Chapter 203: Outcomes of the War Council
Castle Black, the Wall
POV of Domeric Bolton
Domeric had other reasons for being generous with the responsibilities that would be thrown at him in the fight against the White Walkers.
He had other plans. Rather than short-term gain, Domeric preferred a long-term strategy. Right now, he needed the North united for the security and stability of his lands, and he would do whatever was necessary to achieve this.
But when the time came, when the White Walkers had been defeated and the threat was over, Domeric would demand recompense for all he had done.
And then, no one would have the courage to challenge Domeric's demands, for he would already be an irresistible force.
And if, despite everything, they didn't act wisely and accepted Domeric's demands, then Domeric wouldn't hesitate to show them who was stronger.
Domeric might not have wanted to rule the North because of the burden it would bring upon himself, but if the Starks thought that this would allow them to dictate to him whatever they wanted, they were mistaken.
Domeric would rather have the burden of ruling the North than have someone who thought they could dictate to him as they wished.
But these were merely possibilities for now. The only certainty was that he would not allow himself to be taken advantage of. And what he had to give today would be taken back with interest in the future.
After Lord Stark's speech, all the great lords rose and began to walk towards the chamber where the War Council would be held. Domeric also rose and joined the other lords.
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A Few Hours Later
After much discussion and deliberation, the Council of War finally concluded.
After the council adjourned, Domeric set out to find his aunt, who was waiting for him. And after a while, he found her.
"So?" his aunt asked, tapping her foot impatiently.
"I've been given the command of four castles along the wall." He said, "Lord Stark has also ordered me to decrease the cost of both food, weapons, armor, and warm clothes by half. He had also ordered me to stop exporting food to the Vale and Lorath and start gathering more of it for the North."
His aunt's eyes widened at that, and she was about to go on a tirade before he raised his hand to stop her.
"It's alright. The other lords have been given similar orders. None of them was pleased about this, but everyone sees the necessity of such action."
"Other Lords?" his aunt scoffed. "Who else produces so many weapons and food in the North? You've not only been given four of the castles, but you also need to provide many other things essentially for free. How dare he ask so much of you when you were the one who risked life and found out about the White Walkers in the first place?"
"It's alright, Aunt…" He said, but cut off before he could speak further.
"It's not alright. All that Starks has ever done is take, take, and take from us. How long are you going to stay quiet and remain under his thumb? Don't you have any…"
"Enough!!!" He said, and his aunt stopped at once. She looked like she wanted to speak further, but he gave her a look, and she didn't.
"Enough… I do not mind what Lord Stark is doing because I would have done it anyway." He said. "You're missing the forest for the trees here, Auntie. The White Walkers are the real enemy here. If we're not prepared enough, if the White Walkers truly break through the Wall, then we'll all die. They'll not spare any women, old people, or children and slaughter everything and everyone in their way."
His aunt simply stared at him with an unreadable expression for a long moment before she let out a sigh, and her shoulders dropped.
Then she looked at him with renewed anger and pointed a finger at his chest. She looked like she had suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.
"You told me that you'll be safe this time. That you'll not fight any White Walkers. So, what is this I'm hearing about you fighting against this 'Weeper' and almost dying at the hands of a White Walker?"
He almost cringed at that.
Yeah… he had promised his aunt to keep himself safe and prioritize his life above everyone else, hadn't he?
"Ha… haha." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah… sorry about that?"
His aunt snarled and shook her head. "No. No, no, no. 'Sorry' won't be enough this time. You broke your promise to me. So, you're grounded."
"What?" he asked, while his jaw dropped to the ground.
"You heard me. Once we get to Dreadfort, you're not leaving the castle for the next 3 months."
Domeric opened his mouth, but the look in his aunt's eyes told him to be careful with his following words.
In the end, he simply nodded.
Apparently, his aunt didn't want him to leave her side for a while. And Domeric could understand the reason for that.
They hadn't seen each other for a long time while his aunt was serving her supposed exile in Regalis.
And after his aunt's supposed exile was over, Domeric had gone on another expedition. Domeric hadn't really had time for her for a long time. So, he had no problem accepting her punishment.
"Alright then." He said, "Unless it's some kind of emergency or there's a task that only I could perform, I won't leave the castle for the next three months."
The anger in his aunt's eyes dimmed a little at that.
Then she suddenly jumped forward and pulled him in a hug.
A few seconds later, her shoulders started shaking, and Domeric realized that she was crying.
"My son…" she sobbed. "I'm so glad that you're safe. Do you know how worried I was for you for the past few months?"
He stayed silent and awkwardly put his arms around her, enveloping her in a comforting hug.
"I'm sorry for worrying you." He said in the end.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.204: The King Receives Lord Stark's Letter
Ch.205: Returning Home