NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Don't Panic Ch11: Black Market Beats
Chapter Synopsis: So they've finally made it to Winterfell. Sirius sets out to meet the locals, and the locals get the dubious honour of meeting Sirius. Where the locals learn never to trick a marauder, and Sirius teaches the town some new beats. Here comes the sun indeed.
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Last Time: ... "We travel to see the world, not necessarily through any effort to turn profit. Money is not so much of a concern for us." Harry said, hinting at the hidden wealth of gold galleons hidden safely stored away in their trunks. "It's merely through convenience, and an interest in helping the smallfolk we encounter, that we carry goods with us for trade."
If this were true, Edwyle thought, it would connect quite a few dots. Especially with regard to their generosity and the surprisingly high quality goods they carried. He also concluded that if they were legitimately 'hobbyist' traders, and what a strange concept that was to consider, it would also explain their occasional incompetence with their horse and cart."
…"the sooner you start selling, the better. While you won't find any starving mouths in Winterfell, the town has been on rations for months now. I'm sure the people will be more than happy to take their fill of any fresh food you have on offer. A stable boy will show you to the market, and you can set up wherever you like."
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Chapter 11: Black Market Beats
Leaving Harry up in the Library with the Maester, Sirius and Dobby re-emerged from the castle gates pushing their cart, which Sirius had already lightened with some surreptitious feather-light charms. They were making their way down into Winter Town to set up a merchant stand in the local market. The town itself actually lay sprawled out to the south of the castle, nestled at the base of the hill upon which Winterfell was perched and surrounded by its own formidable stone wall.
As they exited the gates, they had a magnificent view of the town spread out below them. The town sat straddled the freshwater streams that wound around the base of the hill. The streams continuing on to join the White Knife river, which was just visible in the distance; providing a source of fresh drinking water for the towns people. With a keen eye, Sirius could also see the famous hot water springs bubbling up through the ground in a number of public squares which had clearly sprung up around the locations to benefit from their warm during the winters.
Sirius admired the way the town was built, with its sturdy stone structures and tightly packed streets. The advantage it offered in a siege was clear, as any invading army would have to divide its attention between the town and the castle to avoid a counterattack from either side. The town and castle would also not want for warmth or fresh water as any besieging army sat in the cold outside the walls.
Sirius considered that this Brandon fellow who built the town was clearly a dab hand at town planning. Although the thought crossed his mind that it could also have been the daughter of Peverell they had heard about, who was responsible for the robust natural benefits the town called its own. After all, it wouldn't have been too hard for a well-trained witch to form the streams and hot springs that fed the town.
As he approached the town gates, he took in the scattered snow cover and the muddy streets that were an inevitable result of the season. People wearing thick furs bustled about, their breath visible in the cold air as they went about their daily tasks. There was a sense of camaraderie and shared struggle among the townspeople, who faced the harsh northern climate together.
Upon entering the town, Sirius was guided by a stable boy to a small market beside the central square. Tipping him a galleon as they parted seemed to garner an extreme response from the boy. Sirius was pretty sure he'd overpaid. He'd need to figure out the local currency and stop giving people coins from their old world. Thankfully he knew Dobby had some gold dragons and other coins tucked away in his pouch ready for use.
The market was already bustling with activity, though there were few merchants this early in the season, even here in the Northern Capital, trade was slow to start as winter ended. Still, it was a more vibrant scene than the other towns they had passed through, where the trio had been the only merchants present.
As Sirius prepared to set up his stall, he passed a curious eye over the offerings of the other merchants. Most of them clearly hailing from nearby towns themselves. There were vendors selling the usual northern goods of furs and leather, as well as those offering various types of preserved foods. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of roasting meat from a nearby food vendor.
