Chapter 5

It has been 5 years since father secured a loan of 3 million gold dragon. Lord Manderly proved most helpful in our initiatives. Around this time I also freely used mind magic to give mental suggestion to father and uncle. I suggested to my father that a survey be conducted of the territory where marsh land meet hard compact land of north to see if a huge canal could be constructed linking river Fever with Bite. To uncle Benjen I suggested him that the mountain clans of Northern mountain clans be brought within fold on promises of mutual respect, mutual gain and mutual protection. Furthermore they are not to be asked to bend knee but only swear fealty. The same could be done with the mountain clans of the Lonely mountain. As a consequence of these suggestions, father hired a surveyor and uncle Benjen started negotiations with the mountain clans. The task with the mountain clan was not easy but it definitely bore fruits, some expected and some unexpected.

During the negotiations, uncle Benjen had to travel much between Winterfell, Northern mountains and the Lonely mountains. Often he would cross through the Last Hearth. There the sister of Lord Greatjon Umber – Darcy Umber – who was of the same age of uncle Benjen, would find uncle Benjen suitable for her. The same was true for uncle Benjen. He started courting Darcy with Lord Umber's and father's approval. Around this time, lady Dracy got abducted by wildlings, to be sacrificed to the Cold gods. Bloodraven informed me through our connection with the weirwood tree. Immediately I informed father about it. He immediately sent raven to last hearth and I sent my own raven to uncle Benjen in the Northern mountain. I essentially took over the mind of my raven and sent it directly to uncle Benjen. Uncle Benjen with the aid of the mountain clans blocked the path of the wildlings moving toward the wall while Lord Umber was hard on their trail. All but one wildling was captured to be brought to winterfell. Rest were disposed of. Their party came to winterfell. There with father's permission I looked into the mind of the wildling and came to know that they were taking Darcy to be sacrificed. Then in the godswood, the wildling was executed before the Old gods. In the presence of Lord Umber I informed father and uncle that the Cold gods are none other than the White Walkers. I informed them that they are the true reason why the Old gods blessed me. As evidence, I asked Lord Umber to find an old relic, a stone – back opal - give to the first of the line of Umbers. If that black opal has changed its colour to bluish white, then it is an evidence that the White walkers are coming.

Lord Umber returned to Last Hearth to search for the stone. Soon afterward I called upon father and uncle to the godswood. Through the weirwood tree and with aid of Bloodraven, I showed to them the creation of White walkers by the children of forest, correctly called the earthsingers. I as well revealed to them that the White walkes are actually Stark siblings, who during the time of conflict between the first men and the earthsingers, were ambushed. They were first killed and then resurrected them as white walker. It was a folly. This procedure gave the white walkes the ability to raise the dead, which was not the plan of the earthsingers. The eldest of the stark sibling became the Long Night. However the youngest of the stark sibling was not with his brothers when they were ambushed. The white walkers tried their best to bring the youngest brother within their folds but the youngest brother realised that his elder brothers have become monsters. And so he rejected them. Often they tried to kill him. Once they became near successful but the earthsingers came to his rescue. Many of the earthsingers died protecting him. This brother eventually fell in love with an earthsinger, who gave birth to the Hero of the legend. This hero ultimately gave sacrifice here before this very weirwood tree. His sacrifice destroyed the vast army of the enemy and forced the white walkers to flee to the land of always winter where they survived through deep slumber. The hero was none other than the father of Brandon the Builder. What with the presence of magic lessened, the magic keeping them in slumber weakened and they woke up. They are very patient in their planning. They are also the reason why the words of house Stark is 'winter is coming'. After hearing all this father and uncle were very much worried. I informed them that by the next winter, they will be on the wall. It was decided by father that I will not reveal this information until such a time that they deem fit.

After returning to Last Hearth Lord Stark searched the entire place for the stone. It was found in a secret hidden room and it was bluish white. Through raven he informed father about the existence and colour of the stone. Father urged him to keep silence and proposed marriage of uncle Benjen to lady Darcy. In the meanwhile the surveyor submitted his report that the canal could be built connecting river Fever with the Bite. With aid of Lord Manderly, an expedition to find winter crops and marsh crop had been sent out to westeros and essos separately. Final plans for economic rejuvenation of north had also been finalised. Maester Luwin helped with formulation of plan for political unification of north .Treaty with mountain clans had also been finalised and clans of Lonely mountains and Northern mountains were brought into folds. 2 years had already passed since my 4th namesday and now father and uncle were awaiting the last winterfeast. All the lords of north were invited.

