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Of Commitments and Plans

-West. Dorne. sunspear. 275 BC-

Dorne was known as one of the most formidable regions to come across in the west. Known as the last to join the seven kingdoms, Dorne was possibly the region along with the north with the most freedoms. Where the North was due to their few resources to give up (once they could easily abuse too much now) Dorne was as a sort of demand that they join but they were more as allies than subjects. The lords of the seven kingdoms envied Dorne because many of them had to pay more taxes than the desert kingdom who felt nothing about it but felt what was amused by how hard their comrades had it.

Of course there were more differences. Most of the other kingdoms were somehow very much against the blood of either the First Men or Valyria. In kingdoms like the Dominion it was said that even the blood lords of the First Men were more Andal than First Men. In the western lands they only ignored it. The iron raiders didn't care one bit as long as you were iron if you weren't you were below them. In the riverlands and it was the same as the domain except for little things like mallisters. The Stormlands were very staunch defenders of the Andals despite the Baratheon coming from the Targaryens and many of their houses being First Men. And the valley except for a few houses were all Andalos

Dorne was known to accept them all. For accepting that a woman can be just as good with a weapon as a capable ruler. There were few other ways to see the southern lords in Dorne. Of course, some gentlemen who ended up getting married in Dorne tried to make changes but nobody dared to do it because if there was an absolute rule, it was that nobody wanted to mess with the Martells. The formidable family of Sunspear known by many as the house that never bends were possibly the defenders and every time a lord tried to get away with those ways of ruling his house it was and ended up dead just like that

So they were a house to be feared. It also didn't help that Dorne had a clear belief: everything will be done to protect Dorne. At the end of the day Dorne was many things. Some would say excessive but they would use poisons, assassins, women and much more to see their enemies dead. So they were therefore the most fearsome group of the seven kingdoms at the end of the day. And especially they were with the current head. No one knew how but the current head of the Melania Martell family was considered to be possibly one of the most dangerous women known. Intelligent. Cunning and ruthless. When her vassals mocked her for not getting a marriage with her Lannisters they felt it in their blood.

Anyway you could see in the relaxing courtyard of the castle a young woman. Brown skin and black hair. A figure to kill in the minds of many but with the hints of a person who trained to stay in shape, her name? She was Ashara Dayne. Called by many the star of Dorne. She was a name earned in accordance with the emblem of her house. Added to this it was known that Ashara was an important friend of the Martell family being considered a more valuable ally than many with an incredibly capable intelligence and perspective. Needless to say, Ashara was coveted by many men with some having the idea of ​​breaking her into submission which she was incredibly idiotic but couldn't be helped.

Ashara knew the story well. Her life was far from wonderful as some would think. At the age of five, her mother died of fever after childbirth. She didn't recover very well. She was already sick in a bad way and above all she was a woman who had to be very careful with food. Her father was a full-blooded Dayne. He was not a bad man but some said that he married a Velaryon only for the power it would bring to her family. In any case, after the death of her mother, she dedicated herself with a completely dedicated heart to taking care of her newborn sister, Allyria. Many would say it was strange but not for her. It was the last thing she had left of her mother so she took care of her

When her sister turned two years old, her father informed her that she would be fostered by the Martell house. She saw him for what he was. Of her siblings Auren was the eldest. Smart and capable but with confidence issues. He was a good man who would become a good lord. But her father's fear was that Auren would not reach her full potential with her, who had shown more than surprising intelligence. To eliminate this and at the same time find a way to remove her from the hereditary equation she sent her to breed with the Martells secretly hoping that she would associate with Prince Oberyn.

Ashara was greeted at the Martell household with curiosity. Lady Melania was a firm woman. Like all Dornish women she had brown skin with dark brown hair. Her eyes were a beautiful amber. She is known as one of the most beautiful women of her time and coveted by King Aerys. Little did the people know that she was eternally grateful to Rhaella for saving her from the king's intentions. Still, she was a stunning woman who wasn't easy to fool. The first one they saw of her told her with simple words that she would be raised by her. That she would teach him and that she hoped she wouldn't waste her time. That immediately got Ashara's attention.

Melania had shown from the beginning that she knew her father's plans but didn't bother her. If she had to be honest she wanted to be better and she started to think that it would be good. Also unlike many houses in Westeros, House Martell trained its members personally. Some would question why she did this, but the queen had established very comprehensive schedules to ensure that the education was efficient (it did not help that the maester was afraid of Melania since there had been two before him and they had died in strange circumstances) and she It ended with personal classes. It was heaven for Ashara

Over time, Ashara proved to be a productive member of the family in Melania's mind. The reason? For some time Melania had sought to weaken House Yronwood. The reason for this is that they were a vassal and rival house. Of course she didn't want to pull out the big guns and in reality she was only testing her family members. Ashara demonstrated her efficiency when she brought up the ways to do it by starting an operation that would allow House Martell to take ownership of the island closest to Dorne from the Stepstones. The reason? With this island under control they could more easily deploy a protection fleet and thus make it easier to trade with them by making the Yronwood see their trade suffer.

The invasion was a success because none of the three free cities found out about it but it was so good because they not only took over the closest one but the next one taking over two bases of operations. He helped by showing that one of them had important gold deposits. Not Lannister level but decent. Once control was taken, work began. He helped have taken the slaves there and made them the subjects for when Oberyn took command of the former. The second would also be a base for Doran. In fact, the last few years Doran had spent there managing the island.

In her time as a member of the Ashara family she became close to all of them. And she was very loved too. Yet she had felt something. The winds of change. She didn't know what was happening but what she did know was that something was about to happen. This was arranged when she saw Mrs. Melania enter the garden. The princess didn't look happy and she threw a prayer for the poor jerk who had pissed her off of all things. Pissing off a supreme ruler is bad news. Pissing off a ruler like her was not only the worst news but utter idiocy.

"I wouldn't need to be a fortune teller of any kind to realize, Princess Melania, that someone has been foolish enough to put you in a very bad mood." Ashara was not lying. She only needed one look to realize that Melania was not only not in a good mood but that she was on the verge of killing a person. Someone had screwed up so big with her that it wasn't funny. However, it was not a physical trait that showed it. It was the way she walked and it was the way her eyes looked. He looked like a hunter about to release an arrow or spear at his prey. It wasn't pretty to look at if she had to be honest. Poor bastard that caused this

´´He is not a single someone. They are a set of things. We will start with the fact that the three sisters have realized the invasion of both islands and at the same time we will have the point that neither more nor less than your father is a complete idiot``. If he was number two for her, he would die. An agonizing death. In his mind the man was an idiot on the best of days. When he sent Ashara, you didn't have to be a fortune teller to figure out her plans. The man was good but not that good no matter how much he thought of himself. He was a real fry compared to the big players in the game. At least that was his impression of course.

´´While I am dying to know exactly what complete mistake my father has now made, I will be honest that I prefer to know first about the possible threat to what is arguably one of the biggest investments from the House of Martell in a long time`` . Ashara was not happy with her father possibly getting into a fight with Melania. She honestly knew who she would support since her father had taken her away from her when she was just a girl while Melania offered her a home, the opportunity to learn and two more than decent brothers. Doran wasn't too bad but there were days when she felt it was like seeing a player planning to use you in some way.

´´And that confirms to me that you are much more intelligent. The investment is going well. We used the money we got back in the day from the pirates to start placing people. It helps that there were a lot of slaves on the first of the islands which is basically the island of Oberyn which has been kindly named Snakedawn by the very bright boy I have``. The island was small. As big as he really was as big as Pyke was but with amazing defenses. The only reason they were able to conquer it was due to a very intelligent attack by his brother, which demonstrated in his mind that skill wins by force. That and poison in the pirates' food and wine

´´Well as long as Oberyn is happy I am happy actually. Other than that she could use a place that earns income. Not to think badly but with the number of women she sleeps with, children are only a matter of time. I think that having a place where he basically has to earn an income will do him good, not to mention that it could teach him a lot about responsibility``. If there was a problem with Oberyn, it was that she was a savage. He liked to live life the way she wanted no matter what. She could honestly say that she loved him like a little brother but damn if she didn't prefer he had a little more control of himself.

