Chapter 11: The Town Expansion Plan

Eddard greatly admired Domeric Bolton, the heir to the Dreadfort. The young man was skilled in swordsmanship and horsemanship, well-versed in history and music, and had the potential to become an excellent warrior—or even a commander.

Taking Domeric as his ward was also a way to discipline Lady Barbrey Dustin. Her sharp and dismissive attitude toward Eddard and Catelyn during Rickon's celebration feast, in front of so many Northern lords, could not go unpunished. If Eddard appeared weak, other vassals might follow suit.

A liege lord must command the respect of his vassals, or chaos would ensue.

Domeric was the grandson of Lord Rodrik Ryswell of the Rills, the son of Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort, and the nephew of Lady Barbrey Dustin of Barrowton. He was the linchpin of the alliance between these three powerful houses.

Each of these houses was influential. House Ryswell of the Rills was a key force in defending against Ironborn raids and a major producer of warhorses in the North. Barrowton, located on the Northern plains, was the first line of defense north of Moat Cailin. House Bolton, meanwhile, was the most powerful noble family on the North's eastern coast. To ensure the Boltons' loyalty, Winterfell had sent Karlon Stark to build a fortress, which later became Karhold, now ruled by House Karstark. Karhold lay northeast of the Dreadfort, effectively sandwiching the Boltons between Winterfell and Karhold.

Intermarriage and alliances between vassals were common. In peacetime, this might seem insignificant, but in times of war, when Winterfell called its banners for men and resources, who could guarantee that these allied houses wouldn't secretly defy Winterfell's orders or collude with external enemies?

By keeping Domeric at Winterfell as his ward, Eddard could strengthen ties with the Dreadfort, the Rills, and Barrowton. If necessary, Domeric could also serve as a hostage.

Lady Barbrey, who had been basking in the joy of Domeric's victories in the training yard, now found her triumph turning to ashes.

"Lord Eddard, Domeric is my ward. My halls are lonely. You can't take him from me!"

Eddard replied, "Lady Barbrey, I understand your loneliness. Winterfell welcomes you to stay here as long as you like."

Barbrey sighed. "But I have lands to manage. I can't stay in Winterfell."

Eddard spoke patiently. "Domeric has always wanted siblings. My household is full of children. Letting Domeric grow up in Winterfell's halls alongside Robb, Bran, Sansa, Arya, Jon, and Theon will foster friendship among them."

"Domeric spent three years as a ward in the distant Vale. What do you have to fear by letting him stay in Winterfell? He'll come to love this place. The library tower has more books than he can read, and there are plenty of peers here. In the future, he can help me expand Winter Town. I promise to take good care of him."

Lord Rodrik Ryswell comforted Barbrey. "Daughter, it's an honor for Lord Eddard to take Domeric as his ward. Growing up with the heir to the North and the Stark children, becoming close friends—this is a good thing."

Domeric took Barbrey's hand. "Aunt, I'll write to you often and visit Barrowton whenever I can."

Barbrey stroked Domeric's head, gave him a few words of advice, and then left.

The children of Winterfell were thrilled by Domeric's arrival. Robb, Theon, and Jon plotted to defeat him in the training yard. Bran wanted to learn horsemanship from him, Arya clamored to train in swordsmanship, and Sansa hoped to hear Domeric's songs every day.

The next day, the Northern lords bid farewell to Eddard and returned to their lands. Once they arrived, the construction of watchtowers, salt pans, and apiaries along the coast would begin. It was said that Roose Bolton and Lady Barbrey had a heated argument before departing.

Tomard, a guard of Winterfell, led 100 men recruited from Winter Town to follow Benjen Stark and Lord Commander Mormont to the Gift. They would reclaim the abandoned town of Queenscrown, establish military settlements, and help the Night's Watch fend off wildlings.

The celebration feast had cost some coin, but the grain, corn, fruits, warhorses, and livestock brought by the lords as tribute had replenished Winterfell's stores.

The people of Winter Town brought timber from the Wolfswood, and construction on some houses began. Simple wooden houses could be completed in a few days, but Eddard's plans were far grander.

In his study, Eddard summoned Maester Luwin and spread out a hand-drawn blueprint on the floor.

In Eddard's vision, a military barracks would stand to the south of Winterfell, stables to the north, a forge and a large market to the east, and a series of warehouses and workshops to the west.

Maester Luwin frowned. "My lord, these are massive projects. Do we really need so many buildings? If we use stone for all of them, the cost will be astronomical."

Eddard replied, "The initial investment is necessary. When winter comes, we won't have the resources to expand the town."

Maester Luwin pondered for a moment. "Even if cost is no concern, we don't have enough stonemasons and carpenters. Building wooden houses is manageable with the people in Winter Town, but these projects combined are equivalent to constructing several castles. Where will we find so many stonemasons and carpenters?"

Eddard said, "I've already discussed this with my vassals at the council. They'll send craftsmen to Winter Town, but I fear it won't be enough. I need you to send ravens to King's Landing—one to King Robert and one to Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King—asking them to help us find craftsmen."

"Blacksmiths, carpenters, stonemasons, leatherworkers—I want them all."

Jon Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East, ruled a region rich in stone. Eddard had spent part of his childhood in the Eyrie, a castle perched high on a mountain, piercing the sky like a spear. The Vale's stonemasons were renowned, having built the Eyrie itself.

With Eddard's close ties to Robert and Jon Arryn, securing craftsmen shouldn't be difficult.

Eddard continued, "In the future, the forge will need many blacksmiths. King's Landing, as the largest city in Westeros, is home to all kinds of artisans. The Street of Steel is filled with blacksmiths from across the realm, producing high-quality armor and weapons. Ask Robert and Jon to help us find some."

Maester Luwin nodded. "My lord, if we're looking for blacksmiths, we might also consider Lordsport in the Iron Islands. Theon often boasts that the Ironborn's smithing skills are unmatched. Their techniques are indeed exceptional, though the quality varies between islands."

"The best Ironborn blacksmiths are concentrated in Lordsport. Perhaps Theon could write to his father, Balon, and recruit some Ironborn smiths."

During Balon Greyjoy's rebellion, Eddard had witnessed the quality of Ironborn weapons firsthand. Their shields, armor, and weapons were simple but incredibly durable, often surpassing those of the royal army.

Despite their barren islands, the Ironborn had once conquered the Riverlands and repeatedly caused trouble for the realm. Their naval prowess, fleets, sharp axes, swords, and sturdy plate and chainmail were their greatest assets.

Many Northern lords despised the Ironborn and might reject the idea of recruiting their smiths, but Eddard was not so narrow-minded.

"Very well, have Theon write to Balon and recruit some Ironborn blacksmiths. And while we're at it, let's find a few shipwrights too."

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