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***
274 A.D.
The sea...
Boundless and beautiful...
Silent and soft.
Wild and unyielding...
Shimmering with all shades of green and blue, it held hundreds of mysteries and thousands of secrets.
While I was in the Citadel, I read a lot of works on the geography and geodesy of Planethos. Some aspects, such as the flora and fauna, the line of development of society and religion, the formation of races, were very similar to Earth, though with their own nuances and peculiarities.
But there were also differences. For example, the locals had long known about the fact that their planet was round. They had proved it back in the days of Valyrian Freehold, when a few dragonriders had traveled east, toward the golden empire of I-Ti, and returned from the side of Westeros. According to the book, which is a copy of the biography of one of the surviving discoverers, they had to fly above the clouds to avoid the eternal storms that rage year-round over the Sunset Sea, and that journey was survived by only two riders, whose names, unfortunately, have not survived.
The most striking thing is that in this world there was a man, or rather a maester, who completely repeated the idea of Eratosthenes, completely measuring the circumference of the planet. For the sake of this he had to swim and climb into the very depths of Sotoris, where he, risking to die from local beasts and diseases, found a place where at noon there were no shadows. Then, already in Valyria, then still existing and not fallen from the Rock, he measured the angle of deviation of the sunbeam from one of the many obelisks and calculated the length of the local planetary meridian.
The result was astounding. Especially to me, who remembered the length of the Earth. 950,000 drakars, the local Valyrian measure of length, equal to the length of one medium-sized dragon from the beginning of its snout to the tip of its tail. That's about 110 yards or a hundred meters. So this world turned out to be almost 95,000 kilometers long - more than twice the size of my home Earth.
"So it's quite possible that there's another civilization out there on the other side of the world, beyond the distant and vast Sotoris. Uncharted, with its own gods and peoples and rulers." - I thought, standing on the bridge of the Black Panther and watching a small pack of leviathans swim past us. These local creatures, as large as adult blue whales, were peaceful inhabitants of the sea as long as they were not disturbed. I once had the opportunity to see the tooth of an adult leviathan in Staromest, and its size was impressive. A yard and a half long and a half thick. It immediately made sense why only legendary krakens could hunt them. - "Well, enough of such thoughts. I haven't seen everything in this part of the world yet. There's no need to rush into the unknown."
Our voyage was calm and almost without excesses. The experience of Victarion and Hoar, who had been sailing in these waters since childhood and knew almost everything here: the main sea currents, seasonal winds, places of possible ambushes of the ironborn and their kind. We were able to reach the Cape of the Sea Dragon in only twelve days of leisurely sailing, with only occasional visits to ports to replenish water and provisions.
I wrapped myself in the furs I'd bought in Flintfinger, and gazed with great interest at this harsh and inhospitable land, even by the standards of the North. Even from here, a few miles offshore, I could see that the Cape's coastline was riddled with hundreds of small bays and inlets. According to Hoar, who had been here several times during raids, there were no minerals here, and the land was too wet to grow grain. But there are pine trees here, suitable for building ships, otters in the lakes, whose pelts are highly prized in the east, and so many fish in the rivers that it would take a century to catch them. And we must not forget about the countless colonies of seals and seals, which are the real treasures of the sea, along with whales and sea cows.
According to the stories of the Ironborn who came under my wing with two captains, this cape, along with Cape Kraken, has always been a coveted prey for the lords of the Iron Islands. But for hundreds of years, generation after generation, the Starks, Flints, Glovers, and Mormonts have driven them from these lands, preventing them from gaining a foothold here.
The best part is that the Northerners themselves didn't want to live here, leaving these places idle and forgetting about the rare visitors in the form of humans. Not for me, not for you, as they say. Though I understand them perfectly well. I myself wouldn't want a neighbor who only knows how to rob, kill and rape.
I've only found a few books in the library on these places. It was as if there were circles of felled Chardwood trees on the uplands of the promontory, still remembering the Children of the Forest who dwelt here, and the ruins of the strongholds of the first people still found among the vast hills and marshes. Legends say that in ancient times, the Starks defeated the Shapeshifter King, who lived here and could control hundreds of beasts, and his allies in the War of the Sea Dragon Cape. After taking the last stronghold, all of his sons were killed and his daughters became the victors' reward. One of the books devoted to the magic of the North even put forward a theory that it was because of these daughters that many northern houses still continue to give birth to tree wizards and werewolves.
Pretty soon, after rounding the cape and sailing across Ice Bay, we will approach Bear Island, where I plan to take the first step towards my enrichment.
***
P.O.V. Jorah Mormont.
This day was no different than hundreds of others in the North.
Waking up early in the morning, to the rising sunlight. To take out another wife, pining for a man's affection while her hubby fished somewhere in the waters of the bay. Then to go to the family breakfast, where, under the disapproving gaze of my father, still faithful to my late mother, to eat normally.