An overweight man wearing an embellished outfit and too many gold rings on his stubby fingers approached the duo as they were setting up. The man had a haughty, overconfident air that Sirius was familiar with from his interactions with many purebloods growing up as a Black. Taking an immediate dislike to the man, Sirius braced himself for what he anticipated would be an inevitably tedious interaction. He put on his best pureblood face in preparation, the one that said, 'I'm better than you and we both know it'
"Good day, sers! I am Padric, Master of Markets in Winter Town," the man announced with excessive pride, his puffed out chest reflecting his similarly overinflated sense of self-importance.
Padric eyed this new merchant, wondering if he was a little constipated, based on the way he was screwing his face up in such a strange manner. It didn't matter in the end, he'd met plenty of strange traders over the years, he didn't mind as long as they paid up.
"In that case, it is agreeable to meet you Master Padric. I should inform you I will be setting up a stall in the square here for a moon" Sirius replied, unsure of how long he would be staying in the area.
"I like a man who gets down to business." Padric replied with an anticipatory gleam in his eyes. "That will be 10 dragons for the moon. 15 if you want this prime spot by the hot spring in the center of the square"
Even with his rudimentary grasp of the currency, Sirius knew that was more than should be necessary to rent a stall. It was certainly a lot more than the few market squares that had charged for a spot in the towns they had stopped in on the way here. Lord Stark had also already given him permission to set up wherever he wanted, though he would concede that this Podric fellow had no way to know that yet. He suspected the man was skimming off the top, because Lord Stark didn't seem like the type that would over charge merchants. Particularly this close to the end of winter.
Sirius wasn't particularly concerned with the gold, considering the enormous piles Harry had brought with him from the Potter and Black family vaults. Even still, he made a point of slowly and visibly looking around at the almost empty market square before turning back to Padric with his eyebrow raised.
Padric's grin turned predatory at the look from Sirius, and the glint in his eye got brighter. "It's that or you push that cart of yours to the next town over" he said, holding his hand out for the coin.
Sirius made an act of sighing but put his hand in his pocket and drew out a reasonable amount of gold coins and handed it over. He wasn't sure why the house elves had packed leprechaun gold in the trunks for Harry, but he made a point of keeping some with him for occasions just like this. A marauder knew to always be prepared and Sirius had known it would only be a matter of time before they met someone like Padric on their travels. He'd have to make sure Harry was prepared as well; not everyone would be as nice as the lords they'd met in the last few weeks, and the heir to the marauders couldn't be seen as an easy target.
Sirius watched Padric walk away across the square with a spring in his step, carrying the handful of leprechaun gold he'd handed over. Sirius smiled thinking of the reaction Padric would have when he found the gold missing in an hour or two. Internally, Sirius resolved to hit Padric with a prank or two when the opportunity arose. The man could do with a bit of petty revenge. Though Sirius would bide his time for a few days, to ensure no one would connect any mishaps back to him.
With Dobby's help, Sirius finished setting up their stall. Something that had become more elaborate as they moved through the villages and became more adept at playing the part of merchants.
They were continuing to focus on selling steel tools and fresh food, as these seemed to fill a serious need of the people in this region. These also happened to be goods the storage trunks had in surplus supply. Sirius was pretty sure they'd snap-up his precious Firewhiskey if offered, but there was no way he would give up his limited supply.
Following Harry's agreement with Lord Stark, he steeply discounted the food, and even dropped the price on the tools further than usual. As a final step, he conjured a sign announcing the lower than normal prices and the ready supply of fresh foods. Though come to think of it, he didn't know if any of the townsfolk could read.
It seemed the word spread anyway. As a long orderly line soon formed in front of the stall. One by one, the worn-down but hardy looking residents arrived, clad in their thick furs and eager to purchase the well-priced food for their families.
Dobby continued to surreptitiously re-stock as they sold the goods, ensuring they never ran out. It was easy enough for them to share some food, even under the guise of 'selling' it at ridiculously low prices. There was no need for them to turn anyone away, and Sirius was enjoying his role.
