The fire crackled in the grand hall of Norhall, casting flickering shadows across the room. Hadrian Peverell, Lord of Skagos, stood at the head of the long stone table, his face illuminated by the orange glow. Before him sat his advisors who had rallied behind him in the early days of his rule. These men and women, once the leaders of scattered tribes, now formed the core of Hadrian's council. They had grown to trust and respect their new lord, though many still harbored the fierce independence that had defined their people for centuries.
Hadrian surveyed the room, his eyes taking in the faces of those seated before him. There was Torvald, the warrior chieftain whose strength and loyalty had been vital in uniting Skagos. Beside him sat Anya, a sharp-witted woman who had proven invaluable in matters of trade and commerce between the villages. Next to her was Halmar, a man with a knack for logistics. And then there was Regulus Black, Kreacher in his new human guise, seated at Hadrian's right hand.
Though outwardly he looked like any other man—his features sharp and his hair neatly combed—Hadrian knew that Kreacher's transformation was more than skin-deep. He had chosen the name Regulus Black as a tribute to the young man who had once defied Voldemort, a symbol of loyalty and courage. It was a name that would ensure no suspicions arose about his past, especially when Hadrian had to step away. Regulus would be his stand-in, ruling Skagos in his absence, and Hadrian trusted him more than anyone else.
Hadrian cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. The council members quieted, their eyes fixed on him as they waited for him to speak.
"Skagos has come a long way in the past two years," Hadrian began, his voice measured but firm. "We have transformed this island from a land of warring tribes into a united people. We have enough food, safety, and prosperity like never before. But the time has come for us to move beyond just surviving. We must now think about thriving, about forging a place for Skagos in the wider world."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. The council members shifted in their seats, intrigued but cautious.
"As it stands," Hadrian continued, "we are still isolated. Skagos may be a part of the North, but we have no trade, no interaction with the rest of Westeros or beyond. If we are to grow stronger, we need to establish relationships with the other houses, the other kingdoms. Trade is the key to our future, and not just within the North. We can expand our reach to Essos, and even beyond that if necessary."
Torvald was the first to speak, his gruff voice cutting through the silence. "Trade is all well and good, my lord, but Skagos has never been a place for merchants and markets. We're warriors. What do we have to offer that the rest of the world would want?"
Hadrian smiled faintly. It was a fair question. The Skagosi had long prided themselves on their martial strength, their self-sufficiency. But times were changing, and if Skagos was to survive in the new world, they would need more than just iron and blood.
"We have more to offer than you think," Hadrian replied. "Our crops are more abundant and resilient than any in the North. Our iron and stone are of the finest quality. And we have the people—hardworking, skilled craftsmen, blacksmiths, and warriors who could rival the best the North has to offer. We just need the means to connect with the world beyond our shores."
Anya leaned forward, her sharp blue eyes gleaming with interest. "You speak of trade, my lord, but to trade, we need ships. And Skagos... well, our ships are little more than relics of the past and fishing vessels. Our shipbuilding knowledge is three thousand years old. We don't even know the latest techniques in Westeros, let alone Essos."
Hadrian nodded. "That's exactly the problem. The library I acquired from Winterfell has little to offer us on the subject of shipbuilding. After Brandon the Burner, the Starks haven't focused much on ships. We need modern knowledge if we're to build a fleet capable of not just protecting our shores, but trading with the world."
A murmur ran through the room, the councilors exchanging glances. The idea of building a fleet was ambitious, and some of them looked uncertain.
Hadrian raised his hand to quiet them. "I know it's a tall order, but it's necessary. Without ships, we're cut off from the world. We can't rely on the outdated vessels we have now—they won't withstand the storms of the Shivering Sea, let alone the long voyages to the mainland or across the Narrow Sea."
Torvald grunted in agreement. "Aye, our ships are barely fit to cross to the mainland, let alone sail to Essos."