Our house has always been not very rich, but not too poor either, so we eat much better than many commoners. Boiled eggs, steamed turnips, fresh white bread, herb-baked salmon and bear stew were as filling as many delicacies from the South. And seeing my father, Aunt Mage, and little Daisy smiling, I realized that I was lucky to have been born here, in a warm and large family, where everyone truly loved each other, and not in the cursed South, where, according to Maester Farlon, our countryman, many heirs of lords killed their fathers, brothers, and sisters to get the inheritance they wanted.
After the meal, my father brought up my marriage again, and all I could do was nod and agree, for nothing depended on me. Surely my bride would be Lisanna of House Glover. Our house had always needed a good relationship with the masters of the Wolfwood, for they were the ones who provided us with most of our food during the harsh winters, and she was only a few years younger than me. Word has it that the girl is good-looking, but very sickly. I don't know what will come of it.
After breakfast, I planned to make a detour to the coastal villages with my father and a few of my retinue to make sure that everything was fine and no one would disturb us. They had recently seen ships with sails that looked very much like ironborn sails near the Cape of the Sea Dragon, and that was not a good thing. Besides, we can't forget the Wildlings, who could swim across the Ice Strait at any moment and land on our shores. But all plans went to waste when a rider came panting from one of the watchtowers built at the entrance to the bay.
«Lord Jorah, Lord Jorah, three ships have entered the bay! - he bellowed, almost falling off his horse, which looked as hunted as its rider.
«Who! - Almost shouted his father, grabbing the rider by the shoulders and holding him back from falling. - Are they ironborn? Pirates? Merchants?
If it's the first two, it's very bad. The spawning season is over, and most of the men are out fishing, and there are barely half a thousand women who can hold a weapon. With them and a hundred men, we can fight back, but the casualties will be terrible.
«Prepare yourselves. - From the look in his eyes and the way he adjusted his Long Claw, my father also realized how this would turn out. - Gather everyone who can hold a weapon, from the smallest to the largest, and gather them in the harbor. If they're really Iron Island freaks, we'll throw them into the sea!
«Yes! - The roar of the vigilantes and all present was so loud I thought the trees swayed with its power.
Within half an hour everything was ready. In the harbor, which was two simple wooden docks, gathered all the inhabitants of our castle who could hold a weapon. Armed with maces, swords, spears and bows, and dressed mostly in boiled leather armor, the women and few men represented a serious force. Standing side by side, in the front rows with my father, I saw for the umpteenth time that fanatical fire burning in their eyes.
"Oh, I don't envy those pirates." - I thought, gripping my sword more comfortably. - "They don't know what the women of Bear Island are capable of."
Soon our "guests" appeared on the horizon. I'd seen barges sailing back and forth between our island and the Dark Forest many times, and ironborn rooks docking on our shores, but compared to the ships that appeared, they were feral freaks against the backdrop of Valyrian beauty.
Beautiful, predatory and dangerous.
That was the characterization of the three shebeks, if I remembered Maester's lessons correctly, speeding toward our shores. And if their crews were half as good as their ships, we were in big trouble. Not even a hint of safety was given by the white flags raised above the masts, signaling the peaceful intentions of their masters.
Soon the first of them, with a black cat grinning on the sails and the same figure on the bow, approached the dock. Commands to moor were heard, given by a short man with short blond hair, who appeared to be the captain or his mate. Soon a gangway was thrown down the side of the boat, iron hooks stuck into the wooden planks of the deck, and down it came... a guy. A very big guy.
A few years younger than I was, he was as tall as the heir to the Ambers, who was beginning to be known as Big John. But if Amber's face made most of the girls faint with fear, this one was what most people called "handsome." Without a beard, with a thick mane of black hair, with correct facial features and bright green eyes, the likes of which I'd only seen on Lannisters in Lannisport when I'd been there on business, he, in his simple gray armor, without the silly southern tinsel and jewelry, with a sword at his belt and a two-handed axe behind his back, looked very much like a native of the North. Apparently the others noticed this as well, loosening their grip on their weapons and lowering their swords slightly.
«Rodrik! - But his sharp shout and a turn of his head toward one of the sailors caused many to regain their guard. - You didn't tell me that the Northmen give "such" an interesting reception when they welcome guests! And you wonder why many merchants don't sail here. - At this point he pointed his finger in our direction and grinned merrily. - Knowing their "delicate and vulnerable soul", which they hide under a layer of lard, even one local woman can scare the shit out of them.
Almost the whole ship, as well as the other two already docked, burst into wild laughter, appreciating the joke of their apparently leader. Even a few of our men couldn't stand it and laughed out loud, gradually infecting the rest of us with this mirth.