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After closing the stall for the day, Sirius and Dobby split up to explore Winter Town. Sirius strolled through the central square, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively community. Children played in the snow, their laughter ringing through the air, while adults gathered around fires, most of them enjoying some satisfyingly fresh food they had purchased from Sirius.
Sirius observed the small grove of weirwood trees that stood serenely off to one side of the square. The town buildings built a respectable distance back from the grove, which retained its raw beauty. The sight of the ancient trees, their faces carved into the bark, brought a sense of calm and reverence to the bustling town. Their gnarled branches stretched out like arms, as if offering protection to those who sought solace beneath them.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Sirius wandered through the narrow streets of Winter Town, taking note of the various shops and inns that lined them. He could hear the clanging of a blacksmith's hammer in the distance and the murmur of conversation from within the warm, inviting taverns.
As he took in the sights, Sirius couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the adventure they'd begun, and the small but notable impact their presence was having on the people of the North.
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Sirius stepped into the inn they had been set up in by Ser Joss at the instructions of Lord Stark., It was certainly one of the nicer looking taverns and inns he had seen in his brief exploration of the town. The warmth and inviting atmosphere washing over him as he crossed the threshold.
The establishment was bustling with activity, as the day's end brought many patrons in for a meal, some of whom seemed to have come especially to take advantage of the unusually fresh food from the kitchen. Sirius knew this food had been bought from his stall in bulk earlier that day, its freshness a result of the preservation charms the elves had employed when it was originally stored.
Surveying the scene, Sirius noticed the increasingly inebriated crowd gathered by the bar, their laughter and chatter filling the air. In one corner, a group of bards played lively, Irish-sounding folk songs, their fingers deftly plucking at the strings of their instruments. As they played, they happily accepted the occasional donated coin from appreciative patrons.
Feeling the need for a meal and a drink, Sirius approached the bar, addressing the woman he assumed to be the matron in charge. He first requested directions to the room Ser Joss had reserved for them. This would serve as their home base while they stayed in Winterfell and Winter Town. He'd have Dobby set-up the tent inside the room when the elf returned from his own explorations. Sirius was also sure to instruct the matron not to have staff enter the room, as no cleaning would be required.
Having sorted accommodation, he ordered a meal, and something to quench his thirst. An Ale in this case, as the alcohol selection in the North seemed to be exclusively Ale or Red wine.
Sirius wondered why no one seemed to have invented mead at this point. Wasn't that supposed to be a staple of medieval society back in their old world? Something about it being easy to produce with a steady supply of honey. He'd let Harry know to add that to the list in the little notebook he always seemed to be carrying around these days. Mead would be relatively easy to introduce and he would enjoy having a wider selection of drinks,
As the woman handed him a tankard, Sirius surreptitiously cast a cleaning charm on it, well aware that hygiene was not a priority in these medieval surroundings. He also lit the candle on his table with a subtle flick of his wand, casting an everlasting flame charm to ensure it would not go out.
Settling in for the evening, Sirius reflected on how much better his life had become since Harry's return, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Things had been good with the Thenns, albeit a bit too cold for his liking, but now he was on an adventure, living relatively well despite the medieval conditions. Though it was hard to lament any decline in living standards after experiencing Azkaban and Grimmauld Place, he thought with a grimace.
He eagerly devoured his vegetable broth and surprisingly fresh bread, pleased that no one seemed to notice or care about his less-than-refined table manners in this medieval tavern. After finishing his meal, Sirius rose from his seat thinking it might be fun to join the musicians for a set or two. Casting a quick notice-me-not charm around his table, he pulled an acoustic guitar from his expanded pouch and then cancelled the charm, heading over towards the bards.
Sirius had always been a lover of music. Having lessons in singing and various instruments from a young age was still one of the few things he would thanks his crazy family for., Though he really found his niche when Lily introduced him to the wonders of muggle rock bands.
Looking around at the smiling faces in the tavern eating the fresh food and revelling in the atmosphere, he knew of the perfect song for the occasion. It couldn't hurt to bring some of his favourite songs to this new world after all.
