The Starks arrived a week after the Redwyne's. Arya, Bran, Robb and Eddard came into his city with wide eyes. They hadn't expected the city to be as big as it was. Arya, as soon as she saw him, ran up to him and hugged him, "I missed you Jon"
"I missed you too, Arya", Jon patted her head before whispering, "I am sure you haven't been slacking off. You must show me your prowess soon. I imagine you are quite the talent"
"Yeah, my axe handle is getting along", she whispered back.
Jon looked surprised. An Axe? He had suspected her to be like show Arya, a swordswoman… thinking on it, it was Jon gifting her needle that inspired her to go after swordsmanship… without needle, she must've gone down a different route. Interesting… very interesting indeed.
Arya stepped away from him and he bowed to his 'father', "my liege"
"Lord Jotun", he nodded. There was a tense second of silence before he too hugged him, whispering into his ear, "it is good to see you again Jon. I always look forward to your letters. This city of yours… it is marvellous"
"Indeed it is. That is what hard work can bring you", more like magic but he need not know that.
Bran looked at him with big eyes. He had been so small when Jon left and now, the aura that he emitted was suffocating. Bran was destined to be the three eyed raven, he could subconsciously feel the magic radiating off Jon.
Robb thought it strange. Jon had changed a lot since he last saw him. His posture was perfect, his gaze sharp. This wasn't the brooding child he had known, this was a lord, "you up for a rematch?"
"Always, brother", Jon's grin was still the same though. He could still see that kid he had once known in that smile.
Jon showed them to the guest rooms, in the same corridor as the Redwyne's rooms. All the rooms were furnished the same. To the left were the rooms and to the right were the arches from which you could overlook everything.
Bran was somewhat disappointed. The palace and the city around it was made with magic, completely smooth, there were no stone cracks to climb on. He would just slip off.
The servants they took with them were guided to the servants quarters.
The servants quarters were further down, underground, near the mines. There were no archways down there and even if there were, they would only see dirt and rock. The kitchens were just above the servants quarters, on ground level, with windows which sent the aroma of freshly cooked meat out into the training yard.
Which was where he and Arya later met with each other, whilst the others were exploring Snow's edge. Arya was wielding a handaxe swinging it at her brother. He dodged each and everyone of her attacks, commenting on her form. She was good but had obviously taught herself. This was her very own style, unlike any other.
She kept missing, yet she never grew frustrated, only more determined to improve, so that she one day may be able to hit him. She idolised Jon, so that goal seemed almost unreachable but she still wanted to try.
After half an hour, she was left panting, sweaty, "one day… huff… I'll be the… huff… greatest aye wielder… huff… alive!"
"That's the right mentality", Jon grinned, "now we have to go though. Dinner time is almost here and I'm sure you want to wash up before that. I'll call for a servant to draw a bath for you"
"Thanks"
The great hall was still relatively empty. Even with the Redwyne's and the Starks there, it wasn't even near full capacity. The only guests that were yet to arrive were the Daynes. Three more months till the ceremony, two until the Daynes said they would arrive. Plenty of breathing time.
That day, they served seal meat. There were plenty of seals in the waters around sea dragon point. They were nowhere near endangered like they had been on earth, here they roamed in masses. The meat was dark red and gamey, with a rich flavour profile.
"I had never had seal before but I like it", Desmera nodded, taking another delicate bite.
"I prefer Wolf", Arya shrugged, "this is fine though"
Yes, Wolf had quite the distinct flavour. Too bad that no wolves roamed the woods around sea dragon point. He had to agree that it tasted good.
"You eat wolf?" Desmera asked, surprised. She wasn't disgusted, merely curious.
"Yeah, they roam most of the wolf's wood, their flesh has a quite distinct flavour. It is something I will have to show you one day, few wolves roam this land"
"You have never had wolf?" Arya blurted out, looking bewildered. To her, wolf meat was common, it was served regularly in Winterfell. She, the child she was, hadn't even thought that someone might never have eaten wolf before.
"Can't say I have. I've had pigeon pie though. You don't have any pigeons this far north right?" Desmera asked.
"No… what does it taste like?" Arya cocked her head.
"Like a mix of duck and chicken"
"I've never had chicken… I like duck though", Arya took another bite of her grilled seal.
"The wedding is in two and a half months, the Daynes should come in two weeks if they are on schedule. Until then, enjoy your life here."
"Are there any brothels in town?" Robb asked, earning him a distasteful look from their father. Robb had recently discovered the joys of the whores, spurned on by Theon. Jon was glad that Theon hadn't come with them. He didn't like him, neither in the show nor in personal experience.
"The town is still new. It hasn't been long enough for a proper brothel to form but there are some whores, operating from their houses, or so my people tell me. I haven't visited any of them", he quickly added upon Desmera's stare, "I just know because i collect taxes on their earnings!"
That seemed to calm his bride.