Chapter 13

The Banquet lasted well into the night, something which Stannis assured me was not his Idea, but rather that of his Bannermen. I excused myself around 11 to make my way towards the South Watchtower. Infuriatingly, the South Watchtower was on a spit of land seperate from the main Island via a small Sound. Apparently at low tide you could walk across the bottom of the Sound to reach the Watchtower, but at any other time the water would rush in.

It wasn't quite low tide at the moment, but it was close enough to be swimmable right now. Sending my Fine Clothes and patents of nobility into my Inventory, I began the swim in nothing but a loincloth. The Water was cold, but I soon received the Skill Cold Resistance for my trouble, which combined with my newly gained Swimming skill kept me going. It was almost midnight and I had leveled both Swimming and Cold Resistance to Level 10, before I reached the Dock at the Base of the South Tower. I Hauled myself out of the sea via the submerged steps and pulled a Towel out of my Inventory, toweled off, and quickly equipped my Vanguard's Armor Set before heading up the steps. I managed to Stealth my way past the Skeleton Crew of Guards, most having been at the feast, as I climbed the Tower Stairs and unlatched the trap door leading to the Crenelations.

Standing there, staring out to sea, was Pylos.

"Funny isn't it. One moment you're moving along, not a care in the world, the next you die in flash of sound and fury. You'd expect to wind up in an afterlife of some sort, only to find yourself inserted into a character in a popular fiction series." He says.

"Funny how that sort of thing happens. I suppose this isn't the sort of afterlife I'd have chosen if given the choice." I reply.

"Yes. Of course the fact that we're in a medieval hellhole sort of puts a damper on actually enjoying our afterlives, and of course we both know the Things that are coming down the line. Which brings me to my point. I know that you are from Earth in the early 21st century, most likely American. We could sit here and squabble, try to play the influence game and work at cross purposes, or we could try to change things for the better and work together." He says.

"Well, I did specifically set out to help Stannis, given how the man is Objectively the best choice for King in the upcoming unpleasantness. What'd you have in mind?" I asked.

"I don't suppose you were an engineer in your previous life? I could use another set of hands. . .but then I doubt an engineer would have thought of Double Entry book-keeping as their first choice for uplifting." He asked.

"Historian, I'm Afraid. I picked Double Entry Book-keeping cuz it's something we could do right now and we would see returns on it before the whole mess starts. Although come to that, have you ever visited the smithies of Westeros? Cuz I have something that might help right now with that." I replied.

"No, I have been engrossed in trying to ensure a basic standard of Hygiene in Stannis' Court. It was slow going, but we now have basic soaps and people are bathing at least once a week. . .why do you ask?" He says.

"They're still using Bloomery Forges. I rather suspect all that talk about castle forged steel is really just better quality Iron. These people could stand to use a blast furnace or two. It'd give much higher quality metalwork, true steel actually, though probably low carbon content at first. We'd have to get coke production up and running for the good stuff. Fortunately crackclaw point has a number of peat bogs, which typically means there's coal around there somewhere, you just need to dig for it." I replied.

"And from Coal, all it takes is the proper process to get coke. . .a 16th Century Process, if I'm not mistaken, but it should be doable if we stretch a little. Until then even low carbon steel would be better than the Iron they're putting out. . .Interesting." He Says.

"There's other stuff I had in mind, for one thing, everyone around here is still using War Galleys and Dromonds. A Proper Carrack design would allow Stannis unchallenged naval supremacy. It should be doable if a blueprint could be worked out for the shipwrights. Then there's agricultural stuff like four field rotation and the dutch plow. I could actually use both of those on the point, since most of the low level Raids and internicene warfare is exacerbated by poor agriculture. Everyone thinks it's all about loyalty to the Targaryens when really the Clawmen just don't have enough food to go round." I replied

"Yes, I could see where that would be a help. Still I could have a carrack design finished in a few days, and it would revolutionize naval warfare and trade. We could potentially shave a year off a trip to Yi-Ti, and we wouldn't need to pay Qarth one Red Cent to cross the Jade Gates, just by going over open ocean." He mused.

"Not to mention the fact that a fleet that can sail over open ocean can ambush a coastal fleet at will." I replied.

"Yes, this could be a very profitable Partnership. I'll have Dragonstone's Forge Upgraded to a Blast Furnace before you leave for the Whispers, and I'll have the Carrack Design done by then too. I'll make sure you receive the first batch of Dutch Plows for your taming of the Point. I assume you'll be using blast furnaces in the Whispers as well?" He Asked.

"I will." I replied.

"Excellent, then your troops should be capable of being the stick to the carrot of increased agricultural bounty. You've given me much to think of. How will I contact you without the risk of interception? I'm assuming you were given an ability like my own talents for psionics?" He asked.

"Invite Pylos to Party!" I shouted.

Pylos Blinked before calmly clicking on the accept button.

"So, you're a Gamer, eh? We'll have to test which books from the Citadel are skill books at some point, but for now, this Party Link should allow us to remain in contact." He grinned.

"Quite." I replied.

Pylos looked out over the battlements, and said, "Much as I enjoyed this conversation, it's low tide now. Time for you to head back to the Castle Proper and time for me to do some preliminary Draftwork on the Blast Furnace and Carrack Designs. I'll most likely see you again before you leave for the whispers. Until next time."

I nodded and made my way back to Dragonstone Castle Proper. As Unsettling as it would be to have a mind reader in my party, it was nice to not be alone in this. . .