Chapter 103: Flint's Finger!

The longships moved swiftly, the oarsmen rowing in perfect rhythm. Damian's loyal summoned soldiers stood ready.

As the ships approached Flint's Finger, Damian's thoughts turned to the meetings ahead. He needed to establish strong ties with the northern lords, ensuring their support for his future plans. The refined ores he brought would be a valuable bargaining chip, and his Stark lineage would alleviate their worries about being cheated.

The rugged coastline of Flint's Finger came into view, its cliffs rising starkly against the sky. Damian could see the watchtowers and fortifications that guarded the entrance to the harbor. Seeing the longships, the guards became flustered and ran to defend the castle, thinking that the Ironborn were launching an attack.

Realizing the potential for misunderstanding, Damian ordered the ships to halt. He quickly sent one of his men in a small boat to clear the confusion and convey his peaceful intentions.

It took some time before he saw the signal from his men standing at the docks, indicating that they could proceed.

As the ships docked, Damian and his men disembarked, their presence drawing curious and wary looks from the northern soldiers on the docks. He straightened his cloak and approached the commanding officer, a stern-looking man with a weathered face.

"I am Damian Solstark, Lord of the Iron Islands," Damian announced. "I seek an audience with your lord."

The officer studied Damian for a moment, his eyes sharp but respectful. They had already heard of Lord Eddard Stark's brother being made Lord of the Iron Islands. "Welcome, Lord Solstark. I am Ser Rodrik Flint, commander of the garrison. Follow me, and I will take you to Lord Flint."

Rodrik took Damian and five of his guards to the humble keep of House Flint. They found Lord Flint waiting for them at the gates.

"Lord Damian Solstark, it is good to see you again," Lord Bayer Flint said as he came forward. He had fought in the Greyjoy Rebellion, so naturally, he was familiar with Lord Stark's younger brother, and so was Damian with Lord Bayer.

"I've come as I promised, Lord Bayer," Damian said, smiling.

"Yes, you have. Here, have this," Lord Bayer presented Damian with salt and bread. Damian happily took the bread, dipped it in salt, and ate a piece before putting it back.

"You're welcome in our home, Lord Damian. Now, what can I do to help you?" Lord Bayer asked.

"I was on my way to Winterfell to meet my mother and see my nephews and niece. Your house was on my way, so I thought of paying you a visit and also discuss trade between our houses," Damian said as he was led inside the keep by Lord Bayer.

"I see. That's wonderful. Lady Lyarra will be happy and proud to see you after you have achieved so much. Come, we will talk in the solar as the servants prepare food for us," Lord Bayer said.

. . .

"Thank you, Lord Damian. The North is always short on food and metals. We never had proper trade with the Iron Islands as we saw each other as enemies. But with you as their head, we can finally start some trade and maybe get some resources cheaper than what we buy from other regions in the south," Lord Bayer said, his tone hopeful.

"Of course, Lord Bayer. The price will definitely be cheaper than what you get from the south or from other houses in the North," Damian assured him.

"House Flint does need iron and other metals, though I cannot say I can buy much."

"Not to worry, Lord Bayer. I understand that the North has its own needs and limitations. My primary goal is to establish a foundation of trust and mutual benefit. We can start with smaller trades and expand as needed," Damian said, his voice steady and reassuring.

Lord Bayer nodded thoughtfully. "That is a sensible approach. I believe this could be the start of a prosperous relationship between our houses."

They then discussed the amount of ore Damian had brought with him and negotiated terms. Damian showed a lot of goodwill, and they reached an agreement. Lord Bayer purchased refined iron and tin worth 3,000 gold coins, which was a substantial amount for their house. It was only because Damian offered such a favorable price that Lord Bayer agreed to buy so much at once. They saved around thirty to thirty-five percent in gold compared to buying from a house in the south. With this price tag, Lord Bayer clearly wanted to buy more but he didn't have that much money lying around. 

Damian also informed Lord Flint about his plans to start a trading company soon, offering to bring whatever goods Lord Flint needed from around the world.

As they concluded their discussion, servants brought in food and drink.

Lord Bayer spared no expense to show his hospitality and took Damian on a tour around his land.

Damian stayed for the night before sailing again. His next destination was Moat Cailin, where he would meet with his brother as he returned to Winterfell. However, the ships carrying the goods would take another route. They would sail up the river from Saltspear to Torrhen's Square, where his men would transport the goods to Winterfell by land.

Soon, on a small boat, Damian and six of his guards traversed the Fever River and reached Moat Cailin.

Upon seeing the fort, Damian felt a pang of disappointment at its state.

Moat Cailin was once a great stronghold, with twenty towers, a wooden keep, and a great basalt curtain wall as high as that of Winterfell's. Today, only great blocks of black basalt lay scattered about, half sunk in the ground where the wall once stood, and the keep had rotted away.

The remaining three towers, which were covered with green moss and white ghostskin, commanded the causeway from all sides so that enemies must pass between them. Attackers faced constant fire from the other towers should they attempt to attack any one tower, wading through chest-deep water and crossing a moat full of lizard-lions.

The Children's Tower was tall and slender, with only half of the crenellations of its crown. Legend has it that the children of the forest called upon their gods here to send the hammer of the waters to smash the Neck.

The Drunkard's Tower was so named due to its great lean. It stood where the south and west walls once met.

The Gatehouse Tower, the largest of the remaining towers, was squat and wide. It was the only tower which still stood straight, even retaining some of the walls around it, although a tree grew through its northern side. Damian spotted the tower's hall of dark stone with lichen and a high, drafty ceiling. Within the hall was a massive carved table, also of stone.

As Damian and his men approached, they were greeted by the small garrison stationed at Moat Cailin. Upon knowing who he was, the commander of the garrison, a grizzled veteran Lyodd, welcomed them with a respectful nod.

"Lord Damian, welcome to Moat Cailin," Lyodd said. "We will prepare quarters for you and your men. A rider informed that Lord Eddard Stark would probably arrive by next morning."

"Thank you, Lyodd," Damian replied. "I appreciate your hospitality."

Damian and his guards were led to their quarters, where they settled in and awaited the arrival of his brother, Eddard Stark. As they waited, Damian took the opportunity to explore the ancient ruins of Moat Cailin, feeling a deep sense of history and legacy in the weathered stones. 

"It will take quite some money to repair it back to its former glory," Damian thought as he toured the castle.

As he wandered through the ruins, Damian heard a splash and then a growl. Looking over, he saw two lizard-lions fighting each other in the waters nearby. He had seen many of them while traversing the Fever River and had to control them by warging to prevent them from capsizing his boat.

Lizard-lions resembled partially submerged logs floating still in the water. They lived in slow streams and deep swamps and had teeth like daggers. They were not to be confused with normal crocodiles, as they were far more dangerous. These ferocious animals also dwelled in the flooded moats around the towers of ruined Moat Cailin. The guards stationed here had to be wary of these animals, especially when they went near the water bodies around the castle.

"Living next to these swamps would not have been a pleasant experience. Good thing I chose the Iron Islands," Damian said thoughtfully.