Morning Light in Gulltown

The voyage from Crab Island to Gulltown was calmer than Daemon had expected. House Celtigar's three-masted ship, the Red Claw, sailed smoothly across the blue waters of Blackwater Bay. Glutton and Dreamfyre occasionally circled overhead, their enormous shadows falling across the sea and startling flocks of gulls into flight.

Colin Celtigar stood by the rail, one hand resting on it and the other holding a spyglass. From time to time, he pointed out the islands along the way to Daemon. "Your Grace, once we pass that little island ahead, we'll be nearly at Gulltown."

Colin pointed to a barren little island on their left. "There aren't many people on these islands, just a few fishermen's huts. But it's livelier around the Three Sisters. House Stark and House Arryn fought for them for thousands of years."

Daemon looked in the direction he indicated, but from this distance, he could only make out the meeting of land and sea. The Three Sisters of history lay like three scattered pearls between the Narrow Sea and the Bay of Crabs.

"I've heard of them," he said coolly. "The islanders have a reputation for being fickle, loyal only to themselves. The Eyrie can't control them at all. The septons consider them as greedy and wicked as beasts."

Gael silently added, "Father only settled their disputes with the Vale and the North last year."

"Indeed." Colin nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "His Grace handled it masterfully. But speaking of mastery, Gulltown ahead is the real treasure."

He paused, his voice filled with pride. "Gulltown is the Vale's most important port, ruled by House Grafton. Our House Celtigar ancestors once arranged a marriage with the previous Lord Grafton before the last. My great-aunt, Prudence Celtigar, married the lord at the time, so our houses have always been on fairly friendly terms."

Gael walked over to Daemon. The sea breeze stirred her silver hair, which made a lovely contrast with Dreamfyre's pale blue scales. "Is House Grafton well known?"

"In the Vale, it is." Colin smiled. "Their sigil is a yellow burning tower atop a black triangle, set against a flaming red field. They say it symbolizes their ancestors' conquest of Gulltown from the First Men." He pointed toward the coastline, growing clearer in the distance. "Look, there's Gulltown's lighthouse. You can see it from far away."

Daemon raised his spyglass. On the shore of Crab Bay stood an enormous stone tower. Its summit flame shimmered in the sunlight like a star that would never go out.

The town spread out behind the tower. Gray walls wound along the coast, and countless ships crowded the harbor, their masts packed together like a forest.

"Quite a bustling place," Mys Rivers remarked. He stood beside Rayford Rosby, and the two were discussing the warships in the harbor.

"I've heard Gulltown is one of the five major cities in Westeros, about the same size as White Harbor," Rayford added. His attention had been caught by a group of merchant ships from Braavos. "The tailors here are famous. Even nobles from King's Landing like to come here to have their clothes made."

Lubert Crabb was more interested in the defenses on the walls. "Those walls look sturdy. Much stronger than the palisades in the Crabb Lands."

Daemon said nothing. His gaze settled on a white building deeper in town. Colin had told him it was the Maris Sept, built on a small island just outside the harbor.

"Many nobles send their bastard daughters there to be raised," Colin said, lowering his voice. "Alys Tarbeck, for instance, gave birth to her child there."

Daemon recalled the scandal during King Jaehaerys's reign. The sordid affair between Alys Tarbeck and Princess Senyra had caused a great uproar. He turned away, thinking, This city is far more complicated than it appears.

By the time the Red Claw entered Gulltown's sheltered harbor, a crowd had already gathered on the docks to welcome them.

At the front stood a tall, middle-aged man wearing a red cloak embroidered with the sigil of a burning tower. He was presumably Lord Grafton.

Behind him was a crowd of nobles, including richly dressed lords, plainly dressed septons, and several men who looked like wealthy merchants, their belts bulging with what were clearly bags of gold.

"Prince Daemon, Princess Gael, welcome to Gulltown!" Lord Grafton bowed. His voice rang out, roughened by the sea air. "I am Colton Grafton, lord of Gulltown. It is an honor for our entire town to welcome Targaryen royalty."

"You're too kind, my lord." Daemon stepped forward and shook his hand. "Sorry for the trouble."

"Your Grace, this way." Lord Grafton turned to lead them along. "A modest feast is waiting at my home to welcome you and the princess."

Gulltown's streets were even cleaner than Daemon had imagined.

The waves had polished the flagstones smooth. Most of the houses on either side were built of stone, with red roof tiles and colored glass in their windows. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting bright patches of color on the ground.

The streets were full of people: porters carrying goods, merchants dressed in silk, knights leading horses, and children chasing one another.

