Game Of Thrones : Merchant of Two Worlds

Originally, the Earl of Bear Island was Jeor Mormont, the current Commander of the Night's Watch, and the older brother of Maggie Mormont.

However, Jeor Mormont wanted his son to inherit the title, so he voluntarily joined the Night's Watch, putting on the black robes. He passed the title on to his son, Jorah Mormont.

Then, something happened that Jeor Mormont would forever regret.

To please his wife, Jorah, his obedient son, broke Westeros's law "120," which forbids the sale of slaves. He was caught and arrested by Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell.

Eddard Stark ruled that Jorah was guilty, and to escape punishment, Jorah fled Westeros with his wife.

As a result, the title of Earl of Bear Island was passed on to Jeor Mormont's sister, Maege Mormont.

This was not unusual for Bear Island, as it was cold and isolated. The women there were strong and capable, much like the men, so it was common for a woman to hold the title of Earl of Bear Island.

Maege Mormont was a short, sturdy woman and a skilled warrior. Her hands were thick with calluses from fighting with two axes. Her eldest daughter and heir, Daisy Mormont, was tall and agile, following in her mother's footsteps.

Since Bear Island is remote, cut off from the mainland, Maggie didn't know much about the soap they were discussing.

She turned to Mrs. Ballet from the Dustin family, sitting beside her, and asked with confusion, "What are you talking about? Paper, pens, and soap?"

Mrs. Ballet leaned in and explained quietly.

Daisy Mormont's eyes brightened as she listened. The idea of soap, this fragrant thing used for bathing, seemed wonderful to her. She was already planning to visit the winter market town to buy some when she had the chance.

He added, "I heard they come from Jason Easter, who claims to be the Earl of Starfire City in Winterfell Market Town. Word has it he's not from Westeros, but from a faraway empire in the East!"

Since Torun Square was near Winterfell, they often heard news from Winterfell Market Town.

An old man with a white beard and hair, frowned upon hearing this. "Earl of Starfire City? That's just what he says. Who can prove his title is real?"

"Nobody can prove it!"

Earl Gabbert-Glover of Deepwood Castle, from the northwest of Winterfell deep in the Wolf's Wood, shook his head. He had heard rumors about this foreign noble. "He's clearly not like us. From his appearance, he must be a foreigner."

Gabbert continued, "According to him, he crossed the Endless Sea to reach the North. But as far as we know, no one in Westeros has ever crossed that terrifying sea. No one can say if his so-called Empire really exists, nor if his title as Earl of Starfire City is true."

"It's probably not a lie. Those strange, magical goods started appearing in Westeros for the first time. They've even reached Essos, beyond the sea. And I've heard rumors of a 'magic medicine' that can cure dying patients. Maybe 'magic medicine' is too strong a term, but the effects are said to be very real, curing many people. The news has spread all over Winterfell!"

"I heard about these things from the servants talking in Winterfell last night!" Earl Harris-Horwood added.

The Northern nobles became more and more curious about this foreign Earl Jason East.

The conversation grew more animated.

Suddenly, Roose Bolton, the Earl of Dreadfort, sitting at the front of the room near Lord Eddard Stark, cleared his throat twice.

His soft cough immediately drew the attention of Earl Horwood, Earl Tauha, and others beside him. They all stopped speaking and turned to look at Roose Bolton with curiosity and a hint of respect.

Others around them noticed the hushed conversation and looked over as well.

Roose Bolton raised his head, his pale face and cold eyes observing the room with a calm, measured expression. "Instead of wasting time discussing this here, it would be better to go and see this foreign nobleman ourselves."

He turned to Lord Eddard and said softly, "What do you think, Lord Ed?"

Lord Eddard Stark glanced at Roose Bolton and then scanned the faces of his vassals. He then responded, "Since everyone is so curious about Lord Jason Easter, let's go meet him."

"We'll go see him. I believe the title of Earl of Starfire City that Lord Easter claims is probably true."

When Lord Eddard spoke, the nobles in the room quickly agreed, deciding to follow him and see if this foreign noble truly had the bearing of a legitimate aristocrat.

After all, it's difficult to fake being a true noble. Every noble family in Westeros has a history that goes back hundreds of years. Family traditions and the sense of pride from generations of inheritance are deeply ingrained in their blood. These things cannot be easily faked.

Soon, Lady Catelyn Stark entered the hall with the Stark children.

Lord Eddard rose from his seat and walked toward his wife and children.

Seeing Lord Eddard stand, all the Northern nobles in the hall rose as well.

"Let's go, let's meet Lord Jason Easter!" Eddard said with a smile to his wife and children as he led the way out of the hall.

Catelyn felt a bit puzzled, unsure why her husband would personally go to meet a foreign noble.

But, although she didn't understand, she didn't ask questions in front of the other Northern lords. She knew better than to do so, as this would undermine her husband's authority as the Warden of the North.

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