´´I suppose it is the best decision that could be made seeing that he is taking advantage of so much to travel after what the boy did, I think I have to say that I agree. Anyway I have the sad news that apparently the pirates found out that they had taken this island. But instead of attacking they did the sensible thing by warning tyrosh that someone was conquering the islands``. Honestly, Melania found it annoying but not enough. Because she had made sure she had a plan to deal with it. What kind of ruler would she be if she didn't have a plan to protect her investments? It was like one should do the job in a good way. And now she was more than happy to have taken the path in question seeing the consequences of it since Tyrosh had not wasted time in the least.

let me guess. The pirates notified Tyrosh who immediately notified Lys as well and who at the same time notified Myr. Since all three want the islands, none of them wants in the slightest to accept that someone has the only chance with the islands and they have possibly financed an attack fleet, right?``. Ashara was not a military strategist. But she was a quick thinker. She was aware that every action had a reaction. If the gentlemen there had an interest in something they would do something. And seeing that the islands needed resources in the form of food in a nutshell would mean in a nutshell that they would launch an attack that would harass the island

indeed. The three pooled resources and paid with the help of their respective banks to add a fleet of fifty ships to create what was mostly a block on the islands. As you know by now the islands both of them are very dependent on our ability to provide them with food so to do so would be on the ropes. Fortunately we had it``. Melania smiled. This girl was a jewel in her mind. Not just because she was brilliant in her way of thinking but because she wasn't blind to the world. She was aware of how it worked and there were no doubt those who would not be able to realize that she knew better than anyone how her minds worked which would leave them exposed to her.

´´I suppose you used some element as a resource to destroy their fleets. Not that I'm against it but if it was just that then the three sisters wouldn't have a problem. It would only be a matter of time before they muster another military force and launch another attack. That's how special they are. While the plan had merit, it had its flaws in the way that the three sisters would undoubtedly seek revenge in some way. While destroying the fleet would do them damage over time they would assemble another fleet and have a tactic ready to destroy them. For what not. It was not a possibility of hell. You had to launch a direct heart attack that did so much damage that they would think twice

''Good thinking Ashara. Very well thought. And you are right. Whatever I used to destroy the fleet was single use. Turns out I was able to talk to the alchemists guild and they were willing to sell me some of their wildfire. It wasn't easy but people always have weaknesses. Once I got it I sent it to be kept on the islands and used only in an emergency. Doran was not an idiot and he launched an attack that ended up killing the entire fleet``. Even though Doran was a bit of a dangerous son she was proud of the skill with which he dealt with the matter. She felt that she had done a more than exceptional job in her mind what is more important that at the end of the day she would be doing a lot of pain on his behalf.

´´That has destroyed the fleet but the attack will have been a more surgical one, such as launching an attack that costs them money. OK. That explains the point better than anything, but it doesn't explain why you're upset, Princess Melania. In other words, we knew it was a matter of time before the pirates and the three sisters found out``. Ashara didn't understand what was eating at her teacher's head but she knew it had to be something important. She then she thought about it. The attack. The attack meant that Doran knew how she was coming and that could only mean one fucking thing and that is that Doran had somehow made it easy for the attack.

''I see you've noticed. My spies in the three sisters notified me that the members of the sisters found out because someone let them know. It is now clear to me that there is no one on the islands who would betray us. Most are former slaves who are now living better than before. No. Only one person could have done such a thing and that someone was my foolish son. Despite how much she loved her son Melania, she did not have a problem with saying what she thought of him and her actions and when she felt that he had screwed up, it was not that it was a simple or easy screw up. but a big one

''Why the hell would he do something like that? The Stepstones are one of the points of contention between the three sisters. They are always fighting over them except when someone else makes a move on them and then they want to eliminate the competition. Telling them that you were basically there was a surefire way to get their attention in the worst way``. Ashara couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was so pointless if she had to say so herself. She was a complete idiot if she had to say so but at the same time she could honestly say that this was typical Doran's way of operating. She had tried to get something out of all this or at least put an advantage in her hands.

´´Doran believed that with a move like this he could somehow actually secure an attack when he saw fit so it would be easier to protect what is naturally the island than if they found out and attacked us whenever they wanted. While I approve of my son's intent, it could have been beyond damaging if we weren't sure he left no survivors among the attackers. It was good news in Melania's mind that her son hadn't been stupid. However, despite her son being stupid of her, she still felt that it had been foolish of her to do what she had done and that more than anything she had risked it in the worst possible way.

´´Well at least we have the certainty that now the three sisters have been harmed and therefore that means that they are not going to bother us for a while. With all three sisters having lost their resources I think if I have to be honest it's too positive an advantage for us in the end``. Although she didn't like the idea that the three sisters could fuck with them at any moment, she felt most comfortable with who she was, in short, having a positional advantage at the moment. It was better than it was. Basically it could have happened to them if they hadn't been in control of the situation. However Doran would still receive the mind part from her of course.

''No daughter. We are certain that the three sisters have lost a fleet and money. With the movement that I have made, I am sure that they have lost more money. But they have lost nothing. Because if there is a problem that has always been present with the Stepstones, it is that basically we can be sure that whoever we put there must be totally loyal and aware that she cannot betray us``. It was the biggest problem with the Stepstones. The problem is that the islands had natural defenses on them so in a nutshell it was an almost impossible place to conquer. The only reason it worked is because of the dagger tactic she used to make it work.

''Then put someone. The island that is Snakedawn is completely under our control and we can use it as a safe harbor to keep the Dorne fleet that was created to protect us from pirate attacks. The island that is basically the extension of the Martell domain…well I would suggest placing a family member to act as castellan. It is the only thing I can recommend``. Ashara could only think of ways to make things as efficient as possible. It was what she thought and that nothing and no one could change her. It was a unique perspective. She could see the princess looking at her for a moment before nodding in agreement with her which was good news at least.

''I've actually made up my mind about it more or less. Oberyn Island has also surprised us. It has iron and silver mines which will be good for Dorne actually as it will provide Dorne with iron which will do us a lot of good which means we can stop relying on brands completely. The money will also come in handy for my son, I hope. Melania sighed. It had been a surprise to discover that her son's stepping stone was basically an island with natural resources. Like the other island, the resources were not western level but they were still decent enough to be an efficient help if you are also intelligent in administration, something that she knew that her son was above all else.

´´Well with that said we have made several points clear. First put a clear scowl on Doran for obviously jeopardizing the entire Steptsones operation. Next complain that a little more security is needed on the two islands. I think I can say that should be enough to get what is basically anger or whatever else happened out of your system``. Ashara laughed at Melania's look. The older woman just gave her a look that could clearly be said to be the calculating and intelligent look you would expect from a self-interested person. Well at least she was lucky that her teacher was no longer in such a bad mood now

´´Well at least I know you have a sense of humor. Yeah. I feel better. Getting out of my system that my son has put possibly one of the Martell family's most ambitious aspirations at risk has put me in a bad mood and to be able to say that it's out is good news. I did not lie. It felt better to know that now she was no longer about to charge at his son. She would still give him a piece of her mind for jeopardizing the operation but at least she could look more objectively at what he had done and was pleased with him for throwing a good punch and doing a lot of damage to people like he should have.

