Game of Dragonborn.

Chapter 182 - This Is My Demand, Lord Stark.

[Chapter Size: 2100 Words.]

Third Person POV.

White Harbor.

...

...

"Lord Manderly. It seems this is the first time we've met." Daemon commented calmly, watching the men shrink at the sound of his voice.

"Your Majesty, we tried to keep what Your Majesty asked of us." said the man cautiously after hearing what Daemon had said earlier about the barns.

Daemon narrowed his eyes. "I imagine so, Lord Manderly. I just wonder why your barns are emptier than they should be." Daemon said, keeping his gaze fixed on the man.

"My king, my father had no choice. We had to give part of our reserves to Stannis's army; otherwise, our city would have been looted. We are outnumbered. We hoped that Your Majesty would intervene and resolve the situation." explained the man.

"Even so, you did not ask for my help and disobeyed my request. I will not retaliate — I just want a few things: that you return what was taken from me. You of House Manderly will have to pay. I'm sure you can already make a request directly to the representative of the Iron Bank before they leave the city. And I'll want at least five times what was taken from me." Daemon was firm.

Daemon seemed harsh, but they had disobeyed the king's orders; they could have asked and didn't — it was an order given more than a year ago.

"House Manderly will pay for everything." said the man hesitantly. Wendel seemed willing to accept; in the end, Daemon felt he had agreed.

"Very well. Then prepare your men. The representatives of the Iron Bank will go to Winterfell to represent House Manderly; I will also ensure safe passage through Stannis's camp and will oversee everything." ordered Daemon.

The man hesitated, but in the end, it didn't seem like a negotiation: it was an order from a man with a giant dragon behind him, staring him down. Who, in their right mind, would deny any request from someone like that in the Seven Kingdoms?

"Now you may go. I want to settle something once and for all. Call Lord Stark — I wish to speak with my dear uncle." Daemon said, making Wendel look as if Daemon wanted to kill Lord Stark, though his tone suggested otherwise.

In the end, the man stepped away, stopping to speak with Lord Stark, who was still scolding his daughter for running away. Arya heard Lord Manderly and looked at Daemon.

Lord Stark did the same, swallowed hard, seemed worried, but moved forward, advancing to where Daemon stood.

Daemon kept his gaze fixed the entire time, stopping about five meters away from him.

"Daemon Targaryen." He murmured his name once more, but without making the mistake of calling him Jon again, knowing his nephew would not allow it.

"Hello, Lord Stark. Honestly, this was not the scene I was looking for." Daemon began, glancing at the men of the city over Lord Stark's shoulders.

"Indeed, I came all the way here and we meet again, but in the end I am very disappointed; after all, I thought I would find you behind an army against me. I thought you would have the army of the North to fight me; I imagined our meeting would be on a battlefield, and that I would have the chance to kill you in a battle, but finding you here... it's frustrating..." Daemon said in a tone of boredom — however, it was not a lie. Lord Stark could not help but sigh.

"I cannot give you the war you want, Daemon." He replied, keeping his gaze fixed on his nephew, ignoring the dragon behind Daemon beginning to snarl at Lord Stark.