Chapter 17

Robb's POV (Age 11), 291 AC Moon 02

A knock on the door broke his thoughts.

"Milord, Maester Marwyn is requesting a meeting" Guard came in and relayed.

"Send him."

As Maester Marwyn came in and settled down.

"My lord, there are a few updates that require your approval", Marwyn said while putting a stack of papers on the desk. He nodded and kept silent.

"The most notable one is in regards to Winter's Knowledge Hall, we have decided on ranks and oaths.

The lowest rank is 'Novice' and will have people who are learning or have learned to read & write. 'Apprentice' is the next rank for people who will be taught and will receive training in different fields of study and trade. 'Journeymen' follow this rank and would have people who have graduated from the Apprentice rank but lack the experience.

Scholars are experts in their chosen subjects or trades. Similar to a Maester but for specific subjects they will have to pass a test. Followed by the rank of Highscholar, they will have to present a thesis on their chosen subject to a jury of five representatives from Knowledge Hall.

The last rank is Grandscholar, they have to provide an improved or original thesis, with proof of improvement. The criteria for judging will be the same as Highscholar." Marwyn paused.

After some thinking, he could see that the division of ranks was good. He only had one question.

"Good Work, Marwyn. My only question is would the teaching method be similar to that of Citadel? Or is there an improvement in the teaching process?"

"Yes, My Lord. While Citadel follows a classroom model. It doesn't have a fixed class size or teaching method. In class, there can be up to a hundred students at any time. Teachers change regularly and they teach whatever they think. Sometimes not even teaching about the subject. And anyone can join or leave the class if they so wish.

In Knowledge Hall, a specific teacher will be appointed and they will organize lessons, class size will be limited to thirty students, the division will be made through ranks, and admission to class will only be accepted at the start of the year while students can leave anytime."

"I suppose, you want to make education more structured. Be careful that creative thinking is encouraged. On to Oaths, then?" He enquired.

"I think, my lord. Oaths are not needed for taking education, requiring only for Healers and Teachers. For Healers, Oaths should be to treat the sick and keep secrets of their patients if told to not divulge them outside. Do anyone no harm or injustice.

For Teachers, Oaths should be to impart knowledge without any prejudice or preferences. And only for anyone who comes into the service of any Lords, there should be Oaths of Loyalty." Marwyn replied.

"Hmm. I can see the benefits of it. Smallfolk has a fear that Citadel wants you to swear off your family and ancestors. This will differentiate the Hall with Citadel more."

"My Lord, As instructed we will start a school for everyone willing to learn at the start of the third moon. Free education will be provided to everyone in Stark lands. Sponsored solely by House Stark."

"Hopefully, people will be eager to learn. And other lords will also follow." He hoped that this help in the development of the North.

"These documents explain in detail what we have discussed till now." Marwyn pushed some papers from a stack of documents placed on the desk.

"Now that the report about the Hall is finished. The Ledgers of Winterfell have been updated to the method of Double-Entry Bookkeeping. The method is very helpful in identifying fraudulent entries.

For personal research, I took the Journals and Ledgers from the time of Greystarks, and a few other rebellious lords. For years before rebelling, always these Houses would start cheating with money. Undercutting taxes given to House Stark and submitting a false report for it."

'Now we can identify and destroy rebellions before they have begun' He thought.

"Award 500 gold dragons Luca for discovering this. Tell him to write a book on this so it could be taught to others." He commanded and wrote down a note for Vayon Poole to give Marwyn the mentioned amount and signed it, called the guard outside, and gave them the note.

"My lord, the last thing that I want to discuss is regarding the results of crop rotation. During this cycle when we experimented with it, yield increased by three-fold."

His eyes widened hearing that and he sent a small prayer to the old gods. "Instruct all farmers in Stark lands to follow the method. Reward Fritz and Norman with 500 gold dragons also. Tell them to write a book on the method too."

'Hopefully, there will be more exponential results by the time father is back.' He thought.

After giving written reports on the new accounting and farming method Marwyn left.

He looked through the current ledger that was placed on the desk for him to check. House Stark earned 50,000 gold per month after sending taxes to King's Landing. 10,000 gold was earned by the Ice business, another 10,000 gold by various small businesses, hunting and farming, and the remaining 30,000 gold by receiving taxes.

He lamented the fact even with the booming Ice trade that had the South and Essos through their nose, his projects were consuming most of the gold earned through it. House Stark by no means was poor but was the poorest Great House in Westeros. The books and records he had collected had figures regarding the projected earnings of Wardens and the Royal House, the Starks earned 50,000 golds, the Arryns earned 65,000 gold, the Tullys and Martells earned 90,000, the Baratheon of King's Landing and Stormlands generated 1,20,000 golds, the Tyrells had close to 1,40,000, and last surpassing every other House Lannister monthly income is 1,50,000 golds.

He wanted to change that, he needed gold to prepare for the Long Night.

He had sent a veteran guard with a letter, a sample of paper and book, and a contract to Bravos, regarding selling paper and books. He had offered a price of 5 million for the whole collection which will include rare tomes and scrolls. He hoped that he could entice the Bravossi into making a deal.

Thinking that worrying about it won't expedite the process. He left for Godswood to teach his siblings about the religion and culture of First Men.

Ned's POV, 291 AC Moon 06

He was back home. The people of Wintertown were cheering for him, the soldiers were spreading meeting with their families after months. North had suffered no loss of men in this war. He had ordered Northmen to not be the vanguard and to stay back. His lords looked at him funny but followed none the same. Jorah Mormont had in private asked him to let him charge in the vanguard.

Jorah wanted to search for a wife in Tourney to be held in Oldtown. He should not have agreed to that, and Jorah had paid the price by losing an arm to Victarion Greyjoy. He had been in the vanguard along with some red priest named, Thoros and Robert Baratheon. As the Vanguards were clearing Pyke of Ironborn, on an unassuming corridor they chanced upon Victarion and some 100 men packed to form an ambush.

In the thick of the battle Victarion and Jorah, with much skill started cutting a path to each other. during their single-combat Jorah's other arm was cut off but before falling he had half separated Victarion's head. It had seen him knighted by the King. But he had become a quiet lad. Relaxing only in his trusted company.

Shaking his head of the thoughts he wanted to gallop towards the gates of Winterfell too, but his new ward, Theon Greyjoy, and his Lords were following him to Winterfell. Their return coincided with Winter being announced. So, he decided to combine the victory feast and the harvest feast.

"Ned, you can run to Winterfell to meet your family. We won't mind." Came the booming voice of Greatjon Umber along with laughter from William Dustin, Howland Reed, Rickard Karstark, and Jorah Mormont laughed at.

He gave a sad smile to Greatjon but did not break out into a run. As he entered Winterfell, he saw his family and household waiting for him. Catelyn holding his newborn son, Rickon. His other children beside her, standing in order of their birth.

He gave a smile to his children as he got off the horse. His younger children broke into a run and slammed into him, Laughing and crying at the same moment.

"My Lords, I welcome you to Winterfell. I have prepared bread and salt for our guests to bide under. The men will guide you to your rooms, please rest today. Feast is organized for tomorrow." His eldest son spoke to the lords.

Robert Stark was like his father had been in miniature, out to do his duty in the cold even though he was tired, grumpy, and looking for all the world like he had better places to be.

"Thank you, Son." He said putting a hand on his son's shoulder briefly but showed no more affection than that. "We will talk inside." He was sure that he heard Greatjon mutter 'How Cold'

"Yes, Father" His son replied equally coldly. The lords stared at his son, then nodded and abided by guest rites before leaving for their room.