A Clueless Genius Wolf (BL)

The bay ramp of the Royal Horizon descended with a smooth hiss of runic hydraulics, revealing polished steel beneath etched wards that glowed faintly blue. Crew members stood to the side, neatly aligned—two rows of lightly armored guards and officers, some human, some beast-kin. No one wore helmets. Their animal ears twitched subtly in the sea breeze, tails occasionally flicking in silent anticipation. The intent was clear: We are strong, but not here to conquer.

I stepped forward with Kyle at my side, dressed in formal attire befitting of a king. I wore a white button-up shirt, navy blue tie, navy blue vest, navy blue dress pants, and a long navy blue trench coat with silver embroidery and my royal seal. I also wore a very expensive silver circlet around my forehead and head to signify my royal status. Kyle wore less formal but still formal clothes, still unmistakably Dusklight in make. Behind us, Zackary Clawsmith stood like a pillar of authority, arms folded behind his back, lion ears wide open and alert. He was flanked by Captain Harlen and two Royal Knights.

The longboat came to a creaking halt alongside the dock platform. A moment passed, heavy with silence, before the tallest among the Bear Islanders stepped off first.

She was a woman of hardened features, battle-worn and proud. Her hair was braided back with leather, and her voice, when she spoke, came low and sharp.

"I am Gerta, sworn warrior of House Mormont, sent by Lady Maege to determine the nature of your... presence."

Her eyes flicked between my officers, then to the Horizon itself—pausing slightly on the floating runes and humming vents along the hull.

"And you are?"

I stepped forward.

"King Damon Wolfstein, ruler of the Kingdom of Dusklight, commander of this expedition. Welcome aboard the Royal Horizon."

Her expression didn't shift. "You come from beyond the Sunset Sea?"

"Yes," I said plainly. "We have sailed far across unknown waters. This is a mission of exploration, knowledge, and peaceful contact."

Gerta looked me up and down—then her eyes drifted to Kyle, whose hands twitched slightly from nerves. Her eyes narrowed, but not with fear. More like wonder.

"What kind of people are you?"

"A union of humans and beast-kin," I replied. "My kingdom is made up of humans and Beast Kin, who live, build, and thrive together."

One of the Bear Island guards, a younger man with an axe, murmured something under his breath—something about "magic" and "demons." Gerta silenced him with a look.

"You speak our tongue well," she said.

"It is the tongue we speak after all," I replied. "We prepared for many possible scenarios. A language barrier would've been... inconvenient. But easily solved."

"Smart," she muttered. Then added, "Lady Maege Mormont has sent word to Winterfell. If your intent is peaceful, she will likely want to meet you face-to-face."

"Good," I said. "I was hoping to meet with the local rulers. I'd prefer diplomacy before anything else," I said as my white wolf tail swayed with the wind.

She studied me again—perhaps this time not as a potential threat, but something more uncertain. A foreign king, just 12 years old, standing aboard a floating fortress of metal and magic, surrounded by inhuman companions and technology she could barely comprehend.

Gerta gave a short nod. "We'll report back. But I warn you—this land has seen its share of foreign powers and invaders. Caution is expected. Don't expect parades and feast halls."

I offered a calm smile.

"I never do."

She gave a grunt of acknowledgment and turned to leave, her guards moving behind her in practiced rhythm. The longboat was soon unmoored, paddling back toward Bear Island.

As they drifted away, I finally exhaled and turned to Zackary.

"Begin preparing the delegation team. Something tells me this is only the beginning."

Kyle leaned in slightly. "You think they'll like us?"

I gave him a sideways glance.

"No. But they might respect us."

Back on Bear Island…

The longboat returned under gathering clouds, the gray sea reflecting the tension in the eyes of the people waiting on the rocky shore. Children watched with wide eyes, and hardened warriors stood silent with weapons close at hand. Lady Maege Mormont stood atop the docks like a granite statue, hands on her hips as the longboat slid into place.

Gerta stepped off first, wet boots striking wood.

"Well?" Lady Maege asked.

Gerta gave a sharp nod. "They call themselves the Kingdom of Dusklight. The boy is their king—Damon Wolfstein. Twelve years old, and more composed than most jarls I've met. Wears silver and commands ships of metal and fire."

Maege's eyes narrowed. "A child king? With ships that gleam like fallen stars?"

"Not just ships," Gerta said. "There were beast-kin among them. Men with ears and tails, creatures of magic and discipline. They weren't threatening, but they were alert. Trained."

Maege turned her gaze toward the sea, where the horizon shimmered faintly with distant metal.

"They say they've come in peace. For knowledge. Diplomacy."

Lady Maege grunted. "So did the Andals, once."

"Then the dragons came," Gerta added dryly.

Lady Maege considered. "We wait for word from Winterfell. I'll not let strangers set foot on our land without Ned Stark's say-so."

At Winterfell…

Maester Luwin moved quickly through the ancient halls of Winterfell, clutching the scroll sealed with green wax and the Mormont crest. When he reached the solar, he found Lord Eddard Stark already at his desk, studying a map with his brow furrowed.

"My lord," Luwin said, bowing. "A raven from Bear Island. Marked urgent."

Ned took the scroll, cracked the seal, and read. As he did, his face grew still.

"Ships of metal? Glowing runes? A boy king from beyond the Sunset Sea?" He looked up. "Luwin… is this some jest?"

"I fear not, my lord. Lady Maege would never exaggerate."

Ned stood. "We've always wondered what lies beyond the Sunset Sea. Now something—or someone—has come from it."

Luwin stepped forward. "They claim peace. But Lady Maege asks your leave before hosting them. What will you have me write in return?"

Ned looked out the window toward the Godswood, the wind whispering through the old oaks.

"Tell her she may meet with the boy king—but cautiously. And tell her to delay further steps until I arrive."

"You're riding to Bear Island?" Luwin asked, surprised.

"Aye. With Robb and my guard. If these foreigners are honest… then this could change everything."

Luwin bowed and moved to his writing desk at once.

Back aboard the Royal Horizon…

I watched the longboat fade into the distance, the quiet after their departure heavier than I expected. Even Kyle had stopped fidgeting.

"Do you think they'll come back soon?" he asked.

"Not alone," I murmured. "Lady Mormont won't act without guidance. If she's wise—and I suspect she is—she'll call for her liege lord."

Zackary Clawsmith turned to me with a nod. "You think the main ruler of this land will get involved?"

"I'm counting on it."

As the sun began to sink behind the clouds and the gentle creaking of the Royal Horizon echoed over the waves, I looked westward—toward Bear Island and whatever came next.

"Let the cooks prepare a feast," I said at last. "Not too extravagant. Just... welcoming."

"And the delegation team?" Zackary asked.

"Have them briefed and ready. With gifts. Some local crops we grew in the kingdom, and medicinal kits. Nothing that screams war or greed or to out there."

Kyle grinned. "You're trying to charm them."

I gave him a faint smile.

"I'm trying not to start a war before I've had lunch."