7.) divide and conquer, a talk between the sea snake and queen who never was

An: do you all want Corlys bastard to play a part in the war? I personally love the dragon riders storyline. However, if the response is negative I won't. Just trying to keep you all involved with the making of the story to a degree. Please enjoy the chapter.

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The North, Winterfell, 128 AC

Cregan Pov

After returning home I feel a bit let down truth be told. I'd anticipated my brother being back at my side, calling the northern lords together and have a good time before the inevitable dance of dragons begins.

Alas I'm still alone here in winterfell. But I remember my brothers parting words like the annoying sept bells those who follow the seven love so much.

""We must divide and conquer Cregan. Divide so that when we come together nobody dare challenge the direwolves.""

So I began to do what Harald asked of me, to read through the long night not as a story meant to keep children in line, but as a historical account of war, famine, and death.

I grab the tome that seems far too old. The pages resting between the covers are yellow. Setting it and myself down at the table in my solar after making sure I won't be disturbed I read the title.

History of the long night

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The North, Bay of Seals, 128 AC

Harald pov

It's Two weeks since we set sail away from WhiteHarbor and I'm glad to finally see landfall.

More specifically, the land north of the wall. I decided that in order to receive the best results I'll need the giants and freefolk clans to be with me as soon as possible.

Therefore, I only kept a small group of about 15 with me as we would go treat with our hopefully soon to be friends while the rest of my men scout the shores of skagos to see if there will be any resistance when we arrive.

I may be optimistic, but By the end of the month I should be prepared to start building my kingdom. With the company of the rose, a few free folk clans, and the giants I will have a ready made army ready to go at a moments notice.

There won't need to be a lot of training either. While the free folk will most likely need some fine tuning, their ferocious style of fighting is what makes them so successful even with subpar equipment.

I've already been teaching my men how I wish for them to fight and they could now take on a force with a 1:3 ratio and still come out on top. Modern tactics learned during my first life were truly amazing.

As my men and i disembark from the rowboat now making its way back to my ship, I feel strange. It's like I'm being followed. I can't tell if this is the three eyed raven of now watching me or something more sinister.

My nervousness betrays me in my voice when i speak out to the men, who instantly pick up on my mood, ((prepare yourselves. We're being watched.))

I see all their faces pale before returning to normal and readying their arms for any would be attack. I smile slightly though I am still incredibly vigilant, the north side of the wall is dangerous. Not only are the ice zombies running around, the freefolk who most of the time kill and ask questions later, but many creatures now extinct below the wall now roam these freezing lands.

Animals such as cave lions, Wolly rhinos, mammoths, and snow bears. Such things are incredibly dangerous, just as much as the people.

I make sure to remind the men around me of such things. ((This is not the North where you know it like the back of your hand and know exactly how long it would take for help to come. No. Here we are the enemy. We must remain in a state of combat vigilance. Not only are the freefolk a threat, but beasts you've all forgotten roam.))

Torrent beside me speaks up, finally being home after so long, ((Harald is correct. The Beasts are just as likely to cause problems. If we're going to the thenn territory we must make haste. Although this is my home, the beauty lies in its deadlines. And I have no wish to be eaten by a snowbear))

I nod and speak, ((let's go. Be sure to keep someone watching our backs. Switch up every so often so the one covering the rear my have a bit of a break being in the group.))

At the nod of my men we begin our trek towards the future. But In the back of my mind I can't forget the feeling I've had since stepping foot here. I'm being monitored.

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Driftmark, Blackwater Bay, 128 AC

Corlys pov

After reaching driftmark and settling down in the solar my wife walks in. A true beauty she was. Rhaenys Targaryen.

Many thought it was my charm or money that had won her over. In truth it was not such things at all. It was that I never treated her as less than me. I always sought her opinion even if my advisors always tried to argue agaisnt it. She was shrewd and Intelligent. She also saw things differently from men. A fundamental difference. One I always appreciated. There was a saying I heard once, 'behind every successful man is a women.' And I firmly believe this to be true.

(My love. Tis so good to see you,) i say with a genuine smile I can only show to my family.

She returned my smile before replying, (and I'm glad for your return as well Corlys. This greens and blacks business is getting out of control. The queen claims to be preparing for all out war. Should it come to that. )

I shudder slightly at those words. Not only would it be dragons dancing in the sky, but my granddaughters, grandsons, and wife will be apart of it. The thought of any of them facing vhagar in the skies freezes my blood.

However, I reclaim my calm and speak, (maybe you can go speak with his Grace. Get him to issue some decree reminding the realm of the oaths they swore now he's so close to the end.)

She nods and replies, (yes. I shall endeavor to do so before the year is out. But I doubt that will be of any help. You know how lords are. Any chance they can take to rise in station is one they'll gladly grab and hold onto for life.)

She's right. Maybe I must go get in contact with my own friends across the known world. If we do go to war with the greens, any and all help will be greatly appreciated. I speak such thoughts to my wife who nods contemplatively.

Before we depart to dinner I speak one last thing, (ah, also I heard the wild wolf has returned north.)

My wife looks at me confused before I speak to clear it. (Harald Stark)

I see recognition spark in her violet orbs but she says nothing. It's not a crazy notion. The youngest stark was never one to journey below the neck for any reason. So the information regarding him is sparse. Aside from people explaining his eyes, 'like two full moons on a starless sky'. This information is Especially little since he's been gone from home for many years. Becoming a man in the world and not in the safety of a keep. I want to meet the boy, for such enigma are a welcome distraction in this world of intrigue and war.

As I and my wife make our way to the dining table arm and arm flanked by guards, I begin to think about all that's coming to my family. War. War with one of the conquerors dragons. Such a prospect is not easy to accept. But accept it I will. For the greens care not about if we're ready.

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An: bit of a shorter chapter. But hey, two chapters in one day 🤷 do hope you enjoyed it. I'll be busy tomorrow so i don't know if I'll be able to get a chapter out, which is why I've doubled up today.

Drop suggestions and ideas in the comments. I'll do a little cleaning up after I get home from work. So please, wait until tomorrow before correcting mistakes 🙏😂