The Lords started coming to winterfell for the feast. Lord Mormont and Lord Glover were informed of the presence of the gems in sea dragon peninsula and also the decision to divide the peninsula into halves upper half to be given to the main branch of Mormonts, who will build a port city which will also act as a prime stronghold of the northern fleets in the west. And the lower half to be given to the cadet branch of the Glovers, who will be allowed to build a stronghold to protect the mining colonies from Ironborns and the Lannisters. Mining was to be begun only after fortification of the region. Until then not a single word of gems will be uttered, as the spies of south might actually report to the southern lord.

Chieftains of Northern mountains were informed of the presence of the huge deposit of Iron in their mountain and proposal to start mining colonies was discussed and finalised. Chieftains of Lonely mountains were informed of the presence of huge seposit of coal in their mountain. Proposal of mining colonies were discussed and finalised. To Lord Howland Reed, proposal of construction of canal connecting river fewer and bite was discussed. The Reeds were to be given the right to build a stronghold on the mouth of the canal and that Moat Cailin will also be built by the Starks.

Lord Dustin was informed of the presence of Dustins in the company of Rose and it was suggested that Lady Barbery Dustin, good daughter( daughter in law) of Lord Dustin could be married to one of these Dustins to secure Dutin family bloodline. Lord Dustin who had lost his only son and child in the rebellion against Targaryens was more than happy about the prospects of continuing the bloodline. Lord Horwood was to be given the east coast to build port city and lord Karstark was to be given Skagos and the nearby islands. During the feast father announced to all the gathered lords and the chieftains that Uncle Benjen will be married to lady Darcy next day in the godswood. That I will preside upon the wedding and help the couple get the blessing of the Old gods literally. It was also announced that uncle Benjen will be given the land of stony shores up to the last river in the west and territory south of sea dragon peninsula. The Mormonts to get Upper half of sea dragon peninsula and will build a port city at sea dragon point. Glovers to get lower half and will be allowed to build an another fortress. Karstarks will be allowed to conquer Skagos and nearby islands from the clans present there who had for centuries defied the authority of the Starks of Winterfell despite taking oath of fealty and are raiding lands of Karstarks. These clans are to be destroyed stem and roots. The islands will then belong to the cadet branch of Karstarks. The younger brother of Lord Hornwood was declared lord of East point, land south of the Bolton lands, east of Hornwood land and north of flint land of the Widow watch. Manderlys, Lockes, Flints of Widow watch and Lord of Ramsgate were allowed to build trading fleets and the northern fleets. Mormonts, uncle Benjen and Flints of flint's fingers were also allowed to build northern fleets. Warning was also given against possible attack of the ironborns on the west coast which could also be part of possible Greyjoy rebellion. It was declared that a canal will be built to connect Bite with river Fewer to create an alternate route for the ships to reach sunset sea. The Reeds to control and protect the mouth of the canal on the Bite and the Starks to build Moat Cailin to protect the mouth of river Fever. This will reduce the significance of the Crossing of Twins and make Seaguard our essential business ally and entry point for goods in the south. Moat Cailin will become main entry point for goods in the North.

It was declared that Starks of Winterfell, Cerwyns, Tallharts, Umbers, Karstarks, Hornwoods and Reeds to start Lumber business. They will start cutting trees from the nearby forests to help woodcraft industry, paper industry, ship building industry and logging industry (to be used in construction furnishings). It was instructed that for every tree that will be cut, 7 trees will be planted and nurtured. Of these 7 trees, 3 will be weirwood trees. This way after 15 years there will be no need to cut down anymore trees from the ancient forest. The trees so planted could then be harvested using the same process. This way there will be no shortage of wood for future generations and for the First men to plant trees and weirwood trees should be nothing less than worshipping of the Old gods. It was also announced that soon enough mining colonies in Northern mountains and Lonely mountains will be started to facilitate iron and steel industry in the north. The northern nobility and mountain clans were requested to practice animal husbandry. Incentive would be given for the purpose. Poultry farms and fishing ponds to be constructed. Cattles rearing, horse rearing, rabbit rearing, hound rearing and sheep rearing to help immensely the economy of north. Emphasis on production of milk products will be given. Meat and leather industry to be expanded. Supply of ice in the south and essos during summer should bring more income. It was also revealed that some of the winter crops from essos and westeros as well as march crops have also been brought to be cultivated in the north during the summer. This would lessen the dependence of north on the south for food.

