Yawning softly, Val walked down one of the castle corridors toward the dining hall.
To her surprise, she suddenly ran into Catelyn coming from the opposite direction.
Both stopped and looked at each other for a moment.
"Hello," Val said with a lazy smile.
"Hello, Val," Catelyn said in a somewhat stiff tone as she looked at the beautiful blonde.
Although she had once dreamed of Harry being a knight devoted to a single woman like her husband, that idea had disappeared long ago.
Her son was undoubtedly weak when it came to women who showed interest in him, although she had to give him some credit: his taste was really good. Each woman was exceptional in her own way, and he avoided brothels, places she hated.
"Looking for Harry?" Val asked curiously. The corridor led toward the tower, so it was the first thing that came to mind.
"Yes, is he upstairs?" Catelyn asked, looking at her.
"That's right, he said he's working on something," Val said with a casual shrug.
"Oh," Catelyn said hesitantly.
"Do you want to go up and see him?" Val asked, looking at her.
"All right," Catelyn said, nodding softly.
"I'll go with you," Val said, walking beside her.
Catelyn climbed the stairs beside Val, her gaze briefly settling on her face before she focused on the steps.
It didn't surprise her that her son was so fond of Val. She was truly beautiful and elegant, and the way she walked exuded confidence and charisma.
She had a mixture of youth and maturity that was truly charming.
Although they had had some friction because Val had no filter when she spoke, she was actually a person who didn't say much unless she was with Harry.
There was no denying that she was far too close to her son. Catelyn even feared that one day he might want to make her Lady Stark if she asked him.
Her son could sometimes be quite radical with his decisions. Fortunately, Val didn't seem interested in being Lady Stark.
She wasn't sure whether that relieved her or made her feel exasperated that Val had no interest in something she herself would have desired.
Reaching the wooden and metal door, Catelyn took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart after the climb.
Just as she was about to knock, Val opened the door without a care. Catelyn opened her mouth as if to say something before simply following her inside.
Trying to teach her about courtesy would be a waste of breath.
Looking around, Catelyn saw a fairly tidy and large room, larger than she remembered.
A large bed stood in the corner beside the window, while shelves filled with books, weapons, and plants covered every wall.
A set of armchairs and a table stood to one side, while a door that seemed to lead to the bathroom was to her right.
It was then that she noticed Harry, who was working on something with his hands at a desk, with a life-sized female mannequin beside him.
Harry looked at them with a mixture of discomfort and exasperation, clearly not expecting them there.
"Oh, a replica of me. Did you wait until I left to make it?" Val said with a laugh as she approached the mannequin and reached toward its chest, to Catelyn's horror.
"Don't make it weird," Harry said, looking at her wordlessly. He really hadn't expected her to come back so quickly.
"It's not the same," Val said, squeezing the mannequin's breast and comparing it to her own.
Catelyn cleared her throat softly to remind them of her presence. She didn't want to hear how Harry was going to respond to that teasing comment.
Harry suppressed a smile upon hearing Val and decided to ignore her before looking at his mother.
"Mother, what a miracle that you honor my room with your presence," Harry said, smiling at her. Unfortunately, he couldn't get a smile out of his mother.
"I wanted to talk to you about something," Catelyn said, taking a seat and looking at her son hesitantly.
Seeing his attention on her, she continued speaking.
"Your grandfather is ill. He's been like this for several years, and I fear the worst. I was wondering if we could go visit him. With the train, the journey will be considerably shorter, and if we go on Ater, it'll be even shorter," Catelyn said, looking at Harry with a sad expression.
It had been many years since she had seen her father.
Harry set down what he had in his hands before looking at his mother. He almost wanted to evaluate whether it was convenient to go, but upon seeing his mother's expression, he simply sighed.
"All right, we'll go. Do you want just the two of us to go, or do you want the others to meet their grandfather too?" Harry asked, looking at her.
"Let's go as quickly as possible. According to my brother, he isn't doing very well," Catelyn said, not wanting to say that he didn't have much time left.
"I see. All right, then the two of us will go," Harry said, only to immediately feel a pinch.
