The next day,
The children were pouting as they had to eat their food by themselves because Ra was a little late, and Elia chided had them gently that being fed every time was not good for them.
"You are late," Rhaenys said when she saw Ra entering, her lips pushed forward in a pout as she looked at him.
"I was training Lady Mormonts, dear," Ra replied with a chuckle as he caressed her cheek with his finger before leaning down to kiss Elia's cheek and then sitting on his chair to eat as well.
"I would call that tormenting instead of training," Dacey remarked as she joined them at the table, rubbing her shoulder while glaring lightly at Ra.
"It is not his fault you acted with haste while handling a longsword," Maege chided her daughter firmly.
Dacey nodded and looked apologetic, but Ra simply waved his hand with a smile, knowing she was only jesting.
"You both were a challenge today, my ladies. I commend your skill," Ra said, complimenting the two women with sincerity.
"High praise coming from you, Ser," Dacey answered respectfully, for she knew a compliment like this was worth much when spoken by someone like Ra. Even Maege nodded with a happy smile at the words.
"How fared my son, Ser?" Wyman asked, glancing at his son while he ate his food jovially.
"You have a talented and disciplined son, my lord," Ra replied with a nod, earning a hearty laugh from Wyman Manderly.
"Aye, I am proud of him," Wyman said, patting Wylis on the back while he ate.
Wylis smiled and nodded at the praise but did not let it swell his pride, for even as Ra was complimenting them, he had defeated all three of them easily and soundly.
"I wonder who taught you, Ser," Wylis asked Ra with curiosity, and his question drew the attention of almost everyone seated around them.
"My father did. All that I am now is because of him," Ra said with a smile as he glanced at Aegon, who had a look of wonder on his face.
"Is grandfather more powerful than you?" Aegon asked innocently.
"Yes, he can defeat me with his eyes closed," Ra replied with a chuckle, ruffling the boy's hair.
The Manderlys and Mormonts looked at each other with expressions of wonder on their faces but did not press further questions.
"My Alysane is near ten, quick with a blade and quicker with her tongue. She needs tempering, and she respects you. Would you be willing to foster her for a few years? Please excuse my bluntness, and I will not take offense if you turn me down," Maege said sincerely but with a little hesitation as it was in poor taste to bring up these topics like that.
"I will be staying with the Starks for about four years, my lady," Ra answered with a raised eyebrow.
"A year or two will suffice. Let her learn your ways, let her see the world past Bear Island. She will not be a burden to you, I give you my word on that," Maege added with a nod, as she heard no rejection in Ra's voice nor reluctance on his face.
Ra nodded and looked at Elia. "Alysane is a disciplined and kind girl. Our spirited girl here will learn a thing or two from her," Elia said, pinching Rhaenys' cheek.
"If she agrees as well, I will not fail her, my lady. She will have my guidance for as long as I remain in the North," Ra said with a nod, drawing smiles from both Dacey and Maege.
"Thank you, Ser. I will send a raven to Lord Stark to ask his permission as well," Maege said happily and continued eating with a smile on her face.
"Well thought, my lady. I wish I had thought to ask him the same for my son Wendel," Wylis said with genuine regret, though he shrugged it off when desert came around.
The family packed to depart in the afternoon, and the Manderlys and the Mormonts stood at the eastern gate of White Harbor to bid farewell to the Drakensars.
The carriages and horses were ready to depart while Elia embraced Dacey and Maege warmly.
"The Unbowed will be guarded and maintained by my house, my lady," Wylis promised, speaking of The Unbowed, the ship Ra and his family had arrived on.
"You have my gratitude, my lord, for the hospitality," Elia said, while Ra offered his farewells to the Mormonts.
"Ser Ra, it was an honor to host you. I know you will not need them, but I have added some of my own men to guard you on your journey," Wylis said to Ra once his farewells with the Mormonts were complete.
"Thank you, my lord," Ra replied and nodded to Wylis before shaking hands with Wyman and Marlon as well.
After bidding his farewells, Ra helped Elia and Aegon into the carriage before turning to his horse.
He chuckled as he saw Rhaenys already seated on the horse with a grin on her face.
Ra mounted the horse gently so that his armor would not hurt Rhaenys, and he waved toward the Manderlys and Mormonts before they departed toward Winterfell.
Rhaenys smiled and leaned against Ra as they rode along the King's Road.
"How come the horse can hold your weight?" she asked Ra, glancing at him with curiosity.
"Are you calling me fat?" Ra asked, pinching her cheek. He had removed his gloves and hung them from his belt as he held the reins.
"Yes," Rhaenys said with a giggle.
"I feed him special food to help with that," Ra replied, poking the girl's nose.
"Aegon should be fuming, since I sat on the horse before him," Rhaenys said with a grin, changing subjects and topics like the child she was.
"I will give him time to ride with me as well," Ra said with a chuckle, making Rhaenys pout.
A/n: Give me your thought on the chapter and reviews on the fic.
And.. you got any power stones? Well, hand em over then.