Meeting the lords

That couldn't have gone much better, I was given the New gift and what would later be Queenscrown as it wasn't established yet. The gift is easily one of the most fertile lands in the North and Queenscrown is nearby to the mountain range where I would expect to find many precious materials. This mountain range is also in the range of my territory so I imagine I can find quite a few mines for silver or gold.

I would also be given Littlesister, one of the islands of the Three Sisters. Due to its location which is just off of Westeros' eastern coast, it allows for easy trade with Essos.

(A/N: Rough layout of his territory)

The marriage was something I would like to have held off for a bit, but a marriage with the Umbers has many advantages. I would have good relations with one of the biggest houses of the North, and would be given more prestige, allowing myself to be seen as more than a foreigner, but as someone who had married into one of the oldest houses of the North, once being kings themselves.

Of course, I intend to be known as more than that when I fully establish myself. I have many plans in order to increase my wealth and that of the North in turn such as glass making, agriculture, and while I won't be introducing guns or any modern weaponry, I still know of many superior ways of making cold weapons than what is currently used.

That is something I will have to worry about in the future though, as of right now I need to figure out a sigil and a house name. This might seem like something which isn't very important, but your sigil and house words are an extension of your house.They are a representation of you, and your house.

I wanted my words to have a sense of foreboding, for my enemies. An example of this would be House Stark's words, 'Winter is Coming.' Or House Martell's 'Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.' I would also need it to be meaningful, and have an actual connection to my house and me as a person.

After much thinking, I arrived at the words 'Shadows Serve Us.' I chose this because not only is it true, it also has a sense of foreboding as I wanted it to. After all, everyone casts a shadow so it could be a reminder that we are always watching, and you are never safe in a way. You can never escape your own shadow.

(A/N: There were so many great recommendations, but unfortunately I can only have one so I decided to choose this one in the end. Thank you, everyone, for the recommendations!)

Now for the sigil. Perhaps I could use Kaisel? The entire Stark household had seen him and all of Winterfell as well.

After some thinking, the sigil I came up with was Kaisel roaring blue flames on a red background. The house words 'Shadows Serve Us' just below the sigil. I laid out a rough sketch on some paper King Stark had lent me. (I knew how to draw from my life as Aristotle.)

(A/N: I would put up a photo, but I'm shite at drawing. I found this website online and made a simple sigil so just imagine this dragon breathing blue flames.)

I was rather happy with my words and sigil. And stored them in the cabinet of the drawer I was using before laying down on the bed, and sleeping.

.....

"My lords, this is Lord Kaiser Sapiens Umbranatus. The lord of the new House Umbranatus." King Eyron Stark was currently introducing me to the lords of the North.

"Forgive me, your grace, I don't believe I know anything of this house." I know not who the person who spoke is. Judging by where he was standing he was definitely a high-ranking lord though.

"Lord Umbranatus came from a nation to the North of Essos. He was one of the high nobles of the Kingdom but he escaped after war plagued the lands. He arrived in Winterfell a fortnight ago on the back of a dragon and is also highly skilled in magic." That got some chuckles from the lords. It seems they don't believe him, not that I blame them.

"Magic your grace? I assume you have some proof." I saw a small scowl appear on King Starks face, I guess he doesn't like the Lord speaking.

"Of course, Lord Bolton. If you would, Lord Umbranatus." Ah, that makes sense. The Boltons have rebelled multiple times after all. They also still flay their enemies alive, even though it was abhorred by the Starks and the rest of the North. Proof of this was during the Rape of the Three Sisters, Belthasar Bolton had a pavilion made of the flayed skins of a hundred Sistermen. That was only around six centuries ago.

"Yes, your grace. Igris come out." As I say that the intimidating figure of Igris appears from my shadow. I can hear the gasps coming from the surrounding Lords. Looking into their eyes I can see awe and fear. This awe only grows when the shadowy knight surprisingly kneels just in front of me and speaks.

"Yes, my king?"

"Yes, Igris, I only needed you for a second, you may leave now."

"Understood, my king." He disappeared into my shadows just after finishing these words, and I take advantage of the time to look at all of the lords in attendence. The more important ones are the Karstarks, the Umbers, the Manderlys, and the Boltons. Of course, there were many more lords of smaller houses but these were really the largest as of this time period. Something that caught my attention was a lady, not because of anything romantic but because I didn't expect to see a lady at a court meeting, perhaps she is a Mormont?

"I trust this is enough proof my lord?" King Eyron speaks up and takes everyone out of their shock as the lords nod. Lord Bolton however decides to speak up against me.

"Why is he given noble status in our lands when he is nothing but a foreigner? We have no proof he isn't an enemy." I can see many lords agreeing with his words, they make sense after all. A foreigner would have no ties to the country thus having no loyalty. This is why in history, foreigners were almost never given positions of power.

"I understand your concerns Lord Bolton, in order to combat this I would have him marry Lord Umbers eldest daughter. Lord Umbranatus and Lord Umber will be neighbors after all."

"Pardon me for speaking out of turn your grace, this man might be able to do some magic, but what right does he to be given such large amounts of land and be married into one of the largest houses in the North?"

"I understand your sentiment Lord Forrester, I have given him these privileges because it will benefit the North in the long run. The nation that Lord Umbranatus comes from is advanced in many different industries of which he has quite a bit of experience. With his help the North will advance, and become stronger, of this I am sure."

I can see the resignation on many lords faces, they do not want this but understand it is inevitable. The most profound would be Lord Umber, he is giving the hand of his eldest daughter in marriage. I trust after I start some of my projects he would have a much better opinion of this marriage.

"Very well, Lord Umbranatus, please formally swear fealty to my house. Know that you kneel as a foreigner, but you rise as one of the nobles of the North." I nod and walk to the King and kneel in front of him.

"I swear on the Old Gods, that I will in the future be loyal and faithful to the King. I will never cause him or his house harm, and observe my homage to him completely in good faith and without deceit."

"And I swear on the Old Gods that so long as you keep your oath, you shall forever have food and mead by my table, and shall forever be in my good graces. Now rise, Lord Umbranatus, as a proud lord of the North." I do as he says and stand up and hold my hand out, he looks at it and smiles before grasping it in a warrior's handshake.