Chapter 38

The waves rocked gently against the wooden hull of the ship as it cut through the vast expanse of the Narrow Sea. For twenty-one long days, Eddard Stark and his daughters, Arya and Sansa, had been at sea, their destination finally coming into view: White Harbor.

Despite the weariness of the journey and the ever-present threat of danger, Eddard remained steadfast in his determination to protect his daughters. He knew all too well the dangers that lurked in the shadows, especially for a man with a price on his head.

As the ship neared White Harbor, Eddard knew that their time aboard would soon come to an end. The captain had made it clear that he could take them no further, leaving Eddard with the daunting task of finding safe passage for himself and his daughters.

But as the hours passed and the city loomed closer on the horizon, Eddard couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him. He knew that the Lannisters would stop at nothing to see him and his family brought to worse.

It was in this moment of uncertainty that Captain Jero, a man whose swagger and charm reminded Eddard of tales of pirates and adventurers, made his presence known. With a sly grin and a twinkle in his eye, the captain approached Eddard's chamber, his footsteps echoing against the wooden deck.

"Ahoy there, Lord Stark!" Captain Jero called out, his voice carrying the salty tang of the sea. "I hope you and your lovely daughters are finding your accommodations to your liking."

Eddard nodded, his gaze wary but curious. "We are grateful for your hospitality, Captain," he replied, his voice low and measured. "But I fear our time aboard your ship is coming to an end."

Captain Jero's grin widened, revealing a row of gleaming teeth. "Ah, but not before we have a chance to share in a bit of adventure, eh?" he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've got a surprise waiting for you on deck, my lord. Something that I think you'll find quite... intriguing."

Despite his reservations, Eddard couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity stir within him. With a nod to his daughters, who had stirred from their sleep at the sound of the captain's voice, he rose from his seat and followed Captain Jero out onto the deck.

As they emerged into the crisp sea air, Eddard's eyes narrowed at the sight of hundreds of armed men gathered around the harbor, their green banners fluttering in the wind. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, his mind racing with suspicion and fear.

Beside him, Captain Jero watched with a mixture of surprise and concern, his brow furrowing in confusion at Eddard's defensive stance. With a bemused shake of his head, he approached the lord, his gait as casual as ever despite the tense atmosphere.

"Ahoy there, Lord Stark!" Captain Jero called out, his voice carrying over the din of the bustling harbor. "No need for such hostility, my friend. Those men down there are not your enemies, I assure you."

Eddard narrowed his eyes, his grip on his sword tightening as he regarded the captain with a wary gaze. "Explain yourself, Captain," he demanded, his voice sharp with suspicion.

The captain chuckled, his eyes dancing with mischief as he stepped closer to Eddard. "You see, Lord Stark, those men are not here to harm you. In fact, they are your allies, if you can believe it."

Eddard's confusion only deepened at the captain's words, his mind reeling with disbelief. "Allies?" he repeated incredulously. "And who, pray tell, would send such a force to aid me?"

Captain Jero shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Aye, that would be a tale for another time, my lord," he said cryptically. "But let's just say that a certain... benefactor of mine saw fit to provide me with a rather generous sum of gold in exchange for my services."

Eddard's brow furrowed in suspicion, but before he could press the captain for further details, Jero continued, his tone taking on a more serious note. "And it just so happens that this benefactor of mine is among the men gathered down there," he added, gesturing toward the throng of armed figures below.

The lord's eyes widened in disbelief at the revelation, his mind struggling to make sense of the situation. "This... benefactor of yours," he began, his voice hesitant. "He... he requested that you bring me and my daughters to him?"

Captain Jero nodded solemnly, his gaze meeting Eddard's with a hint of sympathy. "Aye, that he did, my lord," he confirmed. "But as to his intentions, well... that remains to be seen."

Eddard's thoughts whirled with uncertainty as he considered the captain's words, his grip on his sword loosening slightly as he weighed his options. But before he could voice his concerns, Jero clapped his hands together with a cheerful grin.

"Well, enough of this dour talk, eh?" he exclaimed, his voice brightening. "Let us bid farewell to our newfound friendship with a drink, shall we?"

With a flick of his wrist, Captain Jero signaled to one of his crewmates, who quickly scurried off to fetch a bottle of rum. With a nod of agreement, Eddard allowed himself to be led by the captain to the ship's quarters, where a bottle of rum awaited them. As he raised his glass in a silent toast, his gaze lingered on the bustling harbor beyond, his thoughts still clouded with doubt and uncertainty.

[

Guess what, folks? Daenerys is about to join our chat! Well, at least on Patreon. Plus, more Pokémon are on the way! If you're eager to read ahead of the public release, check out my Patreon where you can unlock up to Chapter 75. Don't miss out! 🔥🐉🎉

link: patreon.com/AmouxCreationX

]