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-West. The North. winterfell. Year: 260 BC-

-POV Hariric Stark-

Harirc Stark advanced through Winterfell with great calm. Five years ago he had been reborn in this world. He didn't have a bad opinion. Unlike his previous world here the magic felt like twenty times more powerful and intense. Anyone with magic like his here would basically be like being reborn in paradise. He could already feel it as he was clearly strengthening his entire being. At the age of five he looked more like a ten year old. He was reaching peak physical age as soon as possible and that was saying something anyway. Hariric could honestly say that it is as if magic seeps into every pore of him. But there was a brutal difference between him and the inhabitants

First he was a Magus. Magus is a term used to refer distinctly to a magical human other than a Sorcerer or Warlock. The sorcerer or the witch were different people. The sorcerer was basically a dedicated magic scholar who had a fifty to eighty percent connection to the magic core. He was a barely physical person dedicated especially to magic and if someone could get rid of his catalyst (rings, gloves, pendants, staff or wand) then he was up to his neck in shit. He should know that since he had smashed many of the so-called magical scholars with ease and their airs of grandeur went to shit when they lost their spotlights.

Sorcerers on the other hand, although they had to have the same level of energy concentration and connection as a sorcerer, were very different. First they had what was their magical energy used to strengthen his body. The more connection, the stronger. The most powerful warlock was a being that had been able to fight creatures like chimeras and even dragons toe to toe. They were revered as well as feared. But in exchange for the magical energy being put in such a way they couldn't use conventional light bulbs. They could use alchemy, potions and runes but nothing that required a focus in any way. In the last four hundred years, Warlocks had been despised by wizards, which did not sit well with him.

Then there were the mages. If you're going to think of a group as dangerous then they were mages. One in a thousand was born a Magus. They had between eighty percent and one hundred percent connection to their core. The most powerful magus before him was Nicholas Flamel with a ninety percent connection. He was considered one of the first Magi and he was quite scary to find because he was a dangerous man. However, there was another very radical difference between a magus and any of the other two groups and that is that instead of having a nucleus, they had a nucleus that had a set of arteries that reached the entire body, causing magic to run through their bodies

What did that mean? It meant that a Magus person's body was greatly affected by magic as their body was strengthened. In a nutshell a Magus was like the Sorcerer only with greater reserves and a superior connection to magic and the wizard himself with a monstrously physical ability. They were in a few words what every sorcerer dreams of being but in no way could they touch a single finger since it turned out that sorcerers despised magus for being more powerful. It didn't help that the ICW had a Magus regulation law to obviously prevent them from becoming a threat to their power.

His grandfather had discovered that he was a Magus but instead of seeing him locked up or controlled and regulated the occult and helped him learn. He took him to learn with some of the masters of many magical fields. For some reason he had a monstrous ability to learn magic. His grandmother called it Lady Morrigan's blessing. As one of the aspects of her is that of magic it was quite easy to say that she had blessed him to easily understand, comprehend and accept magic. Needless to say, he was a quick learner and soon they were having to bind several wizards with oaths of secrecy to keep them from getting out of control and talking about it with ICW.

By the time the organ learned that it was a Magus it was twenty years old and fully matured. To make matters worse, he was a terrifying young man who combined knowledge of science with magic making him even more dangerous. The ICW only tried to harass him and his family once when he was on an important business trip. His wife Nymphadora his died saving their children from what was basically a kidnapping attempt. As a reward for such action he appeared at the ICW headquarters and took the entire organization hostage. Each country sent attack forces that fell into their runic traps. And then he made the obvious demands of him that every ICW member country accept and ICW itself accept.

Their demand was that they would swear a bound oath on the country and the body that would stop them from going after their family, try to make others go after their family and of course an oath to leave them alone. Tied to the country and the organ. No one could go against him. They all knew. In exchange he promised not to impose his demands or obligations of any kind on any country or try to subdue and control them. In the end the ICW was forced into it and they basically accepted this which didn't sit well with them. This is how the first Magus dynasty grew and expanded throughout the world, making the Black family such a powerful and strong family at an unprecedented level and it did not help that they preferred to have the best of both worlds.

Still as a Magus his body was absorbing the pure unadulterated and uncontaminated magical energy of the planet and spreading it throughout his body. It was a massive and intense magical energy that some would say was beyond dangerous. And it was true. The energy had come close to killing him on a few occasions. Fortunately even as a baby he knew how to get the energy out of his system. It was a very simple exercise. I use the energy to send it through the ley lines since Winterfell was exactly at the nexus of three ley lines. It was with that that he was able to discover more about the beautiful land in which he lived which was not a problem for him anyway.

Some would scoff at his calling the North beautiful. He had heard numerous times about how people thought the North was the land of worthless fools. Hariric had heard that this was the opinion of the southerners. Southern Andalos reminded her too much of politicians who were more than willing to sell their mother for nothing. Some were even outright tyrants. Not that he had anything against them. Each one lived in his kingdom and did things his way to make his kingdom stronger. It was the absolute and only law that anyone should know and know anyway. However despite it was not enough in his mind

Some of these gentlemen had an ego problem that reminded him too much of the purebloods of any country. They were proud of their power however when you looked you wondered what power? The Arryn family was only powerful as it was because of its strategic position in the East, for being self-sufficient, and for the simple reason that some of the lords of the Vale had silver mines and had to pay tribute to the Arryn family who ruled them. They were not powerful by themselves but because as a whole they were powerful. He could understand a person being powerful by himself and being proud of them, but being powerful by the whole? Well that and that they had an excellent port for business with Essos. But nothing else

The land of the Rivers was a fucking joke in Hariric's mind. To begin with, the only wealth they had came from the fact that they had a contract with the North to buy food, neither more nor less. While some would say that was a good thing, Hariric was of the opinion that they were his only source of income, no more and no less, which meant little. A country is as powerful as its economy is anyway and if it had to be frank, the land of Los Ríos was rather economically weak because if you took away the contract with the North then they no longer had anything but of course for that they would have to make the North self-sufficient something he would do if he had a chance

