Chapter 50: Act 1: Chapter 40
Twenty-seventh day, Tenth Moon, 250 AC
I had spent the last week wandering around Winterfell and Wintertown, doing some exploring and information gathering.
The information I was seeking was mainly regarding the Ironborn since I hoped that a little more information about them might help me in the future. I was technically a guest of Lord Starks, but I was also smallfolk, so I had not been granted to the Winterfell library, which was disappointing seeing as it might be the only real library in the North. So, I went on a pub crawl and talked to as many people as I could, and I was pleasantly surprised to find my share of free drinks once news of the Ironborn my group and I had killed got around. Old veterans, storytellers, you name it - I talked to them. I was mainly interested in their tactics and more details on their raids. I was able to glean some information that seemed common throughout all the tales, so it was likely true, but I had no real way of gauging their accuracy. Most raids seemed to one boat, typically on the smaller end with 20 to 30 raiders – Redbridge seemed to have been raided by a larger group than typically used in these raids. Targets were more remote villages along the coast, rarely going to a large village like The Fishing Village. It seemed like mostly targets of opportunity, typically the first village they found, at random times in the day. Sometimes early in the morning, sometimes late – it all depended on when they found something worth raiding.
Usually, the villagers would be able to flee with a warning. Since most of these villages were centered around fishing, there was usually boats out on the water, and if they were close enough to the shore, they were able to blow a horn to warn those on land and flee with them. The Ironborn would then sack the village, taking what was left behind. Sometimes, if winter had been particularly fierce and the Ironborn needed more, they might search inland for farms or people. Food appeared to drive these raids, as the main targets were mainly food and animals, as the people along this shore were already poor. Hunger was a powerful motivator.
The stories varied, but most raids were quick unless they got a really good catch, or they captured people to be slaves, and burning down the village was uncommon, but not unheard of. Everything else I learned was a bit useless. There was no consensus on their tactics, armor, fighting style, or anything along those lines. All the stories agreed they wore armor, but none could agree on how much. In the raid on Redbridge, the quality varied considerably, but for the most part, they seemed fully armored. Was this always the case?
Answers to these questions eluded me and would likely stay that way. I wasn't overly concerned by that, but it was annoying nonetheless.
I had also spent some time exploring Wintertown since the concept of a winter only town was new to me. Of course, some people still occupied the village during the other seasons, but it was quite empty. Each house, while not exactly well-built or luxurious, was solid enough to endure a harsh winter and contained a reasonably large underground food storage, in addition to the stores located in Winterfell. Those who lived in Wintertown year-round lived in one big section closest to the road and the castle, while the rest of the village remained empty. There were a variety of services available, as well as two inns, but otherwise, everyone was a farmer with nearby fields.
I purchased a few goods while I was here, mostly things that were not available in Redbridge and even Deepwood, but I had not thought to bring any to sell myself. It was a missed opportunity, but not overly important. I didn't end up buying much as I was unsure of what aid Lord Stark would be providing us, and I didn't want to end up carrying too much that might end up being needless. Koryn bought a few things as well but agreed with me and was waiting to make most of his purchases. Vestrit on the other hand, we had seen little of. Apparently, Lord Stark informed him that they would not be invading the Iron Islands, and he took it rather hard. Nonetheless, Vestrit had signed up to be a man-at-arms for Winterfell, and we saw little of him as he threw himself into training. It seemed he wanted to escape his memories of Redbridge, and I didn't have the heart to impose on him. I hoped this would be enough for him, and that he could begin to heal, rather than letting his hate consume him until there was nothing left.
Koryn and I had received a messenger yesterday to let us know that Lord Stark would meet with us at noon today, so that's where we were headed.
A servant showed us into the solar, which showed little change from my visit the week before. The only difference apart from what was on the desk was two extra chairs at the table across from Lord Stark.
Koryn and I kneeled and murmured a proper, "My lord."
"Rise and be seated," he replied, in his low voice.
As we sat, I noticed the large map unrolled on the desk as well as a few piles of paper in front of Maester Erwyn.
