White Harbor

Lady Leona had been in labor for near on two days when the child was finally revealed, she was exhausted, coated in sweat. But, she lived, and as did the child. A baby boy with dark blue eyes. Wylis came to visit the two, still nervous, Rickon had not yet arrived nor had word come from the north. But, the sight of the baby put Wylis' mind at ease. A son, his baby boy, an heir.. should the worst come to pass, the Manderly's would not go gently into the night. "What should his name be, my lord?" Leona asked, weakly, still drained from the effort. "We will call him Wendel, for my little brother."He smiled gently at the lad, placing a sausage like finger on the child's nose. A coo came in response from young Wendel. "Wendel, I like it.." She gave a weak smile, as Wylis sat beside her. Lady Woodfield slipped off into sleep, and Wylis held his son tightly. A year ago he never would have thought this possible, any of it. He had been certain he would die, but the Seven were good, they gave him another chance to be a father.. but war was coming again, he knew it.

The city was larger than any the Skagosi had seen, the walls and buildings all made of peerless white. A warm breeze rose up from the southern seas, even as winter had descended on the land. Nearly a hundred ships must have sat in the harbor, from cogs all the way up to great galleys. Each bore the Merman on teal banner of House Manderly, with mermen and merwomen as the figurehead on most ships. However largest ship, the Son of the Sea, had a direwolf for a figurehead. Armed men seemed to be stationed thick along the walls and guarded the harbor, some eyed the Skagosi strangely, they had never seen men such as these.

Soon Woolfield would arrive, with a compliment of Mermen guards, wearing teal and green capes, and wielding tritons for weapons. They would have seemed silly, if the men did not carry stern faces and steely eyes. At there head was a knight, who Davos recognized to be Ser Marlon. "It is good you have returned, the acting lord requests that you come to the Merman's palace. These.. matters are best not spoken of in public, yet." His eyes turned toward the small boy among them, he gave a small smile and a nod. "This must be he?"

"We can stay at a distance." Marlon said plainly. "Though we are no threat to the boy, we merely intend to keep him safe." The old knight gave a smile. "Wyman's city is at his disposal." He gave a nod, and the Mermen step aside on the docks, giving room for them to make their way within the White City, the New Castle looming above, a shining white castle perched upon the hill.

"They are friends of Wyman for standing with the child, the House Manderly will cover any costs they incur. I will send a few men, do me a favor and simply remind them not to harm anyone in the city." Marlon said as they passed.
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The city was bustling, people preparing for winter, with last minute preparations, people gave a wide birth to the wolf. But whispered about their passing as news spread through the city. Quite a few armed men patrolled the city, it seemed Lord Wyman was preparing for war at both land and sea. More men armed with tritons and wearing colorful cloaks guarded the entrance, and rigidly stood aside for the Lord's guests. They eventually made their way to the Merman's court, stepping cover floors made to appear like the sea, lovingly painted crabs, clams, starfish, and eels hiding in seaweed. The court was like nothing else in Westeros. The court filled with ladies and knights too old to ride fell silent as they entered, before they began to whisper among themselves. Upon the dais sat Ser Wylis, seated upon a large cushioned throne, the rotund man somehow seemed small given the scale of the court and the seat designed to hold his father's legendary weight. Wylis was balding, with a blond mustache covering his face, giving him the appearance of a walrus. Guards began clearing most of the courters into other halls, leaving behind Ser Wylis, his family, and a few knights. Lady Leona held her babe tightly, Wynafryd eyed things curiously, and Wylla with her garish green hair squealed with excitement. Ser Wylis stood as he strode down the stairs. "My Lord Rickon." He said, pushing the hairs of his mustache from his mouth. The man wore clean clothes, a relatively rare occurrence, and a sapphire carved with a triton held his bright teal cloak to him. "It is my honor to welcome you to White Harbor!" He said as he finally reached the end of the steps, he was of great size, though more fearsome than his father. A balding knight, with a jovial below of a voice. "And you Ser Davos, good job retrieving him for my father, unfortunately my father went north to help secure the young lord's position. Elsewise he would be here to greet you himself. And who is this companion?" He questioned with a smile, blue eyes turned on Osha.

Ser Wylis let out a great laugh, his belly heaving. "I am Ser Wylis, son and heir to Lord Wyman. His proportions put mine to shame, he met you before when you were smaller." He replied, putting his arms on his hips. "I fought with your brother Robb before, my weight cannot keep me from the battlefield. My little brother.. he.. he fought for Robb too." Ser Wylis' heart grew heavy for a moment, with thoughts of his brother and his king. "We have all lost so much Rickon, it is good you are here now." Wylis nodded. "Yes, to win the North to your King's cause. But, I am pleased you see the righteousness in returning little Rickon home." His eyes turned toward the wildling. "A pleasure to meet you, my lady. We do not often see those from north of the Wall this far south." He admitted, turning back toward Rickon. "I have something I need to do before we venture back home Lord Rickon." The knight said lowering his greater girth to speak to the child.

“My brother too, my lord. Trying to protect your brother. They can both live on in our memories, and in our actions.” He smiled warmly, blocking back his own sorrow. “Yes, yes. Bring some lemon cakes, and whatever young Rickon wants.” He said with a servant went to retrieve them. ”One benefit of the New Castle, my father has the finest cooks in Westeros. Otherwise he may not have gotten so large.” He laughed once more, the sound bellowing you from his gut. “No, no. I do not want your wolf my boy, I hardly think I could handle him even if he were given to me. No I need to give you something before we move for Winterfell.” He unclasped his belt, gripped the scabbard and held it toward Rickon. ”My blade, young lord Stark. In the absence of my father I will be the first to grant you loyalty, the Manderlys have always been friends to the Starks. And that will never change, no matter what comes.”

“We move in first light, Lord Rickon.” The knight said. “The might of Manderly will come in force behind you. I do not know what has happened in Winterfell, but I will take no chances with your safety.” He stood then, back to his feet. “You will be given fine quarters in the castle if you desire them. After such a long journey I suspect you will want to eat and perhaps bathe.”