There was something to be said about sending your two eldest sons to foster. Rickard had wanted to foster when he was a child, to get away from the oppressiveness of Winterfell under his father, to get away and to be free. But as the only child of Edwyle Stark and Marna Locke, that was a luxury that had not been afforded to him, and so he had remained in Winterfell, whilst his cousins had gone and done great things in the rest of the north. When he had held Brandon in his arms, after his son had just been born, Rickard had promised himself that his firstborn would not suffer the oppressiveness of Winterfell, and so he had agreed a deal with Lord Tristram Dustin, and Brandon had been fostering with the Dustins since was six namedays old. Eddard, his second son had been sent to the Rock in order to get some exposure to the southerners and their ways. When the time came, Eddard would be the guiding hand behind his brother, for Rickard was no fool, Brandon was too hot headed, too callous to be able to hold the north and develop it without help. Benjen and Lyanna were just the spares, who would benefit their brothers through the marriages and skills they learned remaining at Winterfell. That much Rickard was sure of.
The lords of the north had not always abided by what it was he had done and stood for, and therefore long ago he had learned to impart a detailed and well paid spy network across the kingdom, so that he might know exactly what was being said and by who. He would not suffer the same fate as his ancestors. That was why Rickard had asked Maester Walys to meet with him. The maester of Winterfell was a plump man, the bastard of some Hightower and a whore of Oldtown, he was plump and jovial, but also incredibly smart. Therefore, he was valuable, if he was not smart, Rickard would have had him killed years ago, especially when he learned that Walys frequented a brothel in Winter Town. Rickard took a deep breath and then looked at the maester, who was stood before him. "What word have you brought from our sources?"
A brief silence and then the maester spoke. "Lord Umber is arguing with the Mountain Clans, specifically the Norreys. I believe it has something to do with the borders between their lands. Umber believes it spans from the Crow's Den to the Maiden's Rook, whilst Norrey believes that the border lies between Crow's Den and the Giant's Lance."
Rickard wished he could have groaned at that. Umber and Norrey quarrelling about the border between their lands was an argument as old as the wall itself, he was certain of it. Still, he gestured for Walys to bring out the map, and once it was unfurled before him on the table he looked at it in detail. "The markings on this map, how old are they?"
"Roughly twenty years old, my lord. Lord Edwyle was the one made them the last time this quarrel erupted." Maester Walys said.
Rickard nodded, considering the information. His father had spent a lot of time travelling the north, making sure his own will had been done. It was something Rickard had followed and done as well, but still Norrey and Umber continued to argue. "The treaty that Lords Norrey and Umber's fathers signed when this problem last arose, do you still have them in your collection?" The maester was a strange one in that he kept collections of copies of treaties, the actual things were stored in the Old Castle.
Rickard was unsurprised when Walys nodded. "I do, my lord."
"Good, send a letter to both Norrey and Umber, inviting them to Winterfell to settle this dispute." Rickard said. He looked down at the map again and sighed. "The border is between Crow's Den and the Loch of Souls. Nothing further than that, otherwise you get onto Wull territory." He could already hear the roars of protest coming from both men. The Loch of Souls was not very far from the Crow's Den; in fact, it was about a mile to the south of it. No doubt both men would claim he was being unfair to them both, but it was the only reasonably solution he could come up with.
After a moment's pause, Maester Walys spoke once more. "There are also reports that Lord Ryswell has been expanding southwards, at a rate that the Flints are finding incredibly alarming. Though they themselves have been expanding westward, to the point where the Glovers are growing concerned."
Rickard took a deep breath. He had expected that from Ryswell, no doubt the fool thought that the fact that Brandon was good friends with his sons meant he could get away with breaking the laws of the land. As for the Flints, well they were idiots, who were useful puppets in antagonising the Ryswells. "Send word to our man within the Flint camp, tell him to remind Lord Flint of the bargain he struck, and that should he go passed that bargain there will be consequences." Maester Walys nodded, and Rickard grimaced slightly. He knew just how unpleasant that was going to be, the screams had not died down from the last time still.
"Lord Ryswell has also been meeting with members of the Guild of Bankers from the Vale, my lord. He claims it is so that they might give him a loan to redevelop Castle Ryswell, but the sources we have there give a contrary claim." Maester Walys said.
"And what claim do they give?" Rickard asked.
"They say that he is planning on taking huge loans from the Guild of Bankers to buy out the Flints and the Glovers and take over their holdings, and then when that is done he plans on marching toward Barrowton to take that over as well." Maester Walys said.
