Chapter 4

Updated as of 10/24/2018 beta by Shrine Keeper of Rei Ayanami

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- 289 AC -

Less than a year, that is how long that fool Balon Greyjoy's war lasted. 'A bit longer would have been better for me, but it was still enough time for me to get some things done,' Lelouch thinks to himself as he looks over the new farmland surrounding Winterfell from the ramparts. With his Father gone off to war, it left Lelouch unimpeded for what he needed to do. His first step was to take care of the spies in Winterfell, of which there were few, to begin with. After dealing with the stable hand with a bit of help from his Geass he found out just who the man worked for. It was no real surprise that he worked for the Master of Whisperers Varys, and after finding out that the stable hand didn't know of any others spies Lelouch simply ordered the man to keep reporting to his master but to make sure it was nothing of any real value.

It took the better part of four months to track down the rest of spies in his home but once he had it took little time to convince a few of them to change their allegiance to him. The rest were sitting in the dungeon awaiting his father's return for judgment. They would be needed if he was to convince his father to let him set up a spy network of his own. This was made simple seeing as he'd merely used Geass on one of the spies to make them falsely admit to planning to poison his family at some point in the future. Poor man, but he was just a means to an end and luckily for him, his father was honorable to a fault that he would still give him the choice between taking the Black or a beheading.

Thinking of that he starts to frown at the thought of his Geass. On one hand he is happy to have it still, but on the other hand, it had been made next to useless to him. The way it worked had remained largely unchanged but now it only worked on one person at any given time and only once every week. Worse yet it does not last for long periods of time, only a couple of weeks at most. So just using Geass on everyone in power to obey him would not work seeing as they would wake from it sooner or later. Of course, making them all kill themselves is an option but not a very good one seeing as it would only leave a power vacuum that would not be easily filled.

"Lelouch, Lelouch! Hello, Lelouch, are you there," The young voice of Jon Snow yells out at him.

"Oh, I am sorry Jon I was lost in thought. What is it that you needed," he asks in the same bored tone that his brother has gotten used to over the years.

With an irritated look on his face, Jon answers his brother, "I was saying Lady Stark has sent me to get you. Father will be riding in any minute now and we must be ready to greet him."

"Why Brother I am always ready to receive any guest that comes to Winterfell. You, on the other hand, must really learn how not to fall in the mud when you are training in the yard." He smiles at seeing his brother's irritation rise.

"That's big talk Lelouch, coming from someone that has never beaten his younger brothers in a spar before in his life," Jon smiles wide at thinking he has got one up on Lelouch in his word games. He knows his older brother means nothing mean by his words, however it would still feel great to beat him at his own game.

"Why Jon what kind of big brother would I be if I didn't give you and Robb some hope. I mean, I am already better looking and smarter than both of you. It would be unfair of me and unkind to be better than you at fighting as well." The look on Jon's face is priceless.

"You're an ass, Lelouch!" Jon yells as he takes off with an angry look on his face. Yes, he may know Lelouch does not mean anything by it but that does not mean it does not piss him off.

Lelouch smiles as he walks off. Never would Jon have talked to him like that in the past if it was not for him helping to give him some confidence and his mother even encouraging him to do better in all the things he does. She hides it well from him making it seem like she is only helping him, so he can be of some use to her children in the future, but Lelouch knows she cares for Jon and is truly sorry for how she treated him in the past.

- Hours later - Steps of Winterfell - 289AC -

It takes less time to get ready for Lelouch then it did for his brothers or sisters. Seeing as he's always dressed his best even after a spar with his brothers. Many have started calling him the Black Wolf due to his usual attire. He finds it quite amusing that it's so close to the old title he had back in his old world when he was called the Black Prince for the same reason.

"It looks like you were right Lelouch. It hasn't taken even a full year for father to come back from the war." Robb smiles brightly at the news that his father was only a couple of minutes away.

"You sound surprised brother," Lelouch remarks, an amused look on his face.

"Well of course we brother it's not like you can see into the future or something," Jon says as he stands at the end of the line next to Sansa. It was odd for most to see a bastard in line at all but with Lady Stark saying he could and Lelouch not saying anything against it no one questions it.

