Chapter 21: Promoting in the south.
270AC- Baldur.
For the last two years, work had continued on Baldur's gate. The town was coming along finely and construction on walls around the city continued, as well as roads along the coasts to better tie the isles together. Baldur had sent his warriors off to pacify the surrounding small isles, now that they had shipping rights, bringing the reclusive clans on these islands under control. Though few people lived on the smallest of the isles, Baldur had plans to fix that problem in the near future. For now, his warriors were pacified and happy, being put to use after much hard work within the Isle itself.
They now had a well off fishing fleet, and a few cogs for transporting materials short distances, though only a few that would qualify as actual trade ships. The majority of trade ships that came to and from white harbor were owned by House Manderly. Many types of metal ingots, wool, hides and leathers were shipped down to white harbor to sell, while tools, building supplies and a variety of other items or professions needed, were shipped back to Skagos to continue development.
The Skagos clans also began bringing in wood from the Karstark lands to continue in their pursuit of building ships and construction, preserving the remaining wood on Skagos. Now that they had some access to currency, getting away from the bartering that previously was the standard on Skagos, they were able to pay the Karstarks in gold and silver. It was a good arrangement, and Lord Karstark was happy with the increased flow of gold into his coffers, as were the Skagosi happy to be able to get more wood. House Manderly surely wasn't complaining, being paid to transport all the material.
Baldur had managed to keep the populace pacified thus far, as for the first time, the people had food enough to spare. The birth rates had gone up, and the isles were changing. People weren't necessarily happy with all the changes, but the good outweighed the bad enough in their minds that they had come to accept them. By guarding their faith as much as possible, providing food and keeping the warriors pacified, he would be successful.
Baldur's most resounding success in his mind, was the advancement of his brewing company, Skagosson brews and spirits. He had begun shipping beer, brewed with hops, to white harbor. With his knowledge on yeasts, they would be successful for some time to come, according to Varicho. He called it revolutionary, though Baldur understood why, he just wanted to see the end results. Varicho had promised that in the future, he could begin brewing different types. His questions on how one such as Baldur knew of yeasts had remained unanswered.
He had also been able to recreate and build upon the spirits, known as vodka and whiskey, from his gifted memories. In Westeros and Essos, they were considered spirits, a broad and all encompassing term like that of ales and brews, which his beer fell into. Varicho claimed that the vodka and whiskey were surely much improved upon than what could be currently found, and the process much better.
After much deliberation on Baldur's part, he had decided to name the new drinks after things of importance to him. The Vodka, was renamed, the Skagosson spirit, after his great people. The Pale beer, would be called the Golden Knight, after the warrior of the golden company he had slain in his first battle. The whiskey, he had decided would be called the Stone Giant spirit, after the great Skagossi warrior Gyrd that he had killed in the conquering of Skagos.
They had all been a rather large hit in white harbor, Lord Manderly himself was seen drinking them often, and Baldur had gifted him with a number of samples for his friendship. Over the last two years, they had pushed to increase production, hiring and training more loyal Skagosson workers to be trained under Varicho and his assistants. Skagosson brews and spirits had been steadily growing in size and popularity amongst the north, but it was a limited market, and he would be pushing to enter that of kings landing as well.
Baldur had decided it was time again to go south, alongside him, he was bringing Varicho, who had the knowledge and expertise of large cities to spread sales and promote the brew. They would be taking a trade ship, filled with stock to sell in kings landing. Varicho assured him he could get interest among the many taverns and whore houses of the place. He had brought a number of Skagossons along with him, to include Halvar and Ivar, to keep a watch over Varicho.
Among them travelling, would also be a few members of the night's watch, including Maester Aemon Targaryen, Great Uncle to the King. Baldur had spoken with them of the idea of fighting wildlings and Lord Stark had given it his support, as Warden of the North. The watch had suggested a bounty program, where the more aggressive clans were rooted out, leaving the peaceful ones. They hoped to garner some support for the idea amongst the courts. Some of the oldest lords had been alive during the last king beyond the wall and knew of the importance of the watch, though it was fading.
When they arrived at the city, the Skagossons among them were in awe at a city of such size that it even dwarfed White Harbor. The city had a foul smell that reminded Baldur to be thankful that Baldur's gate actually had a functioning sewer system in place. He had ensured that much, as his first visit here had been bad enough. The city was bustling with people and the streets as busy as Baldur remembered.
King Aery's had just recently returned from visiting Dorne, as such a tournament was being thrown in celebration. Maester Aemon would proceed to the red keep, to arrange a meeting and greet his family he had not seen in a very long time. Business could wait for later he had claimed. Baldur and his men had arranged for staying in a tavern, feeling more comfortable outside the red keep and it being better served for their purpose of spreading the sale of the ale.
