Thank you everyone for the positive feedback. I'm sorry it's taking me so long to post. I wrote the story and changed some things. I've noticed some errors in the story that I need to fix. After this chapter, I am going to take a break to edit the story so that it does not seem so rushed.
Tell me what you think. Honestly, I love the feedback and people's ACTUAL thoughts. Not just nice or emojis. Let me know if you notice any errors.
Jon sparred on the deck with Bartium. Grey-haired and brown-eyed, with a wide build. He was not fat but had large squared shoulders and chest, Bartirum was fit, though short in stature. Jon's head reached his shoulders. The man was firm when training Jon at sea.
They had already left Seagaurd and were sailing past the Iron Islands. Roger instructed Jon, James, and Erin on how to keep the ship sailing the coast. The larger Kraken Ships stayed close to the Islands. The smaller raider ships sailed closer to Westeros Mainland. The Merry Betty was a warship that was converted to trade. The Krakens would be idiots to try and loot it but Roger liked to be careful.
The girls remained below deck during this time, which annoyed them both. Their meals were eaten in their room. Their training was done in their rooms. For four days they were stuck below deck. Jon could almost hear Trina's teeth grinding at being contained.
The ship rocked and Jon's form wavered, allowing Bartium to parry his swing and knock Jon in the legs. Jon fell to the floor hard with a groan.
Bartium huffed and offered Jon his hand. "You have to work with the sea. Ironborn and pirates use your imbalance to their advantage. The ship rocking should be of no consequence to you." said Bartium.
"How am I supposed to keep my balance on a surface that is not steady?" asked Jon tiredly.
"Learn to balance," said Erin shrugging. Jon cut his eyes to the sky.
"Stand on one foot. No shoes," said Bartium. "Feel how the boat rocks and the sea waves."
"I'm going to fall!" said Jon incredulously. However, he listened and kicked off his shoes.
"You will. And you will get up. Stand on the other and do it again. And then you will fall. Get up and stand on the first and do it again." said Bartium. He stood next to Neville who could not help but look amused.
Jon huffed but did as told. The ship was steady for a while but the burning of standing on one foot was tiring. The crew spoke lowly about trivial subjects. They were vigilant and made sure to keep their eyes out for the Ironborn or Pirates. Neville walked the deck carefully. Making sure to watch for ships over the Horizon and peer carefully over the mainland they coasted. Bartium watched Jon.
Jon kept his balance for a good while before the ship rocked again. And he fell. He groaned and shot a heated look at James and Erin's laughter. "Again," said Bartium. And so Jon stood on the other foot and maintained his form. He did not keep his footing for so long. The ship rocked and he fell. "Again. And this time, focus on feeling the ship move. How the sea shifts below you. Move with it."
Jon stood and took the pose."How am I supposed to move with the ship on one foot?"
"You don't move with your foot. Your balance is in your core. In your hips. Balance on land is in your footwork. Balance at sea is in the more flexible parts of your body. Then it will transfer to your footing."
Jon nodded and continued.
"You're doing well lads" Roger called from the top deck. He had not sat down since they left Seaguard. Too worried about any dangers. He had sailed these parts for over two decades. And he had only feared them a handful of times. When Betty was on board, then Tysha was on board, and now with his two little girls.
Sailing past the islands with women on board was different than when it was just his crew. Raiders were raised to rape. Raised to think women were made to be abused. Roger will slit his own throat before he allows that to happen to his family. He had fought in four wars. A few bitch squids were nothing to him.
They ported the Banefort first and road fast and hard inland to sell goods to the villagers. They left quickly to avoid reavers.
The crew breathed easier when they reached The Craig. The girls were finally let out of their room. And their training went back to normal.
The Port of the Craig was not lively. And the people, like Banefort, lived far inland. Again, they rode with goods to sell inland, and this time Tammy and Trina accompanied them.
