Chapter 81: ' Ser Davos Seaworth '

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POV: Ser Davos Seaworth;

Northern army camp. Less than half a mile from the gates of Lannisport.

Some four hours after a powerful Northern Lord joined a council of war...

The Onion Knight, the head of House Seaworth, captain of the Black Betha, and the most loyal and honest landed knight in the service of Lord Stannis Baratheon, had just arrived at the camp of the allied Northern army.

There was his son Dale accompanying him. A boy of just fifteen with features very similar to his father.

Brown hair and eyes, normal dry face, well-proportioned joints, both almost six feet tall. They even wore similar clothing. A brown leather tunic with a green wool cloak. The distinguishing feature of the duo was the leather purse hanging on the older of the two.

A purse that held bones...

The four first phalanges were amputated by Lord Stannis himself as punishment for Davos' past crimes.

A well-deserved and merciful punishment according to the victim himself. Davos kept the bones of his joints in a bag around his neck because he believed they were lucky, having bought a future for his family.

Davos stopped a soldier decorated with emblems of House Tallhart.

"I beg your pardon, my good man." The soldier stopped and noticed the well-kept, though not too flashy clothes of the duo.

"Can I help you, Ser?" The soldier.

"Davos. Ser Davos Seaworth.

Knight in the service of Lord Stannis Baratheon. I have been ordered by my lord to meet with Army General Tallhart. Lord Duncan Tallhart. Could you by any chance point me in the direction of his tent, soldier... your name good man?" Davos asked politely.

"Edmund. Vice-Captain of the crossbow unit of the Third Legion, Ser. Of course. I'll lead the way, Ser Davos.

This way." Vice-Captain Edmund replied.

"Thank you, Vice-Captain," Davos replied gratefully.

About five minutes later...

"Ser Davos, welcome.

My Lords, I beg your pardon. Might I ask you to postpone this meeting until after dinner? I had an appointment with Ser Davos." Said a young man with white hair.

Six men prepared to leave the tent, paying their respects and greetings.

The boy personally thanked each of the northern nobles.

"Please take a seat, Ser.

Jansa, would you please take care of our guest's son who is waiting outside? Food and drink in good company if possible." Said the young lord to a woman in her thirties dressed in military clothing. She did not look like a simple servant... Davos had never been a good fighter, but he could tell from a glance whether someone in front of him was dangerous or not.

The Onion Knight's alarm bell was going crazy...

"Of course, Lord General. Ser Davos." Jansa stepped out of the tent to fulfill his duties. Davos bowed and gave his respectful greetings to the polite woman with eyes as sharp as blades.

At that point, Davos stepped forward and approached the table.

'I thank you for the offer, Lord Duncan. But I would prefer to follow your example and remain standing if that is not a problem for you, my Lord. I always manage to have a clearer mind ready to respond when I remain firmly on my feet." Ser Davos.

"I understand completely, Ser.

In that case... I will not allow you to refuse a sip of my favorite drink. A concoction of my devising, Ser Davos.

It helps to keep your mind fresher and your body's energy restored." Said the boy, filling a cup from the carafe beside him.

"I would not dare refuse, my Lord." Davos politely accepted the cup and tasted the drink.

He sensed a slightly sour taste of lemon, the sweetness of honey, and slightly spicy contrast. The drink was cool, but at the same time, it also warmed the palate.

"An excellent drink, Lord Duncan. I would even venture to say that it would make an excellent seafaring ratio. Does it happen to have a name?" Davos.

"Not yet, Ser, but I shall have to find one for you soon. Several Northern Lords have already shown interest in wanting to purchase such a mixture... In any case. Thank you for coming so quickly, Ser Davos. Allow me to say that it is an honor for me to meet in person one of the world's best known smugglers and the hero of Storm's End." Said the boy.

"My honor to meet you, Hero of the North. I thank you for your praise... but I would beg you to refer to it more if possible.

They are belittling in the face of your accomplishments, Lord Duncan.

I am a man who is very susceptible and unprepared for awkward situations." Davos.

"Ahahah! As you wish, Ser...

You are probably wondering [Why an eleven-year-old northern noble desires my advice]. Am I wrong perhaps?" Duncan.

"Almost exactly, my Lord. You would have fully guessed it simply by replacing ' Northern Nobleman of eleven years ' with ' The legendary Bloody Snow '." Davos.

"Ahah! I love the way you talk, Ser.

You have an excellent mixture of sincerity, humility, irony, and speech acumen.

I'll make you a deal, Ser.

I love my partner's honest and truthful point of view. Therefore, I propose that we both drop the niceties and throw down the omissive shields that protect us from those we do not trust. What do you think, Ser?" Davos thought about it for a moment. The knight was quite afraid of such an offer. Several times Davos had been reprimanded by his wife Marya for being too loose with his tongue.

The poor woman feared that in the future she would lose her beloved husband because of his bad tongue.

