Ned realized that his ship was staying put for a while, so he decided to see what this new place was like. The other cats had already left their ships and had found nice warm spots to sleep at night. So Ned ended up in the great hall, and it was a fine place to be a cat. So when this flurry of activity started, he had to see what was happening. He checked with Bart because Bart always knew what was going on. Besides, Bart offered snacks. Whatever this was, Ned would like it best from a railing on the second-story gallery. And so he went up the stairs and found his best spot to watch.
What he saw was a swirl of people, sitting at tables and walking to and fro. A small band was playing on a platform, and some were dancing. Bart was serving tarts and drinks, as well as his famous stew, to those who were hungry. Bran was at a table with Ming Tao, Thomas, and Gendry. Yéye was keeping them entertained by telling forging stories, and Ming was translating. Bran saw Arya across the room and shouted, "Arya, what is the name of this city?" Arya looked at him for a while and said, "Brandon's Rest, because his effects came home and are kept here?" "I like it," Bran smiled at her. He raised his cup and said, "To Brandon's Rest, long may it be a haven of safety, warmth, and a welcoming hearth to friends and family!" Those in attendance toasted with him.
Suddenly, a telepath's voice was in Arya's mind, "There is a spy, or enemy, coming up the new road towards you. Calancy, Nymeria, and I were sitting at the palisade gates when he rode by. Nymeria growled low at him." Arya went to the assassin leader, where he was sitting with his fellows. She told the man that danger was coming up the road towards them, and asked if they could send men to waylay it. She said it might be an assassin of the Many-Faced God. He laughed when it was translated to him, and whistled. Four shadows materialized around him, and out the front doors they went. Bronn spotted them heading out and joined them; whatever they were doing, it was going to be more interesting than dinner parties.
Three days, back down the road, they set their trap. The rider approached their location and slowed. It was almost as if he were sniffing the air. He made a motion with his hand, and there were 4 of him, horses, riders, and gear. Not images, actually 4 of him. The 4 enemies charged forward; they were going to try to run through the trap. Hassan, the sandkin leader, stepped forward and tossed his net. 4 other nets followed, and three struck their targets. Before the nets hit, 4 sets of throwing stars sprayed out toward the assassins. Bronn rolled away from them and swiped one down with his sword. One sandkin assassin was struck in the shoulder. Hassan's net captured the actual rider and was imbued with a magic-blocking property. The other duplicates vanished, and the rider pulled a golden sword and slashed through the net. He wheeled his horse around and fled back the way he came. A spray of sandkin blades struck him and his horse, but he galloped away. Hassan shouted about what a joy, an actual enemy was, and his men agreed. They leaped on their horse in hard pursuit.
Clan heads were arriving in increasing numbers, and among them were the dignitaries from Deepwood Motte. They were shown around the town and saw the walls being constructed. They liked that construction and wondered if they might purchase stone walls for themselves. Thomas produced a map and began explaining the plan to set up forts along the coast to defend against the Zon invasion. Deepwood Motte would be a key part of this plan, and yes, its walls would be upgraded at minimal cost. Then 'flowers' would be installed to defend the city. They were taken to the top of the 3-story wall, in a corner where it was finished. There is a mounted 'flower' set in its movable platform, facing the bay. Ammunition and powder were in a large box nearby. They wanted a demonstration, but it was denied for safety reasons because trader ships were coming and going. They were also interested in the pits that were being dug. Thomas explained that they would connect all the major buildings in the city, so that when the real cold hit, one would not have to go outside in it for long.
At the forge that Gendry and Yéye had designed, seven of them were watching as the product of many days' work was coming to fruition. A star metal staff was being poured around the longest, palest, green crystal any of them had ever seen. They had tried twice before, but it had cracked during quenching—this time it held. The stonekin had discovered a new vein of their secret metal, and it was mixed into this staff. They all wooed and cheered when it didn't crack as it cooled. It was polished up and finished for presentation at tomorrow's gala.
Hassan was tracking blood from the enemy's horse as they went east. Their horses were rested, but the enemy's horses had been ridden hard, and he expected the enemy to break off the trail to hide and rest. At last, his eyes spotted a drip that went to the side of the road.