Chapter 98: Act 2: Chapter 36

First day, Fifth Moon, 260 AC (+199 days)

White Harbor was a busy city on the best of days. Chaotic, but with a method to the madness, unlike King's Landing. House Manderly's men kept order, their builders provided structure, and their merchants brought wealth. A recipe for a prosperous city.

Today was not the best of days.

Today, the streets were filled with chaos. Wagons were in long lines waiting to get down the docks, men and horses trying to squeeze around them, also trying to get to the docks. Sailors were loading as quickly as possible, but it wasn't enough - for war had come.

I shivered, remembering the dread I felt when that letter first came. Not dread for myself, as I would not be fighting, but for my sons and my people.

The was to be the first wave of mobilization, so the numbers were small – compared to what they could be – but still, every House was sending someone. Donovar would be leading my group of men, accompanied by both my sons, Koryn's sons, Tobas and Riler, ten Rangers, and twenty levied men. All of our group brought bows with them, as I hoped that they would be slotted into the archers of the army, and well away from any fighting. I could only pray that held true.

The Rangers, Donovar, and my family were all wearing the familiar garb and armament of the Rangers, while my levies, volunteers all of them, had longbows as their primary weapon, and some had axes as a backup, while others had swords. They were all outfitted with a simple gambeson and a basic helmet, though a few had purchased additional armor. Unfortunately, space was limited, and not being a prominent House cost us – we would not be able to bring any horses, leaving everyone in my group afoot.

Other Houses sent typically larger numbers of troops, with House Bolton sending the largest contingent, but in total, the North would be sending just 2,700 men and boys to fight in this foreign venture. Not many, not compared to the full might of the North, but it was what the King had called for – or at least that was the rumor. Indeed, I would have had to send more men, but Lord Stark was fine with me sending additional food to the Night's Watch instead, as they were short of it. Lord Stark had also asked all Houses to contribute any weapons or armor to the Night's Watch if they could – he highlighted that it wasn't an emergency, but the Watch wanted to undergo a great ranging to ensure everything was truly okay.

I managed to send a little along with the shipment of food, but I, like many others I suspected, had little to offer. None were sure when the next call for men would go out, or how many would be needed. This wave of men was the most that the North could reasonably send south via ship at one time – we lacked the ships necessary. If more men needed to be sent, they would have to walk – something I would not envy them, for it was a long walk.

That meant that the next wave would either be another 2,700 men, or there would be significantly more being sent overland. So, none of the lords wanted to send large numbers of supplies to the Wall if that would mean they were short for their own men.

Rumor was running amuck though – none were exactly sure of what the entire goal was, at least, no one had told me. Conquering the Stepstones and bringing the fight to the Blackfyres was certain. Rumor also had it that Essos was on the table as well, which had many Houses chomping at the bit. Whether that meant conquering Essos or simply raiding was unclear.

My sons were just as excited and all but demanded to go in my stead. So, I was relegated to logistical duty – with the permission of Lord Stark. Theomore Manderly would be heading south to Dragonstone to help coordinate there, while his son Wyman would be going into battle, has would Theomore's nephew, Marlon. Mateo, Ryden's goodfather, would stay here to watch over the Manderly's holdings and help give me some authority.

And while our lives weren't at risk here, there was plenty to do. Spring flooding had been light near Redbridge, but the White Knife experienced some higher than normal flooding which threatened some of the food supply going forward. In addition to helping with logistics, I would be improving the nearby farms, which I felt would be beneficial. Lord Stark said that the plan was to take five moons or so but to me that smelt like the promise of: 'Home by Christmas.'

I wasn't buying it.

The improved yields my efforts would see wouldn't turn the tide of battle, but it would make things better, nonetheless.

Today was the departure day when the fleet would finally set sail, and indeed the first round of ships had left the docks already, and dawn was only a few hours ago – which was why Ryden and I were on this final outing before he left.

"It fits perfectly, Don," said Ryden, moving his arms about as he fit on his new armor. The plate was exquisite, though not decorated, with its interconnected plates moving about in perfect harmony while giving incredible protection. A medieval tank. "I see the issue with the armpit is also fixed."

"Aye, m'lord. I've fixed up everything since the last fitting," he replied.

I nodded. "Excellent work, Don. Come along now, Ryden, we need to get all this on the ship."

As Ryden stripped out of the armor, I gave it another appraising glance. I wanted to outfit both of my sons in the finest armor possible to keep them safe, but it was bloody expensive and time-consuming. I had managed to get Ryden properly kitted out, and Arthur received a few more things that the Ranger's kit didn't normally cover.

Ryden put the armor carefully into his chest, and together we picked it up and worked our way to the docks.

"Is it true most of the direwolf pups died?" asked Ryden, as we slipped by a throng of people walking the opposite way.

"Unfortunately; most of them died half a year back, from some sort of sickness - the parents even came down with something. Fortunately, the parents lived as did a single pup. Zane is going to try again for another litter, but he doesn't know what went wrong in the first place."

"A shame. I had hoped to see the first litter."

"I'm sure that when you get back, there will be a new litter waiting."

When we arrived at the docks, it was still in chaos, but eventually, we managed to find the Lady Alice, which would be transporting his men south.

Over the winter, as recommended by Irrys, the Lady Alice plied the waters between Braavos and King's Landing and avoided the mess that was southwestern Essos. A fact that relieved Cait and Zane, as their son, Lucas, was a part of the crew and they had been worried that he might have been caught up in it once the news came in about the war.

The ship itself was pressed into service, but not in any military role. They would be helping transport mainly supplies, and a few troops.

I eyed the ship as it bobbed on the waves – even as it was tied down to the docks.

"I don't envy your trip," I said.

Ryden chuckled nervously. "I'll have to get used to it eventually." He side-eyed me. "You as well – you know mom has said how she wants to visit Braavos one day."

I grimaced. "Yeah, you're right. Hopefully, the ship won't bounce around too much when its more fully loaded?"

He snorted. "I think I'm the last one; it is probably fully loaded now."

"Ah," I said, running out of things to say. The goodbyes with Arthur had been hard enough. Repeating the process was even more torturous.

I pulled my son into a tight hug. "Stay safe, you hear? Watch yourself and your brother. Don't take any chances."

Ryden grasped me tightly. "I know, dad. I know.

"Remember your lessons. Keep your wits about you. And make sure to come back to your mother, or she'll have my head."

"Love you."

"I love you too."

When we pulled away, if we both of us ignored our teary eyes, neither of us pointed it out.