Chapter 86: Act 2: Chapter 30

Eighteenth day, Fifth Moon, 257 AC (+123 days)

The rain pitter-pattered on the hood of my cloak, drowning out most of the noise from around me. Under the edges of the hood, I could see Ryden suffering beside me on his horse as we made our way back to the castle. We swung around the cliffside, following the concrete road, as we finally neared the castle.

It was hard to make out in the heavy rain, but the etched sigil of my house was displayed prominently on the wall leading to the gatehouse. While the heavy rain made for poor travelling, it was a welcome relief from the dry summer we had been having. Not a drought by any measure, at least around here, but dry nonetheless, and yields were down.

Unfortunately, the rain was the best part of the day. Ryden and I had ridden out to the mining village to pass judgement on a criminal. This time, a man beat and robbed a fellow miner of his pay. The man almost got away with it, not letting his victim see him, but then he went and spent the money lavishly. The miners were paid well, but consistently. It was easy to spot a man living above his means, and he was given the choice of losing his hand and exiled or community service for four years.

It was the harshest judgement I had passed down so far, but the man's victim was severely beaten and would be unable to work for at least a month, if not longer. The money that was being saved by not paying for the man's community service would instead be going to the victim as compensation. Not everyone was happy, so I was satisfied that it was a good enough compromise.

Curiously, both men were immigrants and new to the area. Most of the crimes I had dealt with involved the criminals being new to the area, and I had no idea what to make of it. I was duly recording it, but I had no idea what it meant or what to do about it. Was it that many newcomers were young, hot-headed mean? Were the people that already lived here just saints?

I snorted.

I suppose it was just a result of more people, living closer together, with more wealth flowing around that got people bothered.

"Dad!" A voice shouted over the rain.

I looked to the side to see Ryden riding closer to me. "Something has to be done about the increase in crime," he said, speaking loudly to be heard.

I smiled, amused to see his thoughts in the same direction as mine.

"I'm afraid I don't have any great solutions," I replied.

"Let's start small and build it up then."

I nodded. Wise boy. "Let's build up the sense of community then. Organize village sports leagues."

"Like football and ruggedball?"

"Aye, bring the community together for some fun. We can even have an inter-village tournament at the harvest festivals. The best team from each village can compete for a prize."

"Wouldn't that just increase tensions in the villages? Especially with money on the line?"

"It could," I conceded. "We would need some impartial referees to sort that out. But, it would help bind the community together, since they would need to form teams."

"How many teams do you think a village could even make?"

I shrugged, but it was hard to tell if Ryden saw the movement. "No idea. It'll have to be something we sort out eventually."

We were quiet again as we rode past the gatehouse and entered the stables. I had yet to fully staff the castle with servants as I really didn't want to waste the money, and I didn't see the need when it was just my family that would be benefitting from it. It still kind of grated on me to be waited on like that when I was not infirm. Still, as time went on, people were slowly hired on. A cook was needed to help feed the garrison, and eventually, more and more help was obtained as our garrison expanded.

It was a situation that would have to be solved eventually as I knew any noble guests, we would receive would expect servants and it would reflect poorly on me and my family if we didn't have any.

As we hurried inside the main keep, we discarded our wet cloaks and shed out of our outer layers. The cool, damp air was slightly warmer inside the keep, but it made our wet clothes seem all the colder.

Footsteps echoed down the hall as my thirteen-year-old daughter raced towards us and leaped in for a hug. "Daddy!"

I laughed as I twirled her around. "Anari," I replied warmly. I put her down, and she hugged Ryden as well.

Her face scrunched up as she said, "You guys are all wet."

Ryden laughed. "That's what happens when you leap before you look."

She stuck out her tongue primly. "Still should have said something."

"And miss a hug?" he said, laughing.

Anari pouted. "Well, if you're going to be like that, I won't tell you the news."

"What news?" asked Ryden.

She stuck out her tongue again but didn't answer. Ryden looked to me with a raised eyebrow as if to tell me to get the answer out of her.