"All right, I'll prepare everything," Catelyn said with a relieved smile as she left the room.
"You're not taking me?" Val asked, looking at Harry as she tried to put on a sad expression.
"Although Ater is big, it'll be difficult to carry three people," Harry said, not believing her expression.
"And what happens if your mother wants to go to the bathroom? Or visit an old friend? Who's going to look after her?" Val said, looking at him with a smile.
Harry paused at that, since having another woman there to look after his mother actually wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Besides, you'd have to sleep alone," Val said, giving him a flirtatious smile.
"All right, you already convinced me with the first one," Harry said, stroking her cheek with his thumb, reluctant to say no to her.
In his mind, he immediately gave Ater instructions to head south and wait for them at Moat Cailin.
The corners of Val's lips curled upward, clearly pleased that she had gotten what she wanted.
Harry approached his desk and looked at the train schedule. Fortunately, it would pass through Winterfell the next day on its way to Moat Cailin.
He would take the opportunity to see how the construction was going.
"By the way, are you still working on that? It's been months already," Val said, looking at the several glass spheres on the table.
"Yes, I haven't been able to solve it," Harry said, letting out a somewhat exhausted sigh.
"The magic keeps escaping?" Val asked as she picked up the glass sphere, which was the size of a large marble.
The ball felt cold to the touch as it rolled between her fingers.
"Hm, no matter how I enchant it, the magic keeps escaping incredibly quickly," Harry said, scratching his head helplessly.
Trying to store magic in a container was something he had never heard of in his previous world. It didn't surprise him, since it was completely unnecessary.
But he had set himself the goal of doing so in order to enchant objects permanently, something that was very tedious and required a great deal of magic.
"Maybe the answer isn't in the magic. What if you change the material?" Val asked somewhat hesitantly, saying the first thing that came to mind.
"I've tried several materials. Crystal is the one that retains magic the longest," Harry said, shaking his head.
"Then combine the best materials," Val said, looking at him.
Harry stopped and looked at her in surprise.
"I can try that," Harry said, nodding thoughtfully, but it seemed it wouldn't be that day. He had drained a considerable amount of magic from the castle, and they had to leave the next day.
"You're welcome. How are you going to make it up to me?" Val said, tossing the ball through the air toward Harry.
Her blue eyes shone with mischief, pleased that she had been able to give him an idea.
"I let you play with my balls, isn't that enough?" Harry said with a laugh as he tossed it back to her.
"They're a little cold," Val said, bursting into laughter.
….
The next day, Harry, Catelyn, and Val boarded the train before taking their seats.
Unlike the previous times, this time the train did have a few people aboard, workers or people with specialized skills needed at the destination.
Harry greeted everyone with a smile and took the opportunity to talk briefly with some of them.
The journey was long. Eight straight hours of sitting made his butt hurt.
The food service was also terrible. They barely gave them water, bread, and dried meat. If it weren't his train, he would leave a bad review.
The journey was somewhat exhausting, but much less so than traveling by carriage or horseback.
Even so, when he got off, Harry couldn't help stretching. With more people in the cars, he couldn't even lie down across the seats.
He couldn't talk freely with Val or his mother either, with so many people listening, although the others were surely even more uncomfortable with his presence.
Looking around, the station was a copy of the others. The small village in the surrounding area was still in its infancy, although the government building in the center was still under construction.
Even so, the most striking thing was the beginnings of the wall protecting the causeway. Harry truly felt uncomfortable with the passage left open; anyone could easily infiltrate.
They could still do it with a wall, but at least it would make things difficult for them.
Harry really wasn't sure whether that place would prosper. Being so close to the Neck caused certain problems with insects and venomous animals.
Even so, it had the advantage that the climate was much warmer than in the rest of the North.
They would see how things turned out over time.
The three rested that day before getting up early the next morning.
Ater had already arrived, and Harry put a special saddle on him before the three of them mounted.
Harry held the reins in the middle with Val in front of him, while his mother wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his back.
When all three of them mounted, Harry thought he saw Ater turn his head to look at him as if he were speechless. Even so, he ignored him. They didn't weigh that much anyway.