The storm lands clearly combined a land of mountains with a very strong climate. They had abundant silver mines which made them rich but they had to buy food from the Dominion lands which made them weak though not enough to be a nuisance but enough to make it clear that they were not like a super nation. power like others though it was not hard to see obviously the storm lands were still powerful economically and with one of the best armies ever being able to recruit up to sixty thousand men for war anyway

The lands of the West were a land with large and abundant mines. They had large gold mines which clearly gave them an advantage as gold is valuable and important. The more gold the better if you had to be blunt. In any case, despite this, they had a problem and that is that their land was not very fertile, so they had to buy food from the Dominion. Hariric knew that the Lannisters had a lord at the moment who was a joke but if there was one lesson he had learned it was that when a father is a disappointment the children did exactly what was necessary to be as different from the parents as possible for what was possible that the Lannister heirs were the opposite

The iron islands were a group of pirate islands. Honestly some would confuse this with Vikings. I knew better. The Vikings were explorers, did they loot? Fuck yes but at the same time they were warriors. They had rules and regulations. The ironborn did not. If they could steal it they would. Honestly, I would prefer a Viking a thousand times. For an ironborn there was nothing important. They were just murderers and rapists. If it were up to him there would be a massacre. It might not seem nice of him but he had long ago come to the conclusion that being nice was a fool's gift on many occasions and here it seemed like the act of a fool for enduring an enemy force near their shores. So I'd do my best

Then there was the Dominion. The green fields as some people called these lands. They were the most fertile lands in all of Westeros. Its economy was completely based on what was the production of food that came to four different parties: The Lannisters, the Baratheons, the monarchy and the Martells. They were basically rich because they produced a lot of food and sold it everywhere. It wasn't nice that they were like that but there was nothing that could be done about it other than to be tolerant with their things. It didn't help that Dominion lords usually had a tendency to be complete jerks if he had to say it himself bluntly.

Finally there was Dorne. It was a kingdom…interesting. Dorne had some customs that combined Rhoynar culture with the Andala although in some cases it was Rhoynar with that of the first men. They were interesting people. They were Slytherin by nature if he had to describe them. They were stubborn as well since they were the last kingdom to unite and the only reason they did so was a marriage, nothing more, nothing less. However Hariric also knew that despite this the Martells did not love the Targaryens very much and were willing to use any and all measures to force the position of a Martell as queen to slowly gain control of the seven kingdoms.

Six of the seven kingdoms. The ruling dynasty: Targaryen. I sincerely sigh. The Targaryen dynasty reminded him too much of purebloods on steroids. Who the fuck thought it was a good idea not to bring new blood into the family in any way? It was stupid and pointless. You have to constantly improve the blood and with that you had to bring in new blood. I would not deny and I would say that you did not bring a little Valyrian blood every one or two generations to keep the power of the dragon dynasty in your hands but the truth is that there was a lot of magic in the blood of the first men and the same could be said as the Rhoynar. The Andals on the other hand lacked magic at all if she had to say which was a nuisance in her mind since they seemed obsessed with removing magic.

The Valyrians were a dynasty of dragon tamers anyway. I would have congratulated them on their skills if it weren't for the simple fact that they were idiots. Instead of creating strong and solid bonds with the dragons of all things, the Valyrians created bonds of slavery. Especially with dragons. The same creatures that were basically the embodiment of strength and power and of the same nature. You had to be completely stupid if you had to say it but in Hariric's mind it was normal. People and especially humans rarely understand what magical beings really mean anyway. Domain only. What a bunch of idiots

But they got what they deserved. Some would say the Bane was a case of the gods. It wasn't entirely wrong. It was an effect produced by the furious mother Gaia for having enslaved some of her children. As a Magus she had learned to feel the energy of the world. He had sensed the magic of the world and connected to its network. Gaia. The conscience of the world. Frankly, I had only been exposed to it for a few minutes. Normally a world doesn't take well to anyone meddling in its business but Gaia had let him look at things when he asked about the history of Westeros obviously interested knowing that the history in the books would be in no way efficient. History is written by the victors

What Hariric had seen and witnessed made his hair stand on end. Gaia was an existence that was the consciousness of the planet. Basically if humanity somehow became a threat to the planet in the same way as on their old world it would create a level of catastrophe capable of eradicating them all. When the Valyrians enslaved their children the Dragons gave them a chance to recover from their actions but when they didn't what they did was destroy everything. They say that fire purifies and no one better than mother Gaia would know that for real. From the ashes of Valyria a new breed of Dragons would be reborn. It just wasn't the time yet apparently

Anyway since I was there I had looked to the North. Apparently the first men were Gaia's favorite humans since they were the only ones who had accepted anyway what was the change or the difference of being. If you stopped to think about it, it was interesting to know anyway. At the same time she felt that it was good. However her gaia was still furious for some reason though she didn't tell him the reason. Gaia seemed interested in watching him. In learning from him and knowing what her plans were. Hariric felt that he was being tested but he didn't care anyway. He wasn't as bad as some would say. He was already used to being tested by magic anyway so someone else wasn't a serious problem.

Hariric sighed and understood the history of the Stark family and was…shocked. Apparently the Starks were an interesting bunch. Very touched by magic and affected. The first Stark was Brandon the Builder, a man who built Winterfell and also the wall as well as many other fortresses. After eight thousand years Winterfell stood without repair. That only spoke of magic so he had looked closely at the group. However, as much as they had good lords like Brandon the Navigator they also had their problems with others like Brandon the Arsonist who destroyed his fleet just because he lost his father. Frankly, Hariric realized that he was born into a family touched by both geniuses and idiots.

