"I guess I should have known about that. Our son is after all a Stark. If the lords of the north tell him that not only will he possibly give them two options and those will be that they can either obey completely or they can be thrown to the wolves as food. He is our son''. Rickard knew what he was talking about.
Anything I was about to say was interrupted by the master Wallys entering. There were many things to say about the master. He was an older man obviously from the reach this was known because of the way he looked. A person is always easy to read by his eyes. Lyarra narrowed his eyes and was about to go get one of his daggers to stick it in his chest. The eyes with a grimace and the act of the nose. It was enough to easily tell him that this man was not happy with him.
"Maester Wallys, I hope there is a reason why you have come here. We are waiting for our son''. From the beginning Rickard had noticed the antagonistic relationship between Harris and Wallys. Every time Wallys said only one thing that could be considered as a mockery Hariric put him in his place.
"Well lord harris said he wanted me to be here. According to him, he had a weighty reason for us to be here according to him. Wallys shuddered. He hated having been sent to the North but the citadel's orders were clear as water. He had to bring the North closer to the south and hopefully organize a marriage between the heir Stark and a manipulable southern girl in order to begin the metallurgical and mineral exploitation of the North.
"Really? Has my son decided to see you? I think I remember that the last time my son gave you the floor was more than anything because in his own words he was a southern fool who was rejecting the stories of the past because it was terrifying to know that there was a force that could have put the so-called south in its place''. He was referring, of course, to the white walkers. Every time this man had made fun of a single ancient thought of the North his son had easily cut him off with a have you been there? Well, of course not, so shut up.
"Yes, I suppose that young lord was upset, but it still indicates that my wisdom is very necessary and that I am an important member of need for the castle, so he wanted me here to be able to have a certain and advanced conversation of whatever is eating his mind." Wallys couldn't believe he had to say such things about the brat.
"I see. The truth is that my son Harris is understandably an advanced boy for his age. Most when they fight don't take people right and try to throw them completely out of the way by all means. That my son has decided that he still trusts you because according to him you are an important piece of the castle says a lot''. What he also said that either his son was manipulating him for something or that he was playing fooling around with this idiot.
"It obviously shows wisdom. Most people when they make an enmity are unable to understand or even understand what they have done or what others are doing. However, that your son obviously understands that he is in need of someone, no matter how much he dislikes it, says a lot about him. Many good things''. And Wallys could say that he showed that at least the child was aware of the extreme need for maesters everywhere which was good.
"Yes. We have a son who makes us proud. He's smart. After all, how many children do you know who at the age of five are as bright as our son? And on top of that, it's quite sensible. I still remember Lord Bolton's trip a year ago. My son was able not to throw himself on his son Roose when he insulted him very stupidly by the boy but that can be expected from houses that are rivals''. Lyarra remembered that day. Roose Bolton messed with harris a year ago because he didn't recognize him as the son of the Starks and his son made it clear that Roose Bolton was never well received because he was obviously a brainless idiot.
"It was real luck if I may say my lady that things didn't end exactly badly. I know there are many people who obviously feared that the argument between young Stark and young Bolton would end in a new family fight. I'm glad to know that your son knows how to contain himself. It's true that he doesn't look like many southern children''. That was a point I had to give to the brat. He was obviously smarter.
More than luck made me understand that possibly some of my nobles do not understand or do not understand precisely that although it is true that they are important and remarkable people they are in those positions for a good reason and not to abuse power and strength as they have been doing. A clear demonstration that some of my nobles might need some kind of help.'' Rickard what he was basically saying is that he should get more involved in the affairs of the other gentlemen.
"I don't think that feels better to the lords of the North, my lord. I know that every Northern lord likes things as they are after all and they wouldn't take anything well anyway what it is basically that their lord meds into their business. No man feels good when another gets into where they don't call him''. I didn't want the red wedding ring to be known. I wanted the Starks to think that they were the absolute power of the North. If the red alliance was announced, there could be a civil war.
''Possibly. But I fear for the treatment that the little ones receive in the other lands. Although I will not deny that we gentlemen enjoy great powers, it must be understood that the little ones are a large and numerous faction. If we don't do what is necessary to keep them well, it is very possible that things will end badly for all of us if I have to say so.'' It was a hard truth to admit and appreciate but no less true in truth.
