Chapter 27: ' A United North ' Part I

POV Duncan;

Torrhen's Square.

The day after discussing Roose Bolton.

"So, are we all in agreement? Any objections, on how to act against House Bolton?" I asked. My father, Uncle Leobald and Ser Qyburn, looked at each other for a moment. They all nodded a few seconds later.

"Well, I'd say let's get down to business: Night's Watch. Father?" I said, turning to Helman.

"We already have the shipment of grain, medicine, weapons, blankets, woolen clothing, enough for at least a year. There should be about 1500 men at the barrier at the moment. The Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, has already accepted our request. Three hundred of our soldiers will be trained by the best Rangers they have, for the duration of the Fall." My father said.

"Good. Maester can you tell us the estimates for the duration of this Fall?" Uncle Leobald asked.

"Comparing myself to the citadel and studying the various historical accounts, a conservative estimate would be a year and a half, my Lord. Winter should last two years, at the very least..." Qyburn.

"We make preparations for at least four years with a year to spare." I said.

"How much will cost us, Leobald?" Helman.

"Oh Ancients help me! I can't stand reading numbers any longer. I'd rather start sword training all over again. When will Ronan return from Braavos?!" Leobald.

"Not for another two years, Uncle... Sorry to torture you like this, but we still don't have an accountant with unquestioning loyalty..." I tried to console my Uncle. The poor man spent at least 6 hours a day among papers full of numbers.

"Uff...so...with that standard of living...about 100,000 golden dragons... .200,000 if we want to have the reserves to help at least three big houses in the North." Said Uncle. Then he asked:

"Any ideas for the tournament we're going to set up?"

"Yes Uncle. I think we should set up four competitions..." I took a sheet of paper with a list I had sketched out earlier and read:

"Jousting: For first place, 6 Dothraki Thoroughbreds, 1 Deluxe Chariot and 5,000 G.D.

2nd 1 thoroughbred and 2,000. G.D.

3RD 800. G.D.

Melee: For 1st place: 5 vouchers for complete custom-made plate armour sets, to be collected as soon as we launch them on the market. + 2,000 G.D.

2nd 1 set of armour and 800 G.D.

3RD 300 G.D.

Archery: First prize = 5 GoldenHeart Bows + 2000 G.D.

Second prize = 1 GoldenHeart and 800 G.D.

Third prize = 300 G.D.

Josua of Jhala, was kind enough to give us her contact details for the bows...but I'm afraid she did it more for her own purposes. She wants to participate in the tournament...

Tug of war: The 10-man team representing each house will win:

1st 100 barrels of Vodka and Whisky + 20 barrels of 'Taileys' and 5 barrels of Absinthe.

2nd 20 barrels of Vodka and Whisky + 5 barrels of 'Taileys' and 1 barrel of Absinthe.

3° 10 barrels of Vodka and Whisky.

For the preparations of our guests including: banquets, bards, fittings and gifts, Paul has estimated about 10,000 G.D. of expenditure. Obviously, the sum is estimated on the basis of 'if all the nobles of the North were to turn up'.

We could set up a betting centre, to get back a few Golden Dragons, set up markets of: jewellery, sweets, clothing and armourers ."

"Queen Cercei, will demand the head of my future child, should Robert arrange a minor celebration for the birth of the first prince..." Said Uncle, in a worried tone massaging his forehead.

"Not to mention Catelyn Stark, Uncle! AHAHAHAH!.....I beg your pardon...Master Zick is infecting me." I stopped the laughter as soon as Uncle glowered at me.

"I'd say preparations are going well. Maester Qyburn how are you getting on with collecting the healers to train?" Helman.

"It is proceeding well, my Lord. Thanks to the census, now completed, throughout the territory, we have found about 400 candidates, with knowledge: basic and intermediate. I am confident that we will be able to instruct everyone to learn to read and write within 3 months. From there, we will start with the training for essential healing and medication processes.

The process of copying and printing the citadel texts has already started. I should also be able to write, in time, an 'easier to understand' compendium of all the medical arts to be applied. Every village in House Tallhart's territory will have a 'competent' healer before winter comes." Qyburn said.

