81. The Calm before the Storm

All the lords gathered in the garden.

*TRING TRING*

A metallic sound came. They all turned around to see and noticed little Rina with her friends on a strange metal frame with 2 wheels. Some adults were also there riding bigger metal frames.

"I present to you. A new way of traveling short distances. They are called bicycles and these are tricycles. They can be used to commute or transport small cargo to nearby places." He said.

Some lords who had some experience with metal work went to check it out.

"Haha... Ingenious, this would surely help the people. Let me try it though," Robett Glover of house Glover said and got on a bicycle.

Sure enough, he fell. "Haha... Lord Glover, it takes some practice first. It's like swimming. Once you know it, you'll never forget it."

"I will give each of you one of these. Tell your blacksmiths to study and remake them. Then distribute some of them to smallfolks to make it famous. Once everyone knows its usefulness, start selling it. But at a very affordable price. Remember, this is not about immediate money but boosting our economy. With these, our workers will be able to move faster and further without getting much tired... Now, let's eat something" Alexander announced the end of the meeting and everyone became more informal.

...

Highgarden, Reach.

"What are you up to now, Mace?" Oleena asked.

"Oh, I have been honorably invited to the marriage of the next heir of Riverrun and the current Lord of Riverrun. Even Lord Stark will be there. As you said, I'll go there and talk to him." He said.

"With 1 thousand soldiers in full armor? Do you think I'm a fool? Speak what you've done now you oaf" She got angry.

"Nothing, I have done nothing. The soldiers are for my protection." Mace replied.

~He's being much more confident today. He must be planning something, which he thinks is great. I hope he doesn't start a war.~ she thought and decided to wait and see.

...

King's Landing, Small Council.

Everyone was present in the room. Robert was talking about hosting a small tourney to boost people's morals. The City was making much money now thanks to his uncle.

The new Master of Law, A Godroids, named Albert, spoke. "Your Grace, I have a suggestion which will make people love you"

"Yes, please say it, Lord Albert." Robert respectfully said. He had sparred with Albert many times and lost every time.

"Why not start a practice of yearly festival. Which would be held every year at the same time. The biggest street in King's Landing will be heavily decorated and many different foods and activity stalls will be placed on both sides. Smallfolks will be allowed to join in to make shops or just visit. They will buy, drink, play and have fun. On the tourney ground, we will start a non-lethal brawling tournament. Anyone could participate in it. Smallfolks will be happy even if you set the prize at just 100 or 500 golds. It will cost us less and will be more entertaining." Albert suggested, basically just giving the idea of a summer festival.

"Hmmm, I like the sound of that but I can't make an image of it in my mind. Alright, we'll do this. If it's not too much, please help set this up. But what should we call it?" Robert asked.

"What about the people's festival? As it would be for everyone." Jon suggested.

"People's festival it is then. Anything else on today's agenda?" Robert asked.

Varys spoke and dropped the bomb, "Your Grace, I've received some disturbing news. It seems that some Houses are planning to strike against the Starks."

"WHAT? WHO DARES?" Robert roared.

"Some houses from North, Riverlands, and Reach. Lannisters are also probably involved." He replied.

"Is that it? You don't know their names?"

"Your grace, even this information was very hard to come by," Varys said. He was ordered by Alexander to do this. This would prepare Robert for when he suddenly hears that North has taken over some other Lord's land.

"Then we must warn them. We owe Lord Stark too much." Jon spoke.

But Albert suddenly stood up, "No, you all are underestimating Lord Stark. Chances are, he already knows about all this and is just waiting for the enemies to show up. Don't forget that he alone defeated and took over Qarth and Asshai."

His words earned many nods. "Yes, we don't have any proof so we can not do much. Or else they will call Your Grace biased towards the Starks." Stannis reasoned.

"Alright, I hope they don't start a war. Though even if they did, I'll have my hammer ready." Robert said with a devilish smile.

...

Pyke, The Iron Islands.

