Prince Erich Durrandon

Rain pattered on the shoulders of Prince Erich's riding leathers as his courser trotted along the oft-trod paths from Storm's End through the town that had grown around it and to the very edge of Shipbreaker Bay. Storm's End itself rested on a cliff, a less-than-suitable place for a port. No ship could moor itself beneath those cliffs without being dashed against them and reduced to splinters-- such was the nature of Shipbreaker Bay. Instead, some enterprising Storm King had located a suitably sheltered section of coast with deep enough waters for a port. It was to this point that Prince Erich, Ser Courtnay Massey, and Lord Allard Estermont rode this dreary morn.

The port had its own small town around it, mostly traders for the Essosi wares that passed through on their way to the larger castle town. With the rain coming, many merchants had called it an early day and secured their merchandise from the weather and from any passing thief. Only a few eyes would track the passing party flying the crowned stag, the triple-spirals, and the green turtle.

Prince Erich surveyed the fleet, sitting at the docks. A new ship was under construction: the keel had been laid out and a rib-like structure of supports had been secured to it. The fresh wood looked startlingly different from the treated wood of the warship next to it, Tempest inscribed on the bow.

The docks, however, showed their age. Dark brown wood, spotted with barnacles and slick with algae. They sat too low in the water, energetic waves washed up between the boards at times. An Essosi cog flying the flag of some Lyseni house sat at-anchor off the coast, its goods transported ashore by a dinghy. Prince Erich attributed this-- rightfully or not-- to the captain of the vessel being unwilling to bring it in to the docks.

"You see, I feel we might do better. This port is sufficient for most ships, yes, but building only one at a time? The absurdity! This is the port for Storm's End," Prince Erich observed, a hint of something approximating offense entering his voice. "I suggest we make an effort to enlarge the port, to build what facilities are necessary to receive more ships, and to build more besides. What say you?"