[Chapter Size: 3400 Words.]
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Third Person POV
North, 297 AC.
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"Now, let's place the chair in position." Thor's commanding voice echoed as a giant entered the room, followed by men trailing behind him through the massive doorway.
The hall was already filled with people observing the scene before the giants arrived, carrying a colossal, heavy chair. Although it was meant for a human, it was partly made of Valyrian steel and other metals.
The chair, of course, weighed tons. Even though it wasn't fully crafted from Valyrian steel, its entire frame was adorned with the magical metal of Valyria, forged from swords and armor that Jon had given to the dwarves.
Thor had finished the chair's overall design long ago, and in the past few days, it only needed the final touches. Jon had inspected the chair the day before, and today it was to be delivered to the castle in the morning. The giants continued to carry the chair through the future audience hall, where the King of Artica would hold court and meet with his people.
The hall was immense, with pillars supporting its structure and ample space for even the kingdom's larger inhabitants, such as the giants, to move about freely. It had been designed to accommodate all the peoples of Artica, of which there were many.
Jon stood with his family, arms crossed, watching as the chair was brought closer to its final position. Thor and the dwarves had certainly gone overboard with the design. The piece was adorned with rubies, sapphires, and even jade brought from Yi Ti.
His children watched the scene with wide-eyed excitement as the chair was placed in its designated spot at the back of the throne room on an elevated platform, with a grand pillar behind it. The floor around the throne was entirely made of metal, shining under the light of the crystals, and engraved with Artica's symbols, including wolves and dragons.
"Behold, my king, here is your chair," Thor said proudly, his voice echoing through the hall, while the giants secured the chair into a groove on the floor specifically made for it. Jon could easily move the chair in the future if he wished, as the base was designed to fit seamlessly into the floor's pattern.
Jon gazed at the throne but did not sit. It wasn't time yet. "Good work, Thor. I'll leave you to finish the final adjustments. After that, I need to take care of some matters with my ministers." Jon spoke as he prepared to leave the castle.
Thor nodded and turned his attention back to the throne. The dwarves resumed their work, while the giants began to leave.
"Father, are you leaving already?" Jahaerys's eager voice echoed through the hall. Beside him stood Lyanna and little Jon, all looking at their father with hopeful expressions, not wanting him to be absent again.
Jon smiled at his children and replied, "I can't stay today, my little ones. But I'll be back tonight. Is that all right? And if you behave, we can visit the dragons."
The children beamed with excitement at the promise. Pleased to have lifted their spirits, Jon left the castle after bidding farewell to his wives and fiancées and headed toward the Senate. His wives remained at the castle, tending to the children while Jon spent the day managing affairs in the kingdom.
At the Senate, Jon held a long discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Trade, and the Minister of the Treasury. They discussed details of an upcoming journey. A map of the trade routes lay open on the table as Jon examined data and deliberated potential trade partners.
After several hours, the meeting concluded. Jon left the Senate and summoned Thor, who was still working at the castle, to accompany him to the royal greenhouse. There, they met with Seraphine, the Minister of Arcane Studies, who was examining the plants Jon had been cultivating and studying the crystals intended for the kingdom.
"Let's discuss how we'll distribute the crystals across the city," Jon said, spreading the map of Artica open on the table.
While they discussed, Jon traced with Thor the points where the posts with the magical crystals would be placed. They couldn't be built just anywhere, not even in the city's yet-to-be-developed areas, as those spots would be reserved for other purposes in the future.
"There's one more thing," Jon said to Thor while tracing his finger from the city outward, heading south. "There's the mountain you're using to build your home, but there are also two more mountains further south, along with forests... that haven't been used yet." He pointed to the mountains.
"I already know what you want, my king. But you know my people won't be very pleased to hear we're building a place for the dragons." Thor spoke with the usual disdain the dwarves had for dragons. He already knew the king had plans to build a location where the dragons could stay, as the royal castle would be far too small to house over twenty-eight dragons, especially as their numbers grew by the day.
"They're inside the city, growing and getting larger every day. I'm sure you dwarves wouldn't appreciate that." Jon said calmly, watching as Thor sighed and eventually nodded in agreement.