Once we were seated, Lord Stark spoke again. "I have given much thought over the past week regarding your situation as well as the philosophical conversation we shared. I have always been of the mind that good work deserves good repayment; just deeds deserve just rewards, and that great acts must be met with even greater honors. Your village is suffering and will struggle with the loss it has endured. This is unfortunately not unique, but I believe that my solution to this problem will prove to be an exceptional solution."
He paused for a moment to look me in the eye. "What you said last week about people having inherent value gave me much to think on. It took much contemplation, as well as some interesting conversations, but I believe that I fundamentally agree with you. In doing so, I believe that this has interesting consequences, one of which is that smallfolk can create wealth if given the opportunity. The West Coast has long been near unprofitable for the North, and spending coin to try and create more coin has long been viewed as foolishness. I think that if a new solution is found, and introduced, it may allow the right opportunity for this theory to flourish."
Maester Erwyn gave a polite cough, and Lord Stark gave him a chagrined smile. "To be fair, there have also been several political reasons that led to the current lack of nobility on the west coast. Tell me, what do you know of the Greystarks and Wolf's Den?"
Koryn and I looked at each other questioningly before we both shook our heads as we knew nothing about either.
"Well, the Greystarks were a cadet branch of my house, formed by a talented younger son, that was granted their own name and lands. This occurred a little more than 2,000 years ago, so I did not truly expect you to know any of this. After these honors were bestowed upon them, they were loyal. The second generation was also loyal, as was the third. In fact, for near 500 years, they had proven themselves to be leal subjects, and we had no issue with them and there was even some inter-house marriages during that time. But eventually, issues began to arise, ultimately culminating with them rising alongside House Bolton in rebellion and attempting to become the King in the North. This raised an obvious quandary for my house as the Greystarks claimed that by blood they were Starks themselves and thus held royal blood alongside a stronger claim to the Throne of Winter. My House learned an important lesson from this which we have never forgotten. Raising your family to a new noble house does not end well."
"This has inadvertently led to not just my House, but every House in the North being wary of gifting keeps to any younger sons, lest their descendants find themselves being displaced by powerful cousins. This is why the noble houses of the North are frozen are rarely change; why Moat Cailin does not have a permanent house watching over it; and why the West Coast does not have any houses to guide it. I mentioned before that House Tallhart was raised from those who raised in rebellion against the Ironborn. Well, the fact that they possessed no threat to any existing house through bloodline claims, meant that they were a safe option to the nearby Houses. Over the centuries they have proven to be a loyal House, and a perfect example of what you call people rising to the opportunity."
Lord Stark leaned back in his chair and took a sip of wine. "You are a vexingly interesting man, Michael Ragnar. You have said that your mother was the maid of a noblewoman whom was sent south to marry. You also are known in a few different towns, like Deepwood Motte. I've heard tales of a man, who makes a special drink, who goes by the name of Michael, whom I assume is you. Others in Deepwood Motte have also noticed a small increase in trade coming from that shoreline in recent years, which again, I assume is because of you. I have even heard that there is now some sort of fish paste from the Ironborn being sold at Deepwood Motte? A lot of coincidences, to not be somehow related to you." He then gave a wry smile and said, "Even my tax collector, Roose, has a few interesting things to say about you."
I blushed a bit as he listed out some of the things I had done over the years. I had never thought about it before, but I had had a fairly large impact along the coast over the years. Nothing world-changing, but there were changes, regardless of my attempts to live quietly.
He took another long sip of his wine, savoring the taste. As he eyed his cup in thought, he said, "Yes, a lot of coincidences, all of which seem to lead to you. You have introduced a completely new situation, one that has apparently allowed the area to flourish, even if on just a small scale. I find this all very fascinating and I find myself interested in how this works on a larger scale."
"My final decision on this matter is to expand upon this success with the both of you." He stood up from his seat and walked over to the fireplace, where he retrieved a greatsword from the wall above the mantle. He unsheathed the beautiful sword, which was as wide as Lord Stark's hand and almost as tall as the man himself. I looked upon the dark, smoky steel and noted its uniqueness, and realized this must be the famous Ice. He walked back towards us and said, in a loud, clear voice, "I hereby elevate the Michael Ragnar and Koryn to their own respective Masterly houses. You are charged with the protection and guidance of your territory and smallfolk."
