Standing on a small rise overlooking the shimmering white expanse of salt fields, Gaimon finally allowed himself to exhale in relief. Months of relentless labor and planning had paid off. The salt fields were producing.
To take advantage of the favorable weather between March and June, Gaimon had poured nearly all his energy and manpower into the project. Now, seeing the glistening rows of salt pans stretching into the distance under the morning sun, he felt that the effort had been worth it.
The hardest part was over. The foundations were solid; the system worked. From now on, expansion would come naturally — slow and steady. Over time, these fields would bring him a fortune greater than any trade or title could offer.
Taking one last satisfied look, Gaimon climbed onto Bahamut's back. The dragon's golden scales reflected the light like rippling waves, and with a single beat of its mighty wings, they lifted into the air. As they soared higher, the entire Wende Territory unfolded beneath him — the land he was shaping with his own hands.
Although much of his resources had been devoted to building the salt fields, other parts of his domain had also begun to change. Development was spreading outward, reshaping the wilderness into the foundations of a true lordship.
The Geography of Wende Territory
Gaimon had once described his lands with a simple phrase: "three hills block the plain, one river and three streams flow into the sea."
That single line perfectly summarized the character of his territory — a land where hills, plains, rivers, and forests coexisted in natural harmony.
When drawing up his plans, Gaimon divided Wende into five distinct regions, each defined by its geography and resources. This would allow him to focus development where it was most effective, ensuring that every part of his domain had a clear role to play in the territory's future.
1. The Wende River Delta Plain (North, 25% of the Territory)
Stretching out toward the sea, the delta plain was the first and most vital region of the territory. It lay around the mouth of the Wende River, where countless branches of the river split and wound through vast mudflats and sandbars before meeting the waves.
The delta was a land of extremes — rich in natural resources yet difficult to tame.
Its advantages were undeniable. The daily ebb and flow of the tides brought abundant life to the estuary: shellfish, crabs, small fish, and migratory birds thrived in the marshes. The shallow tidal flats were perfect for salt production, and the surrounding reeds could be harvested for papermaking and weaving.
Gaimon envisioned this area as the economic heart of Wende's offshore trade — a center for fisheries, salt drying, and the reed industries.
However, prosperity came at a cost. The delta sat barely five meters above sea level. Salinized soil and frequent flooding made agriculture almost impossible. Storm tides could submerge entire villages overnight, and the humid air bred swarms of mosquitoes that carried disease.
Large buildings would require deep, reinforced foundations to withstand the soft ground. Still, Gaimon believed the rewards outweighed the risks. With careful management and engineering, this would become a thriving hub of commerce.
2. The Central Valley of the Wende River (Center, 25% of the Territory)
Following the river inland led to the heart of Gaimon's lands — a broad valley flanked by gentle hills and enriched by centuries of alluvial deposits.
Here lay the most fertile plains in the territory. The Wende River's floods had deposited layers of rich silt, creating soil perfect for wheat, barley, beans, melons, and fruit trees.
Natural embankments had formed on both sides of the river from years of flooding. Gaimon planned to reinforce these embankments, turning them into levees to control the river and protect farmland.
It was also in this region that Gaimon intended to build his main city — the administrative and economic center of Wende. The area's flat terrain made construction easy, while the river provided an ideal transportation route linking the hinterlands to the coast.
The valley's rivers and ponds were teeming with freshwater fish, untouched for generations. Once trade and population grew, even the humble river fish would become a valuable commodity.
In every sense, this valley was the granary of the territory — the foundation upon which the prosperity of Wende would rest.
3. The Western Limestone Hills and Forest Region (Northwest, 20%)
To the west rose a landscape of rolling limestone hills, covered in dense deciduous forest and facing toward King's Landing across the sea.
It was a karst region, riddled with natural caves, cliffs, and rocky ridges. The stone found here — high-quality limestone — was a precious resource for construction. These hills would supply the stone needed to build castles, roads, and harbors throughout Wende.
The forests themselves were another blessing. Oaks, elms, and other hardwoods grew in abundance, perfect for shipbuilding and carpentry. The woods teemed with game — deer, boar, and wolves — making the area a rich hunting ground.
Gaimon planned to turn this zone into a resource district, focused on forestry, quarrying, and the fur trade. The fur industry might seem unexpected, but it made perfect sense: the wilds offered plenty of pelts through hunting, and the grassy hills between the forests were ideal for grazing sheep and cattle.
He could already imagine caravans leaving these forests loaded with stone, lumber, and hides — the raw materials that would build the rest of his realm.
