The North II

Around the Wintertown, large tents were seen with different banners next to each tents, around them were war horses. Each horse were looking strong and fierce, but unlike their outward appearance they were gentle creatures that allowed curious children to ride them without throwing any tauntrum. Beside the horses there were carts filled with tied up sacks and creates containing fruits and vegetables. There were owls of different colors and sizes, preached on the carts and curiously looked at the hustle and bustle around them. Young woman and man of age were coming out of the tents dressed up to impress someone with their charms, grown men were wrestling with each other at any given moment, ladies were watching their husbands wrestle with each other but always losing against a large man standing seven foot tall.

Reagan observed the Lords who had come to celebrate the coming of age ceremony of his from the watch tower near the East Gate and his eyes were glued to the carts that contained fruits, vegetables and other things that have been harvested in the castles of the Lords all around the North. Shaking his head, he thought 'When I told those ideas five years ago, father was skeptical at first but as I had studied at the Citadel and got the link for agriculture he agreed to do what I had suggested. The ideas I gave were the four crop rotation, compost usage, polycultures, cover crops, soil enrichment, usage of natural pest predators, agroforestry, biodynamic farming and better water management. 

All these methods were tested in Winterfell, and only after two years of successful harvest did father allow these methods to be shared with the lords of North. And now after three years of using the method through out the North, we have harvested much more than we need to save for the winter season. The farm lands all over North had been upgraded by me using the rune magic, I craved temperature controlling runes on to stones and buried it deep underground of each farms with the help of Fenrir and his pack. The rune magic covers five hundred meters in radius and thanks to that farmers are staying near their farms.

The next big thing happend in the North is that father created a main road that started from the Moat Catlin to the Black Castle passing through Winterfell and named it Royal Road. From the Royal Road, there were branch roads that went to the castles of the Lords and from that there were another branch road that connected the villages to it. The road was constructed using the Roman method and for the construction we mined lime from the mountain clan area and bought volcanic ash from Bravos, boy was that pricey?

The third one is the strengthening of the people of North and making them all loyal to house Stark with the help of modified vegetables, grass, fruits and meat. I modified in a way that gave them all peak human condition as long as they ate those food items, and I made sure that these were cultivated inside the greenhouses. The things that are exported are only mildly modified items that won't die out before harvest season. And it's results are people getting much stronger than their southern counterparts and almost everyone getting the same effect of a Nord from Skyrim. It's due to me trying my best to improve the North and I unknowingly upgraded the First Men genes. Well I had informed them that the food grown in greenhouses are only for Northmen, if there are any guest from outside of North they would serve them the export quality food.' Shaking his head with a wry smile he looked inside the castle.

'The fourth improvement was in the weaponry, I taught the master blacksmith in Winterfell how to forge steel from the Valyrian method without the blood and sacrificial magic. Even without that the weapons forged were stronger, sharper and durable than the ones we previously made. It had the ripple design of the damascus steel, and since it was something made form the idea I gave they wanted me to name it, so I simply named it Nord Steel. Rune were etched on it as per my request, the runes in the weapons were fire runes, durability rune and sharpening rune, thanks to those runes, Nord steel became the second best steel after Valyrian steel. Nord steel is only available to Northmen, which I was adamant about. I also made sure that there would only one production site, the Winterfell. Father agreed woth me after hearing my reasons, knowing that monopoly over a type of steel will be a boon in future wars.

And lastly I made father open a brewery that would produce vodka using potato, the production is fully under the control of my family, I made sure of that. Because of that, gold is flowing into our coffers endlessly. Our merchants has been more than happy to flaunt the speciality of the North in the face of the Southern merchants. The Westeros business of Vodka is under the control of Starks and distribution in Essos is done by the Iron Bank, we stuck a deal with them that gave them thirty percent of the profit, they would export Vodka from North without any fee and won't deal with any of the Westerosii lords.' He was brought out of his musings as he heard the howling of a group of wolves.

"Awooooooooooo" Suddenly the howl of a group of wolves were heard through out the Wintertown and everyone stopped what they were doing to look in the direction where they heard the sound. From the distance they saw five Stark soldiers mounted on wolves of the size of a regular horse coming towards them after patrol around Winterfell territory.

