The Harbor of Duskendale

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The harbor curves inward into the land, surrounded by tall chalk cliffs that provide a natural protection. Elevated above the harbor is the Dun Fort, with its four towers of dull gold gleaming in the cold sun. The waters of Blackwater Bay are salty and cold, and the harbor is full of ships.

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The harbormaster was busy, making sure all the incoming and departing ships were registered and their goods accounted for. People swarmed on the port, trading goods and looking at new wares from other parts of Westeros and across the sea. Each captain discreetly handed a bag of coins to the harbormaster.

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Seven-year old Selyse Royce came limping down to the docks in a beautiful grass-green gown bordered with white lilies. She was accompanied by Perra, the sturdy nurse who had looked after Aranya's children since Brynden was only a year old. Selyse looked up at the gleaming ironborn longships that were being constructed in the harbor. Five were already complete. Selyse studied them, with a look in her eye that was not unlike Lewyn's - a hunger for knowledge.

One of Aranya's fawn-colored wolfhounds was trotting at Selyse's heels.

[Ollie]

The noonday sun high in the sky, bathing the working men in a warm glow even in the midst of winter. A sharp whistle sounded suddenly, and the workmen stop amidst their work and made their way to any one of the taverns nearby for a respite from their labor. From a half built built ship, a sleek looking craft with a great iron ram shaped in the likeness of a rearing stallion, climbed down the shipmaster, Mace Goodbrother. Glancing at girl-nurse-hound entourage, the ironborn meandered down the dock towards them.

"This one'll be a fine craft for your Lady Aranya," he said in his brusque, but not unkind voice. "See the great-mast there? And the ironmongered ram? That'll be a flagship right there, milady. She'll inspire the men followin' her into battle rightly."

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"It's beautiful, master," Selyse said, admiring the ship. "My mother will love that ram. What makes ships float?"

The wolfhound sniffed the shipwright, wary but curious.

[Ollie]

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Ten gleaming Ironborn ships are moored at the Duskendale Harbor.

Word of the death of the brothers Greyjoy had reached the east. When not pouring his grief into the hard work of shipbuilding, Mace Goodbrother is pouring another glass of wine, and drunkenly stumbling from one tavern to the next.

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Another, taller girl came down to the harbor with Selyse the next day. The younger girl limped away with her nurse to inspect the ships and ask the workmen questions, while the older girl, a maid of fourteen with a crown of golden curls, stood back to gaze at the tall, gleaming longships. She wore a clinging gown of pale blue samite, with sleeves of Myrish lace.

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The second nurse, Amrei, brought two nine-year old twins, a boy and a girl down, down to the harbor as well. Selyse hailed Catelyn and Daeron Blackwood over as soon as she saw them. The little girl had been delighted when two companions close to her age had come to the Dun Fort as wards of Duskendale.

Rhae stood aloof, talking graciously when spoken to, but otherwise ignoring the sailors and workmen. She moved on from the longships and inspected the wares that were being unloaded from merchant galleys.

[Horas]

Catelyn waves at Selyse as she comes down to the docks. She liked the other little girl and the busy port of Duskendale. She was even beginning to take to her foster mother, though she was frightened of her at times too.

"What are all these ships for?" She asks Selyse, staring at the strange longships in the harbor.

Daeron, on the other hand, is quiet. He is staring too, but it is at the pretty young Rhae Rykker.

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"These are my mother's warships," Selyse said. The fawn-colored wolfhound, who acted as a guard dog for the children, sniffed Catelyn, his tail wagging, and then bounded over to sniff Daeron. The wolfhound was fierce, but he was a puppy around children.

"Look, that's the flagship," Selyse continued, pointing out the great longship with a rearing stallion as its ram. "And that ironborn shipwright is building it. I want to sail on them, but Mother says it's only for war."

Rhae noticed Daeron staring at her and gave the boy a smile. "Daeron, come and help me choose a gift for Brynden," she said, indicating the array of weaponry that had just been unloaded from a merchant ship. The seller, an armorer from Lannisport, stood over the wares. "This is boy stuff, I really don't have a clue."

[Horas]

"I've never been on a ship before," Catelyn says, "And I've never even seen one that looks like that. The ones in King's Landing were so big, but these ones are little."

Daeron looks at the Lannisport-made weapons before him. "These are all gold and shiny but too flimsy," he says honestly, "It doesn't matter what it looks like 's long as you can stab somebody with it." Daeron stabs the air in front of him.

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"These are gold-plated, young master," the armorer said, showing them a longsword. "See," he brought it down in a few swift strokes to show its balance, and then sliced a barrel. "The steel is good, none finer. Unless you want Valyrian steel," he laughed, wrenching the sword out.

"Some of these don't look so sturdy," Rhae said, looking at the breastplates and daggers that Daeron had pointed out. "It is not a good idea to cheat your customers."

The armorer laughed nervously. "My lady, just so, but may I point out...these are ceremonial."

Rhae shrugged. "I am not interested in ceremonial weapons. Thank you." The armorer bowed and left with his wares.

"Sharp eyes, Daeron," Rhae said. "I would have hated to have been cheated and presented Brynden with some flimsy gold dagger for his nameday."

At the pier, Selyse said, "These are smaller than the one we came home on. Let's go onboard and see."

[Horas]

"You should get Valyrian steel," Daeron says, "It's the very best, everyone says so."

Catelyn smiles. "Could we?"

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Rhae laughed. "And where would I get Valyrian steel from? No House would part with a Valyrian weapon, I'd have to search across the narrow sea. I think I'll have to do with good, man-made steel, if I can't have the spell-forged kind."

Other armorers were unloading - there was a reason for their eager travel to Duskendale. Lady Aranya was rebuilding the city's troops, and needed arms and armor for all of them again. Rhae and Daeron watched them for a moment, and then she asked abruptly, "Do you ever miss home?"

Catelyn smiles. "Could we?"

"Nobody will stop me, and if you're with me, nobody will stop you," Selyse declared. "And if they try, Hawkeye will stop them." Selyse whistled and called the wolfhound back from where he was inspecting a dead seagull.

The two girls walked up the gangplank. Selyse limped, but she was hardly conscious of it right now, so excited was she to be boarding one of the longships. When they were onboard, the deck rolled under them as the ship rode a sudden wave. Selyse stumbled, but she laughed. Hawkeye woofed in surprise and looked less happy.

From the deck, they had a view of the whole harbor, and could see other ships coming in to port through the morning mists. Some of the sailors and workmen glanced at them, but continued with their work.

[Horas]

Daeron frowns at the question. "I don't have a home any more," he says. "They took it away."

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Catelyn giggles as she boards the swaying ship. "It looks a lot bigger when you're on it," she confesses. She stares up the mainmast. "Do people really go all the way up there?" She asks, "What if they fall?"