Chapter Seventeen
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The continuous gusts of snow outside invites the cold air that Delianah shivers inside her solar despite the closed windows. It has been a month, a month ever since her return here at Harrenhal and the start of Winter. Suffice it to say that she is caught off guard by the difference of the winter here at Westeros than the winter that she knows back in her original life.
During her tenure at Oldtown and studying (more like shamelessly photocopying) the priceless tomes that the Maester Order had been accumulating throughout the centuries, she of course read about the Winters here at Westeros. She had laughed back then. Seriously, who would believe about Winters lasting for years that leave behind death, cold and devastation. She had happily assumed then that the reason for their rather descriptive outlook of the bad weather was because of their simple-mindedness. The world here after all was akin to the Dark Ages with barely touching the Feudal and Middle Ages of the Modern World. It would not be surprising to her that the unlearned people that call this world home would know the basics of preparation when it comes to bad weather.
Suffice it to say, her opinions are rather proven falsely by the "extremely" bad weather outside.
Sure when she looks outside, one might assume that it is just light snow falling from the sky to the lands covered by Harrenhal. Emphasis however on "it is snowing outside". When she first decided that the territory of Harrenhal would be her lands and her base of operations and refuge, she and the other Green men under her command have warded the entirety of the territory she possess with weather negating runes and blessing runes. She would be investing heavily after all in agriculture, and she would rather look idiotic in everyone's eyes if the new crops she is introducing do not bear fruit.
The soul runes that fueled the wards are powered by the life essence of the ghosts here which seems to be extra abundant at Harrenhal. They literally super-charge the runes that would regulate weather in a way that the crops would need to prosper. Thus seeing that snow and cold winds still pass despite the fact that the runes are all operating in full power speaks volumes of how bad it must be on the world outside not being protected by her magic. She mentally thanked her paranoia of trying to be prepared as possible of eventualities. At times like these, it does save the day.
Her attention however right now is at the letters currently laid out at her desk. Each contains the seals of Lord Paramounts and even that of the Hand of the King.
Two weeks ago before the worsening of the weather, she had sent the first shipment of rice and salted turkey meat to the North with barrels upon barrels of Firewhisky via longships. The Warden of the North had not been idle. The moment he received the white raven, Ned Stark had sent an agreement contract between Winterfell and Harrenhal wanting to purchase thousands of sacks of rice, meat, spices and whatever fruits that would not perish along the journey
Like her, he knew that he must get the first dibs on the supplies before the others can. The Greyjoy Rebellion after all had taken a lot out of the realm. Armies need provender to run, and many storage lards of many lords were emptied in order to equip and feed their levies during the campaign. Worse, the Reach and the Riverlands were two of the most majorly hit by the Ironborn raids during the first salvo of the war. Farms and small villages had been decimated and razed by the pillage worshipping pirates and many smallfolk that usually grow such fields were either dead or taken as thralls. The two food granaries of the realm barely managed to recover when Winter slammed into Westeros.
This of course made Delianah's main agricultural product nans the spices, more valuable. It was not long after the first longship arrived at White Harbor carrying the goods that the letters of the other Lord Paramounts and High Lords come knocking at her door.
Tywin Lannister asked (surprisingly in a polite way) that she allocate at least some of her rice to sell at the Westerlands. He even waved off the taxes for selling at his lands as long as she sold food at the Westerlands and even offered her merchants a permanent stall at Lannisport with all the protection it needs. She had happily allocated some supplies to the rather harried looking caravans that braved the weather from the Westerlands.
Edmure, her half-brother on the other hand were once more the interim Lord Paramount of the Riverlands (much to the horror of the Riverlords once more). He demanded that she sold her land's produce at the Riverlands in an extremely low amount to boost the shortage since apparently "we're family" and "Family, Duty, Honor" is House Tully's words. Delianah promptly used his letter as fire kindling.
There were also several requests from Lords of the Reach (basically those whose larders were used as supply for the army that crushed the Greyjoy Rebellion) about buying from her. The Tyrells and many other more well off to do keeps not damaged by Balon Greyjoy's bid for freedom were keeping their granary supply under lock and key. For good reason to, nobody knows after all how long this Winter will last. Delianah can't fault them, if she was in their shoes, she'll be doing the same. Of course since she had magic, the ultimate cheat, she can happily skip those woes.
Same letters also came from Dorne, The Vale and the Crownlands, each requesting to be able to buy supplies from her. The Capital funnily enough did not request to buy rice but Firewhisky and three times the usual amount that the Capital orders.