Koryn and I sat stunned. Our jaws dropped in shock, and we both waited for something to happen. Anything that might prove that we had not misheard anything. To prove that this was actually happening. There was no way this was actually happening right now; it couldn't be. This wasn't something that actually happened, long ago tales of the Tallharts aside, it was something found in tales and legends.
My frantic inner monologue of panic was interrupted by Lord Stark's serious, but calm command. "Kneel and say your oaths."
Koryn was the first to react, but I quickly followed as we pushed back our chairs and knelt.
In a voice that commanded absolute attention, he said, "Repeat after me. I promise on the old gods that I will in the future be faithful to my lord, never cause him harm and will observe my homage to him completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit."
We both solemnly repeated the words with as much conviction as we could. Once we were finished, Lord Stark placed his sword on each of our shoulders and said, "Then in accordance with the traditions of the First Men, and authority vested in me, Lord Edwyle Stark of House Stark, by King Aegon V Targaryean as both Lord Stark and as Warden of the North, I officially recognize and elevate you, Master Michael Ragnar, as Protector of the Central West Coast and all it's assigned lands and duties, which are to be inherited by your descendants till the end of time. And I officially recognize and elevate you, Master Koryn, as a Masterly House sword directly to House Ragnar. This is officially witnessed by Maester Erwyn and Castellan of Winterfell, Jeor Wull, on the Twenty-Seventh Day of the Tenth Moon in the year 250. As your lord, I swear by the stream, forest, and stone to fairly and justly rule over you and to aid you in the defense of your new lands. You may now stand as Masters of the North."
Koryn and I both shakily rose to our feet, in awe of our sudden change in fortunes. Koryn looked about ready to explode in absolute joy with what was happening and had tears running unabashedly down his cheeks. I, on the other hand, was still wholly stunned and overcome by emotion. I was happy that I was being recognized, scared that I was being recognized, and surprisingly excited by what was to come. My achievements, my hard work, and my determination had led me to this point. I stumbled but never fell. I slowed but never stopped. I had risen.
"As you may know," Lord Stark said, as he gestured for us to sit again. "Your friend, Vestrit, has taken up a position here in Winterfell. He was asked if he wished to take up a man-at-arms role with you instead of here at Winterfell but declined. Regardless, I know that you will need someone to train your levies and future men-at-arms, as well as your other more martial duties, so I plan on raising a man who performed a great many deeds for me during Redbeard's rampage to a Masterly house as well. Michael, you will be my primary bannerman in the region, with Koryn and my man, Donovar, being sworn directly to you."
He bade us to sit again, and once we had, he pointed to the map. "Michael, the region under your overall control will encompass all this land. The northern-most point will be up to, but not include, Sea Dragon Point. It will continue down the coast, including the Stony Shore all the way down to the Twin Lakes river. It will follow the river inland until it reaches the twin lakes, and northwards until it reaches the Wolfswood."
I gaped at the vast amount of land I was now responsible for. How could I manage such a thing? Even with Koryn and this man, Donovar, I will be swamped with work!
Lord Stark chuckled at my expression. "While I let that sink in, we can discuss something else. Koryn, your family needs a proper last name with your elevation in rank. Did you happen to have anything in mind?"
Koryn looked as shocked as I was but quickly gathered his wits. "Not really, my lord. It's all a bit sudden. What kind of name should I have?"
Lord Stark scratched his chin in thought. "Names are a tricky thing. Some choose a name that pays homage to their home, but I personally find that names that have meaning are much more impactful and memorable. Even if it is just a private meaning."
Koryn mirrored Lord Stark by rubbing his chin while he thought of a name that the rest of his family would use for the rest of their lives. He eventually came to a decision and said, "Voktergård."
Lord Stark looked puzzled. "My grasp of the Old Tongue is not the best, but I believe that says guardian farm?"
Koryn frowned and replied, "It's supposed to be guardian farmer."
I was frankly impressed that Lord Stark knew the old tongue to begin with. It wasn't spoken commonly by any means, mostly just a few words here and there among the smallfolk. A few might be fluent, but I certainly was not. Koryn had always had a keen interest in the language and learned what he could from the few people in the village that were fluent.