Lord Umber who saw the wolves muttered under his breath "I wish I had something magnificent to ride too."

"Heh, you have your steed Jon. Be happy about it." A man wearing black fur coat, standing right next to Lord Jon Umber said.

"Shut the fuck up, Jeor! I don't want to hear that from you." Mumbling out Lord Umber went back into his tent which had the banner of a giant in chains, to change his attire.

Shaking his head Jeor also went into his tent which had a handing bear in it. As he entered the tent, he saw five children lazing around not even changing into an attire that would be needed to wear for a Royal Celebration. Squinting his eyes he shouted out "What are you guys doing?! Change into your dress immediately. We will entering Winterfell in an hour. I don't want anyone from Bear Island looking like some small folk."

From the tent of Lord Mormont, the other lords heard the shouting match between father and children. The ones who heard the shoutings shook their head with a wry smile and went on for their own works.

Back in the castle, Reagan was hearing the report from the Ranger Wolves and when their report ended he said "Good work. Thanks for keeping our territory safe. Had the other squads returned yet?"

"No my Prince." One man who looked to be the squad captain said and continued "It will take time for them to return."

"Alright, I was just asking. When they come back hear their report and if there is anything important inform me immediately, even if I am occupied by the guests. The safety of our territory is our priority." Telling that to the squad captain, Reagan dismissed the squad and went in to the Great Keep.

As he was on his way to the great keep, two shadows jumped on to him from his sides and latched on to him. He didn't fall down thanks to his enhanced body and his workout that he hadn't stopped at any time. Looking at his sides he asked "What is at Artos? Arya?"

"When can we play with Knight and Winter?" Artos, the little boy latched on to his right side asked. While the little girl on his right silently nodded at what Artos said.

Shaking his head, Reagan said "Guys, they're on your guard duty. After the banquet is over you play with them as much as you like."

"Promise?" Arya aske him.

Ruffling her long black hair, he answered "Of course I promise. But right now we need to find our father and mother so that we will be at the great hall before the lords enter."

""Okay!"" Saying in unison, both of them held his hand and led him to the great keep where the rest of the family was.

As three entered the great keep, they found Alys staying near the entrance. Looking at the twins, Alys said "Why did you two run off from the room?"

"To find big brother." Artos said as he held Reagans hand tightly and his twin Arya also held Reagans hand tightly.

"Sigh.... You guys both know that Reagan will be in the great hall before the feast begin. So why the rush?" Alys asked them as she sighed out in frustration. 

"Leave it Alys, you are talking as if you weren't similar to them. You were always on my tail." Reagan told her as he passed by her with a sly smile.

"I know that. And I want them to be like that towards me too." Alys said as she walked with her siblings while taking Arya's other hand in hers.

"Well, if you weren't always trying to correct them then they will be." Reagan told her and from his words this wasn't the first time.

The four Royal Children walked to the Great Hall and entered it and saw their parents at the high table along with eight wolves laying on the floor looking like large boulders. The twins ran to their bonded wolves and started to scratch behind their ears, which was liked by the wolves. The largest of the wolves looked at the actions of the twins and looked back at it's bond Reagan. Seeing that Reagan smiled and went towards Fenrir and scratched behind his ear while saying "Who's a good boy?" Repeatedly. 

After doing it with Fenris and Dawn too, he told the wolves "You guys can go and hunt. No one is going to attack us in our keep."

As he told that, all the wolves eagerly stood up and went out of the Great Hall led by Fenrir, their alpha.

Shaking his head, Reagan went and sat down at the right side of his father with his brother Artos sitting on his right side. Alys sat on their mother's left side followed by Arya who sat next Alys. As every one was seated, Brandon told Reagan "Thanks to you, our men can live through the winter more easily and because of that their loyalty had increased than before."

'Well the loyalty part is partially due to modifying those seeds before they started planting them and partially due to the improved lievleyhood of the North.' "It's what every ruler have to do. Manage the problems of their citizens." Reagan told his father while thinking differently.

"True that." Brandon agreed with and chuckled, then from his left side Sarra elbowed him and motioned him to Reagan with her eyes. Nodding at her with a sheepish smile he asked Reagan "Do you know why we have called all the lords with their families?"