"True Jon I can't see into the future, but none the less the outcome of this war was quite predictable, much like when I play Robb and you at Cyvasse," Lelouch responds with a smile that pisses both brothers off. Mostly because of the fact that even after playing the game with Lelouch so many times they have never lasted more than 5 minutes playing him.

"What do you mean big brother," little Sansa asks in the voice of an innocent child.

"Yes, Lelouch tell us how it's was so predictable to you," Robb asks his brother with anger apparent at the slight against both Jon and himself.

"Gladly baby brother," he knows Jon and Robb hate it when he calls them that, but he just can't help himself.

"You see Sansa," turning to address his sister much to his brother's annoyance, "much like Cyvasse in war each side has a set number of pieces on the board, but unlike in the game, neither side has the same number of pieces. There are always other factors of course but let's keep things simple." He can see that he's got not only Sansa's attention but his brothers, mother's and a few other's attention as well and he keeps going.

"The Iron Islands are known for one thing and one thing only. The raiding, burning and stealing of the things they want or need. They don't grow, mine or build anything. What they have, they take at the tip of a blade unlike the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. That means that if they can't steal what they need then they will quickly run out of supplies such as food, iron to make weapons, and medicine to help heal their people. Because of this they have lost quite the number of pieces because of their belief in their Iron Price. However, let's move on to the next part of their foolish rebellion, which is their lack of manpower. You see sister the Iron Islands are small and because they don't bother growing any food they have a small population, because of this they have very little hope of expanding their army naturally so the holding of any large amount of land is impossible. Last but not least they have no allies to help them in their war. Without allies, the Iron Born where doomed from the start and the only advantage they had going for them was that they have the best boat builders in the known world and great sailors to man those boats but that would never be enough to win a on the scale they had started. No, they were doomed from the start and any fool could see that," he finishes in a matter of fact tone.

Little Sansa didn't understand him fully but with the way her big brother said it makes her believe that it is true. For Robb, Jon and everyone else that could hear and understand him it is nothing short of amazing that a boy of eight name-days could think of these things with such ease.

Catelyn Stark could not keep her smile off her face at his words. She had always known her eldest son was special and to see him show it with such ease was wonderful to her.

For someone like Maester Luwin however, he could not help but have a feeling of dread for all those who became Lelouch's enemies. In all his long year he has never read or heard of a boy who thinks as Lelouch does. At such a young age Lelouch had already come up with new things and thoughts that were truthfully beyond his understanding.

When the family sees Ned and his guardsman ride into the yard there are many different emotions on their faces. For Cat, it is a look of joy mix with relief. She knew he was fine from the letters that he sent to her but seeing for herself that he was okay was so much better. For Robb, Jon and Sansa it's pure happiness for they had missed their Father so and they're glad he has finally come home. Lelouch's face, however, remains indifferent and some may even call it uncaring of Ned's return. It was not because he didn't care, however, it was simply that he knew his father would return victorious so there was no need to make a fuss.

As his father rode forward Lelouch couldn't help but start thinking about his new family. Did he love his new family? Love is such a strong word and to be born again with all his old memories of the past made it hard for him to make up his mind. Looking over them he thinks hard on this for the first time since arriving in this world. Did he love his new mother? Well, he couldn't say he disliked her. His father, did he love him? Respect him yes, found him to be honorable even more so but did that equal love. What about his siblings Robb, Jon, little Sansa, Arya, and Bran did he love them? He thought back to Nunnally and Euphemia. He loved them so much that he would do anything to protect them and give them anything he could. Did he love his siblings in the same way? The answer shocked him as the only answer he could come up with was 'Yes'. He would do anything for them, protect them from this cold hard world and burn anything or anyone who threatens them. It was not a good idea to love them for he knew some of them would die before this was all over, but it matters little now for his mind was set on this and there was no changing it.

"Lelouch, it is good to see you well. I trust all was good while I was away," Ned asked his son with a kind smile.

Reaching out his hand to shake his father's, Lelouch smiles. "Yes father, all was well. There are some things that need your attention, but it has been a long ride for you and your men, so it can wait till later."