All in all, the once full storehouses of Rice Point are now running on empty and the past two harvest containers are simply vacant of any rice sacks now where once it held thousands. In a way, the rice business of Delianah boomed overnight.
The North of course is her main buyer as she originally intended. Now one might wonder why in the world is she prioritizing a kingdom who cannot even pull the necessary funds that they might afford the large amount of shipments of rice from her. Why not make the West the primary buyer (especially since Lord Kevan, Tywin's brother seemed to have developed an extreme liking to rice) instead of the poor Northeners minus the fact that she is half related to the Lady of Winterfell?
"Cella come here," Delianah calls out to the older of the two permanent residents of her private solar who is reading one of her science books.
Due to the rather lack of castle at the moment with Harrenhal going non-existent and her designs of a new castle still pushing to finishing line; her current abode is the rather private suite created for her by Guilds at the Town Hall of Hold's Hamlet. Due to the rather lack of royal rooms at the moment, she has agreed that the two young girls stay with her. Her suite after all is large enough to accommodate five people and even has some space to spare. Myrcella of course was thrilled by this and Rhaenys, who seems to have taken like a fish unto water Myrcella's friendship follows the six year old Royal. She has to ward her private room however. She needs a place after all where she can practice her magic freely.
"What is it Delia?" the small princess asks sitting in front of her study. Rhaenys who is lying on the rug simply looks up before shrugging and returning to reading her own science book.
"The North cannot pay for all the rice and meat that they have ordered from me Cella," Delianah says placing a map of the North in front of the smaller princess. Thus Lord Stark offered me an alternative. Since he doesn't have the money and I am not willing to give the food he needs via credit, he's planning on paying me by land, land at the North to be more specific. If you are in my place Cella, which area will you choose that would serve as payment for Lord Stark to give?"
"Ehm, Delia, I'm only six," Myrcella replies nervously looking at the map. "I am not qualified to give you advise on these,"
Delianah only smiles at her. She looks terribly adorable with those puffed up cheeks. "Yes, you are right Myrcella. But your position as a princess of the realm does not excuse your age. Someday you will make decisions that will affect hundreds if not thousands of lives. It's better you start practicing. Besides, I'm not asking for a right answer Cella. I'm just asking your opinion,"
"You won't get mad if I answer wrong?" she asks still with a tinge of doubt.
"Nope, now come. Let us see how far you are in your studies," Delianah gestures again at the map.
The small princess in front of her gulps before taking the large map in her hands, Delianah almost smiles as the nervousness slowly disappears from her eyes the more she looks at the map. Myrcella is a natural when it comes to geography and terrain as far as she observes. That's why the princess loves her science books compared to other avenues of her studies. She makes a mental note to bring her along with her once she finishes the majority of her plans here at Westeros.
"It would be here Delia," she points at Sea Dragon Point.
"Oh and why should you choose such a location so Cella?" Delianah asks with an encouraging wave of her hand.
The small princess seems to take a breathe before beginning: "Sea Dragon Point according to the Book of Lords and Territories by Maester Brutus is a land that is totally worthless. There are no mines there and the land is too wet for the growing of wheat or any kind of crop. It is nothing but an assortment of hills and bogs. According to the book, ancient ruins of strongholds of the First Men still lie there while the highest of its hills contains circles of Weirwood. Majority of the wildlife there however are otters in its icy lakes, salmon on the rivers, clams along the shore and colonies of seals,"
"Alright, good point on narrating everything about that there is need to know about Sea Dragon Point Cella. I'm assuming you have a reason for saying all those?"
"Yes Delia," the princess now answers excitedly. "You see, Sea Dragon Point is useless to others but it will be perfect to colonize with what you have here at Harrenhal. There are no mines there since it's a land full of hills Delia, but Delianite might be there. After all, Delianite cannot be found on mountains but hills. The investment on trying to find some possibilities there would be nothing compared to success. The land is too wet for the traditional food here at Westeros but rice, rice grows on wet climate well enough. There are large tracts of space open there, plains that can support rice. As for the ruins, I dunno, maybe some training camps for the Unsullied Delia? I've heard rumors on the market place that they are planning to expand some of the training camps and they are having trouble finding space. Sea Dragon Point would also make a fine harbor. It is after all beside the sea and near the Northeastern part of the Wolfswood. With a harbor there, it would open trade to Essos and Bear Island. I dunno, is there something else I missed?"
"No, nothing, good job Cella. I am impressed" Delianah simply replies taking back the map of the North from the table.
