Daeranyx_Drakonar
patreon
63. 'Stonehall'
🕑 Added 2024-12-28 17:39:49 +0000 UTCDaeranyx POV
"But, Lord Drakonar, to build your own keep, you will need both resources and manpower, as well as ships to transport the materials to Skagos, since it is an island. Have you gathered everything you need?" asked Corlys, looking at him with an expectant gaze, ready to hear his plan.
I was just about to respond to him when Rhaenyra interjected, her eyes filled with wonder. "Will you be building your castle like we have on Dragonstone? I mean, with the famous black stone of Old Valyria?" Rhaenyra was on the verge of being chided by Aemma for interrupting a conversation between me and Corlys, but Aemma's expression mirrored that of others who had overlooked this detail. Now, they all seemed curious to know if I would indeed be building my castle with black stone.
To be honest with myself, I have never considered creating a castle with any specific stone or material. I had imagined building a castle using my transfiguration skills, using Hogwarts as my design inspiration. However, when I think about it now, I realize that I would enjoy the idea of constructing my castle with black stone. Although touring Dragonstone and listening to Rhaenys go on and on about her childhood there may have seemed boring, I felt at home in that dark and gloomy atmosphere. I know that back in my previous world, I would have been labeled as edgy, but who cares? They are not here; I am.
I believe my knowledge of how to create black stone will be beneficial. "Yes, I prefer Valyrian architecture over that of the Andals or any others in the Known World. As for needing resources and manpower, Lord Corlys, I would be honored to share that magic is not solely for destruction and healing; it can create wonders in the right hands. Wonders like the Great Wall and our mother Valyria in her prime are just a few examples that you may have seen or read about until now." After hearing this, Corlys looked perplexed, though I could see a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, eager to find out if I could succeed in building a castle without any resources or manpower.
"Lord Drakonar if I may what are your plans for three first-men noble houses of Skagos?" asked Viserys curious to hear what fate will befallen on noble houses of Skagos only in name. Not even the Northern nobles, who are considered savage by the south of the Moat Cailin, consider the Skagosi noble houses noble in any way.
"I haven't given much thought to what I'll do with them. However, if they bend the knee and swear fealty to me, there wouldn't be a need for me to kill them or exile them from Skagos," I replied absentmindedly. This was true—if they pledged their loyalty after witnessing the powers I possess, there would be no reason for bloodshed. With their support, I could also bring changes to the lives of the smallfolk living there without having to explain each alteration every time I started implementing them.
"Wise choice," said Viserys with a nod of understanding as he resumed drinking the wine in his goblet. After a moment, he added, "Lord Drakonar, I have not properly thanked you after you saved my wife's and my son's lives. If you require anything, I can get it for you. You only have to ask." I saw gratitude in his eyes and nodded to accept his offer. I would require something that I could import here in King's Landing with help from Viserys and Corlys, and then it would be easy to transport to Skagos through my dimension via the portal I have created in my chambers here.
After that, we chatted for some time, and they asked me many things, including how I would build the castle and when it would be finished. I answered some of them, and for those which were left I just muttered, “Patience.” I told Viserys to send me a copy of the noble houses that are present in Skagos and some information about the island itself as I don’t want to meet any Maesters myself lest I kill him and have to extend my stay here for a long time. I don’t mind if they die, but I don’t want to destroy the whole citadel with them. Because the Citadel has things and knowledge that will be taken out first before I kill all of the Maesters and build something that favors revolution by any means and does not hate things that they don’t understand.
**_**
I turned to Anarion, who was being stubborn and refusing to open his eyes. "You're being too lazy, Anarion." He cracked one eye open to look at me, and I could read the expression in his gaze that seemed to say, "What are you going to do about it?" I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. I had been waiting for a moment like this to use Anarion’s jealousy to my advantage. "I suppose I'll have to ask Daemon and Caraxes for help since you’re clearly not in the mood to assist your rider." Upon hearing this, Anarion stood up and roared right at my face with fierce intensity.
He huffed and growled for a full minute to express his anger at my choice of the Bloody Wyrm over him. Anarion lowered his wing shoulder, inviting me to climb onto his back and into the saddle. "No, Anarion, I won't be going there on your back," I replied. However, he remained in place, and it was clear from his eyes that he would not change his mind.
With a sigh, I climbed onto the saddle on Anarion's back. While it would take me much longer to travel this way instead of using Apparition, I had grown too fond of him to decline the ride. Anarion shook his entire body, and with a few steps and powerful flaps of his leathery wings, we ascended into the sky. Instead of heading north, Anarion flew south toward King's Landing. I stayed quiet, curious to understand his reasoning, even though I had a pretty good idea of what he was planning to do.
Anarion flew over Dragonpit, letting out a triumphant roar that was soon met with a high-pitched challenge from Caraxes, who was also present in the Dragonpit. Meleys, known as the Red Queen, was there as well and issued a farewell roar, which Anarion responded to in kind. I chuckled at the growing rivalry between Anarion and Caraxes, which seems to intensify with each passing day. In contrast to his rivalry with Caraxes, Anarion maintains a good relationship with Meleys.
**_**
A loud growl from Anarion woke me from the short nap I had been taking on his back. I rubbed my eyes and looked around, only to see water all around us. Upon closer inspection, I realized we had reached the Bay of Seals, and Skagos was not far away. Anarion was looking at me with a judging expression on his face—or snout, rather. I quickly averted my gaze. "I didn't get much sleep yesterday, unlike you, who can snooze the whole day or even for days," I defended myself. Anarion huffed hot air from his nostrils and continued to carry us toward our future home.
We reached Skagos quickly, and I guided Anarion toward a structure made of bones that somewhat resembles what the First Men call castles. Viserys had sent me a book containing all the details about the three noble houses that call Skagos home and refer to themselves as the "Stoneborn." I must say, little has changed here since the last visit by a Maester or anyone who reported to the Maester about the island. The structure I see before me is called 'Stonehall,' and it matches the description in the books I received.
"Stonehall" is a long hall made of bones from sea creatures and is the seat of House Stane. House Stane is known for its seafaring prowess and control of the island's limited trade with the mainland. House Stane's visits to the mainland are the only reason I decided that I would be visiting them first and try to persuade them to the cause of "Good for the whole Skagos." With only a thought from me, Anarion dove down toward "Stonehall" to add a new vessel to House Drakonar.
