His master and he had been invited to join Lord Stark's war council. During the war he observed many such councils, but this would be the first he would be in one that lacked any form of advanced technology, the specialized officers that handled everything from intelligence to daily operations,and real time communication and intelligence.
They entered a chamber within the main keep with a large table, the maester, chief steward, and some of the castle were hurriedly placing maps of the continent and Iron isles onto the table. Along with large books that likelyed contained various reports and inventories of supplies, weapons, and anything else that might be needed for a campaign.
Lord Stark stood at the head of the table watching as his chief officers and advisors flowed into the room and the preparations were being made. As the preparations were being completed another entered the room, it was Lady Stark and Robb.
He understood why they were there, but why was Jon excluded? Even if he was of lower social status, he needed to learn. He had been no older than the boys were when his grandfather had him observe the war councils held on Odessen.
His master beat him to the question, "Lord Stark, I must insist that your other son should be present at this council as well. Observation is an important aspect of education. One must see how it is done before they can do it themselves".
Lady Stark attempted to say something before Lord Stark raised his hand and said, "You are right Master Hulis. If Robb is here to observe then so must Jon. All of my sons must learn what it means to be a Lord".
Lord Stark issued a command to one of the guards and it wasn't long before Jon Snow had joined them.
Lord Stark spoke to both boys informing them of what they were to be doing and what would be required of them when he left for war.
After speaking to the boys, Lord Stark finally gave his consent for the war council to commence. The maester began with what would have been called the initial briefing of the current state of the war. It seems that because of the maester's role in maintaining Westeros' communication network he is what best passed for an intelligence and communications officer. After the initial briefing came reports of the current status of their stores of war material. Everything from grain to arms and armor. Followed by how many men could be raised from House Stark's own domains and the estimates of what force could be raised from vassals based on the reports from the latest census.
While he had never led a campaign given his young age and his status as only a padawan. Josiah had been trained in all aspects of war from personal combat and small unit tactics to the grand strategy of armies and fleets being deployed across the galaxy. There was something incredibly off about the strategy of these Ironborn. Striking a principal military base and economic hub while they were unaware was certainly a sound military tactic. It was a short term gain that didn't open up any opportunities for further victories in its immediate aftermath. The Riverlands and North didn't possess much of a fleet, but any strike on them would leave the Ironborn's fleet out of position to defend their islands or harass enemy ships as they made their way around. The fleets of Reach, would have heard reports of the attack on Lannisport and thus would not be able to be taken unaware and they would need to likely resupply by raiding the coast which would further alert the fleet of the Ironborn's intentions. The only possible option for another decisive strike would be to trap the royal armada in the straights of Fair Isle, but even without any airborne or orbital intelligence gathering assets to confirm, it would be obvious that the Ironborn would be waiting on the ocean side of Fair Isle with perhaps only a token force acting as bait. Only a fool would take such bait. Yet it couldn't hurt to pass on his prediction. Perhaps they could turn the trap around by making the Ironborn think they trapped the royal armada while the royal armada comes in from both ends of the straight and crushes them. Those caught in the trap would take heavy casualties as they had to be alone long enough to ensure that the Ironborn had fully committed to the attack. Though perhaps there was another stratagem at play.
Josiah said, "Lord Stark, if I may speak. I believe that I have deduced the Ironborn's strategy".
Lord Stark replied, "Proceed, Padawan Josiah".
Josiah said, "While the initial blow was tactically sound, it fails to set up any further victories for the Ironborn. As any move north towards the Riverlands and the North would leave exposed from an attack from the South and attempting to sail south to attack the fleet in the Reach would be known about long before they actually got into position to attack. The only conclusion that is left for the majority of their fleet is to be planning a trap. Most likely here, at Fair Isle. I would wager that they leave a token force of ships to bait whatever reinforcements come from the South and then launch a pincer attack from both ends of the strait. Which could be countered if we reversed the trap by sending a force further out to sea and have them swing back towards the coast, north of the strait. Closing the straight once the Ironborn have fully committed".
Ser Rodrick asked, "How can you be sure that is their plan?
