DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 2 - CLASH OF THE KINGS

Jon IX

The Sea Wolf sailed into White Harbor on the early morning tide, her sail bearing the sigil of House Stark, rippling with every gust of wind. She was one of Lord Manderly's new cogs, designed and paid for by Lord Stark, ready for the war effort in the south. She was freshly painted in grey and her figurehead was that of a snarling white direwolf with red eyes.

They edged towards the walls of White Harbor, which were of whitewashed stone. On the eastern shoreline, The Bite fed the mouth of the White Knife, which flowed into the heart of the north, going so far as Long Lake.

Jon noted, in the two moons since he had last been here, changes had been made to the city's defences, which looked to have been strengthened. The jetty which divided the inner and outer harbours had already been fortified with a white stone wall, about a mile long. He could see towers in the process of being built every few hundred yards. Had Lord Stark instructed Lord Manderly to fortify the city? He wondered.

Jon couldn't help but compare the city to Kings Landing, which was filthy, densely populated and reeked of shit. Here, the houses were built of whitewashed stone, with steep, pitched roofs of dark grey slate. Instead of the stench of excrement, White Harbor's scent was sharp and salty, and a little fishy too. It smelled of the sea, just as a port should.

The Sea Wolf was making its final approach to the outer harbour. Jon noticed seals basking on the broken rocks below. But what stood out the most was the Great Sea Stone. It was a huge grey-green mass, standing fifty feet above the water. On its top was a circle of weathered stones, a ringfort of the First Men that had been abandoned for hundreds of years. It still was, but Jon knew it would not be left for much longer.

Soon the Sea Stone would be in use once more. In his mind's eye, Jon could see scorpions and archers behind the standing stones, and other weapons used to defend the city from the Lannisters, the Others, and even Daenerys.

Jon hated viewing Daenerys as the enemy. However, she had only one goal, and that was the Iron Throne. Her help against the others was a mere ploy to achieve that goal. She had never been a true ally. And as soon as Jon took the Iron Throne, he would become her enemy, thus the strategic placing of weapons to destroy her dragons, was borne out of necessity.

As the Sea Wolf approached the inner harbour, Jon noticed the Sea Wolf was pulling down her sail. Although the outer harbour was larger, the inner Harbor was better to anchor in. It was sheltered by the city wall on one side and the Wolf's Den on another, and now by the jetty wall as well.

Jon wondered if Lord Wyman was building the war galleys Lord Stark had ordered, were behind the jetty wall. It was so large, it could house a score of ships, and none would be the wiser. They could be sat, ready and waiting for the command to be put to sea and sail down to Kings Landing.

As the morning was crisp, and the weather was fine, it was easier to appreciate the sights of White Harbor. From the ship, which was ready to drop its anchor, the New Castle, stood proud and pale upon the hill. Jon could see the domed roof of the Sept of the Snows as well, overshadowed by the tall statues of the Seven, because, unlike the rest of the north, the Manderlys were followers of the Seven.

The docks were brimmed full. Small boats were tied up along the fish market, hauling in their early morning catches. Jon saw three river boats, long and lean, built specifically to navigate the currents and shallows of the White Knife. He hoped to be boarding one of those the following day, for his return to Winterfell couldn't come soon enough.

Once the Sea Wolf was fast to the pilings, the gangplank was lowered and Jon and Oberyn descended to dry land. Once Jon and Oberyn's belongings were offloaded, then the ship would set sail to Eastwatch to deliver the last of the dragonglass to the Wall.