Northern Kingdom. Winterfell-
-Lord's Office-
Hariric was exhausted. The wedding night had been what it had to be at least in his mind. I felt that it had to be as magical as possible. Of course things almost go awry when an idiot tried to undress his wife.
People saw for the first time the new Lord Stark go for Ice on his back which filled many with fear. The legendary sword was terrifying in everyone's eyes and no one wanted to fuck.
After that Hariric grabbed his wife and took her like a princess. Everyone saw how he took her to what was his personal suite. What everyone was clear about is that the screams were heard until the middle of the night and later that day many women from the north (and the south) were determined to ask for notes so that their partners could be just as capable.
Hariric smiled. Ashara obviously remembered a lot of his time as Tonks but he still had control over his magical sexual quality. He could still remember when Arcthurus took him to experience that magic. In his own words it was to make sure that he never fell into the magic in question knowing that there could be people who could try to put their hand on him in some way and that was a method.
Later in his will he read that it was a Black custom to give such education to his members to make sure that later there were no bedroom problems. This was not told before of course since no Black wanted to be in the crosshairs of a magical scientific child.
Hariric had used all the tricks of the trade to make his wife happy, which was in his mind an absolute necessity. A happy wife equals a happy day for him. So he had completely surprised Ashara again by making her reach the nirvana. I only knew that I could feel the looks of the servants this morning when he went to training. Many of the women were giving him a look of pure desire.
His father was now completely happy to get out of the way what was the whole thing of being Lord Stark and Lord of the North. This was due to the amount of work I had. I couldn't blame him. The amount of paperwork was large.
Unfortunately for his father, hariric had long found a solution to the paperwork. It was an artefact to what I call Diamond of Knowledge. With this diamond in his hand he was able to find out what was in each piece of pael and that meant that he did not have to read giant reports but summaries of those reports which he was grateful for. He would also have to think about selecting a secretary and placing a lot of spells on him to be able to organise his work as best as possible.
While Hariric looked, he looked at the reports. The first report was from the night watch. They were happy with him. And he had been granted control of both the New Gift and Brandon's Gift on land. His reason for this is that right now there were no workers. He was also informed that some members of the night watch had suggested that savages be taken out to put them to work there. Hariric had been about to kill someone when he read that information knowing what a very bad idea it was to do such a thing. Frankly, he preferred to kill the savages rather than treat them in any friendly way.
Some might think I was exaggerating in some way. Hell, some might say it was an excessive action. But Hariric didn't feel much sympathy for them. If the average Northerner was xenophobic to the south then the savages were even worse. At least the reason of the northerners was because they had to deal with their shit. Almost three hundred years of mandate and shitty reign.
While for the savages it was the simple matter that they believed that either you lived in their own way or you were less than nothing. So no. I didn't want any savages in the south of the wall. Even if the white walkers were coming and much more. He preferred to end all human life north of the wall.
Cruel? Yes. But first of all hariric had to worry about his subordinates and his vassals. It was simply a big no in the mind of hariric dealing with the savages. I didn't want to adapt. If they were brought south, there were too many chances that they would try to follow their rules.
That's why I was happy to put a complete legion there. His mission was not only to help the wall in case of need but in addition to that there was the mission that any wild incursion is treated with extreme prejudice.
Another report that was coming was of potential houses to take control of said lands. Hariric saw that there were many small houses that could be clearly good but after thinking twice he chose the Cassels. The reason for this was an extremely loyal family almost at a fanatical level.
If he had to entrust the north door to a person who was not from his family, it would be the Cassels. In addition, although the cassels could certainly be benefitted, he still had to choose a new lord for Skagos.
They had been using the island as an eastern shipyard for the time being, certainly but he still had to choose a lord for that island and refused to put both Dareon and Tykren. I had two territories for each of them in mind. As his greatest allies with a cell at least he wanted them in good positions.
Other reports were complaints and petitions made to the Staark family. They wanted to expand the farmland throughout the North and Hariric saw that it was because now that it was about to open up to trade in the south it would be beneficial. Giving it as an agreement, he immediately began to use his magic to write letters to each of the lords for permission and that he would send his men to prepare the different grounds.
Another report was from the mountain clans. I had sent them a letter with an agreement. He would build three places where they could live well and in peace as well as being able to see their populations flourish if in return they gave him permission to build a fortress in the mounts to mine gold, iron and silver in them. Of course being a monstrous mountain range he would have to build several fortresses but he decided to start with one.
The only thing is that I did not intend to put any noble in them but that it would be the lords of the mountains themselves in them who would be directing the exploitation since the lords of the northern mountains were much more civilised than those of the valley although of course the valley had a gift for peeing people.
The report explained how the lords of the mountains gave him permission for it and only asked in return for a good shelter for his people and food and water although if he could get better liquor. Hariric nodded.
With this new amount of materials he could increase the funding of the Army of the North while maintaining a level of equipment. I would have to do the same thing I had done with the other mines. There were times when magic could be incredibly unfair. It gave him a monstrous advantage over the other great players. It's not that hariric had any problem with it.
At that point through the door came in Varyn Waters. The girl had been a magical young woman that she met years ago at the king's landing. He made her his personal assistant and shadow bodyguard. She was one of the many people who had received magical combat training only that instead of how her brothers and sisters belonged to the wolves of the war he had placed her as his secretary and protector.
Some would have bad thoughts about it but it was not for anything special. Only that the girl had less disposition than most wolves and had suffered more than a little of the fair treatment. The population could be full of idiots in reality. So she was bringing him vital information of the day.
