Chapter 17

[ Physical Damage Resistance has leveled up. ]

'Yeah, fuck you too.'

"Up, what are you doing there down on the floor? With that level of swordsmanship, you will never become a serious threat to Galbatorix! Even if your magic is a threat to him, you will need more to beat him," Arya said, pointing her sword at Harry, who was on the floor.

"Yeah, yeah. I am ready," Harry said as he raised himself from the ground, once again readying his blunted sword for another round. He had been sparring with Arya for a few days now. Not only was his sword mastery leveling up rapidly, but also his physical damage resistance and his VIT stat because she was beating the shit out of him.

She agreed to a deal with Harry after he explained that Galbatorix was looking for the 'Name of Names,' the true name of the ancient language, which would allow him to control the rules of the very language almost everyone in Alagaësia was using for magic.

In exchange for his help against Galbatorix, with an agreed-upon time limit of 10 years for beating him, she agreed to train him in sword fighting and teach him the ancient language.

For now, besides beating him, Arya was expanding his vocabulary, teaching him daily things and tricks he could use the ancient language for. Like 'Guloth du knífr,' which allowed them to dull the edges of their swords and not cut each other during their spars. But each hit still hurt like hell.

After he received another round of beatings, they finished their training and sheathed their weapons. Arya addressed him, "Are you ready to leave soon? My wounds have healed completely, and it should have been enough time for Durza to have left the door. Others of my people should have discovered the site by now. Not only do I need to inform my mother, but she has probably tried to scramble me multiple times but never found me because of the vast distance. But I also need to warn the Varden of the Twins."

The Varden were a rebel force fighting against the harsh rule of Galbatorix, who had violently taken over Alagaësia after betraying the Order of Dragon Riders and wiping them out. Galbatorix was pretty much a fantasy tyrant, resembling the likes of Sauron, Emperor Palpatine, or good old Voldy.

These twins were another piece of information that he gave her in exchange for her teaching. The Twins were a pair of brothers, the leaders of the Du Vrangr Gata, and the magician organization of the Varden, who were in reality spies for Galbatorix.

The funniest thing about them was that they were the ones searching the minds of anyone joining the Varden to see if they were possible spies.

"There is one last thing I have to handle before I can leave. After that, we can go," Harry replied with a sigh.

———

"You finally showed yourself, Sorcerer. Were you too craven to face us?" Ygritte, the red-headed woman, asked as she saw Harry enter the building where their cells were located.

"Not really, Cherry. A lord has many duties to attend to. More important than some raiders in his land," Harry replied, not rising to the provocation of the girl. At least not much.

"Like what? Competing with other Southern Cunts, who can kneel better?" Ygritte mocked.

"No, but it is not a bad idea if I send you to them. Maybe you can learn a thing or two about not mocking the person who holds your life in his hands," Harry replied with a grin. This girl was fun.

"As if I am scared by death. You Southrons are real wimps," she replied.

"Oh, I would be scared. If death means eternal suffering and servitude, I would be really scared. You met others who have mouthed off to me already," Harry grinned.

"What do you want with us?" Rattleshirt asked for the first time since Harry had entered. You could say anything about the bones he had been wearing or his character, but at least he took his duty as leader seriously.

"How many people are in your tribe? Any more skin changers besides that guy?" Harry said, pointing his finger at one of the Wildlings, who had used a falcon to scout their surroundings. It was a nice skill to have, but capable magic users in Alagaësia could do similar things better with enough training. "If you lie to me, I will know it. And you won't like the feeling of an enchanted grain of sand that is always burning hot, burning in your body until the end of your life. At some point, you would try to cut yourself up just to get it out. But if I remove your arms first, we won't have that small problem."

His scaring tactic was working. Torturing someone was not really his style, but if it was worth it, he would do it. And being able to recruit more skin changers was worth it. They were the perfect people to build a spy network with and to become the scouts for his forces. An advantage no lord in Westeros had.

Sure, Harry was already strong and would become very powerful, but he had no interest in doing all the dirty work. He was still only one man. Now that he was building Skagos up, he would need more captive people. A group of skin changers as spies and scouts were worth it and had a small advantage over everyone else.

Rattleshirt, or rather the Lord of Bones, was quiet for a moment before replying, "My tribe consists of around 1200 people. Overall, there are 7 more skin changers and 3 children who have shown the potential to become one."

'Hmm, 11 is a good start,' he nodded, pleased with the reply, before ordering, "You will return to your people and bring them here. I will send more longboats with you. They will become my own people, joining Skagos, having no longer to live up there in the harsh cold."

"You are letting us go? Do you really believe we would return once you set us free?" The Lord of Bones stared at him as if he were an idiot. The other Free Folk were doing the same.

"Even if we return, we would never kneel!" Ygritte shouted.

"I don't care whether you kneel to me or not. As long as they follow the laws of my land, they are free men. I enslaved the Skagosi, forcing them to sign a binding vow to follow my rules until their deaths. Skagos has become one of the worst places in this world, a land of cannibals where the strong feed on the weak. This is no longer allowed; I bound them with magic, or they joined my undead legions," Harry explained. "Your people won't have to sign such a vow. But they will have to follow the laws of this land, like my people. There will be more than enough that will come willingly, even if they have to kneel. But I don't care about them kneeling. I am certain that you will respect me through my deeds."

The Wildlings looked at him, baffled. They had never heard of such a lord.

"And I am certain that you will return. Because your choice is either to accept my terms and sign a magical, binding vow that you will return with your people, or I will force you to do it with a spell. Or if that should fail, I will no longer care about that plan and just kill you, turn you into one of my inferi, and make you my eternal slave," Harry stated coldly, looking directly into Rattleshirt's eyes.

"We don't have to kneel in front of you," Ygritte asked.

"No, to be honest, I hate all that groveling. As long as you follow the laws and show me the respect you would give to any leader of your people, I am fine with you. It's just for the benefit of your people; with my magic, this place will become one of the most powerful lands in the world. All of you could live far better lives. Because where wealth is, the people automatically become wealthier too," Harry said. 'Normally, at least. Until someone turns so greedy that they exploit their people. The downsides of capitalism. At least I will be in control for a long time.'

"I agree to your terms. If your vow does what it says, and you are ready to sign one yourself that you won't mistreat the Free Folk under me while they follow your rules, I will do as you say," Rattleshirt said seriously, staring right back into Harry's eyes.

"No problem. Can any one of you read?" Harry said simply as multiple contracts appeared, one in front of himself. Surprisingly, Rattleshirt knew how to read. "Since we are done with that, there are a few more questions I have for you. Are there giants beyond the wall? What about the Children of the Forest?"

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