"Strong." - I thought, as did my father, putting my sword away in its scabbard. - "One joke to take away the tension. And he's not one to be intimidated."
Once the laughter subsided and all three ships were fully moored to the docks, he finally addressed us.
«Greetings Lord Gior Mormont. - He said, with a serious expression on his face and bowed only slightly. - My name is Felix and I have come to these beautiful lands for one purpose. Trade.
Judging by the slightly widened eyes of his father, he was very much surprised. Traders are very rare in our land. Not only does nothing grow here, there are no valuable ores or woods, but the Iron Islands are a place where being a bandit and robber is the order of the day. And the ones that came were mostly traders from the Outlands, the Riverlands, and the Westlands, trading their grain for our hides and rare fish before the winters began. So we didn't have much love for them, but realized we couldn't survive without the food they brought.
It was now a hard winter, going into its second year. We still had supplies left, but my father and I realized that if it lasted another year, many would begin to starve. So this "merchant" was now a welcome guest.
«It's good to see you on Bear Island, Felix. - His father addressed him, and when he came closer to him, he shook his hand. - Let me show you our hospitality. Come to my castle. Bread, salt and a warm meal await you there.
«Thank you, Lord Gior. - He replied politely, gesturing for a few men to follow him. It was the same blond captain, a red-haired guy, the same age as me, with a smile that never left his face, two muscular bald men, a young man with a bow behind his back, and a middle-aged man with a few carpentry tools hanging from his belt. Judging by their gait and posture, only the merchant and the captain were trained warriors. The others walked too carelessly and didn't have the physique required for battles.
"I'm starting to like this peddler already." - I thought, remembering past merchants who had visited our island. Not only did most of them treat us like barbarians and godless people, constantly insulting, demanding or threatening us or looking at us like unintelligent animals, but they brought so many mercenaries with them and kept them around as if they were afraid they would be killed or eaten in the nearest nook.
So I just hoped that everything would go well, and that the visit of these traders would end with no problems for our house.
***
P.O.V.Felix.
«So this is what Northern hospitality is all about. - I said, looking around the Great Hall of the Marmont Mansion while eating the onion soup that was offered. Almost all the men currently on the island and a few of the women who had "met" us on the dock were here. Everyone was drinking, enjoying themselves, and trying to make conversation with the three dozen sailors I had taken with me from the ship. Still, for most northerners, during the winter, the arrival of the traders was like a holiday.
It cannot be said that Bear Island impressed me. After Earth, and Lannisport, Highgarden, and Staromest, the squat settlements made of wood, straw, and whatever the hell they were, looked pretty shabby. But all these impressions were rectified by nature. Looking at the endless virgin forests of the island, where most of the game came out and looked at us in amazement, I wondered how the locals could live in such harmony with this inhospitable North.
The nature here was very beautiful. White fluffy snow all year round, a sky of all shades of white, gray and blue, with occasional sunshine. Often, during the voyage, bullfinches flew into my cabin, their red breasts diluting the dark colors of the ship, and about the bears wandering in plain sight, not far from the castle of Mormontov, I do not say at all. And the locals are not in a hurry to touch this idyll and support it in every possible way.
I learned this point by accident and only now I was able to see it with my own eyes. If the Western Lands and Spaceland had long been devoid of wild forests and fields, except for the iconic places that Garth Gardener and Lann the Clever had created, the northerners had not touched nature at all.
Talking with Jior, a sturdy and powerful man who fully justified his nickname - Old Bear, and his heir Jorah, who was a younger and taller copy of his father, I learned that this was part of the cult of the Old Gods. It turns out that in addition to occasional prayers and holding weddings, these tree gods also demand reverence for nature. For example, all the wood that the locals use to build their homes, sell to traders, and stoke their stoves is very old. These trees have already aged and after a few decades would begin to smolder and die off. And after they are cut down, a new sapling is planted to take the place of its predecessor in the forest.
The same was true of game. The Northerners were very restrained here too, and during hunting they did not hunt the "best" prey, but the most abundant. They were the human sanitarians of the forest.
"And the locals never had a problem with wood and meat." - I thought, drinking ale and honey with the recently served pork and vegetable pie. - "That's not surprising, though. If memory serves me correctly, after the Great Census of Lands and People under King Jehaerys the Peacemaker, the North was larger than the other six kingdoms combined, and second in population to all but Dorne and the Iron Islands."
After lunch, which lasted nearly three hours, I was taken to the castle solarium, where Lord Gior, who had left a little earlier, was already sitting with the castle maester, waiting only for me.
«I am very pleased to have such a young merchant as my guest. - Mormont began the conversation, stroking his graying beard. - Let's get down to business. What brings you to my island? And don't lie, it was for trade. My lands are poor and my treasury is low on gold. We have nothing to give you. Then why did you come here?
