:-[Chapter 23]-:
"Reparo."
Harry had the intention of simply repairing the tomb and nothing else. However, the spell was so powerful, that the entire room was back in its former glory in a wave of light coming from the wizard. Even the torches were back on the wall, illuminating the room. The raven-haired lord looked around in amazement. He wasn't feeling down in the slightest, which he found incredible.
Hedwig was stunned too. As a former magical pet in Britain, she had the displeasure of being the owl of a couple of families before being bought and given to her Harry. Her formers masters could never in a hundred years done what the young man in front of her did in a heartbeat. She stayed silent and followed him while the Lord of Moat Cailin left the crypt, a massive smile on his face.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Eddard Stark woke up with a groan. He was feeling like he just had the best sleep of his life. How was it possible when he slept outside, in the decrepit courtyard. Rickard's second son went to his feet, stretched and felt his join pop in a deeply satisfying way. The grey eyes man looked around and stopped in a second.
The courtyard was incredible. The floor, formerly of simple earth, was now made of perfectly placed stone slabs. The slabs were a mixture of black and dark grey in no particular design. In the middle of the courtyard was a massive fountain with equally massive white wolf statue. The wolf, resembling Hedwig in a striking way, was facing the doors leading to the Neck. The wooden gates were now stranding strong with what seemed to be steel, solidifying it.
"My lord... I think this is Ironwood." gasped a warrior beside Eddard.
The man was right. The now completely new gates of Moat Cailin's were made of Ironwood and steel, making it near impenetrable, in Eddard's opinion. The basalts walls were now standing proud, and not just facing the South, it was now far grander.
"Where... where is Lord Winterstorm? Bring him to me at once." ordered the Stark, but not in an unkind way.
"I am here, my friend." said the wizard, standing proud with his massive white direwolf beside him, creating an impressive sight for the men. "Come, let me show you the miracles of the Olds Gods."
Lord Harry Winterstorm led Ned and a couple of men around the now impressive stronghold. The lord of the Neck was following closely, a small smirk of his face. Moat Cailin wasn't now only a fortress but now had the potential of way more. The walls were big enough to let hundreds of smallfolk inhabit the place in a near future. Many of the workers were now so enamoured with the place that they were rushing to Harry to beg to stay here.
Eleven of the twenty tower were now standing proudly in the air. Many of them were built in a similar fashion. The exterior towers were round, and the interior's were square. Six exteriors, four in the interior and one massive white tower in the middle. The tower was higher than all the other, making it an even more impressive sight.
"This is the Direwolf's Tower, where I'll live. The fact that it is so high will greatly help us to spot any enemy troops. I hope to create a sort of beacon here when the people itself are the guardians of Moat Cailin. I also intent to create an elite special guard for patrol and act as guards for my personal tower." explained the man.
"I see you have thought about it a lot. Wh-what happened Harry?" said a flabbergast Eddard. "How can this be possible?"
Harry didn't have time to answer before Howland Reed put his hand on Ned's shoulder. The young wizard saw the crannogman speak in the Stark's ear. After only a moment, Eddard locked his grey eyes on Harry's emerald greens. A look of understanding pass through the northerners and the man didn't say anything else, only sending a quick nod to the lord of the place.
"The Old Gods have blessed us on this day. They have completely renovated and even improved it in many ways." continued to explain Harry, after a moment continuing the visit. "Walls were created on the North side, preventing easy access. If smallfolk come and live here, I intend to create a small town here. The security of the walls will attract many of them and once we are full, I intend to expend outside of them. With the blessing of Lord Rickard, I will ask for the Manderlys to send architect to design my town. Gold needs to stay within the North as much as possible to made us stronger."
Eddard nodded at that. It was a dream of his to see the North getting stronger as a more independent kingdom. His father, after the betrayal of Walys, had decided to let go of his Southern ambitions and any marriage down there. Ned decided that his own children would marry in the North and nowhere else. Maybe a son or daughter could marry within House Winterstorm, strengthening their already strong bond. He knew Lyanna was too young and had no romantic feeling toward Harry. He was practically a brother to all the Starks children and with his love for Sura, he doubted very much any other women had their chances.
"The Gods truly have blessed you, Lord Harry." said Eddard Stark. "This is a tale for the songs and for the Maesters to write about. With your permission, I'll send a raven to my Lord Father to tell him about this. Rumours will quickly travel in the North and even beyond. I would not be surprised that the Crown also hear about this. With how the King and the Prince acted at Duskendale, we need to act quickly and reinforce Moat Cailin with loyal fighting men to garrison here."
"I agree. I have no secrets from Lord Stark. Go, Ned."
While Eddard quickly left with his men to send the raven, Harry and Howland stayed back. The smaller man looked at his sorcerer friend with a small smirk.
"You did good, convincing them Harry. They all believe the Gods themselves helped rebuild Moat Cailin to an even greater standard that it was before. How can they believe otherwise, seeing the small Godswood around the Direwolf's Tower. You even have a full grown Weirwood Tree. The only thing missing is a small port." said Howland with a laugh.
