Chapter 7
Unsurprisingly the guards didn't allow me to go and strut the city without a leash. And they apparently didn't have dog collars large enough for me, so I just had a rope tied around my neck. Ned held the end of the rope as a leash, more for the image of a Stark having a living and breathing Direwolf by his side than anything else.
And he did really look the part of a Lord of Winterfell. A long and dour face, framed by dark almost black locks of hair. Only the blood on his cheek could be taken as a flaw in the image, but given that this is the North it'll probably be a net plus.
A quartet of guards led us through the city streets, towards a large keep at the center with its own protective walls. Two in front and two at the back, with plenty of space between them and us. Probably afraid of me. But I paid them no mind and focused on the sights and smells around me. I really couldn't tell from afar just how pretty White Harbour was. The cobbled streets were very high quality, especially for the medieval period. And all the houses here had solid stone foundations and chimneys that spewed hot smoke into the cloudy grey skies above. The air tasted of salt and the great winds from last night turned to a gentle breeze from the sea. The people, already milling about in the early afternoon, stopped and stared at our motley crew of bearslayers plus guards. Or the fuckoff big wolf literally hanging by a thread. But I was happy to notice that most did correctly speculate that this was a Stark of Winterfell in their city.
"See the wolf! It must be a Stark! Only Starks can bend beasts to their will," One fishwife whispered to her friend.
"I heard they breed Monster Wolves in Winterfell, that they'll use them to conquer Westeros! Just like The Conqueror did!"
Okay it might just have been luck that they got it right.
Ely mirrored my curiosity and eyes the city and its people constantly, not really looking where she's going. Her head was constantly turning from left to right, trying to see everything that there was to see and then some.
"I've never been to a city this big before," She said almost in wonder.
"Aye, the Vale is a bit short on room for a widespread city of this size. If you've ever been to Gulltown though you would see similarities between them," Ned replied quietly.
"Oh no I've never been, bit too far out from our little village at the Bite. But father did want us to visit it one day. That or the Eyrie," She shook her head with a grimace. No doubt thinking of her late father.
Neds lips pulled down as well, "I am sorry for your father. I know nothing I can give will ease your burden, but I will make sure that you and your family need for nothing until at least your twilight years," Ned promised with a steel in his voice that left no room for argument.
Ely's lips stretched into a rather humorless grin, "It'll be a pretty cheap endeavor then. I have no more family that I know of."
Ned frowned at her, "None?"
"None. My mother died birthing me and father never spoke of anyone else being related to me, it was us for as long as i remember," She explained.
Suitably grim for Westeros, but no less tragic. And it really sucked when it happened to someone you liked. I stepped closer to her and rubbed my nose into her shoulder and gave the most comforting lick I could on her scratched and bloody cheek.
That brought a slightly more genuine smile across her lips and she gave me a pat on the neck.
Ned just hummed at her answer, probably not sure how to respond. And really how could he, he'd also just lost half his family and was going to war with the King of The Seven Kingdoms. He could hardly deal with his own grief, let alone someone else's.
I left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not being able to help either of them beyond looking for surface comfort for them and my own presence. And here I thought wolfdom wouldn't be all that bad.
The gates to the keep were opened just as our group approached, we were definitely expected. And more importantly Lord Manderly was at least willing to check if it really was Ned and not some idiot trying to impersonate the damn Warden of The North. We passed through into the courtyard with little fanfare, just very curious looks from the soldiers. Well some were curious, most seemed fairly scared and uncomfortable looking at me. And while 'most' implies a large amount of something it's probably not the correct word to use right now. There were startlingly few guards about, if I were to guesstimate probably a little less than could garrison the keep. That's counting all the guards I saw as we passed in the streets too. Where was everyone?
Just as we climbed the steps to the keeps great doors, they were opened and an older lady walked out. Tall and plump, she was clad in a heavy wool dress and multiple fur coats. Her round face was already getting pinker, whether from the chill air or the effort of walking with about a whole ton of fur on her shoulders. Her hair was fully grey and put up in a tight bun at the back of her neck. She had remarkably few wrinkles on her face, only a couple of lines around her mouth and nose were visible. She was flanked by two guards and multiple ladies around her age. She inspected us with a critical eye, her gaze landing on me first, followed by a quick glance at Ely and then a deep inspection of Ned.
"Hm, long face, dark hair and grey eyes. Yes, yes and that dour and awkward look. How could I ever forget that one. Eddard Stark, back from the Vale? What sort of trouble have you found along the way?" She asked after a moment.
