The celebration continued, with Domminic Bolton singing and people laughing, drinking, and making merry.
Benjen Stark approached Eddard. He was tall and long-faced, with black hair and gray eyes. He currently served as the First Ranger of the Night's Watch.
"Eddard, it's summer, yet Winter Town is packed with tens of thousands of people. What's going on? When I went south with Commander Mormont, I kept running into people heading for Winter Town on the Kingsroad. Rumors are flying. Some say the Duke is gathering the people to deal with the Ironborn, others say it's to sweep away the Wildlings beyond The Wall. Some say the long summer is about to end."
Eddard smiled. "I just want to make the North rich and strong so that the people of the North can live better lives when winter comes. That's all there is to it. How is The Wall?"
Benjen sighed. "Still the same old story. Thieves, poachers, and scoundrels are exiled to The Wall. Fewer and fewer decent people are volunteering for the Night's Watch. Mance Rayder, King-Beyond-the-Wall, is growing stronger. That fellow might really try to attack The Wall."
Commander Mormont, the Old Bear, came over. "Lord Eddard, The Wall needs manpower. I talked to Jory Cassel, the captain of the guard. He said the recent influx of people into Winter Town has caused a decline in security. His guard has caught some thieves and scoundrels and locked them up. There are fewer than twenty of them in total. Give those scum to me!"
The sudden influx of so many people into Winter Town was bound to cause a decline in security. There were always pickpockets and bandits mixing with the crowd. Over the past few days, Jory Cassel had expanded the guard to 200 men. The guards, armed with daggers, short clubs, and longswords, patrolled Winter Town and the surrounding area of Winterfell. They had arrested a number of criminals, and the situation had gradually stabilized.
The Night's Watch had always been a friend to Winterfell. They guarded The Wall, keeping the Wildling armies at bay. However, with their numbers dwindling, they were struggling to cope with the constant raids by the Wildlings. The Wildlings often either scaled The Wall or sailed through Seal Bay, entering the territories of House Umber, House Wull, and House Karstark, burning and pillaging.
"Take these men away!" Eddard couldn't refuse the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch's request. "But they are scum. Won't they try to slip away? There are more and more deserters from the Night's Watch these days."
Commander Mormont said, "I'll keep them in line. Lord Eddard, there's no help for it. Most of those sent to The Wall these days are lawbreakers, but even so, I still don't have enough men. I once dreamed of reclaiming farmlands in the New Gift and reviving it, but it seems there's no chance."
Lord Wull, "Big Bucket", came over. "Mormont, the Wildlings often pass through the New Gift to raid our Mountain Clans' territory. 'The Shield That Guards the Realm,' heh heh! Whenever a large group of Wildling raiders appears, it's always House Umber and our mountain tribes who wipe out those bastards."
The New Gift was a piece of land south of The Wall, donated to the Night's Watch by King Jaehaerys I, "The Wise", and Queen Alysanne, "The Good". The taxes from the farmlands there had indeed helped the Night's Watch in the past, but now, due to frequent Wildling harassment, the tenant farmers had fled south, and the area had almost become a no-man's-land, completely deserted.
Eddard said, "Commander Mormont, perhaps Winterfell could take over the New Gift. I'll send people to farm there, and that might help the Night's Watch."
Commander Mormont frowned. "Lord Eddard, the New Gift was given to the Night's Watch by Winterfell in the past. It was witnessed by the Targaryen king and queen at the time, as well as the gods in the heavens."
Eddard smiled. "Don't be nervous. I don't want to take back the New Gift. The North has plenty of land waiting to be cultivated. What I mean is, let's develop it together. I plan to send troops there. We'll establish a military garrison centered on a town, and the people there will farm during peacetime and train during the off-season. When Wildling raiders are spotted, they will light the Beacon Tower and hunt down the Wildlings with the Night's Watch. I will share the profits from the garrison with the Night's Watch."
The doubt in Commander Mormont's eyes disappeared. "That would be wonderful."
Lord Norrey, Lord Flint, Lord Reed, and Lord Wull, the leaders of the Mountain Clans, immediately surrounded Eddard Stark after the Old Bear left.
Lord Reed, a stocky and short man in a fur cloak, said, "Lord Eddard, what's happening in Winter Town? People from Winterfell, Castle Cerwyn, and White Harbor, their lords have wealth. Even without Winter Town, they have a chance to survive the winter, but we Mountain Clans are different."
"Once winter arrives, the snow seals the mountains. Our lives become a torment. Without Winter Town, we can only close our eyes and wait for death. Many elders in my clan are worried that there won't be room in Winter Town when winter comes, so they've had to leave their homes early and come to Winter Town. I've seen that Winter Town is already overcrowded. Is it true that we Mountain Clans won't be accepted when winter arrives?"
Eddard held Lord Reed's hand. "Lord Reed, remember this: the halls of Winterfell are always open to the Mountain Clans!"
