Chapter 58: Wanna ride an alligator?
Their meeting became warm after they got relaxed. He introduced them to his party and Howland did the same.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" He asked.
"Son, please don't take my words badly but I want you to forgive my predecessors for ignoring the Neck and the house Reed. You have been so loyal to us and yet we didn't do much for you. You are even mocked by the other northerners. Honestly, If it was me in your shoes I would have started a rebellion years ago. I want to change your life for the better, because when I see your land. I see opportunity," Alexander truthfully said.
Howland Reed was surprised by the worlds of the elderly sitting in front of him. Comparing him as of now with the one he saw in the throne room of Red Keep. There was an earth and sky difference.
"What opportunity, uncle?" He asked.
"Haha... I have been able to procure lots of seeds for food crops that can grow in this swampland." Alexander said. The seeds would have grown even without making the soil fertile. But he still made the soil of the whole neck very fertile.
"Yes, look at these seeds. These are vegetables and fruits. This is Rice and it can easily grow here. I'll also give you written recipes to make tasty dishes with them. You can even make enough to sell them to others." Alexander said as he showed the seeds or roots of rice, paddy, cassava, maize, fruits like cranberries, sweet potatoes and coconut and vegetables like sea lavender, yam, cocoyam, and pumpkin.
There were enough varieties for them to never get bored. Then he taught them how to grow them and also about the time of harvesting. They will be having a bumper harvest of food in about 3-4 months. Cranberries would take much longer though.
Alexander used his magic to imprint his instructions into their brains so they don't mess up and come to him to complain later.
"There's another thing I want you to do. I want to commission you to make a town near to King's Road. It will serve as your permanent trading outpost. It should be made above wood and bamboo pillars. Take this as this is a design for you. You can even open some Food restaurant/Inn there and serve your soon to grow specialties." Alexander said and handed them the designs.A guy from Howland's group looked at the design and spoke. "Ingenious design. But it'll cost us a fortune to make, my lords."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot to give this to you," Alexander said and pulled out a big-money bag from his large chest. Which was always with them, according to the people in the room.
"Since I am commissioning you to make it, I should also supply the money. Here, 10,000 gold Dragons should be enough for this small town." Alexander said.
Howland looked at him. Who gives someone so much for nothing?
"My lord. H-How can we take this?" He said, shooking his head.
"It's Uncle and I don't think I am doing this for nothing. If you get rich, you'll pay more tax and that is good for me. On top of that, I've had great adventures in my younger days and have made a small fortune myself, so don't worry about it. This won't bankrupt me, haha" Alexander smugly said.
~Says the guy who can turn any metal into gold~ Benjen and Dobby thought at the same time.
In the end, Howland accepted the money. Then suddenly a guard barged in, "My lord. They attacked again"
Howland looked angered, Alexander asked, "Who attacked, my boy?" He asked.
"It's not who. It's a what. There's a group of giant alligators, they've been attacking us for a long time now." He said.
"Why don't you domesticate them? Just imagine traveling by standing on their backs," Alexander said.
"They are wild beasts, Uncle," Howland argued.
"Take me to them," he said.
They reluctantly took him to the place where the alligators attacked. When Alexander went there, he sensed them and felt their minds. They were dumb and rage-filled beasts. So he changed their minds a little. It made them friendly to Crannogmen and follow their commands after some training. There were about 2 thousand giant alligators in the whole neck and he did it to all of them.
"Rina, wanna ride an alligator?" He asked.
"Yaaay... But what is ari-ga-tor?" She confusedly asked.
"Haha... Look there." He pointed.
A very big alligator headed straight to them. The men pointed their arrows at it.
"Don't shoot the arrow. It's not going to attack," he said.
Soon the alligator came close to Alexander and looked at him for a while. Then it went to his feet and started licking them.
"Hahaha... Good boy. Come, Rina." He grabbed the hand of Rina and stood upon its back.
The alligator moved in the water slowly with them standing on their backs. Rina was originally scared but in a matter of minutes started enjoying it. After turning some circles around, they returned.
"See, you can domesticate them." He said and gave them some fake secret language words. They would use it on the alligators themselves. After an hour everyone there had an alligator. Their house sigil was something alligator-like so they were very happy with having the new companion.
"Hahaha... So many gifts in a single day. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you," he gratefully said.
"Haha... I am your liege lord. It's my duty to help you in times of need." Alexander patted his back.
"Alright, we should leave now. There is a lot of work in Winterfell. I'll return when you complete the Bamboo town and start selling your new delicacies." He said.
"Haha... You are always welcome here, my Lor... Uncle," Howland said.