The time spent trapped in their room allowed Tammy and Trina to get over their fight. Tammy apologized to Trina for keeping her in the dark about her plans and not being more careful. Trina apologized for being paranoid.
The people of the Craig were friendly. And they knew to purchase quickly so the Banesmen crew could get back and sail away as quickly as possible.
The crew packed up and made their way to the Merry Betty. They rode hard to make it back before dusk.
Roger gave a great laugh when the ship was in sight. It was not until they rode closer that they sensed danger. Neville slowed his horse and Bartium stood from the cart, both had their hands on their pommels. Neither saw anyone but they felt a presence.
"You men have your swords?" Bartium asked.
"Aye," said the crew. The group could see the other half of the crew standing on the deck of the ship. They looked towards the west end of the port. The group moved forward and then could see the outline of a ship and men walking toward them.
"Bandits or Reavers?" Jon asked shakily. The idea of fighting outside of sparring was terrifying. Sparring was not for real and he could not play fight. He had to protect Tammy and Trina. He glanced at the girls and saw they both ducked behind him with their daggers out, Biting their lips in fear but their eyes held a determination. The girls would fight to keep their honor.
"Dunno," Roger said, pulling his sword out of its sheath. "All I know is they better be friendly. Or their blood will spill on this sand." His face was stone grim as he climbed off Tibby.
The rest of the crew walked down the docks, save for Gallert, James, and Erin. Swords in their hand, it was obvious they shared Roger's sentiment.
The crew and Bartium climbed out of the cart swords in hand. The strangers walked closer, there were about ten of them. Wearing grey dirting clothing with a kraken sigil. They had nasty looks and swung their weapons carelessly as they walked, attempting to intimidate their foes.
"Reavers" Jon whispered to the girls, unsheathing his sword. He was about to climb off but Bartium shook his head and nodded toward the cart. A silent signal-protect the girls. Jon nodded back and moved to the entrance of the cart.
"And who do we have here?" One of them said. A tall slim man. His brown eyes looked dead and skin so pale and dirty, Jon knew the sight of them would make Trina gag.
"Travelers." Roger replied. "We don't want any trouble. Stopped in to see some family. We'll be making our way back to the Rock."
"The Rock?" Another reaver laughed. "Don't know any Westerners who have the fucking Old Gods painted on their ship." The rest of the men laughed along. "We've heard of you merchants before. Four years ago, some friends of ours was found dead on these sands. Smallfolk around here said some Northern Merchants cut them down when our men was trying to pay the iron price."
"Would you like to join them?" growled Roger loudly.
"Is that a threat, Old Man?" asked the first Reaver. Taking a step forward.
"Aye," said Roger. "We have families to return to and if you think some squids are gonna get in the way of that, you've gone mad."
"Or are you trying to hide those pretty lasses we saw on that cart?" snarled the man "Love to make one of those Dornish whores my Salt Wife."
Roger opened his mouth to say something but an arrow struck his shoulder. Jon saw a man at the small Kraken boat holding a bow and arrow. Cursing, Jon readied his sword as a fight broke out.
Bartium and Neville made quick work of two of the men as Roger fought the first. He was almost cut down but he was knocked out of the way by Jason, his crewman, who cut the man down instantly. Roger fell against the cart and groaned loudly. The noise made the girls rise and gasp at the sight of their patriarch and they grabbed onto his shoulders to pull him over. Jon fought with his opponent who was trying to make his way to the cousins. Roger saw them and snarled, upset that they had put themselves in harm's way. "Leave me!"
A reaver grabbed Tammy and tried to pull her off the cart. Tammy let out a blood-curdling scream, flailing and hitting her opponent. Trina dropped Rogers shoulder and ran to pull Tammy back. Roger struggled to stand. The ache in his shoulder too great. Jon turned for a second in panic but could not do much as he dodged a swing of the reavers sword that only cut his cheek.