"My lord, I have the agenda for you as well as bringing you the information I wanted about the expenses of the wedding celebrated and how much they have affected the coffers of the Stark family." Varyn was proud of her work. She was the shield in the shadow of her lord. While her comrades were the swords and daggers she was the shield and knew that now that her lord had married soon there would be more.
''Thank you Varyn. Please start with the expense report. I want to know more or less how much it has taken in food and drink as well as how much the guests are costing us as well as leaving money in the city''. Hariric sighs. This looked like one of those sovereign headaches that I feared so much.
"Of course, my lord. About two-thirds of the liquor has been consumed. It must be taken into account that in addition to the wedding guests there is the celebration of the soldiers and guards of these as well as ours. In the matter of food we have only been affected with the loss of a third, my lord. As for whether there have been higher expenses, well no, but there have been some complaints, my lord.'' Varyn read the report she had before her.
"Alcohol consumption is not something that worries me too much. I doubt we're going to have many celebrations at least for a year. Food is a bit of a concern but well we can always reinforce the food warehouses when time passes. Thanks to the glass gardens we have food not based on meat or fish in reality but what is that event varyn?''. Hariric gave Varyn a look as if he couldn't believe it, an event on his wedding day?
"I'm afraid that's how I inform my lord. Miss Cersei Lannister has been incredibly annoying. It seems that yesterday he drank more and well he said some things. There has been a few fights. Your room was destroyed, my lord. In addition to that, it is said that it is responsible for some of the damage to the glassware of the tower''. Varyn spoke in a cold voice.
''I see. It seems that the meeting I had planned with Lord Lannister is not going to start on a good foot. This is going to be a great pain. My standard bearers will expect me to punish her in some way. But she is the daughter of the lord hand of the kingdom. Simply doing this would mean putting ourselves against the Lannister house''. Of course he didn't care. If the Lannister house started problems, he only had to send the wolves of the war and hit where he knew what would hurt Tywin the most and it was over.
"If my lord, excuse me, my recommendation would be to simply make the lannisters pay for the damages as well as writing a prohibition that the Lannister house can send her again if she is not adult enough to behave in the presence of other lords then she should not be in the presence of northern nobles." Varyn knew that his master could find problems but he had a lot of faith in his lord being able to solve problems.
"We'll see. Good, but tell me, has there been any expense on the part of the visitors? Something worth mentioning for all of us and that makes the north see more business in the future of the reports?''. Varyn was possibly with the report in his hand. He would like to know if they were going to have more presence of southerners at home if he had to be honest.
''Yes. Lord Oberyn has been seen in our brothel houses very often. It has also been reported that Lord Oberyn has had a surprising interest in our apothecaries. He seemed in love with the new medicines and much more. I think the prince loves what medicine is, my lord, if only to know better ways to kill his targets, my lord.'' The report talked about how Oberyn had been interested in the medicines as well as he had been interested in where the medicines themselves came from.
"Prince Oberyn is more than anyone else who is really interested in knowledge. He is a man who treasures knowledge for what he is more than anything. However, I will not deny that he is possibly one of the most remarkable killers of all time. I would like to be able to chat with him before he goes back to Dorne. It talks a lot about its potential.'' From how Ashara had described him to Oberyn hariric could put him in a mixture of a Sirius Black for his love of fun and the expected cruelty of Regulus Black.
"I'll see if I can make room for you, my lord. The next person to consider is Jaime Lannister. He has been looking especially in the different armouries of Wintertown to see the different teams. From swords to armour, my lord. He seemed excited to see our work with steel that is simply superior to that of any southerner. As far as I can tell, he has been talking about ordering an armour and sword, my lord.'' Jaime was actually a simple young man and a good boy. But too easy to influence.
''I see. Give him a fifteen percent discount. This will make more people see our weapons and think about buying them. Even if they are only mercenary companies. It doesn't matter at the end of the day. They will be unable to replicate the process and over time their weapons and armour of so much conflict will lose their potential and they will have to buy more. As well as maintenance that they can't apply''. Hariric found it funny. Some would think that buying him equipment would make the north suffer but that was false in many ways.
"As my lord commands. The only other thing that should be highlighted have been the constant attempts by the master Gomon to get to both the kitchens and to ask questions and wait for answers from the different artisans. He has been a complete harasser, my lord. Varyn had been annoyed by the amount of reports she had received from the man from the different observers. The thing about going to the kitchens already talked about how dangerous it was.
''The master's actions were predictable. Please make sure that before leaving you receive a wake-up call. It doesn't have to be too serious, just too painful. Something that serves as a message. And for what you want most, make sure it's not too complex.'' If a poison that was too complex was used, they will immediately be on the list of suspects more than anything because they were the only ones who could have a real reason for it.
"It will be done as my lord ordered. That's all about the observation reports that have come to my table so far. There may be more at the end of the week. Just to remind you also my lord that he has three meetings today. The first is with gerion lannister. The second is that Olena Tyrell. And the last and final one is one with both Hoster Tully and Jon Arryn my lord''. When mentioning the names, Varyn had to make a real effort not to spit. He despised the last two.
"Well, Varyn. If Gerionannister is nearby, let him know that I can receive him whenever he wants since I am free right now. Make sure you let the other two groups know to wait patiently. Fuck so much to want to spend some time with my wife''. Hariric growled angrily. If these people caused him discomfort of some kind, they were going to have serious problems.