In his son's eyes, Ned sees the look of a man who is troubled by something. "Yes, we should talk in my office later, after dinner."

"Very well father I will meet you there. Enjoy your rest and I will see you at dinner," Lelouch smiles at him.

"Very well son but first let me introduce you all to Theon Greyjoy. He is the son of Lord Balon Geryjoy and he will be our ward from today onward. You are to treat him kindly and with respect, understand," Ned tell his family as he pushes the boy forward

At first, no one knows how to respond to this news, well, that is until Robb in his overly friendly way goes and greets the boy with a smile on his face. Soon even his mother and Sansa go over to greet him but Lelouch does not. He takes a look at the boy and the first question on his mind is will this boy be useful to me or not, and if he is not will he be a danger to his family. 'Only time will tell,' Lelouch thinks as he turns away and walks back into the castle.

-Ned's Office later that night – 289AC -

As the Lord of the North waited in his office he thought about his son, Lelouch, and what he had to tell him. Ned knows his oldest son is not a normal boy by any standard. He is smart, cunning and if the games against his brothers and sometimes sister are anything to go by, ruthless as well. Before he came to an agreement with his son on being kinder to his bothers he showed little pity when they played with him. Something he is not fully against seeing as it made both Robb and Jon try all that much harder the next time they played. Yes, he is harsh as the cold winter but kind as the spring when it comes to his sisters and new baby brother. A smile could not help but make its way to Ned's face at this thought for he knew his family would be in safe hands when he is gone from this world, so long as Lelouch is in it.

With that thought on his mind, he looks to the door as he hears it open to let his son in. Ned could not read his son's face most days and on other days he questions if he really could at all. His face never really gave anything away but, unlike the grim look many say the Starks are said to have, this is more along the lines of a aloof face. Like all things in the world bored him, even the things he made and the ideas he came up with seem to mean nothing to him even though they were life-changing for the people of the North. "Lelouch, good evening to you my son."

"Father, good evening to you as well. You look tired perhaps this can wait till the morrow after you are better rested, after all, I do not wish to upset mother by keeping her husband away from her for too long." Lelouch smiles as he says this last part for he knows his mother has missed him so and keeping him from her is not a very wise move on Lelouch's part.

"No that is okay Son, I am sure your mother will take it easy on you if this is indeed important, if not then I will pray for your wellbeing in the Godswood later," Ned jokes back for he indeed knows how upset Cat is for not being with her now.

Lelouch's smile soon falls from his face after he laughs a bit at his Father's joke. "Indeed, it is of great import Father. For you see while you were away dealing with the Iron Born I took it upon myself to look for any and all threats to our family here at home. What I found was more than a bit worrying." Seeing his Father sit up straighter and his face become dead serious Lelouch can tell he has his father's full attention.

"What did you find Lelouch," asks Ned, worrying for he knew his son was not one to make jests or worry over noting.

"Spies father, and not the type that we both know are always around Winterfell but the kind of a more sinister nature. You see Father as I looked for spies I found many that where very close to our family and one who, if given the order, would have poisoned us as we ate," no sooner do the words leave his lips then his father's face turns up into rage.

Ned had always thought of himself as an honorable and fare Lord but even he could give in to rage when his family was under threat. "Where is this spy, Lelouch. Where is this honor-less creature at now?" He demands of his son.

Lelouch's eyebrow raises a bit at this, perhaps he underestimated his father. 'It looks like this man may not live long enough to be given a choice of joining the Night's Watch after all.'

"As we speak Father he is in the dungeon with a hand full of others awaiting your judgment."

Knowing the man and the other spies were in the cells under Winterfell put Ned somewhat at ease. "Did you find out who this man worked for Son?"

"Sadly, no father. The man admitted to spying and the plot to poison us when or if he was given the order but has since had a change of mind and now says that he is not guilty. A lot of good it does him for he admitted to it in front of me, Luwin, Jon, Robb and a handful of others." Once he found out his Geass had a limited time frame he made sure that more than one person was there for the man's confession.

"Good, then I will deal with this on the morrow." Not happy but relieved that this was stopped before anything tragic could happen. Ned made to stand before his son stopped him with what he said next.

