Once Jon had broken his fast, he met with Wyman Manderly in Lord Stark's solar. With him, Jon brought the ledgers, which had been recorded for profits made from the sales of grain and cider over the past few months. Word had spread far and wide, and demand for the drink was outstripping supply. They were both sat with a mug of White Harbor ale while Lord Manderly examined the books.
"This won't pay for a war, Your grace," he said, as he flipped through the pages of the book.
"Aye, I know that," Jon replied. "We have other monies which have yet to be logged."
Jon had intended to use only the gold. The jewels would be saved for creating crown jewels, to ensure the nobility were aware of their riches. However, Jon wanted to wait until Arya returned with the gold she had retrieved from the Iron Bank of Braavos.
"How much?" Lord Manderly asked.
"I cannot be certain. I am waiting for the funds to arrive from Essos. Communication has been… avoided. In my experience, discussing the transportation of gold by raven is not wise, my Lord."
"Of course not, your grace. But, if I beg your pardon, I will need to know as soon as you have the numbers."
"Of course, Lord Manderly. You will be the first to know," Jon stood. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must go see Blizzard. I hear rumours he has taken flight. Soon he will be ready to accompany us to war."
"And what a boon he will be, your grace. Significantly cheaper to feed than an army. And likely more deadly."
Jon laughed as he opened the door for Lord Manderly to leave. The old man stood and joined him in the doorway.
"I have no intention of using him to burn people. I just want to put the fear of the Seven into them and hope they will surrender. Hostages are more valuable than burned corpses."
"Aye, there is no doubting that, your grace," Lord Manderly agreed. "I'll take these and have a proper look at them before the small council meeting. Your grace," he nodded his head before he turned to leave.
"Lord Manderly," Jon smiled as the Lord of White Harbor left him standing while he waddled down the corridor to peruse the ledgers.
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Before Jon and Sansa left Winterfell to visit Blizzard, Jon wished to see Prince Oberyn and Edd, who were leaving for Castle Black that very morning. They were both in the courtyard checking on their horses as Jon made his way out of the Great Keep.
Outside, a cacophony of noise and confusion reigned over the courtyard. The horses in the stables were whinnying as they were being harnessed and saddled. Loud voices barked orders.
Despite there only being twelve men in the company heading North, two wagons were being filled with ale, wine and furs. All most likely on the command of Prince Oberyn. Jon wanted to roll his eyes at the frivolity, yet he knew Sansa would chastise him and warn him it wasn't the kingly thing to do.
A light dusting of snow covered the ground, and the grey skies threatened more to come. Mayhap the furs would be needed more than most for a Dornishman would surely feel the cold greater than a northerner like himself.
Jon made his way to Edd first, who was checking his horse. His dour face looked up as Jon approached,
"Trust me to make friends with a King who wants to freeze me to death. Your grace."
Jon laughed. Edd's negative sarcasm never failed to amuse him.
"You'll be fine," Jon smiled.
"You weren't out there as long as me. Any colder and my cock would have frozen off when I took a piss."
"Find somewhere to keep it warm," Jon suggested.
"What? In Castle Black?" he frowned as Jon's face turned serious, and Edd realised what Jon was about to tell him. "I'm not going north of the fucking wall again. It's too dangerous. Especially now the wildlings have fled south. What's he want to go north of the wall for? Pompous bastard he is," Edd muttered under his breath, but still loud enough for Jon to hear him.
"Prince Oberyn is one of the best fighters in the realm. Not only that, but he is incredibly clever. Going past the wall will give him the opportunity to witness a wight first-hand."
"Give him the opportunity to get us all killed, you mean."
"You're only going as far as Queenscrown. Benjen will be the one to escort him past the wall."
"Aye, so you say. Knowing my luck, the Prince will like me so much, he'll insist on me being the one to take him through."
"Prince Oberyn needs a ranger, men of the watch and some wildlings to take him North. You are none of them. Instead, you'll be helping Mance run Queenscrown. Just think of the cider. Oh, and a new brothel has opened up."
"I bet the whores are ugly."
Jon laughed and shook his head. "Ros knows what she's doing. She'll only hire the best. Better than the ones at Moles Town."
"Can't get worse than them at Moles Town. You only have to walk into the whorehouse and you get a case of the clap."
"I wouldn't be surprised if the Prince tries the one in Queenscrown. Isn't that right, Prince Oberyn?" Jon called out as he spotted the Dornishman.
"Tries the what in Queenscrown?"
"The whorehouse. One of Littlefinger's Ladies runs it."
"Littlefinger runs the best whorehouses in Kings Landing. If she's learned anything from him, then I might try it," Oberyn flashed a brilliant smile, showing off his perfect white teeth.
"Just don't try the one in Moles Town. You'll be scratching all the way to the Frostfangs," Edd warned.
Jon pulled two letters out of his pocket and handed them to Oberyn.
"One is for Lord Commander Mormont, and the other is for Mance Rayder. You'll need some Free Folk to guide you North of the Wall. He'll know who's best suited for the job," Jon pulled another letter from his pocket and handed it to Edd. "This is for Mance. I want Gendry back in Winterfell. I'm sure he's trained enough to work the dragonglass."