"A port would only add another opportunity to breach my walls. And with White Harbor so close, I don't think it would be profitable. However, trade by land is far more feasible, especially if the crannogmen want to guide the Southerners brave enough to travel here." said Harry with a wink to his friend.
"I can see you have already thought about it."
"Well, to be fair, I've thought of many ways to improve Moat Cailin even before I came here. Your gift last night had help tremendously. Speaking of last night, where did you disappear? I've looked for you."
"I just thought that you would prefer to be alone, so I went back to our camp in the swamps where I curiously find all my men deeply asleep, some even on their feet, standing on their spears or tridents." laughed again the lord of the Neck.
"Aye, it seems it had spread quite wildly last night."
:-[T.A.B]-:
The members of the Order of The Guiding Hand were once again assembling around their main table. A Valyrian candle was in the center, showing the brand-new Moat Cailin and its lord.
"This is... this is heresy. Heresy I say!" screamed the Warrior.
"Aye! We cannot let this happen. We must..." began another.
"Enough!" said the Father with a firm voice. "Patience everyone. The Prince is convincing his father more and more everyday about the danger of magic. We only must convince them to send an envoy to Moat Cailin and they shall see for themselves. Meanwhile..." continued the leader of the group before getting interrupted by a feminine voice.
"I shall take care of it."
"Oh? And how is that Stranger?" inquired the Mother with a spat. "You are new here, do not forget."
"Oh I do not forget, and I shall never forget about it. I know why I am here. Do you? Yes, you invited me for my capacity to create a real spy network and for my hatred of magic. You found me and pull me out of the gutter yes, but do not forget why and how you found me." said the Stranger's voice. The voice sounded like a small girl giggle at times.
"Enough, both of you. Stranger, we remember how you found out who we are and killed the last Stranger. And that was before getting the role of Master of Whisperers to his grace, King Aerys. Now you need to go there and help the Prince convince his grace to lead a campaign against the Northerners."
"Aye. Do not worry my friends, I already have a plan."
"I'm sure you have, Stranger. You are always lurking around like a... like a spider." spat the Mother.
"Aye, a spider. This is what I am. My web is everywhere in Essos and soon, in the Seven Kingdoms. Now I must apologies your Highnesses, but I must take my leave and prepare for a long travel.
The Stranger raise up to his feet and left the room, his arms in its wide sleeves. The remaining six members stayed silent for a moment, pondering on what the seventh member said.
"That fucking Varys..." started the Mother.
"Enough, Mother. We do not use our outside name within these sacred walls. The Stranger will bring us the Heretic, of that, I am convinced." said the Blacksmith. "His plans have never failed our agents back in Essos. He will not fail us now."
"He is not a believer of the Sevens Who Are One! We are sending a heretic chasing another heretic!
"A heretic that demonstrate a fantastic ability to go almost everywhere he pleased. Don't forget how he entered this very place and killed one of our own members. He is a master of disguise and being so far up North will only strengthen our spy network." added the Father.
"Or his own plans! We cannot trust him." insisted the Mother while crossing her arms over her chest.
"He cannot possibly take us all head on. The last Stranger was old and useless. Never before had we manage to put one of us on the Small Council in the Red Keep. The reward outweighs any kind of risks you may think of. To add the Master of Whisperers' voice directly into the Targaryen's ears is much too valuable to pass on." said the Warrior, his voice firm backing up the decision.
"Fine! But mark my word. This heretic will be the doom of us all." spat the Mother before stomping out of the room.
:-[T.A.B]-:
:-[A week later, King's Landing, 278 A.C]-:
Varys arrived at King Landing by ship around a week later after leaving Oldtown. He transferred on the see on another ship from Essos to limited suspicions. He didn't announce his arrival by raven before marching up the gates of King's Landing. Due to the plans his friend Illyrio Mopatis manage to acquire years ago, the new Master of Whisperers easily entered the Red Keep by the sewers.
His bald head was hidden behind a tight black hood. The first part of his plan was a success. Now, he had to convince the King to allow him to send some men to Moat Cailin without raising suspicion. Should not be too hard with the madness within the royal family.
The Essosi man knew that the Small Council would be in session soon, thanks to his little birds. He had many already in the capital, lurking around every district and noble houses. Secrets were far more valuable than gold, after all.
Arriving at the Small Council's door, he was stop by the Kingsguards who all put their hands on their weapons as soon as he came out of the shadows.
"Halt, miscreant! Who dare come here unannounced?" ordered Ser Lewyn Martell.
Varys giggle slightly at the warning. He removed his hood and revealed his face to the knights. Since it was the first time they saw him, they did not remove their hands.
"Good Sers, I am Varys of Essos. His Grace Aerys, Second of His Name have called for me to assure the position of Master of Whisperers. I have the letter here, proving it." said the effeminate man while giving said letter.
Ser Barristan quickly took the letter and read it. He gave a quick nod to his brothers who let go of their respective weapons.
"Wait here my Lord Varys."
Barristan knocked on the door three times and waited. Suddenly, it opened, revealing Ser Gerold Hightower.