"Father I wish to talk once more on the need for the North to have spies of our own," Lelouch said knowing if there was ever a time for him to get this, it was now.

"Son we have talked about this before and how I feel about us using such underhanded methods," Ned let's out a sigh.

"Indeed, Father we have but never before have we ever come this close to death and what is worse is we would never have seen it coming. We only escaped this time because of the war and me being worried about the safety of our family." Ned makes to respond but Lelouch does not give him the chance. "Father, the North has never cared for the South's games and I don't see that changing but it's clear someone else does not share our thoughts. I am not saying we take part in their games, just that we at least know what is happening, around us so that we can be safeguarded from any more plots against our family." He was not truly lying for Lelouch had no care for the Iron Throne and if the fools in Kings Landing or anywhere else south got in his way as they were sure to do, well they would not live long enough to regret it.

Ned could only rub the bridge of his nose. What his son said was true and he saw Lelouch's point very well but still, he did not feel right about this. It was not honorable and it didn't feel right but, was he willing to risk his family's life just for honor. The answer was clearly no, "I am guessing you already have a plan, Lelouch?" He knows his son does for he was not one to bring anything up without some sort plan to go along with it.

"Yes, father I do have a plan. All I need is your blessing to begin." Lelouch knows it will not sit well with his father but it has to be done, he is just glad his father is a man of reason and would listen to him.

With a reluctant sigh, he gives into his son, "Very well son you have my permission to go ahead with your plans, but I want to be in the know at all times, understood?"

"Of course, you will know all I know," which Lelouch really meant was anything he thought Ned needed to know.

"Is there anything more you would like to tell me my son," Ned asks fearing his son will have more to tell him.

With a smile on his face, he shakes his head. "Noting that can't wait till the morrow father but I am sure mother wishes to speak with you. Why don't you head to bed now?"

Ned's eyes narrow at him for he knows his son knows something he does not and if he guesses right his night is not going to be as restful as he had hoped.

-Morning, Winterfell - 289AC-

Ned was right about last night for his first night home was anything but peaceful. In a sad way, it makes him miss the war, for things were much easier there than they were here at home. First spies, a planned assassination of his family, and agreeing to dishonor himself by letting his son to build a network of spies. Then to top it all off he had a very long talk with Cat about having Jon recognized by the King as a Stark and not a bastard. She had convinced him that it would be safer for Jon if he was recognized as a Stark so that way people would stop questioning who his mother was and instead turn their questions on to why Ned would dishonor his wife by letting his bastard son be recognized as a Stark. She would play the part of the unhappy wife so as to not give anyone reason to become suspicious. He felt Lelouch's hand in this but doesn't say anything about it because he knows it is Lelouch's way of showing his love for Jon and that just makes Ned too happy to not go along with it.

"As I was saying, Father... Father, are you listening to anything I am saying," questions Lelouch.

"Yes, sorry son, you were saying," Ned breaks from his thoughts to answers him.

Hearing a giggle from his wife he turns to looks at her, "And people wonder where Lelouch gets his habit of getting lost in thought." Everyone from Rob, Jon, Sansa, and even the house guardsman are laughing at that. Even Ser Rodrik Cassel the Master at Arms could not help but laugh at his lord for he knows it is true.

Shaking his head and rubbing the bridge of his nose Ned lets out a sigh. "Son, what is it that you wanted to show me?"

Smiling at his family joyfulness at his father's expense Lelouch turns to the ten guardsmen who are standing in front of his family. Ned sees these men who seem to be guarding four objects hidden by a large cloak. "Remove the cloak men, let's show my Lord Father what we have been working on."

The ten men having great big smiles on their faces from knowing what was hidden under the cloak removed it. They were hand-picked by their young Lord to both guard and learn how to use, said object. Once the cloak is removed Ned is greeted by something that he does not understand at all. For standing before him are four rounded metal objects mounted on a contraption of metal and wood? They range in size from the smallest being mounted on top of a solid wooden box that does not even come up to his knee, to the biggest that is around 11 feet long on big wheels. "What are they Lelouch," his Father asks him knowing that these odd-looking things must serve some purpose or his son would not have shown him them.

