Designing an Army.
Winterfell-289 AC
Sitting on the back of his carriage on soft blankets and eating a fine course of crab cooked in garlic and butter washed down with a cup of fine Arbour Gold, Wyman Manderly eagerly counted down the hours until he arrived at Winterfell.
He had always considered himself a practical man. He would try and use every resource he could for the benefit of his House and White Harbour. He invested heavily in trade and in building up a network of merchants to keep him informed of the greater happenings in the world. He was always careful with any investments and while he and his family lived lavishly compared to most Northern Lords, he knew the value of gold and made sure his family knew it as well. As a result, White Harbour flourished under his rule.
Still, growth had always been slow for White Harbour and for the North as a whole. It didn't help that most Lords in Westeros, especially the North, look down on trading as something only merchants and smallfolk should involve themselves in. They didn't see how trading could be used to make their lands and people flourish. How it could be used to develop the lands to make them stronger.
Wyman never blamed any of the Northern Lords for this of course. None of them had the fortune of ruling over a city. None of them had the advantage to easily trade like White Harbour does. None of them really even had the ability be very successful in trade, even if they dedicated themselves to it. They either lacked any goods that could be a constant source of gold or they had no way to safely transport their goods over the North, due to either a lack of gold, roads or just banditry. Most Northern Lords didn't have gold that they could waste, so most would never even think of risking their gold on trading ventures that may not succeed.
So no, Wyman never blamed any of the Northern Lords for not seeing things the way he does. How could he, when he knows how difficult and risky trading like he does can be for them? Still, it was always a slight disappointment that the North was seemingly destined to always lag far behind the South in wealth, due to nothing besides location.
Then Hadrian Stark came along.
Wyman Manderly was good friends with Richard Stark. He would even go as far as to say he was one of a handful of very fortunate lords in the North, who truly got to know the late Stark behind his lordly mask. He got to know all about Richard Starks plans to strengthen the North. Plans that mostly relied on Southern alliances to increase the Norths trade and food security. Those alliances would also give the North extra protection from Aerys madness should it ever turn their way.
While Wyman was not very happy about Richard trying to make the Starks and the North as a whole more involved with Southern politics, he never tried to argue against it either. Not when he believed as Richard Stark did, that something must be done to increase the Norths power. As after almost three centuries of Targaryen rule, the North was in the weakest state it had ever been in. Lacking any better ideas to increase the Norths power, he threw himself into supporting his liege lord.
Now, years later, he can't help but look back on that time with regret. Perhaps if he argued against Richards decision, many would still be alive. Or perhaps the Targaryens would have done something even worse if the North lacked the power and alliances to fight back. He just didn't know.
When Rhaegar was defeated and they all thought the war was over, Wyman thought that the North would finally get its due. He thought that they finally had a chance to have a say in the politics of Westeros. That they would be given opportunities to grow stronger from the new king that they had put on the throne. While he never liked Robert Baratheon for his whoremongering ways and how he spit all over the reputation of Lyanna when he continued to sleep with anything that moved during the war, he held his tongue. He hoped that justice might finally rule over The Seven Kingdoms.
He lost that hope upon witnessing the horrors that took place in Kings Landing. While Wyman never liked the Targaryens, it didn't mean he supported the senseless slaughter of the children and Elia Martell. Honestly, Wyman found the whole affair revolting. The butchery of a city was a terrible start for a new dynasty. The fact that Robert was so proud of the butchery of a mother and her two children, was just as bad in the eyes of many lords.
He developed a great distaste for Southern politics after witnessing how Lannister was rewarded for such atrocious actions. He developed a great dislike of Robert Baratheon throughout the war that only grew once he was officially crowned King.
Wyman expected to go back North after the Rebellion, where he expected the North would continue to remain isolated from the rest of Westeros. The difference was that he was happy with that outcome now. As far as he was concerned, the less the North had to do with Southern politics the better. He was just disappointed that the North would continue to decline.
Then Hadrian Stark started single handily improving the North. Not through Southern Alliances but by strengthening the North itself through innovation and trade.