They weren't even wearing armor.
With brief rests, they managed to cross the entire Neck in half a day. As they took a break to eat lunch, the three looked at the green meadows and the tall mountains to the east.
Val was particularly excited since it was the first time she had been this far south.
"So this is where you hunted the lizard-lion?" Val said, looking around. She remembered the story Dacey had told her and had even seen the creature's enormous skull.
"Yes, we went about 30 minutes into the swamp. Those things are really big," Harry said as he ate.
"Too bad I wasn't there," Val commented. She had never been able to fight alongside Harry on one of his adventures.
Catelyn pursed her lips as she ate. She and Val were definitely thinking in opposite directions.
"It's incredible how quickly we crossed the Neck," Catelyn said somewhat hurriedly when she saw that mischievous smile on her son's face.
Listening to them flirt the entire way had been enough for her.
"Of course. Remember that I offered to let you raise your own foal, but you didn't want to," Harry said, looking at her and changing the subject as well.
"I don't need one. I'm not as restless as you are," Catelyn said with a smile.
"He really is restless," Val said, nodding as she enjoyed watching Catelyn grow uncomfortable.
Harry merely looked at Val wordlessly before subtly pinching her thigh.
She really liked provoking everyone. He wasn't sure how she had survived without him around.
After eating and resting, they once again set off on Ater's back.
They continued south along the Kingsroad for the rest of the day, only stopping to sleep once night fell. Early the next morning, they resumed their journey, finally reaching a large inn near nightfall.
"This is the Crossroads Inn, an old inn built during the construction of the Kingsroad. It brings back many memories. I slept here many times when I traveled with my father," Catelyn said, looking at the inn, which hadn't changed much.
"Let's rest here and leave early tomorrow," Harry said, nodding.
Catelyn asked for and paid for two adjoining rooms, in addition to ordering food.
Since she didn't want to eat around so many people, the three had dinner in one of the rooms while Catelyn, perhaps affected by nostalgia, told them a few things about her youth.
"I thought she would never stop talking," Val said after watching the door close behind Catelyn, who had already gone to sleep.
"Shut up," Harry said, rolling his eyes. In any case, unlike Val, he was interested in his mother's youth.
"My butt and back hurt. Give me a massage," Val said, stretching before lying face down on the bed.
"I didn't force you to come," Harry said, looking at her.
"It hurts," Val said softly in a plaintive tone as she turned her face to look at him.
Harry remained silent for a moment, seriously considering casting a spell on her to make her fall asleep. Even so, seeing the tempting curve of her butt and those enchanting blue eyes, he admitted that he was weak.
….
The next day.
The three had a quick breakfast before setting off on Ater toward Riverrun.
The road they were using was no longer the Kingsroad. They were now on the River Road, the main road that went all the way to Lannisport.
Unlike before, this road was incredibly busy. Coming across caravans or carriages bearing the emblem of some House was nothing unusual.
Their group drew some attention, not only because of Ater's enormous size, but because there were three people on his back.
Even so, with his speed, they quickly left them behind.
It wasn't until almost midday that the castle began to appear on the horizon.
Riverrun had a triangular appearance and wasn't particularly large. The castle stood at the confluence of two rivers, surrounded by currents that gleamed beneath the sunlight. It wasn't as vast or imposing as Winterfell, but it was beautiful in its own way.
Ater stopped at a reasonable distance from the castle, giving them a better view.
"Not bad," Harry said, looking around. It was clearly an easy castle to defend.
Catelyn rested her chin on her son's shoulder as her eyes filled with nostalgia.
Her home.
No... her former home.
From the day she married and gave birth to Harry, it had stopped being her home.
The passing years had faded her memories, but seeing Riverrun again made something stir in her chest.
Her eyes seemed to look into the past, seeing herself and her sister roaming the surroundings.
"Halt, identify yourselves," one of the guards on the wall said, looking toward them.
"I am Harry Stark. Announce my arrival to your lord," Harry said, his voice carrying with surprising force, reaching several people even beyond the walls.
A brief silence fell over the wall as some disbelief appeared on the guards' faces.
