Chapter 1: Our Steel is Strong 1

House Greensmith

New Castle 142 A.C.

Waking up as a ten year old wasn't the best way to start my day on a cold winter morning. Waking up as a ten year old squire in the North of Westeros made it even worse. Now I know what your thinking a squire in the north? Yep, the soul and body I fused with is named Alyn Greensmith, son of Ser Rod Greensmith landed knight sworn to House Hornwood. Surprising I know the only thing I feel okay about in this situation is that I'm not robbing this kid of his future since it seems from our now shared memories the kid had come down with an Illness and was not likely to make it before our merge.

So as a recap I went to bed a twenty-five year old man but woke up a ten nameday old heir of a young landed knight house in the North, Trippy. As to how the son for a landed knight came to squire for a son too a powerful lord such as the Manderlys? Well two reasons first there aren't that many anointed knights in the North and as the regions paragon of the Faith of The Seven, the Manderlys are usually pretty open to any Noble sons who may want to squire and attain knighthood. The Second reason was my Father tapped into the lessons he learned from my Blacksmith Grandfather to forge a fine blade for Lord Torrhen Manderly as a gift. The pommel though is what drew the eye, a beautifully crafted figure of the Manderly's sigil of a Merman painstakingly etched by my Father in Silver. The blade now sits in lord Manderly's Solar if what Ser Wyman tells me is true.

It was thanks to these circumstances that saw Alyn Greensmith squired for Ser Wyman Manderly, the third son of Lord Torrhen. Thankfully our merge happened in 142 A.C. so I don't have to deal with the White Walkers in my lifetime, what a relief. Squiring for a Manderly was also plus since I would be getting a much better education from their Castle Maester than the accolyte trained by the Hornwood Maester that kept House Greensmith's few Ravens, offered basic Medical assistance and taught basic lessons. Add on my weapons training and my part time apprenticeship to one of the Manderly's blacksmiths, my plate was kept very full during the day.

As Days turned too Weeks then too Months I slowly got comfortable in my new skin. My busy schedule had helped immensely get my head on straight faster no doubt. My lessons with the Maester were both interesting and not, I found for every exhilarating Warfare and Tactics lesson I received an equally droll Numbers lesson followed which of course bored me too tears knowing all of it already, but still I persisted and showed to be a good and dilligent student if above my peers in a few subjects. Stubborness was always one of my greatest qualities and lesser faults.

The Training yard really put my stubbornness and grit to the test though. At first I had been training with a sword and was passable, at first, then I started lagging behind my peers. My stagnation with the sword was summed up by the Manderly's Master at Arms Ser Lothar.

"Your not gonna be a swordsman lad, your limbs are fighting ya and making your movements too stiff" Ser Lothar explained to me.

"So maybe I should try a different weapon then?" I asked the gizzled knight.

"My thoughts exactly lad and I think I know just the weapon for ya." answered Ser Lothar.

I never thought a one handed warhammer, to be used with a Shield, would be his answer but ever since my first swing I haven't looked back. When I knocked down my first opponent with it I never felt so strong, it quickly became a addiction.

This didn't mean I neglected my smithing lessons though since I knew they'd be invaluable later in my life, so I always spent atleast Three Hours a day in the Forge with Master Lowel. Every part of my body ached usually since I put in my time during the late afternoon into the night, but I wouldn't give in my House needed me to thrive. Some may find it surprising that a minor noble son would learn a trade but for me smithing was a tradition of my family since before my Grandfather. It also brought in coin and opportunities such as what my Father proved with Lord Manderly.

Squiring also turned into a somewhat lackluster commitment. Ser Wyman was an excellent Knight and treated me almost as if I were a younger brother, but there just wasn't much for a Knight to do in the North. Beside Polishing his Armour and fulfilling my other squire duties when the Manderly's threw the occasional Tourney or riding out to deal with Bandits, I was left mostly to my lessons with any extra hours spent in the Forge or the Yard.

A few moons after My two and ten nameday I received a joyous letter from my Father.

