Chapter 67: The Merman's Welcome
The Ship cut through White Harbor's chop like a knife through whale fat, sails cracking in the wind off the Broken Arm. Seals barked from rocky moles, gulls wheeled shrieking, and the air hung thick with fish reek and pine tar from the New Castle's yards. Artos stood at the prow, black cloak whipping, eyes fixed on the spreading harbor where merman banners snapped from almost every mast.
White Harbor gleamed 'fat' and prosperous—granite walls 'fat'-bellied with trade.
Home. Not Winterfell, but close as Artos would get right now .
Brutes lined the rails, battered but grinning—sea-sick over, axes and swords polished,. Waymar adjusted his Manderly whites, nervous under Artos's eye.
Seraphine huddled beside, furs tight against the bite, Rick perched her shoulder like a feathered crown. Her face held Braavosi poise, but eyes widened at the sprawl—canals she'd known were shit-ditches compared to this freshwater sprawl.
"Gods," she murmured, breath fogging. "It's cold "
Artos and Waymar laughed "It's home."
Hawsers flew; galley thumped dock soft. Artos leapt gangplank first, boots thudding tarred planking, Brutes fanning behind. Harbormasters bowed hasty, horns braying welcome from the quays. But the crowd parted like butter before an axe—Lord Wyman Manderly himself waddling forward, vast as three men in sealskin and velvet, face creased deep with lordly mirth. Beside him, Wylis tall and solemn, a knot of knights in armour.
Wyman's eyes lit on Artos, booming laugh rolling like harbor waves. He kneeled down to welcome the awaited guest." We Manderly's welcome Lord Artos Stark!"
All of the men are on one knee welcoming the DemonWolf. A gesture that embarrassed, pissed and annoyed the DemonWolf.
Artos strode forward, clasping forearms hard. A bit furious and annoyed at the gesture. He knew it came from a good place but pissed that it came after he denounced the name."Lord Wyman. You know my decision. Probably the most known man about my decision. Even more than my brother. So why you do me like this Lord Wyman."
Wyman guffawed, belly quaking. "Aye, but I would say the things again I said before Blood is Blood. Blood can't be abandoned. If I can't believe in the loyalty of the Starks. I don't think then Loyalty has any meaning left in the realm." His gaze swept the column, lingering Brutes rough.
"Smooth tongue Lord Wyman, It ain't a wonder that your family runs the North biggest business" Artos said, grinning but questions himself also. "Waymar—your whelp—is the same . Makes me work all day."
Wyman clapped Waymar's shoulder bone-jarring. " High praises from DemonWolf, eh boy? I am Proud."
Waymar flushed,quite awkward after the whole thing but also enjoy seeing Artos a bit embarrassed, said bowing. "Duty, Father."
Seraphine stepped forward then, Rick fluttering wings imperious. Wyman's brow cocked, appraising silk peeking furs. "Welcome Lady Valen . Pleased to meet you. Heard quite the praises for you from Waymar."
Although she was surprised with all the things going on and relavations but still as top merchant and Bravosi noble. She held his cool "Pleasure is all mine ,my lord."
Wyman's eyes said he is curious but held his tongue for now.
Seraphine smiled measured, but glance flicked Artos—questions brewing.
All of the parties involved has more questions than before.
"Now lord's due is done . Please Come—New Castle will feasts you. We welcome all of you to our hearth."
Column marched quay-side, smallfolk cheering ragged—Stark! Wolf! Demon o' North! DemonWolf!
Seraphine fell in beside Artos, voice low urgent. "Stark? You said noble, not—"
"Later," he murmured, eyes ahead. "Manderlys first."
New Castle swallowed them—vaulted halls fat with tapestries of mermen battling krakens, hearths roaring peat and pine. Servants ghosted platters: roast seal blubber, smoked cod, black bread steaming, ale dark as sin. High table groaned under Wyman's spread; Artos seated right hand, Seraphine beside, Waymar beaming kin-close, Brutes below with knights.
Wyman hoisted horn, foam slopping. "To Artos Stark! Demon of the North. DemonWolf." Hall thundered. Artos drank deep, mead burning guilt away.
Seraphine held quiet at first, picking seal cautious, eyes darting Artos-Wyman.
Finally, horn down: "Lord Manderly—How's North doing. Anything new."
Wyman beamed. " It's peaceful well as peaceful it can be . Braavos trade is blooming right now. You would know it better. But your rumours and relationships with your brother spreads rumours and whispers—You outbid princes and Merchants for Valyriyan steel."
Artos shrugged. "A man has its own desires and vice and virtues."
Wyman guffawed, slapping table trencher-quake. " You are as careless as you were in the war. I thought you would be grown up after the war " he said laughing.
Artos grinned " Oh spare me Lord, I had Bert with me before and now your son to handle me . I think I am okay being careless"
Wyman laughed " Its a pleasure for the Manderly's and my son to serve you."
Rick hopping Wyman's vast shoulder fearless. "Bold bird," Wyman chuckled. "Like his master."
Artos watched Wyman " There is a lot to talk My Lord. Should we go in the chambers. Night isn't so young anymore."
"Aye, we should Lord Artos. " Wyman said. Time for joyful conversation is gone, it's time for serious matter to be considered.
Both of them moved to work chambers of Lord Wyman Manderly.
"So how's the real situation in the North. " Artos asked.
Wyman " Things are complicated to say the least. After you left there were some eager people to declare for you and against Lord Eddard Stark. But things settled quickly after Bert intervened with the army and settled the matter with talks. But after years there is still some grudges left . Although now it's just some punks trying to gain power over something more genuine. Which is good but still a problem which erodes loyalty and loosen the trust and respect of the Starks. "
Artos nodded and hummed , lost in thoughts of his own. " How about the health of Rogar Umber. "
Wyman now grew silent. A serious expression on his face. " I prayed to the gods old and new that you won't ask that question but it wasn't possible,Even I knew that. Still a man could wish. Unfortunately for you , us and North. Lord Rogar Umber has passed away. A letter came from GreatJon declaration of the news."
Artos sighs and regrets could be seen in his eyes. " I knew it but couldn't accept it. I would be too late. I send a letter for this same scenario but still it pains me that I missed his death. Man has done too much for me and my family to miss it."
Wyman " Aye, but who could resist death and fate . That is in the hand of god's not us."
Artos said " Aye, Lord Wyman." But despite saying that he wasn't ready to accept it and still blames himself till some certain extent.
Both drink to that and express thier respect for the Old warrior. Both thier own grief and relationship to the man.
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