- 279 AC -
(Eddard POV)
We are in our father's solar. I have presented Father with my findings and ideas on the road project. Personally, I like it, despite having to make it appear very simple. The dirt is getting old, and while the ground is constantly cold, it is not as nice as my pictures show how it would look later. I did my best to make my explanation as simple as possible, and it seems to have worked somewhat. Father's at least looking like he is thinking about it. This is a critical moment, but I believe he will trust me.
"There is some merit to this, I think. You saw the papers, Ned. So you know how we're doing right now. It is summer right now, but I can see the next winter coming soon. I feel it in my bones."
Father's right. We had some gold to spare right now, and there was also a bit in reserve, but if he thinks winter is coming soon, then we better believe it. Fathers are never wrong in these things. I have also felt the weather change and know that summer won't last another year.
"Let us not beat around the bush here, Father. I know of our financial situation and wouldn't ask you for more gold than our house could spare, which is why I created the inn to get the Valemen to finance our projects. With the gold I managed to save up, we could start the roads in and around Winterfell. This would create jobs for those in Wintertown who are in need of money and food. We should take care of our smallfolk, and if winter is coming, as you say, even more so."
"I know what you mean; it's just ... I'm uncertain about this. Why would we want to change this now? Why start with roads if you have extra gold to spare? Shouldn't we buy more food for the winter or build more homes for those who don't have any? This doesn't seem right."
"Your concerns honour you, Father. But you need to trust me in this matter. I believe that having proper roads will be the perfect start. I told you that there are many more things I could offer you, but you're sceptical about them all. I trust your judgment, but I believe that we should start at some point. And this is a good start."
"What if it doesn't work out? What if you fail? The workers might not do it as you say they would, or another problem may arise. What then?"
"I trust that the people will do as I have instructed. Brandon and Benjen know how I want it to look, and the small part we already did will serve as a sample for the rest. Benjen has shown great promise for these things."
It is true. Benjen has proven to have a great mind regarding architecture and buildings. He seems to like it, and that's perfect for me, mainly because I must leave as soon as possible. Something very urgent has come up that I can't postpone any longer. I trust him and Brandon to overlook the work.
"Do you have to leave then? Why not oversee the building yourself? It would make me sleep lighter at night."
"Sadly, the business that allows me to earn more gold for us takes some of my time. I will try to be back as quickly as I can."
"Hmm, very well, Ned. I will trust you. You were always a smart lad, and don't lie. Should this prove to be a success, I will see to it that you get more chances to show me just how far the North can go."
"Thank you, Father. You will not be disappointed."
I stand up and leave Father's solar with Brandon. He walks beside me, matching my pace. He hasn't said much after our talk about his upcoming marriage. I can tell that he is musing about something, and I believe I have found out what it is. This problem has to be taken care of sooner rather than later. To think that I trusted him to change for the better - my mistake.
"What are you thinking about, Brother? Barbrey again?"
"Aye. When I was back there a sennight ago, she told me something concerning."
"What did she tell you?"
"She believes that it wasn't Father's idea to have me wed to the Catelyn Tully."
We stop walking, and I look at him.
"What does she think then?"
"She thinks that it is Walys who fills Father's ears with poisoned words 'as sweet as honey', that's what she said. I'm uncertain about this, Ned. The Maester ... that would be-"
"Problematic. Aye, that's troubling. How does she claim to know these things? Female intuition?"
"Ha! Aye, that's what I also believe. But you know me, I just can't get it out of my mind."
"I shall look into it as soon as I get back. Until then, try not to act any differently. It is nothing but the words of a broken-hearted girl."
"I suppose you're right. So you're truly leaving now?" Brandon asked, changing the subject.
"I have to. One of my workers has a family emergency which can't be postponed, and I will help him with it."
"You are a phenomenal superior, Ned. No noble in the 7 Kingdoms would do the same. I hope it works out and you return soon. Who knows what might happen if we allow Benjen to take control of all this work."
"Aye, I will. Farewell, Brother."
"Farewell, Ned. Safe travels."
.
I'm riding south, towards White Harbor. After leaving Winterfell, another rider appears, settling into the same pace as I do. I don't have to look to know that Ezio has just joined me. I can feel his restlessness. He has been having trouble eating and sleeping ever since that letter arrived. It was from Chella. She was dispatched to Gulltown a month ago in order to assassinate someone. That was her mission, but something must have happened for her to abandon her mission. The letter she sent me was encrypted. I taught all the members of the Raven Guard two separate languages and the secret code we use to communicate through ravens.
