The fire in the hearth crackled, and in the bedroom, baby Rickon slept soundly in his fur swaddling.
"Five hundred thousand Gold Dragons," Catelyn said, standing before the window, gazing at the warehouses, barracks, and workshops being built in Winter Town in the distance.
Catelyn turned and glared at Eddard. "Are you mad? To saddle Winterfell with a debt of five hundred thousand Gold Dragons. How are we ever going to repay the Iron Bank?"
Eddard placed his hand on Catelyn's shoulder.
"Don't worry, we can pay it back."
In fact, Eddard had also borrowed a hundred thousand Gold Dragons from Lord Wyman of White Harbor, but Catelyn was already furious, and Eddard saw no need to add fuel to the fire.
Catelyn brushed Eddard's hand away with her slender fingers. "Pay it back with what? When have you ever seen Winterfell's coffers overflowing with that much money?"
Eddard said, "My financial advisor, Clarus, and I have everything planned. Once we finish expanding Winter Town, we can start making money and slowly recoup our investment. In fact, a Honey Candle factory will be operational soon; the raw materials and workers are already in place."
Catelyn said angrily, "Honey candles? You expect to pay back fifty Gold Dragons with honey candles?"
"We can also produce Candied Fruit, as well as Sausage and Ham."
These plans were inseparable from the beehives and salt production Eddard had initiated. The Candied Fruit and Honey Candles were made from honey, and the meat for the sausages came from the farms in Winter Town.
The former piggery manager, Gevin, had been promoted to farm manager. He oversaw the piggery and cattle farm. Eddard, based on Gevin's suggestions, also invested in chicken and rabbit farms, which would provide a steady supply of meat for Winterfell.
In addition, Winterfell's hunting teams brought back a lot of game from the Wolfswood every day, including wild boar, pheasant, rabbit, and roe deer. Many of these hunters were former poachers who had been imprisoned for poaching. Eddard pardoned them and allowed them to hunt for Winterfell as a form of atonement.
With this fresh meat, along with the salt produced in the salt mines, the factories in Winter Town could start producing Sausage and Ham.
Eddard was full of confidence. "Catelyn, Clarus and I came up with these plans together. Clarus will help Winterfell make money, otherwise, why would I employ him?"
Catelyn's blue eyes flashed with anger. "That Clarus from Braavos sold you out to the Iron Bank, and you still let him count your money. Clarus is a former employee of the Iron Bank; he's just a con artist the Iron Bank sent to Winterfell to swindle us."
Eddard smiled helplessly. "How can it be called swindling when the Iron Bank lends us money? Actually, Clarus was very helpful in negotiating with the Iron Bank's envoy. He lowered the interest rate quite a bit."
Catelyn shook her head. "Who knows if Clarus and the Iron Bank envoy are just putting on an act? Clarus is from Braavos, and their Iron Bank envoy is also from Braavos. I've heard that Braavos has many theaters; the people of Braavos are the best actors."
"And that Syrio Forel... every day, seeing him teaching Robb, Arya, and Bran swordsmanship makes me nervous. When I hear his heavy Braavosi accent, I'm afraid he'll spirit my children away one day. Syrio is constantly instilling Braavosi stories in the children. Arya told me she wants to go with Syrio to see the Titan of Braavos."
Eddard chuckled. "You can't take what children say seriously. Sansa talks all the time about wanting to go to King's Landing and Oldtown, and Robb talks all the time about wanting to adventure beyond The Wall. Children only daydream and talk nonsense; it won't come true."
Catelyn said angrily, "I've told you how many times to get rid of Clarus and Syrio Forel, but you won't listen. If you insist on letting Syrio Forel teach the children swordsmanship, then let him teach Jon Snow. He can teach Theon, he can teach Dominic of House Bolton. Let him train the bastard and the adopted son; keep him away from my children."
Eddard said, "You don't have to rush to get rid of Syrio. I will take him on campaign."
Eddard had already issued the order for the North's army to assemble. The North was about to sweep away the Skagosi Pirates who were wreaking havoc along the coast and launch a campaign to the mysterious Skagos Island. Syrio Forel's swordsmanship could be put to good use on the battlefield.
Eddard thought Catelyn would be happy to hear that Syrio Forel was leaving, but unexpectedly, she immediately grabbed Eddard's wrist.
"Eddard, it's not too late to call off the expedition. We owe the Iron Bank so much money, let's not go to war; otherwise, we'll only get poorer. If you decide not to go to Skagos Island, you can keep Clarus and Syrio here!"
Eddard frowned. "What did Maester Luwin say to you?" Maester Luwin had strongly advised Eddard against going to Skagos Island. Did the old Maester fail to persuade the Warden of the North, and now he was trying to influence Catelyn?
Catelyn released his hand. "As if Maester Luwin needed to say anything. I spoke with the women of Winter Town, and they all pleaded with me to ask you to call off the expedition. Many residents of Winter Town haven't even cultivated their land yet, some of their wooden houses aren't even built, and you want to conscript the men to go to war."
Eddard sighed. "I know it's cruel to them, but the Skagosi pirates must be eliminated."
Catelyn said, "These women all say that it's a time of peace and prosperity, so why gather so many troops for the Skagosi pirates?"
"Peace and prosperity?" Eddard was a little angry. "They are safe within the walls of Winterfell, but the people on the eastern coast are bleeding, from the coast of House Umber's Seal Bay, the peninsula forests of House Karstark, the Weeping River, to the Weeping River Mouth of House Bolton. If they lived on the eastern coast, would they still think the same?"
Catelyn said helplessly, "What value does Skagos Island have? Do you really want the Skagosi to kneel before you? I heard Old Nan say that the Skagosi have cannibalistic customs. What use is a savage vassal like that?"
Eddard patiently explained, "Catelyn, you know me. I am not someone who seeks glory. If the Skagosi stayed on their island, I wouldn't bother them. The problem is, the Skagosi are now coming to the coast to plunder. Their armor, weapons, and ships are made of Ironborn products, which proves that outside forces have infiltrated Skagos Island."
Catelyn saw that she couldn't persuade Eddard and huffed.
"Then take your Braavosi swordsman, Syrio Forel, with you on the campaign! You might as well take Clarus too; he can count the soldiers and manage the supplies."
Eddard shook his head. "Clarus must stay. We need him for the expansion of Winter Town and future commercial production."
Catelyn suppressed her anger. "So, am I to rely on these damned Braavosi for all my expenses? Will you appoint Clarus as acting castellan while you're away?"
Eddard said, "My lady, it's not that extreme. My good lady will be the acting castellan, with Maester Luwin and Rodrik Cassel to assist you."
....
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