When questioned about the money needed to fund all these business and industry, it was revealed that the Starks have taken loan of 3 million gold dragons from the Iron Bank. Everyone was shocked at this. The Mormonts and Glovers tried to return the gold given to them to build strongholds but were declined. It was stressed that the west coast is extremely exposed to ironborn or southern invasion from the sea. Plans about the utilisation of the debt amount was also shared.

Next morning uncle Benjen and Lady Darcy got married in front of the weirwood trees. A small wound on the right palm of lady Darcy and on the left palm of uncle Benjen was inflicted and the wounded palms were entwined into folding of palms before the gods. The oaths were recited while allowing the blood to pool at the root of the weirwood tree. Soon enough when the oath was complete, the tree started glowing and the glow surrounded uncle Benjen and lady Darcy. The wounds got heeled with a warning by the old gods ringing in the ear of the couple to not to violate the oath or they will be struck down. After the ceremony, on my suggestion, the couple was left alone in the godswood, gate to the godswood sealed, so that the couple could consummate their marriage at root of the Weirwood tree, to be blessed with a child.

Winter was near its end. Within next three year Lord Karstark led his forces on Skagos and nearby islands. Soon all the islands was conquered. The clans living there were destroyed completely. Father made trip with Lord Manderly to Braavos and met with the Sea Lord of Braavos to make him partner in the construction of the great canal. Sealord of Braavos agreed to fund the construction if no fees is taken from his ships and nominal fees from the ships of Braavos which was agreed upon by the Starks. Extensive business operations were carried out in Essos. Iron bank provided guidance to lucrative business and industries in Essos and Westeros. Stark stronghold on the blazewater bay was named Winterguard was now under construction. Mining colonies in the mountains were now producing iron ore and coal. Industries were underway.

In the meantime, I had devoted my time to design iron seed drill ploughs, harvester blade and grinding machine. In the Northern mountains, cocoa seed and coffee seed were found and in the Lonely mountains, tea plants were discovered. The mountain clans were encouraged to start producing beverages. Lord Dustin had started vineyard in Barrowland and started producing vodka, rhum, beer, tequila and champaign on my mental suggestion. Soon enough we were exporting beverages in the south and essos which was finding preference over the arbour wine. Chocolate bars and cakes were finding immense popularity. Discovery of quartz and other glassmaking minerals in huge deposit in the shepherds's hill and in the mountain near the Tallhart land helped start Glass industry

When I was 7 nameday old my designs were purchased by the Iron bank for total 2 million gold dragon. I million gold dragon was given to uncle Benjen to build Winterguard and port city and remaining 1 million was given to iron bank as settlement of Debt by 1 million. By the time the Greyjoys rebelled, Winterguard had 1 massive curtain wall, 1 out of 2 defensive wall and a massive keep. The port city of the Starks, named Wolfbay had 1 huge curtain wall to defence it and the harbour. The Westpoint, the new stronghold of the Mormonts was near ready. The Mandelys had helped Flints of Flint Fingers, Benjen Seastark of Winterguard, Mormonts of West point and the Glovers of the Deepwood Motte to build harbour for construction of Northern fleets in the sunset sea. There was sizeable Northern fleet to protect the western shores of North as well as the bite and Winter Island, formerly known as skagos and nearby islands. North was gaining wealth through its business and trading fleets. The North was on the rise. Also 4 years prior to Greyjoy rebellion, a mental suggestion was given by me to father to hire warriors from Essos to train the northern version of knights – Guardians of North – only that they were all under the command of the Lord commander and were responsible for keeping lawbreakers on leash in the vast countyside of north in the time of peace and to protect the northern bloodline from its extermination. This group proved most helpful in the Greyjoy rebellion.