Wallys would have said something else but the door opened again and Hariric entered through it. Harris was an anomaly. He was a five-year-old boy who had the body of a ten-year-old. He had a very sharp mind with an equally sharp tongue. He was aware and capable of accurately and deadlyly hitting anyone who bothered him. If a person offended him, he sought revenge but not for having been attacked but to make it clear that there were consequences. The boy Bolton was an example since he was humiliated before the Winterfell court and exposed as little more than a clearly vicious child with zero problems hurting people.
Mother, father and master Wallys. I really appreciate that everyone is here. The truth is that I need your help for something very important. And I want to go to Oldtown to reach the knowledge of the citadel''. Hariric spoke calmly and in a simple way and earned a look from everyone present. Wallys himself looked at the boy as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Son, are you saying you want to become a maester?" Lyarra didn't know what to think. What did her son have in mind? A normal person would say that his son wanted to be a teacher. But Lyarra knew his son better.
"Not at all. Sorry to say it this way but I refuse to waste my life obviously stuck in what it is to be in the citadel while they keep me there just for some ridiculous point. What I want is to get there to take classes in six different positions of the citadel. It is more than anything curiosity and to see the knowledge that could be useful''. Hariric shrugged his shoulders calmly without feeling that he was saying anything wrong with what he had in mind.
''The maester will not share the knowledge they have acquired over the years with you young Lord. You can only learn what I'm willing to teach.'' Wallys looked arrogantly at the brat feeling that he had control of everything.
"Excuse me then for saying it this way, are you telling me then that the citadel undervalues the Stark house? Because from what I can see you are only master of five fields: crows, history, astronomy and medicine. I'm sorry to say but I find it hard to believe that the citadel obviously sent a man who is so lacking an education to one of the big houses''. Harris smiled when he saw a look of fear in the master grow.
"No, of course not. The citadel is in no way considering the Stark house as unfit or not considerable for greater learning. It's just good that you really think you can go to the citadel and learn? It will really take a long time and if I have to say it you should dedicate that time to learn and educate yourself obviously as a future Lord Stark''. Wallys was now shaking with pure fear. The boy had hit a point.
"Of course, the famous order of maesters would not send an inadequate member of its order to the North, especially to one of the seven great houses. He has sent a history teacher. Tell me maester, with your history lessons were you willing to remind me how the South has basically insulted the North at every chance? It's a possibility if you stop to think about it and a reason maybe you want to avoid me forgetting how the south sees the Northerners, right?'' Harris enjoyed seeing the cornered master who was now much more afraid than before.
"No, of course not. It was never my intention to do such a thing, my young lord. It's good, the story is to learn from it. You yourself have said it on numerous occasions.'' Wallys felt a big knot. If he sold the southern history well and perfect, the problem is that the child had access to the Stark family Diaries, which was a very serious problem since they were a problem because of the way the Starks saw things.
"Of course. But you see that as a future Noble I have several unique needs. Needs that force me to be a gentleman and what is more important to fulfill my work. So I hope you write a kind letter to your colleagues in the citadel indicating that due to your lack of sending a suitable teacher I am forced to go there unless of course she feels that she is above attending to a young northerner like me''. The Stark was looking at his prey amused.
"Yes. I'll go immediately to write a leather. If you are able to tell me the subjects in which you want to be educated there I will make a great effort although I still feel that we could try something such as getting to work here or something like that''. Wallys earned a cold look. Those greenish gray eyes were giving him nightmares. It was terrifying. How could a child be so scary?
"Well, I think I can say: Economy, war arts, politics, medicine, blacksmith, animal husbandry and magic. Look at seven as the tips of the faith of the seven that it is not said that I am not a clearly nice person. Now go''. Hariric glanced at the now pale master and advanced. Before leaving he saw in his mind and although he intended to communicate what he had said he had the faith that it would be by a fault better to say little taught making him lose his patience.
Rickard looked at his son carefully. Obviously I knew that annoying the master was for a reason. His son was not an idiot braggart, he was a real Stark. Intelligent and that he throws himself forward clearly in a sensible way so when hariric was doing this he should have known that the master would not take it well at all. From a look with his wife he could tell that she felt the same as him.