«To trade. - I said and smiled, but when I noticed the frown on the old bear's face, I hurried to continue. - That's the truth. When I came here, I had hoped to trade for furs, furs and skins of the animals that lived here.
From the look on Bear Island Lord's face, my words made him even angrier.
«Don't take me for a fool! - He muttered, clutching his horn glass tightly. - What fool would take three expensive ships in winter! past the Iron Islands! for the sake of a few dozen skins worth six or seven hundred deer!? So don't play dumb with me!
It was only after Mormont had calmed down and stopped looking like a beet that I could continue the conversation.
«Lord Mormont, I didn't come here for a few dozen skins. I need all the bearskins you can give me. - His eyes almost popped out of his orbits at those words, as did the maester sitting in the corner.
«Why do you need so many? I have an estimate of several hundred good quality bearskins in my castle alone. Even if you sold them in the south, in Prostor or Dorne, you wouldn't be able to sell them all.
«Why do you say that? - I asked quietly, though I knew the answer. He would have to figure out the right answer himself.
«The few people who have been here before you bought them just to sell them there. According to them, the southern lords have always had a taste for curiosities. - Having said that, Mormont fell silent, apparently waiting for me to continue.
"No, think for yourself.
«But there are lands far richer than Prostor and Dorne. - At the lord's puzzled look, I just sighed heavily. It seems that all nobles are taught the history and geography of Westeros and Essos from childhood, so that they know something about the places outside their realm. And most of them, after a few years, just completely forget it as unnecessary and unused. I even felt sorry for the local maester, who had taught Gior in the past and had probably put a lot of effort into it. I'll have to tell him myself.
«Lord Mormont, you must know that in the East lie the rich Free Cities. Their power and fortune could rival many kingdoms, and some of them, such as Volantis and Braavos, could rival the royal treasury or the Lannisters in gold. - From the look on his focused face, he does remember something. - Are you familiar with the principles of power in these cities?
My question was followed only by a negative shake of the head.
«The answer is simple. Wealth. The Archons of Tirosh, the Masters of Mira, Lys, Pentos, the Princes of Lorath, the Sea Lords of Braavos, and the Triarchs of Volantis all hold power through their wealth. - Conspiratorially, as if it were the world's greatest secret, I spoke. - And the easiest way for them to show the depth of their purses and connections is through luxury. Expensive clothes, silks, rare wines, gold and silver jewelry, beautiful slave girls and... exotic animals.
Seeing Mormont's eyes widen once again, it was clear that he got the hint.
«Imagine how much the Triarchs of Volantis, on the eve of the election, would pay for the skins of huge and frightening beasts they had only heard about in fairy tales and read about in books? - Judging by the actively rubbing palms and slightly running eyes, the lord's imagination was working well.
Normally, he would have remained impartial and listened to me without changing his face. But now it's Winter, which will end at an unknown date. He urgently needs food to feed his people and not to starve himself. So after a couple of seconds he pulled himself together and stared at me sullenly.
«Why are you telling me this? - He asked with a slight chill, folding his hands under his chin. - About all this. Ordinary merchants keep everything secret, where and why they take their goods, so that they don't breed competitors and the others don't realize how much profit they get from it. Now, I can easily raise prices or demand half the profits without your refusal. You've come too far to just walk away. So why are you telling me all this?
"Good for you. I figured it out on my own."
«Because of three things. - I said, matching Mormont's posture exactly and beginning to speak in his tone and intonation. Another little trick to make the person you're talking to listen to you and engender a little intuitive trust. - First of all, you won't do it. Northerners are men of honor and will never, like the Southerners, sneak around or jack up prices for the sake of a few pieces of silver. - At this point, against his will, Old Bear smiled, fully acknowledging my words. - Second, I have 300 bushels of wheat, 50 barrels of corned beef, and 20 barrels of wine on my ships. That's enough for you to live on for almost a year and a half, without outside help. And it's going to be a long winter. I've been to Staromest recently, and Archmaester Walgrave spoke only of shortening the days, not lengthening them. - At this point I turned toward the maester, who was listening intently to our conversation, discreetly taking notes. - You can send him a raven if you doubt it.
The maester only nodded, making a few notes in his scroll.
«And finally, the third and most important reason. I need your full cooperation in one matter. - After my words, Mormont drew himself up, preparing to listen to me carefully. - All exotic beasts have always been judged by two criteria: their beauty and the danger they pose. The bear is a beautiful beast, but it is also a dangerous one. And I need to show you that. And to do that, I need your help.
«What kind of help? - The interested northern lord stepped forward.
"That's it. Now I'm sure he won't refuse me."
«I need a live wild bear, and the meaner and stronger the better.
***
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