Melania, the truth is that she was very pissed off. Doran had gotten the family into trouble that as far as she was concerned was stupid and meaningless. She could understand that her son wanted to eliminate a threat and she did but at the same time she had given away and basically eliminated what was one of her main strengths in dealing with what the threat was. Wildfire did not grow from trees. It was basically a very strong alchemy product that some would say was impossible to recreate without the aid of magic. She did not know. What she did know is that fire was very valuable. They had eliminated an enemy fleet but over time there would be more fleets and they had let their letter be known

Also, although Doran was a good son who did good things, she couldn't deny in the slightest that he hadn't done this out of the goodness of his heart. Her son Doran was a bright and intelligent boy. She had come up with this plan with the sole intention of making everyone who lived on the islands think they were dependent on Dorne. It was no less true. Yet at the same time she didn't want to say in any way that she was happy. The tactic was clever, but if there was even one clever person on the islands they would conclude that Doran had had something to do with the whole thing and then they would turn like ferocious animals against his government. he was not pretty

However the damage caused by his son was already there and now they just had to focus. Fortunately with the bigger island they could start gold mining soon which would be good. It would be an important source of income along with being the main port for the new fleet they would build for Dorne. That along with some other things they had gained regarding the conquest of these islands were good news in his mind. And it was all because of the girl before him. If someone had told her ten years ago that Ashara Dayne would have such a brilliant idea, she would have doubted it for a moment. She was now very convinced that Ashara was an important ally for the house of Martell.

That's why it was harder to tell him the last part. The part where hers fucking idiot of a father for getting rid of the thorn that was she had contracted her for a moment into a marriage contract. Of course there were ways to cancel it, such as using as an excuse that the ones who had brought him this marriage were a bad idea. But the problem is that there was a flaw in that plan: she had no idea. She didn't know anything about the person which was hard for her to believe. House Martell was a strong supporter of the spy ideal. Hell they had so many spies it was more like a part of their army really. That's why she found it hard to believe

´´I suppose that although the anger of what Doran did has passed, there is still a more important matter to consider. A matter that means in a few words reasons more than strong enough to infuriate you, isn't it, Princess Melania?``. It didn't take a genius of any kind in Ashara's mind to know that the other matter at hand is what was eating the princess's head. She didn't need to be a genius to know that this was more than a potential problem in Melania's mind. It could mean anything and Ashara frankly didn't know what to say about it no matter what was going on at this point.

''Your deductive ability is still one of the scariest things out there if I have to be honest. Yeah. The second element has me more concerned. You are reaching an age where you are expected to be married to someone. An age where you are expected to become a man's wife… and I'm afraid your father is a fool of many troublesome ideas. Melania honestly didn't know a better way to put it. Frankly she wished she could just say that they were negotiating a possible marriage contract and that she was expected to accept it because her idiot father considered her a potential threat to his brother for the simple fact that she was smart and said idiot brother at least to her. Melania

´´Well my deductive capacity as you put it princess is what has actually given me more of an advantage if you stop to think about it. However, I suppose there is something else you should know. You said about marriage and you said about my father so please princess Melania tell me what stupid mistake has my father made now to make you furious?``. Ashara almost wanted to moan if only her father would be able to anger the princess of Dorne as or towards the man. Only he would be so arrogant to act as he was doing. In any case, in the end, what mattered in her mind was to settle the issue as soon as possible and thus help the princess in some way.

''Your father seemed to receive an offer of marriage and accepted it. Just like that. It was only after the dowry conversation started that the so-called fight started so to speak. Your father considered it stupid to pay something when the other house in his opinion was weaker in its mind. It was only after some discussion that it has been decided that discussions will be held here at Sunspear to decide the future marriage on your part. Melania sighed. On one hand she was insulting. Lord Dayne wanted to marry her daughter away from her to remove her from Lord Dayne's position. But at the same time he refuses to give even the minimal expected dowry. She frankly talks about an idiot man

´´That offends me. I have so little value for my father that he actually refuses to contribute anything for me in the marriage? Frankly I have to consider what is the stupidity of my father. But I suppose that you yourself want to be part of the negotiations from what I gather at least``. Ashara was far from foolish, and she was aware that her mistress possibly wanted to control the conversations in order to extract benefits for her land. It wasn't that she couldn't comprehend him or understand him in some way. She herself was an investment in the house of Martell. It was normal and even logical that she wanted to control what was offered and she stopped offering in this meeting to at least have more weight in the conversations.

Yeah. I would like, if I have to be frank, to be able to say or at least give an opinion about what you are about to provide to the house in question. Not giving a proper dowry seems a bit stupid to me. But we still have to understand a little bit of what the family that silly father of yours wants you to marry is planning to do. Contrary to common belief, a dowry was possibly more than just money. They could be money, land, a castle, or a business deal. It was simply something that the bride brought to the groom's house. So, naturally, the better the dowry, the better one talks about the bride. A bit of an idiotic practice in the mind of any woman with half a brain but nothing more could be done about it.

´´And I suppose that as you put it, my father has decided a possible family that you do not agree with. A weaker family than you think I deserve. That alone would explain why my father refuses to pay for a large enough dowry, believing in his mind that it is a matter in which I alone am enough for said house. I really feel insulted``. She believed it that she felt insulted. As far as she was concerned her father had decided that he was perfectly fine with screwing her over in some way and making her look less than

´´Believe me it is the two of us who are enraged by this point. In a few words, it is assumed that a father should look for the best for his children and his house. Here I feel that what your father is trying to do is completely remove you from any chance of becoming what is a contender for lady dayne``. Honestly, Melania's fury was at the point of what she thought was the waste of her talent. In her mind they were clearly talking about wasting all that Ashara was just because the idiot man wanted to make sure his daughter wasn't a threat to her insecure son. It was very annoying but at least the meetings were far from over

''And I guess in your mind you're upset with my father about it. But it's not just that. If it was a minor and small house just like that you would have sent a subtle message to back off immediately. No. This is a house that bows down to no one. There are only a handful of houses that do not submit or allow themselves to be commanded by anyone in the slightest: the houses of the North``. It didn't matter what some gentlemen from the south thought, but if there was an absolute reality, it was that no northerner bowed. The only reason the North was part of the seven kingdoms is because the winter king valued the lives of his fighters more than staying independent. Too bad some don't think the same way.

indeed. Fortunately your father was not associated with a house like Bolton House. There is a house that I think is unpleasant. Your father decided that he wanted it to be a marriage alliance with House Stark. More concrete with Hariric Stark the future heir and lord of the North``. And this is when the trouble came out in all its glory. For what reason? Because he didn't know anything in the slightest about Hariric Stark. He knew a lot about most of the heirs and sons of the seven kingdoms. I knew that Jaime Lannister was an idiot child. She knew that the Tully girls were little more than useless. He knew that the queen of thorns had faith that her two-year-old grandson wouldn't be an idiot like her father. I knew Robert Baratheon was a drunken fucking jerk. But no Hariric Stark

´´And from what I see that is what has you more than annoyed. Almost as if you didn't know or have the slightest idea of ​​Hariric Stark. Let me say that surprises me. In other words, you are one of the people with the most access to information. I understand that Dorne's spy network is very efficient. I find it hard to believe that you don't have the remotest idea of ​​Hariric Stark and that in fact you lack information about him``. Costarle fell short. He had a hard time believing that he actually did not have the slightest idea of ​​the so-called man who was the future lord of the North.

´´It may be hard to believe but I am afraid that it is so. I don't have the slightest information about Hariric Stark. I only know the physical description of him and little rumors about him without more. Information that I have been collecting and that has me most upset because I did not find out about it before``. It was to say that he had been pissed off. War certainly sucked. It seemed very fortuitous for the boy to be born before a war and more importantly to be born into a family that was so ignored that basically everyone in the vicinity thought of him less than he was. That was the people's fault. People could surprise you if you weren't careful at all

It almost sounds like this Hariric Stark is some kind of threat that could deal a blow to Dorne. You almost put it as if there was somehow a trait to be noticed about him. Not to offend or anything like that, mother, because I know you're not one to make mistakes just like that, but I find it hard to believe that there's something we don't know about Hariric Stark. He is supposed to be the son of a great lord``. If there was one reason Dorne had held on as he had, it was because of his clever use of a spy network that had allowed him vast amounts of information and power. It was sincerely hard for him to believe that since his mother figure said that they had no information on this man at all

''I thought the same thing too so I picked up one of my diaries. My journals have the information collected from each of the houses of course. So I started to read what I had on Hariric Stark. I asked myself a question, why the hell didn't I notice a boy like him clearly?``. It was a mistake that could not be made. Not in the game by any means. It was hard for him to believe that she had made that mistake since she always wrote after each month of her spy reports, hadn't he noticed her name? Hadn't he given importance to the house? It didn't matter because it was a colossal mistake in his mind

''Before we dive in like sharks for what is clearly trying to figure out what we did was right or wrong Lady Melania, why not focus on the information that was out there about the Stark boy before he became a man? Possibly it will help us get a better idea of ​​who we try to be possible with``. Ashara had to agree with her mentor. She had to admit that this seemed to be too much of a mistake that it was meaningless. In her mind it was an idiotic mistake that shouldn't be condoned in the slightest. This was not how they operated in Dorne.