Son

I Hope you are well at New Castle my little hammer and enjoying living with such a family as the Manderlys. I write to inform you your Mother birthed a healthy baby boy we named Asher. Sadly the birth was not easy on your Mother and the Accolyte thinks we shouldn't try for anymore children for it may kill her so we will abstain. Enough of this sad talk though son come home for a bit, I know it maybe hard but come and see your mother and baby brother than you can return to being my proud little hammer.

Your Father

Ser Rod Greensmith

Knight of Hillview Hall

Wyman was more than fine with me taking a sabbatical home for a bit to see my New Brother. I left on the Week and a half ride the next morn intent on seeing Hillview Hall and my Family for the first time in Three years.

The Riding was brutal, from sun up to sun down my ass was grass and the saddle was doing the mowing. It was only after we crossed the Lower Branch into my Family's land did the pain dull. When we sighted the motte and bailey style Hillview Hall the pain was completely forgotten.

Seeing the keep I would one day rule left me speechless, while nothing impressive the small wooden Hillview Hall was serene on it's perch between Leagues of Grasslands and a huge Maple Tree Forest.

On Our approach to the gate I spotted a Farmer wrestling with a donkey to get it to keep plowing but the beast looked exhausted. It took a second for it to click in my head what was wrong, the donkey was using a harness that attached to it's neck and not a Loop Style one that sat on it's shoulders forcing it to use it's neck muscles too pull the plow. Maybe I can carve a prototype too show my Father and convince him it's viability.

This led to me thinking on other Farming pracitces I could possibly improve. The Four Field Crop rotation could be a good Idea, We don't have an over abundance of farms on our Land so I wouldn't have to worry about rocking the boat with a magical over abundance of food. No the main goal would be the fodder crop that would allow the cow and sheep Herders to better feed their Livestock during Winter. For the Fishing Villages I could introduce a hand powered Ice Auger, allowing for easier Ice Fishing, I don't know how well Fish Farming could work because of the winters but a test run couldn't hurt.

The Lumber Villages will get water wheel powered sawmills and what could be my ticket to the big time, Maple Syrup production. Now for two years I scouted White Harbour out keeping an eye open for anything that has to do with Maple Syrup and have come up with nothing. That combined with the saying that if you couldn't find it in White Harbour you wouldn't find it anywhere else in the North, spawned from White Harbor seeing the most trade in the entire region, left me hoping I could make my own market on Maple Syrup.

These dreaming thoughts kept me preoccupied till after my retinue entered into Hillview Hall's upper courtyard where my Father stood alone with a beaming smile to greet us.

"My son my how you've grown, at this rate you'll be broader and taller than your great Grandfather." My Father boomed while pulling me into an embrace.

"I'll have to Father if I want to be of any use on the battlefield with my warhammer" I japed back in his embrace.

" Ah Greenboys, never loose that thirst to be better my son it'll drive you further than many battlefields." my Father spoke back earnestly.

We soon retreated into the keep after my Father bid the Manderly Men at Arms that escorted me to rest the Night in Our Barracks and head back to New Castle Tomorrow which was gratefully excepted. Inside Hillview Hall I was assaulted by Alyn's childhood memories from it's walls. all the happy days with his Father and Mother culminated in a gut punch. My Mother was worse off than my Father's letter implied, she had actually gotten worse since I received the letter and now it was abundantly clear I would have to say goodbye.

"Mother you must stay strong I know you'll get better!" I tried to encourage her as best as I could because even with my extra Twenty-Fives years lived I felt more like the two and ten nameday boy who is loosing his Mother right now.

"My precious boy all will be fine. You will grow up to be a strong and true knight and a amazing Master of Hillview Hall, I just know. I'm sorry I won't be able to see it with my own eyes sweetheart, even now I feel my energy leaving me. Just watch out for your brother please my son he'll only know me through you and your Father. Now go and rest sweetheart we'll talk more in the morning." My Mother bade me late that Night. Yet we never got to talk again in the Morning, she had passed that Night with my Father by her side.

We Buried her just a little ways away from our Godswood. I had found a stone about the size of a basketball a few days before and etched her name in it with a remembrance. I stood aside during the entire burial with tears rolling down my face till the last of the dirt had been packed on, that's when I moved to place the stone at the head of her grave.

