Chapter 101: The North Fleet and the Military Colonies of the Wall

In the study, Eddard asked Lord Wyman of White Harbor about the shipyards in White Harbor.

"Nowadays, the shipyards in White Harbor have over two hundred shipwrights, and some of the new workers are becoming increasingly skilled," Lord Wyman told Eddard. "The shipwright Malin has already built four oared warships, and there are three more oared warships currently under construction."

At the mention of the fleet, Lord Wyman's large belly shook with excitement; he picked up the ale mug before him and drained it in one gulp. "Lord Eddard, this is the first time in hundreds of years that our North has had its own fleet! With the fleet of House Stark guarding the coastline of the North, White Harbor is much safer."

Eddard smiled, "The number is still too small; have Malin continue to build more warships."

The shipwright Malin is a man from Pentos, and he once served as a shipwright at the Braavosi Arsenal for many years. The Northern oared warships are designed after the famous Braavosi Purple-hulled Oared Warship. Once the number of the North Fleet increases and the fleet takes shape, the naval power of the North will rival the Royal Fleet, the Arbor Fleet of The Reach, and the Iron Fleet of the Iron Islands.

King Robert Baratheon now sits in King's Landing; he is Eddard's good brother, and Eddard's foster father Jon Arryn serves as Hand of the King. Currently, the Seven Kingdoms are barely maintaining a fragile peace; it appears to be a time of prosperity with envoys coming from all directions, but in reality, undercurrents are surging.

Once there is a change in the South, Eddard can order a naval commander to lead the Northern oared warships out of the Bite and head south, while he himself leads the Northern Army down the Kingsroad. Attacking by both sea and land would undoubtedly create a powerful deterrent against those enemies in the South who attempt to target the North, making them afraid to act rashly.

Lord Wyman licked the ale from his lips, "Lord Eddard, when I arrived at the upper reaches of the White Knife, I saw that there were shipyards there as well. Is Winterfell planning to build its own ships?"

Eddard nodded, "The shipwrights Mogul and Raphael, who serve the Iron Bitch Helene Pyke, are masters at designing and building longships; both of them once participated in the design and construction of the Iron Fleet's longships. The Ironborn shipwrights will build longships at the upper reaches of the White Knife."

Lord Wyman lowered his voice and whispered, "Lord Eddard, the Ironborn cannot be trusted! King Balon's rebellion was only six years ago, and the rebellion of the Iron Bitch colluding with the Rockborn has just been suppressed. Yet, Lord Eddard, you are letting Ironborn shipwrights build longships; what if the Ironborn take the ships built by Winterfell and flee?"

When fighting on Skagos, Lord Wyman's two sons, Ser Wylis and Ser Wendel, were once captured by the Iron Bitch Helene Pyke. Lord Wyman had spent many days in White Harbor in fear and trepidation, so it is no wonder that Lord Wyman loathes the Iron Bitch and her Ironborn shipwrights.

Eddard smiled at Lord Wyman, "Lord Wyman, rest assured, the Ironborn shipwrights are only responsible for building the ships. Once the ships are built, they will be sent to White Harbor and Eastwatch to be used."

Now that Winterfell has reached a cooperation with the Night's Watch, the thirty-plus Ironborn longships that Eddard captured on Skagos have all been sailed to Eastwatch, to be used jointly by the brothers of the Night's Watch and the soldiers of Winterfell. Eastwatch has instantly transformed from a fleet of wrecks into a wealthy fleet, and now they can fish in the Seal Bay and the Shivering Sea every day.

The person in charge of Winterfell at Eastwatch is Haihua. Currently, Haihua is leading the Winterfell soldiers and the craftsmen of the Night's Watch in rebuilding the Green Guard next to Eastwatch; the cold storage rooms here will become a place for storing seafood and grain.

In addition to the Green Guard, the Nightfort, which Harwin is responsible for, and Westbridge, which Alyn is responsible for, are also under intense construction. Once the Green Guard, the Nightfort, and Westbridge are rebuilt and the castles are put into use, Winterfell will directly rebuild manors in The Gift south of the castles and establish military colonies.

That day, Winterfell prepared a sumptuous banquet, including barley and venison soup, honey cakes, lemon cakes, mead, boar meat, beef with onions, and more, to celebrate Domeric Bolton's name day.

Under Eddard's mediation, Roose Bolton and Lord Wyman shook hands and made peace, and the two drank "the fine wine symbolizing friendship" together. Lady Barbrey sat with her brother, Rill Ryswell.

Rill Ryswell is in his early thirties, strong in build, with a brown, bushy beard; he is the second son of Roderick Ryswell, Lord of the Rills.

Under the instigation of Sansa and Arya, Domeric picked up a harp and sang the ballad "Streams and Steeds," which praises the cavalry and warhorses of the Rills. Lady Barbrey listened, mesmerized, her eyes brimming with tears.

Catelyn handed Lady Barbrey a handkerchief embroidered with a silver trout, "Lady Barbrey, what is the matter?"

"I was just thinking of things from when I was a child," Lady Barbrey wiped away her tears. "When I was young, I often rode horses in the Rills with Brandon and Lyanna. Now, the warhorses of the Rills still gallop and the grass is still green, but Brandon and Lyanna are both dead."

Rill Ryswell laughed wickedly, "Big sister, you are always keeping company with the ghosts of the past. Could it be that the legends of Barrowton are true? Legend has it that the First King of Barrow Hill will cast a curse upon the living, slowly sucking dry the spiritual energy of those who live around Barrow Hill. Big sister, could it be that the First King has sucked dry your vitality and passion? You should find a man sooner and give birth to a bunch of children; living as a widow will only make you neurotic."

Lady Barbrey glared at her brother, "Get lost! Even Father cannot control me; when is it your turn to point fingers at my marriage?"

Rill Ryswell made a face, picked up his wine glass, and went to drink with Lord Wyman on the side.

Eddard walked over, "Lady Barbrey, Brandon and Lyanna are resting in the crypts. You must be very lonely in Barrowton; why not stay in Winterfell for a few more days? We can go hunting in the Wolfswood together, go fishing in the nearby stream, or go visit the manors."

Lady Barbrey clutched her stomach, "Lord Eddard, thank you for your kindness, but I have not been feeling well these past few days—some women's ailments."

Catelyn said with concern, "Maester Luwin of our Winterfell is highly skilled in medicine; he can treat women's ailments. Why not let him examine you?"

Lady Barbrey has always loathed maesters; she rolled her eyes, "You are very kind, but I have no fondness for grey rats, and I certainly won't let them examine me. I am just suffering from coldness in my body; every time those few days after my monthly cycle pass, my whole body feels freezing."

Catelyn took Lady Barbrey's hand, "I have this symptom too; soaking in the hot springs makes it better. The hot springs of Winterfell are the best. Lady Barbrey, let us bathe together tonight; soaking in the hot springs will make you feel much better."

In the women's bathhouse of Winterfell, Lady Barbrey and Catelyn soaked in the hot spring. Steam filled the air, making Lady Barbrey feel refreshed all over; sweat broke out on her skin, and her long hair draped over her shoulders.

"Winterfell is truly a good place; there are hot springs right inside the castle."

Catelyn smiled, "Winterfell not only has hot springs, but also the Glass Garden, the godswood, and the Crypts of Winterfell. Eddard says he wants to expand the glass farms in the future."

Lady Barbrey looked at Catelyn through the steam.

"Lady Catelyn, I envy you. If Brandon were still alive, perhaps the mistress of Winterfell would be me."

(End of chapter)