Chapter 12

Robb's POV (Age 10), 290 AC Moon 12

As he stood on the battlements of Winterfell, seeing the army of ten and seven thousand left. He thought about the Ironborn's rebellion, A raven had arrived on the last moon, and King Robert had finally called the banners to crush Greyjoy's Rebellion. His father had answered the call and called his banners in turn. The past years have been exhilarating but tiring nonetheless for him. He had introduced his servants to his father. And explained their roles in the future development of the North.

Archmaester Marwyn for Education and Head of Winter's Knowledge Hall, Quburn for Medicine and Head of Healing Hall, a Maester by the name of Mullen who is a better Master-At-Arms compared to Ser Rodrik. And finally, Alys, his spymaster, his father was very reluctant to accept her services but he relented begrudgingly after a few hours of convincing.

Two mansions were built side-by-side in wintertown, one each for institutions he had set up. Broken Tower was being repaired into a temporary Winterfell library, printing press, and paper-making factory. Repairs would be completed in another year after which they would start the business of selling books and paper. To Northerners, it would be provided at a cost but for Southron, it would still be a high price which was still lower than a transcribed book and parchment.

At first, there was some resistance to Mullen becoming Master-At-Arms along with Ser Rodrik, but House Cassels are loyal to House Stark. And the fighting skills of Mullen also helped in getting him accepted. Turns out, that Mullen could beat every guard and Ser Rodrik one-on-one without rest. So now he focuses on training our body and other forms of Martial Arts, while Ser Rodrik focuses on traditional weapons of Swords, Spears, and Bows.

Of the five hundred Maesters and Acolytes that came with him or journeyed by themselves to reach Winterfell, fifty were with Qyburn in setting up Healing Hall. Twenty and five were sent to various keeps throughout the North to set up Healing Halls for smallfolks. Hundred were given the task of journeying across the North, doing surveys, and making as detailed a map of the North as possible.

The remaining men were given free rein to research and debate ideas, some of which were showing promising results. As these maesters had left Citadel, he had released them of their oaths. Many had already started a family and had settled in wintertown. Winter's Knowledge Hall was open to every Northerner, Man or Woman doesn't matter. There was no oath required to swear off from having children and family. They still had to decide on the Titles as the title of 'Maesters' was used by Citadel. They were not a branch but a House Stark-sponsored institution.

Information about North's Citadel and Healing Halls was spread throughout Westeros. The new Citadel doesn't differentiate between genders when it comes to learning and doesn't ask their scholars to swear to Celibacy or to give up lands and titles. That Healing Halls would treat the smallfolk for free only taking money for medicines used.

But it was his spymaster, Alys, that was doing the most work in securing the North. Already she had outright removed or turned many spies from Varys, Petyr Baelish, Tywin Lannister, and Olenna Tyrell. While most of their network was destroyed in the North, some were left alone to spread false or heavily monitored information to the South.

Alys had also started to train her eldest son in spycraft. Her children and children of House Stark servants were given the same education as his brother and sisters. Children were indoctrinated to be loyal to House Stark. By using a contact of Alys at Castle Black, a ranger, he had sent a letter to Mance as well. Telling him about what he had accomplished. Instructing him to set up his base southeast of Fist of the First Man or at Hardhome.

The letter that he received from Mance can only be called earth-shaking in a good way. Mance had become the leader of a tribe that previously belonged to Dalla's mother, ROWEN UMBER. The daughter of Mors 'Crowfood' Umber, who was stolen by wildlings at the age of ten namedays. She was taken beyond the wall by wildlings, whom she identified as men of Clan Rattleshirt.

Before they could do anything to her, she escaped and ran into the family of her future husband, who saved her and raised her as their daughter. Dalla and her sister Val were daughters of House Umber. Rowan had agreed to step down from being the leader of the tribe if he would ask House Stark to provide shelter to free folks. And that he would only take Dalla to bed when he had finished uniting the free folks.

He was taken out of his reverie as Marwyn's hands were on his shoulder, "Young One, Don't worry. Your father is a strong man. He will get back." He didn't get a chance to reply as his siblings ran up and tackled him. "Robb, father will be back, right?" Sansa asked rapidly, "Father, didn't allow me to join his army. If I was there I would make sure father was okay" Arya said even though she is shorter than both Sansa and Bran. Bran was just hugging him and crying silently.

He calmed them down and sent them for their lessons with a promise to play later. He went to his mother's room. She was five moons pregnant and crying. As he found out which was not a good combination, she hugged him tightly and cried more. After soothing her worries and leaving her to sleep. He went towards his solar, and inside his inner circle were all present.