With a grin, he stopped in front of the bards who had been eyeing the strange new instrument he carried, as he walked up to them. "Mind if I take a swing at it fellas?" Sirius asked the sceptical looking musicians. Giving Sirius a once-over, the leader of the group just shrugged and motioned for Sirius to go ahead. "Great, follow my lead when you get a hang of it" Sirius said while turning around to the rest of the tavern that had slowly gone quiet as they watched the interaction between the bards and the new merchant in town.
Looking out over the crowd, Sirius raised his voice so they could all hear him, casting a mild sonorous charm behind his back. "Alright you Northerners! This one comes from a group of musicians in the north of my homeland, a place where it rained most of the year and had winters almost as cold as your own. Feel free to sing along when you get the hang of it. It feels like a fitting tune for you lot.". With a grin, Sirius started picking at his guitar, causing a simple but beautiful melody to fill the space; followed shortly by his well trained voice as he began to sing:
"Here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say,
It's all right
little darling,
it's been a long cold lonely winter
little darling
it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo)
Here comes the sun, and I say,
It's all right
Little darling
The smiles returning to the faces
Little darling
it feels like years since it's been here"
At this point the band and a number of the patrons picked up on the chorus "Here comes the sun". They called out as Sirius smiled and continued strumming. A few more verses and he knew he'd have them hooked on the Beatles, just like Lily had to done to him so many years ago.
He wouldn't be surprised if it became an unofficial anthem for the North. After all, winter might be coming, but so was the sun.
Sirius continued to share some of his favourite tunes as the night wore on, and the crowd got larger. Sharing the joy of music and, of course, a few drinks with his new friends. The evening was shaping up to be a pleasant one, as laughter, song, and good company filled the tavern.
In the excitement of the night, Sirius completely forgot to cancel the everlasting flame charm on the candle. But as the warm glow flickered in the dimly lit room, it served as a fitting symbol of the light and warmth Sirius had brought to this small corner of Winterfell.
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Having finished his first foray into the Starks' ancient library records, Harry made his way down to the town, hoping Sirius had sorted out their rooms and set up their tent inside. He did note that Sirius had completely forgotten to send any message regarding the location of their rooms, and he didn't see Ser Joss on the way out
Relief washed over Harry when he found Dobby patiently waiting for him at the town gate to lead him to their Inn.
The town had taken on a different atmosphere in the evening, with lanterns casting a warm glow on the cobblestone streets and the sounds of laughter and music floating in the air. Harry took a moment to appreciate the charm of the place, observing the people as they made their way home or gathered in groups to share stories and news from the day, choosing to ignore the occasional pile of snow as a reminder of the below freezing weather.
He noted that everyone he passed on his way through the town seemed to have a sort of contented air to them, except for that one fellow in the gaudy outfit with too many gold rings that seemed to be getting a good scolding from a tavern owner. Something about a lack of coin.
Harry smiled and followed the growing trickle of townspeople that seemed to be heading in the same direction as himself, towards the sounds of music and revelry. Harry's question was answered before he even had a chance to ask, when Dobby happily informed him that Sirius had taken up the guitar and joined the Bards in their pub. That certainly explained the crowds. Sirius always had a nice voice.
Harry approached the inn to the sound of "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles. He shook his head ruefully at that. At least it was somewhat simple and reminiscent of the folk songs they'd heard in taverns along the way. Amusedly, he wondered what the townsfolk would think of heavy metal or dubstep.
By the time they entered the inn, Sirius had started on another familiar song. Harry smiled as he heard the crowd around Sirius repeating the lyrics of 'Hungry like the Wolf' as he reached the chorus. This was clearly not the first time Sirius had sung it tonight, and the song seemed to be a crowd favourite. Not surprising, given the Direwolf banner that hung on the wall of the tavern above the fireplace.
