Wylis woke up to the sensation of wet sandpaper being dragged on his face. When he opened his eyes, it turned out to be Caliburn's massive tongue.
He'd fallen asleep in Caliburn's clean stable the previous night. As the big horse lay down, he leaned against the horse's back and slept there. Now, Caliburn had turned on his belly and licked his face.
"Alright, alright, I'm awake now, boy. I ain't your foal." Wylis stirred and scratched Caliburn's face. "Sleep well?"
[Affirmative.]
"Hungry?"
[Famished.]
"Hah!" Wylis got up, feeling Caliburn's emotions as responses. He walked and tore open the best horse feed the North could afford. He'd brought it along on the journey in carts since he expected nothing great in Winterfell.
Finally, he splashed his face with water from the nearby tub and fixed his clothes.
"I'll fetch you some fruits and greens. Finish the feed until I return."
"Neighehe!" Caliburn bobbed his head and rammed his face into the manger.
Wylis laughed at the goofball and left. Though he couldn't stop cracking his neck muscles, as his sleeping posture wasn't the best last night.
I'm getting old. Wait, I'm just twenty-three.
Having lived two lives, although he was in his twenties in the last one as well, still impacted his mind to a degree. Having lived as Wylis since the age of fourteen in this body, his mind didn't reset but instead continued where his last life's age left off.
"Lord Kaiser. May I have a word in private?"
Wylis stopped walking and turned, finding Catelyn Stark of all people standing at the door of the Stark household stable. She was dressed in a hooded cloak over her noble gown. But she wore no hood; her auburn hair was made up in a simple bun.
Wylis passed her a smile, looking left and right. "Not the wisest road, seeking me out like this, my lady. The smallfolk do love their whispers."
Hm, so the charm works on her still. Don't know if the title effect applies to her. Wait, I got the genetic buff on Tully through Lysa as well.
Moreover, there was a quest reward that gave him a friendly status with House Tully. So in some ways, Catelyn should look at him positively. And by the shy smile on her face, he reckoned she was fond of him, not fearful.
How do I amplify it?
"This is my home, my lord. I have leave to go where I will. And there were private matters of importance to discuss. Such things are best kept from prying eyes and idle ears," Catelyn replied, her words barely above a whisper.
Wylis nodded, curious as to what she wanted to discuss. As far as he knew, there was nothing. But he hoped she would bring up Eddard's doubts. He first used Earthbending to sense his surroundings, however.
He couldn't sense that wide a radius in his boots. But he could feel Caliburn munching nearby, a few more horses in the other stable. The only humans nearby were he and Catelyn.
He simply walked into the nearest stable, not far inside, but just enough to be hidden from prying eyes. He allowed Catelyn inside as well and maintained a respectable distance.
"What important matter do you have, my lady?"
"My sister."
"..."
Uh, Lysa, you crazy woman. Couldn't keep your mouth shut.
He sighed and rubbed at his face wearily, praying Catelyn would hold her tongue. "She told you? Careful, walls have ears. Best speak in riddles."
Catelyn nodded, strangely acting nervous, her hands rubbing. "I… What are your intentions?"
Wylis frowned. He didn't want Catelyn to grow that seed of doubt as well. "I have no intentions, my lady. I was pursued by Lord Arryn himself. What I sought, I've already been granted. His aid gave my trade a foothold in King's Landing. What remains is an oath I mean to keep until the Gods take me. I'll guard Lady Arryn and her children, and see House Arryn stands unchallenged in the Vale."
"Children? How many?"
Wylis shrugged. "Who can count such things, my lady? Lord Arryn grows older by the day. Lady Arryn has but a few years left to raise herself a brood. In the end, the choice is hers."
He noticed her gaze was intensely focused on his face. He just offered her a smile in return.
"Why have you chosen to take Dacey with you, my lord? It sets you in dispute with House Mormont."
"I'm not taking her. The choice was hers. Her heart longs for a warrior's path, and neither I nor Ramsgate cares whether the hand upon the blade is a man's or a woman's. If she seeks to master the sword, I will allow it." He replied and stepped further inside the stable as he heard noise outside. He put a hand on Catelyn's shoulders and moved her as well.
With Catelyn against the wall, he settled close to her, enough that her lactating breasts brushed against him as she breathed. He placed an arm against the wooden wall beside her face while pressing the other finger on her lips, silencing her.