Chuckling, I said, "We are oh so sorry, my favourite youngest daughter. Please, would you tell us the news?"

She put on an exaggerated thinking pose. "I guess… but to really make it up to me, some spending money when the trading fleet comes in would really make things better…" she said, trailing off as she widened her eyes innocently.

Ryden snorted while I rolled my eyes. "Perhaps, but it depends on how good you are until then."

She brightened immediately and replied, "Oh, thanks, Daddy!"

"The news?" I asked.

"Oh! Right. A messenger came in for you but left the message with Violet – she's in your study. Apparently, it was important."

Ryden laughed. "Trickster – you would have had to tell us anyways."

Anari gave him an impish look. "Maybe," she allowed. She skipped off back to her rooms, but not before looking over her shoulder and saying, "Mom said she would be back for dinner – she's out with Auntie Alessa."

Ryden continued to laugh as we made our way to the study. The study was a cozy room – inspired by Lord Stark's own – and while not filled with expensive, high-quality materials, it was perfect for me. Violet was sitting at the desk, going over some papers when we entered.

"Afternoon, sister," said Ryden.

Violet looked up. "Ah, you both are here. How did the sentencing go?"

Ryden shrugged as he removed the last of his wet clothing and hung it up by the fire, before plopping down on a nearby rocking chair. I still felt the cold in my bones, so I stood by the fire to warm up.

"It is done. Anari said there was a messenger?" I asked.

"Yes, Father" She smiled wryly. "From the Twin Lakes surveyors."

Ryden and I both shot to attention. "The results are in?" I breathed out.

She chuckled. "Yes."

"And?" asked Ryden impatiently.

"And what, dear brother?"

I couldn't see it from where I stood, but I knew Ryden's left eye would be twitching madly.

"Violet…" I said, trailing off.

She laughed. "It's good news – I swear."

"Then tell us! Stop teasing," Ryden said exasperated.

"Silver – it's silver."

I laughed with joy and Ryden let out a whoop!

Violet was beaming with happiness. "Quite a bit, according to the initial report. It was right where Evelyn had indicated the unknown metal."

Still smiling, I said, "Wonderful news! Still, it is curious how Evelyn was not able to identify the silver."

Violet shrugged. "In my testing, it seems like refined metal has a different sense to it than raw ore. There is some feeling of sameness between the two, but I've only been able to recognize it with great familiarity between the ore and the metal."

I let out a hum of consideration. "That makes sense, I suppose. Regardless, I will have to send a letter to Winterfell. This is not something we can or even should hide from him. Ryden, I know you were planning to go on patrol with some Rangers to the south to visit the established rice farms, but I think you may have to divert to Twin Lakes. We need to establish a presence there immediately."

Ryden nodded. "I agree; I will organize a patrol to leave in two days."

"That'll be fine."

Still smiling, Violet said, "Will this change any of our plans?"

"A bit. The Twin Lakes settlement has moved up in priority, although it was already high."

"By the way, Violet," said Ryden. "I thought you had stopped your research once you figured out you were pregnant with Rose?"

Violet nodded. "I did, but this discovery was before the pregnancy. Still, I plan to continue when I am not pregnant."

"Oh? What is your next project?" I asked.

"I still want to figure out how to find other skinchangers."

I grimaced. "Please, be careful with that."

"I know – I know. The North doesn't have the same attitude as the Andals, but it can be far from welcoming. It's just – I think I can do it. Sometimes I have almost felt a ghost of a thread from some people. It's maddening that I think I'm close to figuring it out, but not being able to complete it. Besides, having skinchangers would be a huge boon for us. Can you imagine Rangers with an eagle companion to help scout?"

"I understand – we've discussed the possibilities before; I just don't think the dangers are worth it, but I won't forbid you – you're all grown up now."

She laughed. "Thanks, papa. I hear your advice, but this is something I want to pursue – ever so slowly."

I hugged her. "Good. Now, go on and get out of my seat. I have some letters to write."