"I will let Lady Stark know that her morning will be occupied by useless spaces of time that do not seem to understand that they are not as valuable as the time dedicated to his lady wife is, my lord." Varyn laughed cruelly. The mere idea of being able to mess with people in such a way made her happy.
"Please go and tell that to my wife. Also let her know that this afternoon I am hers as much as she is mine. If someone tries to arrange a meeting, an appointment or whatever, tell them that I'm spending quality time with my wife and that simply bothering me is the worst idea anyone can think of these days.'' Hariric allowed himself to let the clear threat be felt. His family first.
''Then I'll let your wife know as it is. My lord, I would also like to express congratulations on your bet-and-be-to-be and have a long life.'' With his words said Varyn moved and left the room.
I had to talk to Gerion Lannister first. That would bother the other two. The worthless harpy. The fish that conspires. The eagle that plans. From what she could say, she couldn't care less about those people. But if the threats somehow tried to fuck with their lord, she was sure that he would get into it.
Hariric saw how the Valyria woman left and began to take out papers and documents. I had a lot of information on hand. In this information was what was basically the personalised information gathered from the three houses.
I just need a few moments to be able to take a look at it to know more or less what to expect. This was not for nothing. With gerion lannister it could be more or less pleasant. With the others, however, I would pleasantly remind them that they had zero powers. The thorn queen would especially think that she could threaten him in some way.
"Greetings and good morning Lord Stark. I would like to congratulate you once again on your wedding... and also apologise. I have seen the state of the room that my niece has left and let me say immediately that she will be disciplined by her immature attitude. Gerion had turned pale when he saw the state of the room. Broken glass. The destroyed furniture. Everything in poor condition. When he had found the idiot brat, he had had no problem telling her in a few words that she was going to be paying for it.
''The state of the Lord Gerion room is not what worries me. It's a piece of furniture. They are crystals. Although it is certainly money that I will have to use to repair the damage, it is not what bothers me. What bothers me more than anything is your niece's attitude. Because if that's what you could expect from the Lannisters, I'm afraid of making a treaty of any kind.'' Hariric could punish the lannisters in many ways. More than anyone could imagine.
"That's a very different way of thinking. However, I must implore you not to have my family members with my niece on the same page. I have tried to let my brother know that she had a bad will but she has not paid much attention. But I would like to leave that so I can discuss the trade agreements Lord Stark''. Frankly, Gerion had warned his brother of Cersei's cruel vein and the cruelty in it.
"Because of the respect I have, I will agree. But I will inform you that I am obliged to take action. If I didn't, my flag bearers would lose their faith in me and seeing that I am the newly placed in this position I am obliged to act accordingly. First we will discuss the specific issue of the alliance. Then I will decide the punishment''. Hariric could see the acceptance of what the Lannister man was.
''Thank you. I guess we have to start. As I think Lord Stark knows, the lands of the West would be interested in their products. I know that you have prepared a caravan so that we can test a small amount of your products but I would like to make a pre-agreement so that in this way when the time comes the Western lands can negotiate for a larger one''. Gerion actually knew about his brother's plans. I knew I wanted to put wives from the Western lands in the North. He didn't think she would work.
"First I would like to know exactly what the demand is. To be able to make an offer I need to know how many people are willing to buy and how many people have the money for it. I'm aware that the Lannister house can afford it but I don't know if the other houses in the West can do the same''. If there was a difference between free cities and kingdoms, it is that free cities were much stronger economically.
"It's understandable if I have to say it. I guess the first thing I have to point out then Lord Stark is that there are a total of ten houses that could afford the Myr glass that we both know is much more expensive than the one in the north. I have observed in this time the cost of the products of the North and I know that the lands of the West can afford a lot of their trade''. The truth is that only the Lannister house and the strongest allies on their side and that their brother had allowed to grow were in a position to allow themselves what were drinks, silk, spices and glass.
"Ten houses. I guess it's good. Now let's go to the following, does the Lannister house want the delivery to be made by the North or does it prefer that the Lannister fleet is the one that makes the round trip. I warn that there is a difference between the two. One does not include the expense of the northern fleet''. This would be good for his brother Benjen.
"I would like to know more or less the difference between theannister fleet and the western north fleet. No offence but the newly forged lanister fleet is more capable of making trips but if we can make this work somehow I will be happy with it''. Gerion knew that this is where the game came into operation.
"Well, the main difference is that you should pay for the use of the Northern Fleet for what is a transport task. I don't want to offend but we would be crossing territory of those born of iron. And I don't know about you but there is a good chance that those born of iron will at some point try to do some shit against us''. Those born of iron were a plague. He had the firm intention that if he was allowed he would kill them all. The culture was rotten.
"I have to say... that in that sense I unfortunately agree. Their boats would be crossing dangerous waters with those born of the iron being there to bother and God knows what else they could do. However, I know my brother and he refused to pay so he will possibly leave it in the hands of what is the Lannister fleet''. In fact, he could see his brother saying that if the North was afraid to send their ships then they would take advantage of it willingly.
''It's your decision in the end Lord Gerion and I won't be against it. Now if we go to that we will have to see the cost of what is the docking of the ships in Black Wolf Port for it. That is the only thing that would be added to the collection in terms of expenses when it comes to gold since in this case it is your own fleet that is making this trip. The next thing to mention are the products to buy''. If Hariric had to be honest, he preferred it that way.
