I've been away from Winterfell for almost two years, and not much has changed. The biggest change is Ser Rodrik's belly. On our way to the Citadel, I said:
"Oh my god, you've gained weight!"
When I said that, he was a little surprised, and then he burst into laughter.
"You brat, what can I do? My grandma takes good care of me. But your gossipy nature will get you into trouble later."
( Rodrik Cassel's perspective)
I last saw him two years ago, but we've heard everything about him and his exploits from the taverns and the Crow. He even has a nickname.
"It was an honor to meet Aermir Drasil, ' the Calamity '." I made a fake bow.
He said in a panic.
"I don't accept that nickname; what the hell is 'femme Calamity '? It's so embarrassing. I can already guess that Robb and Jon will be making fun of me for the next few years."
"The nickname wasn't given to you by us, it was given to you by the people. Who told you to kill so many bandits? If the rumors are true, you killed five thousand bandits."
"I don't even have three hundred!"
Haha, this kid's trying to kill me. He acts like hunting down three hundred bandits in two years is perfectly normal. How many knights can say they've single-handedly hunted down three hundred bandits? Is this a blessing or a curse? Time will tell.
Did you encounter the Emre the Druid during your journey north?
"Yes, I did once. It was truly a sight worth seeing."
"You mean he's true?"
"Just like the real thing, most of what you see is accurate. I don't know about the Old Gods part, but he really does have superpowers. He turned into a dog and disappeared in front of me."
"We sent men to the tribes in the mountains because the first words about him came from there, but they haven't returned yet."
"I've also heard some disturbing things."
"What did you hear?"
"He sacrificed a murderer, bringing a bountiful harvest to this land, just like ' Garth Greenhand ' Garth."
"We've heard about that. Why are you in such a hurry to see the adults?"
"I've already said it, and I don't want to repeat myself. Do you think I'd make a fuss over something so trivial? If what I'm thinking is true, war might break out."
My heart felt like it had been doused with cold water, and my scalp tingled.
"Child, we can't take this lightly. Are you sure?"
"As I said, I hope I'm not, but I'm pretty sure."
A war, and peace didn't even last twenty years. King Robert's rebellion ended in 282. Are we really going to have another war?
( Eddard Stark's perspective)
Why do you think wars happen?
" The Ironborn stole most of the trees from Blazewater Bay to the edge of the Stony Shore forest, and they did it in broad daylight without hesitation."
"How could we not know? What are the House Ryswell doing? Rodrik, pass on a message to Rodrik Ryswell and tell him to investigate."
"Go right away, sir."
Aermir interjected excitedly.
"Wait! My lord, we shouldn't send this message to the House Ryswell. There are two possibilities: either the House Ryswell has betrayed the North, or there's a traitor among their House Ryswell. Either way, if we send the message, it will alert the Ironborn, and they're no longer there. I've left some scouts nearby; if they return, they'll inform me."
This is quite a surprise. He has men working for him, and a year ago he sent two men to the army for training. Is he really only 12 years old? My sons do nothing but hunt and race horses. Here, on the other side of the North, he's established a Boy Scout corps. It's a great achievement for a child, but it's inappropriate. I haven't even knighted him yet, and he's already like a nobleman.
"Have you established a scouting network in another lord's territory?"
"No, sir; as Ser Rodrik told you, I saved many men from bandits in that area."
"Yes, I know about your achievements."
"Some of them were relatives of fishermen and villagers from coastal villages. Because the situation was urgent, we needed to send a warning to the Ironborn. I left a few Crow with some villagers so they could send a message if they saw any Ironborn ships heading north. My lord, I am not so presumptuous as to establish such a thing without your permission."
This child is quick-witted and exceptionally intelligent; he is a natural-born lord. I have decided to knight him as a reward for all his achievements.
"But why would they steal trees? I can understand them posing as pirates and wreaking havoc on our shores, but they've never stolen trees before."
"As far as we know, sir, it may have been several months already. As for the trees, why do the Ironborn need timber? For shipbuilding, of course."
"Rodrik said."
"They already have the second largest fleet after the Royal Navy. Why would they need so many more for a surprise attack?"
Aermir said with a smile.
"They don't need a surprise attack, but you think like a Westeros, not Ironborn. My lord, who are they?"
Plunderers, slave traders, and murderers—that moment struck me.
"A rebellion!! But why would they rebel? Yes, they raid other areas and wage war from time to time, but why would they rebel? Are they ready to attack the North, the Westerlands, and the Reach?"
"I remember reading in the Winterfell Library that the House Greyjoy didn't participate in the rebellion, nor did they Targaryen. They suffered no losses, but the kingdom lost many people; almost every region lost half its population."
He paused briefly, then asked hesitantly.
"Sir, if you allow me, I would like to speak freely."
I gestured for him to continue.
"The royal family is weak and ineffective; during my travels, I heard from people how our king lives. He neglects royal duties and leads a dissolute life. This does not reflect his strength and confidence."
A person's genius must have its limits. Sometimes, I'm awestruck by the intelligence he displays. Have I raised a hungry Direwolf in my home? Yet, this child has never shown me anything other than loyalty. Even in such situations, he tries his best to tell me what's happening as soon as he learns of it.
Just then, Rodrik said.
"We should send a message to the king, asking him to investigate and make preparations."
" Ser Rodrik, it will make no difference; they did not decide to rebel yesterday. If they are not idiots, they will launch an attack on Westerland and our coastal lands as soon as the news gets out. Rather than worrying about the king, we should prepare ourselves. Once we are ready, we can send the message. If we do the opposite, they will attack us when we are unprepared."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"This time, we shouldn't be a mere pawn; this time, we should think of our own people. The South only comes to us when they need us. Did they lend us a helping hand when we were starving?"
He said this with great anger.
"Everything they do is exploit our suffering for their own gain. Why should we shed more blood for them? My lord, I know you are an upright man, the most upright man I know, but until you become an upright man, you are our lord. Please put the North first."