CH-4: The Future of Squids

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"What about the trade ships? What about the grand dreams you promised?"

"They must be reaching soon. I have sent men along with the gold to buy the ships directly from different ports along with the resources we need."

"Then, they should have come ages ago! Do you think Ironborn did something?"

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"No. They won't. Not just when the war is over. I sent the sailors with experience in trading and they must be bringing the supplies along with the weapons I ordered. If we want to train regular warriors, we can't have them wearing leather armour forever.

Besides, it must be the responsibility of a Lord to provide decent weapons for his men. With new armour and weapons, we can train the men better. How has been the training so far? They haven't gotten slack, do they?"

"No. The coin and the benefits have given them enough reasons to train like a monster."

"Not a monster, aunt. But a true warrior. We can't have farmers and fishermen pick up swords every time we need to fight. We need real trained men. This is just the start."

"A start? There are more than 100 men and women, training in the bearwoods. Four hours in the morning and four hours in the evening. Plus, Stephon beats them whenever he is in a mood.

For two years, day and night. They have been doing it patiently hoping one day, you will lead them to a real war, where they can win their own glory."

"That day will come soon but the preparation.... it's not enough. We need every man and woman trained before the Squids come. They won't act stupid now but they will wait until everyone is back at home, licking their wounds and the army is broken up and the soldiers have become farmers. Then they will rise to take advantage of the situation."

"Yeah, that sounds like squids."

"Give them five or six years before the warships and longships from Iron Islands are ready to burn down their way to any port they can find. I believe Lannisport will be destroyed first."

"Lannisport?" Lady Maege asked in confusion.

"Lannisters are rich. They will pay higher ransom for the thralls and the loot will be more compared to our poor north. Plus, if they can make the Lannisters agree to their demands, the kingdom will have to accept the same."

"Do you think Robert Baratheon is someone who will settle and make deals with squids?"

"Never. That man literally lives for the war. I don't doubt he will be a worthless king. And, given his temper, he will be the one charging in the frontlines at the Pyke Islands. That honour will belong to him if he gets his way." Jorah spoke before picking a stone from the ground and throwing it across the lake.

The stone hopped multiple times before sinking into the sea. He picked it up again and threw another one. Then another one.

"What? Did the water offend you?" Lady Maege asked curiously at the strange behaviour.

"No. It's just the island is too small for bears to stretch their paws. Five years. In five years, I will sail to the Iron Islands with everything I have and take it before the waste king even thinks about it.

I will not let anyone tell me that my men didn't bleed enough or died enough for me to claim that land. I got an oath from the Lord's hand and I plan to make him honour every word of it."

"Five years? In five years, you want to challenge Iron Islands? Have you gone insane? They will have more than 2000 longships and their raiders will burn down the entire bear islands if they want vengeance instead of their regular Iron price."

"Yes, which is why our army is not enough. I will have triple the number and everyone who is above fourteen nameday, will pick a sword or a shield and learn how to use it.

I know, even if I cut down the last tree on the bear island, I cannot make so many boats. But I can make these large warships and ram them from behind while they are burning down the Lannisport.

Together with our soldiers and those mad lions, I can force them back to their islands where another group of bears would be waiting for them. If there is a drowned god, I must send all his worshippers to him."

"So many men and women! If they all join the army, where will their food come from? We don't have a goldmine like those Lannisters."

"They can train in batches. One group can go fishing while the other can train. And then we can rotate them."

"You know, we can do a lot better if start hunting once again." Maege protested the hunting ban.

"And waste those bears? The only reason we can earn a good coin for the bear furs and bear pelts is that they are in short supply. Plus, if someone wants to eat meat, they can raise those winter rabbits or the hogs or boars themselves.

It's just everyone wants to eat free meat but no one wants to shovel shit and raise them."

"Fine. Have it your way, M'Lord."

"Also, remember what we talked about the Stony Shores?"

"Aye. The fisher family is long gone and those villagers have all left those lands. There is no lord over there and no one to claim the right over it. We only need Lord Stark's permission to hold that land."

"Aunt, that land is the most fertile land, the perfect place for a new port and it can be used to travel to Moat Cailin and from there, directly to White Harbor. It will create a new trade route, from the western coast to the eastern coast and benefit any family holding that position."

"Then how do you plan to get Lord Stark to agree to hand over that land to our family? I don't suppose you are going to appeal to his kind side."

"Humph, very funny, Aunty. Don't worry for the time being. Just keep sending the farmers there to grow the crops. I will have official permission as soon as the supply boats come to our islands.

Now, when am I going to meet my Uncle, then?"

"Let's go to the castle first. That girl might be scared alone in a foreign land."

"Don't change the topic, aunt."

"Fine. After supper. I will take you to him."

"Good. Let's go. I am missing my wife."