The leaders of the Mountain Clans roared their approval.
Lord Wull said, "Lord Eddard, this time, hundreds of people from my clan have settled in Winter Town. I'm relieved that they're taken care of. But on the other hand, with fewer people, we're more vulnerable to the invasions of Ironborn pirates and Wildling raiders."
Wull's clan lived in the mountains near Ice Bay. They had to guard against Ironborn pirates when fishing and Wildlings when herding, harboring deep hostility towards both.
Eddard said, "I've just discussed with Commander Mormont. We will establish a Military Garrison in the New Gift to defend against the Wildlings. As for the threat of the Ironborn on the West Coast, I also have a plan."
After the feast, the servants cleared the tables and replaced them with chairs. Eddard Stark gathered his vassals for a meeting.
Before the meeting, Eddard noticed Theon Greyjoy, Robb Stark, and Jon Snow chatting with Domminic Bolton in a corner of the hall.
"Theon, Jory has been complaining about the lack of manpower for patrols in Winter Town. Go help him!" Since this meeting would inevitably involve the Ironborn, Eddard didn't want Theon there, lest his pride be hurt.
Theon bowed and left, clearly displeased.
Eddard sat on the Ice Wolf throne and surveyed his vassals.
"I plan to establish a series of watchtowers and garrison troops in the West Coast areas: Bear Island, Deepwood Motte, Moat Cailin, Flint's Finger, Sea Dragon Point, and Winterfell."
This news immediately caused an uproar among the lords. Lord Wylis Manderly of Moat Cailin stroked his white beard, Galbert Glover and his brother Robett Glover of Deepwood Motte exchanged glances, Maege Mormont, Countess of Bear Island, cursed aloud, and Lady Barbrey Dustin turned to whisper to Roose Bolton beside her.
Robett Glover said, "Lord Eddard, the Ironborn come from the sea. To defend against the Ironborn, we should build ships. What use are watchtowers?"
Eddard replied, "The Ironborn are a seafaring people. We only have fishing boats on the West Coast, and we cannot compete with the Iron Fleet for now. By garrisoning troops in the watchtowers, the Ironborn pirates will have to pay a price when they come."
Maege Mormont said in a gruff voice, "Lord Eddard, watchtowers and soldiers cost money. Who's paying for it? Bear Island is rather poor, you know."
Eddard said, "The lord of the land where the watchtowers are located pays half, and the rest is shared by the other lords."
At this moment, Eddard noticed that Theon had returned, standing beside Robb, Domminic Bolton, and Jon Snow.
Roose Bolton said softly, "That won't work, Lord Eddard. It would be better to send troops directly to the Iron Islands and question Balon Greyjoy. Isn't he the leader of the Iron Islands raiders? If we wipe out the bandit's nest, there will be peace in the world."
Eddard frowned and said, "Roose, I am the Warden of the North, upholding the peace of the kingdom in the name of Robert. If our army attacks the Iron Islands, we will become criminals who disrupt the peace of the kingdom."
Besides, Eddard knew that the Ironborn were difficult to deal with at sea. Back when Balon Greyjoy rebelled, Robert had gathered the armies of the Riverlands, the Westerlands, the Stormlands, and the North, along with the royal fleet, to destroy the Iron Fleet and force Balon to surrender his son as a hostage and kneel in submission.
If the North's "Ragged Fleet" attacked the Iron Islands, whether they could even successfully land in the face of the Iron Fleet was a question, not to mention conquering them.
Lady Barbrey's face revealed a wolfish smile. "Lord Eddard, why are the Ironborn pirates so rampant? It's because you are soft-hearted. Your adopted son, Theon Greyjoy, is Balon's only living son. You should have killed Theon long ago when the Ironborn were raiding the North. They know you won't harm the hostage, so they are fearless."
House Wull agreed, "Yeah, what good is a hostage you can't hurt?"
Ser Helman Tallhart clenched his fist, "Kill him!"
Lord Rickard Karstark shrugged, "Should have done it a long time ago."
Eddard Stark hadn't expected the meeting to go this way.
Theon Greyjoy looked furious and was about to explode, but Robb Stark and Domminic Bolton stopped him.
Roose Bolton's soft voice interrupted the discussion.
"Actually, I quite like this child, Theon. His father needs to be warned, but we don't necessarily have to kill him. I suggest cutting off a piece of Theon's skin and sending it to Balon Greyjoy. If he's smart, he'll restrain his men."
Theon turned and walked away, and Robb chased after him.
Eddard sighed, "My lords, I am disappointed to see you so earnestly discussing the murder of a young man. The Ironborn are difficult to control. Every captain is king of his own ship. Balon Greyjoy may rule the Iron Islands, but he cannot control those Ironborn pirates scattered across the godsforsaken isles. Killing Theon achieves nothing. This matter is closed."