"Here lies Diane Greensmith loving mother, loving wife"

I spent almost two more weeks at home with my Father and Asher. The healing was slow but being around my Father and baby brother helped ease the pain. For something to bond over I asked my Father to help me forge a real warhammer that'll I'll use when I'm full grown. The design for the weapon was a bit unique, The broadside side would be flat with pointed teeth like a meat tenderizer while the opposite end would be shaped and pointed like a pickaxe for devastating puncture attacks. The only ornamentation we gave it was an etched replica of our sigil, a hammer and anvil abreast a shield. The hammer itself was four feet long and weighed A lot, but I would grow into it and force myself into using even heavier training hammers.

The second week before I had too return to New Castle, I used the time to carve a basic wooden circle harness with two strong lead rope dowels on top to show my Father. The new harness interested my Father ,and after I explained where the idea came from, informed me he'd take it to be tested. I also decided to launch my last pitch since I was do to leave the next day.

"Father do we follow the Three Field Crop Rotation?" I asked hoping to lead this conversation subtly.

"Yes son we keep fields of wheat, turnips, and barley with a follow field" My Father told me, curious as to why I asked.

"I think we may have something to gain from planting clover in the follow field Father." I relayed knowing damn well the clover would help the rotation immensely but outwardly showing nothing.

"How would we gain anything from what is basically a weed son?" My Father asked in a skeptical tone. Time for the killer.

"I've read an agricultural book written by a Maester who claimed that if you spot wild clover growing it's a sign of fair farmland. I've also found clover can be dried and stored for long periods of time as hay so we can store it for winter to use as a supplemental feed for what our livestock can't graze. Hells we could use the excess to help expand our stables if we wanted." Finishing my long winded Sales Pitch.

"The Idea does sound plausible and extra feed during winter wouldn't hurt, Our horses did get quite skinny during the last one. I'll discuss it with a trusted farmer, the same one I'm gonna have test your new harness son." My Father decided. While not a full agreement I was just happy to not be completely shut down.

"Thank you Father for hearing me out" I replied bringing an end to our conversation.

"Anytime son, It's why I tried so hard to get you squired to a Manderly so keep taking advantage of those lessons." Was what my Father sent me off with.

I left on the week and a half trip back to New Castle the next morning after a tearful goodbye to my Father and baby brother but duty called and I needed to answer. It was again entirely not enjoyable, with my ass once again one giant bruise. I did receive a larger welcome back than I expected with Lord Torrhen Manderly present to greet me and offer his condolences on my Mother's passing with Ser Wyman. I was very touched since I was almost a nobody and Lord Manderly took the time to come down and speak with me said a lot about the man and I offered my heartfelt thanks at his words and presence.

After my return and the small feast thrown for the occasion it was back to business as usual with my lessons taking up the majority of my time with the occasional responsibilities that came with being Ser Wyman's squire. It took nearly a year for a break in the monotony to come and even then it was only a letter from my Father part wishing me a happy three and ten nameday and part a follow up on my suggestion to plant our follow field.

Son

I hope you had a splendid nameday with the Manderlys my little hammer. I sent a small sack of Silver and Coppers to treat yourself with so enjoy my son. Maybe use it to buy a nice shield or a surcoat with our Sigil? On top of the well wishes I wanted to let you know your harness was a smashing hit and since I've taught myself how to carve it I've been selling them to other farmers that come seeking them. Your clover idea also seems to be showing divedens as well, the farmer that tested your harness is also testing this on some fields that had a bad harvest at the end of last fall and in just two growing cycles the clover fields show some improvement, while not eye catching it is leagues ahead of where they were. I also took up your suggestion and bought up the clover to supplement our horse and livestock feed for now and too Store for Winter. As I write this your brother has taken to crawling in my study so I will end it with your brother's and my love Alyn. May you keep doing our house proud.

Ser Rod Greensmith

Knight of Hillview Hall

It was fulfilling to hear from my Father how my ideas were already benefitting our family. Hopefully soon the Farmer that is testing the Four Field Rotation will swear by it to other Farmers and it will grow organically like the circle harness seems to be. The added benefit to the method growing in use will be making it easier for me to implement ideas through my Father. It felt very close to manipulation to me but I wasn't twisting his proverbial arm and so far my ideas were paying off hopefully my Maple Syrup dream can too.

