Chapter 6.1 The Lady of Winterfell

Eddard Stark had already arrived at Winterfell, just as many lords had already returned to their homes, with plenty of new news. Ser Morrent saw how everything had changed; the 487 soldiers returning with him felt the same, but the change was for the better of course.

Lord Wylis Manderly also saw all the new movement in White Harbor, at the same time learning of his eldest daughter's betrothal. But Eddard Stark was the one who had one of the most shocking news, and that was related to the growing power of one of his subordinates, who already before these, could be considered among the most powerful.

House Dustin, since all the migration that came to their territories, and the new food production, was the fourth most influential and powerful house in the North, only behind the Starks, Boltons and the Manderlys, but now... it's possible that it has gone up a notch or two; with all that gold.

"Ned, we have to do something," a woman said in a solemn tone. "Barbrey Dustin hates you, you can't let them get that strong. Besides, Maester Luwin has told me that they are most likely evading taxes, paying even less than 60% of what they should be paying."

Ned's eyes showed complexity, but he didn't know what to say.

"Do you have evidence of that?" asked Ned, but Catelyn showed only annoyance on her beautiful face.

Catelyn is beautiful, with fair skin, long auburn hair and blue eyes. She has long fingers and high cheekbones, similar to her mother, Minisa Whent.

"Not yet, but we should send someone to investigate. You can't let your vassals taunt you to your face, Ned, especially the Dustins."

"What about the Dustin?" asked Ned, playing dumb.

"Well, they hate you. No, they hate us. Barbrey Dustin takes every chance he gets to show his hatred and dislike for our House, but you do nothing."

"House Stark owes much to House Dustin. Willam Dustin died trying to get my sister back. And my older brother...he acted very dishonorably towards Barbrey Dustin, we can let some things slide for them."

"Some things? They're saving tens of thousands of gold dragons probably, that's not just a few things."

"It's not like I can do anything without evidence either."

"Stop evading the issue Ned. The Ryswells are doing something similar, and that is that despite producing a lot more food, they have not increased the taxes they pay, they are also evading. And more will start doing it, if they see that there are no penalties for it."

"That will only put more strain on our relations. At the end of the day they are loyal houses" Ned replied, and focused on doing something else, he wanted to clear his head and evade the issue, forget about it.

"Relationships are already strained, and they are not loyal houses. You're from the North, so you're not used to this, but while I stayed in the Riverlands, in Riverrun, my father was just as concerned about his bannered houses as he was about houses in other lands."

"But this is not the South, Cat. In the North we remember, and we don't go around thinking about conspiracies."

"Well, both House Dustin and House Ryswell are the southernmost houses, maybe something rubbed off on them."

"Let's not continue this discussion, please, Cat."

The redhead could only sigh wearily, as she rubbed her nose. Her husband was beyond repair, she was letting a potential enemy grow stronger and stronger.

'At least, with Robert on the throne, they won't be able to act recklessly, or threaten Ned's position. But...if something should happen to Robert, or the realm should suffer a very serious crisis, things could get grim for House Stark. Our enemies, after all, are on this side of the Neck' thought the woman.