''Well you're right. Anyway, the first thing I read were my father's notes before he died in the war where I took the position. The notes explained that Hariric Stark was the first Stark child to come to the south because he wanted to learn from the maesters. Clearly for that reason I cross it out as not or active for the possibility of joining the masters``. This was information that she had been beaten. Why would a firstborn want to join the order? It did not make sense. It was something she hadn't understood when she first read it but perhaps what made her ignore it but that didn't explain why she ignored further reports. And she saw that Ashara was the same way.

''With all due respect, my lady, but that doesn't seem normal. Well, okay, we have eliminated Hariric because he is supposed to travel to the south to learn from the masters. Why don't they talk about the second heir and much more? it just doesn't make sense unless you somehow didn't pay attention to what was going on in the North``. It was a possibility since despite being as big a kingdom as most of the southern kingdoms the North was a poor kingdom. They had nothing to provide so naturally a person could ignore them. But now she realized something. A dark truth: they had been fooled big time

''The spies always reported the same thing. The north is the same. Always the same. More snow. Colder. Nothing to report. And I was never interested in the new heir. When your father told me that you were going to marry and with whom I realized a mistake. A huge mistake. They had discovered our spies. Each and every one of them. The Martell spy network is compromised on that point alone``. It was a brutal impact. She said a lot about the North too but at the same time it scared her. If the Northerners had somehow been able to see his spy network then the other kingdoms would. So she wasn't too excited about it. But she was still willing to do some things

´´Well, okay, we will return to the spy network in a moment. Now we come to the next thing to be noticed. That is, what information is there about Hariric Stark? You say there are little bits of information. I think if I'm honest any information could be more valuable than not having the faintest idea``. The idea of ​​not having information at all did not make her happy. Information was power. However, she had to admit that this made his interest in the North grow considerably. What was in the North? What was there that could be significantly valuable? It was so curious to her that she would not deny the excitement to discover more and to be able to do something about it.

''Well I'm glad you took it so well there's really only a small amount of information anyway. The first thing to be mentioned is that the boy traveled south to learn from the maesters. At first I thought it was to join. It was when I dug deeper a few weeks ago that I found out that the boy was actually there to learn from them because he felt the Winterfell maester was insufficient in terms of competence``. Melania had to force herself not to laugh. Saying that to the maesters' faces must have screwed them up big time if she was to be blunt. It was something they couldn't stand in the slightest.

''I can't see the elders being nice to that. They don't like the idea of ​​sharing their precious knowledge in the slightest. In their minds only they deserve to have the knowledge and they think that anyone else has no value to them``. Ashara knew firsthand the way of the masters. First to highlight is that they thought above all others. The next thing to note is that they believed that other people should depend on them. It was not a happy association in his mind. They exploited their need in the way they wanted. She seriously doubted they would let a person learn from them if they weren't going to become part of the order. From what Melania could tell, she was about to confirm that thought.

´´You are completely correct. The maesters did not take kindly to Hariric's presence and did everything possible to limit his learning and much more. the surprising thing if I have to say so myself is that at least the boy seemed to learn at a good rate on his own. Nobody knows how. Not that it mattered. A few years after the treatment of the masters, he left indicating them as little less than simple gold hunters``. Melania was not comfortable with the order of maesters. She had too much power and influence in the seven kingdoms and that didn't sit well with her. She felt they should have been toned down a few notches at least. However there was no way to do it

´´That must not have sat well with them. Those masters must have felt that someone inferior to them was attacking them and therefore they must react. Is that all you know about him anyway? Is there no more information? I know we can't expect anything else that can be learned from the north but a noble always does something that attracts attention in the south``. It was a very logical rule if you really stopped to think about it. It didn't matter how you tried to avoid attracting attention. In the southern kingdoms there are always people who are watching even the smallest of your details hoping to know, understand and understand any course of action. That was how people worked

You are not far from the truth. Before leaving there was an argument between the young Stark and the lord hightower. I don't know what the meeting was about. All I know is that the boy came out on top and leyton Hightower was humiliated. Since that day the lord of the lighthouse has had a monumental grudge with the boy and his descendants as well. It was a brutal grudge if she had to say so herself though that was to be expected. The Hightower house was very proud and if there was a reality, it is that they would not tolerate anyone who offended his house. What's more they would use everything in their hands to make sure that any attacker against them gets hurt. They were that brutal if you stopped to think about it.

´´The more you tell about this Stark, the more interesting it is. Do you know if he will come for what is the dowry dialogue? I am very interested in meeting him. From what I can tell if he has followed the same path he is possibly a better specimen of a man than the vast majority of male idiots in the seven kingdoms``. Ashara now had to say that she had a higher opinion of the Stark. How could he not? He seemed to be much more level-headed than most boys his age and more importantly he didn't seem like a man who would treat her like a possession. His instincts told him that he was a better person than most idiots who call themselves lords.

''I can't say I know much about it. If I have to be frank. I only know that they will come to Dorne to discuss the issue, no more, no less. What I am clear about, Ashara, is that I am more than interested in seeing what this meeting will be like. Something tells me that House Stark is about to surprise the seven kingdoms and I think it's a better decision to have them as allies than actually as enemies``. Because it was a more or less sensible idea. Why have an enemy when you could have an ally on your side? That and at the same time she would not deny that if the boy proved to be useful they could serve the purposes of House Martell as long as he was not a threat.

´´If it is as good as you are thinking I think I will be honest in saying that we could be in for a surprise. But I have a question, what if he is more than we think? We cannot afford an enemy that is so cunning and cruel. So it will be quite obvious that my loyalties will have to change. I can't put Dorne in Lord Stark's crosshairs by any means. He wasn't lying in the slightest. Making an enemy of the future Lord Stark if he was as smart as he seemed to be was stupid. More if he had somehow compromised the security of the spy network. Whether they liked it or not they couldn't allow it

Melania agreed with Ashara wholeheartedly. She couldn't afford Lord Stark in any way as an enemy. But her confidence was that Ashara would be able to dominate him. It was no secret that a man could be dominated by the opposite sex after all. However, if it was true that this young man was cruel and ruthless in large numbers, it would be best not to attract her attention. Anyway who knew. She still hadn't met him. She would rather not have him as an enemy in any way if he was shown to be as skilled as he seemed. With that she focused on other things along with Ashara completely missing the lizard spy at the top of the room. They never noticed him. And they never noticed the spy stationed at Sunspear

-The North. winterfell

-Castle Gym-

Hariric was exercising wearing clothes that were a bit more comfortable but still warm. Despite being German weather it was still somewhat cold. The clothes, however, easily allowed him to play sports. He was at the gym he was there to train. The gym was used mostly for weights and hand-to-hand combat training with weights. This was done to increase physical strength and endurance. Along with that he was also about to do many other exercises. He had also designed what were the exercises for all muscle types except treadmills and other exercises. The reason? To get physically stronger at a high level

Harry was doing his session. He dedicated two days out of three to an hour and a half of training. He trained for half an hour running with some weight on him to get used to intensive resistance training. The rest of the exercise that he did were weights and machines as well as the other exercises with his heavy suit. The heavy suit consisted of vest, forearm and leg weights. Basically the weight of armor. The reason? Being able to adapt to it even though he was already designing his own armor about it with Heavenly Dragon steel (it was his alloy's name of course) that was not only much lighter than any armor but as hard as diamond.

