Across the mountains

Short chapter. I am not too pleased with this chapter but it is what it is. Think of this as an announcement chapter that I'm still here and this story won't be abandoned.

I have been busy these few days so I couldn't post anything. Will probably post a couple more chapters in the next few days. Enjoy!

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The powerless feeling that he had gotten within the mazes under the castle was too stimulating for Bran. Even with all his physical strength and magical capacity, he felt like he was an ant facing a monster. So he decided to leave after creating a design for the tower as soon as possible.

The design was simple from the outside. It was a two hundred feet tall tower with an open roof where you could light huge fires as beacons. If it was looked at from a distance, it would seem like a giant torch being lit.

As for the insides of the tower, they were sectioned off into 10 floors where the Hightower family could live and have their offices. There were extra 5 floors near the top which he left for the Hightowers to do whatever they wanted.

Bran didn't want to be anywhere near that black stone castle until he figured out what he had seen in that place. So, after getting his reward he left for the westerly mountains right away. He wanted to go see the lion cub that Raven always talked about. He would also ask Raven about what he had seen.

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Bran was enamored by the castle on the rocky cliffs of the Casterly Rock the moment he laid his eyes on it. It was a crude design but just the idea and execution of it were beautiful enough to be appreciated.

"The king was raised by lions."

"He raised the lions to be his guards and took the castle by using the lions."

When he asked about Lann, the ruler of these lands he heard different outlandish rumors. Strangely all of these rumors included a part about the lions.

Bran was also surprised that the lion cub that Raven always talked about had become a king. It seemed to have happened recently.

After he collected some information about the guy, Bran walked up to the castle gates and said to the guard, "I am Bran Stark from the north. I am here to meet your master."

The guard didn't like Bran's attitude but when he looked at how big and strong his opponent looked, he gave up the thought of confronting him. His majesty and his lions will teach this arrogant guy to be humble.

But out of his expectations, when he went to report about the barbaric guy from the north, his master actually went out in person to invite the guy. He seemed to have dodged a guillotine there.

When the blond haired, blue eyed Lann came face to face with the black haired, silver eyed Bran, they instantly knew the others' identity.

"You must be the wolf pup Master Raven spoke about."

"You're the lion cub Brother Raven told me about."

The two of them greeted each other in a weird way. The guards standing at the side were confused. What kind of greeting was this? Wolf pup? Lion cub?

The two youths in their late teens sized each other up with serious faces for a moment. The guards felt the tension in the silence and were prepared to draw their weapons.

But Lann's sigh broke the silence, "Sigh… I can't even spar against you. Just looking at you I can already feel the martial strength off of you. There aren't even any openings to attack even when you stand so casually."

Bran nodded and chuckled, "You're very smart. Brother Raven was right about your intelligence."

"Why don't you come in and have a discussion with me over some drinks? We will see if you are more than just a sentient muscle." Lann jabbed.

This didn't anger Bran at all. He even laughed while following Lann into the castle. "Sure, let's drink. I wanted to see how smart you are anyway."

While walking in the castle, Bran was looking around. Lann saw it and spoke, "You like to build things right? You can explore the castle later if you'd like. I don't mind an expert opinion on how to develop this castle and expand it."

"Yes. This is a magnificent location for building something beautiful. It would be impossible to find a place like this back in the north." Bran nodded.

"That reminds me. What is this about the massive wall you want to build? Master Raven never explained that but it felt like something important." Lann remembered something that Raven had said but had not explained before.

Bran's expression shifted for a moment, "Back when I was still young, I had learned from brother Raven that it was the air from deep into the north that brought the cold and snow with it. So it was my childish desire to build a massive wall to stop the chilling winds and make the north more habitable."

"Great ambitions, brother. I wish you luck in building that wall. May all the northern winds be at your mercy." Lann laughed and sincerely praised. He called Bran brother to create some familiarity between each other.

While the two were walking into the throne room, something yellow flashed past Lann and headed fast toward Bran. Lann was surprised at first and after his brain caught up, he was terrified. He quickly turned to look at Bran worriedly.

"Oh, so this is the lion that brother Raven talked about. It seems fierce." Bran was holding down the lion on the ground by its nape. The majestic being was squirming and whining like a little kitten.

Lann was shocked at the sight but sighed in relief. It would be a disaster if he ended up hurting the student of Master Raven. But then again, if a mere lion could hurt him, Bran wouldn't be the student of Raven himself.

"Yes. Forgive me for this. They mean no harm, they just like to play with new people. Lys here is especially naughty." Lann said as he squatted down and started rebuking the lion.

"How many times have I told you not to scare the guests? Do you not want to eat any meat tonight?" While Lann scolded, the lion seemed to be grumbling and stopped resisting.

Bran was amused and let the lion go. It immediately stood up and stuck its tongue out to lick Bran's hand affectionately while nuzzling at him.

"It even knows how to act cute and curry favors from the strong. You have domesticated them well." Bran spoke with a tinge of teasing tone.

Lann smiled at Bran's words. "This is because you are too strong for it to do anything. Despite being domesticated, Lys is still a wild beast at heart. If you were of equal strength to him or any weaker, he would still be wrestling you."

Bran nodded. He was close to animals and could connect with them quickly due to his warging powers. So he petted the lion which was yet to become an adult.

The trio then kept walking around the castle while talking about how governing the land and ruling worked. Lann wanted to know what Bran would think about his policies and ideas since Bran was taught by Raven. He wanted to wring out any advice or suggestions from Bran.

As for Bran, he was engrossed in the discussion as well. He wanted to become a ruler of the north, so he needed to know more about ruling over people. As much as he was taught and read about it, nothing compared to actual experiences. And Lann was sharing those experiences with him.

The two future kings talked for hours until it was time for dinner and a servant came along to invite them to go eat.

"Brother Bran, the conversations with you were so enthralling that I seem to have almost forgotten to host you properly. Please forgive me for my lack of hospitality." Lann apologized for his mistake. He was too focused on the conversation to notice other things.

Bran shook his head, "It's fine. I was engrossed in the conversation as well so it is partly my fault. If anything, I think this is the best kind of hospitality since you shared precious knowledge and experience with me,"