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Coming of the Red Anchor by J2451

TV » Game of Thrones Rated: M, English, Drama & Fantasy, Jon S., Eddard S., OC, Words: 190k+, Favs: 2k+, Follows: 2k+, Published: Apr 5, 2020 Updated: Oct 16, 2022

881Chapter 3: Negotiations

AN: All rights to HBO and GRRM.

Coming of the Red Anchor

Negotiations

283 AC, Bay of Ice, Bear Island

Admiral Cosmo was at his desk reading over the latest reports on equipment lists when a knock came at the door. "Come" he called. He looked up to see Captain Hammond come in. "What can I do for you captain?" Cosmo asked, putting the notes he was reading down to focus on his subordinate.

"Admiral Gardner and Minister Warrington are heading ashore to speak with the Mormonts about settling down."

"Good the sooner the better as we don't have years with our fuel situation." Cosmo looked to see the captain appeared uncomfortable. "Speak, what's on your mind?"

"Sir, me and from what I hear most of the fleet are a bit uncomfortable with the idea of a lord, even an elected one. The Brits don't like it but will follow without too much hassle since they still have lords and their new king was just sworn in back home so they can cope but most of the American fleet is er unhappy. Some were being quite loud in their anger about having lords and kings. The Americans that is not the Brits who don't mind as much" Hammond said rather apologetically.

"Believe me I know how they feel. But did you see the stars last night?" At the captain's confused look Cosmo continued, "I did. The constellations are wrong. Not just a little bit skewed like a star missing, I mean gone. There's entirely new ones up there. Minister Warrington brought his telescope with him for some reason, fancies himself an amateur astronomer though he told me he rarely uses it even back home. Anyway he set it up last night on the QE and took a look up above, thinks he spotted a planet or two as well while he was there. Not that we can check as he has the only astronomy telescope in the fleet. Said they looked nothing like Mars, Jupiter or Saturn. We are in an entirely new star system or reality, not sure which yet. So you tell those that grumble about wanting to go home, how can we if we are on a different planet eh? Those that hate having lords and kings, well tell them we don't have the ability to go making enemies because we will run out of fuel and weapons before they submit to us and if we use anything heavy all that will be left is fire and ash. Which isn't worth ruling. We need to adapt to the locals somewhat but still keep our traditions and freedoms. I've got my aid and one of Warrington's to work up a rough bill of rights and constitution taking ideas from the UK and US and looking at what we know of here. Hopefully what they come up with will appease nearly everyone so while they'll all hate the idea of a lord they can cope because our laws and rights are the same and protected."

"Will you be making a statement about that, coz that could help amongst the fleet sir?"

"Thank you for volunteering your radio for me to do so." Cosmo said with an evil grin.

"Yes sir" Hammond sighed knowing full well he'd walked straight into that one. He left to make ready to broadcast to the fleet.

Meanwhile at the shoreline, Lady Dacey and a few soldiers were meeting the new arrivals. "Minister how nice to see you again, come for some more target practise?" she said smirking at the man who gulped nervously before returning a smile.

"While I may take you up on that sometime I'm afraid I need to speak to Lady Mormont about negotiating with your Lord Stark for some land for us to settle if possible. As you know, this is Admiral Gardner along with my aid, Mary Granger, and his aid, Lieutenant Jack McDonnal." He said indicating who as he said each name.

"Greetings, well are you all up for a ride?" she replied. After a short amount of trouble getting onto the horses they were soon on their way back up to the keep. Once there they partook in bread and salt as the custom and spoke with Lady Mormont in the great hall as it provided more space for everyone than her small solar.

"So you wish to stay then? I will write to Lord Stark requesting instructions. He will either invite you to Winterfell or come here. The reply will probably come within a sennight, seven days. Travel time by riding would be about two sennights give or take a day."

"That long?" asked Gardner.

"Indeed. There are no real roads from Deepwood Motte to Winterfell just a dirt track if your lucky which may be muddy or covered in snow and is likely uneven too. Not particularly fast I'm afraid. The Kingsroad is the only main road in the North with two additional sections going west to Barrowton and east to White Harbour. They are better than the dirt track but not as fancy as some of the southern roads. Messages are sent by raven so give it a day or two to get there, a day for them to decide then another few days for a reply to come thus a sennight or so. In all you should probably expect to wait two to three sennights to discuss with Lord Stark what you want."