"Then what do you propose, my lord?" Anya asked, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "How do we gain this knowledge?"
Hadrian stood straighter, his gaze sweeping across the room. "I will go myself."
The room fell silent, the council members looking at him with varying degrees of surprise and concern.
"I will travel to Westeros, and if necessary, to Essos," Hadrian continued. "I will seek out the latest shipbuilding techniques, learn from the shipwrights of the mainland. I'll find what we need to build a fleet that can sustain Skagos' future. But while I'm gone, Skagos will still need a leader."
His eyes flicked to Kreacher, who sat quietly beside him, his expression impassive but alert.
"My trusted friend, Regulus Black, will rule in my stead while I'm away. He will act as my castellan and ensure that everything on Skagos runs smoothly. He is more than capable of handling the responsibilities of leadership."
Regulus nodded subtly, his calm demeanor unwavering. The council members seemed to accept this without question, though Hadrian could see a flicker of doubt in some of their eyes. Skagos had come to rely heavily on Hadrian's guidance, and the idea of him leaving—even for a time—was unsettling.
"How long will you be gone, my lord?" Halmar asked, his voice betraying a hint of concern. "Skagos has flourished under your rule, but the North is a dangerous place. And Essos... well, we all know it's a land of intrigue and danger."
Hadrian inclined his head in acknowledgment. "I understand your concerns. I will be gone as long as it takes to acquire the knowledge we need, but I will not be reckless. I know the dangers of both Westeros and Essos, and I will take every precaution. But we cannot afford to wait. Skagos needs ships, and we need them soon."
Torvald shifted in his seat, his brow furrowing. "And what of the North, my lord? Do you intend to speak with the other houses while you're on the mainland? The Manderlys, the Starks... they'll have questions about what's happening on Skagos."
"Yes," Hadrian confirmed. "I will meet with Lord Stark, and I will speak with the Manderlys. They're the only northern house with a true fleet, and we could learn much from them. As for the rest of the North, we will keep our relationships cordial. We need allies, not enemies."
The council murmured in agreement, though the underlying tension in the room remained. They understood the necessity of Hadrian's plan, but the idea of their lord leaving Skagos, even temporarily, left them uneasy. The island had known nothing but chaos and division before Hadrian's rule, and his presence had been the stabilizing force that held everything together.
Hadrian sensed their hesitation, and he addressed it directly.
"I know this is difficult," he said, his voice steady but firm. "But we cannot stay isolated forever. Skagos is strong now, but if we don't build connections with the outside world, we will remain vulnerable. The world is changing, and we must change with it. I trust all of you to keep Skagos safe and prosperous in my absence. Regulus will have my full authority, and I will remain in contact."
Anya spoke up again, her voice calm but questioning. "And how will you maintain that contact, my lord? If you're in Essos or the southern reaches of Westeros, communication won't be easy."
Hadrian allowed a small smile to curve his lips. "I've already made preparations for that. Kre—I mean, Regulus has been gathering owls for a new communication system. I'll be able to send messages swiftly, no matter where I am. We won't be relying on ravens alone."
The council members exchanged looks, and slowly, the tension in the room began to ease. The idea of a reliable communication system was reassuring, as was the knowledge that Regulus would be in charge. They trusted Hadrian, and by extension, they were willing to trust his chosen regent.
After a moment, Torvald stood, his broad frame towering over the table. "Then we trust you, my lord. You've brought us this far, and if you say this is what Skagos needs, then I believe you."
One by one, the other council members voiced their agreement. Anya, Halmar, and the others all pledged their support for Hadrian's plan, though the weight of their responsibility was clear in their voices. They knew the challenges that lay ahead, but they were ready to face them.
Hadrian gave a nod of approval, his heart swelling with pride at the loyalty of his council.
"Then it's settled," he said. "I will make preparations to leave within the week. Regulus will oversee everything in my absence, and I will send word as soon as I have the knowledge we need."