Chương 30: Chapter 30: So it begins.
Winterfell.
A new day began at Winterfell Castle. The sound of metal against metal could be heard from outside. Soldiers were training, and blacksmiths used their hammers to create more tools and weapons.
I found myself once again with my father and mother in the Lord of Winterfell's solar, a warm scene of family affection. These years had been tough for us, but each member of the Stark family fulfilled their duties to help others whenever possible.
The sanctions imposed by the crown— and they were sanctions, despite their claims of acting for the good of the Seven Kingdoms— had created very negative feelings among the northern population. My father's friendship with the king and the Hand had been affected. Despite my father's affection for both, he could not defend them in front of the other northern lords without being affected.
The North was different from the South; lords preferred to be direct, as there was no time to waste on such matters. Thus, in the great assembly that followed the delegation's visit (over a year ago), the other lords and ladies were very displeased with the crown's decision. After five months, we received the first royal order: the taxes we paid to the capital would increase by 32% from what was previously paid before the delegation's visit.
Calls for the head of the Lannisters and the Master of Coin were the only things heard in the great hall of Winterfell for a couple of days. The lords— particularly those who had started earning extra gold due to our new industries— were the most upset. Lord Umber and Lord Karstark were the most vocal in the discussion.
Alcohol did not help at all, ending with Lord Umber questioning my father's decision to accept these new taxes instead of responding with war. My father quickly silenced the lord, as he had their respect. The worst part was that the other lords around also agreed with Jon Umber and wanted Southern Blood to calm down.
After some concessions and my father's promise to do everything possible to resolve the situation, the rest of the lords fell silent. We had the advantage that, not being winter, the North had become almost self-sufficient within a year. Thus, the other houses calmed down enough.
Food had become abundant, there were more guards than had existed in the written history of our kingdom, and the population was happy, sleeping in warm places with full stomachs. For the first time in decades, the population did not fear not being able to feed their children.
The North was stronger than ever, but the lords knew it was not enough to defeat the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, and it was too early to decide to separate from the rest of the realms. Therefore, the decision was made to wait a few years before making a decision.
My opportunity would come soon. Northerners were hard to offend, but we also forget slights slowly. Therefore, when the Lannisters take power in the capital, I would have the support of the other lords to claim the Iron Throne or our independence. We had already heard the news of a deserter from the Night's Watch, so I was just waiting for them to capture him and for my father to take us to the execution to know that the canon had begun.
In the War of the Five Kings, the North had sent approximately twenty thousand soldiers in support of the original Robb. Now, with all the effort we had put into the North's security in these five years, we could double that number without counting the soldiers who would remain in the North for its protection. We had focused on strengthening the North for any invasion, but since the South had no available spies, the news did not reach them; so, they only heard rumors they did not believe due to their perception of the Northerners.
Every Northerner was upset with the crown's decisions, from peasants and merchants to the lords of the great houses. Therefore, their loyalty to House Stark had increased like never before, as it was thanks to us that they could live without worries now. Unfortunately, I had to involve myself significantly with different lords to demonstrate that the Starks should be feared and respected.
Secret meetings with the lords who supported my view of the situation and knew that I would do whatever was necessary for the good of our kingdom consolidated their support for me. Lord Umber, Lord Karstark, Lord Hornwood, and Lady Mormont were the lords who, despite being unquestionably loyal to my father, also knew that if we wanted the North to come out of a war smelling like roses, my father was not the commander we wanted for our armies.
My father, for all his virtues, was very blind regarding his honor and would be the type of commander who would let his enemies go just because they surrendered, not realizing they would wait to stab him in the back.
The political situation was less complicated in the North, and with my powers, I had the advantage of being able to investigate any house without them realizing, so I could be sure of their loyalties.
While I was lost in my thoughts, a hurried knock sounded at the door of the solar.
"Enter," my father said authoritatively.
Ser Rodrick hurried in but was happy with the news he brought.
"My lord, the deserter from the Night's Watch has been captured," said the knight, standing at the entrance, knowing how his liege would respond.
"Good," my father said before standing up. "Prepare the horses, Rodrick. We will leave in ten minutes and send a servant to get Bran ready. It's time he sees the reality of our world."
My mother frowned before intervening. "Are you sure, Ned? Bran is just a boy."
"At his age, my father had already taken me to my first execution. Relations with the rest of the realms are not so good. Bran needs to stop being coddled, Cat," my father said with understanding but certainty in his decision.
"I'll be with him if he needs comfort, Mother. As will Jon and Theon," I said with a smile before becoming serious. "For days, I've been having bad premonitions. I think it would be best if Bran comes with us."
My father and Ser Rodrick grew serious upon hearing what I said. Over the years, I had used my supposed premonitions to explain knowledge I should not have, so the people of Winterfell took it seriously when I said such things.
"Do you know what they are about, dear?" asked Catelyn worriedly.
I simply shook my head and, hugging her, withdrew to prepare for the journey.
Writing on a piece of parchment, I composed a message for Jon, explaining the situation and instructing him to prepare. Tying it to the leg of a beetle, I directed it to where Jon was to deliver it. This was a practice I had with him, partly for ease of communication and partly because his reactions were quite amusing.
Jon never adapted to my insects, though he no longer feared or disgusted them as he did at first; he still felt strange when I used them.
Taking a light armor from the armory and a simple sword, I headed towards the entrance of Winterfell, where the rest of the party was waiting.
Smiling at Sansa and Arya, I hugged them quickly and ran my hand through Rickon's hair, who was in my mother's arms.
Sansa became second in command after Mother when my father, Jon, and I were away from the castle. Convincing the maester to teach her about the responsibilities of a lord was relatively easy— just a few ideas about how it could be beneficial, and the maester took care of her education.
Sansa was less on board at first until I explained that no man worth having would want a decorative wife, and knowing how to help her husband would be a great advantage for her.
"Take care of the castle while we're away," I said with a small smile, which all four returned affectionately. "And make sure Arya doesn't burn down a room," I joked.
Arya pouted at me. "It was only once, Robb. And I've already apologized for my actions," she said, her eyes looking at the ground.
"I'm just teasing you, little sister," I said with a kiss on her head. "I trust you'll protect Mother and the rest of the family if something happens," I whispered in her ear.
"Yes!" Arya shouted excitedly while reaching for a dagger hidden at her waist, a gift from Jon and me.
Taking her hand before she revealed the weapon to avoid my mother's scolding, I joined the group to start the journey.
Nodding to my father, he motioned for the rest of the guards to join us, and with haste, we started the trip to the execution.
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