"Perhaps we should just take a helicopter to Winterfell and be done with it" the minster jokingly said.

"Helicopter?" asked Maege.

"Oh er just some form of transport that is fast" Warrington hastily explained. Maege looked at him hard before shrugging. "If you wish to use that then you can try but only once we have sent a message to Winterfell and had reply. It would not do to turn up unannounced and unexpected."

"Very well then we will leave the particulars of the message to your capable hands."

"Excuse me Lord Warrington, but have you got in mind where you would want to be located? It may help Lord Stark in deciding if you can give him some idea now as to what you would like" asked the old maester.

"Yes we believe somewhere coastal along this side of the continent so we do not have far to travel. It would be preferable if there was a castle nearby we can use as we do not really have the resources to build a fort from scratch currently, restoring one may be acceptable however."

"I see, yes, I will add that in the letter so they can get some suggestions ready for you. My thanks."

"Thank you maester and my lady for your aid and patience in this matter." With the contents of the letter agreed the maester went to the rookery and dispatched it to Winterfell.

Winterfell

Two days later a raven arrived at an ancient, well built fortress. Its eighty foot outer wall made of grey granite stood strong against the cold winds of the north while the hundred foot inner wall was an unmovable object designed to break armies who dared assault its walls. The raven approached one of the towers within the main castle area where it landed with a caw. An old man who had been sitting nearby writing on some parchment looked up and saw the new arrival. "Well who have we here". He stood and slowly walked over to the raven as his chains jingled with the movement. Seeing a letter held by the raven he unravelled it and saw the Mormont bear sigil was sealing it. Opening the letter as was one of his duties so he quickly read who it was for and the subject before heading out of the rookery and down into the castle proper. Heading from his turret he walked across the courtyard past the Library tower towards the Great Keep where the Lord's solar was located. Hurrying through various passages and corridors he arrived at a strong wooden door. Knocking he heard a single "enter!" before opening the door.

Lord Stark looked up with his grey eyes to see Maester Luwin enter the room holding an open letter. "A letter from Bear Island my lord. They've had visitors."

"Ironborn?" asked Eddard, worried about another war or more raids along his western shore.

"Thankfully not my lord. It seems they came from afar and were caught in a storm which carried them away from their usual routes so they are lost without a way back."

"The poor men. Let's see what the letter has to say then Luwin." Taking the offered letter he opened it to read what Lord Mormont had to say. Reading it he found it was as Luwin had summarised. Lady Maege Mormont, not Jorah as he assumed, said that these people had come from a distant land and were now unable to return and so had requested sanctuary in the North. "They wish some for land on the western shore to build a harbour and sea port. Maester would you check who rules along that coastline and if there is any unclaimed land. I'm not willing to give up Moat Calin as one of my children will inherit that to secure the south but the North has lots of open land there must be something we could give them?"

"Indeed my lord keeping the Moat for your family would be wise due to its importance to the North and its size equalling if not surpassing Winterfell itself. As for what lands available, Stoney Shore while populated is technically unclaimed as House Fisher is extinct now. Their old castle I believe still stands though it is likely a ruin but it is relatively close to the shore but is inland by a few leagues. The only trouble you may have is that the Ryswells patrol that area since no one else does so they nominally claim the Stoney Shore as part of the Rills which to a degree it is. That said patrolling the vast area does stretch their resources so they may be accepting to loose that part."

"Indeed the Rills is a large area especially if you include the Shore, I believe there is a river that divides the two correct?"

"I would need to check but that sounds right my lord." Before Luwin could move Lord Stark opened a draw of his desk and pulled out a large rolled up scroll. Unfurling it he revealed a detailed map of the North. Pegging it out he focused on the Rills and Stoney Shore. "See there Maester, a river divides the Rills and Stoney Shore leading up into the hills with the Wolfswood forming a northern boundary of the territory. Yes that could work as their new land, as long as they pay their taxes and pledge to support the North. Is there anywhere else we could offer instead?"

"In theory parts of Cape Kraken could be suitable for them but with the Ironborn nearby it is not as secure as they would be up on Stoney Shore. Sea Dragon Point would also work I suppose my lord but it lacks land as most is tied to the Glovers or their vassals" explained Luwin.

