Hadrian Peverell: High Lord of Skagos

Chapter 36: The Ships of Spicetown and the Secrets of Driftmark

Hadrian's journey from the Vale to the shores of Driftmark took less time than he expected. His form, now a midnight-black phoenix, soared across the skies of Westeros, the sharp wind cutting through his feathers as he flew toward his next target—House Velaryon. As he passed over the Narrow Sea, he kept his eyes on the horizon, where the island of Driftmark lay. This time, Hadrian knew his approach needed more than just stealth and magic. The Velaryons were no ordinary house, their lineage as ancient as the Targaryens and their expertise in naval affairs rivaling any other in Westeros.

Spicetown, the bustling city nestled beneath the towering castle of High Tide, was his first destination. Much like White Harbor in the North, Spicetown thrived due to its proximity to the sea. It was a hub for traders, shipwrights, and mariners, all plying their trade under the watchful eye of House Velaryon. The Velaryons had risen to prominence in recent decades, thanks to their unmatched mastery over the seas and the voyages of the legendary Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake.

But Hadrian's visit was not one of diplomacy or trade; it was about knowledge—knowledge that would help him build something greater on Skagos. He needed to know how the Velaryons built their ships, how they managed their vast wealth, and, most importantly, how they navigated the treacherous waters of the world. The secret to their success lay in the shipwrights of Spicetown, the books of Driftmark's libraries, and the memories of the men who had sailed under the Velaryon banner for years.

Hadrian landed on the outskirts of Spicetown just as the sun began to rise over the sea. He transformed back into his human form and cast a quick "Notice-Me-Not" charm over himself, blending into the crowd of early morning fishermen, traders, and dockworkers. The salty air was thick with the scent of fish, wood, and seawater as the town bustled to life.

As he walked through the docks, his keen eyes scanned the shipyards. Dozens of vessels were anchored in the harbor, ranging from sleek trading ships to war galleys, all bearing the sigil of House Velaryon—a silver seahorse on a field of sea-green. The shipwrights worked tirelessly, hammering planks of wood into place, hoisting sails, and inspecting the hulls of their vessels.

Hadrian approached a group of shipwrights gathered around a large galley that was still under construction. With his charm still active, he moved unnoticed among them, listening to their conversations. The men spoke of the demands of Lord Velaryon and his constant push for innovation in shipbuilding. They complained about the Sea Snake's insatiable appetite for speed, maneuverability, and sturdiness in his vessels, even if it meant working late into the night.

Without a word, Hadrian reached into their minds. It was a process he had perfected over the years—quick, efficient, and silent. As he touched the thoughts of the shipwrights, a flood of knowledge poured into him. He saw through their eyes the techniques used to craft the finest ships in the Seven Kingdoms: the specific types of wood chosen for different parts of the hull, the intricate process of shaping the bow for maximum speed, the reinforced keels designed to withstand the open ocean's most violent storms. He also learned about the subtle enchantments the Velaryons still employed, remnants of Valyrian magic long thought lost, woven into the sails and masts to protect their ships from both weather and enemy attacks.

Satisfied with the wealth of knowledge he had gathered, Hadrian made his way toward the heart of Spicetown, where the traders and merchants dealt in goods from all corners of the known world. There, he found the captains of Velaryon ships, grizzled men who had sailed through the Summer Sea and beyond. He slipped into their minds as easily as he had with the shipwrights, learning the secrets of navigation—how they read the stars, the currents, and the winds. He saw their memories of foreign ports, strange islands, and treacherous seas filled with dangers both natural and magical.

But Hadrian's curiosity wasn't just about ships and voyages. Driftmark had something more to offer, something ancient and powerful. He had heard whispers of the Velaryons' connection to old Valyria, of the histories and knowledge they still guarded. That knowledge could be useful not just for trade and exploration, but for his own personal power.

After leaving Spicetown behind, Hadrian made his way up the hill toward High Tide, the new castle of House Velaryon, built by Corlys himself to display the wealth and prestige he had amassed during his many voyages. But Hadrian had little interest in the grandeur of the castle itself. Instead, he sent Riff and Toff, his faithful elves disguised as humans, to Driftmark, the ancient seat of the Velaryon family. Driftmark was older than High Tide, steeped in history, and more likely to hold the secrets he sought.

While his elves worked quietly, copying every valuable text from Castle Driftmark's library, Hadrian ascended the steps to High Tide. The castle was imposing, its towers reaching up toward the sky like the masts of ships, and from its high vantage point, one could see the entire sea stretching endlessly beyond the horizon. Hadrian made his way inside, still cloaked by his magic. The halls of High Tide were filled with the spoils of Corlys Velaryon's expeditions—exotic tapestries from Yi Ti, statues from Volantis, and intricate carvings from the Summer Isles.

Hadrian moved through the castle like a shadow, searching for Lord Velaryon himself. His goal was simple: to gather whatever knowledge he could about the Sea Snake's plans, his ambitions, and, most importantly, the blade of Valyrian steel that the lord coveted.

It didn't take long to find him. Lord Velaryon was in his solar, a richly appointed room with a view of the sea. Hadrian didn't approach him directly. Instead, he used his magic to slip into the Sea Snake's mind.

The process was delicate, as Corlys's mind was sharp, but Hadrian's skill was greater. He sifted through the man's memories and desires, learning much about the famous mariner. Corlys's greatest ambition was to secure more wealth and power for his house, but what intrigued Hadrian most was the man's desire for a Valyrian steel blade. Lord Velaryon had everything—a fleet that was the envy of the realm, wealth beyond imagining, and connections to the royal family—but the one thing he lacked was a sword of Valyrian steel, an heirloom that would solidify his family's legacy for generations.

Hadrian filed that knowledge away. Perhaps, in the future, a Valyrian blade would be the key to swaying the powerful lord to his side. But for now, his goal was the knowledge stored in the Velaryon libraries.

After leaving the solar, Hadrian made his way to High Tide's library, a smaller but still significant collection of books and scrolls. Here, he found what he had been searching for—texts on shipbuilding, trade, and the economic foundations of House Velaryon's wealth. The Velaryons, it seemed, had not only mastered the art of building ships but also the art of maintaining trade routes and negotiating with foreign powers. Hadrian copied the most important sections using his magic, ensuring that Skagos would benefit from centuries of Velaryon knowledge.

But there was something else in the library that caught his attention—an old, dusty tome detailing the history of Valyria. The book was worn, its pages fragile, but it held a wealth of information about the ancient Freehold, its dragonlords, and the magic they wielded. Hadrian carefully copied the tome, knowing that the secrets of old Valyria could prove invaluable in the days to come.

By the time Riff and Toff returned from Driftmark with the copied books from the ancient library, Hadrian had finished his work at High Tide. The knowledge he had gathered from Spicetown, Driftmark, and High Tide would serve him well in his quest to turn Skagos into a formidable power.

As he left the castle behind, transforming into his phoenix form once again, Hadrian felt the weight of the Velaryon knowledge settling into his mind. The Velaryons had mastered the seas, but soon, Skagos would rise with ships of its own, built with the knowledge gleaned from Westeros's greatest shipbuilders.