Hariric looked quietly from the window of his room. Five years ago he returned to the North and began what was obviously his mission in the world to ensure that the North could put the southerners in their place. Nothing special or important. I just wanted to send a don't fuck me loud and clear.
But to begin with, I needed money. Money is a monstrously large source of power and there will always be a way to get people to work. You couldn't expect people to work for free, sir, since in the end that would kill people's love for you.
If there was something he had loved about his grandfather Marius, it was that he taught him science fiction and science. With science fiction he learned from possibly the most terrifying subject of all: robots.
The idea that a structure made of a super powerful alloy capable of moving like a human came behind you was terrifying. Of course I couldn't conjure a robot. It was impossible. That's why I created his special magic (that when his grandfather Arcthurus found out he was stone to say) that he called the tide of shadows (altum Umbrae) was basically a massive spell that basically using material such as stones, trunks and other elements gave them a human shape before giving them a more human aspect and that was a good use.
Contrary to many idiots, Hariric thought that using Golems was not a good idea. A Golem was basically a structure of mud, earth, stone or even crystal and magma that had a cube-shaped core loaded with magic and power that was commanded by a magical being.
Although as an idea of massive attack force it was a good one (a single golem could measure up to five metres in height with a body as hard as the diamond itself if you wanted) they were not fast so they did not serve.
That's where his spell was born since it replicated human qualities to give him the ability to do the work of humans. Single-use I could create ten of them. But what no one knew is that using the idea of the nucleus I could keep the ten and create more.
The idea was good because when Hariric returned with everything he returned, he decided that it was time to start plans that would turn the Stark house into the most powerful of the houses of the seven kingdoms and that at the same time he would rebuild the North in the structure that everyone should appreciate.
I also did this because the Umbra didn't get tired and at the same time you didn't have to pay them. That and that they were obviously much more capable in the sense that as creations they were perfectionists more than obvious. That gave him a solid advantage over human builders.
'I told you dear that there was no real need to worry in the least about our son being in trouble with all things. You should know better than worry a lot about him''. Rickard laughed at his wife's gaze even though he had his gaze focussed on the heavy trunks that his son was bringing.
"Stop telling me these things as if nothing. As a concerned mother, I have every right to be a woman who feared for her child's future. You know as well as I do that those southerners are capable of anything. Look at all these ridiculous fights they've had over time. It's not hard to imagine that they could do something.'' Lyarra got up and immediately went to see his precious son who was smiling at him with affection.
"You have nothing to worry about, mother, as you can see, I came back perfectly healthy and safe, so there was nothing to worry about. Although I won't deny that I have to say that the south is an incredibly annoying place.'' Hariric smiled amused at his parents who were obviously trying to fill him with affection for the fact that they had recovered him.
"We will be the judges that if you are well or if you are bad hariric however it seems to me that you are perfectly fine so there is no need of any kind to question how you are. Although I have to admit that seeing you as you are bigger. One would have thought that after how the southerners are, you wouldn't have eaten properly.'' Rickard approached his son with great care. Despite being only an eight-year-old boy, he looked like a thirteen-year-old.
"What your father says is true hariric. You must understand that we haven't seen you in years. We didn't know how you were. We feared that those southern people had somehow thought of hurting you. I know it may seem a little exaggerated to think in such a way but at the same time it could not be avoided in any way''. Lyarra feared for his son and how he could have been. It was understandable. But her son reassured her with one of his cheerful smiles.
"Mother, I think I'm fine with having returned home. That's all I care about. However, the good news is that I managed to discover the things I was very interested in. It was good luck for me although you should have seen how much effort the teachers put into preventing me from learning.'' Hariric smiled at the eyes of his parents.
"Your mother has a reason to be worried. Southern people do things in a way. If the Freys even knew that you were not in the North, they would possibly have tried somehow to get their hands on you. Walder Frey is a man that even I don't understand how the people of the south continue to tolerate his presence''. Walder Frey was the scum of humanity in his humblest opinion.
"The concerns of both mine and your father's are for a good reason, son. We know that you are very independent of yourself and at the same time I know that you are more than capable of taking care of yourself but one should never risk because of someone else's greed. Lyarra looked at her son with a serious look that let it be known that she was worried for a good reason. To his surprise his son only gave him a look back with affection as if he understood his reasons.
"I guess there's a weighty reason to worry about the Frey. Those bastards would not hesitate in the least to do one thing if they think they can get away with what they think will give them an advantage. I guess then that as a good son the only thing I can do is say thank you for worrying about the way you do it for me''. Hariric smiled at his parents with amusement while earning clearly annoyed looks from the two of them.
"I just know that one day I will end up having serious problems. Anyway, I think I have to say that there is a good chance that you have had several productive years judging by these chests that you bring, is that all you got from your visit to the teachers?''. Rickard felt that his head was going to explode. His son was making fun of them perhaps a little but he could say at the same time that although he was mocking it was not so much.
''Hariric we understand that this may seem like a joke to you but it's not. You've been away for three years. You have spent those three years in one of the western cities led by one of the families that most despise the Stark house. Let me tell you my son that that is not the simplest or the easiest to do. I'm considerably surprised that you're in one piece in truth.'' Lyarra looked at her son with a strong look that let it be known that she was serious with him.
"I understand mother. And I'm really delighted that you're worried about me because that shows the immense love you both feel for me. But as heir to the Stark house, my duty above all is to ensure that the Stark family gets ahead above all and survives to hell whatever we find. It's that simple''. Hariric sighs. Except for Andromeda and Melania, he didn't have much connection with emotionally united people except for his wife.
