Word arrives to Winterfell. Timeskip, The journey begins.

An: Another day another chapter. Do hope you all enjoy it. I think this fic is the best one I've done so far. It's the clearest I've been about where I want the story to go next chapter to work into my overall goal of the end of the story. Thanks for the support. It's been kinda crazy.

Another easy to discern chapter title. Sorry. I'm not super inventive in that regard. Will introduce a thorn in the north's side. However, unlike the old starks, this one has never bent the knee to a Targaryen which means he can do as he pleases.

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Winterfell, The North, 128 AC

Cregan

I'm awoken from my deep, dreamless slumber by 3 measured knocks on the door. My guard speaks through the wood separating us.

""My lord, Jean is here.""

I quickly reply, ""Allow him in.""

In walks a young man about 11-12 namedays he's A runner I've put in the rookery to give me all messages before the increasingly suspicious maester.

I see the truth of Karls words even before my brothers own can solidify it. How do I know such things? The seal on the paper is the same seal my brother has always used. Two wolves chasing a sun in moon in perfect harmony. He called the wolves "Skol and Hati".

But now that same symbol is wrapped in a dragon who looks to be eating itself. I sigh, not knowing what to think of my already dangerous little brother having a huge dragon at his beck and call.

I decide to stop delaying the inevitable reading and begin.

Before I can though the young lad hand me another letter. This one from Bear Island. I decide to read that one first. For surely I can deal with that one a lot better than the surely world breaking news Harald wrote in his missive.

All my thoughts of the letter from Bear Island being simple were dashed when I read the contents.

'Squids again.'

Like all mormonts, Jordan Mormont was always a man of few words. But those few words always mean something. Especially these specific words.

For generations the 'Lords' of the iron islands have been able to rape and rob up and down our coasts with no trouble from the crown. Harald has been wanting to destroy them since he's been able to talk and voice displeasure intelligently.

I sigh. No way either Targaryen faction would repremand a possible ally against the other side. Surely scared it would send them into the arms of the opposite side. I slam my fist into the desk that occupied my bedside and strode out with Dusk in tow towards the aisle to try and calm down.

As I sit there and look out my window to the snowy landscape that surrounds me my thoughts are of revenge. I don't know how, but the north will show everyone why we're not to be trifled with.

I finally open the letter from my brother and am shocked he got all the giants to come with him. It seems his plan is going just as he wants it to.

It's the last line though that makes me excited.

'In two moons I will meet you at Whiteharbor. Please prepare Lord Manderly for the delicate nature of keeping his tongue. I'd oh so hate to take it from him.'

I sigh. My brother wasn't lying. He wouldn't enjoy taking the jolly Lord Manderlys tongue, but he would if he needed too.

That was another thing about my younger brother I found odd. Most men, even if they only admit it to themselves, enjoy the killing. They enjoy sacking a town of its gold and women.

Harald however was always very against such things. Said it made the Lords and their men who did such things no better than Iron Born or Dothraki. I agree with him somewhat. But how can you ensure nobody mistreated the civilians?

I sigh. My brother always had a plan. I just need him to tell it to me. That's something that I will get from him before he leaves Whiteharbor this time. Karl knows his plans, those men with him surely know his plans as well. I'm tired of being in the dark with my own kin.

I inform my steward that I need to ready a journey to Whiteharbor soon. With that complete I began to ponder on what I wished to truly discuss with Harald when we next speak.

Such thoughts occupy the rest of my day.

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2 months later

Athens, The bay of Seals, 128AC

Harald

I begin to mount Fafnir as two ships get ready to accompany me to Whiteharbor. On one of the vessels are my men from the company of the rose along with some cave dwellers who wished to see a northern city and get ideas.

In the other ship however are my friends the giants. Only a few are coming with me. Mainly because I don't want their presence to be known just yet. These giants will also begin a journey to prepare for the war.

The term Guerrilla warfare is going to be paramount to destroying the southern houses I know will be problems in the future.

The Iron islands are first on my list. My spies in Winterfell says 2 months ago they attacked Bear Island again. Such things were so cowardly. The 'Lords' of all Iron Islands house Greyjoy always claimed those were vagabonds whom they exiled. The crown always believed them hence they have been allowed to ravage our western borders while the sisters of the Vale have been able to attack our merchant ships freely.

Such things end now. I'll go have my own chat with each of the leaders of these islands. If the black queen has a problem with me destroying enemies of the North her house has let slide for almost 2 centuries then maybe I'll go speak with Aemond. Surely his arrogance would blind him to the threat I pose until it was too late.

But Rhaenyra has a blood tie to the Vale. Which means if I attack there it could grant me an enemy. So be it. It's time those of the south were reminded of the days they cowered in fear of the 'northern barbarians' that my own people have never forgotten.

It seems the conqueror and his family have made them worry to much about the fire dragons.

Now though? It's the ice dragons they will fear.

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An: I know I know another transition chapter. Sue me. Sorry but I like the slow burn in the beginning. Gives me time to set up things I want to make apart of the world whether that's oc's or ideas I have.

Do hope you enjoy reading. Next we get a reunion of brothers and the ice dragon makes his way to the Iron Islands.

See ya!