Eleventh Month of 279 A.L. Winterfell

Lord Rickard Stark

There were times when Rickard Stark felt his age, after all he had turned forty and two some three moons ago and as such was beginning to lose much of the youthful vigour that had carried him through the dark days that had come from his wife's passing. But then there were times when he would look at his grandchildren Edwyle and Lyarra and he would smile and feel young once more, Edwyle who was just a year old was an energetic child running and playing about and constantly driving both his parents to distraction whilst Lyarra was a quiet babe barely even crying. As to his gooddaughter, well Rickard thought Janna Tyrell a smart lady, who was quite clearly her mother's daughter, she was smart and charming and had managed to win over nearly all of his bannermen including Roose Bolton, furthermore she seemed to have completely charmed Brandon so much so that Rickard had not heard of his son straying from his marriage bed even once in the time that they had been wed. Overall Rickard was quite happy and proud for arranging this match.

Further to this was the fact that Eddard his second son had also recently wed. Ned had wed Lyra Cassel the daughter of Ser Rodrik Cassel and as such remained in Winterfell for the time being whilst they waited for the castle at the Stony Shore to be completed. Ned had grown into a fine young man, quiet and solemn though he was there was a good head on his shoulders and that was something that made Rickard very, very proud. Lyra Cassel was a good girl; she was sweet and caring and seemed to be besotted by Ned which was a sight in itself. The fact that she was already with child also made Rickard happy for it meant that the Stark line would be further secured.

But of course during these moments of quiet and peacefulness, something else would rear its head and make Rickard come back to reality. At present it was the meeting he was about to have with his son, Maester Walys and his right hand Martyn Cassel. He asked for them to come in and once they were all seated he spoke. "Thank you for coming. There are many things we must discuss, much has happened in the past few months. First, we should begin with things as they stand in the north. Brandon what were you able to gather from your tour of our bannermen? Are they content and happy?"

His son is silent a moment and then he says. "Aye they are my lord. Lords Umber and Karstark in particular seem to be very, very happy with how things have been progressing. It seems the trade with Lys with regards to lumber has profited them massively. And the Tallharts and the Glovers are benefitting from increased trade with the Iron Islands as well, it seems Balon Greyjoy has his head screwed on and as such Bear Island and Harlaw in particular seem to be in good spirits. White Harbour grows more prosperous and our own coffers grow larger every month."

Rickard nods. "That is good that is very good. So long as they are kept happy that is good, along with the Ryswells and Dustins they are the lords who will keep the others in check for us. As for the Boltons well the fact that Bethany Bolton has given Lord Roose an heir should finally keep the man away from sniffing near the Hornwood lands. Now, what news did Lord Commander Qorgyle have for you when you visited him?"

Brandon spoke once more, his tone serious. "Lord Commander Qorgyle said that the new recruits have been getting better training and resources as a result of the increased funding that we and our allies have been sending to the wall. Though he did note that there has been a lack of recruits of noble birth from the south since the conflict in the Stormlands. We might need to remind Prince Rhaegar of that part of our agreement with him when the time comes my lord. Otherwise all seems well at the wall, the wildlings have been quiet and it seems they will remain that way."

Rickard nods. "I shall send word when the time is right, Martyn I want you to look into increasing the drive of noble recruits here in the north we must prepare." Martyn nods and then Rickard looks at his maester and asks. "Now Maester Walys what news do you have for me from the south?"

Maester Walys takes a sip of water before speaking. "Well my lord, as you know the conflict in the Stormlands was resolved not by Robert Baratheon but by his younger brother Stannis Baratheon. The young man rode out and treated with Randyll Tarly and got him to agree to terms that benefitted both parties, as such no royal interference was needed." Rickard nods the fact that such a conflict had been allowed to go on for so long was worrying. The maester went on. "Jon Arryn has betrothed his heir Elbert to Catelyn Tully, their marriage is expected to take place by the beginning of the New Year. And it is said that Hoster Tully is looking towards the Reach and the Hightowers to betroth his youngest daughter Lysa I believe her name is."

Rickard nods and says. "Very well, I always knew that the Arryns and Tullys would get into the game sooner or later the question is what side will they go with?"

"Well it seems that they might be going for King Aerys side, as the King himself especially asked for Lord Hoster to be named as the new master of laws to replaced Lord Rykker. Furthermore, Ser Denys Arryn has been named to the Kingsguard to replaced the deceased Ser Harrold Grandison as well. All of this indicates to me two things, the King is becoming more active at court and the Tullys and Arryns are beginning to play for the king and not the prince." Maester Walys said.

Rickard nods and his son speaks then. "So what? Hoster Tully is in the capital as is Jon Arryn's nephew by marriage so what does that mean? It either means Aerys is looking for hostages or they are being appointed by Prince Rhaegar. I highly doubt that the King is being allowed to make serious decisions."

Rickard sighed and explained. "The Tullys and Arryns want a place at court to influence events Brandon, they won't get that from Rhaegar for their honour dictates that they support Aerys despite all that he has become. And so this is their way of achieving that. Now the question is what does the Prince intend to do about it?"

Maester Walys speaks once more and his voice is calm and emotionless. "It seems he wishes for a marriage to happen. It appears things between the king and the hand have been growing tenser as the months go by, Tywin Lannister will soon resign on some pretext or the other according to this letter and when he does a wedding might be the best idea for us all my lord."

Rickard looks at the letter in question and then at Martyn. "Find out what you can Martyn and see to it that you do it discreetly. If I am to enter the Lion's Den I want to do it with all the tools I can have."