Lord Stark looked to Maester Erwyn, who replied in his seemingly perpetually thin, reedy voice, "That does indeed mean guardian farm. Vernebondetranslates to guardian farmer."
Koryn sighed. "Well, that don't sound near as good. Voktergård is good enough, and it rolls off the tongue. And I guess, my family's farm produces guardians?" He shrugged. "Good enough."
Lord Stark looked amused. "I suppose I have heard worse. Karstark has always given me a bit of a chuckle. It means vessel of Stark."
Koryn bowed his head and thanked him, while I sat still trying to wrap my head around what was happening.
"That's a fine choice," Lord Stark replied. "Now, we have a lot of details to discuss and events to plan. We will need to have a formal oath ceremony in the godswood soon, and then we need to decide things such as tax details, military obligations, and so forth. Then you need to be taught several things, such as tax collection, etiquette, and so forth. A lot of which, most of the established houses have learned from birth, so you will need to catch up. There is plenty to do, and that is before we even get started on rebuilding your vassals' lives. There is also the matter of your castle, Michael."
"My castle?" I asked, bemusedly. The very idea of me owning any kind of castle felt absurd.
"Yes, your castle. A simple Motte-and-Bailey might suffice for your bannermen, like Master Koryn, but as the core for the defense along the coast, you will need to house and support your men-at-arms as well as your sworn houses when needed. This will be part of the details we sort out later, but I was thinking something in the range of one thousand Gold Dragons to cover the costs for materials and labor."
I sputtered, "A thousand?" I thought I might have a heart attack. I had never even owned a single gold dragon, and here I was being offered a thousand?!
Lord Stark nodded. "Yes. Maester Erwyn will go over more specifics with you regarding castle construction, but a thousand should see you through till completion. Men will have to be hired, fed, and transported. You should have most of the materials already in the area, so that is not much of a worry. I will put out word of your need for workers, which shouldn't be hard to fill, especially once winter comes near. You also won't get a Maester until at least your castle is built, but likely for much longer than that. The Citadel isn't exactly punctual when it comes to these matters, especially in sending someone to the North."
Maester Erwyn looked disproving, but Lord Stark just laughed. "Come now, it might be uncomplimentary, but it is hardly untrue." Maester Erwyn harrumphed and went back to his paperwork.
I looked on in horror at his pile of papers. Oh God, I was going to have paperwork now.
"Now," Lord Stark said, as he clapped his hands happily. "for the fun part. Where do you want your castle, and what shall its name be?"
I took a moment to think that over. I didn't want to destroy my house to build this castle, especially not if it took years to build a castle like I suspected it would. A castle ought to be a safe place and located somewhere it can be used effectively for defense. I suppose having it in The Fishing Village, as the largest village in my region would make sense, but that felt like abandoning Redbridge. I really needed a safe place near Redbridge. Somewhere that was physically safe, as well as symbolically.
The cliff!
Building a castle on the cliff would give a view of the surrounding area; it would be defensible, and reasonably close to Redbridge itself. The cliff had long been important to me anyways. It was where I could relax; where I proposed to Nyra; where people sought shelter from the Ironborn. It was perfect!
I told Lord Stark this, and he looked intrigued. "Sounds like an excellent location. What about the name?"
The perfect name popped into my head, and I grinned as I said, "Sunset's Rest."
A/N: So, to forestall any questions regarding some of the things I have a feeling people will take issue with. One, I don't really hold the Telltale games as canon, as I have never played them, and GRRM has said that they weren't. I will probably shamelessly use some of the elements I may run across from them, but I won't necessarily be beholden to them. In the game, the area that Michael is in shows as the territory of House Glenmore, but that isn't the case here. Secondly, the amount of coin for the castle is loosely based on some research I did. Mostly the cost to employ people to build the castle, since the materials are nearby. If someone more knowledgeable than me wants to help point out a more reasonable number and give actual reasons why, that's cool, but otherwise it will stay as is. Thirdly, this is the last chapter in Act 1, so I have made it to the end! There will be a brief interlude from Edwyle Stark's POV, then Act 2 will begin! I'm very happy to have made it this far, and broken the 80K word limit, and I hope you all continue to follow the story into the next Act!
Again, I also want to thank Luke Mahr for his help with editing this chapter and fleshing out a few portions of it!