บท 11: Chapter 11
On the way back North, Ned had come to the conclusion that his son would be the death of him.
The stories of the common folk had spoken of what happened were utterly ridiculous.
He was there too and had seen what happened, and even without knowing exactly how or what his son did, what the commoners told of wasn't even close.
Stories of a one-eyed dwarf named Leeroy Jenkins in strange clothing, commanding wind, rain and lighting from the sky and ripping the ground asunder with his bare hands causing the earth to rumble laughing maniacally as the reaped Ironborn lives, then after killing all the inhabitants he gathered the souls of the dead creating a ghost wolf taking them away. Before bringing down the castle with a stomp.
He understood some but lightning from the sky? Command the wind and rain? And stomping a castle after collecting souls, where do these people get that from what he saw? He didn't get it, and the other lords didn't help.
They made sure to add things, driving Ned mad himself. He was going to ring every ounce benefit as he could as recompense.
But what had most of his thoughts on was on Thoros of Myr. Instead of leaving with King Robert over night he had decided to follow north.
He tried to talk to the man to gauge his intentions, but Ned wasn't too good at it, causing a few awkward conversations.
When Ned tired of trying to be discrete with his actions as they got closer to home, he finally asked Thoros intentions in the North directly.
The answer he received was troubling none the less. He spoke of receiving a message in the fire from his Lord of Light telling him to go to Winterfell.
Thoros said that was all he knew of his Lords wishes. Had it been before Cyrus Ned would've tooken the man as mad. Many did believe Thoros wasn't all there, he did tell fanciful tales of being resurrected many times by his Lord.
But many didn't like the Red Priests and Priestesses due to their means of offerings to their god was burning people alive.
Many believed they practiced blood magic.
Ned granted his permission, not wanting to anger the religion over something petty as a visit. However he made sure to keep the man close, if there was any indication he meant harm to his family, Lord of Light be damned.
The only reason he allowed it was he knew that they didn't shun or detest magic like the Faith of the Seven and Citadel.
That was what would be the biggest problem that he needed to handle. The Maesters of the other lords.
The Maesters were integral and vital to each castle. They were learned men who taught the young lords reading and writing, managed the messages to and from the castles. Advised the lords they served in governing and money management. They even assisted in delivering babies.
But from what he's heard about the Citadel and the ideals of the majority is what bothered him the most. Those ideals conflicted with the Old Gods.
With all the responsibility a Maester had, if they had other agendas the lords of the castle wouldn't even know.
That's what worried him the most. Just getting rid of them wasn't an option. To do so would cause many deaths. His sister was the best example, there was no Maester to aid the birth and the birthing took too long causing excessive blood loss.
There were still deaths, they weren't as often as without but now Ned wasn't sure if some of those deaths weren't accidents.
The first to come to mind was Stannis Baratheon, his wife had 3 still birth sons and just recently did have a baby girl Shireen.
Ned was thankful he had a Maester he could trust, but he worried for the Lords he had under him. They were like brothers, they all endured together. They met regularly, much more than the southerners, to discuss how prepared each castle was. Each helping each other to make sure they could feed their people.
Many of the older generation knew the bitter taste of hunger. Many remembered the winters that were so bad, the older ones would just leave their families in the middle of the night to die rather than their family go hungry due to having to feed them.
A practice that regularly occurred in the north during hard times. The North was harsh, but so where its people.
After a month on the road they finally reached Winterfell.
Making arrangements with the other houses of the North to meet for the discussion on the future of the North, Ned left the lords to get their people set up in Wintertown since it wasn't packed due to it not being winter.
The bannermen would be able to rest well for a few days, before dispersing to their home areas.
Upon riding into the courtyard he was greeted with the welcomed sight of his family. His wife, holding their new addition Arya Stark. His children, all standing in line side by side to greet their father with big smiles, although he could see sweat trickling on Cyrus' head when he looked at him.
'That's right boy, if you think your sweating now just wait till later.'
Before Ned was able to make it up a few steps up into his home he was stopped by Rodrik Cassel.
"My Lord, there's something you need to see."
With a sigh, Ned gave a nod and followed Rodrik to master-at-arms office.
After entering Ned closed the door. Seeing Rodrik head to his back area Ned took a seat. Rodrik returned with a large bag and walked over to the large table.
"So what exactly am I looking at?"
Rodrik just opened the bag and brought out two swords, a dagger, bow and a black leather armor set.
Seeing the equipment stunned Ned, they were beautifully made and crafted. The feel was balanced, and when he held it and removed it from the scabbard a feeling of power surged within.
It definitely wasn't Valyrian steel, it didn't have the noticeable ripples that distinguish a Valyrian steel product, but it was definitely a sword of magic just like a Valyrian steel.
"Where did you get this Rodrik?"
"Your son my Lord. He rode in on his wolf wearing it and as punishment she took it from him, although I think she did from keeping him from playing soldier or going after some more bandits."
Hearing that his son brought them made him wonder where he could've gotten such weapons. "Did he say how he got them?"
"Aye, he said he made them my Lord."
Hearing that Ned looked at the blade and inspected it again.
He wasn't sure what to think, but if it was true then perhaps things may not be as bad as he thought. After all an army of soldiers carrying just this sword alone could wipe on an army twice its size easily.
"Rodrik take the equipment up to my solar, it's about time I have a little chat with my son. Also tomorrow after we break our fast there will be a meeting of the lords of the north, I want you there we have much to discuss."
"Aye, I'll have one of the others watch over the training. If you have the boy make another sword would you mind if I'm there? I'd like to see how the boy does it."
"I'll allow it. It'll be after the meeting with the lords, although I may want to have him do it sooner. If I can verify more can be made I could bring them to show the other lords."
"You sure you want to share something like this? Could bring a lot of trouble too my Lord."
"Aye, that it could but the North is stronger together. The only house I do worry about would be House Bolton, but as long as we keep a tight hold they wont do anything. They are much like the Greyjoys, Boltons only go after the weak or weakened."
After a little more discussion Ned leaves to get cleaned up and changed out of his traveling ware into something more comfortable.
Still carrying the [Platinum Sword] he went to his room, seeing his wife waiting for him he entered the room. After closing the door and placing the sword down, he greeted his wife much more affectionately than he did outside with everyone around.
He has truly grown to love the woman, he was highly against the marriage in the beginning solely due to her religious beliefs. They were at odds with his own. But over time she has been more open.
She is still harsh towards Jon but she has slowly been doing better, she no longer just calls him bastard.
She does give him more work than his siblings but Ned didn't mind that. He felt it would make Jon stronger and build character, plus it didn't seem Jon minded too much either.
Robb and Cyrus usually helped him finish up faster to give more time to play.
After a session of love making they discussed how they would handle the talk with Cyrus and the other lords.
Catelyn also pushed to include her Father and brother too, even though Riverlands wasn't part of the north, they were the buffer zone between the North and the rest of the South.
Ned was hesitant but felt having an extra ally wouldn't hurt, it involved their Grandson/nephew after all.
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