274 AC, Winterfell
The path to the solarium was familiar, almost ritualistic. I knew every cold stone under my feet, every creaking beam, and every guard's glance that meant: "that boy again".
I wasn't in a hurry. Father didn't like when someone was late — but he hated even more when someone entered out of breath. And I had a moment to organize my thoughts.
What did he want this time?
A new mine? Another canal report? Maybe an argument with the maester about NorthHeal and their "medical revelations"?
The canal — it was being built. Slowly, but effectively. The workers turned out to be better than anticipated.
The western port — was emerging at Saltspear, according to plan. Stone by stone, the bay was gaining a new shape. In a few more months, the first ships would appear.
WinterTown — the season's surprise. The sewage system worked. Stone houses were sprouting up as if someone was playing an urban simulation. And, most importantly — it didn't stink.
NorthHeal... this topic was more difficult. Maester Walys was most likely complaining again that the healing school was undermining his "fluid theory". But the effects were clear. More children saved. Fewer amputations. But tradition held strong. Especially the one written with ink from Oldtown.
And then the alcohols. My favorite topic during times of crisis.
Whisky — still young, but promising. We distill it from barley from our fields. It ages in oak barrels. There should be no problem.
Vodka — simpler, cheaper, for the people. From potatoes, when we have them, or from rye. Also pretty much without objections.
Northern Hunter - Herbs, bark, anise, angelica, wormwood, St. John's wort, mint, juniper, gentian, cinnamon, and fifty other ingredients. Here too, there's nothing to complain about.
I stopped before the solarium doors. Oak. Heavy. With a carved wolf in the middle.
Three knocks. Even. Without hesitation.
„Enter" came a voice from behind the doors.
I took a deep breath. And pressed the handle.
Lord Rickard Stark sat at the table, apparently waiting for me to arrive.
„Brandon" he said in a tone that meant "don't make me ask twice". „Sit?"
I sat. Comfortably.
„Yes, father?"
„I called you to inform you that you will go beyond the Wall."
For a moment, I said nothing.
Not a word.
Because well.
I didn't expect this. Not today. Not in this way.
„The King demands that we send armed forces beyond the Wall" father said calmly, almost indifferently. „Earlier he wanted to build a second wall. Now he prefers to boast about "cleansing the lands of wildlings". The canal is no longer enough for him."
He paused for a moment, as if allowing me to digest this.
„We'll send a thousand people with you. All from the military camp you ordered to be created." A hint of something like recognition sounded in his voice.
„Additionally" he continued, not taking his eyes off me „I managed to create one spear of the First Men."
He raised his head.
„You'll take it with you. You'll challenge the tribal leaders with it."
It became quiet. Too quiet.
As if even the fireplace held its breath.
„Instead of eliminating them we'll conquer them. We'll spare those who surrender. We'll distribute them across the North."
He paused for a moment. Then he added:
„In two weeks, a meeting of the North's lords will take place."
He glanced at the map, as if he could already see them all — gathered, skeptical, ready to object.
„I'll explain to them why we won't be killing them. And how we know they'll listen to us."
He looked at me, as if checking if I understood.
„During these two weeks" he added calmly „you'll place the runes on the axe you talked about."
I didn't move. But my mind was already working.
„This will be the first weapon from northern steel" he said quietly, as if speaking more to the fire than to me. „Handle made of Weirwood wood."
Oh my Leviathan.
He really did it.
I mentioned it to him once.
Once — and that too after a shot of vodka, when warmed by alcohol and plans for a new fleet, he nodded to everything.
„During this expedition" he said after a while„you'll make a name for yourself among the people."
He spoke calmly, almost indifferently. But every word hit like the weight of a sword.
„Which will come in handy later" he added, not looking at me „because I'll send you to Essos."
I frowned.
„Why should I go there?" I asked cautiously. „Wouldn't it be better if I stayed in the North and helped develop it?"
This time he looked me straight in the eyes.
Without anger. Without impatience.
With cold, northern precision.
„All the projects you've invented" he said slowly „cost enormous amounts of gold."
He paused for a fraction of a second, then added:
„Even with canal funding from the crown. Even with trade through White Harbor. We don't have enough."
He sat down heavily, as if the weight of the words pressed on his shoulders.
„Crop rotation, fleet, port, greenhouses, armament It all works. But it all costs."
His fingers moved across the map — from Winterfell to Saltspear.
„I can't milk the lords endlessly. People will accept changes if they see profits. But if we start raising taxes faster than harvests, we'll lose everything."
He paused for a moment, as if giving me time to absorb this.
Then he added — quietly, but firmly:
„And remember one more thing."
He looked at me with cool calmness.
„With everything we're building we'll have better trained people than those in the South. In case of conflict — we'll be ready."
He paused for a moment, then added something that sounded different from the rest.
Not like an order. Not like a strategy.
„And most importantly" he said calmly „you must get to know the world."
You can't live only with the North.
„The last matter will be your engagement."
I didn't flinch. I expected this sooner or later. But still, I felt tension move along my spine — as if winter was peeking through a slightly open window.
„Because of the new greenhouses — Rickard continued slowly, weighing each word — you'll be engaged to someone from Dorne."
I looked at him carefully.
„Dorne?"
„If Myr learns that someone other than their craftsmen can smelt glass of this quality they'll react. Brutally. — He paused. — But if they hear rumors that it was Dorne, not the North, that obtained their secrets they might think that Dorne was the target. And we were just a cover."
„We'll redirect their suspicions." I completed for him.
Rickard slightly nodded. As if confirming that he was talking to someone who understands. Not a child.
„And can I know with whom?" I asked calmly.
„You'll find out in due time. And now go see your axe."