As far as they knew, Harry Stark was the Stark heir. They didn't believe he would travel without an escort.
Despite their doubts, they ran to report it. They couldn't risk it being true.
They waited outside for around 10 minutes before the bridge began to lower with a mechanical sound.
A young man rode out with several guards following behind him and approached them.
"Edmure," Catelyn whispered when she saw him, surprised but also smiling.
"Are you Harry Stark? Do you have any proof?" Edmure asked, looking at Harry with a wide range of emotions.
His gaze showed surprise at the enormous horse that seemed to be carrying three people, although he could barely see the last person.
But there was also doubt, since he didn't really know what Harry Stark looked like. He only knew that he was no longer merely Harry Stark; he was now Lord Stark.
It was news he had received firsthand from his sister, but perhaps the others hadn't heard it yet.
"I think the lady behind me can prove it," Harry said with a chuckle as he leaned slightly to the side.
"Edmure," Catelyn said a little louder, looking at her younger brother. She remembered that he had only been a child when she left.
"Sister?" Edmure said almost in a whisper, looking in disbelief at the figure so familiar from his memories.
His sister had almost been a mother figure to him. Her departure had hurt him greatly, and that was precisely why they had remained in constant contact.
He couldn't help gently urging his horse forward, allowing him to move closer and see her more clearly.
"You haven't changed at all since you left," Edmure said with a soft laugh, his tone carrying a slightly childish quality that didn't quite match his age.
"You've changed a lot," Catelyn said with a gentle smile.
Edmure remained silent for a few seconds, looking at his sister before reacting.
"Let's go inside. There's a lot to talk about. Father will be very happy to see you," Edmure said with a smile as he also looked at Harry, his nephew.
"Let's go," Harry said, nodding.
The group crossed the bridge before hearing it rise again behind them.
Harry looked around and noticed that it was somewhat different from Winterfell. It was noticeably more isolated.
There seemed to be very few civilians and more guards. It was clearly a military fortress and command center, nothing more.
They arrived at what he assumed was the residence of House Tully. Harry technically wasn't a stranger, so he didn't bother with protocol.
He dismounted and helped his mother down before casually slapping Ater so he could go play.
If he had to guess, he would go see if there were any pretty mares around.
"Let's go this way," Edmure said, also dismounting from his horse. Everything about him radiated enthusiasm at the visit from his sister and nephew.
"By the way, my lady, what is your name?" Edmure asked, looking at Val with some confusion.
"I'm Val Stark," Val said seriously as she took Harry's arm.
Val delighted in watching Edmure's expression collapse for a moment before he greeted her awkwardly.
"Don't play around," Harry said, also laughing as he gently pinched her abdomen.
Edmure finally couldn't help looking at his sister, who was also glaring at Val.
Even so, Edmure could see a hint of helplessness in her gaze, making him unsure whether it really was a joke.
"Harry, go and rest. I'll talk with my father for a while. I'll come find you later," Catelyn said, looking at Harry.
"All right, call me when you're done," Harry said, nodding.
Seeing this, Edmure quickly called a servant to take the two of them to a room.
"By the way, if your mother is a grandmother now, what does that make your grandfather?" Val asked with a giggle.
"He would be called a great-grandfather," Harry said, looking at her with a smile as they followed the maid.
"And why?" Val asked curiously.
"I don't know," Harry said after thinking about it for a moment.
Their voices eventually faded with the distance.
Catelyn didn't know what expression to make as her brother stared at her incredulously.
"Just take me to see Father," Catelyn said with an exasperated expression.
Separately, those two were fairly calm people, but together? They were a disaster.
Putting them out of her mind, Catelyn followed an incredibly familiar path until she reached the doors to her father's room.
"Father, may I come in?" Edmure said, knocking softly on the door.
"Come in," said an aged voice that made Catelyn's heart clench.
Entering behind her brother, Catelyn was assaulted by a strong smell of herbs and the sight of a gray-haired old man lying in bed.
Catelyn looked at her father in disbelief. Her father was only a little over 50 years old.
"Catelyn?" the old man said in an incredulous whisper before smiling.
