Duskendale
277 AC
Lord Mihawk Mormont
It's been weeks now since the Defiance of Duskendale finally concluded after the rescue of Aerys. I had thought that this would be the spark that brought forth the Mad King, and I was right. He has grown paranoid, his Haki activating erratically sometimes as he fears surprise attacks, and he has grown distrustful to all but his Kingsguard.
I had tried to weasel my way into his trusted circle, as I had saved him, but he sees shadows where there are none. After staying in King's Landing for about three weeks, I decided to cut my losses and return to my new domain, Duskendale.
The Targaryens had wiped out all the noble families of the Darklyns. All males were beheaded, along with all the wives and mature women. The daughters were originally meant to be sent to the Silent Sisters, but I interceded for them, begging them to show mercy, for there were only three female children left.
Alicent Darklyn, a young maiden of two-and-ten, daughter of a distant Darklyn cousin, was clearly traumatised, seeing all her family be butchered before her. Raymonda Darklyn, a child of eight summers, had been sick and wasting away during the event of the Defiance. I argued that she had no hand or even knowledge of what was going on, as she was fighting for her life at the time. And finally, Tansy Waters, a babe of three summers, bastard of a Darklyn knight.
I refused to allow them to kill a child or send her to the Silent Sisters to rot, so I made a deal with King Aerys. In exchange for the three of them surviving and retaining their noble titles, they would be vassalized under me, but I would lose the tax exemption I would have gotten.
He probably gave that option so I would drop the matter but was visibly surprised when I agreed. After all, I basically gave away thousands of gold dragons in exchange for them.
That caused the rift between me and the king, as he felt I was turning against him. I expressed my loyalty, but I could tell he had his reservations. Regardless, I stayed in King's Landing for a while, reconnecting with Elia and Ashara, as it had been a while since I last saw them.
Elia, unfortunately, was very busy preparing for her wedding with the Prince, while Ashara helped her, so eventually I bid them goodbye and left.
I proceeded to use my fruit to fly out of King's Landing as thousands of peasants looked at me in wonder. Flight is rare, after all, mostly seen in bird xians and rare Devil Fruits like the Float-Float Fruit that has been eaten by the powerhouse, the Yellow Emperor of Yi Ti.
I arrived in my castle late at night. The guards and maester greeted and welcomed me. I would officially address the people tomorrow, but today I have a letter to send to Lord Rickard. It pains my heart, but it must be done.
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Winterfell
277 AC
Brandon Stark
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in," said Father's voice from within his solar. I stepped in to see Father and the new Maester, Luwin, beside him as he sat behind his table, looking at a piece of parchment. A black raven sat on the window as though waiting for something.
"Is there an issue, Father?" I asked, as the emotions I could feel leaking from him spoke of huge frustrations.
"My plan has met a significant obstacle in the Red Keep. The Mormont boy performed a great deed that, as a consequence, has removed him from under my full control."
"You couldn't have known that this would occur, my lord. You told him to integrate himself at court, and he went a step further and saved the king."
Ahhh, the Defiance of Duskendale. We heard Barristan Selmy and someone else successfully rescued the king alone. Was he the one?
"He saved the king, didn't he?" I asked, and the reply I received from both of them was a nod.
That… is good. We can spin it to get some benefits for the North.
"Whatever you are thinking is impossible now," Father said. "Aerys rewarded him greatly. So greatly that he stole one of our most powerful men from the North and bound him to the Crownlands, and thus the Targaryens."
"A Kingsguard? Mormont will never accept. He loved women too much. Heck, he has a bastard waiting for him on Bear Island with his whore mother," I pointed out.
"Wrong. Read this," said Father as he passed the parchment to me. I started to read through the letter.
To Lord Rickard Stark,
Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, Shield of the North, The Giant Wolf,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to your lordship. Ser Barristan and I worked together to free the king from Duskendale. I was grievously injured as I held back their men while Ser Barristan spirited the king to safety.
For my deed, I was rewarded by His Grace with the lands of Duskendale and all of House Darklyn's holdings. I was made to swear fealty directly to House Targaryen in exchange for my new position.
Regardless of my position, I am one of the First Men. My loyalty will always be in the interest of House Mormont and the North. In the event of a conflict regarding the North and the crown, I would have to side with the crown, but I would do my best to slow them down and field as few men as possible.
I will use my position to help alleviate the needs of the North, but make no mistake in believing it will be for free. The prices will be reduced as thanks for all House Mormont of Bear Island has given me.
Finally, as a cadet branch, I have decided to take on a new name to signify my secession from the inheritance of House Mormont, thus making my niece, Dacey Mormont, heir to Jorah Mormont.
My house name is Drakul, and my house words are "We See All." Our sigil is a black eagle with yellow eyes on a blue field.
I thank you for the opportunity you gave this second son, which allowed me to rise higher than I believed I would, and for that, I owe you two favours that you can use, and I will do my best to perform them.
May you remain ever strong and steady,
Lord Drakul Mihawk,
The First Demon, Knight of the Green Fork, Lord of Duskendale.
Fuck!!!
A lord! Is Aerys crazy? Why is he giving away good lands such as Duskendale to a northerner? He could have kept those lands and given them to his second son.
I tore my eyes away from the parchment and looked into my father's grey eyes, which were silently observing me. He saw my reaction and gave a small nod.
"Good. This changes things now. Even plans I had concerning you need revision, but with this, I need your input too, as you are to be Lord after me."
Father is letting me in on his schemes? And hold up—what plans concerning me!
"Of course, Father."
He leaned into his chair and began.
"With this now, we can use the connections the Mormonts now have with Duskendale to—"