Anyway I was also thinking. The matter with Braavos had ended well. Harry had placed the northern embassy in bravos in which he had placed Donella Manderly as the northern representative. She had passed the exams set by him with flying colors and on top of that she had started the quick business acquisition operation in the poorest area of ​​the city. It was a simple operation but she was already quickly seeing her work with the Olympus Hotel put into operation what it was.

The hotel, in addition to its incredibly good service, had a very well thought out spa service. The first thing he had done was buy a third of the area to add along with the impressive building a set of locations for what were swimming pools for his use. More like a spa actually. People had been surprised to actually see one of their water pumps running which had led the people of Braavos to look on with jealousy. Not only were there showers in each room of what was the grand hotel but on top of that were the pools at a decent temperature not to mention the saunas of course

It also had a whole place dedicated to the treatment of people. In short, a place to give massages and healing rituals. They were very loved as people wanted. Hell, a lot of people went there just for the massage treatment, which had piled the Stark house with considerable money because more people were taking advantage of other services. While some would be against a brothel hariric didn't feel the same way. If a man or woman wanted to use his body for profit, it was up to them. It wasn't his problem at all, at least he made it clear that anyone who messed with his employees would suffer a lot.

In the time that the place had been open, they had been forced to begin the purchase of several of the port warehouses for what was the maintenance of resources. Naturally it was not the main port where only the ships of Braavos were allowed to be but the ragpicker's port. But slowly but surely they were converting the stores there to first class supplying not only the embassy but also the entire city with their resources ranging from goldsmith products to much more not to mention the hotel products ranging from food, drinks , spices and of course some more resources. Needless to say, Harry was making a lot of gold there.

Of course the iron bank hadn't been the least bit happy with what it was. They had thought that the investment could take control of her however their investment was well controlled by Harry. On top of that there was the point that they made sure by all means that nobody tried to interfere. They had also already started to open a casino which was important to establish the game of poker and many other things. Needless to say, he was making a killing in the city that was seeing a lot of the bank's businesses go under because people would rather be there especially when you take into account the quality of service.

Harry sighed before putting the weights down and moving to a training bag once there he began to pound him. People might find it strange but when he commented that this was another strength and endurance exercise many were happy with it. Not to say that it served excellently to get the anger out of the system. It felt more than good in his mind that he could relax imagining hitting someone right now. The someone in question was Roose Bolton who had for some strange reason started communicating with a man named Varys. It wasn't until a year ago that this Varys was nobody of importance. Varys was now the adviser to the kingdom's intelligence division. Fortunately he had kept many things hidden from the lords of the red alliance.

Harry had considered for a moment calling for Roose and executing him, thus killing his bloodline for good. However, he held back at the last minute, thinking that doing so would keep the Ryswells and Hornwoods where they were. The same with the neutral houses. His espionage system had shown that the karstar at least one branch of them were dissatisfied with the way things were. Rickard Karstark wasn't what you could describe as an intelligent man either. Easy to anger and without thinking about the consequences. They weren't people he liked

He could end the enemy alliance right now. He could do that which he had no doubt about but killing them would mean they would still be in a position of power. Although some would say that he was cold on the part of him if he intended to build a powerful kingdom he needed the lords of the north to understand that he was in command. That he was the complete and absolute military leader and in many ways he was capable of commanding his life. Not that it mattered unless he had an unwanted effect like hurting his family. In that case, the consequences would not be pleasant for anyone who is involved in his problems because then the children's gloves would go away.

Shelia Rogare walked in at that moment. She was wearing what was an elegant dress with over wearing or which were also pretty snow bear skins. She had started what was a job for animal husbandry. She had not the slightest intention of letting even a single animal die if possible so she had started to make it possible which was to raise the number of animals. The snow bear was possibly so large that if it could somehow be trained it would be brutal on the battlefield with its sheer strength. In fact, the more military skinwalkers of hers were already beginning to train in it

Not always everything goes as it was and some animals were sacrificed. He honestly didn't like the fur business. He found it foolish and worthless. While he couldn't deny the needs he would never accept the killing of animals just for his skin so he had made that clear. He had already executed a bratty Hornwood noble who thought he could kill an animal just for the skins. He had found the boy and killed him in front of his entire family as a message. Hunting was tolerated. Indiscriminate hunting was not authorized and anyone who does so faces the death penalty, period and the end. If someone wanted to use as an excuse that some animals killed livestock, he honestly did not see it that way on farms of course.

´´I bring several reports that I think should be of considerable interest to you``. The beautiful woman with dark skin and silver hair was radiant. He sincerely felt that life couldn't be better for her in any way. Above all she was lucky enough to have a job that she liked. She had been put in charge of the intelligence division. It seemed that although the Reed family had been fine with the job, they had approached Harry and told her that she was the best for the job. He didn't question it and accepted it to which he left her completely speechless. He was also lucky enough to help with the development and expansion of the north which was excellent news for her.

´´Well, I would like to start with the reports about the information network before we start discussing the financial advances of the North. I would also like to know if the lord commander of the guard has actually accepted my proposal``. Harry wouldn't be the first to say that he had plans but damn he did. And his plans seemed to be working. Well I had the advantage. With skinchangers it was incredibly easy to create a very efficient spy division. So he had created a very strong network. It's not hard to find them either. He had used a variant of the Hogwarts book to do it thus discovering the number of potential children with magic in the north and south. The amount surprised him and well they were easy to hunt

of course. The first thing I think I should inform you is that Lord Jon Arryn is attempting to enter into negotiations with Lord Hoster Tully to create a marriage alliance between none other than ned. Although he is aware that he cannot push for it, he seems fully convinced that it could work and that his parents would accept it willingly. He sincerely felt that it was a stupid thing. His lord would not tolerate in the slightest that someone try to tell his little brother what to do and how to do it. He had let it grow on its own to become a man and he knew that he would never let others dictate his destiny. After all his brother deserved to choose his own life

''That's not pretty. However it was to be expected. Let me guess. Lord Hoster Tully has been complaining about the low amount of food we Northerners buy. We were only half of his income after all. I wouldn't be surprised if he is having internal problems in his kingdom because his lords are upset about the loss of income``. Hariric could almost imagine the look of pure anger from the Dominion lords at the mentioned point. He wouldn't be surprised either if they are unhappy with the fact that it is the North that is stopping buying from them. Some of the West and Valley land bought from them but most of their food income came from the north

''Indeed my lord. Lord Hoster Tully is completely unhappy at this very moment because he thinks that House Stark is running away to buy their food. They are killing themselves to find where we get our food from. They don't know about our improved farms or about our crop plantings and other items even though they hear of new products expanding from Braavos to all of Essos``. She smirked. Could anyone question that she felt a satisfying thrill at the thought that she was screwing over the Tully idiots? In her mind they deserved it for various reasons. She didn't help that the Tullys were in her mind possibly the most annoying house with their devotion to the faith. Even the domain ones weren't really that bad.