"Good work, Maester. House Tallhart owes you a great deal." Qyburn bowed and smiled at the praise he had just received.

"House Dustin and House Ryswell?" Helman.

"Lady Barbery have already begun to gather reliable workers. We will be sending batches of coal for the refining process shortly.

The Ryswells have promised us that, within three years, they will be able to sell us the promised new hybrid breeds. We have increased the production of coaches and transport wagons by 50%. In addition, we are already fitting the new 'snow chains' for the wagon wheels. If we succeed in the project of building roads all over the north, transport will no longer be a problem. He finished the report seeing my father nodding with satisfaction.

"So tomorrow we will leave and send emissaries to all the castles. We're all agreed, on the trade deals to propose to the House: Manderly, Karstark, Umber...and Bolton?" My father asked, making a final check before dismissing the council.

Both myself, Uncle and Qyburn nodded in response.

"Good...Then let's get on with it." Said Ser Helman Tallhart, Master and Protector of Torrhen's Square.

End POV;

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POV: Lord Wyman Manderly.

White Harbor, New Castle.

One hour after the disaster...

The Lord of White Harbor, Warden of White Knife, Shield of the Faith, Defender of the Dispossessed, Marshal of the Manderly, Knight of the Order of the Green Hand, was sitting in his huge bathtub shouting orders left and right.

"Quick with that soap!", "Yes, my Lord."

"Brush harder boy!", "Yes, my Lord."

"Go on! Throw another bucket!", *Squoshh!!!* " Done, my lord."

"Are the towels ready?" "They are here, my Lord!"

"WHERE ARE MY CLEANED DRESSES?!", "They're coming right away, my Lord!"

"FAST! OUR GUEST IS WAITING!!!", "YES, MY LORD!!!" Shouted in reply, the ten attendants, tasked with rectifying...the 'unpleasant incident' that had occurred about an hour earlier.

About another hour later...

The Lord ' Too Fat to Ride', came running towards the doors of the hall. A few steps from the door, he took a deep breath and resumed the demeanor that any Lord should display.

The Knight in the service of Manderly, opened the doors after receiving the consent of his Lord.

Lord Wyman entered the hall, greeted by a man, well dressed, with the symbol of House Tallhart sewn on his chest, hair and beard neatly trimmed and a smile on his face.

"Lord Leobald, I offer my sincerest apologies for the lack of respect my House has shown our guest." Wyman said, giving a half bow, due to the impediment of his huge belly.

"No offense taken, my lord. I thank you, for receiving me unannounced... I hope I have not caused trouble with my unexpected visit." Said Leobald, bowing deeply.

"No trouble caused, my lord. I was merely engaged in a minor customs mishap at the port. My delay was only caused by the return journey. I hope my castle provided you with refreshment and entertainment, Lord Leobald." Said Wyman while maintaining perfect etiquette.

"The wait was pleasant and relaxing. The legendary reputation of House Manderly's hospitality is well deserved." Leobald.

"Ah, I am heartened to hear it. Please, my lord. Have a seat." Wyman said, pointing to a table set with various drinks and food items.

"Thank you, Lord Wyman." Leobald bowed and walked to his chair.

Twenty minutes of: etiquette, formality, banter, various praises and drinks later...

"So, my Lord. May I ask the reason for your coming to my humble manor?" Wyman.

"Of course, Lord Wyman. I am here primarily to invite you and your House to a tournament hosted by House Tallhart, to celebrate the future birth of my son or daughter. " Leobald.

"What welcome news, my Lord. I offer you my sincere congratulations.

My house is not worthy of such a formal invitation. House Manderly will be present! What could I possibly give you and your future unborn child, to thank you for the respect and honour shown to our House?" Lord Manderly.

"What you could bestow, my lord, is peace and prosperity for all the North.

So that our future generation does not have to suffer as we do.

I have also come here to propose to you and your House a possible future trade partnership. If you agree, Lord Wyman." When Lord Manderly heard the words 'commercial collaboration', his eyes lit up.

