Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

The tallow candle flickered in the maester's chamber as Maester Luwin listened to Eddard's plan, shaking his head with a sigh.

"My lord, your aspirations are noble, but Winter Town can never develop into a city like White Harbor. White Harbor controls the mouth of the White Knife River, which stretches deep into the heart of the North. Every day, ships bring furs, timber from the Wolfswood, and various foods from upstream. Ships from the south bring grain from the Reach, honey, gold from the Westerlands, fruits from the Vale, and ships from across the Narrow Sea bring spices and gems from distant lands."

"White Harbor is the mouth of the North. In winter, the residents of Winter Town huddle by their fires, shivering, while White Harbor continues to thrive thanks to its ice-free port. White Harbor became the youngest city in the Seven Kingdoms because of its geographical location, the wealth of House Manderly, and nearly a thousand years of careful management. These are things Winter Town does not possess."

Eddard stared at the map of the North on the table, his gaze fixed on Winter Town.

"I know that nurturing a small town into a city is a long process, but we must take the first step. Once Winter Town attracts enough residents, I will lead my people in large-scale construction."

Maester Luwin touched his chain and smiled wryly. "My lord, I fear your first step may fail. Summer has already entered its sixth year, and the North has seen multiple bountiful harvests. Just this month, another harvest was completed. They have plenty of food. What reason do they have to leave their homes and come to Winter Town?"

"The only reason they come to Winter Town is during the harsh winter. It has been so for the past thousand years, and it will remain so."

During dinner that evening, Arya and Sansa sat on either side of Eddard, while Theon, Robb, Bran, and Jon sat across from him. Eddard shared his plan with the children.

Sansa was thrilled. "Father, when Winter Town becomes lively, will there be singers?" Sansa had always loved songs and singers.

Arya pursed her lips. "I don't care about singers. Father, will there be a circus?"

Eddard smiled. "Believe me, there will be."

Robb made a face. "Father, when Winter Town grows, we can form a city watch, just like the Gold Cloaks in King's Landing. Then Jon, Theon, and I can command the watch and keep the peace in the town."

Theon stuffed a piece of beef into his mouth. "Do we even need a watch? These peasants can protect themselves. Besides, they're all poor, and their daughters are mostly ugly. Who would bother causing trouble for them?"

Jon shot Theon a look of disgust. "Winterfell has a duty to protect every citizen of the North."

Eddard patted Jon's head. "Once my invitations are sent out, Winter Town's houses will likely be filled. Jon, don't worry, we will protect these people."

Maester Luwin sent out ravens, and Eddard even dispatched riders directly to nearby estates, inviting people from places like Cerwyn, Torrhen's Square, and Hornwood to settle in Winter Town.

On the first day, three families arrived, totaling twenty-one people. After that, the numbers dwindled, and by the fourth day, no one came.

Walking through the empty streets of Winter Town, Eddard was deeply frustrated.

"How could this happen?"

Maester Luwin, standing beside him, said, "My lord, I told you earlier, unless winter is coming, those people would rather stay at home, basking in the sun by their granaries. Perhaps, my lord, you could send someone to investigate among the people."

"No, I will go myself."

The next day, Eddard donned a dirty set of leather armor, hiding his face under a hood, and disguised himself as a wandering knight. He rode out of Winterfell.

Eddard arrived at a village he vaguely remembered as belonging to Lord Cerwyn. He saw a middle-aged man working in the fields. The farmer had just finished harvesting and was already preparing for the next planting season.

Eddard dismounted. "Friend, can you tell me the way to Winter Town?"

The middle-aged man had messy brown hair and a scruffy beard. He eyed Eddard.

"Follow the Kingsroad north. What do you do?"

"I'm a wandering knight, looking for work in Winter Town. I heard that the Lord of Winterfell is inviting people to settle there. Maybe I can buy a house and some land."

The man grinned, revealing a mouthful of rotten teeth. "Take my advice, don't go. Winter Town is only lively in winter. It's summer now, and Lord Eddard inviting people to settle there is probably just a ploy to get free labor from the common folk. These noble lords drive us like oxen. I'd rather stay here and farm."

Eddard frowned. "It's inevitable for lords to conscript their people. Isn't it the same here?"

The man wiped the sweat from his forehead and leaned closer to Eddard.

"Home is more comfortable. Our Lord Cerwyn is a good man. He turns a blind eye when we hunt wild boar or deer in the woods. But in Winter Town? Try poaching in the Wolfswood there. It's too close to Winterfell, and with so many people around, if you get reported, you'll either lose a hand or be sent to the Wall to take the black."

"I know a guy from the next village. Last winter, in Winter Town, he went hunting in the Wolfswood and got caught poaching a boar. He begged for mercy, but the Winterfell guards sent him to the Wall."

"Going to Winter Town just means farming. I can farm here too, and I can sneak some hunting on the side. Here, I pay taxes to Lord Cerwyn. In Winter Town, I'd pay taxes to Lord Eddard. What's the difference? Winter Town is full of outsiders. I'm not going!"

Eddard sat in his study, facing Maester Luwin.

"It seems I must offer more enticing policies to attract my people to settle in Winter Town. Here's what we'll do, Maester Luwin. Spread the word that for 100 copper stars, one can buy a house and an acre of land in Winter Town. Any reclaimed wasteland can be cultivated for five years before ownership is granted. During each harvest season, Winterfell will open the Wolfswood to the residents of Winter Town for hunting for one month."

The Wolfswood was overrun with wild boars, and allowing hunting during the harvest season seemed like a small loss to Eddard.

Currently, four-fifths of the houses in Winter Town were vacant. Most of these houses belonged to Winterfell. During winter, many residents who came to Winter Town to escape the cold would rent these houses at a tenth of the price of regular inns, only to leave when spring arrived.

The maintenance costs for these houses were staggering, and during the crowded winter months, the rent collected was minimal. Eddard decided to sell them at a low price to attract permanent residents.

Maester Luwin smiled. "With such prices and the right to hunt during the harvest season, I believe some people will be tempted to settle."

Eddard stood up. "Maester Luwin, tell my people that once the houses are sold out, Winter Town will have no room for those who didn't come."

"Tell them that once the houses are gone, Winter Town will no longer accept newcomers. When winter comes, they'll have to fend for themselves."

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