I wrote a return letter that held my written thanks and well wishes to be sent back to my Father. It would have to be sent by courier since the Manderlys do not have a raven for Hillview Hall. The Letter was the only thing of interest to happen during the Year but things picked up a few moons after the start of the New Year when the Manderly's announced their Summer Tourney of 146 A.C.

Now this being the North the tourney was not going to be anything over the top but it was an important event for the Manderly's to keep trade relations with southern houses strong, thus sustaining White Harbor's flourishment. The Lords of Grafton, Mooton, Tarth and Whitehead all were attending or sending representatives to keep trade connections strong. I was surprised that there weren't gonna be any Velaryons attending but figured since they were so close to the royal family they'd have little interest.

The most exciting part for me is that there will be a Squire's Melee with a few squires from powerful families in the Mix, like Yohan Royce heir to House Royce and squire for Lord Grafton. These are the type of connections I need to acquire. Now besides the obvious fact of it being nice having friends in high places, they would be important for me growing any business I intend to develop since as my Father proved a gift can open many doors.

Wyman already gave me his approval too enlist in the event and even thought I'd have a solid shot to win. The vote of confidence was a nice ego boost hopefully it would last when the other nobles arrive.

It took a moon turn before the nobles did start arriving. First was Lord Grafton and his squire Yohan Royce with their participating knights. Lord Mooton followed with his posse which included a surprise in his squire the five and ten nameday old Tristan Tully, heir to the Trident. I nearly fainted when I heard who he was and his intentions to participate in the Squire Melee.

I now knew what I needed to do, I needed to win the Melee and then drink one of those two into a stupor of friendship. Winning the melee will be the harder of these things to accomplish since somehow I've developed a charisma of some sort while drunk. I've embarrassingly led many late night drinking games lately with a number of the Men At Arms and visiting Nobles in recent Months. I blame my strong liver and drunk motormouth but it did gain me a friend in Ser Jason Locke, second son of Lord Locke.

Lords Tarth and Whitehead arrived soon after Lord Mooton with no further big name squires beside a couple of second sons of allies. This left me time to gameplan for the competition. Yohan, I knew already from seeing him will probably be my stiffest competition with the Royce heir having the size advantage being six foot four inches to my current six foot two inches. I'll have to try and leave him till last.

It was the second day of festivities that saw me armored in chain mail and partial plate underneath the surcoat I bought just for this event, Pale Green cloth with the front decorated with a White Shield holding a Dark Grey colored hammer and anvil, My family's color and sigil. Standing on the field with me were about twenty other squires from the various knights in attendance. It was easy to tell Yohan and Tristan apart from the others thanks to their bronze and trout decorated armour Sets.

After the starting horn I immediately turned to the nearest squire , some lad serving a stormlander knight, and started smashing into his wooden shield with my hammer and deftly blocking any counters with my shield. Soon the kid's shield shattered and he yield after a good smack to his chest that sent him rolling in the dirt. I took out five more squires before there were only two competitors left, Me and Yohan Royce. We both must've put on a good show because the crowd was pretty into it giving a loud roar when Yohan and I finally clashed too finish the competition.

Yohan had the reach advantage with his longsword over my three and a half foot hammer, but the hours I spent in the yard facing such opponents made my shield arm an adequate match to parry the strikes. Yohan and I ended up breaking each others shields on simultaneous hits, making a show of the shower of splinters. While fighting without my shield put me at a disadvantage with my hammer I did have one final surprise, quick feet I had developed from basketball drills from my original life. This made me able to move in and out of range of his sword strikes easier and allowed me to start wearing Yohan down with Glancing blows.

Our dance lasted for minutes till Yohan tired himself out enough for me too trick him into feint that saw me knock away his blade then knock him down to force his yield. It was surreal to hear the crowd cheer for my win and it stunned me momentarily. Thankfully my moment of shock wasn't taken as an insult by Yohan who after getting up from the ground, grabbed my shocked still arm and raised it in victory driving the crowd even crazier.