White Harbor was filling his coffers with gold and silver through the soap and paper trade. He had recently received a raven from House Ryswell, for the sale of new revolutionary trade wagons, also made by House Tallhart. So far, any House of Westeros that created such a trading partnership prospered beyond measure.

"House Manderly is certainly interested in your proposal. Please, Lord Leobald, continue." Wyman.

"Just a moment, my Lord." Leobald rose to make his way to a small chest. He opened the chest and walked towards Lord Wyman with four items with him.

"These three scrolls that look like paper, my Lord, will be in greater demand and sought after than soap...I give you my word.

After Torrhen's Square...cough cough...has experienced its benefits, he can no longer do without it... We call it 'Toilet Paper'." Leobald explained all the features and benefits of this new product, giving House Manderly a monopoly on sales.

Three different qualities: 'common paper' (cost = 3 pennies), 'class paper' (cost = 3 copper stars) and 'imperial paper' (cost = 5 silver stags).

"I assure you, my Lord, that after trying it, you won't even want to wipe yourself with silk. You will be able to resell each batch of the product even, at four times the price we charge and be able to sell the product in any House in Westeros or town in Essos." Leobald finished.

"I am certain of it, my Lord. House Manderly accepts the deal." Manderly couldn't wait to try out the new product....

"A second deal we propose...is this..." Leobald opened the cards to show plans for new 'innovative' toilets and methods of distributing running water.

After 30 minutes of explanation and repetition (Manderly at first did not believe it possible that such 'services' could be created).

"Again, my Lord, my House offers you a monopoly on construction work, only you will have these projects...what we require is only a 5% on the profits you will make from them and that House Manderly buys the necessary construction materials from us." Leobald concluded.

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Manderly was still shocked. 'The incident', which he had had a few hours ago, seemed like a message from the gods....

"Manderly House, accept. We thank Tallhart House, for honoring us with your offer. Please, my Lord. Tell me if there is anything else our House can do for you!" Manderly.

"Indeed, Lord Wyman...there is something..."

End POV.

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POV Rickard Karstark;

Karhold.

About three hours after a deaf pageboy woke his lady...

Rickard Karstark rode into the clearing with four of his escort men. It was at least half an hour before he reached Karhold. Only the fastest knights followed him. His son Harrion (18 years) had taken care of Eddard (7 years), along with the rest of his escort.

They spurred the horses to the limit of their abilities.

Rickard kept whipping his horse fiercely... His horse, 'Ebony', which had served him faithfully for fifteen years and had survived three battles in a row: against a group of wildlings, the Battle of the Bells and at the Trident.

"FASTEST DAMN HORSE!! I SWEAR WHEN WE GET THERE I WILL HAVE YOU SLAUGHTERED AND SERVED AS STEW!!!" Shouted Rickard, trying to increase his speed again.

"HIIIIIII, HIIIIIII!!!" Nitrated the horse feeling another whip.

It had taken Harrion two hours to reach him and warn him...

That meant Ser Helman Tallhart had been waiting for him to arrive for at least three hours.

Rickard looked in the direction of the woods. He knew his land like the back of his hand. Every stone, every tree within ten miles of Karhold was firmly etched in his mind.

"LET'S CUT THROUGH THE WOODS!!!" Lord Karstark ordered, pointing in the direction with his right hand.

"YES, MY LORD!!!" The four escorting men replied in unison.

The five knights rode into the wooded clearing.

They continued to maintain a dangerous speed...

They were no longer following a well-trodden path. After a few minutes, a shout was heard.

"UAARGHH!" "HIIIIII!!!" *SDRUSH!*.... "HELP ME!".....

"MY LORD! WILLIS..." a soldier tried to say.

"LEAVE HIM BEHIND! COME BACK FOR HIM LATER! MOVE ON!" Shouted Karstark, not even looking back.

"But... Yes, my lord..." Willis's brother replied.

About an hour later...

Rickard Karstark was settling in as best he could. He didn't have time to change his clothes. A servant from the castle, was dusting him off from top to bottom as he kept a quick pace to reach the waiting room.

Arriving inside the hall, he found Helman Tallhart talking in a heated discussion with his wife, pregnant with their fourth child, Tasha Flint-Karstark.

