Lynd felt rather unlucky. First, Jon inherited a title and resigned from his position, and now Dacey was doing the same. He was starting to suspect that, aside from those of lowly birth, most of his subordinates had the potential to inherit noble titles.
Jon's situation had been unexpected. House Bulwer was never a significant house in that book from his past life, so he hadn't even known where Blackcrown was, let alone that Jon would inherit a title and a castle.
But Dacey was different—he had thought this through. He was well aware that Jorah would be exiled after committing a crime and that Dacey's mother would inherit Bear Island. He had planned to use Dacey's connections to establish a port on Bear Island, facilitating trade with the wildlings beyond the Wall.
If necessary, Bear Island could serve as a staging ground to transport wildlings southward to populate his own lands. Alternatively, it could be developed into a forward base to monitor activity beyond the Wall.
However, Lady Maege's decision to pass the lordship to Dacey completely disrupted his plans. Clearly, Dacey's outstanding performance in the war had been the decisive factor behind Maege's choice.
Even though Dacey becoming the Lady of Bear Island wouldn't directly affect his plans north of the Wall—in fact, it might even work in his favor—Bear Island was still part of the North. Once Dacey took over, her liege lord would be Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell.
Lynd working directly with Dacey, and even planning to build a port and military base on Bear Island, would undoubtedly encroach on Winterfell's authority. If it ever came to dispute, he would have no legitimate claim to stand on.
After a moment of thought, Lynd turned to Dacey and said, "We'll discuss this matter separately later."
"Yes, my lord," Dacey nodded.
Lynd then asked, "Since you're leaving, do you have anyone suitable to recommend as your replacement for Commander of the Women's Battalion?"
Dacey hesitated for a moment before glancing at Obara Sand, who stood beside her. Though their time working together had not been long, she had to admit that Obara, having undergone specialized training under the Red Viper, was the superior military leader. Most of the battalion's day-to-day operations had already fallen under Obara's management, while Dacey had primarily focused on training the soldiers.
Lynd also turned to look at Obara. Since he had personally overseen the formation of the Women's Battalion in Miracle Harbor, he had paid special attention to its progress. He was well aware of what was happening within the battalion and had a clear understanding of Obara's capabilities.
Obara quickly shook her head. "Don't look at me. Don't forget, I was sent here by my father to study. In a few years, I'll return to Dorne—I won't be staying long-term. You should choose someone more permanent; constantly changing commanders will only weaken the battalion's effectiveness."
Her words reminded Lynd of Obara's status as a "Dorne exchange student."
He recalled when she had arrived with a letter from the Red Viper. At the time, he had considered sending her to the Black Cave to assist Malora with experiments. After all, Obara's knowledge of poisons was second only to the Red Viper himself—perhaps even surpassing him. Malora had once exchanged ideas with her and spoke highly of her skills.
However, the Black Cave contained some of Lynd's most closely guarded secrets. Obara was not a loyal subordinate of his; she had been sent by the Red Viper to study what was considered a groundbreaking new system in Westeros. Allowing her access to too many of his domain's secrets would be unwise.
In the end, he had assigned her to the Women's Battalion at Miracle Harbor. If she was to learn about his new system, Miracle Harbor was the perfect place—everything about it was innovative, and the Women's Battalion itself was an unprecedented concept in Westeros. There was plenty for her to study.
Still, Obara had performed so exceptionally in her role as deputy commander that Lynd often forgot she was only there as a temporary student.
"What about you?" he asked. "Do you have any recommendations?"
Obara thought for a moment before suggesting, "What about Brienne as commander of the Women's Battalion?"
Scar-Eyed Mitt, the commander of Miracle Harbor's garrison and the Women's Battalion's nominal superior, frowned upon hearing Obara's suggestion. "Brienne is still a teenager—that's too young for such a position."
"She may be young, but she's certainly capable," Obara countered. "She was personally trained by Lord Lynd since childhood—a model knight. Besides..." She glanced at Mitt, who had grown noticeably softer around the waist from a life of comfort. "Lord Mitt, would you even be a match for her now? If someone like you can lead Miracle Harbor's garrison, why shouldn't she be fit to command the Women's Battalion?"