Ned blinked at the bizarre start of this meeting, "I… uhmm-"
"Yes,yes the identical cuts on your faces boy. Out with it, what madmen did you encounter out there," She waved him on impatiently, "And by the Gods get inside, we will not talk at my doorstep all day," She then turned and marched on inside.
Leaving poor Ned to try and catch up to the improbably quick woman, unsure of whether I was even allowed inside.
"We had encountered an old bear in the woods a little south from here. It thought us prey," Ned answered when we caught up to her.
"A big brown thing? Good, I have had hunters looking for it for days now. Bloody beast has been eating half the traders coming in and out of the city. What of the wolf?"
Ned patted me on the head, right between my ears smushing them flat against my skull.
"He is… a curious sort. We had been washed up on a beach not far from White Harbour, and he was there when we woke up. Had an arrow in his shoulder, but wasn't aggressive at all. Even helped with hunting. And the bear of course," Ned said.
"Hm, hunters have reported a sighting of a large wolf close to the gates. Said it was a monster of a thing, never seen any wolf that large. Seems that mystery has solved itself," Just as she finished we were welcomed into a sitting room. Tall and wide, with a roaring hearth and comfortable furniture around. One of the guards stayed outside while the other entered and stood by the closed door, trying to seem like he wasn't listening to Ned and Lady Manderly speak.
Said Lady made herself comfortable on an armchair to the left of the fireplace. Ned took the one opposite her, Ely took the couch in between them but as close to Ned as she could possibly manage. She looked far from comfortable on the luxurious leather furniture. I sat down a little in front of Ned, close to both him and Ely.
"Leave the unimportant discussions for dinner. The Mad King has killed Rickon and Brandon Stark and now wants you dead as well. We have heard of Jon Arryns refusal, war is inevitable. As even your brother knows," She got straight to the point.
"Benjen has called the banners then?" Ned asked, approval evident in his voice.
The old Lady nodded, "Yes, my Lord husband and Wyman have taken all fighting men we could spare. This grave injustice will not go unanswered. And as loyal bannermen of House Stark, House Manderly will honor their oaths. What of the Stormlander and Arryn?"
"Robert is sailing down to gather his army, his brother Stannis should have already called his banners. By estimation he should already be in the Stormlands. Lord Jon is already gathering his own banner men together. Both the North and the Vale will march to meet in the Riverlands, Robert too if he can muster the men up quickly," Ned said, completely in Lord mode now.
Lady Manderly grimaced, "They will have to wait, the North is too large, too much distance to travel for an army in the time the southerners might want us to."
"Nothing to be done, Robert's position is the worst by far but we can't split our forces any more than they already are," Ned frowned in worry.
The doors opened then and a servant girl came in, carrying a tray of bread and salt. Ned broke off a piece of the offered bread and dipped it in the salt before putting it in his mouth. Ely carefully watched the proceedings—most likely to copy them—and did so too, but breaking off a small piece for me too.
Ely, you are day by day becoming my favorite human bar none. Sorry not sorry Ned.
"Hm, I imagine you will want to set out as quickly as possible. I will have horses for you ready by the morning, but today you will rest here. If needs must I will send a guard with you, but I'm running short of hands as is," She gave Ely a scrutinizing look before nodding in approval.
Ned shook his head, "No need, you have already sent your men to Winterfell. We are in friendly lands anyhow and he is all the protection we need," He gave me another pet on the head to drive the point home.
The old woman huffed out a laugh, "The Gods must favor you Lord Stark, I have heard of no wolf so eerily intelligent as yours. Jorrey! Show our guests their rooms, and have the servants draw them up a bath," She looked back at Ned, "I will send servants to fetch you when it is meal time. Can you be trusted to make sure your beast behaves?"
Excuse you? I am the bestest behaved boy ever. Your insolence better not be repeated.
Ely gave me a mocking smile, mirroring Neds own, "He will behave, you have my word."
"Good, off with you now children. Clean up and do not cause trouble in my house," She shooed us away then, like muddy little children prone to causing havoc wherever they stepped.
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Honestly, I didn't expect the fisherman's daughter to be such a big part of this story. But with every chapter I get more and more ideas.
On an unrelated note, did anyone read Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy? Was it good, did you enjoy it? Which book was your favorite?
Anyway, hope you liked the chapter. We will be picking up the pace just a teeny tiny bit now. Have a nice day everyone!