''I guess it would be cheaper to buy in large quantities than in small. He couldn't establish exactly how much we can buy. Not until I take the products to caa and my brother decides. Possibly after that I sent my older brother Kevan to discuss what the prices and size of the Lord Stark goods are.'' Gerion knew that's what his brother would do. Of course his brother would also try at that moment to give him a small attack here and there but he didn't have to know.
"It's right. The larger the order, the cheaper the individual product actually comes out. I would also recommend that you take this. It is a complete price report. It not only includes an individual price but also includes quantities and little else''. With that hariric passed him a folder. The folder contained sheets with each of the products of the North.
"Thank you Lord Stark. This seems much more complete. I'd better go. I will also inform my brother of Cersei's attitude. I know that if she is not punished there will be no efficient negotiations between the two kingdoms. Have a good morning Lord Stark''. Gerion looked at the paper which surprised him. I had also seen the fountain pen. He could only say that his brother would be very interested in all this if he had to be frank.
Hariric saw Gerion leave and nodded to himself. I knew more or less the truth. Tywin Lannister would symbolically punish his daughter. However, if that was what he wanted to do then he would not be guilty of the after.
However, after that he began to look at new reports that he had for the expansion of farms. The new Farm system will allow animals to survive the winter. Together with the large amount of food it would mean that the animals themselves would not die in winter and at the same time their population would be happy. Hariric was about to think about more when the door of his office opened and through it the same queen of thorns entered with that attitude of hers of being at the top.
''It was about time. I didn't know that the North had such low standards. Look, take care of that boy before anyone else, even if he is the brother of the king's hand. That doesn't tell me much about you northerners.'' Olena Tyrell looked for flaws. She knew that most people took her attitude badly. That many swallowed the amount of shit they wanted to tell him. But this man was different.
"And I don't know what kind of education they have given you in the south but I had heard that you southern women should only be seen but not heard. Such an attitude is simply... as you said in the Dominion? Like this. The attitude of a Dorniense whore with her fire or the barbarity of the north that is unable to understand when she is in the presence of her best.'' He had gone in his time in oldtown of it.
"Tch as if the women of your kingdoms were the only ones with fangs. I hope Stark that that is not the kind of attitude with which you serve your guests. One would expect a man of his position to know that he has to treat people in the civilised and proper way.'' Olena liked the boy. I wasn't afraid of him. It was also true that unlike the other kingdoms, the Dominion was basically the only one that did not sell food to the Northerners.
"Possibly. As for if I know my position if I know it. I'm Lord hariric Stark. Lord of the North. Protector of the north. While you are only the mother of the southern patan ruler. The man who is a mockery for all gentlemen due not only to his complete incompetence but also to his inability to make sensible decisions. That's you'''. Hariric enjoyed the look of the woman who was obviously upset by how she had dismissed her son without more.
"Don't talk about my son as if he were a jerk. He may be stupid and a bit of a burden but at the end of the day he is the lord of the South. He is also the lord of the second richest house of the seven kingdoms. While you northern barbarians were still wearing shitty skins at least my son could say that he was beast and behaved properly''. Olena felt some anger at the mention of her useless son and that everything she was could only be compared to her son.
''If all you have come for is to complain in some way about your son and what he is capable of then I will kindly ask you to leave and stop wasting my time. Unlike other fucking people, I'm the lord of a house that has to help run a fucking commercial empire with everyone waiting on the right and left to have my attention. If you've only come to waste my time, it seems stupid and meaningless to me.'' Hariric was tired of the game.
''Tch talks about manners. Well, I'll get straight to the point. The Domain is possibly affected in the future by the sale of the Winter Vine. I would like to know exactly what would be necessary to share winemaking techniques with the Dominion. I am willing to negotiate even a marriage contract with the North for the safe of that secret.'' The wine would be the most affected if she had to say it.
"You have nothing to offer. The only thing you offer me is a marriage with a woman from the south that if what I have to hear will possibly be an unbearable bitch who complains every two seconds about how she doesn't like things in the North or of course she complained that we are barbarians for not following her faith. You're not encouraging me to make the deal woman''. Hariric could easily see the reason for this.
"Here I am offering you a marriage alliance with the second most powerful kingdom and you are rejecting it completely. I don't know what to think of you, boy. I don't see that you're a capable person, isn't it hate that speaks? Isn't it the contempt for the faith of the seven that makes you go against me, boy? If so, you won't be a good ruler''. Olena Tyrell could count with one hand the number of times a person was able to treat her as she did.
"You're offering me an alliance from which I don't get anything. The one you get something from. From which I'm harmed. And of which one of my vassals would have to endure the shit of a spoiled girl from the south. We are the North. Where you southerners fall, we endure. Where you southerners complain, we stay straight. Don't compare a kingdom that has been united for more than six thousand years with yours of woman intrigues''. Hariric could see the woman trying to give him a deadly look and little else.
''Tch. You want to talk about an alliance. Well, I am willing to discount twenty percent of the taxes taken by the docking of ships of what is the North in oldtown in exchange for the Dominion obtains as I said the advanced elaboration techniques of the North of what is the production of wine''. An empty proposal and she knew it. Leyton would refuse but hoped to play with the honourable sense of the northerners.
"That's an empty proposal. Lord Lyeton is the Lord of Oldtown, not the Tyrell house. While it is true that the Tyrell house is associated by marriage to the lord of Oldtown, I am not so stupid as to think that he would give in to what is the request of the big house. Sique, as you see, your proposal is completely meaningless, are you going to stop wasting my time once and for all?''. Hariric smiled internally when he saw that the woman had been caught where she least expected it.