With that in mind he extended and used his open connection to obviously comprehend the North. Her land. Your home. And fell in love Hariric loved magic. He loved nature. There was a fucking reason why he hated muggles and that was that they destroyed and destroyed without thinking about his actions. But the North The North was such a beautiful kingdom. Its only weak point was the times that were strong winter almost constant and when it was winter ice age. It was one thing that could change. It was difficult. Weather magic was never easy to do and mostly what it was that affected such a large area. He would need studies and work but he did not see it as impossible anyway in his mind

However, despite having to work in the northern climate, Harirc easily realized that the North had potential. The North was as or perhaps a little larger than Germany and was half of the entire continent. So far perfect. One of the most important things about any good country is that it needs to be spacious. Now to the resources. Thanks to his connection with Gaia, he had discovered several things from the North that if they were learned from the South, then there was a very big possibility that there would be a war. Not that he cared. A storm here, a volcano there and period goodbye very good enemy military force. Let it not be said that he is not capable of solving problems when they slam on the door anyway.

Well the North had several huge mountain ranges. The first and most notable was the monstrous northern mountain range that was very close with the New Gift and Brandon's gift that was under the control of the mountain clans. It was chock full of valuable resources that could be exploited obviously which was good. These mountains had gold, copper, and iron. The largest amount was iron followed closely by the other two elements as are well known to be found in nature of course. It's not that he cared, what he cared about was that the mountains were worth

The next incredibly valuable and notable mountain range was of course and fortunately within Stark lands which was a more than solid advantage since it meant zero problems for him with respect to the above. This chain was south of Winterfell and was surrounded by the white knife which was excellent. This was brimming with gold and was an excellent position so obviously it would have to be mined. Nothing and no one would tell him in the slightest not to touch the place because it was technically from the Stark house. Did anyone have a problem? He could deal with these people very nicely actually with a firm reminder of who's boss.

The next two chains are those belonging to the Cerwyn house and the Hornwood house, which brought him a more than important grimace indeed. Cerwyn was a major Stark ally, part of the Winter Alliance, an alliance created by those who were basically at odds with the Boltons because of their tactics and methods. They didn't like the Boltons. Hornwood had been a neutral house but through a lot of work he had discovered that the Hornwoods had allied with the Boltons since in their own words they were tired of dealing obviously with the Stark family not recognizing them their own words of course but in the hands of ignorant can mean anything anyway

House Cerwyn had large reserves of silver and precious jewels, which was excellent. Unfortunately Hornwood had iron and gold along with some copper. Needless to say, it was bad. He was a Black and he had wisely learned the lesson that it was better to have your enemies in two forms: dead or weak. He honestly prefers them dead. There are fewer headaches, which is usually always an event that you have on top of you since there are many people who are always upset with a person when they are powerful. A dead enemy means zero problems and zero difficulties at least in hariric's mind of course and that was important to him since he wanted to have a good time with his fucking family

The last decent sized mine (ie Lannister size) were the Skagos mines. Hariric seriously wanted to hit his head. Skagos was a cancer spot in his mind. He was not one to advocate the death of an entire group but on the one hand the Skagos would never accept the Northerners because they were xenophobic and then because they were one of those who had accumulated bad blood with almost all the houses which was incredible if the I had to say it myself. Add to that that the island although treeless was an ideal place to become a naval shipyard in the same way that Bear Island was and you had compelling reasons to beat the shit out of them but of course some would say it was morally wrong to do such a thing anyway (not for him since he was Black)

The more he had looked at the North, the more he realized the importance and value of doing something. It was the moment. Eight thousand years they had had to be lazy bums without exploiting their country. Fuck for his soul he wouldn't tolerate it anymore. Besides he wasn't going to tolerate his nation being full of uneducated fools either. Although it is true that people could come up with ridiculous ideas such as democracy (Democracy on paper is fine but for it to work the people must be cultured. Since when are rulers interested in a cultured people?) but a cultured people it means several things like a good building, a good military job and doctors. All of that was precious.

Steeling himself (hey his dad was terrifyingly six feet tall and all muscle while southern idiots were really worthless lanky) he opened the door. He loved her family above all else but it wouldn't be hard for her to admit that he had a lot of respect for them. One does not become lord of the North by being a kind man and woman ruled out of respect and fear. Nothing and no one had more value in their bodies than both of them so he knew that their questions would possibly be enough to cause some discomfort but this had to be done for the good of the North if they wanted to shine as a nation.

-POV General-

Rickard Stark could only be described as a man's man. He was a six foot man of pure muscle. Many had said that the Dire Wolf Name of his house had taken a strong hold on him. Rickard Stark was possibly one of those people who could wield Ice, the fearsome sword of House Stark without problems, being able to handle it even with one hand, which must have said a lot about his monstrous physical strength. Few men could say of it. But what was more important. Rickard Stark was an intelligent and competent leader, not a brainless idiot who would rush forward alone hoping to empower his house.

Many would say that Rickard was born in the wrong house. That with a mind like hers so open and intelligent he should have been born in a southern kingdom. Thanks but no thanks. If there was one thing Rickard knew about the South, it was that while they talked of being intelligent, he had quickly discovered that they were extremely limited. His faith. The honor code of him. All. For southerners it was that simple if you went against what they believed was wrong. Rickard would never have been respected there. There was a reason why the Boltons had never dared to challenge him since he had an absolute law that if someone was a threat to be dealt with. It had been due to his belief that a Stark must be ready and ready to slaughter enemies without mercy.

Rickard had this belief for three reasons. The first is that he lived in possibly the largest region but also the one with the toughest people. No vassal of his would respect a weak and easily manipulated leader. For this very reason he did not love the southern ideology of playing with his food. He preferred to hit hard, hard, and with a good warhammer. He was little known but since he took over he had had to make examples of various lesser houses and groups of nobles for thinking they could get away with it. His examples were hard and cold as ice, also earning the name of the Wolf of the North. So his rule was obviously peaceful.