The ongoing friction between the Women's Battalion and the garrison was well known throughout Miracle Harbor. The original cause had long been forgotten, but what remained certain was that the battalion's leaders and their supposed direct superior, Scar-Eyed Mitt, did not get along. While they had not yet resorted to outright violence, they frequently exchanged barbed remarks.
Lynd paid no mind to the conflict between the two factions. As far as he was concerned, as long as they weren't drawing swords on each other, it wasn't a serious issue—and he had no intention of personally stepping in to mediate.
Lynd mulled over Obara's suggestion. Brienne was indeed the best candidate for the commander of the Women's Battalion. Despite being in her teens, her physique and strength were already beyond ordinary. Years of training under Lynd had honed her skills—she had sparred with warriors and knights under his command and regularly participated in raids against bandits. In terms of pure combat ability, she was already formidable. Even Dacey and Obara, without resorting to special techniques, were no match for her.
Moreover, as Lynd's squire, Brienne frequently attended political meetings and assisted him in administrative matters. Her management skills were more than sufficient for any leadership role within the territory.
Yet, after careful consideration, Lynd shook his head, rejecting the idea.
"Why?" Obara and Dacey both looked puzzled. "Isn't she the most suitable choice?"
"She is the sole heir of House Tarth of Evenfall Hall," Lynd explained.
For years, Earl Selwyn Tarth had hoped to secure a male heir for House Tarth by marrying Brienne off, but with the rise of Nymeria and Tumbleton, his perspective had shifted. That was why he had sent Brienne to Nymeria—to learn how to govern as a lord.
Recently, Selwyn had written several letters to Brienne, admitting that his health was deteriorating and urging her to return to Evenfall Hall to help manage the land. It was clear that he was preparing to pass the lordship to her.
However, Brienne had refused his summons, insisting that she had yet to earn enough merit to become a knight.
In Lynd's eyes, though, it was only a matter of time before Brienne returned to Evenfall Hall, which made her unsuitable for any long-term leadership role in the Women's Battalion.
"I do have someone in mind," Dacey said after some thought. "Her name is Tilan. She's the captain of the Women's Battalion guard under my command. She was once a gladiator in Meereen, but later, she and her family were sold by slave traders and brought here. After gaining her freedom, she joined the Women's Battalion, where she quickly distinguished herself. Her brother is a falconer at the Eyrie, and her nephew has become a harbor guide. Loyalty won't be an issue."
Lynd considered this for a moment before saying, "Select a few more candidates and compile a list. I'll have them sent to the Redemption Sept to undergo the loyalty and capability trials. If she passes, she will be your successor. But until then, you will need to continue as commander for a while longer."
"Understood, my lord," Dacey nodded.
Lynd then turned to the Miracle Harbor officials in the room. "Where are Ser Hollis and Septon Joseth?"
Steward Wyeth answered, "Ser Hollis is stationed at the Stepstones. Due to your disappearance, the pirate alliance there saw an opportunity to cause trouble, so he has already led part of the fleet to Godsgrace Island. As for Septon Joseth, he is currently at the Redemption Sept, undergoing the Seven Gods' Trial."
"Joseth is taking the Seven Gods' Trial?" Lynd paused, frowning. "Why would he do that?"
The Seven Gods' Trial, devised by Lynd and Malora, was an enhanced version of the trials for the holy sisters and Silent Men—designed to completely transform those who undertook it. But with such extensive modification came extreme danger.
So far, three individuals—all devout followers of the Faith of the Seven and unwaveringly loyal to Lynd—had undergone the trial.
However, all three had ultimately succumbed to the excruciating pain, their minds breaking under the strain. Even though their bodies had survived and completed the trial, they had been reduced to little more than living husks, barely more than the walking dead.
Lynd and Malora had never intended to carry out these trials. When they first conceived the process, they had deemed it too extreme, deciding against implementing it, let alone conducting human experiments.
But Qyburn, acting as their assistant, believed the trial was already perfected and pushed for live experimentation. Without their knowledge, he tricked three pious septons from the Redemption Sept into undergoing the process. The results had been disastrous. When the experiment failed, Qyburn was punished—banned from approaching the Black Cave or conducting any experiments for six months. For someone as obsessed with experimentation as Qyburn, this had been the harshest punishment imaginable.