´´Well I can´t say that I´m sorry but I can be aware of when there are problems in sight. Tell me exactly what is the trade deal that Tully is plotting in exchange for the marriage option as well as the true interests of the Tully house. You didn't have to be a genius to see a scheming machine at work. It was utterly stupid to believe that a plan couldn't somehow be put into operation at any moment. He also felt that the group in question was up to something because Jon Arryn was an Arryn and Lord Hoster Tully was a bastard who wanted more power for his house above all else. They were a problem but a problem that could be addressed

´´It is a marriage alliance in which the North agrees to buy food from the land of the rivers at the cost of a specific amount of money. However, Lord Hoster's plan is to remove you from the equation knowing that as long as you breathe your brother will not be in any way swayed. Jon Arryn himself has confirmed this because of his attempts to make him see the world differently``. Arryn's plan to turn Ned into a tool had hit a snag in the form of Branda Stark. The aunt they loved so much had taken it upon herself to educate ned. To teach him the values ​​of the north and what is more important to make him see the world as it is

''I can't see these happy in any way. Anyway, although a nuisance, they are still treatable as such, so we will simply ignore them without further ado. I don't see a reason in any way for us to cry for them. I find it a pointless mistake and what is more important a waste of time. I have no intention of allowing a marriage between my brother and a woman who cannot contribute anything to him as a person``. Although he was aware that his parents were the ones who would have a say in his brother's marriage, he knew that by stating the facts clearly, he was the one and he knew perfectly well that they would support him.

that's good. Anyway I would like to move on to the next report which I think you might like. Unsurprisingly, Lord Varys has established a position of solid strength in the small council as the chief of espionage. He still hasn't notified the king or queen of what is basically the breakthrough highlighted by Roose Bolton but he has informed two people. The first is Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The second person is an acquaintance of his named Illyrio Mopatis, a known merchant of Pentos``. Neither was good in Shelia's mind as she considered the prince a threat to her lord and her family.

I see. I suppose you also have a detailed report of what the personality of both is. I would especially like to hear the one about Rhaegar Targaryen. As the future king of the seven kingdoms I would like to know more or less with the person I am dealing with in this case more than anything``. And not only would you like to hear from the person in question, but you would also like to have a plan of action for dealing with him in case of need. He did not trust The Targaryens had taken incest to an unprecedented level and he didn't trust them especially since some of them had been touched with a seer's touch and that made them dangerous from what they were able to perceive in the timeline.

''I actually had one of our observation and character development experts come in to establish a solid opinion of the prince. My lord I don't think he is as good a person as he makes him out to be in public. In fact, the person established that it is more of a mask than anything``. The observer was an information agent placed in the castle for the surveillance of none other than the royal family, staying away. Then he sent his information to the intelligence division that established the profiles. He had to admit that the information obtained by the lord from him gave them a considerable advantage over their enemies when it came to dealing with them and acting against them.

''So the prince is unstable. He is not something that I miss much. Most Targaryens are unstable in some way. Even the most sane are sometimes unstable. Not to say that they take everything to the limit. It's interesting to hear too though. But please report what you have before moving on to the other individual. I want to know as much as possible about the so-called man who will one day rule the seven kingdoms``. I should have known better that it would be something like that. The prince seemed too perfect in his opinion. In his experience, when something seemed perfect, brilliant and beautiful, he knew one thing for sure: it was false. It was like all those minerals that looked beautiful but their value was zero. True quality was hard to find and reach

´´It is a little more complicated. It seems that the prince has three faces or at least so it seems my lord. On the one hand is his face to the public. The prince seems to be a man of peace, welcoming and friendly with a mysterious air. My lord is cold and ruthless with nobles, not tolerating anything that gets in his way. And finally I think that as you say he has something that is eating his head and makes him want to move in certain directions``. In Shelia's mind the prince was not just a dangerous person. He was a fucking problem because he had the love of the people, the fear of politicians and the unpredictability of a person who doesn't know what he's thinking.

good. That Varys has tipped off the prince of the north's newfound self-sufficiency isn't so much of a problem. If the prince is half as smart as I think he would start by doing a search of my footsteps and come to Oldtown where he would come to the conclusion that I discovered something to help the North is that all the information he has gotten in all the time of Bolton? ?``. If the prince somehow knew how powerful the north was militarily and also economically to his advantage he could move in any possible direction which was not attractive in hariric's mind. He preferred that he continue to think that the north was a rather weak kingdom.

''No but apparently the prince may have an idea more or less. Apparently the magic that was placed on the northern tax documents wasn't strong enough because I think he's seen the income. Due to the northern treaty forms with the Targaryens the North only pays taxes to the crown according to their trade. Before we only sold to the south but now with our wool to the south and our resources from essos he has learned that there is more to the north than meets the eye``. Shelia made a face. It was a pity. She would have sincerely preferred not to have the lord's attention in any way. It would be much better for them anyway, or at least that's what she thought.

Let's not think about what could be. Seers are rarely affected by mind magic. Their minds are one step ahead of others. However, we are fortunate that there is no way for him to train his gift. A true seer would be a real beast to be reckoned with. A real danger. You have served well Shelia. Now please Varys's friend``. If he was a possible dangerous player he wanted him treated or at least controlled. He didn't trust a person who was naturally dangerous. At least Hariric felt that it was better to keep an eye on the lord who was this merchant so as not to risk it just in case.

Yes my lord. In any case, Mr. Illyrio Mopatis is a fascinating case. He started out as a mercenary who made his fortune by looting and killing in the shadows while picking up small amounts of trade. He would first sink them, then buy them, and then raise them again in some way. It was simply a move he made according to von Varys``. In his mind this man was more dangerous. He had only been able to unearth a limited amount of information, which was bad for the information business. He was supposed to put the information business above everything else, which was to have total control of the situation. At least that's what she thought

''We will not shed tears for what you have not discovered. Only because of what you have mentioned we can establish a profile. It is obvious that this merchant man is more dangerous than he seems and clearly more of a monster than a person since he obviously has no problem with ruining lives to enrich himself in some way. With that we have enough information to know one thing: he is a possible enemy``. Although some would say that he was radical, he did not think so in any way. He believed that although a person could be a strong ally in this case he was not. This was one of those who prospered at the expense of others. A leech never better said. It is best to place it in the list of enemies and under observation

''So I'm glad I took the precaution. I didn't trust this man in the slightest so I decided above all to keep him under surveillance to make sure by all means that the threat is dealt with firmly. I thought it was better to keep an eye on it and not regret in any way what could be the future problem my lord``. Shelia was pleased that she had made a quick move. For what reason? First point is that he did not trust this man in the slightest, whoever he is. She preferred to be a person who was in control of the situation just in case and in this case she was in control which she felt good about.

''Good thinking Shelia. Now that you've also clarified this I want you to look at it in detail. Not an observation at all times but what I would like is for someone to be aware of their movements. We just need to know more or less where it moves to. How he does it and what he thinks. I prefer to be alert in case the flies. I don't want to push either. It is better step by step to build the foundation of surveillance well than to send in agents who can be detected in some way``. Although she had no doubt that the northern shadows could be efficient in the job, she preferred, if he was completely honest, not to risk it in any way with discovering possible spies. In fact, as a rule, she must know that she has spies on her.

''Sir, do you have any idea? In other words, you don't seem to be one of those who just jump in like that. Does your instinct tell you something about this man? a possible threat?``. Shelia would be the first to admit that if something was a threat it should be treated with extreme prejudice. The reason? If you let a threat get too big at the end of the day it would be a threat that could come back to haunt you in the worst of ways. Even a mouse can beat a lion if he is properly prepared. And she was aware that her lord was precisely not stupid. She possibly even she had already come up with plans to somehow deal with this future threat.

´´While I would honestly say that I find no threat in this man, that would be a silly lie. He is a threat. For what reason? Because we don't know anything about his past. In a person's past you discover many things. Look at me. If someone knew about me simply from the Stark past, they would already treat me as a threat. If I have to be frank, being part of the seven kingdoms is what has made many stop trembling at the name of House Stark``. He had no intention of doing anything that would make people fear his name but something told him that sooner or later someone would pull the rope too tight and when that happened he intended to take down his enemy.

´´I suppose that your words are completely true my lord. I am sorry to have doubted the wisdom of your words. I'll put someone but I don't know if it could be done easily. In other words, placing a person in what is the estate of a powerful merchant will take time. Possibly years if this man is in a relationship with a spymaster. She had learned the art of espionage from her lord. He was incredibly smart and attentive. She knew how to do the job and what was most important she knew how to exploit all the points. She wouldn't deny if she was frank that her lord wouldn't go wrong with a method of thinking about it against an enemy they knew nothing about. Because she considered him now an enemy

''Patience is one of the most important virtues of all Shelia. It doesn't matter if years go by. What matters is to wait for the right moment to hit with precision and in this way do the maximum damage possible. It is a more than excellent way if I have to be frank to do things. Anyway, with that, let's move on to another point. Is it necessary to highlight someone else in the espionage division?``. If he felt that they were finished he would be perfectly fine. Not because he was looking down on things but because it would mean no more potential adversity was seen. If there was something else to highlight he would prefer to have it dealt with quickly.

