Ch-13: The Boat Bridge

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The atmosphere was a little awkward until Lord Clover spoke again.

"Hmm… I appreciate you coming and speaking this to me before I hear some servants gossiping about it. Anything else?" Lord Glover evidently not comfortable with Jorah wanted to end the conversation.

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"Yes, another point. Crucial for our survival and bringing prosperity to both our houses. I am building a boat bridge, long wide boats, tied with each other, covered with a thick plank on top, allowing three horses to walk side by side, without breaking or falling in the river.

It will allow House Glover and others around your area to send fur, meat, or anything they want to sell at Lannisport for a good coin. Besides, you can also take our ships to join the sea trade or send your merchants for the task."

"Lord Jorah, If my information is correct, Lord Stannis Baratheon managed to drive your ships straight into a storm and then into the sea. Have you built any new ships on the Island?"

"No, but I did spend all my fortune in buying some new ships and they are mostly longboats and trade ships.

Perfect for this task. This small bridge will become a golden bridge in future and will be a key link to binding our houses together.

We will sell your wood and furs along with our fish and bear pelts and together the houses will bring enough materials needed for our people. My people just bought coal at nearly one-tenth of the price we used to buy from White Harbor."

Lord Glover was getting upset over the long talks about copper counting until Jorah mentioned coal. He took a deep breath and looked carefully at Jorah for a long time without speaking. His brother, Robett Glover, also came into the study room during this time and had heard about the whole thing.

He wanted to speak something, but Galbart stopped him with one look.

"If we can get something as precious as coal at the price you are speaking Lord Jorah, I believe our people might cry with tears of joy. I hope the bridge is finished soon.

You can buy the wood from our local people if that can speed up building the bridge. I hope, you already finished building a watermill for this idea, Lord Mormont. "

"Aye, there are already three watermills working on the island. I already have all the carpenters working with the maester and shipbuilders to make our own boats for this.

Thanks to your help, I believe the boat bridge will be finished sooner than I expected. I shall take my leave now, Lord Glover. I don't think sailing at night would be a good idea." Jorah, after mending the relationship successfully walked away leaving the Glover brothers alone in the room.

"Speak brother. What got you so riled up?" Galbart asked his brother Robett but before his brother could speak, he again gave him a death glare.

"Why, angry at broken marriage? Don't you know the mess our niece made? Even Mormonts know about it on their island! Find someone who will marry her and throw that shame away.

I am not going to destroy the friendship between our houses because of her.

Plus, Jorah Mormont is Lord Mormont, and it was a good prospect. However, if this bridge is built between the islands and our lands, it is much better than a fickle thing like a marriage."

"I just wanted to say that food is ready, and you should invite him to eat together," Finding the chance to speak finally, Robett spoke with a plain tone.

"Oh! Fuck! You should have spoken it sooner," Realising his gaffe, Lord Glover walked hurriedly out only to see the horses fading out in the distance.

"Ah! Leave it. He will enjoy eating with his wife better than us old men," Lord Galbart in the end could only convince himself while his brother thought the key point.

"Brother, you never married. How can you speak about the value of a wife?"

"Yes, but have I not seen you when you married Sybelle? You took her plate to her bed the next day early morning after your wedding night.

I have never seen you bring me a plate when I was sick. What about the time, I fell from the horse and injured my legs? You sent the servants to drag me here, but you didn't come with a plate."

"Now, that was one-time brother."

"Yes, but a new wife. Wife married just a day before had far more value than this old brother of twenty years."

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It was nighttime when Jorah finally returned back to his castle. The whole day was just gone because of a need for a short conversation. This is what happens when you live in times of kings and queens and dragons.

If the bridge is built, the journey will be an hour long on a horse rather than half a day on the boat.