These days Wyman was hopeful. The North was already the strongest it had been in a few centuries and he had no doubt that Hadrian was just getting started.
As the carriage came to a stop in the courtyard of Winterfell, some attendants ran around the side to help Wyman climb onto the ground. It was a struggle of a few moments before Wyman was standing comfortably on his own feet, watching as Benjen Stark eagerly greeted his family.
Wyman waited patiently for the family to greet each other while he met eyes with his son Wylis for the first time since before the Greyjoy Rebellion began. When Wylis smiled at him he couldn't help but let out a slight breath of relief. He knew that his son was unharmed during the war but sometimes things need to be seen with your own eyes. After gesturing to Wylis that they would speak later, he started approaching to give his own greetings.
Hadrian Stark was the first to tear his attention away from Benjen and notice him. Wyman instantly started to drop to his knee with a greeting of "Lord Stark." He never managed to make it even halfway down before Hadrian gestured for him to keep standing. So with only the slightest struggle, Wyman straightened his legs.
"I trust the journey was smooth my lord?" Hadrian greeted with a smile.
Wyman laughed boisterously. "As smooth as can be expected Lord Stark. It will be nice to sleep in proper chambers on a proper bed again, I'm afraid that my body is not so fond of long trips as it used to be."
Hadrian laughed. "I can understand the sentiment, I found myself missing my bed too when I was as Sea-Dragon Point. " Hadrian turned and gestured to a number of servants who quickly came running. "Some servants will escort all your belongings to your chambers my lord while another has already been sent to the kitchen to get you and your Household refreshments. "
Wyman bowed his head. "Thank you my lord."
Hadrian just nodded. "There will be a small feast tonight and the lords will be gathering into a council tomorrow to make decisions regarding the future of the North. For now, you are free to relax from your journey. "
After a small pause Hadrian continued. "I have a few things I have to get ready for tomorrow's meeting. I hope you can forgive me…."
Wyman instantly nodded. "Of course. I have no doubt it is very important. Please, don't let me keep you Lord Stark." Wyman truly didn't mind. He had no doubt that Hadrian Stark was working on something important that would benefit The North. The boy had done more for the North in his few short years than the last ten generations of Starks. If anything, Wyman was excited to see what Hadrian had planned.
As Hadrian walked away, Eddard Stark who had come up besides his nephew, took over from there. "It's good to see you Wyman-"
The next afternoon found Wyman sitting beside his son in the Great Hall of Winterfell. Instead of the normal arrangement of tables they were arranged into a semi-circle, so that each of the lords could see each other, with a separate table at the front for the sole use of the Starks.
Wyman was one of the first Lords to make it to the meeting. He and his son took the opportunity to whisper about one of the big things that happened in Winterfell, that Wyman only learned about on his arrival.
The topic being Lord Edmure Tully.
According to Wylis, no lord had spoken out against Hadrian Starks decision to quit all trade with Riverrun. Most lords seemed to agree with Hadrians decision even. While Wyman won't say that he is very happy about having one of the Norths largest and most reliable trade partners being suddenly cut off from Northern trade, as a decision like that will affect the Norths incomes and expenses in all sorts of negative ways, he can't say he was very upset with the situation either. Tully had clearly overstepped and needed to be punished. In truth, he was even happy that Hadrian affectively ended the Tullys influence in the North. All Northern Lords are proud, even Wyman. The less influence the South has over the North the happier he would be.
He and Wylis spent a few minutes gossiping about the issue. Talking about some of the consequences of Hadrians decision and about how House Tully might react. They arrived at the conclusion that besides petitioning the King, there was not much Tully could do about Hadrians decision.
Once the hall started to fill up a bit more, they moved onto more lighthearted topics. Like how Benjen Starks education was going or about some of the more amusing things Wylis's daughters got up to in his absence. Before Wyman knew it, everyone had arrived and the meeting was beginning.
