(Lord Osric Stark, Heir to Winterfell POV)
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God's Grace was against him.
They'd been traversing the mountains for maybe an hour or two before they were surrounded by men with three buckets on their shields. And based on the Belly before him, Big Bucket was before him.
''Why are you travelling through my mountains boy?'' Big Bucket demands pressing his axe against Osric's chest.
Waymar took offence on his behalf.
''Show some respect, you stand in the presence of Lord Osric Stark, Son and Heir of Lord Eddard Stark!'' There was a noticeable shift in the men at that revelation.
''You claim to be the Ned's son?'' Big Bucket said dangerously.
''I don't claim to be anything Big Bucket. Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell is my father and Lady Catelyn Tully of Riverrun is my mother.'' He said without fear.
''We've heard tales of you boy, if you are who you claim to be. People whisper you are blessed by the Old Gods. Is it true? Can you sense ore in the earth?'' Asks Big Bucket.
Osric kicks some snow clear with his boot and pulls his glove off his left hand and reaches for the dirt.
''I sense.... Phrik, Isu, and Uru. Its plentiful in these mountains. Curious... I sense Stormheart as well. If you mine it, the weapons I smith will go to the Mountain Clan's as well. As for whether or not I am who I say... turn around.'' Big Bucket turned and froze as a singularly large wolf stood behind them black as night.
Osric went around Big Bucket and approached the wolf who growled menacingly at him until Osric stood face to snout with it.
''Balerion.'' Osric said as he bowed to the wolf and raised a hand to the majestic creature after rising who growled at him before pressing it's snout into his hand and lowering itself before him. Osric gave it several rubs before climbing onto the creature.
Robb and the others already had their Direwolves, but Father had told Rob not to bring Grey Wind on the journey. Seemed quite ironic now.
''Only the son of The Ned could tame such a wolf. As the Wull, I bid you welcome to my lands, and offer you guest right in my hold.'' Big Bucket said.
''I'd like nothing more than to feast with you Lord Wull, but alas, we are expected by House Umber and King Robert. We have just enough time to get to Last Hearth and then Karhold before we take a Ship from White Harbor to the Vale. At which point we will stop but twice in the Riverlands and return to my father. The King your Kinsman Theo Wull died to put on the Southern Throne is expected to follow shortly after.'' Osric explains.
Big Bucket looks thoughtful.
''I'll send word to Old Flint. Let him know not to impede your path. If the Robert is coming to the lands of Winter, then the Northern Mountain Clan's will be there to welcome him to the North. We'll see you at Moat Cailin Lord Os.'' Says Big Bucket.
''Rest assured that the nexr time you and I met, will be at the Feast table. On that you have my world.'' Says Osric.
''Then the Bargain is struck. Send word when ready Stark.'' Big Bucket said with a Hearty Roar as he and his warriors dispersed.
Once they were gone, Waymar nervously approached him.
''Are you sure thats safe Os?'' He asked.
''Look around yourself, you really think Balerion here is the only Frostwolf here?'' Osric grins Savagely as he pats Balerion twice who promptly howls as more Wolves appear hidden in the snow.
An entire pack of more than a dozen wolves.
Seems Blackrock Ore isn't the only thing from Azeroth to make the journey to Planetos.
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It took some convincing but eventually everyone except Theon was able to get onto a Frostwolf. It was very amusing since every time the boy tried, he was bucked off.
In the End, Theon was left in charge of the Horses and escorting them to Last Hearth. Smalljon eventually led the way as they had long since left the Northern Mountains and the New Gift and the Kingsroad.
As they approached the Small Valley leading them towards Last Hearth, a contingent of Soldiers greeted them. Men in thick furs and mail who could give the giants a run for their money.
''Boy! Where the fuck have you been? Getting your balls warmed in Winterfell? You hardly visit!'' It was obvious who this was and they didn't need to see Smalljon's face to know it.
''Lord Umber, it's been a long time.'' Osric says from atop Balerion.
''Lord Osric, mighty fine wolf you've got there, as Lord of the Last Hearth I bid you welcome and offer you and your companions guest right.''Says Greatjon.
''My brother, Ser Waymar, Theon Greyjoy and I will room together. All of us will room together in some capacity, for the moment though I'd like to see what you've found in the mines.''
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(POV Shift: Barbrey Dustin)
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She'd love nothing better than to tell that boy and his father to take a hike. But she couldn't, the cost wouldn't be worth it and she'd be lying if she said she didn't get some small amount of pleasure from making the boy wait for his precious ores.
It went without saying that such a thing couldn't last forever, since it was well-known that the Stark welp had an explosive temper when provoked and was quite impatient. Her one and only saving grace was Joran's friendship with the brat.
Her husband's nephew would temper that boys worst impulses against her, but that wasn't an impenetrable nor permanent shield.
She'd need to play the long game.
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(POV Shift: Lord Jon ''Greatjon'' Umber)
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He led Lord Stark to the new mine, there was some kind of black ore here, it was harder and tougher than anything he'd seen before.
''Blackrock ore. Never actually thought I'd see it in person. I also sense Songsteel, and... Dionesium? Huh, things just got infinitely more interesting.'' The boy said holding his hand against a vein of the ore, though he understood little.
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(Author's Note:)
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And with that Chapter 6 is complete. Wasn't exactly three chapters in three days because i got home late yesterday, but it was done on the fourth day. Anyways, next chapter we'll see a bit of Last Hearth and maybe end with a Karstark arrival. In the meantime I have to rewrite an old chapter, and also plan out other Artificer fics once both are done back to this.
In other news, I've got a GTA Super fic that has a lot of crossovers coming and I will begin working on it side by side with my Artificer series and we'll also be ramping up chapter production in the coming weeks because I'm getting a new laptop, let's just say my current laptop is a hunk of shit and is getting smashed with the mallet eventually. Can't wven factory reset it or strip for parts.
Anyway see you guys at the next chapter.
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Thanks to Mitchell Howard, David Martinez, ROGUE505 Saver, Mathew T Linderman, Luck George, Kyle Diano, Julien, Morgan Sinn, Tom A, Nicholas Berenguer, Arimar26, Robin Kristiansen, Dragon emperor87, Vlone_Icy, Daniel Setchell, James Fleming, Zero 12995, Spencer Davidson, Rowdy_Rich, James Lloyd, reikon aijin, Beastmode2003, Birhaledin, Blood For The Blood God, Dymarkus Tillman, and Lorra Thorsdottir for their support on P-atreon.
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