"Yes I see, though they'd have easy access to wood for ship building and castle repair up there. Is there much stone or masonry material for them at Stoney Shore if they are to build a port or rebuild the existing castle?"

"There may be some my lord, although a full survey would need to be done of the lands which they would more than likely be happy to do themselves. They can always trade for what they need if they lack anything. One issue you will have is your banner-men will question the newcomers loyalty to the North and Winterfell. "

"The North are loyal the Winterfell Maester they will support what I decide if it is fair and honourable, though the point is valid about these newcomers' loyalty. Marriage is usually the way it would be resolved correct?"

"Indeed, though I believe when the Manderly's came an oath of loyalty to the Starks was asked before charging them with defending the White Knife. At a later point they married into house Stark. However this letter my lord states their intent to elect a lord in the manner of the Nights Watch. That said a marriage would secure them more immediately to the North than just an oath even if it is only this one Lord who is married in. By the next Lord they may already have northern wives and children. Although you have a problem of who the new lord would marry. The available women suitable for this are rather limited. I believe Jorah's aunt Maege Mormont has a daughter of nine and ten or twenty that could work and the new people know them already, otherwise there are none old enough if marriage is your choice. An oath of fealty should be enough."

"I think we need to meet them to discuss this in person. Perhaps the Wyman Manderly could come to Winterfell to help negotiate as he would know of naval affairs and trade more than I plus they were welcomed in as these people could be."

"Hmm an excellent thought my lord. Shall I send a letter requesting their presence here and a letter to Bear Island requesting that the new lord come to discuss lands?"

"Do it. How long should it take for either to arrive?"

"I would say a sennight or so for House Manderly, maybe two for the newcomers due to lack of roads and weather conditions. If that is all my lord I will dispatch the ravens."

"By all means Maester Luwin, thank you for your thoughts." With that the older man got up from his chair bowed then left the room and its lord to his thoughts. Strangers with a fleet who are willing to stay, they could be what we need to drive the Iron Born away from our shores. At last a Northern fleet might be realised again. I will have to inform Robert of this, no I will wait till I have met them first then I can write with more details. Yes that's a better plan. Now we wait.

Bear Island

A few days later after much archery practise and general discussions with the two ladies of Bear Island a reply was finally received. "Lord Warrington, you and your people are requested to go to Winterfell to meet with Lord Stark to discuss the terms of your stay and the location of the land that may be granted to you. I suggest you start of in the morning. We've already had a raven from the Glovers asking about your ships as they have spotted them in the bay. They can give you a more precise route though the Wolfswood to Winterfell."

"My thanks Lady Mormont but I believe we will travel via our method and head to Winterfell much more quickly. If you could give us a map of the north with Winterfell's location we can go ourselves."

"Are you sure that is what you wish? Lord Stark will not be impressed if you are late." Maege said sternly.

"Indeed, thank you for your time and hospitality but we will now return to the fleet and inform them of the meeting. Do you have an idea of where they might locate us?"

"If I was to wager I would place it on Stoney Shore, south of here." At this she got up and pointed to a spot on an old map which hung on the wall. "It has a few fishing villages, a number of bays or coves and is mostly unclaimed by any lord now, though the nearby house Ryswell patrols out that way occasionally."

"I see, we will arrange some ships to head there and survey the shore then. It will give us something to do and may prove useful if that is to be our land." With that the group went back to the main gate, had fun mounting up on their horses, before being led down to the bay to get a boat back to their ships.

On board they met with Admiral Cosmo over video link. "We have a meeting in about two weeks time with Lord Stark. We will discuss with him where we go though apparently the likely spot is here, Stoney Shore." At this Gardner sent a picture with the highlighted area on the screen for all to see. "Warrington and I thought to send ships to survey that coastline while we wait then take a helicopter to meet Lord Stark."

"Are you sure you want to reveal that to them? It does give away our capabilities" Cosmo said rather grumpily.

"Not if we say that is the only thing we have and it is unarmed. We play down what we have so the risks are less. Besides they can't replicate it anyway nor challenge it."

"Don't be too over confident in our technological superiority. If they have ballistae they can probably take down a helicopter, though not with ease I'll grant you." He warned.

"We'll keep that under advisement. For now I suggest we survey the probable land so we have a head start. I believe HMS Enterprise and two escorts will do as the Enterprise is a survey/mine countermeasure vessel so it should be able to do that. We can wait till we confirm that it will be ours before doing any flight surveys with fighters and helicopters. Can we afford to do that though fuel wise?" Warrington asked.

