Blood And Iron (ASOIAF/GoT)

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-merchant Pov tenth moon 288 AC

"Finally, they're doing something about the scum that plagues these seas," was one of the most common phrases I heard from my coworkers. Often, they celebrated the news of pirates being slaughtered at sea and how the Prussians were taking the fight directly to the Ironborn—those bastards who had never respected law or border.

I've dedicated my whole life to local trade between The Reach and the Westerlands, following in my father's footsteps. He started this business with only a few silver coins and an unyielding desire to change his destiny, dreaming of becoming a wealthy merchant like those in Essos, who were rumored to be the richest in the world. That dream, however, never came true for him. The truth was, selling simple crafts from village to village with barely any capital wasn't going to make him rich. But he laid the foundation for me: after nearly three decades of relentless work from dawn to dusk, he left me two galleys, the result of his effort and a lifetime devoted to trade.

Sadly, I lost one of those ships not long ago to those vile Ironborn pirates, who stop at nothing. That loss was devastating. I had invested every coin I had into those ships, and watching one of them burn on the horizon felt like losing a part of myself.

But, fortunately, the last few years have been generous. Thanks to the economic boom brought by trade in The Reach under the Prussian lord's rule, I managed to multiply what my father left me tenfold—all within just three years. The Prussian rule, though initially unwelcome by many, brought order and prosperity. Trade routes once plagued by bandits and raiders were now protected. The removal of excessive taxes and the development of trade alliances with the North allowed us to thrive like never before.

The route to the North is both dangerous and lucrative. Since the completion of the canal that crosses the Neck's swamps, much of the trade that used to pass through Dorne now takes this route, paying tolls. This, however, has made the journey into a frequent nightmare, as it passes dangerously close to the Iron Islands, where the Ironborn constantly lurk, raiding and ambushing for resources and prey.

The Prussian fleet makes three major trips north each year, escorting a huge number of merchants who prefer to travel with them to avoid the pirates. These journeys are as eagerly awaited as they are risky; merchants who decide to go ahead or travel independently face an uncertain fate. Many fall into the hands of pirates, while others, with a bit of luck, make it safely, reaping a fortune.

Fortunately, my path took a different course. I opted for safety and allied myself with the Prussians, becoming one of their suppliers and helping transport raw materials to the shipyards of The Reach. Thanks to this relationship, I was able to acquire several of their "old" ships at a good price—vessels that, though considered obsolete by the Prussian fleet, were much newer and sturdier than the ones I had inherited from my father.

With these new ships, my fortune multiplied. Now, with the Ironborn cornered on their islands, trade in the west is flourishing again, free from risks. The trade routes are more closely guarded than ever, and my business, along with that of many other merchants, has thrived like never before. The days of insecurity and loss are behind us; today, the sea is a safe path for those of us working alongside the Prussians. My father's dream, once seemingly unattainable, is closer than ever.

A new business venture had recently emerged—one with a hint of risk but great opportunities: selling directly to the Prussian soldiers in the Iron Islands and to the lords besieging their castles. The idea tempted me, and with the ships and crew I had gathered, I was ready to take advantage of it.

The Prussians, renowned for their logistical efficiency, had no supply issues at the front; everyone knew that in a Prussian camp, food never ran out. So, instead, what held value were luxuries: spirits, jellies, preserves, sugar, and other refined goods. These luxury items could fetch a good price among the troops and nobles on campaign, as long as I could reach them without issue. Demand was high; after weeks of siege and fighting, these goods were seen as a comfort, a slice of civilization amidst the war.

Fortunately, it seemed that the Seven were smiling upon me. During my journey, I encountered only the usual storms of the region, but no sign of the dreaded pirate flags. Instead, I spotted the Kriegflagge of the Prussian navy waving on patrols guarding the seas, giving me a sense of relief and confidence. I couldn't have asked for better allies in these hostile waters.

I had mistakenly thought I'd find the Prussians besieging Pyke, but upon arrival, I saw only the great lords of the Seven Kingdoms with their armies camped around the imposing fortifications of the Iron Islands. Although the lack of Prussian logistical precision was initially disappointing, selling to the Westerosi lords wasn't a bad deal. I knew their armies were facing certain logistical challenges, and as I set up my stall, I noticed a worrying number of wounded soldiers. I overheard rumors while arranging my goods: the pirates attacked with unheard-of violence and ferocity, appearing out of nowhere, killing many, and leaving even more wounded. Few understood where these attacks came from, as they rarely managed to capture or kill an attacker. That uncertainty hung in the air, generating palpable anxiety among the troops.

Still, I was in what I considered a relatively safe zone, and without delay, I started selling. It didn't take long to realize I had become too accustomed to the discipline and fair dealings of the Prussians, almost taking them for granted in commerce. How far from reality that was! This was another world, with different risks.

From the first day, I encountered coins with shaved edges, as if they had been scraped to reduce their weight in gold. There were even hollow coins, a crude attempt at fraud. Sometimes, it was nobles trying to intimidate me or, worse, those who would take my goods and refuse to pay. Much of the Westerosi nobility seemed to view merchants as mere servants without rights, as if I were obligated to hand over my products without expecting anything in return.