Baldur had never seen a tournament, though he knew of them of course. When he was a young boy returning from the Stepstones, a grand tournament had been planned, though he himself had returned to the North before it had been held, not wanting to remain around long enough to be accused of the killing of Randle Reyne. He had also heard of them in white harbor, and Lord Manderly had described one. He hadn't the skill in the joust to get him far, no doubt he would be unseated rather quickly. However, the melee was something he would like to join. Thus, Baldur had found himself registering for the melee.
Helena Whent POV- Kingslanding Tournnament grounds, 270AC
Helena Whent, 2nd child of Lord Henry Whent and Alora Wode, sat within the stands of the tournament grounds of Kings landing. She had come south to see her younger sister, Minisa Tully nee Whent and her growing family of two daughters, Catelyn Tully and Lysa Tully. Her eldest sister Shella Whent and her husband Richard Whent were also in attendance, along with her father, Lord Whent. Hoster Tully, Brynden Tully and Oswell were all participating in the joust.
Oswell Whent, a distant cousin of hers and brother to Richard, had just won the joust. He had been a member of the Kingsguard for a few years now, and was the younger brother of Richard Whent. Under the House Whent and Tully sections of the stands, a number of young children could be found, from both of her sisters marriages. House Whent had been indeed thriving in recent years. They were among the most powerful of the Riverland houses.
As of now, Helena still remained unmarried. She had always preferred books and her own studies to that of the ideals of marriage. Growing up as a child, she had wished to be a Maester and had even written to them, requesting entry. The Maesters unfortunately, had refused, on account of her being a woman. Helena however, wouldn't let that deter her from her path of learning and being her own woman, much to her father's displeasure.
"He is a fine knight, and single." Her father pointed out towards a young knight of the Redfort, readying himself for the melee. Her father had been growing impatient as of late to see her married, afraid she would become a spinster, as she was already twenty two name days old. Helena had little intention of getting married yet, not if she could help it. So far she had been fortunate, her father was elderly and hadn't forced her into it as of yet.
"Father, could we not talk of suitors? We are here to celebrate family. Besides, I have no time for a suitor, I plan to write a book in the near future, on the many cultures of Westeros." She informed her father as he grumbled a bit.
"Still trying to become a Maester?" Her sister, Minisa Tully teased a bit.
"Unfortunately no, it seems they are intimidated by the thought of a woman being smarter than a man. I will make my own way and prove them wrong." Helena promised her sister. Indeed, she wouldn't let something as simple as her gender define what she could and couldn't achieve.
"Ladies, the melee is beginning." Richard informed them as all eyes turned towards the field as they introduced the fighters. Helena recognized a number of Riverlanders in the melee, though the majority of the glory was to be found in the joust, and generally where the best of the knights went. Still, she saw a few sigils of distinguished houses, though quite a few free riders.
"That house there is the Freys of the twins, they make much of their money on tolls in the Riverlands, do you recognize it Catelyn?" Helena asked the young 5 year old red haired girl. She had been doing quite well, acting like a young lady. Helena had taken to educating her; it was an important thing for a young lady to be educated and aware of the finer details of each vassal, like how they made their money, where they hailed from, history, etc. "That one there is House Stokeworth of the crown lands, they have rather fertile fields in the area's surrounding Kingslanding" Helena lectured the young girl.
"What about the large knight?" She asked curiously, pointing towards a rider on a grey war horse. His plate armor seemed rather basic, but she recognized the sigil, a rare sight indeed, almost one unheard of. She doubted if many of the others would get it.
"That is House Crowl, a northern house, hailing from the island of Skagos." Helena informed the girl. Little information was known about the house, though Helena knew it was home to a rebellion some seventy years past, one put down by the Starks.
"Introducing, Lord Baldur Crowl of Skagos." The Herald spoke as the man on the grey war horse readied himself in position around the melee field. Helena would be interested to speak with him.
"Wonder what he is doing this far south." Helena wondered out loud to the group. She wasn't usually one for court gossip, but this did interest her.
"My brother said that he journeyed south with Maester Aemon Targaryen of the watch. By the sound of it, he is here to help the watch persuade the king for some type of aid." Richard Whent explained. It would explain why a Skagosi was so far from home indeed. Likely he was busying himself with something to do while the old Maester caught up with his family. It was a surprise to see the old form of the Targaryen Maester occupying a seat of honor beside the king and the young prince Rhaegar. The Maester seemed to be quite well liked, talking to both the prince and the King. Helena had read of his history, he could have been king himself, though he turned the position down to join the watch as a Maester, instead allowing his younger brother Aegon to rise as King.
As the melee began, Helena found herself drawn to the large Skagosi, as did much of the crowd as he rode forward to engage a free rider, swinging his large blunted axe with ease as the man sailed from his horse to the ground, a dent in his face plate. Though not an excellent rider, the man was undoubtedly strong and very tall. Helena would put him at around 7 feet tall, a very large man, though not unheard of when considering Ser Duncan the tall.