"Hmm, we should be able to. Talks with the locals indicate they do have some form of oil they use in sieges so we may be able to convert to that or refine it but the engineers are still uncertain" Cosmo replied cautiously.

"Ok then, we'll use aircraft sparingly though we should still be able to travel via helicopter to Winterfell."

Time went quickly for the rest of the fleet as the next week and a half went by. The survey ship and escorts had been left alone and had found that the shoreline had some good locations for a naval base or port. Longer range scans indicated possible mineral deposits that would be useful for trade or construction though identifying them would come later. With the meeting date approaching they were loading up one of the Merlin helicopters fitted out with an extended fuel supply to allow for some deviation and locating their destination. With them were ten marines to act as security, fully kitted out with weapons and gear to make up for the lack of defences on the helicopter, done in part to make it lighter and thus go further. Joining Minister, soon-to-be Lord, Warrington, were Admiral Gardner and both their aids. Once fuelled and loaded, everyone strapped in and the engines started with the rotors spinning. It took off slowly before quickly gaining height and heading in a south easterly direction. "Pilot! What's our ETA?" asked Gardner over the radio.

"Should take us about three hours or so sir. Its about 400 odd miles according to the maps so we should have plenty of fuel to get back alright." The three hours past surprisingly quickly as they looked out the windows watching the scenery change with mountains in the distance to the north and hills and grasslands to the south all the while flying over a thick ancient forest.

Winterfell

It was another cold day in the North which Ned barely felt. His wife Cat still complained most days though she was adapting. His son Rob had just started to say a few words and could walk somewhat. His other 'son' Jon barely talked though was able to say words when prompted. Cat however still gave the boy a cold shoulder and ignored him when she could. Ned sighed. He wished he could tell her the truth but it gave Jon the perfect protection because even she thought him his bastard son. Oh Lya, forgive me he thought morosely wishing that everything was different. As he walked the battlements as he was prone to do when he was 'brooding' as many of the servants and small folk claimed, he looked north, seeing the edge of the Wolfswood with its ancient trees nearby and the beginnings of the Northern Mountains in the distance. Enjoying the quiet, disturbed occasionally by some of the household guard training under the watchful eye of Ser Rodrick, he stood just enjoying the moment before going back to his lordly duties and hosting the Manderlys, who arrived the previous day for the negotiations. Then as he began to turn back he heard it. A faint whirring sound mayhaps? He listened closely. The soft whirring sound could be heard with maybe the same sound of someone swinging a sling for a slingshot. Looking around he saw no one practising with a sling and he turned to face the direction of where the now louder sound was coming from. Looking north west he could see nothing, before he looked up in the sky and he thought he saw something. The sound was louder now, heard more clearly over the din of the hustle and bustle of castle life. In fact others now began to look around for the noise they too could hear. Focusing on the sky he spotted it. It was grey and somehow floating in the air without strings. It seemed solid perhaps metal. A guard walked past and seemed to stop as he heard the noise and followed his lords gaze. "Bring the maester to me" Ned commanded.

"Yes me lord" he replied quickly rushing off to fetch his charge. As he left Ned returned to watching the unknown object slowly but steadily approaching his castle. He could see now there were glass windows at the front with a few more in the sides. And through it all the whirring blaring noise continued, getting louder the closer it got. He saw what seemed to be something spinning on top of it as it got lower now just above the tree line as it came towards the open fields which surrounded Winterfell. Some objects, small wheels by the looks, slowly appearer on the underside of the machine, for it was clearly some machine of metal. He heard a small jingle jangle as Maester Luwin appeared at his side to watch the last few minutes as the strange metal object somehow gently landed on the fields in front of the north gate. The metal blades were what was spinning now began to slow and he could make out four spurs coming of a central pole which span. When the spinning blades slowed to a certain point a single door on the side opened and out came four men who bent over as they rushed away from the grey whirring machine. After a moment half a dozen more stepped out and they too rushed out from under the slowing blades. The battlements and the gate were full of guards and castle folk standing staring at this strange event. Mouths hung open as they watched the unknown people start to bring some rucksacks and bags off the flying thing which had now stopped its rotating blades. Deciding that these must be the guests of the Mormonts Ned decided to head down to the gate with Luwin to greet the visitors.