...
After a while they were back on the flying carpet, making land fertile and creating some mines. They did it till they reached the wall. Truly a magical place.
From there they flew across the wall into the wild north. He looked around and found the camp. But there was a skirmish going on around it. It seemed like they were getting attacked.
They came down from the carpet at some distance and then took out their horses and donned their armor. They rode towards the camp.
Alexander looked into a guy's mind and found out that they were being attacked by cannibals. He quickly sent Rina to Phixheim to Medusa. He had told Medusa to take her to see a unicorn.
Then he, Dobby, and Benjen joined the fight. With their addition, the fight didn't last long. They cut down all of the cannibals.
Jormun, the leader of the small village welcomed him with a bear hug.
"Haha... great 'Lord' Stark has come to help us now," he said.
"Well, someone had to come and save your ass," Alexander replied, changing his way of talking to match Freefolks.
"This is my nephew, Benjen, and you already know Dobby," Alexander introduced.
"Come, let's get something to drink" He led them to a big tent.
"Why did they attack this village? I thought they didn't come this far," he asked.
"Hunger makes you do many things, my friend," Jormun replied.
"Wise words coming out of you. What did you do to Jormun?" He joked.
"Yeah... Yeah... So, what's with the sudden visit? And what about that King business?" Jormun asked.
"I killed the King and also saved my other nephew. Now, I've become the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North." Alexander said.
"Hmmm... Climbing the social ladder are you now." Jormun said with a large sip of alcohol.
"Wait, try this" Alexander gave him a bottle of Firewhiskey.
Jormun drank some and his eyes widened, "This... This is magic"
"Haha... I knew you'd like it. House Stark makes it now. Our brand new creation."
"Then I must ask you to sell me some. You can take whatever you want in return." Jormun said.
"Hahaha... I can sell it to you but only if you accept one request of mine." Alexander seriously said.
"Ask anything, my friend," Jormun said.
"I want all the non-cannibal Freefolks to move to Skagos. The harsh north is no place to live. You all have been living here because the Wall didn't allow you to move south. Food is scarce here, most of the babies die even before their first namesday. In Skagos, you'll have land to grow food and animals to herd. I'll also give you many ships to conduct trade. I've also found an iron and silver mine there." Alexander said.
"Did you forget that we don't kneel?" Jormun angrily said.
"I don't remember telling you to bloody do so. All I said was to move to Skagos." Alexander also showed a slight anger. The best way to talk to a Freefolk was to do it like them.
Jormun suddenly realized his mistake, "Sorry, my friend. But I've heard that the sea around Skagos is violent and the island is also Stony."
That was true but Alexander would solve the problem. The sea was so violent because of the air current that used to get trapped between the Northern mainland and Skagos' tall mountains. He just needed to change the topography of the island to solve it. It was also inhabited by Cannibals. Unicorns also supposedly lived there.
"That's just a hoax. Trust me, it's a nice, big island with enough pasture and jungle. If you agree, then tell other friendly tribes too." Alexander said.
"What about your other northern lords? Won't they object?" Jormun countered.
"Last I remember, I was their liege lord. If they go against me, I'll deal with them in my own way," he firmly replied.
"Hahaha... I believe you. I'll send messengers to all friendly tribes. The Giants are nice, they should come too," Jormun said.
After that, they drank some more, and Alexander went out to find Benjen and Dobby. He found them talking to a Giant, Mag the mighty. Dobby was able to understand the big man but Benjen was clueless.
"Hello there, King of Giants. It's nice to meet you. Jormun might want to talk to you." Alexander said. The giant nodded and walked away.
"To think that Giants are still alive. We southerners are so ignorant," Benjen exclaimed.
"Haha, wait till you see the dragons in some years," Alexander said, shocking him even more.
Then he went to Phixheim to grab Rina. He found her happily playing with a baby unicorn. Loudly laughing when the Unicorn licked her face.
"Hahaha... You've been having fun, I see" Alexander came.
"Grandpaaaa... Look, his name is Roony. He's so cute," she pointed to the baby unicorn.
Alexander also walked up to them and caressed the baby unicorn.
"Haha... Yes, he's very cute. Okay, we're going home Rina. Your mother should be worried about you." He said.
"Already? But I wanted to play more," she sadly said.
"I can bring you here anytime you want, sweety. Don't worry. Roony will also be here the next time you come. Am I right Roony?" He said.
The little Unicorn nodded and licked Rina's face.
"Hehe... Okay, bye Roony" She hugged him and left with Alexander. Then they boarded the carpet again and returned to Winterfell.
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