Some days were a battle unto themselves. I learned to eye each customer with suspicion and demand payment in advance, especially when dealing with some lord's son. Despite these challenges, business continued to be profitable. The soldiers and officers, weary and wounded, valued every small comfort I could offer them—a bit of liquor, some jellies, sugar… While trading with the Prussians was fairer and more reliable, here in Westeros, I had the chance to make profits I'd never imagined. I just had to stay vigilant, ready to face not only the pirates but also the schemes of my own clients.

"Every day I spent in this camp, I missed the honest Prussian foot soldier more and more. I fondly remembered my days doing business in Wilhelmshaven, where I met soldiers who genuinely cared about handing over fair coins, checking every last detail to ensure each payment was correct. If they bought on credit, they honored the debt without fail; and if they promised to return with the money, they really would, without disappearing back into their camps as they so often do here in Westeros.

Here, however, I found myself in an environment of constant disappointments. Broken promises, the faces of nobles who would take my goods just as easily as they would turn and vanish without a trace. Each transaction was a gamble, and not a single day went by without some lord or knight attempting to deceive me or evade their debts. It was a reality I'd never faced in the orderly Prussian world.

Prussian legalism was such a beautiful thing once you finally understood it. I used to complain about how rigorous it all was, about the constant checks on my cargo and the endless documentation; every transaction, every shipment was scrutinized with an almost obsessive care. But now, in the chaotic reality of Westeros, that Prussian order felt like a luxury. I remembered those days with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude, realizing I'd never felt the constant uncertainty of being swindled.

Once, I sold some black dyes to a Prussian noble, a product in high demand for the fine silks and banners that adorned their halls. In the hustle of the port, he forgot to pay me, a small error that would be almost impossible to resolve here in Westeros without confrontation or even threats. But in the Prussian world, everything had its place in the law. I reminded him of the pending payment, and instead of apologizing or settling it immediately, he insisted I sue him in a civil court so that the damages from the delay could be formally assessed. He demanded to be brought before a judge! To me, that seemed absurd at the time, an unnecessary complication, and I almost considered letting it go. But for the Prussian noble, it was part of a system that ensured justice and equality before the law.

Now I understood the reasoning behind those seemingly rigid rules. That legalism was not just a matter of order, but a mark of respect for each individual, from soldier to humble merchant. There was no room for tricks or the indifference that seemed so common here.

As I recalled those days and the security that each transaction offered in Prussian lands, I looked at my goods and at the faces of those who came to buy, constantly suspicious that they might try to swindle me. What had once seemed like an inconvenience now felt like something I missed deeply—the thorough inspections, the stamped documents, the courts where even the proudest noble was equal to the everyday merchant. All of it had become the memory of an ideal Westeros didn't even seem to understand.

Here's a detailed comparison between the Prussian system and the chaotic reality of Westeros:

As the days passed in the Westerosi camp, surrounded by lords who saw debts as mere games and soldiers who treated payments as favors, the discipline of the Prussian system became an increasingly precious memory. In Westeros, contracts were nothing more than words spoken in the heat of negotiation and forgotten when the wine flowed; promises of payment depended more on the claimant's persistence and strength than on any moral obligation. In contrast, under Prussian order, even the humblest of business deals was treated with the solemnity of an oath.

The Prussian justice system, with its meticulous bureaucracy and insistence on fulfilling contracts, was designed to protect each individual, regardless of status or power. Prussian courts allowed no ambiguities: if an agreement was signed or a payment promised, it was recorded and honored. Justice was not a matter of strength or favoritism, but of principles. Even the highest nobles submitted to civil court judgment when disputes arose, no matter how small the grievance. As a merchant, I knew my word carried weight, and that if anything went wrong, I could count on a system that respected the work and integrity of every person.

In Westeros, justice was something else entirely. Here, respect for agreements seemed to rely more on power and position than any notion of equality. If a lord of the western lands took my goods and decided not to pay, what could I do? Unlike the Prussians, the nobles of Westeros had little concern for courts that might hold them accountable; here, a merchant was merely a means to satisfy whims. Attempts at negotiation were often acts of desperation, knowing that justice was not on my side and that any claim might be seen as an insult, risking something far more precious than my wares: my safety.

That Prussian structure, which I once found cumbersome, I now saw as a symbol of respect and order. I missed the security of knowing that, in selling my products, my word and my work were valued and protected by law, regardless of the amount of coin in my purse. Here, in Westeros, laws were flexible and depended on who spoke loudest or who could wield a sword the fiercest.

But, at the end of the day, business is business, and I had to adapt to the circumstances. When I attempted to sell in a Prussian camp, I encountered an unexpected obstacle: in times of war, Prussians do not drink or allow drunkenness among their troops. For them, discipline is absolute; each soldier must remain in control, without allowing alcohol to weaken their judgment or body. I had come prepared to trade, only to discover that, in their iron mentality, the luxuries I brought held no value. They wanted nothing of what I had to offer; they were uninterested in liquor or the small distractions that, here in Westeros, are sought as balms for the horrors of war.

So, despite the tiresome nature of dealing with them, Westerosi lords and their deceitful trade practices remain my only steady clientele. Here, despite their tricks and haggling attempts, at least they show interest in what I have to offer. The vast majority of my goods are in high demand: the spirits, the jellies, the sugar…items that nobles and soldiers alike see as a comfort amidst the chaos. Even when I have to weigh each coin on a scale to ensure fair payment, these goods quickly find eager buyers, and more than one noble approaches, seeking something to ease the tensions of the siege.

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Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

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I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.

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