"Tch I'm trying to reach concessions with you boy. But instead of that you close every door to me. What would be necessary for the Dominion to have a solid alliance with the North?''. Olena couldn't believe it but she was the one who was in the bad situation at the moment.
"There's nothing I'm interested in, Lady Olena. The Domain lacks elements. We don't need anything it produces. It would be in their best interest to see that as something that means they must change. Having been depending so much on what a single resource is has seriously weakened his kingdom if I have to say so.'' Not to mention that the Dominion had expelled the mandlery and they were important allies was also the point that they had nothing to offer.
'Tch. So I've wasted my time. Nice wedding. One must treasure the moments with his partner. One can never know how long they can last.'' Olena allowed herself a dark smile thinking that the northerner would have no idea how to respond to the threat against the life of his wife.
However, the Northerner only gave him a look. It was a look that didn't promise anything good. She had seen that look in some people. All of them people who were willing to go through the sword an entire family. It reminded him too much of Tywin Lannister when someone offended him in the worst possible way. She calmed down as best she could but she was still certainly nervous.
"It will be better to walk with a lot of eye. Age has a tendency to affect people. You could have an accident at any time. Something to feel bad. The possibilities are simply infinite when you have to take into account the unique factors such as age. Have a good day. If you arrive at a solid commercial contract one day you can come here to see what comes out of it''. With his words said, Hariric said goodbye to the woman.
With the Tyrell gone I knew that there were only two more people left to attend to and Hariric was not at all satisfied with it. If I had to be frank, I wanted to meet very little with the lord of the fish and the one of the birds. The one with the birds was an intriguing long term. The one with the fish was a climber. If it were up to him, I would treat them the old-fashioned way. Sighing because of the inconveniences that were, he prepared. It doesn't take me more than five minutes to have company.
"Lord Stark, allow me to congratulate you on what is obviously your wedding. However, I hope you agree with me that state affairs tend to consume people's time. I know he could have wanted to have time to spend with his wife but at the same time there are matters that must be attended to.'' Jon looked at what he believed was the problem of northern affairs.
"I wanted to take a look at the reports that my father reported were more valuable last minute. However, a visit by two gentlemen is incredibly important. Fortunately with you two my morning will be completely over and I will be able to get more things to do''. The dismissal was there. They were the last. Hariric smiled because the Tully was proud.
"So we're the last ones to see all morning, boy. Tell me, why are two gentlemen of the seven big houses the last ones? Don't think he's not approaching the younger brother of Mr. Hand or the old queen of thorns. I find it insulting that they have placed themselves above two gentlemen like us''. Hoster looked at the savage in front of him. A savage who the other day had prevented the humiliation of his wife's nudity.
"First Lord Gerion came a week before the wedding to make an appointment for the day after my wedding to discuss the principles of a trade treaty with the western lands. The appointment volume. That means he was ahead. Honestly, I don't know why you didn't get ahead of Tyrell. Frankly, that meeting has been a waste of time. So if I have to say this, it's silly. Don't think you can demand answers from me in any of the ways''. At no time did I raise my voice. Arcthurus had taught him a long time ago that when someone screams he doesn't do it to make himself heard but to affirm something that he doesn't feel.
"Please, peace. I guess he's right. Anyway, we are here for several reasons. Lord Hoster is an important ally of mine who has implied certain setbacks due to the loss of the north as a customer for them. We are here to discuss a serious commercial alliance and a possible marriage contract between his brother Eddard who was my ward and lady catlyn Tully''. Jon saw the maneuver for what it was. The boy had studied Hoster. I understood it. I understood it. It was not too difficult to know that this young man knew how to treat him in some way.
''A trade association eh. Tell me Lord Tully, do you know how many attacks there have been throughout the history of lords of the river lands to the northern swamp? There have been many. Thousands. All for being of a different understanding. An alliance would mean that some would feel strong enough to attack once again. I don't know if I can afford such a thing in any way''. And it was true. If he had to choose between who was his ally, he preferred the swamp clans.
"I can't believe that you put an alliance with the Tully house before your weakest lords. Frankly, I don't know what you think, Stark. It's obvious that a child like you doesn't know what it means to be a lord.'' Hoster mocked. He knew perfectly what Stark was talking about. But he also knew that in the last Frey raid all the Frey and their men, that is, more than a hundred had died with their heads returned to what Walder is.
"They are my vassals. The mere fact that you tell me that I have to put a house before that for the last almost two hundred years has been exploiting the lords of the North for obtaining food for the mere position of vassals who have been loyal during the last six thousand years to the Stark house believe me when I say yes. That I am clear about who I will support Lord Tully so go with an eye on how you talk about my men''. Hariric gave him a deadly look. There was nothing he despised more than when a person spoke ill of his men.
"Please, let's calm down. I understand your annoyance, Lord Stark. I really do. That's why we would like to put it in a simple way. We are aware that it has the innention to open up to the trade of the south. It would be much easier for me to do it with the Tullys if there is an alliance in between than if they are all getting along badly, don't you think Lord Stark?''. The matter in Jon's mind is that Hoster had let it be known how bad he thought of the Stark house.
"I'm perfectly calm, Lord Arryn. What I have is the annoyance of knowing that there is a lord who seems to have climbed to the head that he is. However, for the safe of this discussion, let's say that this alliance is expected of all. If we are expected to buy food again, forget it. The Stark house is self-sufficient.'' It was possibly one of the points that I could see passing from all things.
