Nagga's Cradle

[theother]

sethgreyjoy said:

Mortimer eyed Harlaw. "What do you offer?" His lips had a smile playing upon them.

"I have a job for someone I can't be linked with" Lord Harlaw said bluntly. "Over a hundred years ago, Euron Crow-Eye supposedly recovered a horn from the East which could control dragons. I want you to find it and I want you bring it back to me. Do this well and perhaps people will see you as Balor's true heir" he smiled coldly. "However, I don't know you well enough to trust you so if you try to cheat me, I'll send Lord Drumm to find out why."

He paused long enough to make eye-contact with Mortimer to judge his intentions. Seemingly satisfied he turned to Harral. "Callen Oathbreaker gave Bear Island to Balor. That was surprisingly stupid of him. I want you to take half the fleet to it and begin construction of a new longhall and harbour. With Bear Islands in our hands we have new opportunites and I mean to make the most of them"

[sethgreyjoy]

"Aye." Mortimer said. "I'll do it, and when I'm done, I'll sail with Bloodkin here." He swept up to the center of the room, raising his voice.

"And any of you who aim to call me a greenlander better mind your tongues! I have quick reflexes and a quicker temper. Let that be the only warning."

[Erik]

Erik listens to the conversation with interest, though the look on his face when Harlaw sends Harral to Bear Island is more than a little sour. "What about me, my lord?" He asks Harlaw after the orders are given, "I haven't got much to do at the moment, and I'm sure I could be of use to Mortimer in his search."

[michael]

"Greenlander!" yells someone from the crowd

[theother]

Harlaw looks around "Captain Pyke of the Lucky Bastard, isn't it?" he looks around and comes closer to the young man so they can speak alone. Lord Drumm's glowering presence puts off potential evesdroppers. "I thank you for your offer but I wish to see how young Mortimer does on his own. I can understand that you'd wish to help him. You probably feel some kinship with him as he is a fellow bastard?" he says almost sympathetically. "But those who are born as bastards have to work all the harder for recognition so you need to let him be for now. If he's the man he claims, he'll be alright and if not, we'll be short of one weakling. No, I have another job for you, Captain Pyke" he paused in thought for a second. "Balor mentioned to me about this trouble with Braavos. He thought it was a fool's errand to assault the Braavosi fleet directly. I would like you to sail there and see what the lay of the land is, maybe see if we can turn any of the other Free Cities against her. Or even work with Braavos against Callen" he shrugged. "In any case, I need to know how things stand over there. Will you go?"

[Erik]

Erik nods to Harlaw's explanation, responding, "It would be my pleasure, Lord Harlaw. But the Braavosi...they don't like us too much. Seem to have gotten the idea that we're pirates into their heads. If I approach with a flag of truce, they might hear me out, they might lop off my arms and throw me in one of their canals. You understand my concern?"

[theother]

Harlaw smiled "I understand it, but the Braavosi are upset with Callen, not we. Pirates of all nations are tolerated there more than his warships would be"

[Erik]

"All right then. Well, I'll need to do some recruiting to fill up my ship - lost a few men in the fire that killed Balor - but as soon as I've got a full crew, I'll sail for Braavos." Erik tells his Lord. "One more thing, though. What about Urri? It's true what you said, he shouldn't simply be named a craven, but the boy could do with some toughening up. And I was younger than him the first time I served on a crew. It could do him some good to take a long voyage, see the world."

[theother]

Lord Harlaw shakes his head "Urri is my responsibility. I promised my daughter I would do right by him. Perhaps some time at home with her and his sister will ease his nerves. Then I will decide where to place him".

[Erik]

"Fair enough. He should be with family." Erik says to Harlaw, nodding, "But my lord, what are we doing still talking? This is a celebration, after all! Let's find some ale and worry about details like this later."

[sethgreyjoy]

Seth had been quiet for some time when Mortimer turned to him.

"What do you think?" Mortimer asked.

"I think that Harlaw sends you on a fool's errand, Mortimer. And I think you a bigger fool for accepting so quickly." Seth shook his head. "How are you supposed to find a mythical horn? Are you really that stupid?"

Mortimer stared at him, his face calm, but obviously angry.

"Fuck you, Seth. I lost, and I have to gain the respect of our people. It's so easy for you to go back to your cozy little cottage in the Reach, but not for me! I can't just go back. I was meant to be here. I, unlike you, feel as if I belong here." The two had drawn themselves to the far corner of the room. "You have no right to chastise me. What other options do I have?"

"You could come to Gossamer Hall, help me construct it, and live there with me." Seth smiled gently.

"No." Mortimer said, cold fury in his eyes. "If I go back with you, I will just be the friend of a Lord. At best. No, I will make my own path. I don't need to be handed a lordship. I will earn my own here."

Seth pointed a finger in Mortimer's face. "I did not get some land handed to me. I earned that. I fought, Mortimer. I fought for the King, and I fought next to Barret, and because of my loyalty and friendship I was awarded the land. I can't expect you to know anything about loyalty though."

The bastard drew his fist up. "I should strike you. I have been a loyal friend to you for many years. I saved your life once, Seth. Remember that." He dropped his fist. "You dare to accuse me of a lack of loyalty. I am forsaking a land that tried to kill me. You seem perfectly happy to continue oathing for them. Who needs a lesson in loyalty, Seth?"

"I didn't tell you to kill the Princess' lover. You did that all yourself. You are much too impulsive Mortimer. You never think before you act. You just expect it to work out."

Mortimer resigned to the shake of a his head and a grunt. Then he spoke. "I am leaving. Like it or not, Seth, I am leaving. I only ask for one favor. I need you to go back to King's Landing for me. There is a loose end I need you to tie up."

Seth didn't say anything, but just looked at Mortimer with pity.

"When you get to King's Landing, I need you to seek out Harbin Kennelmaster. He has a small shop on the hill where he takes care of injured animals. I need you to go speak with him."

Seth shook his head. "You are stupid."

Mortimer put a hand on his shoulder. "Please, Seth. It is important to me. Please, we can salvage our friendship even if we never see one another again." He looked at the Lord pleadingly.

"Fine." Seth said simply, walking away. Mortimer looked after him, before turning to Erik Pyke.

"Looks like we have our own little adventures ahead of us, Pyke."

[Erik]

"That we do, Pyke," Erik tells Mortimer, before continuing in a low voice, "Harlaw's sending me to Free Cities. Wants me to see if they can help us at all against Braavos, or even get Braavos to work with us. It's not exactly a Lordship, but who knows what might be mine if I pull this off right? What about you? Any idea where to fine a fabled horn of Euron Crow's Eye?"

[sethgreyjoy]

"None." Mortimer said, smiling. "Maybe I can stumble onto it though."

[sercoletyrell]

The stooped, one-eyed old man approaches Mortimer Pyke. He lets out that noise again, one in between a cackle and a cough then speaks. "The Horn of the Crow's Eye," he nods thoughtfully, his long bony fingers rubbing his spotted, wrinkled chin. "I've heard stories of it."

[sethgreyjoy]

"I don't doubt you've heard about every story, old man. Probably even wrote a few of them."