Next to Rickard was his wife. Lyarra Stark was, in the words of many, a women's woman. Beautiful woman with black hair and gray eyes like all Stark with white skin like ivory. Many of her called her the Rose of Winter and it was an open secret that many southern nobles had wanted to claim her as their wife. Rickard, however, was the one who married her. Many said that Lyarra had Wolf blood which made her wild and when they said that to her and they said that she should behave more like a lady Rickard just raised an eyebrow and looked amused at the idiot who said this making it clear that this was the North not the south

Lyarra Stark looked like both a northerner and a southerner. She dressed in elegant dark blue clothes which would be a surprise. Little did people know that her clothing came from many times when she had played and fooled foolish southern nobles who thought pretty armor meant quality. However on top of this she wore a fur coat that left her warm. As a powerful woman she was respected throughout the North for being herself and above all for being a woman who represents feminine power. What no one knew is that she was so smart and cunning that many would think that she was much more than she seemed.

Honestly, comparing Lyarra Stark to most women in the South was insulting. Intelligent. Her father had raised her to be a lady of the north. It is true that many lords of the North were the same as those of the south seeing women as little more than a tool to use and that's it. But Lyarra's father was a man who saw his wife's intelligence and non-conformist ways as a good thing which caused him to force his teacher to educate her which came as quite a surprise to the teacher and he almost refused to give up. to do such a thing if it weren't for the death threat on his head since the man who was Rodrick Stark knew that a woman was as much as a man

Lyarra's upbringing was more than exceptional with the beautiful woman demonstrating a brilliant mind. Between her and her husband they had kept the North in check which was difficult with the Boltons clearly trying to sow seeds of discord by all means. Lyarra would have killed the Boltons and her own husband wanted to but they were slippery, smart and cunning so they were hard to catch. However, like all of Stark, she followed the law of the strongest and that is why she treasured above all that they were the strongest house by all means and she would stop at nothing to ensure the survival of her family.

When she looked at her husband, she smiled. Rickard Stark was what an intelligent woman wanted as her husband. He was inteligent. With brain instead of muscle. He had ruled with a mixture of loyalty and fear and using his head knowing how and when to hit dissidents. While it is true that many assume that House Stark does not have a spy network, that is not true as members of the Houses of the Neck are trusted in such duty for their unique abilities. However, her thoughts, like those of her husband, were in other more notable important points such as the progress of her son since they had been watching him carefully (he was her son, it is normal for a father to be interested in your child's future

´´Wallys is not happy with hariric. I have seen him murmur and look at our son more than once. I have also seen that he is upset in the mere presence of him. I fear what the maester might try to do with our son if he even gets a chance anyway``. Lyarra did not trust the maesters. Spot. In his opinion they were southerners who had disdain for northerners which meant in a nutshell that they did not see them as equals. She, like her husband, felt that they should place some second-inheritance sons to be appointed masters, but they simply could not. The North needed every possible director and that is why they were as they were

´´Unfortunately the need for Wallys is a serious thing. As a master, his knowledge is essential since we both know perfectly well that the masters are, in a few words, the backbone of each castle. We gentlemen have too much busy time and we need people to educate our children at least in certain arts``. Which was worrying in itself. Entrusting the education of a child to a stranger seemed not only stupid but also pointless. He gave her reasons to want to bang her head against a wall. He hated when people seemed to think it was perfectly fine to place their children under such a burden. He also proved a point to him and that is that they were too necessary which in Rickard's mind was bad. A maximum need never paints well in his mind

´´I honestly distrusted Wallys for more reasons than just the fact that he is a maester. He's from the Dominion. You must know better than anyone about the contempt that the inhabitants of the domain have for us northerners, I think I remember that they are the ones who call us beasts the most if you really have to stop and think about it``. Lyarra felt that trusting southerners was wrong because of the centuries of bad blood and the fact that many southerners had an air of smugness every time they saw them. For what reason? Because they were richer. If it were up to her she'd push a well-prepared spear through the hearts of some bastards who thought they could treat them like this.

´´It is a problem that I will not deny is there. And Wallys as a teacher frankly I don't feel very comfortable. The guy keeps saying that we should marry our son to a woman from the south. He says it will ease the north's tension with the south and make it clear that there's more to it than just viewing Northerners as wild beasts. Rickard's opinion of Wallys was already bad enough on that point alone, telling him that he should above all else change in favor of the south? Why should he do such a thing? It was stupid if he had to be blunt though he could also see what a huge headache it could cause if he wasn't very careful.

´´Wallys seems to think that marriages with the South are the best thing that can happen to the North. I honestly don't understand where you got such an idea from but it would be better to talk to the Reeds so they start launching more surveillance towards the group of maesters in the North. She was completely wary of what actions they may have to take or something of the sort. I wouldn't be surprised if they scheme behind our backs anyway. Lesson learned. Since his distrust of the south came with reasons. Added to this was the factor that if the southerners were sincerely using the maesters as spies they must look for ways to completely remove the threat against them in a strong and direct manner.

''For the moment we have to swallow the maesters dear wife. Whether we like it or not the case in point is that the maesters are currently the most powerful group of all since they are in every fucking castle. We have no choice but to accept them for what they are. They are a lesser evil. But if Wallys is not careful, I will make sure by all means that he understands not to fuck with me``. He honestly felt that there was a very high possibility that Wallys would try something. He still remembers some very important lessons and the most valuable is to never turn your back on anyone. By blindly trusting something you are turning your back on that something and the masters had too many resources

´´What Rickard fears the most is that he will try to hurt Hariric in some way. Our son is obviously proving to be a true gift from the Old Gods. By the gods you just have to look at it. Look how strong he has grown. Look how powerful it is. I'm honestly afraid that Wallys thinks our son is some kind of threat and tries to hurt him in some way. It was a reasonable concern if you stopped to think about it and even more so for her since she felt that it was always and forever a possibility that her son would be harmed. Because as parents they could have more children but if someone stopped the growth of her child it would be really bad

´´Honestly I don´t see Wallys doing such a thing. I highly doubt the man is clearly idiot enough to do such a thing anyway but at the same time I know that a person desperate to get something out might try something foolish and I'd like to make sure that doesn't happen either way. the ways actually``. Rickard was not an idiot and he knew full well that if a person needed a result and became desperate for it he would do everything in his power to get the result he needed anyway. That's how most people were, he could fit into that category himself after all.