"Father," Catelyn said in a choked voice.
"You're still as beautiful as when you left. I see you've had a fulfilling life," Hoster Tully said, genuinely happy.
"I'm glad I wasn't wrong to betroth you to Eddard Stark," the old man said with relief.
"It was the right choice," Catelyn said somewhat dazed, not knowing how to respond as she approached and sat beside her father.
"I'm very happy to see you one last time before I go," Hoster said with a smile.
Catelyn felt her eyes fill with tears upon hearing her father's words. Taking his wrinkled, bony hand, she couldn't reconcile it with the large, firm hand that used to carry her or teach her to ride.
"What's wrong with you?" Catelyn asked, looking at her father.
"An illness, although the Maesters aren't sure what it is or how to treat it," Edmure said behind her.
"Did you come alone? Where are your children? I'd like to see them, and where is Brandon? Didn't he come with you?" Hoster said with a smile.
Catelyn looked at her father with pain. She had originally wanted to have a short conversation before he met Harry, but her father clearly wasn't completely lucid.
He didn't resemble a lord at all.
"Call Harry. Tell him it's urgent," Catelyn said, turning to look at Edmure.
Edmure instinctively obeyed his sister, although he felt confused about why she hadn't brought him immediately.
"You'll be all right. Harry will fix it," Catelyn said softly, looking at her father, who merely looked back at her with a smile.
Hoster began rambling about many things, sometimes mixing up stories from the past, recounting things that had never happened.
Catelyn simply listened in silence with a tearful smile until she heard footsteps behind her.
Turning around, she saw her son arrive with Val, both of them following Edmure.
"Harry, can you examine him?" Catelyn said in a trembling voice.
Harry's expression immediately became serious when he saw the scene. Turning to the old man in the bed, he noticed how emaciated he was and realized it really was urgent.
He was relieved that he had come; otherwise, it might have been too late.
"Leave it to me," Harry said, giving his mother a reassuring smile before approaching and placing his hand on Hoster's shoulder. He cast a diagnostic spell, vaguely sensing the condition of his body.
He wasn't a doctor and only wanted to know whether he had an illness or had been poisoned.
The latter could actually be quite interesting and would be the easiest to solve.
Unfortunately, he was sick, quite seriously in fact. His organs were damaged to varying degrees.
His pulse was weak and his breathing was labored.
All his bodily functions seemed to be declining. Now Harry was certain that, at this rate, he wouldn't live more than a year.
"You must be Harry Stark. You're big and strong," Hoster said, looking at Harry with a smile as he felt the large, firm hand on his shoulder.
Unlike his mother, Harry couldn't summon much emotion about it, not only because he knew he could do something, but also because his grandfather was practically a stranger. Seeing his mother's tearful face affected him far more.
Sighing, he slipped his hand into his shirt and pulled out a potion. He popped the cork with his thumb, somewhat reluctant to use it since the potion was truly valuable.
It could cure most non-magical diseases. The plants were very rare, and the potion took several days to make.
In any case, he couldn't bear to see his mother cry, and besides, he had never been good at comforting people.
"That's right, I suppose I'm your grandson," Harry said, nodding casually.
"Do you mind drinking this?" Harry asked, bringing the potion to his mouth.
The old man opened his mouth to respond, but Harry quickly poured the liquid into his mouth.
Hoster didn't know why, but he swallowed instinctively before letting out a couple of coughs.
"Harry," Catelyn said, smacking him on the waist as she glared at him.
He wasn't careful at all.
"Don't worry, he'll recover. The illness has already done quite a lot of damage, and I can't reverse all of it, but if he takes care of himself, he still has quite a few years left," Harry said softly, looking at his mother. She didn't take her eyes off her father, who had fallen asleep after drinking the potion.
"Sister?" Edmure asked hesitantly. Everything had happened so quickly.
Upon hearing Harry's words, disbelief and hope rose in his heart.
There were vague rumors about Harry. It was said that he was a sorcerer.
Most would consider it a joke, proof of the ignorance of common people who had no other way to understand the world they saw.
"It's all right. Father will recover," Catelyn said, giving him a smile.
----
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