The man fought well, though it was a rather smaller field of opponents, given that it wasn't a grand tournament. He had certain wildness to his techniques and of course, great strength, given his size. He heaved and cursed as he flung his axe about, denting armor and seemed to be enjoying himself. Helena merely rolled her eyes; hopefully, he wouldn't be a complete meat head or self consumed like most knights. She hoped to question him regarding his culture, she was rather interested in finding out more, and it would make for a great book. Not much could be found on Skagos, given their reputation, though if the Lord had entered a tournament, he couldn't be completely awful and barbaric like described in the silly stories speaking of cannibals and sacrifices to weirwood trees. Honestly, some people should be ashamed of themselves for spreading such propaganda simply due to differences in religions. It certainly showed how superstitious the Maester's were.
The melee lasted thirty minutes before the large knight managed to unhorse the last of his opponents. The last of the fighters drew a rather loud round of applause as they exchanged blows back and forth. Ultimately, the Crowl Lord managed to topple his opponent, using his shield as a blunt instrument to beat a poor house Stokeworth knight over the head until he fell from his horse. The crowd of course cheered loudly, Catelyn included. Such was the way of Westeros, where men drew cheers and women were confined to cheer them.
Baldur POV- 270AC, tavern.
Following his victory in the melee, he had been awarded a nice purse of gold dragons as the Skagosson men retreated to the tavern to celebrate his victory. Baldur had enjoyed bashing his opponents, though it wasn't true battle, it was the next best thing. He looked forward to participating in tournaments again; it was a nice enough way to earn coin doing what he enjoyed most.
"To Skagos!" Baldur said raising his glass as the tavern of occupants cheered along with him. "STONE LORD!" His men shouted as they all clinked glasses and downed the Golden knight brew, which the tavern had happily bought off of them. The occupants seemed to enjoy it as well as the tavern was quite populated, everyone wanting the opportunity to try the brew from the famous Skagos warrior they had seen earlier in the day. Baldur was soaking in the attention and telling stories of his greatest fights and the warriors of Skagos were enjoying themselves. Ivar could be seen in the story sweet talking a pair of serving wenches while Halvar told tales of their homeland.
Taking a break from the activity, Baldur approached Varicho at a card table with a number of foreign looking men. By the looks of it, he wasn't doing that well either. "Varicho, still losing your money I see." Baldur said, taking a seat at the table. A long light blond haired man with brightly colored garb sat across from him.
"Allow me to introduce myself." The man said, turning his purple eyes on Baldur. "I am Lazero of Tyrosh, sailor and lover of the fair seas." The man spoke with a smile.
"Baldur Crowl." Baldur introduced with a nod, turning back towards his brewer.
"You did quite well in the melee, truly a man worthy of stories." The Tyroshi man said, his words taking on a bit of a musical note as he did. Baldur could appreciate being appreciated though, regardless of whom. ""Quite a nice purse of gold you have earned yourself. What will you do with such a prize?" he asked leaning forward.
"Not gamble it like this fool." Baldur informed the Tyroshi man as Varicho lost the last of his chips with a groan.
"I hear you are looking for sailors, and I just happen to be the best looking and bravest one around." Lazero informed him.
"I have sailors from white harbor, who know the waters of the north." Baldur pointed out.
"I have served in shipyards building the greatest war ships of the known world and sailed far and wide on many crews. We Tyrosh live on the water, no offense to your own sailors, but I could teach them a thing or two about the sea and then some." The Tyroshi replied. Baldur was interested in great warships, especially the greatest in the world.
"Continue." Baldur ordered in interest as the man grinned.
"Your man here has said that your people have learned, but I can be of a great many uses to you. I am a learned and educated man, I worked as a slave in the shipyards under the ship master and eventually was freed, continuing such work on trade vassals before coming here to expand my horizons in Westeros, sick of the trade of flesh I was forced to endure in Essos. Hire me on as your port lord, you need an educated man and I need a position. As for pay, when you see the vassals I can build, I only request one of my own, and pay for the ship builders I bring along to assist." The man bartered.
This was all appealing to Baldur, but he would in no way trust the man without some assurances. "Very well, but I assign the crew under you, my own men, who will cut you in two if you should betray me." Baldur informed him pointedly.
"Then we have a deal, I shall not let you down. As for your men, you just let them know that they will be under the great Lazero of Tyrosh. I shall care for them and guide them in the art of the sea and the poetry of the waves!" Lazero exclaimed passionately. Baldur merely stared at him a moment, unsure if this was a good idea, but ultimately, the thought of great warships swayed him.
Luckily, he was saved from replying as the door opened, and a familiar face walked in. Baldur would recognize the golden hair and bouncing curls anywhere. The lion of the Lannister house stood out on his chest as he looked around the tavern with a grim look on his face. It looked as though his old friend still hadn't lightened up, no doubt still complaining about being in his prick of an older brother's shadow. As Green eyes met Grey, Baldur stood up with a jolly laugh. "Tygett!" He boomed out, making a few of the red cloaked guards with him jump. Tygett merely waved the guards off to the corner and approached Baldur, a small smile on his face.