After the Harold pronounced me the Winner, Ser Wyman swaggered out on the field causing everyone to quiet down again.

"Alyn Kneel." Wyman bid me as he reached me in the fields center which I did without question.

"In the name of the Warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the Father I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and innocent. In the name of the Maid I charge you to protect all women. Alyn Greensmith do you swear before the eyes of gods and men to defend those who cannot defend themselves, to protect all women and children, to obey your captains, your liege lord, and your king, to fight bravely when needed and do such other tasks as are laid upon you, however hard or humble or dangerous they may be?" Wyman Asked Me with an intensity I usually never see from him.

"I Do" I said sealing the Oath in the Eyes of Men.

"Then rise Ser Alyn Greensmith ,The Dancing Bear, and newest knight of the North." Dammit Wyman you would give me a ridiculous nickname and now the crowd is chanting it, lovely. Well I'm definitely gonna need to get drunk tonight.

I did get drunk, very drunk, at the feast that night. I was even goaded by Yohan into dancing with several maidens at the feast something I was usually very reluctant to do because of the social implications but that night I was too drunk to care and if I was gonna be saddled with the Dancing Bear moniker I may as well use it as an excuse to dance with all the fairest of maidens. At one point drunk me decided he had enough of the festivities and wanted a more private celebration.

That was how I woke up with one of the Manderly's Maids in my bed the next morning. She was a pretty young woman with curly long brown hair and enchanting green eyes who I had been stealing glances at for a while, seems last night the ale gave me enough courage for more than just glances. I'm ashamed to admit after I realized I woke up before her, I dressed quickly and left my chambers for breakfast in the Great Hall.

Yohan, the bronze bastard he was, was already there and couldn't help but comment on my disheveled appearance that morning.

"Ah The Dancing Bear is finally out of his cave. I heard you left with a maid seemingly conjoined at the lips last night." My Friend prodded

"Aye a fair lass I've been eyeing for a while but it was a one time deal my friend, so best to leave it lie." I came clean knowing Yohan would understand.

"Good thinking my Friend now on a happier topic you never finished the story of how you Father came to be a landed knight sworn to House Hornwood." Yohan brought up to change the topic and satisfy his curiosity.

"That's a good story my Friend first we gotta start with my Grandfather, he was a successful Blacksmith based in Fair Market. Too try and give his only son a chance at a better life he paid a knight in service to House Blackwood to take My Father as a squire. Fast forward to the end of the Dance, my Father an anointed knight now, was stationed in a village not to far from Raventree Hall to help oversee rebuilding." I stopped momentarily to take a swig of water to continue the story.

"Well one day a Northern Host showed up nearby and set up camp. This wasn't that strange since after the Hour of the Wolf the Northmen had stopped in House Blackwood's land for Cregan Stark to marry a daughter of the House. No the night after the Northmen arrived my Father was out scouting on his horse for bandits and such but found an army of five hundred marching on the village instead. My Father did the only thing he could think of he turned and rode as fast he could to the Northern Host." This time I stopped to take a drink to help build up anticipation.

"The leader of the group of a thousand men turned out to be the elder Lord Hornwood, who left his heir at home to join Lord Cregan's march south. Lord Hornwood had been put out by the lack of fighting they found in the south and had been more than happy to help my Father drive the buggers who planned to attack the village away. From his boasts my Father was the first man to charge the attackers leading to a bloody melee. Somehow during the fighting My Father and Lord Hornwood ended up side by side cutting down men and this led to my old man saving Lord Hornwood's life from a lucky blind side attacker."

"After the skirmish Lord Hornwood both impressed and indebted to my Father, offered him a fief sworn to House Hornwood. It took my Father less than a second to accept. After Lord Cregan's wedding the Northmen returned to their Homes with My Father following the Hornwoods. For his service My Father was granted The hand of Diane Littlehorn, my Mother and a daughter of the steward Cadet Branch of the Hornwoods. The dowry ended up being the construction of our wooden keep of Hillview Hall. It was the best deal my Father could've ever hoped for since in The North we've been given almost as much land to oversee for the Hornwood's as the Blackwoods rule in the Riverlands." I finished off.

