Blanquette

Altair: why is that Shadowcat kept in a separate cage?

Wenda: That one is quite different from most of the shadowcats. Generally shadow cats prey by ambushing and hiding so, they are not so ferocious when confronted. That one however is very ferocious and difficult to handle. It is brought from the smugglers who have dealings with wildlings beyond the wall.

Wenda: They say these shadowcats from beyond the wall are even more dangerous than ordinary shadowcats. Normal shadowcats are silent and agile hunters but they do not prey upon men unless starved. However, these cats beyond the wall are very used to eating men. The wildlings say that it walks without a sound and its footsteps don't even leave footprints on the snow.

Altair: it is really interesting, show it to me.

A skilled worker held its paw and face in place with the help of leather gloves. I gently patted the beast and as if its instincts sensed the danger I posed, it became quiet and stopped growling.

Altair: I like this one, keep it aside for me. Now let's go to other sections.

Wenda: As you wish, M'lord.

As we moved from tent to tent we could see different animals big and small like Aurochs and wolves. He tries to pet any animal or cubs he can while asking for a claw or hide for the others.

While going to the bear section, he pets the bear cubs and is pleasantly surprised. These bears' sense of smell is seven times better than bloodhounds and 2100 times better than humans. He also remembers his need for future mount due to this and asks Wenda.

Altair: Do you have any Snowbears?

Wenda: We do have one Snowbear cub that is bought from the wildlings by the smugglers. However, M'lord, it is already reserved for The Great Pit of Daznak.

Altair: show it to me.

As I saw the snow bear cub, which was the size of a wolf I knew I had to get this creature as a mount. I can analyze it and produce another newborn but that would take a lot of time and is very troublesome.

Altair: It's a pity that such a magnificent creature has to live in pits for the slaver's entertainment. I will pay you twice the price if you sell me the bear.

Wenda: M'Lord it is hard for me to deny the pit masters as we have long-term business….

Altair: The pit masters will not hold it against you for one bear. I will also buy a female brown bear cub and we are still not finished seeing all the animals yet. I also feel for our future partnership you will not deny me such a small request.

Wenda: I will sell it to you at the original price M'lord. A merchant such as myself will not sacrifice long-term benefits over a few coins in the short term.

Altair: I see that you are a very shrewd woman, No wonder you lead such a big fleet. Let us see what else you have to show me.

Wenda: A capable merchant always knows how to keep long-term interests in mind. Let us see some of the exotic animals I have.

She took us to see some Dothraki horses, little Valyrians, pouch tigers, zorses, camels, etc. While going through these animals he came across a very interesting animal, a SilverPelt ape. When he gathered its data he found that it has a muscle density of 4 times the average human and fully grown adults have 20 times the strength of a fully grown man.

After finishing the tour of the merchandise they walked back to the ship.

Altair: I like your ship, can you give me a tour inside?

Wenda: Surely M'lord! You are always welcome aboard.

As she signals a rope ladder is thrown down and we climb up quickly. We went around the ship and Wenda explained the functions of the ship.

Wenda: When we are ambushed by pirates or Iron-born, they often ram into our ships at high speed. However, their rams splint and crack against our hulls, carved from rare hardwoods of the Summer Islands and fitted together without a single nail. In addition, every swan ship carries a company of red archers armed with goldenheart bows, they are trained enough to even hurl a blunt shaft hard enough to pierce steel plate.

Wenda: These swan ships are made on the Island of Koj which has been the heart of shipbuilding and mapmaking in the islands for thousands of years. Most other trading vessels stay relatively close to the safety of the coasts, but the Summer Islander swan ships will travel in a straight line to their destination with no fear that they will become lost beyond the sight of land or fear of large storms on the open sea.

Altair: Then when you have the best ships in the known world why do no war fleets use your ships?

Wenda: Swan ships are not meant to be true "warships" because the Summer Islanders are not warlike: they are sturdy, fast, and well-defended vessels for trade and exploration.

Wenda: Even though being smaller in size it can fend off War galleys with good wind at its sail. However, If they can be produced in size of warships then I am sure it can be unmatched in terms of speed and strength like no other ship in the known world.

Altair glides his hand over the railing of the ship and uses his power to make a mental blueprint of the ship. As the ship is made up of wood it is very easy for him to do this.

Altair: Do you have any poisonous creatures among your merchandise?