´´This is how betrayal works best and dear your best that no one should know that is how things work. You don't try to make it look normal. You try to avoid it completely. If it doesn't seem like it. I am sincerely concerned that this man will try to do anything with our son``. And it was a healthy fear. She knew he couldn't trust a man who basically even though he said he had sworn on behalf of the castle had so many southern interests. She hoped with all her heart that her husband would agree to it and that she would not trust him. She saw Rickard sigh knowing he was having things on her mind of course which meant she was really considering it.

´´I would like to say that I don't see it but when you really stop to think about it I am afraid I have to say that it is a yes or yes. That there's no better way to say it anyway. not good. It's not nice in the least. The cruelty of the situation is that we need a teacher. We can't afford one of Essos's healers unfortunately. It was a big problem because in the end they needed a healer more than any other job that the maestre did. It was a big problem on his mind because he knew better than anyone that the maester wouldn't hesitate in the slightest to god knows what to do to them if they had a chance. Better to be cautious actually

i guess. I hate that we have so many needs. It's more than just hatred of the Dragon lords. They basically took away our ability to be ourselves. They basically took away our ability to be able to run our place the way we wanted. It's frankly a pain to have to follow the dragons``. She was a nuisance in Lyarra's mind but there was no denying that she was the way she was and there was no choice at the moment anyway. there was nothing that could be done about it. However she promised herself that if she had to she would find a way to strike back at the dragons by all means she had no doubt about it.

''The North remembers my dear. The time of the dragons will come. With the way they rule and everything about their ways I honestly feel like they're a disappointment to the dragons. The time will come anyway that the North will have its revenge on him. And I'm sure it will be sooner rather than later anyway``. Rickard was not a devout believer. He respected the laws of children and he respected the laws of the old gods but he was not one of those who placed his faith in the gods being a person who thought better for himself and that it was better anyway to be yourself and be able to say that he's thinking of things for his own benefit anyway. He was a much smarter person who saw faith as a means

''And I feel that what you say is true. I look forward to the end of the dragons time not for nothing but for the simple fact that if things continue as they are, it will get very complicated. The North should by no means have to pay for all the mistakes of the South``. There was a reason the Starks hated and despised dragons and that was because every war and rebellion the North had fought. They had shown their strength. What did they get in return? Nothing. They never received anything. It was unpleasant in his mind and he knew that it was one of the main methods of gaining presence in the North for the Boltons by using them as a bad example.

´´However, now I have something else on my mind. Why does our son want to talk to us? What things are on your mind right now? Knowing him as I know him something tells me that he is going to have many things to tell us``. Rickard couldn't help the proud smile he had when he remembered his son. There were many things that could be said, but Rickard Stark knew how to recognize that his son was possibly one of the most incredible people. He was only five years old but he had shown great intelligence that made the teacher very upset. It was a concern they had of Wallys rightly fearing the man would try to eliminate his son because he would earn a formidable reputation anyway. This is how people tend to be

´´Well, our son has shown a lot to be very intelligent and capable. A person truly capable of using the perfect combination of brain and brawn. I sincerely feel that it is very possible that our son is thinking about some personal things or at least that he has some plans of a childish mind anyway``. Lyarra thought fondly of her son knowing that he was after all a unique and excellent child of that there was no doubt about it. His daughter was brilliant and magnificent if you stopped to think about it and also a good young man who always did some favors for people whenever he could. He had surprised many to learn that Hariric wasn't a spoiled brat anyway.

´´And that is why I look forward to this meeting. Something tells me our son is about to blurt something out. I know it's a strange feeling but I feel that our son can perfectly make his own plans. Don't look at me like I'm weird, since when has our son acted like a normal kid? The answer is never. He is always seen doing things anyway. It's quite a rarity if I have to say so. Rickard sighed. His son was a complete stranger. He didn't mean it as a bad thing. He actually meant it as something really good and he honestly meant it as something unique. There was no better way to say it anyway. at least not in his personal opinion of course

´´You know that as a mother that only worries me more. Our son possibly has one of these strange minds. Possibly we are talking about the rebirth of Brandon the builder. That could spell a lot of trouble for the North if I have to say so. At least in normal appearance. I have no doubt that our son will be a headache for the south. Lyarra couldn't help but laugh. She had always heard how proud the sons of southerners were. How they considered themselves above others. They would learn the hard way that there were things far more frightening than they could imagine and how outmatched they were compared to their son. That would amuse her a lot.

''I suppose I should have obviously expected that you would find anything that means screwing over the southerners rather amusing though well if I have to say it's always a complete possibility anyway. The North will have a different ruler. I just hope they don't get eaten alive``. An unpleasant thing about the northern lords is that if something works, why should they change it? That's how the Norteños were unfortunately. Closed minded and unable to change if they don't find the need anyway. Even if they were told that it was to embarrass the south, they would possibly just say that it was not their problem since they already felt that way and therefore there was no reason to do anything.

´´Well, if our lords are so sure that they can get out of this, perfect, but if they trust so blindly that they will get ahead, they must first learn what it means to deal with a person who is obviously more dangerous. Hariric won't let them say how he does things. You should already know that``. There was a reason Lyarra had complete faith in her son. It wasn't just a mother's trust in her child. It wasn't just a mother's confidence that her son would be able to lead the north on the right path. It was something in the look. When Hariric decided on something nothing stopped him and gods have mercy on the fool he thought he could get in his way

''I guess I should have known about that. Our son is after all a Stark. If the lords of the north tell him that he is not alone, possibly he will give them two options and that will be that they can either obey completely or they can be thrown to the wolves for food. He is our son. We know each other better than anyone or anything and we are perfectly aware of our son's actions. It won't be hard to see him do what he thinks is the right thing to do anyway. Rickard knew what he was talking about. He was a proud man almost impossible to move in what were his personal plans. No one could tell her how to be or how to act anyway. Yet at the same time he felt that what was about to happen to others would be something that would change them whether they wanted to or not.