"You want to build a structure for the entire mountain?" Thor asked, with a somewhat cautious expression as he heard the proposal.
"Yes. Here are the drawings. I took the liberty of starting to draft the project over the past few days." Jon handed over several sheets of paper. "I want it finished within a year."
"A year... It's a massive project... But we've already completed the walls and most of the city's major structures. We're just working on the forges and building more ships. I believe we can assign our men to this task in that timeframe, but do you really need the entire mountain?" Thor asked, not holding back his curiosity.
"I want to build a structure where the dragons won't be a problem. A place where I won't have to worry about how many dragons we have." Jon pointed at the map. "The structure will need to cover the entire mountain — over a thousand meters in length."
Thor examined the plans carefully and, after a moment, nodded.
"Very well. As I said, we'll have enough workers to begin the project. We can complete it within a year, but we'll need the giants." Thor explained.
Jon nodded. "Excellent. Take the project to the giants and request their help to start the construction in my name. Use the mammoths to transport the necessary materials." Jon ordered.
After a few more exchanges, the meeting came to an end. Jon bid farewell and left the location, advancing with his men out of the city. He still had part of the afternoon left to deal with the army.
However, as they exited the city, an animal emerged from the southern forests, startling some of the people nearby. The creature advanced with an imposing stance, but Jon remained calm, stepping closer to observe.
"A basilisk..." His men murmured, recognizing the creature. It was one of the rare specimens brought from the other side of the world. The large reptile stared at Jon with cold eyes but showed no signs of aggression.
Jon dismounted from his horse and approached the basilisk. He touched the creature's scaly skin and smiled. "It doesn't have a saddle, but it'll do." Jon remarked, gently stroking the animal. The creature remained calm, accepting his presence.
Turning to his guards, Jon gave his next instructions. "I'll ride this animal to the northern area. Meet me there. I'll be speaking with the war ministers." He said as he began climbing onto the basilisk's back.
The guards simply watched, surprised, unable to react in time. Suddenly, the creature bolted forward at high speed, circling around the city with impressive agility, heading north.
"This will definitely come in handy..." Jon murmured, amazed by the creature's speed.
The basilisk moved in a peculiar way, placing its legs in a manner that made its body sway from side to side. Jon noticed that the ride was slightly uncomfortable due to the animal's movements, which caused him to jolt up and down constantly. Even so, there was no doubt — the basilisk was incredibly fast.
Jon estimated that they were reaching a speed of 80 km/h, much faster than any Arctic horse. Even the best horses in the kingdom, known for their strength and endurance, couldn't surpass 50 km/h. It became clear that this creature was about 60% faster than any mount Jon had ever ridden, aside from his wolves.
With a satisfied smile, Jon thought about the possibilities that this animal could bring to his campaigns and explorations.
"It will need a good saddle, but it will be ideal for the army," Jon said, pleased as he observed the exotic animal he had acquired in Yi Ti. He planned to use it to enhance Arctic's military power.
He finally arrived at the area where the army was training. The soldiers were busy practicing their formations but were surprised to see the king approaching, riding a basilisk that advanced at high speed, emitting a strange sound as it moved, shaking with each step. Jon seemed to be enjoying the experience.
"Your Majesty!" Ducken quickly approached, dismounting his horse along with other men. The army halted their training to focus on the king.
"Hello, Ducken. You may continue training with the other men. I would like to speak with you," Jon said, while the great general of Arctic reluctantly gestured for the other leaders to resume their exercises.
Ducken followed Jon to a more secluded area, curious about the strange animal the king was riding.
"What is that, my king? Is it one of the animals you brought from Yi Ti?" Ducken asked, analyzing the basilisk from a distance.
Jon nodded. "Yes. We brought it from that land. As you can see, it's quite exotic. I want to form a squadron with them," Jon explained, while Ducken continued to observe the creature cautiously.
"Can this thing really be useful...?" Ducken murmured, still keeping his distance.
"Of course. If you had seen the speed it can reach, you'd think differently," Jon remarked. "Besides, it has an extremely potent natural venom. We just need proper saddles and a bit of training. The soldiers with warg abilities will be able to control them. I believe that in five years, we'll have a squadron of hundreds. In ten years, thousands." He finished, confident.