"They are called cannons Father and they will be the new weapons of the North." Seeing his Father's puzzled look Lelouch turns to show him just what they can do. "Just watch Father, I will show you what I mean." Looking to the guards Lelouch starts to give his orders. "Prep the field gun, prepare to fire."

Like the well-trained artillerymen of old from Lelouch's world, they move quickly and smoothly to obey his orders. Going to the second biggest cannon they move it into place and aim it at the tree line that is about 500 yards away. Next, the five men work together to make ready the cannon. Ned is impressed, to say the least at how the men move, he has no idea what they are doing but from what he can see they were highly trained in doing it. When he sees one of the men pick up a small bag and put it into the cannon followed shortly by a round iron ball, the questions keep mounting. When all is ready, which took just a bit over a minute one of the guardsmen looks to Lelouch, "Ready to fire, Milord."

Looking back at the man Lelouch gives the order, "Fire." With the word given, the man that is holding a torch touches it to the back end of the cannon. What follows next is a mighty boom that bursts the ears of everyone present making them cover them with their hands, well everyone but Lelouch and the guardsmen that is.

What Ned hears and seeing next is something that he could have only believes would have come out of the tales of the Age of Heroes, for at the tree line some 500 yards away he sees one of the tall trees turn to nothing more than fire kindling. Words cannot begin to describe what he has seen and looking to his family they are in the same state of shock and awe. Even his Master at Arms Rodrik Cassel looks like a fish out of water from what he has seen. He turns his head to where Lelouch is standing and their eyes meet. In his son's eyes he can see that yes, they do need to talk about this frightful new weapon he has made. "Lelouch, my office, now. The rest of you are not to talk about this to anyone outside of those gathered here," Ned orders with all the might of the Lord of the North.

-Ned's office – Winterfell – 289AC -

Ned sits in his chair with a cup of wine and his head turned up to look at the roof of his office. His mind is full of thoughts of what his son has made. These cannons as he calls them, such a frightful thing they are. He knows his son is smart, maybe even the smartest person in all of Westeros but this, this is too much. Why did he make something like this, and how did he come up with it in the first place? Ned may not have paid too much mind to his lessons as a child, but he is sure as hell doesn't recall learning or hearing about anything like this. That thing hit a tree that was no less the 500 yards away in just a few heartbeats. A longbow could fire up to 200 yards effectively if not a bit more with a good wind and a catapult match the range of this new canon but nowhere near as much destruction as easily. Ballistae could hit a tree from that far but not with the same amount of damage as that cannon. With a sigh, he picks up his cup of wine and takes a long deep drink.

Hearing the door open he sees his son walk in with that same aloof look on his face that he has always has on. "Hello, Father how are you feeling?"

"I am fine son. I am guessing you already know why I called you to my office," Ned says to him.

"If I had to guess it has something to do with the cannons," Lelouch says in the same bland tone he uses when he is bored.

Ned can feel a headache forming for he knows that for whatever reason his son had for making those things will be a good one and he really does not want to hear it, but he asks anyway. "Lelouch, why did you make those things?"

Smiling Lelcouh responds with a joke, "Maybe because I am an overachieving son who likes to give his Father headaches." Ned smiles and lets out a small laugh at that. It's not very often Lelouch makes a joke about anything. Before Ned can respond however Lelouch's face drops to one of seriousness, "The truth, however, is that I made them for the next war that is to come father."

Ned's face turns serious as he looks at his son. The war with the Iron Born was over so what could he mean, it does not take him long to put understand what his son means. "You're talking about the assassination plot against us."

"That is right father. This assassination plot was clearly an act of war against our family. Whoever this was has made it clear that they wish us dead or at the very least to weaken us for whatever plans they have for the North," his tone is flat and cold like the winter, his eyes calm.

"That is why you wanted the spies, so you could find out who has moved to attack us," what Ned states is not a question but a matter of fact.