When he reached the North gate he found that a group of them, six men and two women, had approached the gate and were waiting while more seemed to be by the metal box organising bags and things. They all seemed to be wearing thick coats of some sort, some with sigils and patches on, while four were holding a cylindrical, metal object in a manner as to how one would hold a crossbow. One of the men stepped forth at his arrival and bowed slightly. "Lord Stark I presume? I am James Warrington, the elected Lord and representative of my people. A pleasure to meet you."

Ned took a moment to look him over, "Lord Warrington then? A pleasure to meet you as well, I am sorry to hear you are unable to return to your lands, are you sure there is no way?" The man, Warrington, smiled sadly.

"Alas Lord Stark it is impossible. Which leaves us with settling here."

"I see, I hope you will find the North a place you can call home. Northerners are generally suspicious of outsiders at first but if you prove yourselves and treat them right the North are good friends and hardy folk. Lady Mormont was a good host I take it? Did you meet Lord Mormont?"

"Aye she was a good host and patient when explaining things though straight talking, not one for lots of words when a few will do, it was refreshing to be honest. And no we did not meet Lord Mormont, Lady Maege said her nephew was at some tourney in the south apparently."

"Ah I see that explains why it was Maege and not Jorah. So I may ask, why choose to live in the North, I doubt it was for the weather?" Eddard japed.

Warrington smiled at that, "No it was not the weather, though we all love the snow sometimes. I believe the main reason was you had space for us and, if I may say so, we offered something that would be valuable: a fleet on your west coast."

"Aye it is true the North has been without a true fleet for centuries since one of my ancestors burned ours in anger and sorrow. It has left us open to the Ironborn since then. We have not had the resources or wealth to rebuild it."

"I see, well I'm sure the North is glad for some ships then. On that note may I introduce Admiral John Gardner and his aid Lieutenant Jack McDonnal. And this is my aid Mary Granger" Warrington said while indicating the respective person.

"Hello. This is Maester Luwin, an advisor and learned man from the citadel who serves Winterfell. My wife and sons are around somewhere, I am sure you will meet them at dinner. Come I will have my people show you to your rooms and then have you brought to my solar to discuss your sanctuary."

"My thanks thought there are six further soldiers gathering our belongs for our stay plus two pilots, they control the metal machine."

"I see, I will make sure the servants know to make space for ten soldiers then?"

"Yes thank you."

"Come this way then" With that the group of eight followed the servants to their rooms before Lord Warrington, Admiral Gardner and their aids then went to Lord Starks solar.

Upon arrival they found Lord Stark, and three other men, one of whom was the maester. Lord Stark's solar was similar to Lady Mormont's but his was larger. It was also more furnished and had a larger desk made of a white wood. On one wall hung the Stark banner while on another a map of the North decorated it.

"Lord Warrington, Admiral Gardner, may I introduce Lord Wyman Manderly and his son Wylis. They, like you, found sanctuary here and like you are a more naval and trade inclined house than any other in the North. I thought they would prove useful in our discussions."

"I see, yes they would perhaps understand us better than someone who I'm guessing lacks naval knowledge?" said Gardner. Lord Stark nodded his ascent.

"With their help we have checked the west coast for possible sites for you to locate to. We only really had one real option, which was to locate you on the Stoney Sore. There is a castle there, likely ruined, from a now extinct house so that gives you a seat to base yourselves. There are a few fishing villages so you have income and food as well as taxable lands. A true survey of what the lands contain will be needed as no one has done so for centuries, you may want to do that yourselves to work out what your lands possess."

"Indeed those lands should suit us. We asked Lady Mormont what lands she thought would be chosen and she suggest the same. We sent a ship or two to survey the shore from their ships and there are a number of bays and coves we can locate and shelter our fleet in. We would also like to build a port or two" explained Warrington.

"Why two?" asked Lord Manderly.

"The reason is we wish for a military harbour and a trade or civilian harbour" answered Gardner. "It will reduce the ability of spies to determine our strength if civilian ships and trade ships go to an entirely different port. It also mean if we are attacked the military port should be free to counter."

