(Third-person perspective)
Aermir sat in the sunroom of Moat Cailin, his eyes fixed on the map of the North before him. His advisors, including skilled engineers and strategic thinkers, were gathered to discuss the progress of his audacious trench project. The trenches he had tirelessly dug into the earth were no small matter, and their impact extended far beyond economic gains. Maester Torrhen Reed cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
"Sir, the data you shared regarding trench dimensions and coverage distance is astounding."
Aermir nodded, his expression both resolute and weary.
"Thank you, Sir Torrhen. But we all know the real challenge lies ahead. Connecting Sunset Sea and Bite via the Fever River is no small feat."
Athos Snow leaned forward, his brow furrowed, lost in thought.
The terrain surrounding the source of the Fever River presents unique challenges. Navigating around high mountains to create a suitable confluence point for the river is both complex and difficult.
Aermir tapped his fingers on the table, his mind racing as he considered potential solutions.
"I've been studying the terrain, and it seems we need to find a fork in the road where the slope is gentler. Otherwise, the ships won't be able to go upstream. A gradual descent into the trench would require a lot of dredging work."
Athos Snow asked.
"Won't this lower the water level of the Fever River?"
Aermir nodded in agreement.
"Yes, but the water depth in the shallower areas will still be around 4-5 meters, and the land around the river is marshland, so diverting some water won't harm agriculture."
Consultant Eddard Snow paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful.
"Shouldn't we also mobilize some manpower? Sir, are you planning to dig all the way down by yourself like Druid?"
"No, we plan to use around a few thousand people to start digging from the Bite side. Of course, at most they can only dig about forty or fifty kilometers in three or four years, and during that time I can finish the rest."
"But such excavation requires not only labor, but also a continuous supply of resources, especially adults."
Aermir sighed, fully aware of the challenges ahead.
"Yes, Eddard, you're right. It's a massive undertaking, requiring a huge investment of time and resources. But the potential benefits to the North are immense, and I will be handling most of the work. Therefore, we only need to provide resources for a few thousand workers."
Maester Torrhen leaned forward, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"So, what about the timeframe, sir? You mentioned it would take another 3 to 4 years to complete. Are you still confident in this prediction?"
"As I hone my earth magic, my proficiency has steadily improved. Furthermore, with the help of earth elementals, my digging speed has increased significantly. If we add the laborers on the other side, I anticipate this project can be completed smoothly within three years."
Scholar Torrhen carefully read the documents before him, and then offered his advice.
"Sir, wouldn't it be safer if we didn't hire extra workers? Their presence would only slightly speed up the construction, but over those three years, we'd pay approximately one million gold dragons."
Apart from Aermir, his suggestion made sense to everyone present. The costs of providing accommodation, wages, food, and other necessities for the workers were indeed a considerable sum. However, Aermir shook his head, expressing his opposite view.
"This investment was worthwhile. My time was worth far more than the 1 million gold dragons I spent. In that year, I could have devoted myself entirely to arcane research, or used my time for more productive work, instead of just digging a massive trench."
Aermir devoted himself entirely to this monumental project, tirelessly digging the massive trench day after day. His latest achievement was a trench 6 meters deep, 20 meters wide, and 200 meters long, marking another step forward in his grand plan. This relentless work had continued for nearly a year, creating an impressive trench stretching 90 kilometers. However, the burden of the Night's King's curse limited his progress; he had to use 100 units of magic to suppress the curse. Without the curse's constraints, he estimated he could have dug another 20 to 30 kilometers.
His hard work will not only bring him personal gain but also limit the profits of other kingdoms, while enriching the North. Once completed, this passage will bring in a flood of wealth, though a large portion of it will also go into the temple's treasury, as he must gift the project to Aermir Drasil in gratitude for his faithful service to the Old Gods as Emre the Druid.
Aermir broke with his usual routine and embarked on a journey to Winterfell. He hadn't been to this place, where he spent his childhood and forged deep bonds with the House Stark children, for a long time. Because he was going to Winterfell to attend Rickon's eighth Name Day feast, his typical daily training schedule, spell experiments in the training field, and lordly duties were temporarily put on hold.
In Westeros, celebrations are typically held only on the Name Day of princes-to-be and kings. Of course, the Name Day celebrations for princes-to-be are regional, while the Name Day of the reigning king is designated as an official holiday. Due to harsh living conditions, the kingdom does not have many holidays.
Generally speaking, only three holidays receive widespread attention from everyone. Harvest Festival is similar to Thanksgiving, Aegon's Conquest Day is similar to Christmas, and King Robert's Name Day is another noteworthy holiday. Although there are some religious holidays, such as the Maiden's Day which adheres to the Faith of the Seven, these holidays are of little significance to Aermir and the North.
As he walked the familiar road Winterfell, childhood memories flooded back. The laughter and friendship he had shared with Jon, Robb, and the Stark felt like a distant yet precious dream. Aermir was filled with anticipation for their reunion.
Of course, he met them as the Emre the Druid. However, while in Druid form, he had to maintain a stern demeanor and could not easily show friendliness. He longed for the days when he could grab Robb and Jon to the ground, or play with Arya and Bran, the two wolves.
As for Rickon, there's a puzzling dynamic. For some inexplicable reason, Rickon always seems uneasy in his presence. Aermir seems to have unintentionally frightened the child; he's been trying to build a friendly relationship with Rickon. However, over the past three years, the rift between them has widened considerably.