Ducken nodded, impressed, and Jon continued. "But I didn't come here just to talk about the basilisk. Let's go to that tent. I have some projects for you," Jon said, gesturing for the general to follow him.
The two walked to the general's tent, where Jon began reviewing several plans he had drawn up over the past few weeks. He presented maps and models of new military tactics he wanted to implement for upcoming campaigns.
"I understand, my king. You want to do this with the intention of facing the army of the dead?" Ducken asked, carefully analyzing the drawings and notes.
"Yes. We can't let Arctic rely on just one style of combat. We need to diversify our tactics, especially since we'll be facing hundreds of thousands of creatures that aren't fully human," Jon explained with determination.
Ducken nodded again. "All right. I'll implement these changes over the next few weeks. But you'll be here with me, right? That will make things much easier," Ducken asked.
"Yes," Jon confirmed. "That's exactly why I'm here."
The two spent hours discussing strategies and planning how to reorganize the Arctic army. When the sun began to set, they finally left the tent. The soldiers were already storing their weapons and armor, wrapping up the day's training.
Jon looked around and saw that the royal guards were already outside the tent, ready to escort the king back to the castle.
"Now, let's head back home," Jon said.
Before leaving, he patted the basilisk a few times, and the creature ran off on its own, disappearing quickly into the forest.
In the late afternoon, Jon returned to the castle, where his children were already waiting eagerly. They hoped their father would have some time to spend with them after his day of commitments.
Jon spent the first part of the evening with his children, watching the dragons as they talked and played together.
Later, Ducken and his family were invited to the castle, where they joined Jon and his children for dinner. Jon made a point of having them together, as Ducken's two daughters were his goddaughters.
"Look at you two! How much you've grown!" Jon said, curious as he observed the girls, who giggled at his reaction.
"Uncle Jon! You finally came back! We saw you arriving with Mom at the port!" they said excitedly.
"Well, I'm back," Jon replied with a smile. "You've already met my two sons, but I'll let my fiancée introduce you to the others," he added, gesturing for Daenerys to present the children.
Meanwhile, Jon stepped away, leaving the girls with his family, and asked Ducken to join him for a drink.
That night, everyone gathered at the dinner table, enjoying a peaceful moment with family. Ducken, being Jon's longtime friend, had the privilege of attending the royal dinner.
Two days later, Jon stood at the port, watching the preparations for Artica's new naval voyage. Once again, his fleet was ready to depart, loaded with goods to maintain the trade routes established with Braavos and other Free Cities. Additionally, 200 ships were destined for Yi Ti.
Beyond that, Jon planned to open new trade routes during this mission. Soldiers and sailors were preparing to set sail. Jon had selected six royal guards and a squad of men with warg abilities to protect the three ministers who would ensure security during the journey.
The ice crates were properly stored in the ships' holds, loaded directly from Artica's glaciers and energized by the great Weirwood. This was Artica's main export product, essential for the southern cities.
Jon watched everything closely. Once he saw that the preparations were complete, he walked over to the sailors and officers.
"Well, I won't be joining this voyage this time," Jon announced, his voice echoing across the port, reaching everyone outside the ships. "But you'll be representing me and everyone who lives in this kingdom. So I wish you luck. May Artica grow stronger through your success."
The men nodded respectfully.
"Good luck, then. Artica and I will be waiting for your safe return," Jon said firmly.
With those words, the sailors began guiding the ships out of the port. Giants, dwarves, and men worked together, coordinating their tasks to ensure everything was done efficiently.
Over 400 ships left the port that day, sailing without their king at the helm, but carrying the will of Artica. It was a crucial mission to restock the Free Cities and establish new trade lines.
When the ships disappeared over the horizon, Jon turned to his children, who stood by his side.
"Let's go home now," he said to the three oldest, who had accompanied him to the port.
Together, they returned to the castle. Jon had decided to take the day off to spend time with his family. After two intense days of work, he wanted to ensure his children wouldn't feel neglected, especially after the recent incident at the mine.
Upon arriving at the castle, he let his children go play with the dragons. Meanwhile, he walked toward the garden, where he saw someone sitting on a bench, reading a book. He approached quietly.
"How are you?" Jon asked gently.
