Proving Worth

Another name day has passed, Torrhen got taller by a foot, looking ten and five name days in Northern standard. All body fats was turned into slim muscles. His face is lean, smudge with dirt from constant battle and training.

Blue eyes narrowed at blue skies of summer snows, his long brown hair flurries in his head, Torrhen finally achieved the Mind Arts. He began to find any spies from his household, remembering their faces and presence.

Being a child means having no authority of kicking servants. Torrhen needs to be wary of their presence. He will only show his true self when he's alone. Besides, being second son has its benefits. No one will pay you much attention.

Back to the present, Torrhen was having a little adventure at Karhold, specifically the Grey Hills. He feels the ground was rich of shiny minerals. This untapped land was full of resources waiting to mine, but he will leave it for now. This will be his own assets after gaining own power to defend it. It all varies to gold, silver and copper mines. Ten percent of the yields will be given to the Lord Paramount, five percent to the crown, and the rest will be for the owners.

However, the Mountain Clan is living in those hills. The only solution is that these people value food than material things. An agreement can be given with them.

Then, another problem arises. Food was also valuable to the North, being cold and infertile for the most part.

Plus, the seeds here only amounts to small varieties, Karhold needs to have other seeds to plant, because one Karhold territory is almost equal to one King's Landing of Crownlands. So much wasted territory for small villages and keeps.

Add the constant Wildling raids to the problem, along with the Skargos' small skirmishes.

Karhold also needs fleets for Offense attack on the seas for pirates or times of war, with trade ships for trading on different parts of Westeros, especially King's Landing and dragonstone. If he can further expand, Torrhen can add Essos on the fold. Trade is full opportunities in that continent.

Torrhen can finally be found coming back to the Holdfast of Karhold. One two more years, he will be finally be able to get out of this place. Farthest he's been was the land of Karhold, villages mostly. The library was ransacked long ago, attaining all knowledge and history in his mind.

He wonders what will the Eyrie looks like. It was said to be impregnable, one way in and one way out, the Bloody Gate. Vale was founded on mountains upon mountains of high rocks in the sky. Dragons was the only creature to conquer the falcons.

Torrhen smiled to every servants and other people in the Holdfast, wondering if his guards and nursemaids got finally gave up in finding him.

Got to keep up the act.

A servant came up to greet me, "Welcome back, Mi'lord. Your Lord Father is expecting you to his solar."

Torrhen gave a nod, "I will be there."

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"Torrhen, have a seat." Karlon said, grimly. That got Torrhen a nervous look. "Leaving without permission. Constant leaving. What do you say about this?"

"Lord Father, I only want to explore our land. Even if I don't inherit it, regardless, I need to know about it." Torrhen spoke with certainty. He knows that a child of noble born in the wild with no guards can be dangerous. Especially with the Mountain Clans. But, I'm not just a child. No one knows my true strength. Sure, I show more talent in knowledge and fighting, but that is just a small show of my strength.

"With no one to go with you?" Karlon raised an eyebrow.

"So I can grow independently, Lord Father." Torrhen said confidently.

Karlon narrowed his eye on me for a second before saying, "Then, I shall give what you want. Now leave."

"Thank you, Lord Father." Torrhen said.

Well, that was easy. Torrhen prepared three more arguments should the first one failed. Now, he can explore freely.

Before Torrhen can leave the door, Karlon said, "You are responsible in explaining your absense to your Mother. She had been and at the same time, very angry. It's independence you want, then this will be your first challenge."

Torrhen winced slightly, not wanting to be involve with his Mother's nagging.

"Yes, Lord Father."

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The Master-at-Arms permitted Torrhen to use blunt steel sword. This time, another step to get stronger.

My elder brother, Rickard, was training with another man of his age. No shields but both were protected with padded armor. He can judge they were advanced in their training obviously. The heir of Karhold must train with swords. So many of his hours training and following Father in ruling the land.

Torrhen and Rickard were not really close, especially Rickard being occupied with work. Ten and seven name days, his brother is a serious man, believing in his descendants blood and his blood before that, the blood of the First Men.

And, Torrhen, he'll continue his training. He made no efforts knowing his brother, especially his Father made him a ward for Lord Arryn, going away from home for many years.

He picked up the blunt sword and started swinging at the practice puppet. Head, torso, legs and arms, all the weak point of humans. Joints are opportunity and opening are the weakness.

Every swipe, swing and stab, his blood boils. His very step of enriching his body of life energy starts with his blood. Vitalizing his innards and endurance. He estimated this process will end for three years. Then, comes the bones, supplying five years of energy. The last one will be the skin, for six years of life energy. The total duration fourteen years.

In addition, he needs to fill his core energy. He needs to unlock his past skills in magic. Magic construct, Elemental Manipulation, Enhancing Senses, Flight and Teleportation, Runes and Charms, and most prominent of all, Healing Magic. His healing magic was his greatest asset involving the wars.

Torrhen hopes to unlock these as he grows up.

For now, physical strength it is.