2

POV: Thaddeus Karvus

....

It's been four months since I became the lord of Cryptfall. It is a lone, single castle located between Wolfswood and the sea. Thick mist covers this castle throughout the year except in mid-summer. Only a few fishing villages are present under our rule. We cannot cut Wolfswood because it is sacred to House Stark, and also due to the sanction ordered by the son of Bran the Builder. It's said that our house was as great as the Boltons and Starks during the Age of Heroes, but due to power struggles, we gradually began to decline and lose our territory. Brandon, the son of Bran the Builder, burned our house library and executed our family head at that time, forcing us to move to Cryptfall, one of our castles. I don't know what my ancestors did at that time, but from then onward, it can be said to be the fall of House Karvus.

My father joined the rebellion with House Stark against the South for burning the head of House Stark and his heir. He suspected something from the Tourney of Harrenhal and started training commoners with our household guards, who numbered six hundred. When Eddard Stark called for banners, he gathered the trained commoners and formed an army of fifteen hundred, consisting of archers, scouts, and swordsmen. He completely drained our treasury for their equipment.

Due to the formation of a large army for a small house without any vessels, like any other houses, he gained considerable respect for our house. That's the only thing he gained for our house in this war. During the Battle of Trident, he died while dueling a Tyrell knight. After his death, I became the lord of Cryptfall. The war finally ended before I took my position in the army. My house army was used as a meat shield by other lords for not having a representative. Only 80 of the original fifteen hundred came home. During the festival feast, I swore my oath to the Quiet Wolf, who exempted two years of tax for my house as a war reward, just enough time to produce a yearly tax with my fishing villages. I tried to negotiate for more rewards, but to no avail. Our house coffers are destined to be empty.

The only good thing that happened this year is the pregnancy of my wife, Emeralda Blackwood, who is the third daughter of Lord Blackwood. She is neither smart nor talented, just kind and beautiful. She has black Raven hair and a thin stature, with dark eyes. After she became pregnant, I instructed the maester to give her healthy food and herbs for her safe delivery because this house cannot withstand another misfortune, especially if it's her. Day by day, her belly became bigger, and her mood became ill-tempered, and I became a victim of it. Like Why, There are servants and guards in the household. Why should I become the target of unjustified anger?.

Finally, ten moons passed, and suddenly, in the middle of a moonless night, she went into labor. The Maester started delivering the baby. After some time, the Maester came out to inform me that it was a boy, with a nervous expression. I became confused and feared for what happened to my child and wife. When I entered the room and saw the child, I understood the Maester's nervousness. The child has an aura of coldness, making others feel nervous and cautious around him.

My wife passed the baby towards me with a proud smile. Generally mother's tend towards dumb when it comes to their child. Additional to that my wife is already dumb, makes it perfect combination. She is clueless about what happening here. I took the baby who is silent with out crying, has a hint of recognition

Which should not be present in newborn.

"Generally, when a child is born, he would cry. So, could you cry, will ya?" I said to the newborn. I hope he will understand. Ha ha ha, what am I thinking? I began to laugh myself.

Suddenly the child began to cry, as if he understood what I'm saying. Emeralda gave me angry look and started to coo the baby.

....

Salmon pov :

.....

After traveling through the wormhole, a warm sensation suddenly hit me. I found myself in water, unable to use my senses. After some months, I could move my hands and legs, realizing I was in my mother's womb. Time passed slowly here, even slower than in the void. Gradually, my mother's womb became too small for me, and I could hear muffled noises outside.

After a few days, my mother went into labor. Her womb started to contract, pushing me outside.

Upon reaching the outside, a cold, tingling sensation touched my skin, and a bright light caused severe discomfort in my eyes. Once my body adjusted to the environment, I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was the horrified expression of an elderly man who almost dropped me due to agitation. After cleaning me, he wrapped me in a thick fur bundle and handed me to my mother.

She had a kind and happy expression on her face, not looking tired at all. She began playing with my face and belly. Lucky for me, the maester stopped her before she could continue her games. After some time, the maester brought in a man who was tall, seriously tall, standing at more than seven and a half feet. He had an athletic body, black hair, and blue eyes. Presumably, he was my father. He took me and started to inspect me.

"Generally, when a child is born, they would cry. So, could you cry, will you?" he said with an easy-going attitude. Oh, I forgot. Okay, time to start crying. I began crying, and my mom took me.

After some time I drank milk and started to get sleepy. It's first time to eat or drink since my death. So with full belly, I slowly drifted into sleep in my mother's warm embrace.

_________________________________________

please give rating for my book it helps to promote my book for more people.

_________________________________________