Her letter stated that she had found something of interest. A small brooch with a rose and a knife on it. I knew what she was insinuating. A rose and a knife were the inofficial sigil Giovanni Auditore used. Ezio told me all about it. Naturally, finding a brooch, most likely belonging to his father, after over four years has Ezio restless. He believes it can't be anyone else's because no one would bother creating a brooch like that. I haven't told him it could be many more things besides one of his father's. He wouldn't understand and isn't open to it yet. His concern isn't finding something that belongs to his father but about his sister, Claudia.
"How are you faring?"
"Good. My mind is clear."
"That's good. You will need all your mental strength for this endeavour. No matter what we shall find, promise me to keep a cool head."
"Naturally."
Our journey isn't a very long one. I have sent ravens to the Eyrie, telling another Raven Guard to meet us in Gulltown. Gulltown isn't King's Landing, but it is still a rather big city with many inhabitants. Should we hope to find out anything there, we will need the help. Asking for more is impossible since the inn has to be manned to avoid making it suspicious for Jon. The Raven Guard has grown since indoctrinating the Black Ears into it, but it has been going slowly. We are going about it furtively so that Jon doesn't find out. He would not be pleased to find out that the entire Black Ears clan has vanished and all his resources have gone to waste.
After Chella joined the Raven Guard and had gotten used to us over the years, she told Cheyk. The chief expressed interest in my purpose for creating such an order, and I told her the truth. The light is governed by the nobles, who make the rules and ensure no one grows too high. So, we act in the shadows. I was honest with her and told her that I had done it for my house and me. Cheyk understood that perfectly and was joyful about this fact. She truly despised the Andals, and in her eyes, all of the Southerners were Andals, no matter the intermarriage. We would have to educate her a bit, but it wasn't a problem as of yet and only served our cause.
So, more and more men and women asked to join, but I declined and told them that to train effectively, they would have to be younger. A grown man would be far too obvious working at the inn. Jon has a rough idea of all the men and women living at the Eyrie.
.
Our journey took us to White Harbor, where we boarded a small boat. I didn't make my presence known to Lord Manderly. Having others know I'm here would be unhelpful for our quest. We are trying to stay hidden and uncover the truth of what happened to Claudia, and I believe we will find more dirt than we'd like. But I have known this truth for a long time now. The rich and powerful wanted to become more rich and powerful, and on their way there, they stepped on everyone and treated the weaker ones like dirt. Our boat left White Harbor and sailed south. We passed the Three Sisters and entered the Shivering Sea. Leaving the Paps on our right, we sailed south past Baelish Keep and finally to the Bay of Crabs. Gulltown was now in front of us. The journey didn't take long, and thanks to the fishing boat we had taken, we could eat enough. Although I think Ezio was having trouble digesting the raw fish. However, his mind was set, and there was a fire in his eyes to find his sister at all costs.
"Let's go."
Ezio nods his head, and we both jump into the water, leaving our boat behind, before arriving at the harbour. As I said, we don't want to be seen, so we take this route. We swam quite a long distance. Ezio went up for air between two boats and then dove down again. We made our way beneath all the ships until getting on land. I was invisible to all eyes except Ezio's. We blended into the darkness of the alleys and made our way through the streets of Gulltown. The area we had chosen to meet up with Chella was the slums. The worst part of Gulltown is one where no one will remember seeing people like us because they won't see us. The smell of fish, meat, alcohol, sweat and sex entered my nose. The sound of intercourse, sailors yelling and laughing, the whispering of secrets, the sound of footsteps and even the silent taps from a running rat entered my ears. Slowly, a three-dimensional picture entered my mind, and I knew the rough layout of the area around me.
Ezio showed tremendous progress as he made his way across the rooftops while making little sound. He is a parkour prodigy, that's for certain. After moving for a while, we reached the spot that Chella wrote me about. We hid in the shadows and waited.
After a while, I was alerted to another presence. Chella had finally arrived, and while the waiting was fruitful for me, Ezio's patience was being challenged.
"My Lord."
"Chella."
"I'm glad you two could make it. The situation in Gulltown is a special one. Remember when you told me about the criminal activities not being organised?"
"Aye, what about it?"
"It seems that Gulltown is a bit different. I have uncovered at least three rival groups operating in Gulltown. They have fluid borders, and occasionally, there are fights between them, where people die. The city guards are doing what they can but are usually too late to intervene."
"I see. That is interesting. Where's Hidao?" I ask about the other Raven Guard member I asked to be here.
"He is observing one of these groups. They call themselves the Vipers. I assume it is their tendency to use poisons."
"Very well. What about the news on this brooch?"
"We managed to uncover the person from whom the drunk got the brooch. It is one of the members of the Vipers, which is why we're observing them and their tendencies."
"Good work, Chella. Let us go then."
"As you wish."