Balon Greyjoy had big plans for the Iron Islands. Since the Robert's Rebellion, he had started building ships for his rebellion.

But everything was spoiled by Alexander and his navy. They couldn't steal in the seas like they used to. They couldn't go back to their old ways of Plunder and Reaving. Take whatever they want by killing and not purchasing.

But his ambitions were thwarted when his people started getting killed by the Northern navy. His supply of wood was also cut and couldn't make any more ships. But when one door closes another opens. He joined some lords from Westeros to deal with the Starks and the North.

...

The wedding date came close. But Alexander didn't care. He was busy planning his Railways. That was the project 'Worm'. For now, he was planning on connecting every house in the north with the railway route. This way, many new cities will come into existence around the stations. He was also going to extend the railway line from the Neck to the Castle black of the Wall.

Speaking of the wall, it was still facing a shortage of men. But Alexander also didn't find a reason to invest there as wildlings/freefolks were living happily in Skagos. Craster's Keep was empty as Craster magically died. His wife and daughter-wives were sent to Skagos. However, he does send a lot of food and stuff there periodically.

...

2 months later.

Riverlands, The Twins.

[It was a castle with two parts. Extending to the 2 sides of the river and the bridge. The Frey's made the most of their money by collecting taxes from people who cross the bridge.]

[You can see the image of the Twins on Illustration channel of my Discord - https://discord.gg/DgHkrAn

Or see them on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mister_immortal_novel]

It was the wedding night at Frey's castle, Twins. It was already suspicious why there were so many lords present, but with Mace Tyrell and his best commander, Lord Randyll Tarly also there. It was clear as the day that something was cooking.

Alexander went with the act. All the Starks were present there. Except for Rina, Kids, Anna, Elina, and Ashara. He knew a bloodbath was going to happen soon and didn't want the kids to see it.

With him were, Brandon, Benjen, Ned, Dobby, Catelyn, she also brought Robb thinking that he would be safe with her. Kreed and Bronn also tagged along.

He didn't bring many guards with him. Just 100 Wolf's Swords. To be honest, he considered bringing 100 of them an overkill. Just him and Dobby were already good enough.

He was continuously talking to the Starks through telepathy. "So, are you ready, boys? It seems like many big lords hate us"

"Na... They don't hate us. They drool on our wealth" Benjen scoffed.

"Aye, that is true. It's hard to believe that Hoster would do this, but nothing is impossible in this world," Ned added.

~Including your wife~ Alexander thought.

*TING TING*

Walder Frey started to make his announcement. Alexander was sitting at the main table, just beside Walder. There were Mace, Roose, Hoster, and Randyll too. There were some more Riverland lords that he didn't know. The whole hall was filled to the brim. He had noticed the girl serving him wine had a knife hidden under her clothes.

~ah, here we go again~

"My Lords and Ladies, thank you for joining us on this great evening. A girl from my house, marrying Lord Hoster and his son; Edmure, marrying a Bolton girl. I am also happy to announce that Lord Bolton has promised to wed his newborn son with a daughter that I would probably procreate tonight.

We also have 2 great Lords here. The great Lord Alexander Stark and Lord Mace Tyrell. It is an honor to be able to serve them."

He continued speaking with his ugly voice. Alexander continuously checked the Hall. He noticed someone he wasn't expecting. Little Finger was in the house. Hiding behind a corner and lustfully looking at Catelyn. The Wolf's Swords were invisible and stood around in the hall. They were also waiting for his command. The day wasn't going to be remembered as the Red Wedding. It was going to be remembered as Wolf's Night.

...

Winterfell

While strange things were going on at the Twins. The Ironborns had entered Winterfell. Unknown to them that they were let in on purpose.

The assault was lead by Victarion Greyjoy. His job was to kill all the remaining Starks in the Castle.

As soon as they entered the boundary of the castle, A loud siren started to sound. It made the 20 Ironborns anxious. Then suddenly 5 scary golden masked men came and they fell unconscious.

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