Blood of Dragons

Thick fog clung to the New Castle’s outer yard today as White Harbor played host to one of the most striking arrivals in recent memory: Lord Cregan Stark of Winterfell, the Old Man of the North, rode in at the head of a column two hundred strong. Cloaked in black wool stitched with the direwolf of his House, the sixty-eight-year-old Wolf of Winterfell cut an imposing figure even in the autumn chill, his pale grey eyes sweeping the yard with a hunter’s measure.

At his side rode his heir, Lord Jonnel Stark—stern-faced, long of jaw, and the image of his father in younger form—and his younger son, Barthogan, in black and silver, rakish and sharp-eyed, his smirk making its own quiet rounds among the southern courtiers. The youngest son, Brandon, boyish at sixteen, rode further back amid bannermen and guards. Following in a wheelhouse came Lady Lynara Stark, robed in rich grey and cloth-of-silver, a score of years her husband’s junior, her manner cool and regal as she joined her lord in the yard.

Lord Borian Manderly, jolly and broad of smile, stepped forward himself to take Cregan’s reins as the northern lord dismounted. The two clasped forearms in greeting, Borian booming his welcome while the southerners—nobles from across the realm—strained for a better view of the man whose deeds still ripple through the realm’s memory.

Foremost among those waiting to greet him were Prince Daeron Targaryen, the Prince of Dragonstone, and his uncle, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight. The meeting of wolf and dragon drew more than polite attention, for it was remembered that two decares earlier, when Cregan rode south to see his doomed heir Ser Rickon depart to join the Young Dragon’s war on Dorne, he and the young Dragonknight had crossed blades in the practice yard; even now, knights whisper that no man has ever pressed the Dragonknight more closely. Their nods carried the weight of old respect.

Introductions followed at Lord Borian’s urging. Andar Royce presented his granddaughter, Lady Dancy Royce—bride-to-be of Lord Manderly’s heir, Ser Waymar—and her brother, Ser Otho. Lady Jannia Buckwell of House Tully, elegant in river-blue, offered her courtesies, as did Ser Jon Roxton, heir to the Ring; Ser Dermett Corbray of Heart’s Home; Ser Orbert Farman, heir to Fair Isle, whose service at sea against pirates was remarked upon by Prince Daeron; and Ser Omrys Baratheon, a reeve in the King’s service. Princess Daena Targaryen, dark-gowned and silver-haired, greeted the Lord and Lady of Winterfell in her turn, her violet gaze taking in each of the Stark sons with undisguised curiosity, a curiosity returned by the elder sons.

If the southerners were eager to meet the Wolf of Winterfell, the Northman gave little away, dispensing blunt courtesies in turn before requesting his quarters. With a promise to dine later with Prince Daeron, Lord Cregan and his household withdrew into the New Castle, while his bannermen and men-at-arms spread into the city below.

Thus begins several days of feasts, contests, and ceremony in White Harbor, as North and South gather under one roof for the marriage of Royce and Manderly.

And from distant King’s Landing, ravens passing back and forth between White Harbor and the royal city reveal something new: While his heir has traveled North in his stead, King Aegon has abruptly decided that he would make a progress through the riverlands. He left his queen and his Hand behind, and even his royal mistress… but Lord Bracken’s daughter, Bethany, was asked to join him and to show him about the Stone Hedge when he came to visit his bastard, Aegor Rivers.