Departure and Foundation

Three weeks had passed since our fateful discussion.

The preparations for my departure were in full swing. Ultimately, Lyanna had decided she wouldn't leave Winterfell. I watched her standing in the courtyard, cooing at her son.

It was surprising, to say the least, considering that in this timeline, Rhaegar had actually kidnapped and raped her for his prophecy, with Jon being the result. The complexities of human emotions never ceased to amaze me.

I supervised as the guards loaded a chests of gold dragons onto a cart, alongside my luggage. My caravan from Winterfell consisted of six horse-drawn carts, six extra work horses, my own mount, and 50 other horses ridden by men-at-arms who, along with their families, were accompanying me to Moat Cailin.

In preparation for my new role, I had already set several plans in motion. A trade deal with House Manderly secured two trading ships at 200 gold dragons each. I'd contracted a group of southern merchants to procure a substantial amount of grass seed, and sand from the Reach and dorne respectively for 70 silver moons.

Additionally, I'd reached out to House Mooton for a herd of sheep and cattle from the Stormlands, costing around 1,000 gold dragons. These resources would be crucial in transforming Moat Cailin from a swampy ruin into a thriving holdfast.

Eddard had gifted me a new weapon on my request that is – a magnificent Bec de Corbin, the plate destroyer. In this medieval world where plate armor was common, it seemed a prudent choice. The weapon was impressive: about 4 feet 8 inches long, black in color, and weighing a mere 7 pounds. Its efficiency against armored opponents could prove invaluable.

A man-at-arms approached me, interrupting my thoughts. "The preparations are complete, my Lord," he reported.

I nodded, acknowledging his efficiency. "Good work."

Turning back to Eddard and Lyanna, "It seems it's time for me to leave," I said, my voice loud.

Lyanna moved quickly to embrace me. I returned the gesture, tightening my hold just slightly. "Ah, so you've always had that soft side," I teased, keeping my tone light.

"Shut up," she ordered, but I could hear the smile in her voice. She had always been closest to me – or rather, to Torrhen – since we were little.

I patted her back gently. "Come on, Lya. Ned's feeling lonely over there," I gestured towards Eddard, who was watching us with a smile.

She chuckled as she released me. Eddard stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing it affectionately.

"Write if you need any help," he said gently.

I smiled, masking my nervousness with bravado.

"Help? Me? You're the one who's married with a child on the way, Ned."

Then, lowering my voice, I added, "Take care of them for me.", i said, looking at Lyanna and Jon. 

Eddard gave a small nod, his eyes filled with understanding. 

I stepped back, giving them both a final nod. "Move out!" a man-at-arms shouted at my signal.

Mounting my horse, I cast one last look at the Starks – my family in this new life. With a final nod, I turned my steed and led my caravan out of Winterfell's gates.

Thus began my two-month journey to Moat Cailin, and with it, a new chapter in the game of thrones. As Winterfell faded into the distance behind me, I couldn't help but wonder what challenges and opportunities awaited me in my new role as Lord of Moat Cailin.

Two Months Later:

Arrival at Moat Cailin

In the two months since leaving Winterfell, I had grown accustomed to my new body. Daily practice with the Bec de Corbin had honed my skills; I was now proficient in both parrying and striking. The weapon felt like an extension of my arm, a comforting weight in my hands as we approached our destination.

As we approached Moat Cailin, the ruins loomed ahead, surrounded by vast, marshy land. The sight was both daunting and full of promise—a challenge, yes, but one I was determined to overcome. The guards began settling their families into empty houses within the bailey, while I made my way to the wooden keep with a few of my servants.

A wooden bridge led us into the bailey, with stairs ascending to the wooden keep that Eddard had commissioned before my departure from Winterfell. The steward awaited us, ready to greet his new lord.

He bowed deeply, a man of about 40 years with gray hair and short stature. The Seven-Pointed Star hanging from his neck marked him as devout. "Sire, Moat Cailin is yours," he announced, his voice hoarse.

"Rise," I commanded. "What's your name?"

"Brandon Calhoun, my lord," he responded timidly.

"Is my chamber prepared, Brandon? And the ledger – is it there as well?"

"Yes, my lord," he affirmed.

I tossed him a silver stag – worth about 19 loaves of bread. "Good work," I said, dismissing him.

Eight servants had accompanied me, joining the ten already in residence. After ordering my servants to rest, I retired to my chambers. A bath had been prepared, a small luxury I gratefully indulged in.

As I soaked, I pondered the work ahead. Tomorrow would bring challenges, but for now, I allowed myself this moment of peace.

The Next Morning: Taking Stock

Dawn found me poring over the ledgers, assessing the financial state of my new lordship. The annual revenue averaged 273 gold dragons, fluctuating between 160 and 400. This income derived entirely from taxes and tolls on merchants passing through to trade with the North.

The treasury held approximately 6,000 gold dragons, depleted by the recent construction of the wooden keep and bailey. Eighteen servants were paid one groat per day, while the 70 men-at-arms (50 who arrived with me and 20 already present) received one star daily. This amounted to 5.5 silver moons for servants and 43 silver moons for men-at-arms per month.

Annual maintenance for the walls and wooden keep would cost between 40-50 moons, with 5 gold dragons set aside for food stores. After accounting for all expenses, I was left with a total of 14,590 gold dragons.

The situation looked promising, but there was much work to be done. I ordered a servant to prepare a horse; it was time to survey my lordship.

As I mounted my steed and rode out to inspect Moat Cailin, my mind raced with plans and possibilities. The crumbling towers and overgrown courtyards spoke of neglect, but I saw potential in every stone. This was more than just a strategic holdfast; it was the foundation upon which I would build my legacy in this new world.

The swampy land surrounding the castle presented its own set of challenges and opportunities. As I guided my horse along the perimeter, I made mental notes of areas that could be drained and cultivated. The seeds from the Reach and the livestock I'd arranged would be crucial in transforming this land.

The next day, my shipments arrived. I had the livestock fenced and properly taken care of, while the grass and sand were prepared. My two ships were docked at my small port.

Over the course of the next month, I assigned the 70 men-at-arms and some laborers to work on a smaller, more manageable portion of the land—around 25 km².

We focused on the most critical areas for drainage, digging ditches and channels to direct water into the sea. Embankments were constructed around the areas most prone to flooding, using wooden planks to elevate them. Sand was added underneath key sections of the land to help stabilize it and provide a better foundation.

With the manpower available, we managed to plant grass on a portion of this land and buried manure from the cattle into the soil, along with bone meal, to help enrich the ground.

While we only managed to prepare about 10 km² in the first month, this section is crucial for the long-term stability of the region. The remaining land will need gradual improvement over the coming months, but it should take around six months for this initial section to stabilize and become fully productive.

During this same month, I also had the steward conduct a census, revealing a population of around 6,000 people, of which approximately 1,500 were men. The rest consisted of elderly, children, and women.

The total land under my control spans 1,036 km², or 400 square miles, but I realize that the full management of this territory will take 5 years of consistent labor and effort.