''There is one more issue my lord. I don't know if you are aware but two years ago Miss Lyanna went to visit Mr. Ned in what was Arryn's territory. There she saw her brother and good of her she met Lord Robert Baratheon at the same time. The impression she left on the baratheon was significant my lord``. While she knew that saying that to a normal person she would have jumped at the chance to connect her sister with a feudal lord she knew better and she knew full well that her lord would not be happy. She had heard of Robert Baratheon. Not to mention that he was a shameless rake who easily gave in to the pleasure of the flesh didn't help that he was little brains and all brawn. He wouldn't want someone like that for his sister, not even dead.

I see. I should have known that there was a strong possibility that my sister would draw the attention of the storm idiot. The man would be charmed by a woman who clearly wouldn't be afraid to tell him a couple of cruel and brutal truths. That is how she is``. This had all the earmarks of exploding badly in their faces. Robert Baratheon was the son of Steffon Baratheon who was considered by many to be the King's greatest friend in these times which meant that if the man took an interest in his sister it would mean that they would have a fucking amount of pressure on them to get a marriage between them something that he would not allow

´´It is one thing that I thought my lord that you should know above all else. He believed that it was possibly one of the most important pieces knowing that there are many possibilities for that to happen. It also doesn't help that Lord Steffon seems to be a believer that his son needs a strong wife. I don't like how he paints any way for House Stark``. Because in the end, if it was a marriage alliance, it was a very big possibility that they would have to give in. It could not be said without more than no to a marriage alliance and much less with the one who would be the future lord of one of the great houses and what is more important family of the royal throne

´´It is a problem that will have to be addressed by much more direct means than I would like. But I can't see a way out…unless we can trick Lord Steffon so that in the event of a possible event it means that House Baratheon will have no choice but to forego the possible wedding because of the actions of his heir and future lord``. Harry smiled internally. Tell anyone one thing but when you know a weak point targeting this weak point is the best way to win or at least have an honest chance to win. At least that's what he thought and seeing that they had this brilliant opportunity he felt safe.

''I take it my lord that you are planning in a nutshell to use what is Lord Robert's interest in the pleasures of the flesh to use as an element specifying the reason why the wedding is cancelled, is that not true?'' You didn't have to be a genius to be able to exploit the weaknesses of something. An example is that with Robert's ways it could be used as an excuse that if he was not faithful there was a high level of chance that he would end up having bastards that would mean a threat to family stability and the family heir. If she stopped to think about it, she had to admit that it was possibly one of the best things to think and do.

''As an old man told me, don't do it and don't be afraid of it. It's simple at least from my point of view. It doesn't matter how it looks differently and it doesn't matter what others may actually believe but the point at issue is that if Robert has such a great love and passion for what are the pleasures of the flesh it is not my problem. . My problem and main concern is that he doesn't embarrass the Stark family. If he is incapable of realizing that his actions have consequences, it's not my fault. It was plain and simple. While some people might think that having a relationship with a future lord would mean everything, he wanted his brothers to be happy. It also counts less influence has a lord from the south in the north it will be much better

´´I see that you have thought about it so quickly although clearly when a person is not so intelligent and capable but is also blind and with defects it is not impossible to take advantage of their defects. I have to admit that this is good news to hear, my lord. I sincerely feared that the point might get out of hand somehow``. She honestly felt it was the best thing to do at this point and at the same time if she was being honest she didn't want to see a woman like Lyanna Stark in what would be the hands of a complete brainless idiot like Robert Baratheon. It was the best for them if she had to be frank

´´It is one thing that was clear to me. I am always thinking about the future of my brothers Shelia. Benjen and ned are simple people. Quiet by nature. sensible. And very clear in their ideas. Lyanna is wilder than them. I know that a wedding in the south would do you more harm than good and I am well aware of the great inconvenience it would cause you. I won't let my sister have a bitter existence just because some idiots with ideas have something on their minds. Hariric decided that this was his opinion and it was not that he wanted to prevent his sister from being used in plans for southern domination, much less that she was used in the so-called game of thrones. Although his brothers were not idiots, they clearly had a high mental capacity and knew how to act, the south was a very different point that he preferred not to count on in the slightest.

´´Well with that we have finished the subject of what is basically espionage matters. If we have to move on to the following, I would like to mention that on the economic issue we have three points to note. The first to mention the most important I think would be neither more nor less than mentioning the business in Braavos``. Shelia as the main adviser had business information first to inform the lord of it. She at the same time used the spy network to obtain information that could be used for business. It was a better way of doing things in her mind than just trusting herself with little details about it.

''Okay, let's talk about it. Last time I heard I think the iron bank had hired some people to try to sabotage and damage the facility so that we have to spend money on it``. The investment was possible because the bank had obtained permission to get the required space. The only reason why they had control of the business is that they had influenced money, but the iron bank could make things difficult for them if they saw it necessary. From what he could tell it was a very high possibility looking at the income they were earning from it.

''I'm afraid it's much more important. A band of pirates was hired to assault the three ships that we sent with the resources for what the business was. So at the same time there was an attempted sabotage at customs. Although no plan came to fruition with the pirates being shot down by our ships' most powerful ballistae and there was always an agent with a loading list for the customs agents it was still a very sensible strike against us``. Shelia wanted to snarl at the sheer audacity of the bankers. She hated that they had tried to get into her business. The only reason why they did not dare to do anything in this more direct point is because for the moment they had the ear of the lord of the sea thanks to their taxes.

''I assumed it was an option. When a person has power he rarely likes to see it out of his sight. We are becoming the main location to stay along with the other services that came in the place itself. We are starting businesses that are very efficient for them. They are not happy so they want to see the place closed or at least under their complete control``. As long as they paid the debt to the iron bank for the land permit he knew the bank would have no more to say. The debt was fifty thousand gold dragons. He could easily afford it but that would draw attention in a bad way actually.

´´That is not the only point. They have tried to do the same to appropriate with different of our shipments that are then sent from their companies to all of Essos. I think they are trying to rob us. But the only reason they don't do it directly is because of the consequences of it``. Shelia knew that her lord would take this very seriously. Stealing from him meant stealing from the people of the North what hurt them at the end of the day and he would not tolerate that in the slightest. After all the people of the north worked for the different products and therefore they deserved at least in their mind a profit for their work. He was much better than any other lord actually

I see. I should have known that there was a very high possibility that they would actually make such a move. However he expected them to be much smarter about it. Please, I want you to write a letter to the iron bank clearly informing them that if the north continues as they are, it will abandon any business it has with them. Send the same letter to the sea lord. If they say that I dare not, I want you to cancel all operations with bravos``. It would be a shame but if braavos wanted to play with them and somehow try to screw up or at least be a nuisance to him then he would just make it clear that the only reason he had come to them was for a good offer.

´It will be done, my lord, however, if that is done, what will become of the hotel? In other words, we have invested good money in the place and I don't think anyone who is working there would like in any way to see their work wasted by the shares of the iron bank and they could still get angry with you``. It was a clearly justified concern. Because at the end of the day people wanted money to take home. It was at least a fair thing anyway, and the thought of losing your job wouldn't be good news. At least not in his mind but his lord had that look of knowing what he was thinking of doing.