Trina and the reaver struggled over Tammy. Trina felt herself being pulled too and started to panic. This was not in her books. Not in any of her teachings. She was a scholar, not a warrior. Still, Trina held on tighter and was pulled halfway off the cart. She had begun to lose hope when she lifted her head and bit his hand. Trina felt a sharp peirce on her face as she heard the man scream. Both she and Tammy fell from the cart.
Tammy did not stay down for long. The older cousin stood and with her already bloody dagger stabbed the man in his chest repeatedly. Trina could see his bloody hand but did not stop to think for long and grabbed her dagger and pulled Tammy to Roger. "I'll have both of your hides" Roger groaned. "Jumping out in the open. You were almost taken and dishonored."
"We weren't going to leave you to be cut down with a bloody arrow in your shoulder." Trina spat back. She pulled his handkerchief out of his front pocket and put pressure on the arrow. "You aren't losing much blood. Thank the Gods." Trina breathed out.
Tammy nodded in agreeance. Her eyes were wide and it seemed as though she was looking through Roger. Horror laced on her face as she watched her grandfather groan in pain. They felt the cart shake and a man shout. It was not Jon, Trina thought in relief, the voice was too deep.
A clatter was heard of swords being met. Another clatter and then a sword flew. They saw Jon's opponent scatter backward into their sight and Jon's boots following him. Jon made a fierce cry before they saw his sword stab him in the chest.
The Banesmen sat in disbelief as Jon leaned against the side of the cart, holding his shoulder. He was battered and bruised all over. A cut on his and a slice on his shoulder. He saw the girls with Roger and let out a sigh of relief before walking towards them. He did not sit beside them but readied his sword as he watched the fight rage on. He winced as he held his sword in front of him.
Two more Ironborn joined the fight running from their boat. Trina felt her heart leap into her mouth with fear and readied her dagger. Her face was burning but she did not think much of it.
The fear did not last long before Bartium cut down one and Erin's father, Eden, cut down the other. Neville battled his next opponent, the final reaver. Trina watched wide-eyed as their swords met and clanged. The reaver seemed to grow tired because he swayed and stumbled back, giving Neville the perfect opportunity to slash him across the chest and then again across his belly. The man's scream was awful, though Trina could not find it in her to look away. He dropped and groaned, breathing his last breaths.
The group sat there for a minute. They looked at each other, making count in their heads of the crew and anyone who may not be alive anymore. Thankfully, they were all still standing. Thanks to Neville and Bartium, mostly. The Winterfell guards had cut down six out of the twelve. And each of the crew had made work of the rest.
Silence was all was heard as they swept their eyes over the perimeter. All was well. Relief was breathed in every hard exhale they took.
The silence carried on for another minute before Jon dropped his sword and vomited on the ground. This seemed to snap the crew back into reality. They all laughed, save for Trina and Tammy. Even Roger let out a strained chuckle.
"We were almost robbed and killed. This is not funny!" Trina shouted, tears spilling over and blood running down her face. She pulled Roger up as best she could leaning him against the cart.
"Oh lass," Jason said walking forward with another crewman, Tom, to lift their captain up. "The boy just had his first battle. He was either going to wretch out his front or his back!" He laughed with Trina following him onto the cart. She did not notice Tammy stuck in the same spot, staring at the dead man who threatened to abduct her.
Neville and Bartium stepped forward. They looked Jon over and pulled him up with amused grins. "Saw you kick the fucker in his chest," said Neville. "Good of you to use your elevation on the cart to your advantage. But in battle, you cannot afford to rest. You cut him down and leaned against the cart. If there were more Ironborn that we did not notice then you would have been stabbed in the back. You did well."
Jon nodded and looked around. Everyone seemed to be carrying on back to normal, except for Tammy. She stood with tears streaming down her caramel face. Her blue eyes, though stuck on the dead man, seemed still in a panic. "Tammy," said Jon gently. "It's okay. The fights over." He said grabbing her hand.