"Your mother and I love you with our lives, son. We will never let anything or anyone hurt you in the least but you must understand son that the only way we are able to take care of you is that we can all protect each other. I know this may seem incredible to see but it is very difficult to take care of yourself if you are in the distance and in the south''. Rickard sighed. He knew that his son could take care of himself. He had shown it.
"Your father is telling the truth son. How would we be able to take care of you and in the same way we would be able to keep you safe if it turns out that you are far from where we are? We are your parents and we will always care about you. Whether we like it or not. So don't scare us anymore with things like going south and other points like that''. Lyarra looked at his son with real concern between the war that had been between the dark fires and the crown.
'I never thought about it that way if I have to tell the truth. I was just thinking about doing my part for the North. In helping Northerners to have more dignified lives than they have. To have the opportunity to really enjoy life instead of thinking that life is just the hardness with which they have to live day after day.'' Hariric growled. If there was something I hated, it's how southern idiots wasted money and food and northerners had to fight for the slightest thing.
"You're fine, son. We understand that what moves you is the interest of each person from the North. But we, like your parents, also have our wishes. Seeing you live a full and complete life is one of these things so it is natural that we want to fully ensure that you have a good life.'' Rickard sighed because of how difficult it could be to deal with his son.
"But as your father has said, our world is you. You and your brother to come since I think you should know that I'm pregnant. You're going to be an older brother very soon.'' Lyarra laughed amused at how excited her son looked. Little did she know about the infinite love that Hariric felt at that moment.
''That's good. A brother... makes me happy. Mother, father. I have to tell you something. I've been watching and learning the best I could. My intention has always been to help the North. And it was with this that I discovered that the teachers knew about foods that could be grown in the North. It wouldn't be easy but it would still be possible of all things''. Hariric could see the pure anger appear on the face of both his father and his mother.
"I should have known. I should have known that these rats would have a solution to the problems of the North and they would never give it. Always the same. Since we are northerners and we worship the ancient gods who give us good. But as those of the south follow the Andalusians and their faith of the seven that they are happy''. Rickard was very tempted to go for Ice and start cutting off heads.
"Rickard calm down, you don't need to let anger take over your heart. The teachers have obviously tried something to make sure that we are weak but our son has finally broken his interests so I think your son of mine will have a well thought-out plan to solve this''. Lyarra was not happy to put so much pressure on his son but he knew better than anyone that if there was someone to trust in all this that would be his son.
"Mother, I can understand the father's anger. We have had in our hands the opportunity to make our people live more safely. Of not needing to buy food for the condemned fish and therefore having to pay the Freys. I understand the father's anger. But although it is true that they have offended us, I think there are better things to do than let ourselves be guided by the father's anger. We have to think about this in a much smarter way''. Hariric could be understood with his father.
"I guess you must have something or some kind of plan to make sure that things don't go back the way they are doing with the teachers, right Hariric? I don't like the idea of having failed our people the way we have done it at all, even if it's just because of the action of the teachers, we fail them first and believe me son, when I say that doesn't make me any less happy.'' Rickard was very tempted to behead Wallys and send his head to the members of the citadel but he knew better.
"Yes, father. While I was in Oldtown I discovered exactly what foods are capable of growing cold and I also discovered much more information that in our hands will give us the opportunity to make the North not have to buy a single food from the fish ever again which will give us complete permission to start hitting the Freys if they launch one of their damn incursions in the Neek''' again. Hariric could see the vengeful smiles on both his father and his mother.
"I see, son, that you have become a good thing. However, we still have to question exactly how we hope to do in order to get the money for the elements to buy. If they are so resistant to the cold they must not be exactly cheap so I am more than sure that it will not be easy to do on our part''. Lyarra frowned thinking that this could put a more than unpleasant point in his plans to return the blow to the fish.
To her surprise, her son smiled again before opening one of the trunks that was up to the top with bags of different seeds so she could say what earned her a more than significant surprise.
"I couldn't get seeds from all the different vegetables, fruits and other foods that grow in a cold climate mother but I talked to a merchant who, from what I understand, should deliver a shipment of all the other seeds in just under a week in Whiteport. In this way that means that we can without any doubt possibly start some good fields of cultivation''. Hariric smiled amused when he saw his mother's face that was obviously surprised.
"This is a very efficient job on your part Hariric however forgive me as your mother for questioning you in this one but how did you get the seeds that would be so much needed for the North to bloom? And even more importantly, how do you plan to plant them and where exactly so that they grow? Our glass gardens are big but not that big''. Rickard looked at his son with an interested look.
"It wasn't difficult but it wasn't easy either. Getting the seeds was child's play once I started having considerable capital. It turns out that in the south they do gambling in their fairs and as is natural in the vicinity of Oldtown at least one fair is celebrated every six moons so it was not difficult for me to get the money by betting on some knights who could win the jousts''. What was not said is that I use magic so that the knights with fewer chances of winning the fair actually win.
"That was risky on your part but I guess in the end it was a sure victory on your part from what I can say anyway. Hariric, I have to say, my son, that was fine. But that's just a chest. What's in the other two chests that you found essential to show us so that we can do God knows what plans you have in mind?'' Lyarra laughed amused when she saw her son make a funny grimace at that point. But at the same time she wondered what they could get in those chests that were so worthwhile for her son. Little did she know that this would lead to seeing what was in a nutshell a complete radical change in the life of the Starks.