AN: wanted to get this right this time. Hope you all enjoy the chapter. Jesus loves you and died for everyone and rose from the grave for you. Have a blessed day!
_
Skagos, the North, 87 Ac
For centuries the island of Skagos has been abandoned by House Stark. After a rebellion with a branch house of the Direwolf, the Greystarks, it was decided to let Skagos fend for itself.
For years, cannibalism has reigned over the island chain with an iron fist. All of that changed however on the 1st moon of the year 87 AC, though the inhabitants of Skagos wouldn't know it for some time...
_
1st Pov
Waking up, I knew something was wrong. The blankets I'd gotten used to were now corse rags. The muscle I'd gained through rigorous effort was now soft and short. And worst of all? It was COLD.
Not the kind of cold that gives you goosebumps, oh no, I speak about the cold that goes to your bones. Leaves no warmth In your body. Not even breath shows in such cold. For all the warmth inside your body is taken when you breathe in winters air.
Over time I began to learn the truth of my new existence. Many words I couldn't understand. They were indecipherable to me. One thing however, stuck out. Skagos.
How damnned I'd been from birth. In a starving island as another number that the population couldn't even count.
I'd even given up hope my first few years of living. Never got close to anyone out of fear of them giving their life for mine when winter came round.
However, when I became 14 or 10 and 4 in this new life of mine, everything changed.
——
101 AC
I'd decided. Screw this island. I'd get off it to the true north or I'd die trying. I looked into the salty sea that for the first time in my life seemed to still to get a good look at my reflection.
If i had to give a description it was like Bjorn ironside from Vikings. Startling blonde- almost white hair, and the bluest eyes I've ever seen on anyone. But instead of the Baratheon deep blue, mine were ice colored. Almost white they were so pale.
Funnily enough, people called me Bjorn in this life. I have no idea why, nothing about me screams bear In my opinion.
I knew my time was soon to come here. I had no family, no ties to protect me from the hunger that sets in when winters breath reaches this chain of hell known as Skagos.
I have my hair in the same braid as Ragnar Lothbrook did his own. I'd gotten many strange whispers and looks from my fellow Skagossi but I cared not. I only kept my head down to avoid the lord of the keep.
He was said to hurt serving girls. I needed to get out of here. One day I will return with an army at my back and take this place for myself. I will feed these people of its the last thing I'll do.
Last night I saw a little girl crying. When I asked why she said her daddy hasn't been back for a while. I knew what that meant….. he either got taken by a person or a predator of the Island. Cave cats were not unheard of here in the mountains of Skagos.
I didn't know what to do. How to help. How could I? What did I truly have besides myself and the clothes on my back?
That night, the girl and her mother found a fish on their porch. It wasn't alot. But it was all I had. Hopefully, my small act of kindness will help that little girl survive one more day.
——
I shake off my thoughts when I feel the sea begin to kick up again. I look to my 'boat' if one could call it that. A terrible imitation of a longship I saw in the show Vikings. It was really a poorly hollowed out log that took me years of work.
Skagos had no shipbuilders. By the time the trees grew after the northern lords cut or burnt them all, the men who knew how to build them were dead.
So here I was, alone, nothing but 2 small knives. One made of dragon glass incase I encounter the true enemy of this world. The other, a simple rock stuck and tied to a handle for a blade. I'd sharpened it best I could on other stones and could shave my arm with it so decided it'd be useful enough to 'stick em with the pointy end.'
I grab my clock and throw it over me as I climb into the boat and begin to try and brace myself for the coming journey.
I leave just off of driftwood hall. I figure I'll be able to see where I'm going when I see the giant ice wall that cuts the north in half.
Here we go world. Time to try my best to make my mark. Even if I don't, I'd rather die to a freefolks blade than the hunger on the island. I had never eaten anyone and didn't plan to. When I return, nobody ever will again.
———
I'd lost count of how long I'd been at sea rowing. The bay of seals is no spring chicken let me tell you. I'd never been an ocean fairer but there's no such things as airplanes except for House Targaryen and Velayron. How crazy is that? I'm not only born on Skagos, but I'm also in the time of the greatest war westeros has and will see since the long night and it's return.
I shake off those thoughts for the moment. I want nothing to do with the dragon lords and their subjects.
Finally though, I see a large shape on the horizon. I know what it is. The wall. I've made it. 'Thank you lord,' I say a quiet prayer when I see my destination in sight.
I begin to row fast trying to reach shore. A move that proved dumb as I ran out of energy while still fighting open ocean. I did however manage to make it to right side of the wall. A fair distance too. I let myself rest, grateful for the fact I'd accomplished my goal. Reach the mainland.
'The first move is made.'
_______
End chapter.
Authors note: pics might be up soon. Idk. We'll see 🤷