"I-I k-killed him." Tammy stuttered out. "I cut Trina's face. Trina held me by my legs but I could feel her lifting off the cart too. He would have taken both of us. I stabbed him in his hand and her face was close by. And then I stabbed him in the heart. I-I-" She cried.
"You did well." Bartium said softly. Leading them to follow the cart. "Had you not defended yourself, he would have taken you and raped you. Better him dead than you raped and far from your family."
"Little Rog could not take it if you were lost to him too," said Jon. The pain of losing Katie resurfaced. The thought of Tammy being taken from any of them made him want to collapse. "I could not take it. Trina couldn't. She almost died with you." Jon whispered.
"Trina," Tammy called to the cart. "I'm sorry I cut your face when I stabbed the man's hand."
"Better a cut face than us dead or worse taken," Trina called back. "I have to wash my mouth. I bit him. I could have an infection."
The crew laughed shakily. Death was better than being taken, that was true. Every northern girl was taught that death was better than being taken by Ironborn or Wildings. Death was more honorable than being raped and held in captivity.
"Father will not let me come back." Jon groaned.
"He will. There was a possibility that this would happen. He had to know that in the early months of spring, the squids would be causing havoc." said Neviile. "He'll be proud that you fought to defend two maidens' honor."
Jon's chest puffed out at the thought. He was still shaken. He did not remember killing the reaver. Every swing of his sword was instinct. All Jon remembered was the first swing. And then Tammy and Trina hollering. And then looking down at his dying opponent. Jon had never felt fear like that in his entire life. The fear of never seeing his family again, the fear that Roger would die or the Banesmen cousins being harmed. It rammed through his mind into his heart until the fight was over.
They finally made it to the docks and walked aboard the ship carrying Rog. "Keep your hand on the wound," said Trina hurrying off the cart. "I need to grab some items. I've never treated a wound so awful." She ran off down the steps to the lower level, pulling Erin and James with her.
"Oh, Grandfather." Tammy cried "You'll be alright, won't you?"
"Aye, I'll be fine." Roger coughed. "It caught my shoulder. Just hurts. Trina will be sure I live."
"You have to be fine. Who's going to command the ship if you're not!?" Jon squeaked in panic.
"Aye, you girls aren't ready yet. I won't be going anywhere until you're ready." Roger grinned.
Trina bustled back holding a scroll with James and Erin carrying her items. "Stop smiling, Uncle Rog" She growled, unpacking the items. "This is not the time to smile. You should be happy that the arrow did not hit an artery or your chest. You are bleeding out of your shoulder."
"And you are bleeding out your face." He jested with a grimace. "Your face!" he yelled. "You girls showed yourself while we were fighting. You were almost taken. How could you be foolish like that?"
Trina's eyes rolled as she cleaned her hands. "We will not allow you to die. You could have been killed. You were weak from the arrow and fighting. Those squids would have taken advantage."
"Yes, grandfather. We would not be able to go on without you. We love you." said Tammy also cleaning her hands.
"I love you, girls, more. I would be happier for you to bury me than the other way around. " Roger groaned.
"Hold the scroll up as I go along. I never did this before." Trina said to Erin. The boy nodded nervously and held the scroll up. "Stop shaking! You act like you are the one treating it." Trina gritted out.
"Trina don't be rude, we're all nervous!" Tammy scolded.
Trina rolled her eyes and began to cut his tunic around the wound. She cleaned around it, cut the fletchings off and stopped.
"Okay, Uncle bite down on this." She said, grabbing the nearest thing to her, which was a stick.
"Bite down?" Tammy gasped and she watched her grandfather bite down.
"Aye," Garrick said, holding James close to him. "Helps with the pain, He'll cry out less."
"Yes," Trina said with a wince. She was excited to perform this procedure but the nerves of her uncle being her first subject rattled her. "Now, time to pull it out. Grab him!" Edin lifted him and held him by his right shoulder. Jason held his left arm. Garrick and James held on to each leg.