"Isn't it celebrate my name day and the success of the North?" Reagan asked back with a bit of confusion.

"Yeah, those two are part of it. But the important reason why we're conducting this banquet is to find a bride for you." Brandon said while looking at Reagan.

"I understand." Reagan replied to his father and asked "Is there anything else?"

From Sarra's side Alys leaned against the table and looking at Reagan she asked with a knowing smile "Isn't there someone you have in your own mind, brother?"

Squinting his eyes he told her "Be mindful of your next words."

Sarra looked between her children and asked "Who is this person you are talking about?"

"No one." Reagan replied instantly and Alys started to chuckle out in seeing her brother squirming in his seat. Alys shared a look with Sarra and they easily communicated with their eyes.

Slowly nodding at her daughter, Sarra looked at her eldest son and said "Well, we were thinking about Lady Lyanna Karstark, Lady Wylla Manderly, Lady Barbery Ryswell." With each name she closely observed her son with her husband looking at her confused 'I'll have to do something about this dolt.'

"Lady Lyanna Mormont." When that name was siad, there was a subtle reaction from Reagan. His eyes twitched and the ends of his lips lightly rose and she aslo felt her daughter tapping on her back. Understanding the meaning of it, Sarra widened her eyes in surprise and asked Reagan "Since when?"

"When what?" Reagan asked back like a confused little boy.

Squinting here eyes she said "Reagan Stark."

"Oh! She said his full name." Brandon and Artos muttered in low voice that only they could hear.

"You will tell your mother when you fell in love with Lady Mormont." Sarra finished while still looking at her son.

Reagan turned his head away form her and contemplated for few seconds and after giving out a defeated sigh he told her "An year ago."

Breathing out Sarra said "You do know that she's older than you by four right?"

Nodding his head he replied "Yes I know."

"Then you should also know that she doesn't like to be a pretty wife to someone but a warrior of the North." Sarra asked her son as she had known Lyanna. 'She's a fierce girl.'

"I know mother." Reagan told her and before he could continue, Alys spoke up "She fought to tooth and nail. Even though she got defeated, she was fierce. I like her a lot."

Sarra looked at her daughter then looking back at her son she asked "Is she the one you have been praising as the best warrior, after your return from Bear Island?"

"Yes. And she's the best female warrior, with Alys coming in second." Reagan said with a smile.

Sighing, Sarra looked at her husband, who was in his own little world, asked "What are you thinking absent mindedly?"

Smiling at her, Brandon siad "Well, I was thinking about the day I told my father about you. It's almost similar."

That made her blush a little, shaking his head at his embarrassed wife, Brandon looked at his eldest son and asked "Does she know that you have fallen for her?"

"Oh she knows it very well father." Alys replied from the side avoiding her brother's eyes. Artos and Arya was silent but they were enjoying the banter in excitement as they will be getting a new elder sister.

"Really?" Looking back at Reagan, Brandon asked "Does she also like you?"

"She does. His owl Bokuto had been flying to Bear Island and back to him for an year." Again it was Alys who replied instead of Reagan.

"Oh yeah father, don't we want to find a groom for my dear sister?" Reagan asked his father to make his sister shut up. And that did the work as she hurriedly surrendered while holding her hands together. 'You're too late dear sister. You should have thought before opening your mouth spewing my secrets.'

"It's not time yet. She will be betrothed next year. Don't try to avoid this conversation, so does she like you back?" Sarra came to the rescue of her daughter unknowingly.

Nodding his head, he tokd her "She warmed up to me after going for a couple of hunting trip in the Wolfswood."

"Will she reject the idea of betrothal to you?" Brandon asked.

"I don't think so. But it's still best to ask her for an answer." Reagan told his father.

"Alright. During the banquet, you'll be asking her if she's interested in being your wife. Be sure to be away from the eyes of the Lords and Ladys." Sarra told her son and Reagan nodded at her in agreement.

After that, they started to talk about other things like the improvement of the North, the reactions from the South, about the Wall, about how large their wolves will grow and how long they will live. As the Royal Family was speaking with each other, one by one each Lords and Ladies with their children entered the Great Hall. There were no guards with them as all of them had been attended at the court yard, a large barbecue party, which was suggested by Reagan himself.