The way Walys phrased it, Rickard knew that the man thought he'd be surprised by this. But Rickard had known Lord Ryswell for most of his life, he knew how the man thought and operated, and so he was completely unsurprised. "I see. Add on a note for our sources in the Rills, tell them to keep an eye on anyone who dresses in the clothes and riches of the south. They will know what to do then."
Maester Walys nodded. "Lords Karstark and Bolton have been meeting fairly regularly as well my lord. No doubt discussing something to do with the construction of the damn at the Last River. Both lords seem to think that their prerogatives are being impeded with the construction of the damn, and they are doing their best to discreetly rally the peasantry to support against it."
"And of course our agents are doing everything they can to thwart their attempts to prevent a good thing from happening." Rickard said, it was not a question.
Walys bowed his head. "Of course my lord. They are doing everything in their power to make sure that the peasantry remains on board with the construction and to ensure that they get a fully informed view of the benefits and costs of its construction."
"Good. I will not allow the short sightedness of my lords hinder the progress that the north can make. We have potential, now all we need to do is ensure that it is tapped into and used properly. Otherwise we shall be struggling more than we can possibly imagine." Rickard replied.
As expected Walys took the bait and asked. "You think that things will be moving quicker in the south than we might like them to?"
"Yes. I received word from Tywin as you know, he told me that the tourney had gone very well, but that there were some amongst the contingent in Loreza's party who were unhappy with what was being proposed." Rickard said, the backwardness of some of the lords really was starting to annoy him.
Maester Walys hesitated then, Rickard could see it in the way his hands began to touch his chain and then go still. Eventually, the man spoke. "My lord, not to speak out of turn, but do you think that perhaps the time has come to slow the plans down somewhat. The King is being very receptive, he agreed with the proposal of issuing a trade barrier against Braavos rather than going to war with them. He has become ever more receptive to Lord Tywin's suggestions, and the influence of Velaryon is falling. Perhaps it would be best to ensure that we do not stray too far."
Rickard said nothing for a time, he allowed himself to think through what Walys had said. Aerys was a changeable man, that much had been clear from the moment Rickard had first met him all those years ago, before Summerhall. The King had grand plans and ideas, but never the patience to truly sit down and implement them. That was why Rickard and Tywin had begun the process, they both suspected that if they laid the ground work, and showed the King that there was an appetite for it, that he would then take it himself and work with it. If they slowed down now, then who knew how much of their work would be undone. "If we slow down now, there is nothing preventing Jon Arryn and Luthor Tyrell from banding together and creating something that will damage our ability to change anything. You know just as well as I do that Jon Arryn is not a man to be messed with if he has the advantage. Right now, he is working on the back foot, and I intend to keep it that way."
Maester Walys lowered his head in acceptance and then said. "On that note then my lord. I feel that it is pertinent to inform you that Lord Blackwood has been arguing with Lord Bracken and is planning on using your connection to him to suggest why Bracken should surrender the right to the Teats to him."
Rickard snorted. "He means to make me summon my men to fight for him in some battle that will continue until the end of time. I think not. I expect that Ser Brynden will be mentioning that when he meets with me?" Brynden Tully, the Blackfish, a good friend of Rickard's but a pain in the arse when talking on business for his brother.
"I believe so. Lord Hoster is most desperate for the fighting between Bracken and Blackwood to stop, and from what I can gather he is leaning toward Blackwood succeeding in his quarrel right now." Maester Walys said.
"That does not surprise me. Blackwood is his goodbrother through their marriages to the Whents. No doubt they will try and get something out of me, so that Hoster does not lose face should I have to get involved." Rickard stated. He was not looking forward to that, he despised the Riverlands, it was hot and filled with lords who acted like children, but for what he had planned they were necessary.
"Ser Brynden has also come with a portrait of the Lady Catelyn. It would appear that Lord Hoster took your casual interest on behalf of Master Brandon very seriously." Maester Walys said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Rickard snorted. "Of course he did. Hoster is so desperate to be protected when the war comes that he would barter his children in one fell swoop if he could. No doubt Ser Brynden will also have something to say about that." Rickard knew very well how protective Ser Brynden was about his family, he had a scar above his right eye to prove it.
Maester Walys nodded. "Of course, my lord." A pause and then he asked. "Shall I bring Ser Brynden in now, my lord?"
Rickard nodded. "Yes, go ahead, we might as well get this over and done with." Maester Walys bowed and walked out of the room, he returned shortly with a broad chested man with an auburn beard and auburn hair, who carried himself like a warrior. Rickard stood and shook the man's hand. "Ser Brynden, it is good to see you again, after so many years, old friend."