"I don't know if you've noticed son, but there's a very big possibility that Wallys once informs the teachers of what you're trying to try to move in some way to prevent you or hinder your path. Are you sure you want to go there?" Rickard looked at his son with a critical look. It might seem strange but he trusted his son a lot and knew that he did not take action without a reason.
´´I have never believed that going there to study is something although if I am allowed I would like to go there to step on a little. I want to go there because it is one of the main ports of Westeros. I would have liked to go to King´s Landing but I have heard that the place stinks so much that even death avoids it and I prefer by all means to avoid going or approaching Sunspear thank you very much.'' Although it would be bad to have to endure the looks of pure arrogance of the bastards of the Dominion.
"And do you have a reason to want to go to one of the great ports? You could go to Whiteport although well it may be very difficult to get something since Whiteport although it sells our wood and other resources we do not sell enough''. Lyarra looked at her son very carefully. His son was a bright and clearly intelligent young man. I wanted to use the position in the ports for some reason.
"Very true, mom. I know and am aware that trade is a key piece of the form of income... well except for the lands of the West that live on gold although from the rumors I have heard there is the opinion that this is about to change in some way. Tytos Lannister is a little worthless idiot but I have heard that his son is possibly one of the most ruthless people''. I had heard about that thanks to reading about Tytos. The man was an inept obviously obsessed with everyone's acceptance. The worst type of person to be in a position of power in Hariric's mind.
"So you want to go to the ports to get an idea or at least have a more or less decent idea of products that attract attention, don't you? For what reason? To earn income for the North? I see it difficult, son. Things in the North are never easy and the weather, climate and land will not be easy at all.'' Rickard looked at his son. What could he be up to?
"Never take anything for granted, dad, always think and have faith because if you don't, you're lost. Anyway, despite this, you would like to know that with a little luck anyone is capable of doing many unique things. Give me a chance and I guarantee you that I will have the better North. I just need to see the world. See what the world wants and understand what they obviously hope to win anyway''. Rule number one. Understand the request so that you can afford it.
"Your confidence that you can do it is not a problem Harris and as your parents we agree to support and back you but I think you should understand son that things don't look good at all. That is to say that you hope to be able to somehow produce something extremely valuable to help the North. It won't be easy, just be that son''. Lyarra, like Rickard, had faith in his son but knew better that simple faith was never enough to achieve anything.
"Mother, if we want to exploit the North, we need to know a harsh reality. What do others want? Some would say that what they want is new drinks. New foods. New... I don't know. Anything. You have to investigate and you have to exploit it to earn profits. Obviously you don't win anything if you don't do what it takes to win.'' Hariric just shrugged his shoulders thinking about it considering that things are that simple.
"Well when you put it that way I guess there is no less truth in your words but forgive me if your mother as well as myself are curious about what you obviously have to have in your mind right now. Curiosity, just so you know, my son.'' Rickard had to admit that it was a good suggestion if you had to stop and think about it.
"Father, that's the basic business rule. You know that Tully, for example, are the ones who need us, the North to produce money. It is true that they also sell to the Valley and also to the Lands but two thirds of their annual income is in a few words from us the Northerners. If we somehow manage to solve that, we will be saving large amounts of gold.'' The best way to make a profit was to eliminate the need to buy food and at the same time it was the need to make sure by all means that the south cannot tell them what to do.
"I guess I have to say that at that point he has us. A considerable income from the south comes from us. If the river lands lose a large amount of our money it would be good. However, once again son you are forgetting. You have to figure out a way to produce food here and I don't see it as an easy thing to do.'' Lyarra is not that he did not have faith in his son but all the foods of the south could not survive in the North.
"I'm perfectly aware of it. Southerners produce weak food for our climate but if we can somehow find food that can survive in that climate we would be able to make it grow in three strategic points: the Lands of the Umber, the Lands of the Dustins and in Crofter Village which would be something more than good. Those are the main positions if I have to say it.'' Hariric already had in mind what they had to do to get food.
Both parents looked at their son for a moment and sighed knowing that God knows what his heir had in his mind. Little did they know how right they were with that thought.