"What it is Ser Barristan? I hope this is important, to stop our meeting." scowled the Lord Commander, looking at the mysterious man.
"Forgive me, Lord Commander. Lord Varys, the new Master of Whisperers has arrived." explained quickly the Selmy man.
"I see. Well, Lord Varys, please enter hurriedly. We have much to discuss."
The Master of Whisperers bowed deeply to the knights and followed the Lord Commander. Inside the room, were King Aerys, Prince Rhaegar and the Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister. Ser Arthur Dayne was in the corner, looking far paler than what a Dornish man should look. It was like life itself was leaving his eyes.
"Your grace, I present you Lord Varys of Essos." presented Gerold.
The King was sitting at the end on the table, looking kingly. His tunic and breeches were of the best quality and harboring his House colors, black and red. His crown was proudly on his head and he look at the man with suspicion.
The Prince was hiding behind his black hood but Varys could easily see a thick long white beard coming from inside. His nails were far longer that they needed to be.
"You took your time, Lord Varys." said the Lion of the Rock, standing beside his king. "We were waiting for you for at least a week."
"I must apologize your graces, my Lords. Piracy is rampant in the Stepstones and my ship took a very long detour so that we would not be capture or worse. Slavery is not something I wish to anybody." said the man.
"That's enough Tywin. It is I who ordered the man to be here. His reputation in Essos is well known." ordered the king. It was known around the realm about the distance between Aerys and Tywin was getting bigger and bigger day after days. His Hand didn't say anything, his face like a marble statue. "Tell me, Essosi, what news do you bring us?" continued the Targaryen.
"Your grace, my little birds from the North bring me strange news. Moat Cailin is being refurbish and completely renovated to its former glory. Tales of magic and miracles of the Old Gods comes from the North."
"Magic you say?" said a hoarse voice. It was the first time Varys saw for himself the state of the heir. He looked like he gained at least thirty years. His face had deep wrinkles, his beard was long and unkept. He looked like he didn't sleep in weeks with his bloodshot purple eyes.
"Aye, my Prince. Strange songs are sung beyond the Neck. Tales of the Gods themselves repairing the fortress in a single night." bowed Varys.
"Impossible. Everybody knows the Old Gods are trees. Nothing like the Seven Who Are One." sneered the king.
"I quite agree with you, your grace. These songs seem fallacious. I require your authorization to send trusted men to assess the situation themselves. ." said Varys, jumping on the occasion. Maybe he could find a way to turn the event against the northerners themselves. After all, it was known that the royalty had taken a certain liking to burn what they fit to be heretics in the Capital.
Tensions in the realm was high due to this. Many were leaving the Crownlands to the Reach or the Riverlands, in the hope to escape the growing madness. The High Septon, bolden by the king and prince's new religious fervor was now preaching far more often to the smallfolk about the danger of heresy.
Talk of civil war between House Bracken and House Blackwood were rising within the Riverlands. The Ironborn were becoming restless. Dorne had become more isolated since Duskendale and trade with the Capital was at an all-time low.
Aerys laughed at what Varys said. "Granted. You now have access to the treasury of the Crown. You may use it to form whatever spy network you seem fit. I want to know everything at anytime."
"Yes, your grace." I shall put all of my efforts to accomplish this." said the eunuch.
"Go now, Lord Varys."
Once the Essosi man left, the King turned to his Lord Commander of his Kingsguard. "Bring me Barristan and Lewyn."
"At once, your grace." immediately said Gerold. The knight went to the door and called the two men who came in in a heartbeat.
"You two shall be my envoy to Moat Cailin. I may trust my new Master of Whisperers, but I need my eyes and swords there themselves. Both Barristan Selmy and Lewyn Martell nodded without a word, use to simply agreed to whatever whim their king had.
Both men left the Small Council room to go prepare for their journey North.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Author Note: Hello yall! Quick question, would you like the story to go with the Stark children or stop before and we change universe? I am curious about your thoughts on this. Thank you all again!
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 23 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story.
If you are interested in becoming an Alpha or Beta reader, contact me!
Criticism is always welcome as long as it is constructive.
To Artur Hawkwing1: My bad my friend! I will wait for your information. Thank you again for reading.
To mad1993: Thank you for pointing my mistake. I hope you like this chapter as well.
To InfinityMask: Yes, you are right, the training part had come to a halt with Duskendale and of course the fact that our Harry is now a lord. What would you like to see in the future?
To rajeskont: Yes it will be, well, one of the reasons! I will be honest with you, I do not think we will go in the rebellion for I wish for the story to advance. You are indeed right, medieval lord is not just castle and wars. Harry will have some ideas Chapter 24 to help develop trade in the North. For the magical creativity, you can see it as Harry is not this kind of smart... yet.
To Glrasshopper: Thank you for reading this story! I am glad you like it. I will be careful with the Ser and Lord thing. Thank you for the quick british lesson my friend! Hope you like this chapter as well.
To Ariadne Venegas: Indeed, Dacey is not born yet and I don't know if she will. Planting more weirwood tree is indeed a good idea for Harry.
To avarath1: Aye, fighting fire with fire! Thank you for reading!