''Tch idiot brat. Anyway, what he proposed more than anything is that the Tully house was willing to lower the price of passage through our lands for the caravans of the north. In exchange a wedding with my daughter between her and Eddard Stark. Although it kills me that my daughter marries a second child, he is still the son of one of the seven big houses. Hoster growled furiously at what was his defeat.
"Even if he decided to do so, serious conditions would have to be met, Lord Tully. To begin with, all the laws of the north would be fulfilled. ALL. There would be no escape. The laws are there to comply with them and I will not see with good eyes any shit that implies that my brother's descendants are dragged to the south. They will be northerners.'' The school that had been founded in Isengard was for a reason.
''The reception system has proven to be clearly efficient Lord Stark. Honestly, you're not saying that Eddard's children couldn't be welcomed by some southern lords. In the south, honour is highly appreciated. Our honour is what characterises us''. If Eddard's children didn't spend time in the south, they wouldn't feel like changing things with respect to the north when the time came.
''That method is inefficient at best. How do you expect your child to follow the path that highlights your family or kingdom when he is educated elsewhere without the contact with the kingdom that saw you born? In more, people would see you as an intruder. Raised outside. That's not what I want. They are Northerners more than anything and Lord Arryn will stay that way. Besides, I never said they wouldn't be raised. But the northern method is different from the southern method.'' In a sense, the southern method was very inferior.
''How dare you? Those children will be raised in the south and there is nothing else. Accept or else we'll leave. There will be no alliance. There will be nothing. If your caravans put only one foot in the rivers then they will not be well received.'' Hoster growled that wasn't what it was supposed to be.
"Then there is no alliance. I have no interest in giving in to anyone's demands, Lord Hoster. If that's all you have in mind and that you wanted to discuss frankly, you can go. This morning I have only had one good meeting and that has been with Gerion lannister. I don't like to be wasted my time in any way gentlemen''. Hariric smiled. It was so much fun when people fell into the simplest traps.
"Hoster, calm down. We're in a meeting of lords you can't just exploit like that. Lord Stark, excuse me for the attitude and Hoster but you already know the creed of the Tully family: Family, Duty and honour. They are very careful with their family and good host does not want to be separated from his eldest daughter or from the children in his family. I hope it doesn't bother you too much.'' Jon completely cursed Hoster. He had let him see completely what his intention was.
"Yes, then I should live according to my family's motto: winter is coming. The question you would have to ask yourself is for you or for me? I'm not a man who lets these things erush in his face. Go to Lord Arryn and if you ever want to discuss this I hope it's in a more controlled environment''. With his final words it was known that it was a complete dismissal.
Outside both lords were arguing. Jon attacking Hoster for getting carried away. Hoster speaking in a low voice in a bad way from the Stark house. None of them knew it but his words and partially ambitions had been heard by Varyn who frowned and he would have to inform his lord about it. These men planned to kill their lord so she would plan how to hurt them a lot.
-Spas-
Ashara arrived at the spas quite with a silly smile. These were the spas of the Lord of Winterfell. Hariric had set up several spas so that more than one person could have the pleasure of enjoying them. The reason that there were some for the gentleman was not classism of any kind. But for the protection of the lord.
After all, if there was something that Hariric knew how to do, it was to guarantee protection. He could have done that with all the spas but he would feel that it was strange that he went to any spa and they were so in favour of what the law of the north was. It's not that it mattered. She found it better. It was of course the smallest of the five spas but that meant nothing.
This spa had three swimming pools unlike the others. As well as a couple of saunas and also two massage parlours. Say what you want from her husband but she knew how to plan. In addition to being an excellent source of income, she also knew that it was more than anything else an action designed to care about her people and give them privileges that made them feel better with the ruling house.
It's not that she complained. In fact, he felt very comfortable with it. I found that what it was like to do this was fine. Magic is a gift. You're born with him. They bless you with it. And you must use it. He had noticed that there were many magical children. Not all of them were of northern origin with their dark hair and pale complexion. There were many children of what she had to say Valyria ancestry as well as some children that she was sure were Rhoynar. Honestly, I found it good.
I knew that the order of the masters would have killed them if they had a chance so here they had an opportunity to grow. It didn't help that she herself had to say that the system used by her husband was really good for the prosperity of the kingdom.
All thanks to the magic. He wouldn't be surprised if he discovers, they call him the Magic Wolf. That would make him laugh. Although there was a good chance that once they know of their fellow animals, the teachers would do three things. The first is that together with faith they denounce him as a magician trying to put people against him. No evidence. Just saying what they thought. Knowing her husband, she would only raise her eyebrow at it and answer with a simple prove it or go fuck yourself assholes.
Another thing is that they would ask or rather demand their fellow animals. A phoenix was a very magical animal. The horned snake that can change its size more than the same. And what her husband had was a mixture of Direwolf and Helldog. It wouldn't surprise him that they would also ask him somehow to put a hand on him. Ashara shuddered. Her husband was black. When something was his, it was his, nothing and no one could stand in his way and anyone who did it would go straight into death.
The last thing they would possibly do would be to hire someone to take them. She made a grimace about it. He felt that it was an incredibly idiotic action on the part of the masters but the order was too used to getting away with it. I didn't think it was good for them to try that but she didn't care much if she had to be frank. If the order of teachers thought it could move so easily, it was on the one hand pure arrogance.