The meeting started when Hadrian Stark stood up from his seat and addressed the lords. "First I would like to thank all of you for coming. Today we are about to make history my lords. In a century, when our descendants look at the North and its power, they will know that much of that power came from the decisions we made here today. They will learn that this is when the future of the North began to change for the better. Today is the day we redesign our kingdoms security and protection into something that will make us stronger than any other Kingdom in time. "
Hadrian took a pause amidst the sound of cheering. Wyman himself just clapped politely while trying to hang onto every word that was said. After a few moments Hadrian continued. "We have a number of topics that need to be discussed my lords, but the important one for now, is the formation of a proper Northern Army. I want this army to be the most powerful army ever seen. To accomplish that, I will need the Lords of the North to give their best ideas."
Hadrian took another break to let the lords process that before continuing. "For now, I want to build up an army of five thousand men. This will not include the cavalry or the Navy, who will have to undergo different training methods and will be a different discussion. I want the army to not only very well equipped but to also make sure that each of the soldiers are extremely well trained. Once those numbers are filled to satisfaction and the army is stable, the size of the army can be expanded."
He took another moment to look out at the lords before continuing. "I leave the floor open."
With that, Hadrian sat down. It was quiet for several long moments as each of the lords just looked at each other, trying to determine who would go first.
After a few moments Wyman decided to go first. So with a small clearing of his throat he spoke. "If there will only be five thousand soldiers at the start, then there will not be enough men to protect the entire North, at all times. The army will need to be positioned in the correct place. So that it can quickly and effectively march anywhere in the North. I would suggest that the army training grounds and fortress be placed at the base of the mountains to the North of Winterfell." He looked around the hall to see some lords nodding along while others looked less convinced. When Wyman looked at Hadrian, he thought he saw a flash of victory in his eyes.
He decided to think about that in a minute, for now he continued to explain. "It is a very defensible location near the centre of the North. Therefore the army can march to any point in the North without having to cross the entire kingdom. Most importantly, it is a location close to Winterfell. Which I am sure all the lords would agree is the beating heart of the North and the place that needs to be the best protected. "
All the lords were nodding along to his words with muttered ayes. Even Lord Umber, who Wyman knows would prefer the army be stationed near The Wall for protection from wildlings and Lord Glover, who would prefer the army be near his lands to protect it from Ironborn raids.
Hadrian spoke. "Does anyone have any other ideas for the location?"
The hall remained quiet. After a few seconds Hadrian continued. "It's decided then, the army training grounds and first fortress will be built in the Mountains just North of Winterfell. We can come up with a name for the fortress at a later time."
Hadrian took a breath before gesturing to the lords to give more ideas. Lord Karstark was quick to raise his voice. "There's five thousand men. Even if they rest their swords in the mountains North of Winterfell, there's more than enough men to do constant patrols across the North for bandits, Ironborn or Wildlings. We need to figure out how the men will be divided for these patrols and who will lead these groups of soldiers. We need to figure out what type of soldiers they will be. Will these groups be made up of archers, swordsmen or spearmen? We need to discuss who will be in charge of running the army."
Mutters started going up through the hall again before the Greatjon stood up and bellowed. "The Stark of Winterfell is in charge of the army! They are the only ones who I would trust with command of such a powerful force!"
Maege Mormont was quick to agree. "Aye! The army will stay under control of House Stark! We won't trust another with that type of power."
Lord Karstark was looking a bit flustered now. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Hadrian. "Peace! Peace my lords. I'm sure Lord Karstark would agree that the army needs to stay under the control of House Stark, lest there is a major imbalance of power in the North. But Lord Karstark is also right in a way. I am incredibly busy with my duties and don't have the time to oversee the army every day if there is no war. A general or several generals will have to be chosen to oversee the daily operations of the army. They will have to have their powers restricted, so that they can't order any military operations without the permission of the Stark of Winterfell except for in times when independent action is required or when organising patrols for bandits, wildings and Ironborn. That way they will be restricted from encroaching on another Lords authority."