"Yes, my Lady. It has been a joy for us, just thinking that I will soon have a nephew or a niece always brightens my day." Said Helman, they were standing next to two straw mannequins.

"Ah, there's my Lord husband! Rickard darling look who has come to visit us. Lord Helman Tallhart himself. He is soon to have an unexpected addition among his family. Isn't that wonderful?" Tasha.

"It is my beloved. Lord Helman, I beg your forgiveness for the long wait. All of Karhold welcomes you, my Lord." Said Karstark, giving a hearty bow.

"No, my Lord. It is I who must ask your forgiveness. Only my rudeness in not having warned you sooner must be reprimanded. The wait was practically nonexistent. Your Lady wife, she graced me with her company and hospitality, worthy of one of the greatest families in the North." Said Helman, bowing.

Tasha, felt relieved and happy to hear those words. She had feared she had bored Lord Helman too much, in these, almost four hours of talk.

"You honour me, my wife and my House, my Lord." Rickard said in a respectful and cordial tone.

"I hope, Lord Rickard, that I have not caused you any discomfort or trouble by this sudden visit of mine." Said Helman showing a slight tone of concern.

"No trouble at all, my lord. My son Eddard and I were just returning from our first hunt. Your visit can only be considered a happy coincidence." Rickard.

"I am heartened to hear it, my lord. I would never have forgiven myself for disturbing such an important moment between a father and son." Helman.

"That was not the case, my Lord. Please be seated. My beloved, would you have them bring us something to eat and drink, if you don't mind?"

"Of course, they will come as soon as possible. I will leave you alone now, my lords. Lord Helman, it has been a real pleasure to make your acquaintance." Said Tasha bowing like a perfect Lady.

"No, my Lady. The pleasure and honour has been mine. I wish you my sincerest congratulations and may your future unborn child be a girl. To close our previous discourse...Yes, Alys, that's a wonderful name. I may steal your idea, my Lady, if I ever have a niece." Helman.

"Thank you, my Lord." Tasha walked out of the room.

30 minutes later of: drinking, war stories, praise, courtesies, and jokes.

"So, Lord Karstark, you must be wondering why I have visited you." Helman.

"I admit, the thought has crossed my mind a few times, Lord Helman." Rickard.

"Originally, my lord. I was supposed to go to Castle Black...but since my brother did me the courtesy of donating another member to my House. I could not resist and wanted and needed to be able to celebrate the event. Before Winter comes, we should all be able to have some good times to remember. At least, that's what I think." Helman.

"I agree wholeheartedly, my Lord." Rickard.

"That is why I am organizing a tournament in my lands. I am inviting every family in the North to such an event. I would like us all to benefit from some fun. Especially after the past few years...

I have come here to personally invite you and all those you choose to bring, Lord Rickard." Helman.

"Lord Helman, you honour me with such an invitation. I assure you that this visit of yours was unnecessary. You should not have bothered for so little. I would still have accepted even if a raven had brought the invitation." Rickard.

"Nonsense. For so little, stretching the road for such a short distance, is not in the least considered in the word 'disturbance'.

Truly, my lord. Since I would have liked to speak to you in person anyway, in the months to come, I took the opportunity to anticipate such an event." Helman.

"In what connection, if I may ask." Rickard focused all attention on the next words that were about to be spoken....

"I would like, if possible, to see a lasting business relationship established between my House and yours. A business relationship that I believe will benefit us both greatly in the future." Said Helman, taking another sip of the double malt ale.

Rickard nearly burst into tears... He had to force himself to keep control.

For months he had been talking to his wife about the possibility of having a girl. In his heart he hoped that the next child would be a girl, because that would give him a better chance of bringing the Tallharts and the Karstarks together in marriage...

Lord Helman's son, Bloody Snow, was becoming the most sought after party in all of the Seven Kingdoms with each passing day.

House Karstark, like many other Northern Houses, had increased its trade revenue by at least a third over the past three years through the soap trade alone... and now Lord Helman Tallhart himself had come to his castle to ask for another trade partnership.