Roger closed his eyes in preparation. Trina beckoned Tammy forward and instructed her to keep pressure on the wound. "Alright, Uncle on three." He nodded and let out a hard breath through his nose. "One-" She started pushing immediately and tried to ignore the look on his face when his eyes snapped open. It was a disgusting feeling, pushing the weapon out of his shoulder warm and gushy. She rotated to his back and grabbed at the base of the arrowhead to start pulling.
"Tammy keep pressure on it!" She growled. Finally, it was out. Trina inspected the arrow to make sure it was a clean push. She let out a sigh of relief as she cleaned her hands. "Now to stitch it, I think."
"You think?!" Bartium turned to face her. He and Neville had been keeping their eyes out for any other dangers.
"I'm sorry, I've never treated anything other than a cut and broken bones before." Trina shot back. "I have only a text and lessons to help me."
"You're doing fine," Jon said leaning on the side of the cart still. "You can do anything."
If the situation was not so dire, Trina would have blushed. Instead, she nodded and turned to where Erin stood with the scroll. She read it as carefully and fast as she simultaneously could. "The Cretan root honey lard. Yes, clean the wound. stitch it and then lard it."
"What?" Tom said confused. "Honey on the wound? That'll just make it sticky."
"No, Honey has cleaning properties," said Jon with a wince. "I think."
"You are right," said Trina, a pink hue touching cheeks. He remembered, she gushed silently as she went to work on her uncle's shoulder.
"Yes, and the creten root makes a dittany of sorts. Mix it with honey and it makes a lard that- that-" Tammy tried to remember.
"That kills infection and helps the wound close" Trina growled out. "Could you all shut it? I'm nervous and your chatter is distracting me."
The crew chuckled and Tammy huffed indignantly. But they allowed Trina to continue her job.
They had sailed away two mornings after the attack. Too tired to sail and too worried to sleep. The crew had taken turns watching the ship as they destroyed the Ironborne's ship and dug out graves for all twelve of their fallen foe. Roger did not want a repeat of an attack being traced back to them.
Trina had fixed up all the crew's wounds, as well as her own. The cut was visible but Uncle Rog said it would not take away her beauty when she was a woman grown. That was good to hear. Trina had never worried about her looks. Most in their area said she would grow to be beautiful but they still did not like her much. Trina had a nasty attitude and did not think beauty would make people like her more.
However, now she glanced at her reflection curious if she looked ghastly or not. Especially when Jon was looking. He seemed to be stuck on the bandage on the right side of her face.
The children sat in his rooms going over his notes from Maester Luwin. "What would be more advantageous of trade during spring? Food from the Reach? Or the Riverlands? And Why?" asked Tammy, reading from the notes Trina had written down.
"The Reach," said Jon. However, he was not paying attention. He was looking at the scar that was healing on Trina's face.
Trina must have felt his stare because she turned from her text and snarled when she saw what Jon was staring at. "What? Do I look like a freak?"
"No!" Jon gasped "Never- I- I"
"You-You?" Trina mocked. "Now you can't speak the common tongue? Well, you have been staring at it for days. Barely spoken to me since I stitched you up!" shouted Trina "Am I ugly now?"
"Of course not!" Jon shouted back "I just feel bad"
"Pity is worse than being ugly, you stupid wolf!" Trina shouted moving forward. Tammy, James, and Erin stood up to try and calm her.
"I'm not pitying yo-" Jon shouted, meeting her steps face to face.
"Than what!?" Trina growled in his face.
"I should have protected you better!" Jon yelled. "You and Tammy! That man could not have gotten to you if I had paid more attention."
"Please, the man grabbed us because we exposed ourselves!" said Tammy exasperatedly with a a grunt as she pulled Jon back.
"Why do you keep staring at it then?" Trina bit out. Her eyes softened a bit but she was still irritated.
"You shouldn't have it. A maiden shouldn't have scars like that." Jon said.
