12 White Harbour
White Harbour is situated at the mouth of the White Knife River, which flows down from the Wolf's Den to the Shivering Sea. The town's location provides it with strategic importance, as it is an essential connection between the North and the southern regions of the Seven Kingdoms. It lies to the southeast of Winterfell, the ancestral seat of House Stark.
The town is well-known for its bustling port and busy harbour, where ships from various lands dock, exchanging goods and cultures. The city's streets are lined with warehouses, markets, and trading posts, all brimming with activity. White Harbour's prosperity is largely attributed to its position as a major trading centre in the North.
House Manderly, a powerful Northern house, rules over White Harbor. Today the steps of the Emperor were about to resound in this town.
Dan had finally arrived at this port after a 4-day journey through the snow while it was a little bit warmer here due to the presence of the coast it still was affected by the chilliness of the north. As Dan moved towards the massive wooden construct gates which were one of the only two entrances into the town he planned his immediate steps. the idea was for him to perform some good old-fashioned thievery to secure his rations and travel accommodations. White Harbour being a port town was relatively richer than any of the other surrounding areas.
"So what brings you here young man?", the old guard positioned at the gates questioned him not out of necessity but out of the curiosity one would have on seeing a barbaric-looking teenager who wears fox fur on himself.
"Well you see I was lost in the woods robbed by the bandits with nothing left to myself so I hunted and made my way here as fast as I could. Wouldn't wish to catch a cold right now", Dan responded in almost a comical manner faking his embarrassment to the guard.
The guard eyed him for a while and then burst out laughing, "Hey Marc look at this kid here he got robbed by em bandits in the wild".
The other guard stationed at the gates joined him as he gave one look up and down and began smiling together with his partner. He then signalled for Dan to move ahead, "Off you go lad hopefully you'll have better luck in here than you had out there but I wouldn't count on it."
Dan didn't mind the harshness he received from the guards he knew that Northmen were known for this behaviour and they weren't particularly bothering either. He made his way into town taking in the view of the city through the imposing gates of White Harbor, he was immediately greeted by the sight of a bustling city with a rich tapestry of architectural wonders. The streets were alive with activity as merchants, sailors, and townsfolk go about their daily business, creating a vibrant atmosphere that is both welcoming and captivating.
The architecture of White Harbor is a fascinating blend of styles, reflecting its diverse history and the various cultures that have influenced the city over the centuries. The main thoroughfares are wide and well-paved, adorned with intricate patterns of cobblestones, some of which depict the sigil of House Manderly, the ruling house of the city.
The Merman's Court is the impressive castle of House Manderly that overlooks the city. The castle is so named due to the Manderly sigil, which features a merman holding a trident. It stands as a symbol of their maritime power and heritage. Within the castle walls, the Manderlys hold court and oversee the town's affairs.
The buildings that line the streets are predominantly made of sturdy stone, a testament to the city's resilience in the face of harsh northern winters and potential raids. Many structures are built with tall, pointed roofs, designed to allow heavy snow to slide off easily. These roofs often bear decorative wooden carvings that tell stories of ancient legends and local folklore.
One of the most prominent architectural features in White Harbor is the massive lighthouse that stands tall near the harbour's edge. This beacon of light guides ships safely into the harbour and serves as a symbol of the city's maritime heritage. Its whitewashed walls gleam brightly in the sun, and at night, its powerful beam pierces the darkness, providing a guiding light for sailors at sea.
Dan made his way through and in the process purposely collided with many people throughout the streets occasionally he had the opportunity to steal the pockets of the wealthier-looking people but at times he was even caught by some of them as he was not one to be very skilled in the art of pickpocketing. As soon as he was caught he would just run away as fast as he could enter an alley then climb up the walls using his superior agility leaving the guards and the chasers without a clue as to where he went.
After one such chase he found his fur overall being tucked by someone as he turned around he saw a girl nearly a foot shorter than him staring at him. She has visceral black eyes and black hair tied towards the back. Her attire is simple and practical, befitting the life of a peasant in this rugged region. She wears a coarse, woollen tunic, dyed in shades of earthy brown and dark grey, which falls just below her hips. The tunic is cinched at the waist by a sturdy leather belt, displaying a touch of resourcefulness amidst the simplicity. Underneath, she dons a plain linen shirt, its collar peeking out modestly from the tunic's neckline.
Her skirts are made of thick, warm fabric, designed to protect her from the unforgiving northern cold. Hues of dark green and indigo add a hint of colour to her otherwise muted ensemble. The skirts reach down to her ankles, swaying gently with each step she takes, as if in harmony with the windswept terrain. At one glance she would seem to be around the same age as Dan.
'SHE HAS IT DAN', immediately Damian's voice resounded in Dan's head.
'She has what Damian'
'A piece of my soul, she has it. I feel it on her the affinity one would feel when they see themselves in the mirror. You'd feel it too you just need to focus.'
At Damian's urging Dan tried to gauge the feeling as well and when he concentrated his senses he too could feel as if a tether attached him to the girl standing before him. Before he could think about this feeling further the girl interrupted him, "You know if you want to pickpocket in this area the least you could do is ask permission from the people who rule the area".
Dan brought out of his thoughts was dazed by her words, "What do you mean permission it's theft anyone can do it". His response was scoffed at by the girl, "Well not really if you're new in town then it's understandable but this area is within the control of the Fox group and they dictate who can and cannot perform acts of pickpocketing, robbery, kidnapping and what not."
'Organised crime hah why am I not surprised? Even in the middle ages, it is all the same. Whatever it is we need to recruit this girl this instant and we are taking her with us any harm to her will lead to us suffering as well since our souls are connected and she has a piece of my soul in her.'
As soon as Damian's voice rang out Dan knew that he needed to secure the girl if not willingly then forcefully. He was not willing to compromise on his safety no matter the situation. He thought of multiple contingencies but eventually decided to wait it out for the moment and see where the situation will lead him naturally.
"You know you're awfully slow for a thief, you can talk but seem to be lost in your own world as well. Anyway, you need to give me a share of everything you've stolen just now as a member of the group I demand a commission from you. Go ahead fork it over", the girl nudged Dan going so far as to pat him to find where he was storing his valuables.
Dan brushed her hand away immediately before creating some distance between them, "Usually when people see me they introduce themselves, since you didn't have the decency I will go ahead and introduce myself. The name's Damian"
"My bad it is not every day one sees someone wearing fox fur and so white at that must've been a rare catch and shows to me that you're stronger than you look. The name's Evelyn."