"... I will only accept if, should I overdo it, I can play the [I am in the service of the King's brother and enjoy the privilege of his protection] card, my Lord." Davos.

"Deal."

End POV.

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POV: Duncan;

Tallhart Army General Tent.

About ten seconds after a deal was struck...

"Well, Davos Seaworth. I would start by asking:

' How much is the Onion Knight paid by Lord Stannis Baratheon? ' I know you own about 200 acres of fertile land and a modest but comfortable manor on Cape Fury.

About seventy gold dragons a year net?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"... Frighteningly correct and accurate, Duncan.

May I ask how you know that?" Davos.

"Ah, forgive me. I'm always well informed about people of interest to me. And you, Davos, are one of the people at the top of that list.

I would like to try and triple the offer if it does not offend you.

Two hundred gold dragons a year plus a manor house with a sea view three times the size, better equipped and overlooking 600 acres of land. I admit the climate is colder, but I assure you that those lands are just as fertile..." I proposed.

"Most honored by the offer, my Lord. I will face the wrath of my Marya for what I am about to say... but, I fear I must respectfully decline.

I serve Lord Stannis. I owe that man everything I own, Duncan of House Tallhart." Davos said, bowing his head in apology.

"Phew... I was expecting this, Ser. Forgive me... but I had to try to curry favor with you on the cheap." Davos was slightly disturbed by my words. The man was confused.

"Do not look at me like that, Ser Davos. I know your true worth and I am fascinated and admired by you. You are a precious jewel that I would like at all costs to add to my collection. Ahaha.

I have done my research, Davos. I know who you are and what you are capable of.

You would be incredibly useful to my House and the entire North." I explained.

"... You overestimate me, my Lord. I am but a humble former smuggler who was fortunate enough to be knighted. My nine-year-old son, Matthos, wields the sword better than I do. I'm more of a sailor than a landed knight.

I do not deserve such praise and expectation from you." Davos.

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"You disappoint me, Ser Davos... I thought the deal was 'Honesty and Truthfulness'.

If I have to do this, I will...

You're no ordinary man, Davos Seaworth.

I know a lot about you and your past.

You were born in Flea Bottom in King's Landing in 257 A.C. and lived a life of hardship until your teens. Early on, you found employment on the ship called Cobblecat, captained by Roro Uhoris, a smuggler and Tyroshi pirate. A few years later, Uhoris was captured by the Night's Watch fleet from Eastwatch, where he was executed for trading weapons with the Wildlings. Despite this, you still managed to maintain good relations with the brotherhood in black...

After leaving the Cobblecat, you made your way by captaining a small ship with a crew of ten men and in a few years became one of the most notorious smugglers in the Seven Kingdoms and Essos.

You escaped the eyes of many fleets. Rival pirates, Braavosians, Tyroshi, the Iron Fleet, the Royal Fleet, the Fleet of Lys... The slavers had even put up a bounty of a hundred gold honors for your capture. You must have annoyed quite a few Braavos merchants because up until six years ago, your head was worth five hundred Braavosi gold coins in all the lands of Braavos.

Despite this, hardly any of your collaborators and business partners have ever betrayed you. Pirates, poachers, and many other smugglers respect and honor you.

You have made many not very illustrious men rich.

You have sailed on many seas: the Narrow Sea, the Sea of Sunset, the Sea of Thrills, and Summer. There are even rumors that you have managed to sail the Crocus Strait across the Jade Sea. Are those rumors true too?" I paused for a moment to satisfy my curiosity.

"... In truth, I may have done no more than five leagues of sailing in those shores. That's the distance it would take to outrun a small fleet of a Wraith Herb lord.

I had accidentally gotten my hands on a cargo of skins and tusks of ferocious beasts from the continent of Ulthos. That cargo belonged to a sorcerer from Asshai, and he wanted my blood for one of his rituals in response...

They have exaggerated those rumors a hundredfold." Davos confessed, throwing his mask to the ground.

"Did they send a pack of mermaids after you and call for a magical storm to sink your ship?" I asked curiously taking advantage of the opening.

"No... never seen or heard a mermaid sing, lucky for me. As for the storm... I'm not sure if it was magic, but a small storm in the middle of the clear sky appeared. We used those very black clouds to escape their eyes." Davos.

"... I don't think there is a man with more experience of the world's seas than you in those Iron Islands, Ser Davos Seaworth.

Now I think you understand me when I say that I long to add you to my collection of loyal vassals.

Your prowess at sea is matched only by the loyalty and commitment you show to the lords you serve. You are a rare jewel, Ser, and I need you." Me.

"... I thank you for your praise, Lord Duncan, but my allegiance is to Stannis... I cannot accept your kind offer." Davos.

"You cannot accept it now, Ser Davos.

I will try to steal you from the hands of Lord Stannis if I can.

I intend to deal with the man with business proposals. Honest proposals that will benefit both Torrhen's Square and Dragonstone.

If you will give me your permission, Ser, I will also put your good name on the bargaining table." Me.

