Chapter 16: The Financial Advisor

"Lord Eddard, I am honored to serve you."

In the study of Winterfell, the financial advisor from Braavos, Klar, was dressed in a silver-white silk robe. A pure gold necklace hung around his neck, and his bracelets were adorned with emeralds, mother-of-pearl, onyx, and ivory, dazzling with splendor.

Klar, in his thirties, had thick black hair, a slender build, and eyes filled with laughter. He was recommended to Eddard by Wyman Manderly of White Harbor. Having worked for years at the Iron Bank of Braavos and in the Tyroshi trading houses, he had rich experience in finance.

Eddard gestured for Klar to sit. "You've had a long journey. Was everything smooth along the way?"

Klar gracefully took a seat on a soft black bear-hide chair.

"We sailed from Braavos to White Harbor without any trouble, and the journey from White Harbor to Winter Town was equally smooth. However, when we reached the busy market district, we encountered a thief. Fortunately, Syrio Forel was there to protect me—he caught the thief; otherwise, I would have lost a good amount of gold dragons."

Only then did Eddard notice Klar's bodyguard—a short, wiry man with a hooked nose, a bald head, wearing a white shirt under black leather armor and black riding pants.

"It seems that Syrio Forel is an excellent warrior."

Syrio Forel nodded in greeting, while Klar added, "Syrio Forel served as the First Sword of the Sealord of Braavos for nine years. He is one of the finest water dancers, his agility and grace surpassing even the most skilled assassins in Braavos."

Winterfell was in need of skilled fighters. Eddard asked, "Syrio, will you continue to serve Klar?"

Syrio shrugged. "I'm afraid I won't have that honor. Klar only hired me to escort him to Winterfell. Now that our journey is over, my duty is fulfilled."

Eddard asked, "What are your plans?"

Syrio replied, "I intend to travel to Gulltown or King's Landing. Those places are filled with wealthy merchants and nobles—I may find employment there."

"Would you be interested in staying at Winterfell?" Eddard extended an invitation. "Winterfell is close to White Harbor, which is the nearest Westerosi city to Braavos. Here, you would remain close to your homeland."

Syrio asked, "What would my role be?"

"You could join Winterfell's guard, protect my family, and perhaps teach my children swordsmanship."

Currently, Winterfell's foster sons—Domeric, Theon, and the bastard Jon Snow—as well as Robb, were trained by Ser Rodrik Cassel. However, Ser Rodrik was often occupied assisting Jory Cassel with training the newly recruited soldiers in Winter Town, sometimes causing delays in the children's lessons.

Syrio Forel could help ease this burden.

After a moment's thought, Syrio nodded in agreement.

"I cannot refuse Lord Eddard's invitation. I will gladly serve Winterfell and House Stark." With that, Syrio drew his sword and knelt, pledging his allegiance.

Eddard lifted him to his feet. "I promise that you will always have a place in my halls."

He called for Winterfell's steward, Vayon Poole, to arrange accommodations for Syrio.

Once the door closed, Eddard turned to Klar. Before formally hiring him, he wanted to scrutinize the Braavosi carefully. Entrusting Winterfell's and the North's financial matters to a foreigner was no small decision.

"Master Klar, Lord Wyman highly recommended you. I hear you have extensive experience in finance?"

In his letter, Wyman Manderly had listed some of Klar's credentials, but Eddard preferred to hear it from the man himself.

Klar toyed with a ring on his finger, the blue sapphire set in it gleaming under the candlelight.

"Lord Stark, I began working in a Tyroshi trading house at sixteen. Three years later, I returned to Braavos and became an employee of the Iron Bank. I have been in this business for twenty years."

"And what specific achievements have you made?" Experience was valuable, but Eddard believed it was not the only measure of a man's capability. Some soldiers remained footmen all their lives, while others rose to become commanders.

A confident smile spread across Klar's face. "I have completed numerous lending and deposit transactions for the Iron Bank. My clients span the Nine Free Cities and the Seven Kingdoms. Among the most famous… well, your kings. Both King Robert and the Mad King Aerys conducted business with me."

"Of course, aside from kings, I had other clients—like the Archon of Tyrosh, the Magister of Pentos, Lord Gyles Rosby, Lord Renly… and even a noble from the North, the gallant knight of Bear Island, Lord Jorah Mormont."

Eddard's face darkened. "Jorah Mormont broke the law and fled. I have stripped him of his lands and title."

Klar's face fell, as if he had been punched. "What? My apologies, Lord Stark. Bear Island is far from Braavos, and my news is outdated. Truthfully, I wasn't well acquainted with Jorah—I merely facilitated a loan from the Iron Bank to him. That was the extent of our dealings. What crime did he commit?"

Eddard stated, "Jorah Mormont sold poachers into slavery to make money. The North has zero tolerance for slavers. Wildlings, ironborn raiders, and stoneborn often abduct women and children. If even our lords engage in human trafficking, the already sparse northern population would dwindle further."

Klar dramatically clutched his chest. "Slavery, you say? For a moment, I feared Ser Jorah had taken the Iron Bank's loan to raise an army and challenge your rule."

Eddard said, "We can end this discussion about Ser Jorah. Klar, you served the Iron Bank for many years. Why did you leave?"

Klar sighed. "Though I was highly skilled, the upper management of the Iron Bank disliked me. They considered me too flamboyant and thought my fine clothing clashed with the bank's modest traditions. Should I have dressed like your Night's Watch in rags to conduct business? They were simply biased against me."

Eddard frowned. "You left for that reason alone?"

Klar scoffed. "Every year, the Iron Bank ranked its emissaries, rewarding the top performer with a mansion. I often placed second or third. One year, near the end of the term, I was second, just slightly behind a man named Gombos. To surpass him, I secretly arranged a loan for a Lyseni slave trader..."

"This is different from lending to individual slave traders..."

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