"I'm a northern maiden. And I wear this scar fine. Uncle says it won't take my looks." said Trina
"They haven't," Jon said with a blush, glancing at the rest of her face. Honestly, the scar made her look like a warrior princess. Cutting from her forehead to her top cheekbone. It brought out the shape of her eyes and how cute her button nose was.
Jon was snapped out of his admiration by Tammy pulling him backward and stepping in front of Trina. "Are you mad at me for cutting you?"
"Of course not," said Trina. "Me biting him did nothing. And I did not use my dagger. I feel as though I failed you. I was completely useless."
"Not useless," said James with Erin nodding along. "You grabbed onto her and refused to let go. Even when you knew he was taking you along with her. And then you treated everyone's wounds while you still had blood running down your face."
"Yes, none of us been in a real battle, have we? You didn't know what to expect." Erin smiled.
"Did better than us, didn't you?" grumbled James. "Me and Erin were stuck on the ship."
"I rather had been on the ship." said Trina "Tammy and I were in the way."
"It's not logical for us to be stuck on the ship or hiding away from danger." Tammy contemplatively replied.
Trina let out a large sigh as she watched the wheels turn in her cousin's head. An idea that would surely be an inconvenience to Trina.
Jon shrugged. "Well, that's what you have me for. Perhaps I can convince Bartium to train Erin and James too. He gets bored when our training is over."
"Just James and Erin?" Tammy asked slyly. A smirk turned up on her face as turned her eyes to Jon. Then her sly eyes turned to Trina, who sneered deeply.
Jon nodded in return with another shrug "Of course, everyone else has trai-"
"Don't be dimwitted Jon. Spit it out, Tammy. I've no time for your games." Trina sneered. "And to be clear, I won't be participating."
"Parti-?" Erin questioned confusedly. He turned to James who's mouth dropped at what Tammy was suggesting.
"You'll do as I tell you," Tammy snapped to Trina with a scowl. "We were attacked while doing business. OUR business, mind you. You want to cower and hide over your books?"
"I am an intellectual. NOT a Warrior." Trina mumbled in defeat. However she knew Tammy was right, books did not help her when her face was cut on the sands of Crag.
"Aye, and as an intellectual, you know it is smarter to know how to fight," Tammy said with a tone of finality.
"The whole point of me being here is to be your muscle. There's no use for me if you know how to fight." Jon stated dejectedly.
"You are being dimwitted again." Trina huffed, sitting in her seat. "You will be Tammy's first mate and shipwright. You will still be our sword. Erin is training to be a shipwright and steward. James is training to be a steward, cook, and deckhand. I'll be the healer and quartermaster. We all have our place."
"You don't want to be Tammy's first mate?" asked James. "It's your family business too."
"Not the right position for me." Trina shrugged. "Mother says I don't have the discipline. Also, research won't allow me to handle the responsibility of being First Mate."
Uncle Rog had discussed their training since Winter had started. At first, He wanted to train Trina as the First Mate but Tysha was against it. Trina would not like having to take over the ship for Tammy. She would not wish to command the ship if someone was sick or injured. So, Jon would be trained for the position instead. He was already being groomed to be Robb's advisor. Jon was comfortable with taking orders as well as giving them. Trina was not as comfortable outside of science. Trina always followed Tammy's lead.
Jon nodded in acceptance. "I don't think we can convince Roger to let you train at the sword."
"Yes we can," Tammy replied in a sing-song voice. Trina's scowl deepened at Tammys' antics. "We just threaten to tell father and Aunt Tysha that we were attacked at sea."
Trina's head snapped to Tammy. "Have you lost your senses?" Trina growled, rising out of her seat. "Mother wouldn't let me come on this trip initially. Now you want to tell her that we were almost robbed, kidnapped, killed, and raped?"
"Sounds mad it does." James sighed with Erin nodding his head in agreeance.
"If we tell Auntie and Father aoout the attack then they wont let us go on the next trip." Trina spat out.
