People and Ideas

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Trading ships and shops in ports need men, new lands need men, the Bay of Ice need men and the Bear Island also need men for basic security and daily work.

That night, sleeping beside his pregnant wife, Jorah was plagued with this new trouble.

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"M'Lord, as per the numbers, we can finish the boat bridge by the next half-year. However, now our coffers are barely filled but we need to invest in the new territories.

This hardly brings any profit if we calculate everything."

Master of Coins, Master Rodrick, gave his summary following the summary of Master Gibbs, Master of Trade.

All in all, the governing council found that even though the recent change in their territory gives them vast land, there is no immediate benefit. They need to build more boats for trading, and this cannot be completed overnight.

Plus, the investment in building more villages or settlements across the new territories, needs more money and more manpower.

"As long as we tighten our belts, we can pass through these times. Then, we can profit greatly from these lands and trade. I don't know why you all worried so much?"

Lady Maege spoke after looking at the serious faces of the men in the governing council.

"Aunt, we don't have enough men for all this. That's the problem. The key problem! Our trade routes are not stable enough and the shops we recently purchased have not shown their value yet.

Now, these territories need enough men to guard and farm. Where can we find these men?"

Only this time, Lady Maege realized the critical problem on the minds of these men. It's not trade or coin, it's people.

"Ahh…. What can we do about it? Has it not always been our main problem? Even before, we had no men to farm on the Bear Mountains otherwise, will we suffer from meat problem?"

Lady Maege knew there was no solution to this problem. It's the issue plaguing their island for centuries.

"M'Lord, may I suggest a meeting with the lords of the mountain clans might solve all our issues. They have men, enough that they can't feed. The young ones move to Lord Stark's winter town and the old ones often take a voluntary hunting ride for never to be seen again."

A sudden suggestion made by Tory who was serving wine to Lord Jorah made Jorah's eye shine with a bright light.

"How did you think of this Tory?"

"M'Lord, we have been in constant touch with some of the Flints from the Wolfswood. They have been selling most of the wood we bought earlier. Their prices are low, but the quality of the wood is really good."

Tory explained humbly.

"This might work. The mountains are not a place where they can grow a lot of crops or breed livestock. We might have a chance here." Master Gibbs explained.

"Very well. Master Rodrick, send riders. I want to meet the chiefs of all the mountain clans as soon as possible. Invite them for a feast. After all, we conquered the Frozen Shore.

Master Gibbs, I want all the boats to stop fishing around the island and move straight to Sea Dragon Point. That will be our next fishing area and I want those Otter's fur.

And Aunt, I want all the men and women of the island above fifteen namedays to register their names to our Maester Allen. I need to know the correct numbers of all the men and women under our rule.

Bear Island don't raise idlers or beggars. If people want to eat meat and bread, they must sweat for it."

Jorah ended the meeting after his short order and walked out. He had another trouble. His pregnant wife should be almost five months pregnant considering the time he spent on his last journey to the wall.

Her tummy is already coming out and Jorah cares deeply for her and his first baby. There are three maids that are assigned to her apart from her own maids who came with her and there is always a midwife present in the castle.

Jorah walked out of the chambers and took a short walk before reaching the garden area. This area was recently cleared and planted with flowers. Lady Annara was sitting there with her group of maids and laughing happily.

"Lord Mormont", a maid immediately gave a short bow after finding their lord watching from the door.

"Give us some space," Jorah spoke, and the maids all nodded like chickens before walking out and closing the doors of the garden.

Jorah came and sat behind his wife, taking her body in his arms, and giving her a kiss.

"You are becoming more and more beautiful every day, my wife!"

Jorah spoke sweet words to please his wife. There was slight guilt in his voice, maybe of his sudden long absence just after she announced her pregnancy or his cheating with Lady Leona or maybe both.

"Hmm…. Jorah… we have received so much land, why are you all frowning? Shouldn't there be some celebration?"

Lady Annara asked the question that had been troubling her.

"Annara… We always had lands but never enough men. Now is the same." Jorah spoke before Lady Annara put her head on his chest and tried to relax and think.

"How many men do we need to properly manage our lands?" Lady Annara asked after thinking about something.

"No less than a thousand. Or maybe even more." Jorah spoke unconsciously. This is the number he calculated by looking at the map and the possible plans for the future.

If he only needed to live a 'content' life like the rest of the northern lords, he can do with less than a hundred men. But he wants to move forward. Make the Island better and more powerful in the Game of Thrones.

"Why don't I write a letter to my father? You know, my family has ties with many other families in Dragonstone and I know most of the men travel to King's Landing to do some petty work or move away when they grow up.

Life is not easy on Dragonstone. We can't grow much and the only thing we can trade is some fish on King's landing which barely gets any copper."

Lady Annara's words made Jorah startled, and his hazy eyes became clearer.

"My wife, you are my lucky charm," Jorah spoke before kissing his wife again and expressing his love.

Later that evening, many riders left with the messages—most to the mountain clans and two to the White Harbor. From there, they will go directly to the Dragonstone bringing Lady Annara's handwritten letter to her family.

This might bring more people to Bear Island and solve the issues they are facing.

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