"A worthy reward my friend but it's baffling too think the North is so large a landed knight can rule such a fief." Yohan exclaimed.

"Aye Yohan the size is insane. sadly with the hard climate you would find about the same amount of people in my Family's fief as a southern landed knight's." I revealed

"Is that why you and your Father work the Forge?" Yohan asked curious as too why we did.

"Yes, with our lands being so sparsely populated we don't have that many Master Blacksmiths but Hillview being located in the center of our lands allows the Smallfolk the option to journey there and back for our services. It also helps us keep a better relationship with them." That was mostly a verbatim explanation of how my Father told it to me.

After a little more chit chat we left the Great Hall to watch the day's part of the Festivities, The start of the Joust. Now I won't say I wasn't interested in the Joust but I wasn't exactly on the edge of my seat to watch but thankfully Lord Torrhen took pity on me and invited me to sit and chat in the Lord's box. I had a much better time drinking a little and socializing with the lords in attendance, I wish Lord Torrhen could've been little less over the top when praising my victory in the squire melee and showing off the Blade My Father made him but I knew it came from a good place. At least my Father will hopefully be getting some custom sword orders soon, that would bring in some much needed gold for our family.

Before I realized it the first day of the Joust was over and it was time to feast again. I sat with Yohan at the squire's table since the hall was too full for me to bother finding a different seat and I liked the Royce heir so tonight I decided to strike up a discussion on the thing House Royce is known for ,it's Runes.

The discussion lasted late into the night with both of us deep into our cups by the end. I did learn a lot about the History of Runes and how they were used by the First Men and was fascinated. After blurting out about wishing the Manderly's had some books on Runes Yohan promised to have a few copies of his favorites made and sent to me. I was dumbstruck and almost started drunk crying, thankfully that was avoided by someone challenging us to a drinking game which as a Northman how could I refuse.

I woke up the next morning with the same maid in my bed and a hangover. This time instead of freaking out over the girl I decided to nip this in the but before the worst happens and she gets pregnant. The maid named Carla woke up soon after and when trying to explain to her that while fun we couldn't fuck anymore failed, it occurred to me she didn't want this to end because she liked me, no she just wanted to be with me for my position. I threw her out of my chambers instantaneously after figuring that out and never wanted to see her face again.

The rest of the Tourney passed by relatively quickly. I managed to keep my drinking down to limit anymore bedroom mishaps on top of making sure my chambers were locked every night, keeping the jackals away. Yohan and I also kept on hanging out and I was actually really sad to see the Royce heir leave but we promised to keep in touch as best as possible. I could already tell I was gonna be spending a good chunk of change on couriers, oh well the pains of friendship at least he promised to get some good books that covered Runes copied and sent to me which would be cherished.

After all the visiting nobles left it came my turn too leave as well and return to Hillview Hall. I had talked to Wyman about my intention and while sad to see me go he understood my need to leave. Before I left I sought out an Ibbenese trader that had a breeding pair of what they called Snow Dogs, but I remember them as Huskies and what are Huskies good at once trained? Pulling a dog sled through snow.

I payed Two Gold Dragons for the pair but if I could train the litters that come from them I'd be in business. This would be a side project of mine since it'll take a good amount of time to have enough pups, let them grow, and then train them to be sled dogs.

The morning of my departure from New Castle saw me in the courtyard being sent off by Wyman and Lord Torrhen. Before we all knew it though I was leaving through the gates on my horse with my two new dogs attached by ropes to my saddle so they wouldn't wander off.

It was a lonely week and a half journey to Hillview but I tried to keep myself preoccupied by thinking of the goals I wanted to accomplish now that I'm a knight. First thing I have to do is make some observations of how Maple Trees Function here. Questions like can you harvest the sap all summer long or just the spring months needed answers. If you can harvest it only during spring how can I harvest a lot without taking people from other needed occupations? These are the questions I've been fretting over but I'll have my answers soon enough.

It's actually kind of exciting to get back and start some of the projects I've been wanting to start but couldn't. Thanks to my knighthood though I finally have the freedom I needed to start bringing power and prestige to the name Greensmith.