"Precisely" smirked Tammy. The boys turned to each other in confusion, while warily watching Trina get more irritated by the second. The blonde girl looked ready to explode. Tammy rolled her eyes playfully, making her cousin take a step toward her- only to be stopped by Jon grabbing her arm.
Tammy sighed and continued. "If we blackmail Grandfather. We train by the sword and when our families find out about the attack, they won't be so anxious about it. If we tell them and we don't get sword training then we don't get any merchant training."
Her companions looked at her going over the idea. It was a sound plan. They could send a raven from Lannisport when the ported, by the time they arrived back to Winterfell, their parents would be over their attack and be pacified with them being trained. Trina deflated before sinking back into her seat.
"And if he decides to spank us bloody for trying to blackmail him?" Trina asked, silently dreading telling their mother about the attack and the scar on her face. This was exactly the kind of thing her mother was scared of.
"He will spank us and then he will comply," Tammy replied nonchalantly with another shrug.
Jon shook his head with a laugh. "Leave me out of it."
"Nay, we need to be a united front," said Tammy. "He needs to see you following my lead and he will take us seriously."
"But we don't want to be spanked," Erin argued.
"That's too bad. You already have the privilege as boys to learn swordplay just by asking. We don't." Tammy said gesturing to Trina and herself. "I'm your future captain. And you will do as I say." She finished with the same tone of finality that she used on Trina.
Erin and James were not stupid or weak, but they weren't wolves or lions, like Trina and Jon. They bent easier to commands.
Tammy stared hard at all three boys. Jon held the stare and nodded in acceptance. Erin and James did not. They looked around the cabin a bit trying to avoid Tammy's eyes. It was as if she did not blink. Finally, the boys broke and nodded as well.
Tammy gave a curt nod before fixing a dazzling smile, Jon grinned cheekily in return. The actions only made Trina huff in annoyance.
Both James and Erin sat uncomfortably listening to Tammy go over her plan.
The children ambushed Roger in his captain's solar. His wound was doing him fine and he was back on his feet as soon they set sail again. His shoulder pained him but the salve Trina made along with a sip of milk of the poppy allowed him to continue.
Roger sat in front of his progeny with a stern glare. His granddaughters had come to him demanding to be taught how to use a sword. He did not like the idea of his little girls fighting but he had to admit they were right. It did not make sense for them to be running a ship and a business, not knowing how to defend themselves against pirates, Ironborns, and slavers. He was also proud at how Tammy took charge.
She stood at the front of her little crew. Jon stood at her left, nodding at every word of her proposal. Trina stood at her right with a glare, biting out words of agreeance with Tammy, but showing she was annoyed with the idea of martial arts. James and Erin stood behind them, shifting nervously as they listened to Tammy blackmail their current captain. It was clear that the two were nervous about Roger's reaction however they stood in solidarity with their future captain.
Roger was proud. Yes, very proud of this girl who stood before him. She had his slick tongue, his eye for finances, and knew how to lead men. And with charm.
Roger shifted his eyes to the Winterfell guard who watched the exchange. Bartium stood at the side of the group near Jon, looking amusedly at the children. He caught eyes with Roger and nodded acceptance. Roger was glad he agreed but still. He wouldn't be strongarmed into his granddaughter's demands. A good merchant negotiated.
Roger turned his eyes back to Tammy and spoke. "You come in here making demands, girl. No plan. Don't know the first thing about sword fair. You don't even know if Bartium is willing to teach you or has the time."
"Time? He trains Jon at midday for a couple of hours and then he stands guard for the rest of the day." Trina said with a quirk of her brow.
"Yes, and Bartium gets bored. He's used to sparing at Winterfell and making rounds," said Jon.
Tammy stepped forward and turned to face Bartium. "Would you be alright with training us? It would give you more to do. And You wouldn't be so worried about keeping watch over us all the time."
