GOT: I Won’t Die in Flames

I looked up at the sky and said,

"You can see the situation for yourself. My father doesn't want to do certain things - maybe out of conviction, maybe out of reason, or maybe simply out of stubborn attachment to old rules. But that doesn't matter. These things need to be done. You'll take care of it as soon as we finish our expeditions here."

I kept my gaze on him. I searched his eyes for even a shadow of uncertainty. In vain.

„And one more thing," I added more quietly, almost in a whisper, but with a tone that left no room for questions. - "Two years have passed. The Pearl of the North has already gained some fame, though not as much as she should. Today tell our brothers that they are to proclaim one thing: The Pearl of the North is the most beautiful woman in the world. Anyone who dares say otherwise must die. Without discussion. Without attempts to convince. If someone asks why..."

I smiled slightly. Wolf-like.

"Tell them that we managed to convince her to go North. And that she will stay there. And since the Temple of Fire attacked me... then let all of Braavos answer."

Patches nodded, and a familiar, ominous spark of amusement flashed in his eyes.

"The Pearl of the North," he repeated — if he were someone else, you might mistake admiration in his voice. In his case, it was rather satisfaction from the impending chaos. "I understand, my lord. And what about those who might consider this... excessive?"

I responded indignantly, and my voice became as hard as ice.

"What excess?! This is their tradition! People die here every day in the name of a courtesan! What of it if we do it on a larger scale? We're just playing by their rules, Patches. We're doing it with more scope, that's all."

Patches nodded, and the last shadow of doubt died in his eyes and he said.

"Damn, you make this nonsense seem, well, less nonsensical..."

Not paying attention to what he was saying, I repeated to him.

"Patches, make sure that all our people scattered throughout the city receive this order. Let them know that this is not a request. This is a declaration. The Pearl of the North is ours. And anyone who looks at her with desire will die. While you are notifying our brothers, I will notify the ship captains that we are sailing tomorrow."

I left Patches, knowing he would handle it with his usual brutal efficiency. The Pearl of the North had become more than a courtesan; she would become a legend in Braavos like the Black Pearl, but she would not remain in it. She would move to WinterTown, from where she would begin to open brothels throughout Westeros.

As I walked towards the docks, the air became increasingly colder, and the smell of salt and moisture carried from the sea. In the distance, I could still hear the city's bustle, but for me, only the thirty galleys that must be ready to sail tomorrow mattered.

Approaching our ships, I saw the ship captains gathered together discussing some matters.

"Captains," I said, and my voice, though calm, cut through the air like a blade. They immediately fell silent. They turned towards me, and in their eyes, I saw confusion. "We have a change of plans, we sail tomorrow."

"What change of plans, my lord?" - one of them, Alaric, asked. He was one of the most experienced, loyal to the Starks for generations, but now a note of surprise rang in his voice. "We were supposed to have three more days for supplies and minor repairs."

I responded calmly.

"Well, plans have changed because these heretics from the Temple of Fire decided that people from the North are ideal sacrifices for their god. I had to kill a monk because he wanted to sacrifice me. But I don't bring only negative news. I managed to convince the Pearl of the North to sail with us and open a brothel under her name in the North."

Alaric blinked slowly. The other captains, who had been standing silently until now, began to whisper among themselves. Some, the younger ones, looked stunned. The older ones, with faces furrowed with wrinkles that had seen many a sea and many a crazy decision, looked at me with a mixture of disbelief and a certain kind of... recognition.

"The Pearl of the North?" - one of them repeated. A note of amusement rang in his voice. "My lord, are you talking about... the Pearl of the North? The same one? The one who is one of the most famous courtesans in Braavos?"

"Exactly her" - I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. I felt internal satisfaction seeing their reactions. "They thought we were ideal victims for their gods. I, on the other hand, decided that their god is the perfect reason for Braavos to lose one of its jewels. Since they are so proud of their courtesans that people die for them on the streets, let them see what happens when one becomes a symbol of the North. We will make a great upheaval in Braavos tonight, so we must be ready to sail in the morning. Patches is already informing the rest of our brothers to make a big show today."

Their expressions became serious. They knew I wasn't joking. Brandon Stark did not wait. Brandon Stark acted. And he acted quickly, decisively, and without sentiment.

Orders were issued. The captains dispersed, and the noise on the docks began to grow. People, realizing the urgency of the situation, rushed to work. Ropes creaked, sailors' voices carried over the water, and the creaking of barrels and crates filled the air.