The popularity of the sweet canned fruit spread far beyond the borders of Westeros. Word of the delicacy reached the vast grasslands of the Dothraki Sea, and soon even the fierce horse lords developed a taste for it. Entire khalasars, large and small, began driving their herds of cattle and horses to the Free Cities, trading their spoils of war—slaves, fine mounts, and livestock—for the sugary treat. The merchants of the Free Cities, acting as middlemen, grew rich from this new and unexpected trade.
It was no surprise the Dothraki loved the cans. As a nomadic people who lived by herding and raiding, their diet was monotonous. Fresh fruit was a rare extravagance that only a mighty Khal might enjoy on occasion. Now, with these affordable cans, even a common rider could taste the sweetness of peaches and oranges. The modern airtight packaging and high sugar content gave the fruit a shelf life of over a year, a crucial feature for a people constantly on the move. They could now carry the taste of summer with them across the plains.
Even within Westeros, where transporting fresh fruit was a difficult and expensive affair, the long-lasting canned fruit became a household staple. The entire monthly production of eight million jars was selling out almost immediately, and Jason's wealth grew at an astronomical rate. Money was no longer an object; no matter how much he spent, his coffers refilled faster than he could empty them.
With his newfound fortune, Jason waved his hand and commissioned the construction of dozens of massive granaries, large enough to store a year's worth of food for half a million people. He launched a massive recruitment drive for laborers, inviting people from neighboring territories to help make Starfire City an even more prosperous hub.
At the same time, he continued to expand his army. The growth was slow, however, limited by the number of able-bodied young men in his domain. For now, his total force had just surpassed ten thousand soldiers.
To secure the population he so desperately needed, Jason prepared to march. With one thousand of his best cavalry, all in full gear, and a long train of supply wagons trailing behind them, he was ready to head for Winterfell.
"My lord, you must be careful!" Lina said, her eyes welling with tears as she struggled to say goodbye. "Please, may the gods, old and new, watch over you and bring you back safely."
Martha stood beside her, holding the hand of her young daughter, Lilian, while her eldest son, Michal, stood tall and silent. Susan, Venissa, and Bella, who managed his stores, also watched with worried expressions, offering silent prayers for his return.
"Don't worry," Jason said, trying to offer a comforting smile. "It'll be alright." He was never good at these emotional farewells, but his confidence in this campaign was absolute. He was taking only his elite cavalry, the best of the best. With their stab-proof suits, riot-proof helmets, sharp steel swords, and powerful pulley bows, he had no doubt they could overwhelm any force the Lannisters sent against them.
After comforting the women, Jason turned to Qyburn and Boris. Since being granted the title of Maester by the Citadel, Qyburn had managed the affairs of Starfire City with quiet efficiency, while Boris had taken excellent care of the city's hospital.
"Qyburn, Boris," Jason said, his tone serious. "While I lead the army south, I am leaving Spark City in your hands."
Maester Qyburn gave a slight bow, his expression unreadable but his voice firm. "Thank you for your trust, my lord. We will manage Starfire City for you."
"The hospital will be well taken care of," Boris added, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves. He hesitated, a look of genuine concern in his eyes. "My lord, please be careful. The battlefield is a chaotic place."
Jason tapped the full-body armor he wore and then his riot helmet. "Don't worry, Boris. Look, I'm fully protected. An arrow couldn't even scratch me." He grinned. "Besides, as the commander, I won't be on the front lines myself. It's not as dangerous as it sounds."
With the city left in capable hands, Jason mounted his horse—a calm, well-trained mare that Jon had chosen for him, knowing his riding skills were still poor. He watched as hundreds of carriages, laden with food and supplies, slowly filed out from the gate of the inner city. The wagons were filled with canned fruit, a favorite of the soldiers, along with grain, dried meat, salted fish, and durable vegetables like carrots and onions.
As he looked out at the columns of horsemen lined up on both sides of the road, one thousand strong in their full armor, a surge of pride and excitement filled him.
The people of Starfire City knew their lord, Jason Easter, was marching to war. They knew he was answering the call of the Young Wolf, Robb Stark, and heading south to rescue Lord Eddard Stark from the clutches of the new king, Joffrey. Thousands of civilians lined the broad road, watching with a mixture of nervousness and excitement as the thousand majestic cavalrymen assembled.
The riders sat atop their mounts in disciplined silence, their faces hidden by their dark helmets. A quiet, intimidating aura emanated from their ranks, and the civilians watching from the roadside couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and reverence for the silent army.
"Look, that's Tom! That's my son!" a skinny, bearded farmer exclaimed, pointing excitedly at one of the cavalrymen. His voice was thick with pride. "Tom became a cavalryman! He came home the other night to tell me he'd been chosen to march south with Lord Jason. I was worried, of course, but a man should fight for honor on the battlefield!"
"Your son made it into the cavalry? By the gods, that's amazing!" another man replied with envy.
"They say only the best and strongest lads are chosen for the cavalry!"
"After this war, he'll surely be rewarded for his service. Lord Jason might even make him a knight!"
"A knight… a noble lord…"
The civilians chattered excitedly, their eyes filled with admiration. They all wished their own sons could have been chosen. The infantry, they knew, was staying behind this time.
Everyone was aware of Lord Jason's clear and generous system of rewards, which was written down for all soldiers to see. Even if a soldier was disabled or killed in battle, his family would receive a handsome pension, and they would be offered work in the factories, ensuring they would never have to worry about their livelihood.
This generous treatment had erased the common folk's fear of sending their sons to war. Instead, they hoped their sons would fight bravely, earn glory, and bring home wealth. And if one of them caught Lord Jason's eye and was knighted into House Easter, it would be the ultimate honor—a chance to rise from a commoner to a nobleman in a single step.
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