It was Hiyori, who was deeply focused on her reading. She looked up, smiling when she saw Jon.
"I'm well, Jon. Thank you for asking," she replied, showing him the book in her hands. "These books are easy to understand, with the explanations I've been given. Still, the symbolism is very different from the kanji we use in my old home."
Jon looked at the book with interest. "You're learning fast. That's good," he commented.
Hiyori nodded. "I'm doing my best. The Common Tongue is difficult, but the teachers have been patient. And it's something I want to master," she said.
Hiyori still felt a bit lost, as few people could communicate with her due to her only speaking her native language. Jon and the queens were among the few who could, as they had also learned it. Rhaenys and Daenerys had picked up some of it through their time spent with Yi Ti and the princess, but their knowledge was limited.
Tutors had been brought in to help Hiyori learn, while Aemon taught Jon's children.
"But that's not what I was asking earlier..." Jon said, watching her closely. Hiyori averted her gaze, avoiding his direct stare.
"I wanted to know how you're adjusting to your new life. Even though we've only been here for a week, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable with anything. After all, you are my future wife," Jon continued, observing her carefully.
She nodded and gently touched Jon's hand. "No, Jon… I have nothing to complain about regarding this place. As you said, it's unique and magical. Still, I do feel a little homesick… I admit that I miss seeing my brother and father every morning, having tea together. But that's something I need to overcome. Maybe our children will help with that," Hiyori said with a soft smile, holding his hand affectionately.
Jon nodded. "Well… We're getting married in three weeks. So you'd better think carefully," he teased.
She chuckled lightly but soon became serious, staring at Jon with intensity. "Do you think I would throw away a pact of alliance that my father made with the hero of our land? And do you think I would ever deny the man I love?" Hiyori spoke with conviction, locking eyes with Jon.
Jon nodded, at a loss for words.
At that moment, a child's voice interrupted their conversation.
"Papa! Papa!" Lyanna called out, running toward Jon.
Jon picked her up in his arms and sat her on his lap.
"You know, Jahaerys was talking about Aunt Arya… I remember a little bit about her now that you mentioned her. But she's in the South, isn't she? When is she coming back?" Lyanna asked with curiosity.
Jon looked at his daughter and smiled. "You want to meet her, don't you? You were very attached to her when you were just a little crybaby," Jon teased.
"I wasn't a crybaby, Papa!" Lyanna protested, crossing her arms.
Jon laughed. "All right… You weren't a crybaby. But you're just like her — and just like your grandmother. Did you know that? It was fitting that you were given her name…" Jon said with a touch of nostalgia.
"Are you serious? Can you tell me about Grandma?" the little girl asked, curious. She knew she was named after Lyanna Stark when her father discovered who his mother was.
Jon pressed his lips together, thoughtful. "I can't tell you much… She died when I was born. And the only man who could speak about her — the one I knew… Well, we're not on the best of terms," Jon explained, his tone becoming more serious. There was someone else — Howland Reed. Jon thought he might need to pay him a visit to learn more about the man.
Lyanna looked sad for a moment.
"That's too bad…" she murmured. "But tell me more about Aunt Arya, then," she asked, brightening up again.
"All right… Let's talk about Aunt Arya Stark of Winterfell," Jon said, gently stroking his daughter's hair.
"You are a Stark of Winterfell!" someone exclaimed with a stern tone.
"Mother, I've already told you I won't get involved in this!" Arya said, exasperated.
"You can't speak like that! This is your home! It's where you belong!" Catelyn replied, firm and determined.
Arya sighed heavily, staring at her mother with an irritated look.
"No… I don't belong here," Arya murmured, walking down the hallway, unwilling to continue that conversation.
She ignored any further attempts from Catelyn to call her back. She simply kept walking, leaving her mother behind.
Arya had been at the castle for over a week, and her mother wouldn't stop bombarding her with these ridiculous things.
"I'm really supposed to stay here for a whole year…" she muttered as she wandered through Winterfell's corridors.
Raccoon Here: Let's return for another chapter with Arya.
-------------Nexts Chapters ----------------
Chapter 224 - The letters to the houses of the North.
Chapter 229 - The Glow of Artica.
Chapter 239 - Destroying Khal Moro.
Chapter 248 - First contact.
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