When they saw Daemon and his party, they stopped to stare, their eyes filled with both awe and curiosity.

"Gulltown may not be as grand as King's Landing, but it's a lively place," Lord Grafton said with a smile. "Our fishermen bring in the freshest catch every day, and even Duke Roderick Arryn can't get enough of our bakers' oatcakes."

Daemon nodded, his attention caught by a towering structure. The tower was pure white, its summit carved with countless gulls that seemed ready to take flight at any moment. "What's that?"

"Gull Tower," Lord Grafton said proudly. "It's the symbol of Gulltown. From the top, you can see all of Crab Bay."

The feast was held in Lord Grafton's castle. It wasn't grand, but it was elegant, and its walls were hung with paintings of sea battles. They were said to depict House Grafton's ancestors fighting the First Men.

The long table was laden with seafood—roasted lobster, stewed crab, smoked cod—as well as all kinds of fruit and wine.

"Your Grace, try this." Lord Grafton served Daemon a piece of crab meat. "This is red crab from Crab Bay. It tastes much better than the kind you'll find elsewhere."

Daemon took a bite. The meat was tender and fresh, with a hint of sweetness. "It's very good."

"You flatter us, Your Grace." Lord Grafton smiled. "More than the food, I'd like to hear about your heroic deeds on the Crab Claw Peninsula. I heard you drove off the Wildlings all by yourself?"

Daemon smiled and briefly recounted the battle at Whispering Castle. He didn't dwell on his own exploits, and instead praised Lubert and Berna Brune for their bravery several times.

Lubert lowered his head, embarrassed, while Rayford and Mys Rivers exchanged smiles.

Gael and Mysaria sat nearby, chatting quietly.

Gael was particularly taken with one of the honey cakes on the table, so Mysaria served her a few more pieces.

Lord Grafton's wife was a gentle woman. From time to time, she served Gael and Mysaria food and asked whether they had found the voyage tiring.

The feast was a pleasant affair.

Lord Grafton wasn't as obsequious as Bartimos, nor did he probe Daemon about his ambitions. He simply welcomed his distant guests as any ordinary lord might.

He talked about Gulltown's trade, its dealings with the Free Cities, and the customs of the Vale. His words made clear how much he loved his home.

"Tomorrow, I'd be glad to show Your Grace around Gulltown," Lord Grafton offered. "You can see our shipyards and the Maris Sept."

Daemon agreed with a nod. "I'd like that. I've been wanting to see them."

Early the next morning, Lord Grafton set out with Daemon and his party.

They first visited the shipyards, where several three-masted ships were under construction. The shipwrights bustled about, and the sound of hammers striking planks echoed through the yard.

"These ships are bound for Braavos and Pentos," Lord Grafton explained. "Gulltown's shipbuilding is among the best in the Seven Kingdoms."

As Daemon looked at the ships nearing completion, he couldn't help thinking, No wonder House Velaryon and House Celtigar are so wealthy. The sea truly is an inexhaustible treasure trove.

Afterward, they went to the Maris Sept. It stood on a small island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge.

The white building gleamed in the sunlight, and lavender grew all around it, filling the air with its pleasant fragrance.

A group of white-robed septas were working in the courtyard. When they saw Daemon and his party, they stopped what they were doing and bowed.

"This is the Maris Sept," Lord Grafton explained. "It was founded by Maris, one of the Seven Preachers, and has been here for decades. Many noblemen's bastard daughters grow up here."

Daemon thought of Alys Tarbeck, the girl who had joined Princess Senyra in her debauchery and had eventually given birth here.

He looked at the septas' calm faces and couldn't help feeling moved. Perhaps this is a decent home for bastard daughters like them.

An elderly septa welcomed them and showed them around the sept's chapel and living quarters.

Statues of the Seven stood inside the chapel. The flickering candlelight lent the place a solemn air.

The living quarters were simple but tidy. Each room held a bed and a desk.

"The girls here learn more than just prayers," the elderly septa explained. "They learn to sew and read, too. When they're grown, they can choose to become septas or marry common folk and start a new life."

As Gael watched the girls reading, a hint of sympathy crossed her face. Mysaria silently traced a seven-pointed star on her chest and prayed for them.

It was already noon by the time they left the Maris Sept. The sun had grown hot, but the sea breeze brought a touch of coolness.

Standing on the stone bridge, Daemon looked back at the white building and suddenly felt that for all its bustle, the city also held a quiet side few knew about.

"Next, how about we visit Gull Tower?" Lord Grafton suggested.

Daemon nodded and followed him toward the tower. He knew there were still many people and things waiting for him to discover. And Gulltown's story had only just begun.