The interior of the inn was cosy and inviting, with wooden beams overhead and a large hearth crackling with fire. The air was filled with the scent of spiced ale and roasted meat, and Harry felt his stomach rumble in response. A few patrons remained around the edges, huddled in corners or chatting with friends, their faces flushed from the warmth of the fire and the effects of strong drink.
Deciding to leave Sirius to his revelry, Harry made his way to the back of the tavern where there was a bit more space with just two maids back there busily clearing tables.
Another maid stood in the far corner, looking rather frantically at a flaming candle, occasionally blowing at it in an attempt to extinguish the flame. Harry wasn't sure what that was about, but he was impressed by the lasting power of the candle, as it barely flickered at her attempts, almost like an everlasting flame. "Impressive candles," he thought absently, as he took a seat near the fire to enjoy the music
After sharing a few more rousing tunes from their old world, Sirius said his goodnights to the bards, dropped some coins in their hat, and joined Harry and Dobby.
The trio ascending the creaky wooden stairs to their room. As they walked, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment, their first day in a proper centre of Westerosi civilisation could not have gone better, and Harry practically shook with anticipation at all he would learn over the next few weeks as he delved into the library and archives of his distant stark kin.
Whoever said Hermione was the only nerd in the golden trio? he thought to himself ruefully. So maybe he had just a little bit of a book hoarding problem. Who was there to stop him anyway.
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The next morning, Sirius descended the stairs of the Boar's Inn, still yawning and stretching as he made his way to the common area for breakfast. He absently observed a new small shrine of blue roses that seemed to be offered up to a slowly flickering candle but took no note of it. Clearly some sort of local tradition.
Sirius did however note the unwashed bowl on the table and, with a sigh, yet again cast a cleaning charm to sanitize it. As he settled into his seat, he contemplated introducing basic hygiene concepts for the health of the people in Winter Town.
He thought over the methods he knew to make soaps from animal fats. Something he picked up back at school, while looking for better ways to clean cauldrons without magic. A favourite form of detention for the teachers of the Marauders. He never thought he'd find another use for that particular knowledge, but now he was sure there were methods he could effectively teach these smallfolk with little effort.
The main process usually involved rendering the fat, which involved slowly heating it to separate the liquid fat from any impurities or solids. Once the fat was rendered, it could be combined with lye, a strong alkaline substance derived from wood ash, to create a chemical reaction that would produce soap. All easy to gather ingredients that the locals would have in abundance.
Sirius imagined that the townsfolk would be able to collect animal fat from their own livestock or from game they hunted in the surrounding forests.
Wood ash would also be readily available, as most households had hearths for warmth and cooking.
By teaching the smallfolk this method, they could create their own soap, which would greatly improve personal hygiene and overall health in the community. If they made enough of the product they could also start selling it further afield.
The town could clearly benefit from some more external trade, and Sirius could benefit from more people having access to soap. It was clearly a win win situation.
Sirius decided to take a note in his journal of ideas and observations that he had started keeping, much like Harry. Though he would admit his journal was notably shorter than Harry's at the moment.
He jotted down the idea of introducing soap-making to the people of Winter Town and made a mental note to have Harry add this to his proposals for Lord Stark's improvement projects. It was a small, simple change, but it could have a significant impact on the lives of the people here.
As Sirius enjoyed his breakfast, he continued to brainstorm other ways to improve the lives of the people in this medieval land. He knew that the key was to introduce concepts that were practical, sustainable, and easily understood by the smallfolk. With the support of Lord Stark, he and Harry could kick start projects that would eventually make a real difference across the North, long after they'd move on in their journey.
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Chapter 12 Teaser:
... "For Sirius's part, he was already a little bit drunk, having not previously been warned about their clandestine night-time mission. He wasn't entirely sure what Harry had pulled him into, but strangely enough, it wasn't his first rodeo with grave-robbing, so he just went with the flow. "I'm so glad you found me Harry, I haven't done such weird stuff since back in my marauder days" he chuckled, while hovering a skull off some more scrolls."
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