41. Arya's Request

Arya spoke up confidently, "I've been following Septa Mordane and learning with the other girls for days now. I'm so tired. I just want to go to the market town in Winterfell!"

"Tired?" Catelyn Stark frowned. "That's not what Septa Mordane told me! She said you've been skipping lessons, and no one can find you! Arya, do you have anything to say?"

"It's hard to do embroidery or anything like that... I can't even hold those tiny needles," Arya muttered, sticking out her tongue.

Everyone in the room chuckled at Arya's honest words, especially Bran and Rickon, who laughed the loudest.

"Stop laughing!" Arya warned her younger brothers, shaking her fist in embarrassment.

Rickon quickly covered his mouth, while Bran chuckled again before falling silent. He knew Arya was stronger than him and didn't want to push his luck.

Seeing this, Eddard Stark smiled faintly.

Worried her father might refuse, Arya glanced at Sansa, who was still smiling, and pulled her into the conversation. "Sansa wants to go too! If you don't believe me, ask her!"

Sansa, caught off guard, hesitated but nodded. "Yes, I would like to go out for a bit..."

Catelyn looked at Sansa with some surprise and then turned her gaze back to Arya.

Under her mother's stern stare, Arya's confidence wavered. "Well... Sansa and I mostly want to visit the shop in Winterfell run by the nobleman from the east... to buy some soap."

"Soap?" Eddard frowned, unfamiliar with the word.

Catelyn looked puzzled too.

Clearing his throat, Ser Rodrik, who knew what Arya meant, explained, "Soap is something that can wash clothes, hands, faces, and bodies. It has a pleasant scent and is said to be popular among the nobility in the eastern lands."

Everyone grew more curious as they listened.

"A young nobleman named Jason Easter, from across the Shivering Sea, came to Winterfell recently. He gave me ten bars of soap when we exchanged currency," Rodrik continued with a smile. "My wife and I tried it, and it's quite useful. I was going to give some to you and Lady Catelyn."

Hearing this, both Eddard and Catelyn looked relieved.

Eddard, now intrigued by the mention of Jason Easter, said, "I've heard people talk about this foreign nobleman, but I don't know much about him."

"Aye, my lord," Ser Rodrik added, "People have been talking non-stop about how generous, handsome, and kind he is. They also say he brings all sorts of strange, miraculous goods and medicines."

"Yes, I heard he's bought several buildings in Winterfell, tore them down, and is rebuilding. He's hiring many workers too," Jory, Ser Rodrik's nephew, chimed in.

Catelyn, surprised by the popularity of this young nobleman, said, "Is he truly that well-known in Winterfell?"

"He is, and some of the rumors about him are true," Maester Luwin confirmed. "Martha, Rickon's nurse, had a daughter who was seriously ill, and even I couldn't heal her. But Jason Easter did. The girl is perfectly healthy now."

Maester Luwin then pulled out a small object from his robes. "He also gave me this – a pen that doesn't need to be dipped in ink every few seconds like a quill. You can write with it continuously until the ink runs out."

Everyone stared at the pen in awe.

"So, some of the stories about this young nobleman and his goods from the east are true," Maester Luwin concluded.

Robb, curious, spoke up, "I'd like to meet him."

Bran, just as intrigued, added, "Me too!"

Rickon, being young, didn't understand much of the conversation and was more focused on his food.

"It's incredible," Eddard said, now even more interested. "This young man has made quite an impression in such a short time. I'd like to meet him myself, but I'm far too busy."

"Father, please let Sansa and me go to the market tomorrow and buy some soap from his shop!" Arya pleaded, running over to Eddard and clinging to his arm. "Please, just say yes!"

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