(Lord Eddard Stark POV)
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The sound of Hammering echoed throughout the halls. Ned knew it was late, but he needed to have words with his son. Osric had some explaining to do. Many things Osric did could not be explained, so when he received Lady Mormonts Raven and the news within it, he needed to speak with his son and heir.
Osric beat Robb into the world by a couple of minutes, and honestly, that might be a good thing. Osric's abilities made it all too likely that somebody would have tried to poison him against Robb had he been born the younger son.
Osric was exceptional.
Almost too exceptional really.
''Osric.'' Despite the softness of his voice, Osric had clearly heard him as he paused mid-strike before hitting the steel one last time.
''Father, did Lady Maege find what she was looking for?'' Asks Osric, entirely too smug.
''She did, though one of her guardsmen died touching it.'' He replied.
I'll forge the necessary containers and equipment for them to mine it, as well as provide them with the knowledge of how to mine it safely. It will be vebeneficialor the next phase of project expansion.''
''You've yet to tell me what this project is.'' He responded.
''Soon Father, I want to be able to show you what it is.'' Osric smiled.
Lady Maege would be very busy soon, it seemed. But that was not the only thing he had to discuss with Osric.
''King Robert is on his way, he's bringing the royal family with him. Robert wants to see some of your best work.'' Says Ned, eying the sword on the wall. ''Tywin Lannister also wants to see it, and is coming as well.''
''I'll have something prepared. Won't be my best work, but it will do in a pinch. I'll need to head to Bear Island eventually, but for now it can wait. Just ask Lady Maege to be patient. If nothing else, it gives me time for quality control.'' Osric said as he turned back to the metal he was hammering with a frown.
''What's the matter?'' He asked his son.
''The Metal isn't responding as I'd hoped, its a fraction of the usual weight, but it's missing something. I'll need to ride out to the Rills, The Barrowlands, Last Hearth, Karhold, take a ship to Bear Island, Skagos, and Skane, and also visit Runestone, Stone Hedge, Raventree Hall, and probably Riverrun just because of Mother.'' Osric said.
He frowned, most of the castles or locations mentioned were in the North, the ones that weren't would need further discussion.
''Why?''
''The materials I need are there. If I'm to make this work I'll need them. This will revolutionise the way we see warfare. I just need the resources.'' Says Osric.
''We'll discuss this later.'' Ned finally decides. ''In the meantime, Ser Waymar has a matter to discuss with you.'' That was another thing.
When Lord Yohn and his sons visited Winterfell years ago to accompany his youngest son Waymar to see him off to join the Night's Watch, Osric offered him a place at Winterfell to serve at his side, offering him future lands and a wife when Osric became Lord if he agreed.
If nothing else it strengthened ties to House Royce and the Vale. But it had led to many young Lord's flocking to Winterfell and they'd each been welcomed by Osric.
Joran Dustin, the young nephew of the late Lord Willam. Torrhen Karstark, Third son of Lord Rickard. Larence Snow, Bastard Son of Lord Hornwood. Asher Forester, the supposed to be exiled second son of Lord Gregor Forrester. Mychel Redfort, youngest son of Lord Horton Redfort of the Vale. Lucas Blackwood, second son of Lord Tytos Blackwood. Harry Rivers, Bastard son of Lord Jonos Bracken.
The list was small, but the men were constant companions of Osric when he left the Forge. Though how Osric got a Blackwood and a Bracken to be friends was anybody's guess.
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Ned returned to his Solar and called on Catelyn. The pile of messages lay to one side. It was all the same. Offers of Betrothal for Osric. The appearance of his being blessed by the Old Gods and his already natural appeal as the Heir to Winterfell made them come by the dozen.
''Well? What did Osric have to say?'' Catelyn asked expectantly.
''I didn't ask.'' Says Ned.
''This is not something we can ignore. The suggestion comes from Tywin Lannister. While Robert won't listen to him, Prince Joffrey might when he becomes king.'' Catelyn said.
''It will end all the same I expect. Osric has a particular person in mind, but he has thus far refused to share. The best we've gotten is some minor interest from him in Dacey Mormont, Wylla Manderly, Alys Karstark, and Barbara Bracken. Hmm, speaking of which... Osric intends to Journey to Last Hearth, Karhold, Bear Island, Skagos, Skane... the list goes on. He says its vital to completing his project.'' Says Ned.
''I don't like this Ned. The God's are supposed to be unknowable. For Osric to have these gifts...it makes me uneasy. I'd feel a lot better if we could decline Tywin's offer.''
Tywin Lannister - like Robert had heard of Osric's abilities and skills as a Smith. Tywin had questioned whether a sword sword similar to Valyrian Steel could be made. Osric had laughed and said he'd make one better if he had the right materials, when Ned had asked him. The Lord of Casterly Rock had hinted at a betrothal between House Lannister and House Stark as the price for such a blade.
''Robert wants to see Osric's skills as well. I'll allow him to go to the locations in the North and Riverlands. If everything goes on schedule, he should be able to link up with Robert on his return North. Under guard though, and before he leaves, he will need to be told of Lord Tywin's suggestion of payment. '' Ned decided.
If Osric could deliver Steel superior to Valyrian Steel, the North just might prosper.
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(POV Shift: Osric Stark)
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Osric had heard the whispers well before father had come calling.
Tywin Lannister had asked after his Steel, and had suggested a tie that binds to House Lannister, as payment. Now Jon Arryn was dead, and King Robert and Lord Tywin were coming North.
All the better.
Because the materials he sought would help give him the edge he needed against the the White Walkers. They would give him his own Basilica. A great destroyer to unleash upon the White Walkers and anybody else who threatened the North and House Stark.
He'd let Robert make the match between Sansa and Joffrey, before riding down to High Garden or taking ship to Sunspear. He had yet to decide upon whether or not he would try and marry Margaery Tyrell or Arianne Martell.
Ultimately it depended upon whether or not he had Joffrey and Cersei killed. On the one hand, he'd be in a much better position to arrange things with House Tyrell if Sansa was already betrothed to Joffrey. But it was just a question of when he had Joffrey and Cersei killed, whether he had them killed before Father was supposed to lose his head.
Or after he did.
He needed time to think, so when Father inevitably accepted his need to travel, he'd take advantage of it to acquire the necessary materials.
Meteorite Steel.
Beskar.
Vibranium.
Adamantium.
Dimeritium.
Lyrium.
Silverite.
Cortosis.
Phrik.
Doonium.
Neuranium.
Promethium.
Blackrock Ore.
Uru.
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(Author's Note:)
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If there's a major downside to having one of my autistic episodes, its thst after having one I cannot finish the chapter I was originally writing. Suffice it to say it wasn't this.
Anyways, Yes this partially crosses with DC, Marvel, Star Wars, Witcher, World of Warcraft, and Dragon Age. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
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