"I'll keep it close to my chest," Edd promised.
"Just don't lose it," Jon said and pulled Edd into a hug, which the shorter man reciprocated. Jon turned to Prince Oberyn. "Good luck beyond the wall. Take care, it is a very dangerous place," Jon held out his hand, and Oberyn shook it.
"I will do my best, your grace. If I see one of those monsters with my own eyes, my brother may be more inclined to fight for your cause."
"It matters not whoever ends up on the Iron Throne. Just promise me your men will fight for the living."
Prince Oberyn nodded. "I promise," he agreed.
Jon stood back as Oberyn mounted his horse with the grace of a dancer. Edd cast him a look of disdain, before climbing aboard his own.
"Enjoy the Kingsroad," Jon called out as he watched the horses trot away from him.
"Your grace," came the voice of Maester Luwin from behind.
Jon swung around to greet the old man.
"How can I help you, Maester Luwin?"
The old Maester held out a tiny scroll. "For you, your grace. It came a few minutes ago."
Jon unfurled the scroll and read the contents. It was short and to the point.
Jon
The giant has been slain. He died at sea. His three hundred bars did not sink with him. I will be home within a sennight.
Arya
"Gather Lord and Lady Stark, and Robb. Tell them I'll meet with them in Lord Stark's solar. It is a matter of urgency. I will find the Queen."
"Of course, your grace" Maester Luwin bowed his head and made off in search for his charges.
Jon rushed towards the library, which is where he knew Sansa was looking for old winter ledgers. When he found her, she had her elbow on the desk and her forehead rested against her hand. The copper of her hair, glowed like fire around her.
She looked beautiful, too beautiful for a bastard like him. Jon mentally kicked himself. He hadn't had thoughts like that for a long time. He wasn't a bastard; he was a trueborn Prince and Sansa was to be his Queen.
"Jon?"
Sansa must have heard him approach, all the while he stared at her like a greenboy.
"I'm just appreciating my wife's beauty and her wits."
"So you've come her just to appreciate my beauty and wits?" she raised an eyebrow.
"That isn't why I am here," he strolled over to her and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "It just gave me an excuse to watch you."
Sansa glanced around the library. "Not here," she whispered. "Anyone could walk in."
Jon almost choked at her suggestion. Sansa becoming the adventurous type had never occurred to him. He'd file that for later, but he was here on equally exciting business. Jon handed her Arya's letter.
"I came to show you this."
Sansa read the note and looked up at him, her blue eyes brimming full of hope.
"The pack is almost back together. We are just waiting for Bran."
"Aye, and he should be here within the fortnight, if he rides hard. Come, your mother, father, and Robb know nothing about this news. I say we go break it to them. Maester Luwin has gathered them in your father's solar."
Sansa stood and wrapped her arms around him.
"Then what are we waiting for. Lead the way, your grace."
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Apart from Rickon, the family were gathered in Lord Stark's solar. The letter had been read out by Jon, and the others were digesting the contents. Jon and Sansa knew questions would be asked, for despite the sparse details provided, the letter held a lot of information.
"What does this all mean?" Lady Cat asked.
"Who is the giant?" Lord Stark added.
"Littlefinger," Sansa replied.
"He's been dead for some time. Arya has been posing as him. She journeyed to Braavos to clear out his accounts with the Iron Bank of Braavos. These are the funds which will pay for the war and repay the debts the Seven Kingdoms owe," Jon explained.
Ned looked thunderstruck.
"Is this how you plan to take the Seven Kingdoms" without honour? I raised you as an honourable man."
"And that got you killed, father," Sansa glared at him. "This money is what he has taken from the crown."
"One of the reasons Westeros is in so much debt it because Littlefinger stole the money. Claim higher costs of works being done and pocketing the difference."
"Honour doesn't win wars, father," Robb stated. "It got me killed once. I won't make that same mistake again. If we have to play dirty…"
"Then we're no better than the Lannisters," Ned interrupted.
Jon placed his hands on the desk and leaned over to Ned.
"If we don't win this war, everyone in the entire Seven Kingdoms will die. I will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening. What good is honour when everyone is dead? Do you think the gods will disapprove? Because I'll tell you one thing. There is nothing after death. I should know."
Without a second thought, he stormed out of the solar and returned to his chambers. He poured himself a mug of ale and downed it in one. When the door opened, Jon snapped his head to see who the intruder was, but it was only Sansa.
"Are you going to lecture me?" Jon asked.
Sansa shook her head and made her way over to him.
"Father was more shocked than anything. Nobody dares speak to him like that. You are absolutely right, which made it worse."
"What was said after I left?"
"Robb said you were right. Mother asked me to take you back to the meeting once you'd calmed down," Sansa rubbed his back.
"I'm calm," Jon told her.
"Come, let us return."
Sansa led him down the corridor and back to Lord Stark's solar, where the three remaining Starks were waiting for him.
"I'm sorry about my outburst," Jon said.
