The summer gala started with a sumptuous meal, and drinks were served around. The minstrel band played soothing tunes, and the atmosphere was light. There were almost three thousand in attendance. When the dishes were cleared away, the festivities began. Arya took the podium and introduced everyone. Smatterings of applause came for each dignitary, and a rousing roar came when Sansa and Bran were introduced. Arya thanked them for coming to the celebration of the founding of Brandon's Rest. She gave a stern speech about the enemy approaching and how they must prepare or perish. Then she introduced her husband, Thomas, and he took the dais with a large map of the North. He pointed out the new road being built to the south, and an impromptu cheer went up for the road crews in attendance. He bowed to them and continued. 10 X's were marked on the map along the coastline, and each represented a 'flower' fort that would guard the coast against Zon ships. These would be manned by 200 troops each and would represent the first line of defense. Bran shouted, "400, 200 on rotation. These will be stationed at camps somewhat back from the forts. They will represent the second line of defense. You locals will be charged with providing them what they need...at a fair cost. There will be 9 of these camps built behind the lines." Some heartfelt clapping followed that, and Thomas beamed a smile from the dais. "Even better, my liege," he said. He followed with a discussion of upgrades to villages and towns, which would constitute the third line of defense. Someone asked if this enemy might go past these defenses, and attack Dorn, or come up the east coast. A good deal of discussion went on about the Westeros navy and its plans to defend the Narrow Sea. Bran assured them that Dorn was more ready than they were. There followed a good deal of shouting about willingness to help in the preparations, and stoutly defending their homelands. Some asked what the enemy looked like. Ming Tao jumped up on a table and said, "I am half Zon and half Thrainian. Your enemy will look like me. I have sworn to defend my new homeland with intelligence and martial skill. But your enemy is large, strong, brutal, and vicious. The few of you they don't kill will be taken as slaves and worked to death. You must fight for all you love!" The fighters in the crowd began banging their tables, and the noise rose into a roar of defiance.
Then the maps were taken down, and Gendry took the dais. He called out for Lelandobas to come to the dais. Lee stood unsure, and several of his colleagues cheered him on. "Come on, Lee," Gendry clapped for him. Lee walked to the dais and stood beside Gendry. Gendry said, "For your actions, on the sea and on the land, we present to you this small gift as a token of our respect and admiration." Arya stood and shouted, "Here, here!" Several others stood and shouted the same. Many people Lee had saved or healed. Gendry uncovered the staff and handed it to him. Lee's eyes went wide when he held it. He swished it around a few times, getting the feel of it, saying, "It's light." Gendry handed him two rings, and he put one on each hand. When he held the staff again, power in the form of a green glow scattered into the air around him. He looked amazed and said, "I will attempt a mass healing spell." He held the staff aloft and said the words of the spell, and everyone in the room was suddenly covered in a green glow. Ned nearly fell from his rail when he felt it. Everyone felt minor aches and pains vanish, and minor illnesses were cured. Indeed, even the people outside, still working in the city, or on the docks, glowed green. It was later said that even those four days of hard riding away felt the green glow and healing. The people in attendance were shocked and amazed, and they finally began to understand the power of those who had come to live among them. They clapped and cheered for 10 minutes straight. Some awards were handed out to crews and clan members who had done excellent things in service, and the festivities were over.
Far to the west, the invasion of Thrain was being completed. The Zon High Council was speaking about the invasion of the east. Plans were made to send several small spy vessels to gather intel, and the invasion of Aman was recommenced. Things were moving in a direction they liked, and many slaves had been captured.
The night after most of the guests left, Thomas was lounging around with Arya. He was flipping through the pages of the Mad Maester's notebooks. Suddenly, a small drawing that hadn't ever registered with him before caught his eye. "That's genius," he yelled, hugging and kissing Arya, before running out the door. Arya glanced through the page he had left open; there were drawings and scribbling all over the page. How he noticed one thing on that page was beyond her, but she liked the hugs and kissing.
Thomas ran to the forge building, which now had a roof.