"Really?" the small princess beams and Delianah can almost see the stars shining on her eyes.
"Yes, you're brilliant princess. You did well, now why don't you take a break from your studies and explore my personal pensieve for an hour or so," Delianah says with a shooing motion.
"Yayyy! Rhae-rhae wake up!" Myrcella body tackles the smaller girl who had fallen asleep during their discussion with her science book atop her head. Myrcella does not wait for the unhappy squawk of the younger girl to finish before hauling her to her feet and dragging her to the next room where Delianah has set her pensieve.
"I want to watch more about Iron Man,"
"No! I want to see dinosaurs and dragons!" the rather unhappy protest of Rhaenys' echo along the halls.
Said owner of the magical item only smirks as she watches the two disappear with the usual loud ruckus of children. It had been a spur of the moment action for her to entrusting the two on watching from her pensieve. She had been tired and weary after the usual long accounting of money they were getting from all the rice imports (they started weighing it in bags instead of counting because of the hundredfold returns) and Myrcella had pestered her for another story about the "heroes". Brain bouncing around her skull due to her long day, Delianah had pointed to her the extra pensieve which she had made where installed most of her memories about different movies (it serves as her television since there is no television here at Westeros and the theatre acting sucks). The girl had instantly been hooked. Delianah realized her mistake too late and might have obliviated her. Myrcella's bright smile however stopped that thought dead in its tracks. The girl was happy truly and she can't find it in her heart to erase it. Thus she had lied, telling her that she bought it from a merchant and it was magical, able to transform thoughts into projections on the water. Myrcella bless her soul seemed even more happier and awed as she simply took her for her word and even dragged Rhaenys to join her after Delianah made the two promise never to tell anyone (as if anyone would believe them). Her days then were plagued of trying to explain the modern stuff that the two didn't understand.
Currently though, Delianah stares at the map of the North that she and Cella had been perusing. A sly smile appears at her lips as she stares at the image of Sea Dragon Point. Alone she might have never thought of even half of those things that Myrcella had told her about the area. In fact she personally would had never even thought of choosing Sea Dragon Point; and even in the advent that she did, it would be for a harbor to Essos only. Yes, she can work with all those that Myrcella had told her and even add her own touches now that she knows about the area.
"Thank you Myrcella, for your contribution. Now what to give you as a reward though?"
…..
"There must be tithes given to the Sept! The Seven Demands it! You think all these successes of yours are because of your own strength? It is the Seven that blesses the fields That gives you Strength! It is the Seven that makes your rice grow! That makes the waters give forth life! It is only right that you should give back for the septs and to its servants! What then will the servants of the Seven eat if they don't have money from you? It is divine law that you give money to the servants of the gods! Ignore this plea and the Seven will smite you down and everything that you think that makes you great!"
Amelia massages her forehead as the familiar septons that declare the word of the Seven once more preached on the raised dais they set for themselves at the town. While the majority of the citizens of Harrenhal after all are free slaves, there are Septs here that are remnants from its time before Lady Delianah. Now said Septons are literally throwing their weight around demanding money for "tithes" from the new locals. Of course with them being from Essos, many practically worship other gods or even no gods. That does not deter the Faith however from their non-stop preaching.
At worst, they are nothing more than an ear sore for everyone. Still it is a disruption of the peace every day hearing the usual threats of fire and brimstone. Amelia who is a follower of the Old gods being a Green Man, almost scoffed when she read the Seven Pointed Star, the "holy book" of the Faith. All doggerel in her opinion. Why in the world would gods need money from their creation? They are gods? They have power, they don't need money, what in the world would they use it for?
Still, while many simply tolerated the Septons and Septas and treat their daily threats and demands as an occurrence of everyday life, she better nip the issue on the bud. She'll bring it to Lady Delinanah later once she finishes buying the food for the market. Their Lady has a penchant of turning problems into advantages after all. As to why she is buying food, the two adopted wards of their lady despite their miniature sizes are ravenous when it comes to eating. Apparently they took a liking to many of Harrenhal cuisine, taught to the cooks by Lady Delianah herself. While much of the larder of the Town Hall is free for their Lady, the two went over it faster than a band of locusts. It is a miracle that the two munchkins didn't get fat yet. Still, she is here "shopping" as Delianah calls it though it's more like collecting since the people just give to her the products she need after seeing that she is their ruler's personal bodyguard.
What a life indeed.
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Author's Note: Hope ya Like it. We will be fast forwarding next chapter.