pappabearbooks #149 - Chapter 30: Northern Vassals
#149 - Chapter 30: Northern Vassals
Liu Yuan smiled and said, "This is my prey. Even if Lord Eddard praises me, I won't give the bear to you. And who is this gentleman?"
"This is Lord Mequi Seaworth, the Lord of Seaworth City." He was Becket's father-in-law, so no wonder he was being so friendly.
Liu Yuan also bowed. "Greetings, Lord Mequi. Sister-in-law Jorylle often mentions you."
Lord Mequi said happily, "How is Jorylle?"
Liu Yuan: "She and Becket are currently living in King's Landing. My father is currently in charge of issuing the new currency, and Becket is responsible for Blackwater Bay and customs affairs. ..."
He carefully described Jorylle's recent situation. Lord Mequi was very happy to hear it. He felt more and more that it was a wise choice to be responsible for guarding the prisoners back then. Not only did he find a good marriage for his daughter, but the territory's tax revenue has also increased significantly in recent years due to the increase in trade volume.
Liu Yuan saw a five or six-year-old boy beside Lord Mequi, who should be his son. He reached to his waist, unbuckled his short sword, and handed it to him. "This must be Cray Seaworth. Nice to meet you. Consider this a meeting gift."
Lord Mequi looked at his son and said, "Accept it!"
Cray stepped forward, took the short sword, and said, "Thank you, Ser Garon." The decoration of the short sword was very beautiful, and he couldn't hide his joy. He only pulled out half of the sword when Lord Mequi hurriedly put the short sword back in its sheath. Lord Mequi saw clearly that there were Valyrian steel's unique patterns on the sword. Lord Mequi had a bit more cunning and mercenary nature than other Northern lords, and he gave Liu Yuan a meaningful look.
Robb ran to comfort Jon, and Theon was also very jealous looking at the grizzly bear. Jon, who had recovered, held the sword in both hands and came to Liu Yuan. He said a little excitedly, "Ser Garon, thank you! This is your sword!"
Liu Yuan smiled and unbuckled the scabbard. "Take it! It's yours now. Take good care of it. This is your first sword. Give it a name." It was just a sword he made when practicing, so he treated it as a way to coax a child.
Jon looked at Eddard, and when he saw that he didn't object, he accepted it. On the way back to the city, the children were sitting in the carriage. Jon held the sword in his arms and treasured it very much. Robb enviously touched the exquisite carvings on the hilt. He also wanted a sword of his own.
On the road, Lord Eddard and Liu Yuan rode horses side by side. Suddenly, Eddard suggested, "You seem to value this child very much. Would you be willing to take him as a page?"
Liu Yuan: "Lord Eddard, have you forgotten that I am only fifteen years old and still a child myself? Moreover, my ambition is to travel the world and possibly go to some dangerous places, which is not suitable for bringing a child."
Eddard: "That's a pity! I originally wanted to entrust Robb to you for guidance as well."
Liu Yuan: "Lord Eddard, after my journey ends in two years, I will live in Winterfell for a period of time. I will teach them then!"
The servants of Winterfell began to busy themselves. The Harvest Feast is a festival held by the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros to celebrate the harvest. Because the situation is different in various places, there is no specific date. In the North, due to the long distance and difficulty in traveling, the Harvest Feast often becomes an opportunity for meetings between lords and vassals.
Liu Yuan saw many Northern lords, such as the Bolton family, the Seaworth family, the Dustin family, the Flint family of Widow's Watch, the Hornwood family, the Karstark family, the Locke family, the Manderly family, the Reed family, the Ryswell family, the Slate family, the Stout family, the Umber family, the Glover family, the Tallhart family, and even the Mormont family from overseas came.
In addition, there were also some third-tier vassal families, such as the Ashwood family, the Cassel family, the Condon family, the Flint family of Flint Finger, the Forester family, the Ironwood family, the Lake family, the Lightfoot family, the Long family, the Marsh family, the Mollen family, the Moss family, the Overton family, the Poole family, the Waterman family, the Wells family, the Whitehill family, and the Woolfield family. Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, is the head of the Cassel family. Rodrik's brother, Martyn Cassel, died in the Battle of the Tower of Joy. Martyn Cassel's son, Jory Cassel, serves as Eddard's captain of the guard.
Liu Yuan also saw the chiefs from the mountain clans and the wolfswood clans: the Burley clan, the Flint clan of the mountains, the Harclay clan, the Knott clan, the Liddle clan, the Norrey clan, the Wull clan, the Branch clan, the Stem clan, the Forest clan, the Woodfoot clan. Their attire was comparable to that of the wildlings beyond the Wall. Eddard personally greeted the clan leaders at the city gate when they entered the city. The soldiers offered bread and salt, and the leaders did not hesitate to pick them up and put them in their mouths. This is guest right, a tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years on the continent of Westeros, a sacred law that is jointly observed in the Seven Kingdoms.
Whether commoner or noble, when a guest comes to the host's roof and accepts the bread and salt provided by the host, guest right takes effect. During the subsequent visit, neither party may harm the other. Violators will violate the sacred law and will not be tolerated by the Old Gods or the New. Both the Old Gods and the Faith of the Seven teach this!
Eddard, as Warden of the North, still maintained the respect he should have for these clan leaders, who were not much different from wildlings. It can be seen that he has a strong personal charisma. As long as he is still there, the North will always be the territory of the Stark family.
Liu Yuan could see that these Northern lords were truly kneeling to Eddard Stark. Their respect was not only for the loyalty to the Stark family, but also for admiration of Lord Eddard's personal charisma.
Liu Yuan also saw Roose Bolton, a somewhat gloomy middle-aged man with long hair. On the surface, there was nothing unusual. He suffered such a big loss that it could be said that several years of effort had been in vain. But in terms of strength, the Bolton family no longer poses any threat to him.
There was also Greatjon Umber, as strong as a bear, Rickard Karstark, who was as grumpy as a bear, old Orell Locke, who couldn't ride a horse, and... the somewhat mean young widow, Barbary Dustin. Liu Yuan was most familiar with this woman. When he was a cupbearer at Harrenhal, Barbary often scolded him, and Liu Yuan clearly remembered that she was the one who was with Brandon in the godswood that night.
At the banquet in the evening, Liu Yuan witnessed the boldness of the North. There were four to five hundred clan leaders and representatives from various families. Fortunately, the hall of Winterfell was quite large. The inside of the hall could be filled with eight long tables, separated by a central corridor, four on each side, which could completely accommodate everyone. The seats on the high platform were prepared for noble guests. A table was temporarily placed in front of the lord's seat, where Eddard's family and VIPs sat.
As a young man, Liu Yuan naturally aroused dissatisfaction from many people by sitting at the main table. Not to mention the young people from various families, even some knights with seniority had complaints.