Chapter 105: Maesters with Different Specialties

In the flickering candlelight of the Library Tower, Eddard gave orders to Vayon Poole, the steward of Winterfell.

"Take these Assistant Maesters and apprentices, settle them into their respective rooms, and ensure they are well-fed and clothed."

Vayon Poole led the Assistant Maesters and apprentices away, with the apprentice Lareza following at the very end.

In the Library Tower, only Maester Luwin, the slovenly and fat Maester Farmer, the gaunt Maester Duosite, and the silver-haired Maester Norman remained with Eddard.

Eddard folded his hands across his chest. "Gentlemen, I wish to build a prosperous and powerful North. The North and Winterfell need your wisdom. From now on, you shall serve as my advisors. What do you think you can bring to Winterfell?"

Maester Farmer stroked his chain and said humbly, "Lord Stark, at the Citadel, I dedicated myself to the study of crops, striving to increase the yields of barley, wheat, and corn. Unfortunately, the Archmaesters of the Conclave have no interest in crops. The person I admire most is Garth Greenhand. If I stay in Winterfell, I can help Lord Stark harvest more turnips, soybeans, onions, and pumpkins!"

Maester Luwin added, "Maester Farmer is also very well-versed in minerals."

Eddard nodded solemnly toward Maester Farmer. "The North is affected by the seasons and lacks sufficient sunlight; food is a severe problem every winter. Maester Farmer, I will value your agricultural research. I believe you can help me increase the North's food production. I will also have use for you in terms of mineral exploration."

The glassworks in Winterfell were already being prepared, and much quartz sand had been transported into the warehouses. Ortega, a glassblower from Myr, would soon be able to manufacture glass for Winterfell. Furthermore, Eddard also hoped to unearth more valuable minerals in the North.

Farmer gratefully grasped Eddard's hand, bowed, and left with small steps.

Next was the silver-haired Maester Norman, who looked like an old man. He said, "Lord Stark, I am skilled in medicine. Whether it be the illnesses of children, the elderly, or women, or poisons and medicines, I am proficient in all."

When Maesters forge their chains at the Citadel, they must study various branches of knowledge. A Maester's Chain is made of different metals linked together; a Maester must master the knowledge associated with a metal to earn that link. For instance, gold represents financial knowledge, iron represents military, black iron represents ravenry, bronze represents astronomy, red copper represents history, and Valyrian steel represents magic and occultism.

Thus, a Maester is a combination of advisor, tutor, physician, inventor, and more. Maester Norman's expertise in medicine made him all the more precious.

"Welcome to my Winterfell family," Eddard told Maester Norman. "I hope your healing hands can rid us of disease and pain, and bring health and hope."

Maester Norman bowed to Eddard and left.

Medical care throughout the Seven Kingdoms was backward. Those who possessed healing skills were either Maesters in castles, Septas in convents, or some wizards active in the countryside and mountains; there were not even professional nurses.

In fact, nobles and wealthy merchants were happy to spend a fortune for the sake of profit; after all, health and life were the most valuable things. Eddard believed that if Winterfell could produce some common medicinal pills, they would surely sell well across the Seven Kingdoms and make a fortune. When that time came, Maester Norman could be of great use.

The gazes of Eddard and Maester Luwin rested on the gaunt Duosite. Eddard said, "Maester Duosite, what changes can you bring to the North and Winterfell?"

"Magic!" Maester Duosite clenched his fists. "Lord Eddard, the era of the return of Qi is about to descend. Whoever masters magic controls destiny."

Maester Luwin frowned, stroking the Valyrian Steel Chain on his neck. "Maester Duosite, I was also at the Citadel and earned a Valyrian Steel Chain, which proves I completed my studies in magic and occultism. Every youth has a dream of magic, but while dreams are beautiful, they are fragile. Immersing oneself in magic brings no benefit."

Duosite shook his head stubbornly. "Maester Luwin, many bookworms at the Citadel share your view. True, the Undead and the Children of the Forest have been gone for eight thousand years, the dragons are dead, and magic has left this land, but magic will return eventually. The Undead in the forest, the Magic Dragon in the stone, the Sea Monster in the deep sea—all of this will descend upon this world."

Maester Luwin said helplessly, "That sounds more like heresy to me."

In the eyes of normal people, Duosite's remarks sounded more like madness, but as a Chuanzhe, Eddard knew that Duosite's prophecies had a certain degree of rationality.

"Maester Duosite, do you believe the Long Night and the Undead truly exist?" Eddard asked tentatively.

Duosite nodded fiercely. "Of course, it is recorded in books. Whether it is the Rhoynar living in the Greenblood basin, Westeros, or the distant Yi Ti of the Jade Sea, all have recorded the Long Night that affected generations. As for the Undead, they have disappeared for now, but they might return! We must be prepared."

Maester Luwin sighed. "Maester Duosite, your research into occultism has reached the point of obsession. No wonder even Archmaester Marwyn thinks you are impractical."

"Maester Luwin, it is not bad to listen to others' opinions." Eddard waved his hand at Maester Luwin and turned to Maester Duosite. "What exactly do you intend to do?"

Perhaps Duosite really could bring magic to Eddard. Although many forms of magic had gone extinct in Westeros, Eddard knew that in this world, the Red Priests serving R'hllor, Green Seers, skinchangers, Cloud Mages, necromancers, moon singers, and others still possessed some abilities, such as foreseeing the future or controlling beasts. Some shadowbinders and Red Priests even mastered skills like resurrection or killing with shadows.

Eddard smiled, looking forward to Duosite's answer.

Duosite said excitedly, "Prime Minister, we must restart the research into necromancy, summon the heroes of old, and fight against the Undead and other ancient spirits. We can collect Dragon Eggs, hatch Magic Dragons, and fight the Undead. According to legend, there are dragons beneath Winterfell. Lord Eddard, as long as you allow the castle to be demolished, we might be able to find a dragon and usher in the rebirth of the Magic Dragon."

Eddard's smile froze and vanished. Maester Luwin spread his hands. "Lord Eddard, I do not think Maester Duosite is suitable to serve in Winterfell. On his first day here, he actually advised you to demolish Winterfell to find a dragon."

Eddard looked at Duosite awkwardly. "Why do you think there are dragons beneath Winterfell?"

Maester Duosite said with a straight face, "Winterfell has hot springs, and I believe this is caused by a dragon's breath. Dragonstone has many volcanoes; it is the lair of the Targaryen Dynasty, and many Magic Dragons were born on Dragonstone."

"Lord Stark, there are no dragons left in this world. If there is a dragon beneath Winterfell, it is the only one. Demolishing Winterfell in exchange for the rebirth of a Magic Dragon—what a worthwhile trade!"

Eddard began to understand why the Citadel had sent Maester Duosite to Winterfell.

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(End of chapter)