Whatever he was about to say was interrupted by Maester Wallys entering. There were many things to say about the maester. He was an obviously older man from the Dominion this was known from the way he looked. A person is always easy to read by his eyes. Lyarra narrowed her eyes and was about to go for one of her daggers to plunge into his chest. The eyes of her with a grimace and the act of the nose. It was enough to easily tell him that this man was not happy with him. The man was stupid if he thought his performance went unnoticed.

´´Maester Wallys I hope there is a reason why you have come here. We are waiting for our son``. From the beginning Rickard had noticed the antagonistic relationship between Hariric and Wallys. Every time Wallys said a single thing that could be considered a mockery, Hariric put him in his place. For a five-year-old boy that was surprising to do, but of course both father and mother knew that their son had no problem with putting a person in his place. it put him in a very bad light in many ways. The man hadn't misbehaved again.

''Well, Mr. Hariric said he wanted me to be here. According to him, he had a compelling reason for us to be here according to him. Wallys shuddered. He hated being sent north but the citadel's orders were crystal clear. He had to bring the North closer to the South and hopefully arrange a marriage between the Stark heir and a manipulable southern girl so he could start mining and mining the North. This was mostly because the West's resources were already only at forty percent. After six thousand years of exploitation it was normal to expect after all but they were still not happy

oh really? Has my son decided to see you? I seem to remember that the last time my son gave you the floor, it was mostly because in his own words he was a redneck fool who was rejecting the stories of the past because it was terrifying to know that there was a force that could have put him in his place. called south``. He was referring to his post to the white walkers. Every time this man had scoffed at a single ancient thought of the North his son had easily cut him off with a have you been there? Of course not so shut up. His son was a believer that the past was a valuable lesson for a good reason and that messing it up was complete idiots. Needless to say, it's very bad for Wallys.

´´Yes I suppose young lord Stark was upset but it still indicates that my wisdom is much needed and that I am an important member of necessity for the castle so he wanted me here so he could have a true and advanced conversation of whatever it is that It's eating your mind. Wallys couldn't believe having to say such things about the brat. He had humiliated him numerous times by calling him a brainless old fool unable to recognize the truth even if he was punched in the face by it. According to the child, the past was a learning tool showing you clearly what had come before and what you could expect in the future. Better be ready or at least his words were clearly foolish

I see. The truth is that my son Hariric is understandably an advanced boy for his age. Most when they fight do not take people well and try to throw them completely out of the way by all means. That my son has decided that he still trusts you because according to him you are an important piece of the castle says a lot``. Which also said that either his son was manipulating him into something or he was playing dumb with this idiot. Not that he could blame him. His child was many things, but a person he forgave was not. That proof was in an insult made to his person by a certain idiot nobleman who had said nasty things about his family.

''It obviously shows wisdom. Most people when they are enemies are unable to understand or even understand what they have done or what others do. However, the fact that her son obviously understands that he is in need of someone, no matter how much he dislikes him, says a lot about him. Many good things``. And Wallys could tell that he showed that at least the boy was aware of the dire need for maesters everywhere what was good. Such a child was much better. However he knew that the slightest thing he would be treated like a plague and would see him outside the castle. He actually had to make himself fully useful and had to find ways

Yeah. We have a son who makes us proud. He is smart. After all, how many children do you know who at the age of five are as bright as our son? And besides that it's pretty sensible. I still remember Lord Bolton's trip a year ago. My son was able not to jump on the Roose son when I insulted him very silly of the boy but what can be expected from houses that are rivals``. Lyarra remembered that day. Roose Bolton messed with hariric a year ago because he didn't recognize him as the son of the Starks and he made a big deal out of it, his son made it clear that Roose Bolton was never received well because he was obviously a brainless idiot to think he could go to someone else's castle and treat the people of his land as he pleases

´´It was a real luck if I may say so, my lady, that things did not end badly. I know that there are many people who obviously feared that the argument between the young Stark and the young Bolton would end in a new family fight. It pleases me to know that his son knows how to restrain himself. It is true that he does not look like many children from the south``. That was a point that he had to give the brat. He was obviously smarter. It wouldn't surprise him in the least if he waited for a very specific moment to hit the Boltons. However it wasn't that much of a problem. The Bolton family was much more dangerous than the Stark family (if the poor guy knew now he would be changing his mind)

´´More than luck, it made me understand that possibly some of my lords do not understand or do not understand precisely that although it is true that they are important and notable people, they are in those positions for a good reason and not to abuse power and strength as they have done. been doing. A clear demonstration that some of my lords might need some help anyway``. What Rickard was basically saying is that he should meddle more in the affairs of the other lords. Just from the old man's look, he knew that he didn't agree at all. He hoped he didn't know about the conspiracy that certain things had to slowly subdue House Stark? What a fool

''I don't think that sits better with the lords of the North, my lord. I know every Northern lord likes things the way they are after all and wouldn't take anything well anyway which is basically his lord meddling in his business. No gentleman feels good when another gets into where they are not called ". He did not want the red alliance to be known. He wanted the Starks to think they were the absolute power of the North. If the red alliance was made known, there could be a civil war in the middle of all this that would end really badly with all the lords fighting each other. The Starks would not tolerate an internal power war and while soft on their past it was obvious that they would not let it be.

possibly. But I fear for the treatment that the little ones receive in the other lands. Although I am not going to deny that we lords enjoy great powers, it must be understood that the little ones are a large and numerous faction. If we don't do what is necessary to keep them well it is very possible that things will end badly for all of us if I have to say so. It was a hard truth to admit and appreciate but no less true indeed. The best way to survive at least in the minds of the Starks was to keep the little ones happy and control the lords while also being very clear about the control of the little ones. A tough balance anyway

Wallys would have said something else but the door opened again and Hariric entered through it. Hariric was an anomaly. He was a five year old boy who had the body of a ten year old. He had a very sharp mind with an equally sharp tongue. He was conscious and capable of accurately and deadly striking anyone who bothered him. If a person offended him, he sought revenge, but not for having been attacked, but to make it clear that there were consequences. The Bolton boy was an example as he was humiliated before the Winterfell court and exposed as little more than a clearly vicious child with zero problem with hurting people. Needless to say, Roose Bolton had learned not to piss on Hariric Stark, or so it seemed.