"I see, most intriguing, we never needed to worry in White harbour as there were few who would come this far and challenger Manderly vessels, you would be dealing with Ironborn, Lannister vessels and possibly the Reach if a war broke out. I'm assuming you would have ship builders at both?" Gardner nodded. "I see you'd then have two shipyards to turn out numbers of vessels if they were needed. Not bad at all."

"Plus we can always make ships for others in peace time" suggested Warrington.

"Too true, we ourselves don't really make ships for others. Don't have the resources or incentive to do so truth be told."

"Very good my lords" Lord Stark said, "now in regards to the territory itself and its boundaries." He indicated the map on the wall and pointed to locations. "As you can see this river goes up inland to the hills. You will follow it straight into the hills not towards these lakes they belong to the Ryswells. Next go through the hills north towards the edge of the Wolfswood and then west to the sea following the treeline. It is a fair amount of land but most of it is empty and none is claimed You wouldn't be the largest land owner in the North but you are not smallest either. If you are to become the new Northern Sunset Sea fleet you will need the resources and lands to build and maintain it. You will likely need wood so once you are on location I suggest you contact House Forrester for wood. Equally for stone to build with, some you may have in your lands so quarry as you please others you can ask me to contact some of my banner men if they can sell you some. You have items to trade or will you need loans?" Lord Stark informed them.

"We have some things we can trade yes and we have workshops with mechanics and smiths who can make tools though we may need some resources for them though I have a full list of what we can sell or make now here." And so the conversation carried on for an hour or so as they discussed items for trade and purchase as well as details on the lands and people.

"You will likely need a weirwood planted in or near your castle. If it is to be your seat you will need one for the small folk who may serve in your holdfast. Also have you chosen a sigil, name and words? I will need to register it with the Citadel and Kings Landing."

"I see, yes we'd be willing to plant one and some trees, like your godswood I presume?" Ned nodded. "In regards to name sigil and words, we have chosen yes. Here is the sigil; a red anchor on a blue background" as he said that he passes a picture of what they designed. "Our name is House Britanican with the words From the Seas, Strength."

"A good sigil and fine words." He glanced outside to see it was darker now. "I believe dinner will be soon so join us for a meal and we can finish discussions tomorrow with the final terms."

"As you wish my lord, we'll go to our rooms and clean up for dinner."

"Good, I will send someone for you four, you men will leat with my guards at a lower table for the household. You will sit at a guest table near my family's table."

"Of course, we will see you there then" said Warrington as he stood up with the others.

An hour later they were brought to the Great Hall finely dressed in their dress uniforms or in a smart suit and dress for the civilians. "Interesting clothes you four wear. May I present my wife Lady Catelyn Stark and mother of my son Rob." Lady Stark was a young woman barely twenty with auburn hair and blue eyes. Lady Stark was holding a small boy no more than two years old. He seemed to have his mother's hair and eyes though features of his father on his face.

"My lady, a pleasure to meet you. I am the newly elected Lord Warrington, with me are; Admiral Gardner, Lieutenant Jack McDonnal and my aid Mary Granger." Warrington said while indicating his colleagues. "In terms of clothes we wear; the admiral and Lieutenant are wearing their formal dress uniforms made for special events or dinners where such formality is needed. I am my aid are wearing what would be considered formal dinner wear for meeting a lord and his wife or a king or such high level evening or dinner event."

"I see, I am sure over time you will likely adopt some local wear into your fashion over time. Admiral your name is Gardner correct? Any relation to the Gardener's of the Reach?"

"I believe not my lady, we come from a land far from here. That said I know an ancestor of mine disappeared in similar circumstances and area to us many many years ago, he was called Gareth Gardner."

"Indeed, it is said that Garth Greenhand came from afar and came here with the first men and settled the reach and other areas. His son became King of the Reach and another became the father of our house founder Bran the Builder. It could be that your ancestor is Garth Greenhand, not that it really would matter any more as it is so long ago but interesting if true" Lord Stark commented. "Now lets have the feast, I'm sure we are all hungry." As the drink flowed and the food eaten the newcomers were treated to a northern feast and a few songs from a passing minster who was asked in to play. As James observed the various household member and the Manderlys eating he notice a woman feeding a child of similar age to the young Stark boy Rob. The boy had dark hair similar to Lord Stark and grey maybe black eyes. Looking up Warrington saw Lord Stark had seen him looking as he looked to between the new lord and the small boy. Lady Stark had stiffened and her lips thinned with distaste. "If you do not wish him here I can get him out of your sight my lord" she said to Warrington.

