Months went by, Neds studies progressed excellently, his friendship with Robert and Elbert grew. It seemed Robert grew fonder of Ned during their seperation. Ned liked Robert, he is fun to be around and fiercely protective of Ned , reminded Ned quite a bit of Brandon, if Robert wasn't around Ned didn't think he would have made any friends in his time at Eeyrie. Lord Arryn too grew closer to Ned, like an Uncle or even a stern Grandfather , they spent many a night sitting infront of fireplace in Lords solar discussing history, strategy, politics and administration. Lord Arryn seems to enjoy a youngsters perspective in those matters.
Ned regularly exchanged ravens with Winterfell. Ben started his training in arms and Lya joined Ben in those lessons. Once finding out that it was Ned who prompted their Lord Father to allow her those lessons Lya wrote a long long letter thanking Ned. Business of Ironwood and Wintersteel export boomed. And prospectors found a small gem mine and a larger silver mine near Long Lake , and three new iron mines in the the north western mountains in Mountain Clans territory. While these new mines are a blessing of the Old Gods, they aren't simply enough, reconstruction of Moat Cailin, establishing a new castle on the western coast, construction of a fleet ,reinforcing the Nights Watch and repairing castles along the Wall, repopulating the Gift and importing greater amounts of grain, all of these a take exorbitant amounts of gold dragons, Ned estimated a minimum of two million gold dragons, if they wanted to do all of this in next ten years. And it just won't be possible without either aid from the Crown or taking a loan from the Iron Bank. Ned shared these concerns with his Lord Father. Father replied that they can't expect any aid from the Crown, while Aerys Targaryen is King and him being a bit eccentric he might be inclined to help but the Realm is run by Lord Tywin Lannister and Tywin will squash any possibility of the North receiving aid. So, Father said that they would probably have to turn to Iron Bank, but he is hoping for a potential solution before it comes to that.
On learning of Kings eccentricity and Lord Tywin's power, Ned made some discreet inquiries about them. While the King's rumoured character troubled Ned, it is Lord Tywin that inspired dread in him, the man is ruthless, and he ruled with an ironfist and wielded fear and power like a hammer, anything he perceived as a threat he bludgeoned to oblivion. Tywin's torching of Tarbeck Hall and Castamere and flooding of Castameres mines with women and children inside, made him most feared man of Westeros. Tywin didn't seemed to be concerned about Honour and Decency, only Power and Legacy seemed to matter to him. Such a man would be a dangerous opponent, not because of his armies or gold, those are ultimately tools, useful ones but tools still, but no Tywin Lannister is dangerous because there isn't a depravity he wouldn't sink to ensure that his power and legacy remained untouched and uncontested. It is said Lord Tywin turned even more cold after death of his wife Lady Joanna's in childbed after birthing a dwarf son. The North and House Stark should steer clear of Lannister name and Westerlands whom the rule over as Lord Paramounts, as long as Tywin is in control of House Lannister.
After learning as much as he could about the King and Lord Tywin, Ned focused on other Great Houses of Westeros. As he is already at Eeyrie,seat of House Arryn who are rulers of Vale, and he is personal ward of Lord Jon Arryn, Ned knew all he can find out about House Arryn already. That means he needs to find out about Riverlands, Stormlands, Reach, Dorne and Iron Islands.
House Tully of Riverlands headed by Lord Hoster, it is said that he is an ambitious man and has strained relationship with his brother Ser Brynden The Blackfish, as House Tully will be allied to House Stark through marriage if negotiations pan out, first Warg spies of House Stark in the South should probably seeded there.
Stormlands are ruled by House Baratheon, headed by Lord Steffon, Roberts Father, it is said that the King and Lord Steffon are boyhood friends along with Lord Tywin , while rumours of straining friendship between Lord Tywin and the King are gaining momentum, there is no such talk about Lord Steffon and the King. If Robert is to be believed, Lord Steffon is well liked in Stormlands and praised as a mighty warrior. Ned should consider pumping more information out of Robert, but that is a thought for another day.
Next would be the Reach, ruled by House Tyrell, a family of stewards who were raised to overlords of Reach by the grace of Aegon the Conqueror, that one act sealed Tyrells and the Reach to Targaryen dynasty. By having Targaryens as their backers nobody could usurp Tyrells without incurring the Dragons wrath but Tyrells will always be dependent on the dragons because other Houses of Reach with more older lineages and better claims to Highgarden will always hate Tyrells guts for reaching so high. But that hate seems to be dying down some in recent years, with marriage of Lady Olenna Redwyne to the late Lord Luthor and new Lord Paramount Maces, son of Lord Luthor and Lady Olenna, wedding to Lady Alerie Hightower, Tyrells have bound two richest and oldest Houses of Reach to themselves through marriage, the only ones left are House Tarly and House Florent. It is rumoured Lady Olenna is the one who pulls her son's strings as Lord Mace isn't very bright. Ned would have to investigate this matter more another time.
That left Iron Islands and Dorne.
Current Lord Repear of Iron Islands is Lord Quellon Greyjoy, he is rumoured to be a moderate as Ironborn go, he has argued against reaving and freed thralls who are with in his power, but it is said that his own sons don't share his sentiments. Of Dorne he didn't have much information, only what he gathered from Robert. That Dorne is ruled by Princess Myrah Nymeros Martell and that she has two sons and one daughter and House Martell is well loved in Dorne.
Ned needed more information on all the Great Houses of Westeros and at least some basic information remaining Noble Houses, he should be able to learn of their history from books, but recent information can only be gained from some one in the know and so that meant asking his Lord Father and Lord Arryn. His Father will probably tell all he knows freely enough, but Lord Jon might not, Ned needs to be discreet about his questions. Ned would suggest making dossiers with every scrap of current known information about Great Houses of Westeros and Lords of North for easier perusal, to his Lord Father, once Brans spy ring gets up and running it will only make organization of information easier.