Ser Brynden nodded. "You as well my lord."
Rickard sat back down and Ser Brynden remained standing. "So, what is it that you have come to speak to me about? I take it that your brother is not thinking of backing away from what we have planned?" It was a feint, he knew Hoster, knew that the man was far too proud and clever to back away from something like this.
Ser Brynden shook his head. "No, my lord. Hoster is not thinking of standing down from what you have planned. But he does have some concerns about how things shall be carried out, and that is what he has sent me here to talk about." Ser Brynden paused for a moment and then continued. "I am sure that you know about the findings of the questionable practices within the Citadel last year." Rickard nodded, and Ser Brynden continued. "Well, Hoster has used his sources within the citadel to find out more. It appears that Grand Maester Pycelle has been involved in something of a cover up of these things."
Rickard raised an eyebrow, he had heard rumours, but nothing so bold as this. "Your brother is sure of this?"
"Yes. We have reliable sources within the citadel, who have found written evidence that Pycelle has been aware of these goings on within the Citadel for some time, and has actively worked to cover them up. To prevent them from being leaked to the King and the Hand." Ser Brynden stated.
Rickard felt slightly sick as he digested this information. "And what is it your brother wishes for us to do about this information?" Rickard suspected he knew what was going to be said next, but he needed to hear it himself.
"Hoster wishes for Pycelle to be removed from the position of chief councillor to the Hand of the King. And he wants another man put in charge of reading through correspondence of everything to do with what it is you are planning." Ser Brynden replied.
Rickard considered the man before him, considered what he had said. This would be difficult to achieve, Tywin believed in Pycelle, believed that the man was working for him and their interests, but there was something else there. A hint of doubt in Ser Brynden's voice, that might well be the way to play this. Very carefully, he said. "I will write to Tywin and see what can be done. But your brother must bear in mind that Pycelle is Lord Tywin's most trusted confidant in King's Landing and to find someone who could easily replace him and be trusted immediately will be very difficult."
As expected, Ser Brynden produced a piece of paper and handed it to Rickard. As Rickard read through the paper, Ser Brynden spoke. "That is a list of all the potential replacements for Pycelle that my brother thinks can be trusted."
Rickard read through the paper, and then folded it. "Has a similar list been sent to Lord Tywin?"
"Yes." Ser Brynden said. "My brother wishes for things to be as smooth as possible, but there are concerns, justifiable concerns in light of what has been discovered about Pycelle, that he might be more compromised than we had thought."
Rickard waved a hand to show he recognised that. He took a moment to think and then said. "These candidates your brother has recommended, how thoroughly have they been tested for their ability to remain loyal and withstand all kinds of questioning?" That was important, if there was even a slither of doubt then they could not be used. Rickard would not endanger the mission.
Ser Brynden smiled. "Very thoroughly tested, my lord. Hoster has left no stone unturned to find out who can and cannot be trusted beyond the measures of Riverrun."
Rickard nodded. "Very well then, I shall take a deeper look at this list and then I shall make my recommendations accordingly." He paused for a moment and then said. "Now, about this business with the Brackens and the Blackwoods, what exactly is it that your brother expects me to do?"
"Nothing, my lord. Hoster wants you to not get involved. Of course, if you feel that you have no choice but to get involved, then Hoster will recognise that, but he would prefer it if you did not." Ser Brynden said.
Rickard was surprised by this, he had thought that Hoster being Hoster would want some help, dealing with two of his most troublesome bannermen, but clearly he had misjudged things. Keeping his face a blank mask, he replied. "Very well. I do not intend to get involved. Blackwood might be my cousin, but I have not met the man for many years, and whatever quarrel he has with Bracken is not mine to fix."
Ser Brynden nodded his acceptance. "A wise policy to have, my lord." There was silence for a few moments and then Ser Brynden added. "I have brought a portrait of my niece, Lady Catelyn, as per your request. She is a fine young lady, and is learning all she can about the north."
Rickard smiled. "That is good, and I can assure you that Brandon is learning about Riverrun and the proud history of House Tully as well, to ensure that he knows more about his betrothed." That was a lie, Rickard knew for a fact that Brandon had not bothered reading anything that Rickard had asked him to read, and truth be told he was not all that surprised. His eldest son was not one for reading.
Ser Brynden smiled as well. "Very well, if you may excuse me my lord, it has been a long day, and I would like some rest."
Rickard gestured for the man to go and said. "Of course, Ser."