He also thought about his gift. In addition to a crazy night of sex she had received two gifts. The first one was a shadow kitten. It was so small. Hariric explained to him that he found him more dead than anything and he saved him. After that he thought it would be good for her to have it. She never told her where she found him but from the look she knew one thing and that is that it must have been courtesy of some animal trafficker.
The second gift was a spear. The spear he had made of metal as black as the night with red lines similar to what is the growth of a rive in Celtic patones. She was beautiful. However, when I took a look at the weapon, he knew it was not normal. Her husband, as kind as he was, had melted two fucking concepts in the gun when he made it.
The first was the open concept which meant that any wound can never be closed and would act like a poison. The next concept is to break. This meant that he could practically throw the weapon and as long as he had strength he would go through everything that got in his way. There was no Defence. And the weapon was made of the black heart of his house and the valyrian steel. It was an unprecedented weapon.
So yes. It had been a great wedding where he had begun to join the people who were there. In addition to that, he had had two wonderful gifts and several more from several gentlemen. He didn't care. His day was good. Unfortunately with her husband being a gentleman now he had many things to do. Fortunately, he had built a well-developed system with the aim of easing his workload. Excellent news if she had to say it herself.
With a sigh he began to put on what the clothes were to maintain his modesty and bathed in the hot water. Another point is that hariric through Isengard was selling everyone and his mother the relaxing oils. They were excellent for making a person feel more comfortable, especially in water like this. He could feel the essence of the oil in the water making him relax. It was also at that moment that Elia arrived accompanied by Ellaria. The two looked at his appearance in amusement and did not waste time bathing. The moans he received as a result were something that told him how much they enjoyed him.
"You know Ashara, I think you are the luckiest woman of the seven kingdoms. Most of us are lucky if we marry a half-decent man. You go and make the jackpot. This makes me want to kill your father more since I almost shit what your marriage was''. Elia couldn't help but say that if this is what her friend had to get married then honestly she would have killed for the same thing.
"My father is going to look like a gigantic idiot once the word spreads of how I almost screw it in a big way when I try to ruin what is basically a wedding that is so beneficial for Dorne. Frankly, I find the thought of that happening to him as something quite good.'' Ashara added with a touch of revenge.
"More like an idiot like an incompetent. Oby is in seventh heaven with that spear that I gave you. It says something about a true work of art and that it must be a divine gift. He says that just shaping the valyrian steel costs thousands of dragons. He likes the spear a lot. Wouldn't you be able to convince your husband to make another one?''' Ellaria laughed amused. Her Oby was a child man at heart if she had to say it.
"Possibly one day he will actually do it. Hariric took a pleasure from Oberyn. Something about the fact that despite being like a snake there is a sincerity in what it is and therefore it can come to respect it for who it is. My husband has a very high regard for Oberyn and says that if he is able to calm down he will be great''. Hariric's opinion of each member of his family was unique.
''Hahaha it's good. He's going to get rid of it. The truth is that I like how the North has evolved. However, I can also see the reason for the annoyance in your husband. Why should he tell the people of the south how he has achieved all his progress? They haven't exactly been very kind to the North''. Elia made a grimace. The south had spit, beaten and much more to the Stark house.
''Hariric says that for too long the south has been stagnant. If the teachers hadn't been looking at their butts for a long time, they would have been better than they are at the moment. At least that's what he tells me and taking into account that he has such a unique way of thinking I have to grant him reason with all my heart''. She had to admit that if the so-called teachers were the most advanced people and were not capable of doing the same as their husbands then they deserved what was happening to them.
"And instead of trying to evolve by themselves, they have been trying to put pressure on your husband to deliver what he possibly knows. I don't see or understand how the teachers can think they would get away with it but seeing the king's madness I honestly prefer not to bet on it''. Ellaria had a lot of distrust of the teachers. When people take the knowledge and are the guardians, it turns them into a force to be taken into account.
"Yes. That's more or less what I feel. I'm not going to say anything else about it but I agree with my husband that the teachers should get a good kick in the ass. If my husband who is not a scholar has been able to discover so many things for himself, what does that say about an order that is financed by several gentlemen? He makes them look like fools and idiots. Which made him funny. She had long ago confirmed to Melania her distrust of the teachers.
"You will not see anything good coming from me. If the teachers are so fucking idiots as to attract on themselves what is the problems is not my problem. My problem is that mother still insists on marrying the prince, something that I still don't feel very comfortable with''. Despite his intelligence and other traits, Elia didn't want to have anything to do with the game. Especially because he was practically entering hostile territory where he had no control over anything.
"I sympathise with you. Hariric doesn't want anything to do with the capital. In his own words, he had enough with the commercial affairs of the north. Lead the north. And keep the North safe from any potential internal and external threat. Add the damn political game in which everyone tries to stab each other in the back I think I have to say even I myself will be against it''. The North as a whole was not ready for it. Most of the current lords lacked subtlety and skill for that field.
'Don't sympathise with me. Get me out of there. The mother and Doran seem obsessed. They almost seem to think that it's as if I being the queen would mean something. They are forgetting that in the south except Dorne women only look like breeding machines and to look good in the hand of the man. Ugg the amount of shit I have to receive for that''. Elia would honestly prefer to have nothing to do with southern politics.
"Harry usually says that the best way to act is always looking inside. Search where you need support. Where you need help. Where you need to do some touch-ups here and there. So that will be what you'll have to touch. It's the most important thing to do in reality. As you can see, there is a reason why he doesn't like southerners''. Except for Tywin Lannister and even in that case she doubted that she was getting the full potential of her lands hariric believed that the other lands were focussed on a single important point for her economy.