"Ahah. That much I can grant you, Lord Duncan. I am at the full service of Lord Stannis. If he decides in the future that he no longer wants my services, or can trade me for goods and benefits that will give him more value, then I will accept your proposal." Davos said with a slight smile.

"Send a raven to your Marya then, Ser Davos. Warn her that no later than one year from today you must move.

I will have you in my service even if I have to pay ten times your weight and that of your family is gold." I said with a firm tone and look.

Davos was visibly impressed by my previous statement.

He remained silent, not knowing how to reply.

"... Fear not, Ser Davos. You are still Lord Stannis' trusted vassal.

It will still take me some time to seduce you and your lord.

I promise I will be aggressive but gallant. Ahahahah!" I said.

"...Ahahahah." Davos laughed in good taste.

"YES! I finally found someone who appreciates my jokes!!! I'll have to have you by my side, Ser!!!" I said euphorically, unconsciously admitting that I couldn't make everyone else laugh...

"No promises, my Lord...

I don't mean to be tactless or rude, Lord Duncan, but... I believe Lord Stannis and King Robert sent me here to you to discuss invasion plans." Davos.

"Ah! Right!... Cogh! emmm... Yes. Well said, Ser.

Thank you for reminding me.

I had requested your presence here primarily to discuss a naval offensive idea with you.

I could use some tips and refinements from a master craftsman like yourself, Captain Davos." I said, opening the map on the table.

"I am at your service, Lord Duncan."

End POV.

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POV: Captain of the Black Betha.

Tent General of the Tallhart Army.

About ten minutes after a plan of attack was explained...

"I'm going to need some more of that honey and lemon mixture...

Your plan... Yes, even I would say it is mad, my Lord." Said Davos with wide eyes and a dry throat. The sailor poured himself another generous cup of the soft drink and drank greedily.

"Undoubtedly, Ser Davos... But is it feasible in your opinion?" The madman asked.

"Highly unlikely and very suicidal for the poor fools who will have to sacrifice themselves to accomplish it...

It would be much more 'Feasible' if two huge problems could be solved." Davos.

"And they would be?" The suicidal madman.

"The most significant one is moving over ten miles without any source of light. If the starry sky were to be even minimally covered by clouds on that new moon night, the 50 ships would be completely blind...

We couldn't reach the naval blockade of the harbor without losing at least half those ships in accidental collisions...

and it wouldn't take just two men per ship. I'd say at least five...

The second big problem is the lookout ship. There's bound to be at least one Greyjoy lookout with a mast as tall as the quarterdeck.

That ship would be able to spot our fleet. Even if we were to paint every inch of our ships with a perfect mixture of black dye and ocean blue...

The lookout ship will be at least 2,000 feet away from the fleet. One warning light and our little trick won't work.

It might have been possible with three or four ships at most, but fifty... impossible.

Even if they were invisible, fifty ships would create ripples in the water and wave shifts perceptible even to deaf sailors. We wouldn't have the manpower to make those ships go unnoticed even if there were two at a time. We might as well light those fires at that distance and try our luck." Davos.

"Unlikely, Ser Davos. The word impossible should be erased from man. However small and invisible, the possibility still exists...

Now let's turn your 'Improbable', into 'Feasible'.

It won't be a big problem to increase the number of men per ship from two to five, one lifeboat will be enough to bring everyone back.

How many men do you think will be on that lookout ship?" Duncan.

"... I'd say thirty-five or forty, but no more than fifty. She'll be among the fastest of the longships, but not that big." Davos.

"How close would you be able to get without one of our ships on target without being seen?" Duncan.

"With just one good ship and a good silent crew? Three hundred maybe even two hundred feet." Davos.

"I'll settle for three hundred.... I'll be able to neutralize the crew of that ship, Ser Davos." Duncan.

"And how are you going to do that? One waving of a torch would make it all worthless." Davos.

"By swimming with twenty good blades, and as many warriors capable of wielding them. Trust me. If you can get us that far from the lookout ship, we'll be able to swim silently over there and silence those forty mouths forever...

If we neutralize that lookout and find a way for you and the other forty-nine captains to find your way around safely even at night, then the plan would be feasible?" The boy asked in a confident and determined tone.

Davos was speechless for a moment. He was trying his best to solve the mystery 'How to find your way at sea in the middle of the night without a light or a signal', but even though he had seen and heard everything, he could not find a way.

''Extinguished the fires of these two very dangerous 'IF'... Then yes. The plan would be feasible." Davos.

"Well then...

Might I ask you, Ser Davos, to go and select forty-nine trusted captains and their four most intrepid and competent men at once?

We have only seven days before the new moon arrives... We shall also have to equip at least two thousand dyers as soon as possible.

Leave it to me to find the twenty mad blades that will accompany mine." Said the madman.

Davos could only think of two words when he saw the excitement and confident look of that intrepid young nobleman from the North.

'Bloody Snow.'

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