Ned shook his head. "Forget about it. War is a dirty business. And you are right. This war is one we cannot afford to lose. Now, back to business. Why did Arya say Littlefinger was dead, even though he has been for some time?"
"To sow confusion and discord amongst the court, Arya gave Jaime a letter from Varys claiming he knew who killed Joffrey, and when the moment was right, he would receive another letter giving him the names. The Lannisters know Littlefinger and Olenna were the culprits. Arya was to dispose of Littlefinger at sea, pretending his ship to be lost, all the while she is returning to Winterfell with three hundred gold bars."
Ned, Cat, and Robb's eyes almost popped out of their heads.
"That's fifteen million gold dragons," Ned said. "How much did you say the crown was in debt by?"
"Six million," Sansa told them. "It should be enough to fund the war, repay the debts, and ensure the smallfolk don't suffer in the winter. A crown with full coffers is a show of power."
"What about the jewels you brought from Gulltown?" Ned asked.
"Those will make a new crown and for other crown jewels. It may sound frivolous, and I would prefer not to wear one, but Sansa has educated me in the need for power to be visible. Sansa and I will have crowns of dragonglass and rubies."
A knock at the door prevented the discussion from going any further.
"My Lord," came Maester Luwin's voice from the other side.
"Come in," his uncle said.
The door opened and Maester Luwin appeared with a scroll in his hand.
"A raven for you, Lord Stark. From Castle Cerwyn."
Lord Stark frowned and took the scroll from the elderly Maester. He removed the wax seal and read the contents, his face growing pale.
"What is it, my love?" Cat asked.
"Lord and Lady Bolton are spending the night at Castle Cerwyn, along with Lady Dustin, and Lords Ryswell and Hornwood."
"Then we must prepare for their arrival," Cat said.
"We cannot let them know we are aware of their betrayal," Jon insisted. "We must pretend to forgive Roose for the behaviour of his bastard."
Sansa shuddered. Jon knew this would be hard on her, for Roose had known what Ramsay had done to her, but had done nothing to stop it. Robb looked uncomfortable. This was the man who had killed him in another life.
"I think we are done here for now," Jon said. "Sansa and I need to visit Blizzard. He is flying and will head for Valyria in the coming days."
"Already?" Lady Stark was taken aback by the swift growth of the baby dragon.
"Aye," Jon nodded. "He'll return to Winterfell before he flies off, so you can say your goodbyes." Jon and Sansa turned to leave. "We'll be back in time for supper."
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The ride to the clearing to two hours on horseback. With a mere three hours of daylight left, the visit would be a short one.
Jon could tell Blizzard had just returned from the hunt along the Stony Shore. He had gorged on whale meat and had a full belly. The flight to the sea had taken four hours each way, which surprised Jon. The dragon's speed was comparable to that of Daenerys dragons, if not faster.
The biggest surprise was Blizzard's size. He was large enough to carry Arya, although not strong enough for Jon. His wings must have grown several feet, as had his body. The dragon was still lithe, and did not carry the same look as Daenerys dragons. Mayhap it was because he was younger, Jon wondered. Or did dragons take after their parents.
"I haven't looked through all the dragon books, but Blizzard doesn't look like Daenerys dragons," Jon told Sansa as he rubbed Blizzard's nose.
"Who were his parents?"
"Silverwing and Vermithor, I think," Jon replied. "Her dragons must have come from different parents."
"I thought they would all look the same, but just with different colours."
"Aye, so did I," Jon agreed, as they sat down with Ghost and Lady, while Blizzard wrapped his wing around them to keep them warm.
"If he can fly the distance, I wonder why he hasn't gone yet."
"His scales aren't hard enough. I suspect they will be within the next two days."
"Arya and Bran won't get to see him before he leaves," she stroked the dragon's maw, to which he purred with pleasure at her touch.
"Arya might see him if he crosses the White Knife."
They remained silent for some time, all five of them curled up in a ball of fur, scales, and leathery wings. The comfort of it all was making him feel sleepy, and he could tell Sansa was drowsy too. It was Sansa who broke the silence.
"We need to make sure our newly arrived visitors see him before he leaves,"
"Do you think it will make Roose Bolton more loyal?" Jon asked.
Sansa shook her head.
"He won't become more loyal, but he will be less likely to be disloyal. A healthy fear of a dragon does that to people."
Jon pulled Sansa into him and kissed her.
"I'll take your word for it. You know him better than I do."
Jon closed his eyes to eke into the bond he had with the dragon. Blizzard would leave in two days, and if Jon had already begun his march south, the dragon would know where to find him. When Jon told Sansa this, tears filled her eyes. Jon knew she felt like Blizzard's mother, and their bond was strong. Blizzard rested his head against Sansa's.
"He knows why you are crying, and you should not be sad. He will soon return," Jon promised on behalf of the dragon. "It also means we get Ghost and Lady back."
"I suppose that is something," Sansa sighed.
"It is time for us to leave. The sun will set in around two hours. I don't want to be stuck in here overnight."
Sansa nodded in agreement. They said their goodbyes to the odd-looking pack, mounted their horses and rode back to Winterfell. Arriving before the sun set in the skies, and just in time for supper.