He paused with a nod to Lord Karstark who was looking significantly calmer now that it seemed Hadrian was agreeing with him. Hadrian took a breath before continuing. "Fortunately this is one problem that I have spent a lot of nights thinking of solutions for. I have come up with different ranks and different groupings for the soldiers. Each group of five thousand troops will be known as a Legion. Each Legion will have a single General overlooking them in peacetime and wartime. This general will report directly to House Stark and will take orders only from The Stark of Winterfell. Each Legion will be divided into ten groups known as Cohorts, made of five hundred men each. Each of them will have a leader known as a Major who will report to the General. These Cohorts will be divided again into Centuries of one hundred men lead by a Centurion who will report to their Major. Each Century will be split into groups of ten called Units. Lead by an Officer who will report to their Centurion. "
Hadrian took a moment to make sure all the Lords understood what he was saying. At the same time there were scribes moving about the hall placing parchment in front of the Lords with Hadrians ideas for the composition of the army written on it. It seems Hadrian already knew what he wanted out of the army. Wyman was starting to suspect the only reason the Lords were included in this discussion was so that none of them felt insulted and so that none of them could complain about the formation of the army if they were involved in its creation.
After all the parchment was handed out and Hadrian could see the Lords were examining it he continued. "Each Unit will have one builder whose job it will be to make siege equipment or to make defensive fortifications and one healer who will be in charge of keeping the men alive. The builder and healer will also be trained in arms, same as the rest of the soldiers. Each Unit will train together, eat together and fight together. Unity and discipline will be encouraged and enforced. It is my hope that each of these soldiers will fight all the harder if they know the men or women next to them."
Wyman could see most Lords were making noises of agreement as they looked through the parchment in front of them. Wyman himself was very impressed with what he has read so far.
Before any of the Lords spoke Hadrian continued. "If you have noticed, there are a few different levels of command that the soldiers can rise through. I am saying this now so that no one acts surprised later. Promotion in the army will be based on merits. On how well the soldiers perform and how well they can perform their roles. I will not have men or woman who have no idea what they are doing command the army just because their father is an important Lord."
There was significantly more grumbling from the Lords at this proclamation. Although none of them dared say anything directly to Hadrian about his decision, because it was a smart choice all things considered. Nobody wanted the army to be destroyed because a Lord was chasing glory instead of commanding properly
Hadrian continued before the Lords got any louder. "It is still important that Lords and Ladies of the North are in positions of command though. I just want to make sure that those that do have positions of power in the army are competent at their jobs. After much thinking, I have come up with an idea that I would like to propose to you all. "
After making sure he had everyone's attention, Hadrian continued. "I would like to make a Military Academy just outside of Winterfell for the children of Lords or Ladies who are interested in having leadership positions in the army. It is my idea to gather the most skilled soldiers and commanders in the world, to come and teach what they know to the future leaders of the Northern Army. From there, if they prove themselves, then sons and daughters of Lords will be given command over a Unit or a Cohort. Whoever proves themselves the most skilled and loyal over time will be most likely to be given command over a full legion as a General. It is my hope that this will lead to unity between the different Houses in the North and that it will lead to the North having the most skilled commanders in the world."
When he looked out across the hall, Wyman saw most lords were unsure of the idea even if they could clearly see the benefits. Hadrian must have seen it too because he continued. "My cousins will be joining this academy when they turn ten name-days. The training will last for six years with three moons off once a year for the children to see their families. Lords are of course allowed to visit or write whenever they wish. I would join this Academy myself, but I'm afraid I will not have the time to train for all those years because of my other duties to The North. Instead as the Stark of Winterfell, I will listen seriously to any advice that the General of the Army has in military matters before making any final decisions involving military action. Lords will not be forced to send their children to this academy. Their children will just not be given any power in the Northern Army if they don't. "
In the silence, Wyman looked over the Lords of the North again. Most of them were nodding along and agreeing to Hadrians words. Once Hadrian stated that his cousins would be going for this training, even the Lords who might not like the idea lost their ability to complain. After all, if the Starks were going to be held to these standards then it is only right the rest of them should be too.
"I understand this is a large decision my lords. Why don't we leave this part of the discussion for later so that everybody has a chance to think about what I said? We will vote on whether or not the idea is good later." Wyman had no doubt that almost every Lord would vote in favour of what Hadrian proposed. None of the Lords wanted to get on Hadrians bad side and risk missing out on future opportunities for their Houses. It helped that Hadrians proposal was a genuinely good idea that could see the North bound more closely than any Kingdom before it.