"Pardon my lady? Who?"

"The boy you were looking at. He is a bastard so I understand you look at him for being present but my husband insisted."

"A bastard? But he is a baby how can he be bastard?" asked Warrington genuinely confused. Even Gardner and a few of the marines seemed a bit thrown by the word.

"He is my son, but not from my wife, said Lord Stark quietly, "he is my shame but I promised to raise him."

"Oh I see, well nice to meet him" James replied and just went back to eating as did most of his fellow visitors. Now the Northerners were the ones confused by the causal dismissal of a bastard in their presence.

"You do not seem insulted to have a bastard here my lord? Do you not fear it? Bastards are said to be cruel and vicious and want to supplant their true-born siblings." At this a few of the marines, and even Warrington, cracked a smile and coughed back a laugh.

"Do you not have problems like this back home?" asked Eddard now genuinely curious as to why they seemed to have no care for illegitimate children. The north mostly didn't care either but still treated bastards as lesser than their true-born siblings.

"Sorry my lord but to us most of that is considered out dated and just wrong. If you treat them like a monster they will become one. It is nature versus nurture. There may be some who will naturally be as you say but most if treated right most would become useful members of society. Having a child out of wedlock is not uncommon. It usually leads to marriage of the parents anyway so the child is considered their first. We do not look down on a child born as your son is simply because it does not matter. Only for some would having a child in such a way matter. We still call people bastards but it's just an insult now, usually given to someone being mean or cruel or insulting."

"But what of inheritance and lines of succession?" asked a worried Lady Stark.

"In our countries we split any bequeathment evenly amongst any children or relatives or at least do so in theory. Since we have few lords such as yourselves in my country only they really worry about lines of succession and even then they treat the half sibling well. In the other country from which my people come it does not matter at all as they have not lords and ladies. So in short we simply do not care about whether the child ad born in wedlock or out. Hence our not being bothered by the boy being here. After all he is a motherless child who would have died if not taken in by his sole remaining relative, correct?" Lord Stark nodded slowly at this, and even Lady Catelyn sighed and seemed thoughtful though still glanced at the boy. The Manderlys had just watched the exchange with rapt attention. After all they learnt a bit more about their fellow guests and something of their lord. After the discussion came the desserts before finally everyone slowly departed the hall back to their rooms in various states of drunkenness.

That morning after having breakfast, or breaking their fast, the four guests met with the Manderlys and the Starks for the final discussions. "The final terms are that you will make an oath of loyalty to my house and the North. I had thought of possibly a marriage arrangement with one of the Northern houses but we lack any of available age other than Lady Mormont's daughter. So for the moment we believe that the oath shall do for now. The King may decide differently when informed but I will not force such a thing just yet. I do suggest however you get to know the daughter as it may indeed be that you marry her to ensure your house's loyalty to the North and thus to the king" Lord Stark informed them.

"I see, many will not like our being forced to marry, or rather my being forced as their lord. I do not care for arranged marriages that much either to be honest and neither do my people as we have long abandoned the practice" answered Warrington bitterly.

"I sympathise my lord but it is the custom and you may have to conduct some yourselves with other houses as part of trade deals or alliances. That is why I will refrain this time as when the Manderlys came they did not marry into the North immediately either" explained Eddard carefully, fully agreeing that the practise needed to be handled cautiously while thinking of his own sister who hated being betrothed. The Manderlys nodded in agreement.

"Indeed my lords there is no rush, why when we came here we only married into the Starks a generation or two after our arrival, as most of that generation were already married or not of age to. We did take wives and husbands from other northern and occasionally southern houses at that time though it was not part of the deal more like unavoidable when looking for marriage" explained Wyman Manderly.

"How many come with you Lord Warrington? How many to settle or as soldiers?" asked Lord Stark.

"We have just over eleven thousand, I believe the precise figure is around eleven thousand one hundred people in our fleet. Most are sailors though some are marines, they are ground forces that can board ships or fight on land. We have engineers and a few other professions related to military affairs. So in terms of a fighting force essentially all of them are though we would leave some behind when you call your banners."

"Ten thousand! That is a number, why I don't think any other house raises that much? You'd be the largest banner in my forces. Hells you'd probably make up half my previous totaled forces" Lord Stark looked in amazement.

