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Return to Storm's End
Viewed from the sea, Storm's End is far less towering than the Great Wall. It resembles a lighthouse, long-standing, emerging from the hazy morning fog as dawn breaks.
The Starfish led the way into the familiar channel, with Regent Prince Cole no longer needing to pilot the ship himself. Guards patrolling the castle spotted two warships breaking through the waves in the distance.
The east coast of Westeros hadn't been peaceful lately. The outbreak of war had thrown all sea routes into chaos, leading to frequent acts of piracy and banditry, with merchant ships hijacked and fishermen raided.
As Cole stepped onto southern soil again, the moist wind felt like a girl's soft caress, welcoming her long-absent husband. Unbeknownst to him, he had grown accustomed to the south's warmth and comfort. The land and the Great Wall in the North now felt like a foreign country, making Cole uneasy in every way.
He entered the castle through the water gate and received a brief update on Storm's End's situation from Gilbert. While the acting castellan brought no surprises, he had managed to keep things orderly.
In Cole's view, the problems Gilbert mentioned weren't difficult. The Corps' formation of farmland was merely an experiment. Even if it failed, he could disband them on the spot, dismantle the military system, and return them to farming. After this winter, they could be organized to cultivate fields.
The group of Flame People he had relocated here was indeed a headache, though their combat effectiveness was quite enjoyable. This sturdy group of free folk from the Moon Mountains vastly surpassed serfs in fighting prowess and were comparable to mercenaries. The only issue was their complete lack of discipline.
Cole had hoped to emulate the Neck and build a portal for Storm's End to resist threats from outside the Kingswood.
However, the Kingswood wasn't a natural stronghold, and the free folk wouldn't be as peaceful as the Crannogmen. They could be used temporarily while weak, but when the situation eased or the war ended, consequences would soon follow.
The Flame People were a double-edged sword; misused, they would cut his own hand.
"How about moving a group of free folk to the Kingswood?" Cole startled himself with the thought and dismissed it. He decided to discuss it with Time and the others later.
A Familiar Face and Urgent Business
"Davos!" The Onion Knight was approaching and met Cole and his retinue head-on.
"Your Highness Cole," he saluted, turning slightly sideways. Davos had grown noticeably stronger since Cole had last seen him.
"Not bad, you look like a lord," Cole observed, noting Davos's attire: a light blue brocade robe with golden silk embroidery on the cuffs and collar. "It must have been over two months. How goes it? Are the people from the Iron Bank willing to lend us gold?"
"The envoy from the Iron Bank is in the castle at the moment. I think you can meet with him first."
"Didn't the deal work out?" Cole walked alongside him.
"They are willing to lend money to Storm's End, but only if someone from the Baratheon family is present to testify," Davos replied, trying to discreetly search for Shireen and others behind Cole. He had even been forced to change his clothes to meet the Iron Bank representatives.
Davos didn't reveal the whole story: the Braavosi didn't trust the new "Julius" family and believed that lending money to Cole offered no guarantee of repayment ability. They also demanded the Iron Throne as collateral, but Davos had told them that Shireen Baratheon was the legitimate heir to the Iron Throne, and the loan would be used to raise an army to reclaim it.
Cole nodded. Although Storm's End faced significant financial pressure, it was gradually easing as the Corps became self-sufficient. The reason for borrowing money was partly to cope with the coming war and partly to prepare for the long winter ahead. No one knew how long this cold winter would last.
"At least let me take a shower first," Cole said. He felt like mushrooms were growing in the corner of the cabin. "No matter what, it's good that you can come back safely, our Prime Minister."
Davos was momentarily stunned, looking away from the team behind Cole. "Of course, Your Highness. I don't think Mr. Messenger is that anxious."
Cole asked a servant to fill the barrel with hot water, then lay down comfortably. He wasn't in a hurry to see the Iron Bank messenger. They would reconsider their stance after Cersei refused to repay the debt. After all, the only factions still nominally kings of Westeros were Storm's End and the Ironborn.
The peculiar thing about the Iron Bank was that if you defaulted on your debt, they would support rebels to cause trouble for you. They were playing with capital, not charity, and were highly effective at collecting debts.
It seemed the Iron Throne owed a large foreign debt, yet Robert's reign had been quite comfortable. All royal responsibilities were delegated to the Small Council, while he spent his days feasting, drinking, and sleeping with women.
Damn it, why am I working so hard and thinking about so many things? Wasn't Cole's dream exactly the same life as Robert's? He lay back and closed his eyes slightly. People who take too many burdens upon themselves always live a very tiring life, just like Eddard Stark and Stannis. Perhaps he should learn to let go. Like this time, even if he wasn't here, Gilbert could still manage things in the castle efficiently.
Responsibility was something you couldn't let go of once you carried it. Although she had never enjoyed the treatment of a princess or received protection and love from her parents, she still had to bear their hatred and the responsibility of restoring the country.
But perhaps just letting her live was price enough to pay. Cole's thoughts drifted across the Narrow Sea, imagining an elegant and beautiful silver-haired figure. Let's hope we don't meet on the battlefield, Dany.
Unforeseen Complications
"Why would he come back at this time?" Ser Oakley Cullen's face was filled with panic. Cole's sudden return to Storm's End had disrupted all his plans. These past few days, he had successfully swayed several lords within the castle.
Did he know something? Oakley thought, his panic deepening. Thinking of the conditions the Lannisters had promised him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance. Oakley hadn't told anyone; he had merely shared the news he received with his colleagues. These actions weren't enough to convict him. Thinking this, he felt a slight relief.
"Lord Oakley, are you satisfied with just taking back your castle?"
"He is just a lowly pariah bloodline, and you are the descendant of a noble hero king. The black nightingale emblem has shone in thousands of battles. Shouldn't this Stormland be ruled by you?"
"My lord, whoever marries Shireen Baratheon can rule here."
Those words lingered in his mind, impossible to shake off. There is still a chance, yes, he still has a chance.