''Mother, father, and master Wallys. I really appreciate you all being here. The truth is that I am in need of your help for something very important. And it is that I want to go to Oldtown to reach the knowledge of the citadel``. Hariric spoke calmly and simply and earned a look from everyone present. Wallys himself was looking at the boy as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did the boy want to be a teacher? Hariric laughed when he saw the maester's mind. It was very funny. He treasured his unique abilities immensely as they gave him a complete advantage over his enemies.

´´Son, are you saying that you want to become a teacher?``. Lyarra didn't know what to think. What did her son have on her mind? A normal person would say that her son wanted to be a teacher. But lyarra knew her son better. Her son was too intelligent to be obviously locked up in what was the citadel without further ado. And even more to get stuck with what were the thoughts of the masters about what was and what was not. Obviously her son had more on her mind if you had to think about it very carefully. What was her son up to? That was the question everyone should be asking.

not at all. Sorry to put it that way but I refuse to waste my life obviously stuck in what it's like to be in the citadel while being kept there just for some ridiculous point. No. What I want is to get there to take classes in six different positions in the citadel. It's mostly just curiosity and seeing knowledge that might be useful anyway``. Hariric shrugged calmly without feeling that he was saying anything wrong with what he had in mind. Of course he could sense Wallys pissed off at his manner of dismissal from the citadel. Nothing and no one could blame him for it since in his personal opinion the citadel was a place of complete mockery. Hell even the alchemists council knew better

´´The maesters will not share the knowledge they have acquired over the years with you young Lord. You can only learn what I am willing to teach anyway``. Wallys looked arrogant at the brat feeling that he was in control of everything. The child had come to learn that he hurts. If he had to say it, having him in the citadel would be for the best anyway. With him out of Lord Stark's future position meant the next son could be molded. He would lead him down that path. Yet the boy's look was one he would recognize. It was the same look he gave the young Bolton before the whiplash that hit him and it made him shudder with fear at what the damned boy would have in mind.

´´Excuse me then for saying it this way, are you telling me then that the citadel underestimates House Stark? Because from what I can see you're only a master of five fields: crows, history, astronomy, and medicine. I am sorry to say but I find it hard to believe that the citadel obviously sent a man who is so lacking in education to one of the great houses``. Hariric smiled as he saw a look of fear grow on the maester. The maestre was not an expert in many subjects, only in the few that were useful to pass as a maestre, which were medicine and raising crows, neither more nor less, the other two were simple and simple

No, of course not. The citadel is in no way considering House Stark as unfit or unworthy of further learning. Just good is that do you really think you can go to the citadel and learn? It will take a long time indeed and if I have to say it you should dedicate that time to obviously learn and educate yourself as a future Lord Stark``. Wallys was now shaking with sheer fear. The boy had hit a spot. If this was done, the teachers could look bad. Not that it mattered to the other kingdoms, but it could be catastrophic in every way, which would not be pleasant for the order and was something he wanted to avoid by all means.

''Of course the famous order of masters would not send an unsuitable member of their order to the North especially to one of the seven great houses. He has sent a history teacher. Tell me, Maestre, with your history lessons, were you willing to remind me how the South has basically insulted and beaten the North to the maximum? It is a possibility if you stop to think about it and a reason, maybe you want to prevent me from forgetting how the south sees the Norteños right?``. Hariric enjoyed seeing the cornered maester who was now much more afraid than before. He didn't want to sell out to the southerners in such a way. He wanted to make them look like a necessity to the North and as friends even though he knew better anyway.

No, of course not. It was never my intention to do such a thing my young lord. It's good history is there to learn from it. You yourself have said so many times. In his own words, those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it in the worst way, so obviously I do everything possible to remind him of history, hence my position``. Wallys felt a big knot. If he sold the southern story well and perfectly, the problem is that the boy had access to the Stark family Diaries, which was a very serious problem since they were a problem because of the way the Starks saw things. He would have liked to get his hands on her but they were kept somewhere he didn't know what was wrong.

of course. But you see that as a future lord I have several unique needs. Needs that force me to be a gentleman and what is more important to fulfill my work. So I hope you will write a kind letter to your comrades in the citadel stating that due to your failure to send a suitable maester I am forced to go there unless of course they feel you are above catering to a young northerner like me` `. The Stark was looking at his prey amused at him. The little flower as Hariric liked to call him was trembling with sheer fear at that moment realizing that he was completely caught up in some unpleasant scheme.

Yeah. I'll go immediately to write a leather. If you can tell me the subjects you want to be educated in there I'll do my best though I still feel like we could try something like get to work here or something like that. That is my opinion about it``. Wallys earned a cold stare. Those gray-green eyes were giving him nightmares. He was terrifying. How could a child be so scary? He didn't see it as possible and he trembled much more. He knew the citadel wouldn't exactly be happy with him in the slightest but it was even worse to be forcibly removed from his position which would be incredibly bad for his health. So here I was between a rock and a hard place

´´Well I think I can say it: Economics, arts of war, politics, medicine, blacksmithing, animal husbandry and magic. Look at seven as the tips of the faith of the seven not to say that I am clearly not a nice person. Now go. I have to talk to my parents to get them to agree to travel. Rumor has it that a new war is on the horizon anyway``. Hariric glanced at the now pale maester and stepped forward. Before leaving he saw in his mind and although he had the intention of communicating what he had said he had the faith that it would be for a better mistake of saying it little taught making him lose patience. They were a really fun bunch thinking they held all the cards

Rickard looked at his son carefully. He obviously knew that bothering the maester was for a reason. His son wasn't an idiot braggart he was a true Stark. Intelligent and clearly moving forward in a sensible way so when Hariric was doing this he must have known the maester wouldn't take it well. From a glance with his wife he could tell that she felt the same as him. That she was not at all sure of the maester's plans and that she feared possible reprisals of some kind. But at the same time, she was smart enough to know that his son was smarter and more capable than they knew.