"He feels that you've been giving too much attention to the Redemption Sept and have neglected the Miracle Sept for too long," Wyeth said with a helpless expression. "That's why he volunteered for the Seven Gods' Trial—to prove his devotion to the Seven and his loyalty to you, my lord."
Hearing Wyeth's explanation, Lynd felt at a loss for words. He didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Wyeth had a point. Lynd had indeed invested a great deal of effort into the Redemption Sept, personally establishing the quasi-religious militant orders of the Holy Sisters of Redemption, the Silent Men, and the Chosen Sons. Meanwhile, the Miracle Sept had been left largely to its own devices.
Although he had stationed some Stone Giants there as temple guards, when he disappeared, the town of Redemption grew concerned that there wasn't enough protection for Nymeria and her unborn child. As a result, they recalled the Stone Giants back to the Redemption Sept.
Naturally, this had displeased Septon Joseth. His decision to undergo the Seven Gods' Trial was his way of proving his devotion and loyalty, hoping it would earn him more of Lynd's attention.
Lynd found the whole situation somewhat ridiculous—it was, in essence, a competition for favor.
He let out a sigh. "How far has he progressed in the trial?"
To Lynd, Septon Joseth was not only loyal but also highly capable. He didn't want such a valuable subordinate to be reduced to a mindless husk simply because he sought more recognition. He hoped that the trial hadn't reached an irreversible stage so he could put a stop to it.
Wyeth replied, "I've heard that he has already completed all the trials and is now at the Redemption Sept, adapting to the blessings bestowed by the Seven."
Lynd was momentarily stunned. "He completed all the trials?"
He knew full well that these so-called trials were, in truth, a brutal process of transformation. Without the aid of anesthetics, participants had to endure the entire ordeal while fully conscious. Even someone with an iron will would struggle to withstand such agony. It was difficult to believe that Septon Joseth had truly succeeded—Lynd suspected the Redemption Sept was lying.
But upon reconsideration, he realized that a lie wouldn't hold for long. Joseth would eventually have to return to the Miracle Sept to resume his duties. If he never returned, the deception would unravel on its own, leading to even greater complications. The leadership at the Redemption Sept was surely aware of this. If they claimed Joseth had succeeded, then perhaps he really had.
This piqued Lynd's curiosity. He wondered what changes Joseth might have undergone after enduring the transformation.
Still, he decided not to dwell on the matter for now. He would see for himself once he returned to the town of Redemption.
...
Based on everything he had just learned, Lynd made a few adjustments to the policies governing Miracle Harbor. He increased the membership of the Miracle Merchant Guild and expedited the third phase of the dock expansion, among other initiatives.
After issuing these directives, he dismissed everyone from the room—except for Dacey.
Once they were alone, Lynd briefly explained his plans for the lands beyond the Wall and the crucial role Bear Island would play in them. He hoped that after she became the Lady of Bear Island, she would support his efforts.
Dacey considered his words for a moment before asking, "If we start dealing with the wildling tribes on our own, what about the Night's Watch? How will they react?"
Lynd had already thought of a solution. "I'll give you a letter. When you return, visit Castle Black and deliver it to the Lord Commander when you have the chance. He won't hold you accountable for this."
He paused, then added, "Your real concern should be Winterfell's stance on the matter. If I build a military stronghold on Bear Island, it would be seen as an act of aggression against the North. Even if you and Lord Eddard don't take issue with it, the other Northern lords will, and they'll pressure him into taking action. When that happens, you'll be the first one they target."
"In that case, I could send troops to back you up," he continued. "But that would make me a direct invader of the North, and you and Bear Island would be branded as traitors. I don't want to worsen my relations with the North, so I won't deploy my forces unless absolutely necessary. You'll have to handle this yourself."
Instead of being daunted by the challenges Lynd had outlined, Dacey's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Don't worry. I know how to handle it. If it comes down to it, I'll deal with the situation the traditional way."
"Traditional way?" Lynd gave her a skeptical look.
Dacey simply grabbed the mace at her waist and swung it twice. "By beating them into submission, of course."