"You are right farther. This person or persons have made it clear they have no problem using spies and assassins to come after us. Though I don't think we need stoop to their ways we will need spies so as to at least be ready for any more plots being made against us." Lelouch knew that even though there was no actual assassination plan to kill his family in the first place, it didn't mean there wouldn't be any down the line.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose and feeling his head beginning to pound Ned knows his son is right, but these cannons are too dangerous a thing. If the Martells or, Old Gods forbid, the Lannisters were to get their hands on these things it could spell trouble for the kingdom as a whole. "Lelouch, how hard are these cannons to make?"

"Very hard father and it is quite the costs to make even just one as well. Without the plans, making copies of them would be all but impossible to do and would take years of testing to get it right." Pulling out a bag for his side Lelouch lays it open on Ned's desk to show him the Black Powder. "Also, without this, a cannon is just a useless hunk of metal."

Picking up the bag Ned looks at it closely before he asks, "What is this, Lelouch?"

"It is called Black Powder Father and it is what makes the cannon shoot the iron ball that is place in it, and before you ask, no, no one but me knows how to make it," Ned visibly relaxes at that.

"Now far can it fire Lelouch?" If this is going to be a weapon of the North Ned would need to know these weapons capabilities to use them effectively in battle.

"It depends on the cannon. The smallest one can fire anywhere from 750 to 1300 yards. The largest almost 3 kilometers," Lelouch's smirks when he sees his Fathers eyes open widely in shook at what he has heard.

Ned almost falls from his chair at his son's words. There is nothing in all the known world that can do that and from the power, he saw it display made castle wall useless. Hell, it made all other siege weapons useless and if not for the cost, longbows would be too. With all this knowledge at hand, Ned makes up his mind, "Lelouch you are to tell no one how to make these things unless I say otherwise. I will also need to know who knows about these things other than the people who were with us today so as to give them the same order. The secret on how to make these things most stay in the North no matter the cost."

"Of course, father whatever you need," Lelouch says and gets up to leave. As he walks out of his Father's office he smiles as things are going according to plan.

- Four years Later – Kings Landing – 293AC -

There is a new player in the game. This, Varys, the Master of Whisperers knows for sure but who it was he could not tell. He had seen the new spies easily enough that were showing up in King's Landing but for whom they worked for he did not know. At first, he thought nothing of them, a lesser house maybe looking to get closer to the royal family by turning up some useful information but then his little bird's started to report new faces in other parts of the kingdom as well. After about three years of this Varys was about to make a move to get his hands on some of these spies so as to persuade them to tell him who they worked for, but no sooner than he was getting ready to make his move, then the spies seemed to simply disappear. Gone, just like that, from all corners of the kingdom, as if they were never there to begin with.

At first, he thought they had gotten what information they wanted and had just recalled their spies so as to make their move without leaving any loose strings behind. However, nothing happened, no one made a move or did anything out of the ordinary. So why call them off if you were not planning on making a move? It was a question that was on his mind for a good couple of months until he realized that they had never left at all. They were here, somewhere, he just didn't know who they were. When the realization hit him, his mind raced to find out who could make such a move. Who could come up with a way to make his spies disappear from the sight and the ears of his little birds. Was it the old lion Tywin Lannister? No Lord Lannister would not feel the need to hide his own spies and the same would go for the Queen of Thorns Olenna Tyrell. Maybe the Martell's, no was the answer once more for they only cared for their vengeance on the King and House Lannister. The other Houses of the South where a no as well for none of them had the power, money or intelligence to achieve such a thing.

That only left one other place to look, the North, but they had never shown an interest in the game before and Lord Stark was not the type to dishonor himself with this type of game. "So, who in the North would show any care," Varys asks himself. Could it be the one the Northern small folk calls the Black Wolf Lelouch Stark?