He didn't need to do that, but he still did. He could already see the signs; she found him attractive. And now, as she blushed, it was all but confirmed. But he didn't want to risk it all; now wasn't the time to kiss her. She would never allow him.
Finally, when he felt the footsteps leaving, he pulled away from the gorgeous redhead. "My apologies, my lady. There were men outside. Now, for your sister, or Dacey, I am no villain. I hold dear every woman in my life, whether friend or lover. I love all my children, and I would march to war for each of them. I bear ill will toward no one, save the Boltons. And the Starks are kin to me in more ways than you can imagine.
"The North is rich in land, but poor in fields worth sowing. I have no wish to chase barren acres, my lady. My efforts are set on trade, on building my city, and readying Ramsgate for the long winters ahead. With time, it'll become a thriving harbor for eastern trade."
For a long time, Catelyn was silent, watching his face as if eager to find honesty.
Wylis didn't smile this time, giving her the solemn look the situation deserved.
"My husband… mistrusts you, Lord Kaiser."
Wylis acted shocked and backed up slightly. "I could feel it. But I don't understand why? We fought like brothers. Not once have I harmed Winterfell or Starks."
"I know not, my lord. He questions why Lord Rickard never took you into his household. He wonders at your intentions for the Hornwood lands, and what scheme compels you to bring so many people to Ramsgate. And I… cannot say his worries are without cause.
"The realm has never known a man such as you, my lord. Noble houses are built upon old custom, ancient blood, and the patient turning of time. Yet you climbed so far, and so quickly, that… your presence leaves many unsettled and confused."
Wylis listened to her words carefully. While he didn't consider Catelyn to be smart or wise, he was aware that she knew enough to sound sensible. And the woman had what he did not, a connection to a house with a long history. Hence, her understanding of nobility was in ways greater than his.
He knew more about Earth's nobles, but Westeros was different in some ways. Such as each region having a principal noble house, which was more like a princely house but without royal titles. And yet, they weren't independent and came under the Iron Throne. The power distribution was slightly different in this world.
One could argue that Tullys, Starks, Arryns, Tyrells, and Lannisters were still kings of their respective kingdoms, but held no royal titles or decrees. Dorne and the Iron Islands, their situation wasn't simple either.
"Are you not risking treason by speaking of this, my lady? The mind of Lord Stark ought to remain his own," he asked back.
Catelyn smiled softly, raising a hand to rest her palm against his chest. "I remember my wedding night with fondness, and what you did for me then. You are a good man, Lord Kaiser. While I can't wholly understand the source of my husband's doubts, I can see why such thoughts trouble him. I only hope you may ease his fears, and be wary of the other houses. You are new to them, and they will see an upstart before they see the man. They may dine with you and offer smiles, but in their hearts, they will still see an outsider, beneath their standing."
Ah, so it was a hopeful warning.
"Aye, the Freys made that plain to me some time ago," he said, glancing toward the door. "Soon, my lady, I will begin a land survey across the North. Years ago, I found gold in the Westerlands, and I offered the whereabouts to the Lannisters, but Lord Tywin refused my terms. So I know this work well enough. If I find something in the Stark lands, I shall offer fair terms. I hope Lord Stark will take it for honesty, not some merchant's trick."
It was the simple trick of winning another's mind. Overload their mind with something overwhelmingly complex and interesting. He wanted Catelyn to anticipate his land survey. And the mention of gold was like a tiny spark of greedy hope. What if Stark lands also hides gold? What if… so many what ifs.
For a woman like Catelyn, who came from a financially more successful house like House Tully, Winterfell wasn't the place of her dreams. So, hope for better days was easy to take root.
"Let us return now, before someone comes looking for you, Lady Stark." Wylis walked to the door.
"Thank you, my lord."
He halted and looked behind. "For what?"
"For listening to me."
"I don't see why that merits gratitude."
Catelyn gave a soft laugh. "My lord, that is a thing peculiar to the North. Here, women are not wholly ignored nor made powerless. In the South… to be heard at all is often treated as though one were defying the Stranger himself."
Wylis thought for a moment and agreed with it. In the end, he just gave her a respectful nod and walked out. He had to get fruits and veggies before Caliburn could start throwing tantrums.
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Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 12 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 45-50 Webnovel chapters.
Check out Wylis X Elia & Wylis X Cersei NSFW art, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
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