Bartium opened his mouth to speak, he looked as if he was going to accept. Roger put a hand up to stop him. "Jon is his charge, not you girls. He's not worried about your safety. He's worried about our Lord's son's safety." Roger said, moving the goalpost to gauge the children's reaction.
Trina nodded along with James and Erin in agreeance. Roger almost sighed in frustration. The girl was brilliant to be true but she could be as dense as rock at times. Tammy smirked at Roger's bait.
"Bartium is a battle-hard warrior of the North. He will always defend the innocent. The attack on the shores of the Crag proved that. He fought as a part of our crew and not just as Jon's guard. Bartium is a Ser without the knighthood." Tammy finished in a firm voice, looking back to Bartium with a sweet smile. The man nodded in appreciation at her words with a genuine smile.
Roger nodded in acceptance pleased with the bullshit she sprouted from her mouth. Silver words, he internally gushed with pride. "And what of your sail training? This will come in between your studies."
"It doesn't come in between my studies. The girls can do it." Jon shrugged. "We all wake up at daybreak. Tammy makes her rounds as soon as she wakes up. Trina looks over her plants and goes over the books. James and Erin go about their duties. They can train after that. A couple of hours right before I spar. They can continue when we get back home. And be good enough for the next trip. Though you can't spar until we get some training swords. They can start with drills."
Tysha was right about this lot. Jon was better at leading than Trina. He offered advice and solutions easily. Jon followed and compromised. The perfect right-hand man.
Roger grinned. "And when we tell Little Rog and Tysha. What makes you think they'll be receptive to you coming just because you have sword training experience?"
"They knew the risks before we left and still let us come. It doesn't make a real difference it will just-ju- whats the word Trina?"
"Pacify" Trina huffed for the tenth time that day.
"Yes, they will be pacified with us being taught to defend ourselves," said Tammy confidently.
"Tysha is going to kill me." sighed Roger rubbing his hands over his face. He winced at the shoulder ache but ignored it. Trina would not allow him to take any more Milk of the Poppy before his scheduled time.
"Yes, probably." Jon agreed with a shrug. "She was already paranoid about the trip. Next trip she'll probably chain Trina to the cottage."
"Shut up!" Trina growled making Jon grin cheekily in return. The boy had been getting comfortable with riling her up.
Roger eyed the children again. It was a good argument and a solid plan. And it would save his arse when he had to face his family and Lord Stark. "Fine. You will learn by the sword. You will fight. But this is something to take seriously. Trina. That means you." He said pointing to his great-neice with a raised brow.
She rose her brow in return and nodded. "Well I'm not going to be a great warrior, so don't expect me to be. I'm not made for fighting."
"You are made for protecting. No one wants you to run into a battle but you need to be able to defend yourself and your crewmates." said Bartium. "I can tell your heart is in books and science. I know to be patient with you and Erin here."
"Why me?" said Erin with an affronted look.
"I know when someone is made for a fight and those who are made for defense. The two of you are softer than your little friends here. That isn't a bad thing. Thats good but you are going to need to take your training seriously. The west have Ironborn and the east have pirates."
Erin nodded in understanding before pausing "So we won't be getting a spanking for blackmailing you?" He asked sheepishly, James nodding along. Trina rolled her eyes as Jon chuckled.
"HaHa, No you won't be getting a spanking." Roger laughed. "Your leader here has made a sound argument. But since you lot decided to come in and strong arm me, you'll be cleaning the cattle level. As soon as we stop in Lannisport."
The children groaned until Tammy shushed them with a look of defiance. She had led her little crew knowing they would be punished. Truthfully they would rather be spanked but Tammy couldn't show weakness now.
Roger chuckled. "Go on" he shoo'd them away as Bartium led them out the door. He chuckled again at the sound of Trina's low growl "So unclean. Why couldn't he just whip us?"
"Shut it." Tammy growled back lowly.
Yes, the Next Generation of Banesmen were proving to be very interesting.
A/N
Bit of a short chapter. Tell me what you think.