True the boy was only thirteen name-days old, but Varys knew that meant little in regard to this boy who was already slowly reshaping the North. The North had been one of the poorest parts of the kingdom for a long time but that was no longer true and was now becoming more and more powerful. The land that was once so hard to farm and their tools which were of poor quality were now changed because of the young Stark, who at the age of six had improved both. The boy had come up with a new way of farming and had also come up with a newer, lighter and cheaper steel than the rest of the kingdom. Now they were growing more food than ever before and had to rely less on places like the Riverlands or the Reach for food. Not only that but because of the new lighter and cheaper steel, the boy had learned how to make the North was making better tools than ever before. So cheap was the steel that more and more of the kingdom were going to them for things like tools, armor, and weapons. Sadly, for the rest of the kingdom the North would not share their way of making the cheaper steel and would not sell armor or weapons for a lesser price then they could get from any other blacksmith. Many had gone to King Robert to demand that he make the North share this knowledge with the rest of the kingdom, even the Citadel and the Queen had made their voices heard but to no avail. King Robert did not care if the North had better steel then the rest of the kingdom, he even found it funny that now all those that used to look down on the North had to now go to them for better steel.

That was not the only way the boy had started to change the North, however, along with the steel and the better way of farming the boy had learned how to make glass and crystal. To top it off his way of glass-making was like the steel cheaper, easier and over all better than any other. The trade of Northern Glass had only just started but already it was taking over the markets as one of the highest selling luxury items available. Even the Queen and her hatred for all things Northern could not stop herself from buying a new set of glass cups and mirrors from the North, and much like the steel, the North was not sharing their glass-making ways. The boy even improved on the windmill and came up with the idea of the watermill which saw unbelievable improvements across the North. Unlike the other things, this the North felt the need to share with the rest of the kingdom.

Because of all this, there was no one that hadn't heard the name Lelouch Stark of House Stark. So, it would not be completely unbelievable to say that it could have been him that controlled the spies. The only problem was that his little birds have not reported anything about young Stark showing any care for anything but what was going on in the North. This was something he would have to think on some more.

-Winterfell - 293AC-

Walking down the streets of Winterfell was a man named John Andre Spymaster for House Stark. He was on his way to meet with his young Lord Lelouch Stark to report what his spies across the kingdom had found. Jon was the son of a merchant from the Westerlands who had a run in with some of Tywin Lannister's men who had tried to rape his sister some five years ago. Because of this, his family had had to leave all their fortune behind lest his father lose his head. Soon after they had fled North to the lands ruled by House Stark his father had died of fever. It was a devastating blow to his family and had in turn put the survival of his family on his shoulders. In a bid to turn their fortunes around young Andre had set out to start a business himself in trading and selling the new steel the North was making. That is how he met his young Lord for the first time. Call it fate or chance, for Andre, it was nothing more than a change in fortune. Andre had spent months looking to get into the trading of this new steel with no luck and with what little money his family had left becoming less and less every day he thought his sister would have to become a prostitute and he a stable hand just to survive.

It was when he was on his last leg that Lord Lelouch had come to him about his want to get into the steel trade. After a long talk, some of which he could not recall, his Lord had asked him if he only wished to be a merchant or did he wish to be something more. Andre had asked him what it was that he meant by much more, that was when Lord Lelouch had told him what he needed and what kind of man he was looking for to see it done. Now Andre was not so sure about taking on this task he was being asked but with the promise of good pay and potential payback against House Lannister, it was not an opportunity he was unwilling to let pass by.

From the second Andre said yes to Lord Lelouch's offer he had to learn the spy game and learn it quickly. In the beginning, he had been hard-pressed to get started but after a couple of trips on the road, he got the hang of things. Now using his created business as a steel and glass merchant, he had built up a spy network all over Westeros and some even in Essos. To better hide what he was and who he worked for he had sent fake spies out who didn't know who they worked for all over the place so as to catch the kingdom's Master of Whisperers, Varys's, eyes. His hope was that with his eyes looking elsewhere Varys would not see the true spies taking their places in the kingdom. He had even gone so far as to have his some of his spies' work for other houses and even going so far as to have them work for the Master of Coin himself so as to not be found out. It had worked for the most part, oh sure he knew Varys knew they were still there but from what his men could tell he did not know who exactly they were.

With a confident smile on his face, he walks into the castle and goes to find his Lord. Finding him overlooking the training yard where his younger brothers are working on their swordplay he makes himself know. "My Lord, I have the reports ready for you to look over."

Lelouch turns to look at him with an aloof look on his face and answers, "Good, then let us begin."

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