"I don't know if you've noticed son but there's a very good chance that Wallys once informs the maesters of what you're trying to try somehow to move to impede or hinder your way are you sure you want to go there ?``. Rickard looked at his son with a critical look. It might seem strange but he trusted his son a lot and he knew that he didn't take actions without a reason anyway so he was interested in knowing what his plans were in order to help him in the best possible way and at the same time screw up the order in question. Hariric looked too calm too if he had to be blunt and that usually didn't mean anything good for anyone really.

´´I have never believed that going there to study is something, although if I may, I would like to go there to walk a bit. No. I want to go there because it is one of the main ports in Westeros. I would have liked to go to King's Landing but I have heard that the place stinks so much that even death evades it and I prefer to avoid going to or near Sunspear thank you very much``. Although it would be bad to have to endure the looks of sheer arrogance from the Dominion bastards. One thing I didn't feel I had to do but it was for the greater good. A reason that would give a perfect opening for the North to start what would be a new era.

''And do you have a reason for wanting to go to one of the big ports? You could go to Whiteport although well it may be very difficult to get anything as Whiteport although it sells our wood and other resources we don't sell enough``. Lyarra looked at his son very carefully. His daughter was a bright and clearly intelligent young woman. He wanted to use the port position for some reason. He obviously wanted to make port moves to get information. Her son obviously had plans that would have effects throughout the North of that she had no doubt but she would like to know more or less what was going through her son's mind since they were possibly in for a completely unique shit storm.

''Very true mom. I know and I am aware that trade is a key part of the form of income ... well except for the lands of the West that live on gold, although from the rumors I have heard there is an opinion that this is about to change in some way. Tytos Lannister is a worthless little idiot but I've heard that his son is possibly one of the most ruthless people. He had heard about it thanks to reading about Tytos. The man was obviously inept obsessed with everyone's acceptance. The worst kind of person to be in a position of power in Hariric's mind but he couldn't say anything about the lands of the West anyway though his son would be different from that he had no doubt.

´´So you want to go to the ports to get an idea or at least have a more or less decent idea of ​​products that attract attention, right? For what reason? to obtain income for the North? I see it difficult son. Things in the North are never easy and the weather, the climate and the land will not be easy at all``. Rickard looked at his son. What could he be up to? Obviously not a good thing for many people if he had to say it but if he could be an asset to House Stark it would be a good thing anyway. However he doubted it would come out. As he had said, the soil was not the best since the earth was hard due to what was, in a few words, the climate of the North

''Never take anything for granted dad always think and have faith because if you don't you're lost. Anyway, despite this, you would like to know that with a little luck anyone is capable of doing many unique things. Give me a chance and I guarantee I'll have the best North. I just need to see the world. See what the world wants and understand what they obviously hope to win anyway``. Rule number one. He understands the request so he can be able to afford it. Right now one of the things he could make money on was obviously drinking. Because he knew that people always wanted a drink of alcohol. However if there was something else people wanted they could find it if you had to think about it.

´´Your confidence that you can do it is not a problem, Hariric, and as your parents we agree to support and support you, but I think you should understand, son, that things are not looking good. In other words, do you hope to somehow be able to produce something extremely valuable to help the North. It won't be easy just know that son``. Lyarra, like Rickard, had faith in her son but she knew better that simple faith was never enough to achieve anything, so naturally she looked at her son very carefully. What could she have in mind to achieve what was obviously a long term goal anyway? although I was curious

´´Mother, if we want to exploit the North, we need to know a harsh reality. What do the others want? Some would say that what they want is new drinks. New foods. New...I don't know. Anything. You have to investigate and you have to exploit it to gain benefits. Obviously you don't win anything if you don't do what it takes to win at least not in my mind``. Hariric just shrugged thinking about it considering things are that simple. In business you always need to find what a large group wants and produce it more, better, prettier and cheaper. Simple as that. So obviously hariric was thinking about how to get things

´´Well when you put it that way I suppose there is no less truth in your words but sorry if your mother as well as myself are curious about what you obviously have on your mind at this time. Curiosity just so you know my son``. Rickard had to admit that it was a good suggestion if you had to think about it. Obviously they needed above all else, which was obviously to get the necessary resources, but if his son had ideas, he was interested in knowing what he was thinking at that very moment. He felt that it could be more than surprising if he had to say it himself but well it was not and one thing to ignore since his son obviously already had a plan

´´Father, the basic business rule is that. You know that Tully, for example, are the ones who need us in the North to make money. It is true that they also sell to the Valley and also to the Lands, but two thirds of their annual income is, in a few words, from us Northerners. If we can somehow solve that we will be saving huge amounts of gold``. The best way to make a profit was to eliminate the need to buy food and at the same time was the need to make sure by all means that the south could not tell them what to do. At least that's what Hariric wanted to say about it and he could see his father's opinion in it.

´´I suppose I have to say that at that point he has us. A considerable income from the south comes from us. If the river lands lose a lot of our money it would be good. However, once again, son, you are forgetting. You have to figure out a way to produce food here and I don't see it as an easy thing to do. Lyarra wasn't that she didn't have faith in his son, but all the food from the South couldn't survive in the North. It was that easy. The ground was too harsh and the weather was complete shit if you stopped to think about it so there was nothing that could be done about it in his opinion although the look in his son's eyes told him he had plans.

´´I am perfectly aware of that. The southerners produce weak food for our climate but if we can somehow find food that can survive in said climate we will be able to grow it in three strategic points: the Lands of the Umber, the Lands of the Dustin and in Crofter Village which would be something more than good. Those are the main positions if I have to say so. Hariric already had in mind what they had to do to get food. It wouldn't be easy but he could do it and on top of that with his plans for climate change and soil enrichment he could see a lot of food growing anyway at least that was the plan he had and he could see it working.

Both parents looked at their son for a moment and sighed knowing that God knows what their heir had on his mind. Little did they know how right they were with that thought.