the younger brother to Willam's grandfather, Torghen. Orvyn resided in Winterfell until 306 AC, when he was sent back to Barrowton to assume his birthright. Though Lady Barbrey Dustin would serve as Lady of Barrowton until her death, she could not stop or prohibit Orvyn from matters of rule and heirship.
Ser Wylis Manderly and his wife sired their third and final child, and their only son, in 304 AC. Waylon Manderly was born with all the characteristics of House Manderly and their only to be born in King's Landing.
With the death of Ser Roger Ryswell in the Battle of the Rivers, his younger brother, Rickard Ryswell took his place as heir. A man fond of whores, he was at least more capable than his older, more arrogant brother.
Lord Harwood Stout had three sons; his eldest, Wynton, had fled to the Night's Watch when he had begot a girl pregnant, and feared his father's reprisals. His youngest, Ronnel Stout, had perished at the Siege of Harrenhal. Leading him to his only surviving son, Romny Stout.
Sorrowful news struck the realm late in 307 AC. Jon Arryn; Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, and the former Hand of the King, had died. Of course there were those minor rumors told around taverns of assassinations or poisoning by his own son. The truth was…he was old. By the end of The Lion's War, he had been old. True to his estimate, once he returned to the Eyrie in 302 AC, he would never again leave. Despite having a young man succeed as Robin Arryn, Lord of the Vale, the Small Council had advised the king to grant Jon Arryn's last wishes. And so, only a moon after Jon Arryn died, Ser Harrold Hardyng was issued a royal warrant. He was now Ser Harrold Arryn, heir to the Vale until Lord Robin sired children.
Then, in 308 AC, the most curious news spread around the realm. Robert Baratheon had announced his decision to ride around the realm, to live on horseback with only Ser Guyard Morrigen and his bastard son, Edric Storm, alongside with Brienne of Tarth, around the kingdoms. Most in King's Landing had panicked at this, but the King was not moved. Prior to his setting off, he had declared his brother and heir, Stannis, as Prince Regent…only one more title to add to his Hand of the King. Despite the fact he was still alive, Robert decided that he needed time away from the Iron Throne.
His first stop was Storm's End. He stayed at his ancestral home for close to a year. Then, he bypassed the Reach and moved to the Riverlands. Here, he traveled between the many different castles for a number of moons.
The royal government experienced changes as well under the Prince Regent & Hand of the King. Instead of being a separate office, the Steward of the Red Keep was put under the domain of the Hand of the King. Along with all of the Steward's underlings including the masters of games, feasts, of the horse, and the Master-at-Arms of the Red Keep.
Though the King's Justice and the Lord Confessor and Chief Gaoler and their underlings were under the Master of Laws; additional titles were instituted. The Royal Warder of the Kingswood, once a major breeding ground for criminals, worked closely with royally appointed knights inquisitor. And lastly, the Lord Keeper of King's Landing. The capital was a massive city of at least half a million souls. The Lord Keeper was appointed to handle the day-to-day affairs. The Lord Commander of the City Watch was put beneath this office.
Under the Master of Coin were the immediate Keepers of the Keys; Keeper of the King's Jewels, the King's Purse, the King's Arms, and the King's Residences. The King's Counter & Lord Judge of the Court of Coin with his tax assessors, royal auditors, and harbormasters of the realm beneath him. The Lord Judges of the Courts of Silver and Copper respectfully. The King's Scales and the Chief Factor beneath him. And lastly, the Officers of the three Royal Mints of the Realm.
In the past, the Master of Ships would appoint impromptu admirals of the different fleets of the royal navy. However, under the Prince Regent, the titles of Admirals of the East and West were permanently established. The Royal Shipwright also reported to the Master of Ships as well as the realm's portmasters.
Though a number of additional offices weighed heavily on the Crown's treasury, immediately, the Small Council bore witness to the enhanced ability of the new bureaucratic system. Though of course…nobles still retained all the positions.
310 AC
Garrison the Glaring
It had been over a decade since he had been sent to the Wall. Just past the turn of the century, the Night's Watch had received many hundreds, if not over a thousand of new…volunteers. Ya, sure, they volunteered just as he had been. None more famous than the infamous Kingslayer. Though, the Lord Commander issued a decree that to call him such, was to invite a man to open to a gut punch from the man in question. When Ser Jaime Lannister had first arrived, he had been a disheveled mess, much like most. But soon, the soldierly life of the Night's Watch pulled the former Kingsguard from his shell. Ser Jaime was eventually inducted as a ranger, and had become an experienced, if not lowly, ranger in the Watch.
Garrison himself had done alright by himself. After ten years, the number of original builders died or shrunk. As such, though he was not close to being the First Builder, he did find himself in the…relatively…comfy post of assistant builder of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
Jeor Mormont still served as the Lord Commander. Benjen Stark was the First Ranger, Othell Yarwyck as his superior, the First Builder, and Bowen Marsh as First Steward. Despite this, Garrison Hill, now known far more ably as simply Garrison the Glaring, finally had found himself his quiet corner.
He still remembered that ranging, a decade ago. Eryn Stone had led men north, to build an advance outpost for the Night's Watch. Half their number didn't survive.
In the years since, Eryn Stone had risen even more than he once was. Though, two years prior, in 308, Eryn Stone led another ranging north. This time…not a single man returned.
Though nobody could be used as proof, generally, it was thought that the unfortunate had come.
Ever since that day, he never slept more than a handful of good hours a night. There was always something at the back of his mind. A fear that couldn't put his mind to rest. For some reason, whenever he thought of Eryn Stone, he would picture him with bright blue eyes…though his were green?
He would always shake himself to attention when he thought of such things, they weren't good for the mind.
Deciding to take a walk, Garrison rose from his bed and strode from his quarters. He took the winch cage up to the top of the Wall. It was cold here. Colder than any rational man ought to feel. He stayed here for only a few moments.
He turned to leave. But stopped himself.
He felt as if he saw something.
Turning around, he looked far below once more. He could have sworn he had seen something glow faintly blue.
The same color as Eryn Stone's eyes from his dreams. But as he looked for it, it seemed it was just more of his mind tricking him.
Seven hundred feet below…at the edge of the Haunted Forest…a figure slowly withdrew.
Eyes…blue like a sapphire.