After a moment of silence Lord Glover stood up. "I understand raising the next generation of Lords to be competent commanders My Lord and I agree. Having competent commanders is even more important than having well trained soldiers. The issue is, it will take years to train the leaders. We will need some commanders now." With that, Lord Glover sat down.
Hadrian just nodded calmly. "Aye, you are correct. We do need competent commanders who will work to make this army a reality. A lot of Lords are already not viable for these positions at the moment, purely due to the fact they have other duties on their lands which are just as important. Some may be located on the West coast and will have a duty to develop their lands and defences to the best of their ability over the next few years. I will not have these lords being distracted. Having a properly developed West coast will not only bring in some much needed trade to the North that will help finance this army, it will also act as a deterrent for any Ironborn."
Lord Glover didn't look particularly happy to be told that he will not have a position of command but he nodded his head in understanding. Wyman agreed with Hadrian in this instance. It was important for Lords with less developed lands to take advantage of the growth in the Northern economy. Distracting them with other duties would slow or stop most progress on their lands, hurting the North.
Hadrians voice brought Wyman out of his thoughts. "It is the same story for the Lords who have gotten new lands from The Gift. It is incredibly important that those Lands are developed so the North can produce more food. I will not have these Lords distracted and progress slowed."
Wyman saw the Greatjon grumble under his breath and down a goblet of wine.
Hadrian continued. "I have thought a lot about who would be the best candidate for General my lords. At first I thought about making my uncle Ned General, but I decided he has other duties that are just as important. After a lot of thinking, I decided that the best candidate was Lord Karstark. "
Rickard Karstark had a dumbfounded look on his face for a few moments before he started smiling widely. Unfortunately the other Lords weren't so happy with not being chosen and the hall started getting progressively louder.
After the noise went on for a few seconds longer with no sign of stopping, Hadrian raised his voice. "Silence!'
The hall quietened instantly. None of the Lords had ever heard Hadrian raise his voice. The surprise was enough to stun them. "Now if you will allow me to explain my choice?"
When nobody spoke, Hadrian continued. "Lord Karstark has a son that is almost a man grown and ready to take on his duties. He is an experienced commander who has served House Stark and the North faithfully for years. Most other Lords will be incredibly busy in the next few years developing their lands. Our first military campaign, to bloody our soldiers, has also already been decided and Lord Karstark is uniquely motivated to make sure that campaign is a success."
Lord Umber spoke. "Who are we fighting?"
Hadrian had a deadly serious look on his face. "Skagos."
The hall broke out into mutters but Hadrian raised his hand and stopped them almost immediately. "I summoned the Lords of Skagos to this meeting as well. They chose to ignore me. It has become increasingly obvious that Skagos does not respect House Starks authority despite being officially part of The North. I will not have it. Skagos is where the army will cut its teeth."
Lord Karstark had a positively bloodthirsty grin on his face. Not that Wyman could blame him. The Skagosi had been raiding his lands for centuries.
Hadrian continued. "Now does anyone disagree with Lord Karstark as a choice?"
When all the Lords stayed quite Hadrian continued. "Now we need to discuss the type of training the soldiers will go through. I have being doing a lot of research on the Ancient Ghiscari Empire and I believe….."
I am so so so sorry for such a late chapter. I went on a trip a few weeks ago in South Africa and caught swine flu. I was seriously sick and had absolutely no motivation to write. Last week I thought I was better but then ended up having relapse and got sick again, luckily not as badly this time. I am fine now and am determined to make up for all the time that I have missed. I want to apologise to everyone again, I feel terrible about messing up my schedule so badly. I will be writing a lot this week to make up for all the time I've missed and will be releasing two chapters a week for the next few weeks to make up for lost time.
Criticism is welcome as long as it's constructive.
Next chapter Friday 30 June 2023
To read ahead of the update schedule: Pat_ (slash) TheLifeandTimes19.