4. The Eastern Mountain Range (East, 20%)
Beyond the river valley, the land rose again into an ancient mountain range. The terrain here was rugged but not harsh — a mix of plateaus, valleys, and forested slopes that overlooked the entire Wende region.
This range bordered Cape Marseille, forming a natural barrier along the eastern edge of the territory. From the highest ridges, one could see the river winding like a silver ribbon through the plains below, all the way to the shining coast.
The mountains had not yet been surveyed, but Gaimon's instincts told him that minerals lay hidden beneath their rocky faces. Iron, tin, or even silver — any of these could transform Wende's future.
He had already sent word to Weigen, who was studying at the academy, asking him to recruit a learned maester skilled in mining and geology. Once found, that maester would lead an expedition to explore and document the resources of the eastern mountains.
For now, Gaimon focused on two industries that suited the terrain: mountain animal husbandry and viticulture.
The narrow valleys and cool slopes were ideal for vineyards, while the upland meadows could support goats and hardy cattle. If mineral veins were later discovered, this area could become the center of heavy industry — mining, metallurgy, and pottery — turning Wende into a true powerhouse of production.
5. The Southern Highlands and Border Forest (Southwest, 10%)
The southernmost part of the territory marked the border with the Stormlands. Here, the land rose into rugged plateaus and densely forested highlands that connected to the holdings of the Ellor and Buckler families — Hay Hall and Bronze Gate City respectively.
The highlands were influenced by the Crimson Mountains to the north, creating a mix of elevated forests and rocky terrain.
Crucially, this area lay close to the King's Road, making it Wende's primary gateway to the outside world.
The forests were filled with pine and fir, excellent materials for construction and shipbuilding. Gaimon planned to establish logging camps and a freight transit hub here, using the proximity to the road to move goods quickly between Wende and King's Landing.
Although less developed than the other regions, the southern highlands would play a vital role as Wende's frontier zone, guarding its borders while supporting trade and transport.
An Overview of the Land
From the sky, Gaimon could see how everything fit together. The delta plain and central valley — half of all Wende — formed the agricultural and economic base, while the hills, mountains, and forests provided raw materials and natural defenses.
It was a balanced design — a land of abundance waiting only for hands to shape it.
Developments and Challenges
As Bahamut circled above, Gaimon's gaze turned toward the settlements below.
Snow Rock Town was already thriving, with workshops and manors sprouting along the main road. The villages near the river were slowly expanding, transforming the wilderness into farmland.
Yet, not everything had gone as smoothly as the salt fields.
The shipbuilding industry, which Gaimon had once regarded as his greatest hope, was still in its infancy.
Although Wende's shipyard sat inland, the Wende River was deep and wide enough to rival any coastal harbor. In theory, even the Braavosi purple-sailed warships or the three-hundred-oared galleys of Volantis could navigate its waters. The river connected Wende directly to the sea — a natural highway for trade and travel.
But theory was one thing; practice was another.
At present, the shipyard could produce only simple fishing boats and longboats, the kind favored by the Ironborn. These small vessels were easy to build but far from sufficient for Gaimon's ambitions of ocean trade.
After a long discussion with Master Eric, the shipyard's chief builder, Gaimon realized the problem: building a true seafaring vessel required much more than wood and skilled craftsmen.
It needed a complete industrial foundation — sawmills, rope-makers, blacksmiths, and workshops producing nails, pitch, sails, and tools. Without those, the dream of constructing large trade ships was impossible.
Gaimon frowned as he looked at the calm river below. He had thought that with enough money and manpower, he could create a fleet. Now he understood that what he truly needed was an industry, not a workshop.
It would take years, perhaps decades, but he was not discouraged. Every great city in the world — Braavos, Oldtown, even King's Landing — had once started small.
Wende, too, would rise in time.
A Vision for the Future
As the sun dipped toward the western horizon, its rays painted the fields and rivers in gold. From this height, Gaimon could see it all: the salt fields sparkling like snow, the green valley winding inland, and the dark forests crowning the hills.
Every hill, every river, every acre of land was his — not by inheritance, but by will, vision, and relentless work.
He could almost see the future taking shape: fleets sailing from the river mouth, caravans crossing the highlands, vineyards clinging to the mountain slopes, and a proud city standing in the valley's heart.
This was no longer just a barren piece of land given by royal decree. It was becoming a living realm — his realm.
Smiling faintly, Gaimon patted Bahamut's neck.
"Let's go," he said softly. "There's still much to be done."
With a deep roar, the dragon spread its wings and soared higher, leaving behind the vast land that was slowly awakening under its master's vision.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)
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