For about three weeks, a rumour had been circulating in Karhold. According to which, 'Bloody Snow' was blessed by the Old Gods and prayed daily in a lost ancient language. Rickard had managed to find out what the words were.

That 'Seraphine', was probably the name of one of the Old Gods....it had to be, he thought...because he had personally started secretly praying every night before going to sleep.....And now 'Seraphine', had answered his prayers...

All his efforts were being repaid.

"The possibility exists, my Lord. Please continue..." Rickard.

"Thank you, my Lord. My family and I, have recently found a new method of treating leather...I think I should show you first, sometimes sight and deed, are worth a thousand words. You will forgive me, Lord Karstark, if I have ventured to arrange a small demonstration in advance." Said Helman pointing to the two dummies less than 30 feet away from them.

"There's nothing to forgive, in fact I'm glad you did. Please show me." Rickard stood up signalling the Lord to lead the way.

"Thank you, my Lord.

Yes, here we have two mannequins, this is the one covered with five shrouds of leather that your lady wife kindly provided for me, and here a mannequin with leather produced in my lands. I would ask you to strike with your sword both, with a slash of the same intensity if possible." Helman.

"Of course, my Lord... However, I must warn you that I sharpen my sword most mornings. I fear I may damage your leather perpetually." Rickard.

"No problem, my Lord. These, are only demonstration layers of leather. They are meant to be damaged. Strike without hesitation." Helman.

"I will do as you say." Karstark moved into position and drew his sword from its scabbard. The blade was well cared for oiled and sharp.

Karstark struck the first dummy sideways. The blade passed easily through the first three layers and locked onto the fourth.

Drawing the sword, both men noticed the mark left on the fourth layer, another millimetre and it would have touched the fifth.

Rickard struck the second dummy with an almost identical blow....Rickard pulled the sword out...only two layers had been cut...and the third was barely damaged...he was speechless...

"As you can see, my Lord. This treated leather is stronger than the first. I assure you that it too is made from cowhide and if you notice the thickness is almost identical. Touch it, my Lord, and tell me what you see. Helman said, removing one of the five layers.

"It's softer than ordinary leather... more mouldable..." Karstark said.

"Exactly, my Lord! This is absolutely the finest cowhide you will ever find in Westeros and Essos...and if you wish, my lord, your House will gain a monopoly on its trade. "Helman.

"Please, Lord Helman. Tell me, what could I do to reciprocate such an opportunity?...What does your House require?" Rickard.

"House Tallhart, would like House Karstark, to sell us all the hides you can hunt: deer, elk, cattle, boar, seals, bears and others too...we will buy it all without hesitation. The price for this disturbance will be 10% higher than the market price. In return, my Lord, we will provide you with lots of treated leather and furs that are stronger, warmer and more sumptuous than the average. You will be the 'Lord of Leather' from now on, guaranteed. If you resell the unmolded treated leather, you can safely resell it at three times the market price and 'everyone', my Lord, will be happy to buy. However..." Helman, paused for a moment to catch his breath.

"However?! Please, my Lord, finish your speech." Helman Tallhart's every word seemed to last seasons for Rickard. He was focused to the max, to: analyse, scrutinise, absorb, savour and process, every word of Helman's...

"However...coghu cough...I beg your pardon, my lord...I must have a sip of water.....shuurpll...yes...now that's better...I was saying, my lord. However, we would like you to work that leather, to give it more value..." Helman, approached Rickard again, handing over some drawings.

"These, my lord. They are new designs, for: basic leather armour, studded armour, boots, leggings, belts, sword scabbards and quivers. I have brought illustrative samples below. My lord, we would like you to mass produce these components...and if possible you will pay us a tribute of 5% of the profits you make from them...you will of course have, in addition to the designs, our leather masters who will come to instruct your workers, so as to explain the various operations in detail. You alone, my Lord, will be given the right to sell such articles...What do you think, my Lord?" Helman.

"Lord Rickard? Are you feeling well, my Lord? Shall I send for someone?"....

"I AM WELL, MY LORD! NO PLEASE!...No there is no need, thank you...I beg your pardon Lord Helman....just a little fainting...nothing more."

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