"Your man is very intelligent. Tell me Ashara, do you think you could convince him that the girls come to study in this city of your husband's knowledge? Little Obara has character and nymeria also looks like she will grow up to look a lot like her father. A place where they are able to be put a little pressure would not be a bad idea actually.'' The two daughters outside of what their relationship was, although as good as such, they were three- and two-year-old girls who even as infants showed the resemblance to their father.
"I can speak it. And in reality it is very possible that you will agree with it. My husband... treasures education. In his words, the difference between animals and human beings is not only the rules of behaviour but our ability to learn. Oberyn's girls if they look like their father are probably more than capable of learning that no one else in this family if I have to be honest.'' Ashara had met the two girls and her opinion of both is that they were two girls who would one day grow up to be great Dornienses women.
"You have an incredible husband. The fact that he looks at me and has no opinion is pretty good. Actually, what do you know about kamasutra? It was a strange book that Oby told me he found in the library. Something from a guide to living life well and that he is the author in reality... is it as good as the book puts it?''. Ellaria couldn't help laughing. It was quite funny. According to Oberyn hariric Stark had books of many things.
''Yes. It's fucking good. In addition to the fucking size, you have to count the resistance. And that he has more tricks than anyone can imagine. I have heard that that book will soon be available to many people. If you really want, I can get you a copy of the book if you are so interested.'' When he found out that Hariric brought that book in question, I caught his attention.
''That book Ashara... what exactly is it about, please? Because as Ellaria is putting it and how you are acting I can almost imagine that it is a book that is better to keep away from younger minds.'' Elia knew Ellaria. Like her brother Oberyn, Ellaria had a sincere love for what sex was.
"Well, my husband is a bit like he wanted to know more or less how pleasurable sex can be. So before he married me, he apparently met several women who didn't seem afraid of discovering multiple positions with him and seeing which one is more pleasant than another. Needless to say, it's good, hence the book in question''. He still felt some shame about it but Hariric hadn't cared too much.
"By what Oby told me and these are his exact words so you know the book is basically a one hundred percent guarantee of many ways to end up fucking your partner and make her consumed by pleasure. Oby wants the book. The only reason why he has not taken him is because in his own words he was unique in the library and he would be the main culprit.'' The straight face with which Ellaria said things made it clear what she felt about it.
''I'll talk to him. The truth is that according to him, most of the poses were things that occurred to him just like that. I just hope that the summer islanders don't find out that he has that book or anything like that. I'm one hundred percent sure they would worship him as a kind of god.'' Ashara could not avoid what it was like to have fun alone in front of her husband's gaze of what it would be like to have to endure what was the devotion of the faithful to write the doomed book.
I'm surprised that he's not ashamed of it. From what I understand, the northerners are very tense. At least that is the opinion I have heard from many people to describe their contact with every northerner they have met. It's a refreshing change if I have to say it.'' Elia had to admit that the idea of meeting the northerners had not attracted her thinking for a while that they were a rather tense and serious group but now she realised that they were not so much.
"Harry explained to me that the Northerners have to be strong. They live in good lands with serious difficulties. In addition to that, he has to endure and endure. They are the hardest and most resistant people. Where we see the game as something worthy, they only think it's a waste of time. Harry is the most relaxed of all believing that life must be enjoyed but that you still have to have a steel control over it''. Ashara rightly assumed that Harry had wanted that although his lords were much more capable and competent to relax a little at least with regard to life.
"That's actually something I can toast to. Your husband is a man who wants the best for his people. Life is much more than just hoping to survive tomorrow. It's pretty obvious. I have to say that I think it's bad that the rest of the kingdoms haven't done a little help. It makes me feel bad if I have to be frank.'' Ellaria couldn't help but make the comment. Truth be told, it was a little embarrassing not to have realised it.
''You will not see any northerner saying that they needed help of any kind. That's something that will always be with them. They're fucking proud. But you will never hear about a group that is as hardworking as them. It is that work ethic that according to my husband gives them a wide advantage over the other kingdoms and I have to agree with him in that regard.'' Her husband had made an important thing clear to her. Never see the northerners with grief. They neither wanted her nor needed her.
"I have to agree with you Ashara. The truth is that what the southerners see as stupid, the northerners see as something important. The North is your home. The mere mention that they would have to leave the north does not surprise me that they actually see the people of the south.'' It's as if someone told the Dorniens that Dorne was too hot and they should leave him. Why? Just because someone else says it? What a complete shit.
''Yes. That's what it is, ma'am. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to give myself a good massage. Despite how incredibly relaxed I am, I would like to have a good time to unload my muscles. I must say that I feel very comfortable with the way things are.'' With his words said, Ashara got up from the pool and started to go out putting on a towel to be able to leave. She could hear her thanks for giving him a good conversation and went straight to the place. I never expect to meet Catlyn Tully of all people.
"Greetings Lady Stark. Congratulations on the wedding. I also have to say that it was good to see a man who didn't let them look at his wife like a piece of meat for a change.'' Catlyn had come more than anything because she had not stopped hearing on more than one occasion about how this place or rather her sister places were so demanded. The spas.
''Thank you. It's good to know that I have a husband who cares just enough about me, however I have to admit that it's incredibly strange to see her here, Lady Tully. It's just outside, is there anything I should know?''. Ashara knew this looked weird.
Little did he know how right he was in his words.