DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 2 - CLASH OF THE KINGS

Jon II

The last time Jon saw White Harbor, was when he returned from Dragonstone with Daenerys, the dragons, the Unsullied and the Dothraki. Needless to say, the reception, accompanied by Arya, was likely to be received with far more courtesy and warmth, as Lord Stark had already written to Lord Manderly, telling him of their arrival.

Jon and Arya made their way up the hill towards New Castle, in a litter provided by Lord Manderly himself. They peered out of the lattice-work windows to get a better look at their surroundings. The white walls and grey roofs of the White Harbor buildings, looked far more in-keeping with a warmer clime than it did when he arrived last time, where the building were white with snow.

The seat of Lord Wyman Manderly was called New Castle. A keep which rose boldly along the Bite's shores. Its white stone walls, adorned with mermaid and trident motifs. Towers with mythical sea creature gargoyles overlooked courtyards with lush gardens. Stained glass windows in the keep depict House Manderly's naval prowess.

Lord Wyman Manderly was a man Jon was already familiar with from his previous life. Him having once called Jon, King in the North. The Lord was nearing his sixtieth year, with a massive belly and sausage-like fingers. Pale blue eyes and the beard which framed his face, accentuating the illusion of four chins. The man had become so heavy that horses were a distant memory; now he moved about in a carried litter, earning him the nickname Lord Too-Fat-to-Sit-a-Horse.

His amiable nature, punctuated by a loud, booming laugh, painted a stark contrast to the mockery he endured from his own people. To many, his physical appearance was a beacon of perceived cravenness and foolishness, a cleverly crafted illusion, which Wyman seemed content to maintain. Yet, beneath the layers of jest and self-deprecation, there lay a shrewd, calculating, and intelligent mind.

In Jon's previous life, and he hoped this one too, Lord Manderly's loyalty to House Stark remained unwavering, a steadfast commitment that belied the assumptions made about the man based on his outward appearance.

The corridors of New Castle were adorned with the relics of bygone victories—faded banners, shattered shields, and rusted swords, each telling a tale of ancient triumphs. Wooden figures, once proud prows of ships, adorned the walls, standing as silent witnesses to the castle's storied past. Two marble mermen, guardians of what locals called Merman's Court, stood sentinel outside the grand hall.

As Jon and Arya approached, the familiar figure of Lord Manderly awaited them within. Jon offered a respectful smile and a nod. "Lord Manderly, I presume."

Lord Manderly squinted, his gaze assessing Jon. "You must be Lord Whitestark." Extending his hand, he added, "Seven hells, you remind me of Ned."

Jon accepted the hand offered, shaking it firmly. "I've heard that comparison often. Thank you for extending your hospitality to us in your magnificent home."

Turning his attention to Arya, Lord Manderly acknowledged her presence. "And you must be Lady Arya."

Jon noticed Arya's struggle to suppress any sign of displeasure at the formal address. With a composed demeanour, she responded, "My lord," executing a curtsey that would make both Sansa and Lady Stark proud.

A young woman with vibrant green hair approached, introduced as Wylla, Lord Manderly's younger granddaughter. Jon watched as Arya shot him a pointed look before disappearing with Wylla to her chambers. The brief exchange hinted at Arya's disdain for being left uninformed, a sentiment Jon knew well. In the realm of many lords, women were often overlooked in matters of politics or trade, a reality Sansa had skilfully navigated to her advantage.

As Arya navigated the mysterious corridors, Jon found himself in Lord Manderly's company, guided to a lavish solar. The room boasted white walls adorned with tapestries depicting battles, a Myrish rug gracing the white marble floor, and a hearth crafted from the same material. An ironwood desk occupied the room's centre, flanked by two inviting chairs—one of them notably oversized, accommodating Lord Manderly's substantial figure.