´´he intended to open an olympus hotel in both the two new ports and in the twin cities of cailin canal. I think it was the best thing to do. I mean if we lose business well I'm sorry to say but the iron bank will have to be blamed for it``. And he would make sure the place was never used. A good curse that does damage to the area would be best. Let it not be said that he was a person who did not agree to do what she had in mind. In addition to the fact that if someone attacked him, he needed to send a message. The iron bank was a powerful figure so the right message had to be sent of course so that all those know not to fuck with him

´´Sir, be honest, how many chances do you see that the iron bank actually does or continues its current operations? I mean that basically the bank would be declaring us enemies and they would be forced to lose a significant sum of lucrative business for them``. Shelia honestly as a spymaster knew that a person could be incredibly stupid and even blind. Some would say that he couldn't be that blind or stupid, but she knew better. People could err big time when they thought they had a right to one thing and the Iron Bank was such a force that they thought they were above everyone else. But at the same time she found it hard to believe that they would still be moving in that direction of course.

´´Well it is a bit of fifty and fifty. On the one hand the bank will think or at least the most offensive members of them will be able to get away with it and that we need them more than they need us. They will think they have the advantage on their side. So there's a chance they think it's a ruse and still think they can keep the hotel. At least that will be his thought of course``. It would be a good plan on their part to actually think about. However, at the same time, it would not be as well thought out a plan as they might come to believe and it will have more consequences than they could imagine, losing credibility with many more people, at least they thought so.

´´Basically the arrogance of the bank acting at that point. I think if I'm being honest that I can see that kind of thinking in the minds of some of the people at said bank but at the same time you said that there are those that you think will not be the same which means that you think there are possibilities of something completely different``. Although some might actually think that there is a good chance that the bank acted in such a way, she also knew that the bank was looking for money. A constant income is better than no income and although the idea of ​​controlling income I doubted they would be such idiots anyway

Okay, yes. But that's where the bank's economists come in. An economist will look and think about what is lost. If the bank somehow goes ahead with their actions they lose being the ones that offer the products from all over the North to Essos. It would be expensive to have an army but they would lose what it is to sell each product that we get something that they could not afford in terms of economy. So even if an economist is dumb he will come to the conclusion that taking a risk is a big no and hit the others big. It was simple. In fact he could see that option two was better than option one because at the end of the day the bank was a bank and they liked their money too much to risk losing it somehow.

Well, sir. The next report is more about Isengard. The city of knowledge that has been designed to be built exactly where the collapsed tower was previously has been completely finished. Also, as reported, all measures have been implemented. It was expensive sir. Not very expensive but certainly at the expensive level``. Even though a part of her wanted to say that the city was unnecessary she couldn't deny the truth behind her lord's words. The maesters were a thorn in the side who wouldn't hesitate to stab them in the back. The best thing was to be ready for them somehow and this was the best. Although the city's creation methods still impressed her

´´The city will pay for itself. My intention is that that's where the northern silk production comes from that will basically make us money. Also the mountains that surround it will have and generate money as well as employment for workers which is always good news. That along with the city being my goal to eliminate reliance on knowledge lords seems like a good thing to me``. Not to say that it would completely eliminate the need for that land to be out of control. That was too valuable land. It was part of the Stark lands and had been untapped which was a big no in his mind. You had to get the benefits of everything you had that was very clear in your mind

´´Well, my lord, as you yourself say. While I feel the city was expensive however I also have to say that if it pays for itself that is good news. The architects finished implementing their designs. They were very surprised not only by the use of cement and concrete as well as his so-called technique of placing irons inside the stone constructions but also his use of pipes and also his use of what was basically glass``. It was not a lie. The city was a well made construction of white stone with blue tiled roofs (using Byzantine style architecture) and more than well made glass. And the great location of the university was more than well done if she had to say so herself.

´´I am glad that people are happy and satisfied with the work we have done in the city. It's a major investment if I have to say so. Not only that but also that the city is very important in the sense of being considered as where the future generation of lords, military chiefs and much more will come from. If the North wants to evolve, we need things to do so``. What he did not say is that all the gold spent for the workers as well as the products and more came from himself. Transmutation was very useful and knowing chemistry and the composition of gold it was not difficult to go from one metal to another. People just didn't know

''I think it's good news my lord. However, I have a question that has been eating me up. Why educate people so much? In other words, I can understand the constructions of guilds. The unions will mean a greater number of workers and an efficient order. In fact, I think that seeing the Goldsmith's guild and other elements will be something that will come in handy, but why so much in education?``. She was curious but she was also honest. Some people might think that she only wanted to know to get an idea, the truth is that she wanted to know in order to better understand things. She did not deny that a cultured town would be much more efficient in dealing with other merchants and more, but it was hard for her to see it this way.

´´education will always be a key point of what the system is. Guilds are designed not for what it is exactly to teach a trade but to create companies that work on producing the elements that give the North the advantage. That they are based here is what really gives us the advantage``. He knew well that there had been a chance that some guilds would say to leave so he had made contracts with each of them. If someone tried to break the agreement they would not only be notified but at the same time they would not be given and then they would use some judgment to declare them a traitor. In the time that the guilds existed, there had been cases, but now people knew better, but if there was an absolute truth, it is that humans never learn.

´´I suppose the reasons are beyond justified my lord. However, the guilds would never betray you. In other words, if they did, each guild would then have to answer to you. Although I think I could see the guilds trying to get out of the north for lands like the Dominion where they would think they would do a good deal``. The truth is, she could easily see betrayal happen. She thanked the heavens for the magical contracts made by her lord. She didn't know how they worked, only that they worked well and were actually much more useful than any other method.

It was the best way to deal with them. While it is possible that they could have left now that is eliminated. By educating people I teach them the most important of all values: economy. If a guild tries to leave, they don't just have to leave, set up business, negotiate with another lord, but survive my wrath. The men in the guilds will realize that it's a bad idea to piss off a person who can control the northern exits, have you executed, your family thrown out with nothing, and your name smeared all over history. People will learn from it``. That was economics. Understanding of spending. Because you should always understand the expense or in this case the consequences of your actions

''When you put it that way clearly people won't be idiots but what about the metalworking guild? They could get a lot out of selling what is the secret of the best steels in the north, or what about the glaziers guild? These people must know that they can make a profit. And I highly doubt the economy alone gives them a reason not to fuck with you. It was completely true. It didn't matter how you looked at it either way. Lord Stark must have known that the guilds could claim to sell what their secrets were or at least offer their services to said other kingdoms. They could always do it for more money

´´ah but that is where the key word of what is basically intelligent thinking comes in in a few words. Tell me, what do you think Tywin Lannister would do if he found out about it? Or the so-called queen of thorns? Do you think they would accept that or just take the secrets out of them, kill them and start their own businesses? People are many things but once the way of acting of some people is explained and what would be the natural thought of some gentlemen they will not be so stupid``. The best way to get people on your side is to make them understand that they live only because you let them live and that if they betray you they will be dead not for you but for the one they have betrayed you for. Why? Because it will have been that you are not trustworthy

´´…Why not turn Isengard into, in addition to the city of knowledge, the main city of education for the different guilds? You have to understand that each guild must train a blacksmith who is sent not only to each city but to each lord. Some cities will have more than one blacksmith because of the amount of work they will be, not to mention the need for blacksmiths in many jobs. That and of course it would be better to have them in the city of Isengard than to have them here at least apparently``. The truth is that it was an idea that had occurred to him. Being there to learn why not learn the trades there and everything else they would need to get the job done anyway?

''That's actually the plan. The university is for the teaching of many subjects. Not just to teach army officers. It is not alone to teach lords to be good administrators. But for the different guilds that are going to be working in the north. It is there where the training of future generations of workers will take place. Here we only have the factories for the production of drinks, glass and other elements. It's that simple``. Although some would say that it was a strange method, it was for the best. Although now that he thought about it, he would also make Isengard the producer of the medical items that would be sold everywhere. It was the best

Shelia was about to say a few more things when a guard arrived. He informed that she had to arrive immediately before her parents. Both Hariric and Shelia were wondering what was going on but the lord's demand could not be ignored so they left. The two had forgotten an important point... that he was also at stake for possible marriages.