"You forget my lord most will be sailors on ships. In terms of soldiers probably only one to two thousand or so? I'd have to check how many marines we have. Anyway since we have fishing villages we will try to improve their yields to sell some more and better preserve the fish, maybe some of our sailors will do some fishing instead for a change. We hope to build a new fleet to expand and replace our current ships as they are harder to maintain than what we will build. As a sign of good will we have some advise on ship building if you are willing to listen?" The Manderlys nodded, "one of the ways we have made our ships faster is by placing copper plates to the outside hull of the ships. This will reduce the corrosive effects of the salt water and the collection of plants and algae along other things on the hull. It will allow the ship to stay out at sea longer without hull repair and improve its speed." The Manderlys nodded in understanding and even some excitement. "We plan on doing the same when we begin ship construction."

"Yes I see it will be quite interesting to try. How will you bolt them on though? Iron rusts."

"We use a copper zinc alloy for the bolts."

"Hmm I'm not sure I know that one."

"We should be able to find a sample for you to look at. Is there enough copper to be found?"

"Maester?"

"I believe so my lords, there are a handful of mines around Westeros and I believe some in Essos. Acquiring the copper should not be too hard."

"You use oil in your sieges correct?" asked Gardner after a moment of thought by the occupants of the solar.

"It is mostly tar we use when firing catapults though oil and tar is poured from the gatehouses yes. Why?" asked the curious Lord Stark.

"Where do you get the oil?"

"Mostly it is whale oil that is used though some types of oil come from Dorne or Essos but it is expensive and few barrels are made at a time. Only great castles like Winterfell or Kings Landing or the really wealthy use oil in their defence, the rest use boiling water or whale oil in the North or in Dorne hot sand with water" answered Maester Luwin.

"Again, why do you ask?" Lord Stark said.

"We have machines, and various tools that require oil for use, acquiring oil would be high on our 'to do' list" explained Gardner.

"You may be best trying whale oil, you should find some in northern waters or you can try find a source of oil in your lands. Now are we agreed that, among other things, you will swear the oath of loyalty, pay taxes and the like to Winterfell, and will provide soldiers or ships when I or the Lord Stark call the banners?" asked Lord Stark drawing the meeting towards its conclusion.

"Yes Lord Stark we are willing."

"Good then I will have Maester Luwin draw up a proclamation stating your house is lord of the Stoney Shore as well as providing explanations of your boundaries. I will have word sent to the Shore informing them of their new lords as well as to the Ryswells of their new neighbours. Come to the Great Hall and we will do the formal ceremony in front of my family and those of Winterfell. Lord Manderly will you witness as well?"

"Of course my Lord I would be honoured, just give me a while to get there. I'm not the man I was in my youth." he wheezed getting to his feet.

"No you are twice the man" Eddard japed and Wyman chuckled.

"Aye I have been known to feast a bit." With that the group made their way to the Great Hall where they waited for a few members of the household to arrive and witness the swearing, including one man who carried a large greatsword made of a dark smoky steel that rippled in the light over to Lord Stark. With everyone present Lord Stark rose, holding onto the great sword with the blade pointed straight down, and indicated for Warrington to stand before him and kneel.

"I, Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, do hereby create the noble House of Britanican and charge them to guard our western shore. Do you, Lord Warrington, swear fealty to House Stark and to be loyal, law abiding subjects?"

"I, Lord Warrington, on behalf of my self and my people do swear fealty and loyalty to House Stark and that we shall guard the western shore from those who threaten the North and her allies."

"Then let it be known, before me is a noble Lord of a new noble house. Rise Lord Warrington of House Britanican, Lord of the Stoney Shore" finished Lord Stark. With that Warrington stood up and the two lords clasped hands and the hall erupted into cheers from the northerners and the men of the new House Britanican smiled. They had a home.

AN: Hello, thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter. I know man have said the British and American navy personnel would not take to having a lord and turning their backs on democracy so I hope I have addressed those concerns in this chapter. Essentially it comes down to: there's no way home, democracy is unheard of bar electing a Lord Commander for life, and they are military personnel who need a chain of command so having a lord with the admirals reporting to him is fitting with that view point. Also made some hints about fuel sources which many have brought up and the slight culture clashes over bastards and lordships. Please review, thanks. J signing off.

Chapter 902 - 3