Josiah said, "I can't. I may be still new to waging a war without starships, aircraft, droids, and other forms of advanced technology, but I do understand the importance of positioning and terrain. If the Iron born fleet and the combined fleets of Westeros met in a pitched battle on the open sea, then the Westersoi fleet would surely triumph as they have more ships of both equal and far greater mass than the Ironborn ships. Thus any sane commander would seek to offset that disadvantage by using his terrain and the geography to limit the number of enemies he has to face at a single time".
Lord Stark said, "You said that the majority of their fleet would be committed to that plan. I take it that you suspect there may be another stratagem in play"?
Josiah replied, "That is correct, my Lord. Looking at the map and analyzing the information that was presented. I do not believe any enemy would be so foolish as to risk everything in a single battle. A battle in which its principle strategy is painfully obvious even to a newcomer to this world and era of warfare. I believe there may be an unconventional stratagem at play".
Lord Stark said, "You believe they intend to send a force strike at the capital and royal family after the majority of its forces and ships have been deployed for the war".
Josiah said, "That is correct Lord Stark. During the war against the Sith, lighting fast raids to capture or destroy a critical target were perhaps the most common tactic. Much lower risk than engaging the enemy's own forces in a pitched battle between relatively equal forces. A hand picked force of elite forces can often inflict exponentially more damage than a much larger force of conscripts and common soldiers".
Lord Stark asked, "What you say is sound, but your plan is also incredibly risky. To sail beyond the sight of land is considered difficult and with a large number of ships may prove impossible as your plan requires that they sail far beyond sight of Fair Isle in order to avoid where you believe the Ironborn ships are anchored. I do not know how you expect this plan to work. I will write a letter to Robert about a potential attack on King's Landing, but he may not believe in your prediction".
Master Hulis added her own voice to his, "Lord Stark, Josiah may be young. But he has been taught the arts of war since he could walk and both his late father and grandfather were renowned generals and warriors where we come from. I may not be the warrior they were, but I trust in my padawan and the Force. Even if an attack on the capital never comes, it is far better to be prepared for such an event than to not be .If you wish. I can guarantee you that the armada will execute the plan perfectly. While I am not as skilled as others of my Order, I am proficient in the use of the ancient Jedi art of Battle Meditation. I can lead the fleet in the correct path without even being present. At the same time I can strengthen the spirits of the men aboard ships while removing the will to fight from the enemy fleet. I offer this and my skills as a healer to ensure that peace is restored as quickly as possible".
Lord Stark said, "I have never heard of such power, but over these past three months, I have come to realize that it is a foolish gamble to doubt your powers and what is possible".
Master Hullis said, "Thank you for your confidence, Lord Stark. I can hardly call this power my own. I am a Jedi, a humble servant of the Light. I merely call upon the Force as my ally, but a powerful ally the Force is".
Lady Stark said, "My lord, how can we know that her magic will do what she claims it shall? We still know so little about them".
Master Hulilis responded, "I am more than happy to demonstrate the ability before you send the letter to the King.".
The council took a recess and everyone went to the yard where Lord Stark, Ser Rodrick Cassel, and Jory Cassel organized an impromptu test of Master Hullis' battle meditation. While they initially attempted to make the sides equal of a dozen men each, Master Hullis actually reduced her own force by half and allotted it the opposition. Turning the odds to 3 to 1. If one was unfamiliar to the effect a Jedi Master using battle meditation could leave on a battle.
Master Hullis knelt and began her meditation as the opposing teams started advancing towards each other. It wasn't long until the side being aided by the Battle Meditation soon launched into a full on charge while the opposing force halted. Josiah could tell that even despite the effect of the Battle Meditation the opposing force did not just throw down their arms and flee. Which was an impressive feat for non force sensitives in a small engagement. Those being empowered by the Battle Meditation crashed into their opposites and began fighting with a speed they never felt before. While they did not leave themselves open to counters, they fought like men who were completely immune to fear. Within a couple of minutes it was over. Josiah didn't even need to look at their hosts and the castle officers to see the amazement on their face. Lord Stark and his military officers must have instantly recognized the war changing potential of such an ability.
While it was a terrible thing that war had to break out. It did give them a chance to prove their worth to their hosts and could lead to further requests being accepted by their hosts. This world will learn that the coming darkness is nothing for this world now has the Force as its ally and the Force is a powerful ally.