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Chapter 88: Distributing Lands!
🕑 Added 2024-05-16 17:39:37 +0000 UTCAs the tides of departure stirred the waters around Lordsport, the nobles of Westeros began their journey homeward or to Lannisport for the impending tourney. King Robert, made his farewells alongside his brother Stannis. Though Stannis Baratheon was a man carved from the hard granite of duty and justice, Damian found an earnest straightforwardness in him. In their brief exchanges, Stannis had expressed grudging respect for Damian's formidable prowess in the combat that had subdued the Ironborn lords.
Damian had also cherished the opportunity to converse with Ser Barristan Selmy, though the chance to spar with the storied knight had eluded him as they both remained busy.
Ser Barristan, a knight of quiet fortitude and storied valor within the Kingsguard, had learned of Damian's quick and effective resolution of the conflict with the Iron Lords from King Robert. Impressed, he praised Damian's martial prowess and promised that they would cross swords at the next opportunity.
As the sails of the Royal Navy caught the wind, the sea carried them away from the tumult of recent events on the Iron Islands. Ned Stark, the last to depart, took a moment to offer his brother counsel on governance and self-preservation. During their exchange, Damian confided in Ned about the runic bronze sword and the treasures he had discovered on a secluded island near Lonely Light though not all details. The revelation of such wealth not only surprised Ned but also alleviated his concerns about the financial burden of the Northern troops remaining on the Iron Islands.
Before setting sail, Ned formally handed over command of 1,300 Northern men to Damian. This force was to ensure the ongoing stability of the Iron Islands and protect the interests of House Solstark.
From his vassals, Ned had secured a contingent of men: Ser Wylis Manderly contributed three hundred, his brother Ser Wendel to oversee their integration. The fierce Mormonts sent a hundred warriors, led by Dacey Mormont, who had chosen to remain at Pyke as one of Damian's sworn guards. The houses of Bolton, Cerwyn, Flint, Glover, Hornwood, Karstark, Ryswell, Tallhart, and Umber each pledged smaller numbers to bolster Damian's forces for a year.
Inspired by Damian’s ascension, several younger sons from the storied houses of the North chose to stay behind. Eddard and Torrhen Karstark, whom Damian knew well, were among them, as were Artos Flint from the mountain clans, Rickard Liddle, Ser Donnel Locke, Owen Norrey, and Ronnel Stout. These men, second or third in line in their respective houses, saw in the Iron Islands a chance to carve out their destinies, perhaps even to forge new houses under the banner of House Solstark.
As the sails of the departing ships dimmed into the line where the grey sea met the greyer sky, Damian's thoughts turned inward, to the weighty matters of governance.
As the dusk began to swallow the day, Damian set about the delicate task of determining which hostages would ensure the allegiance of the remaining Ironborn houses. Lord Rodrik Harlaw’s compliance was secured through the presence of Alannys, Asha, and Theon under Damian's watchful eye. The young heir of Blacktyde, merely eight name-days old, was sent to be fostered under Lord Eddard Stark, his brother—a move meant to anchor Blacktyde’s loyalty firmly to House Solstark. In another timeline, it would have been Theon who would have been taken as a ward but the future has changed because of Damian and now it is a Baelor Blacktyde instead.
Old Wyk was entrusted to his loyal summon, Raymond, establishing a direct line of command that Damian could rely upon. Lord Gylbert Farwynd of Lonely Light, the first to bend the knee, was granted a special dispensation to return without leaving hostages—an act of goodwill that Damian hoped would foster trust and loyalty. His son, Yohn Farwynd, was allowed to remain at Lonely Light under the promise of peace and allegiance, a promise that Lord Gylbert assured with fervent conviction.
When pressed for the sudden shift in allegiance, Lord Gylbert hesitated, the weight of the query hanging between them. Under the stern gaze of his new lord, he confessed to a strange dream that haunted his sleep the night before his decision—a vision of his house laid to waste. This ominous revelation had steered him towards pledging his loyalty to Damian, hoping to avert the dire fate foretold by his nocturnal foreboding. Damian was surprised but didn't say anything after that and let Gybert return to his Island with his sons.
Damian then reclaimed the lands and holdings of Houses Wynch and Botley, asserting direct control over significant swathes of territory, including Lordsport. Now the whole island of Pyke was in his direct control. Of course, in future, he would give the seat of House Wynch and maybe even Botley's in Lordsport to one of his loyal men who had gained some merit.
The seat of House Saltcliff was offered to Ser Wendel Manderly during discussions with Ned, a proposition that was eagerly accepted. Ser Wendal, along with three hundred of his men, prepared to take stewardship of Saltcliff Island. When asked about the name for his new house, Ser Wendel chose House Merman—a nod to his heritage, with a sigil of a red-haired mermaid wielding a trident, symbolizing both the martial might and the maritime legacy of his lineage.
Damian assigned Sirius, his fleet's captain, to take over the lordship of House Volmark on Harlaw Island temporarily. For this house, Damian himself selected the name House Black, finding it appropriately suitable for Sirius. Even the House Sigil was that of a fierce Black Dog.
The stewardship of House Tawney on Orkmont posed a more challenging decision. Without a clear candidate for this position, Damian opted to retain direct control for the interim. He appointed a loyal summon, Martin, as castellan, allowing time to evaluate whether Martin might later inherit the seat or if it should pass to one of the northern sons who had opted to remain on the Iron Islands in search of their own destinies.
Out of 1300 men, 1000 men segmented into 200 each were sent to Old Wyk, Volmark, Orkmont, Blacktyde and Sealskin Point. The rest three hundred would oversee the protection of Island Pyke.
