Winterfell

[Lord Lester Merryweather]

"Do not worry, my liege. White Harbor has a lot of money and a lord that knows how to use it. I was just about to make a contract with Ibbenese merchants. What do you think of sellsails, my liege?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

Gariss frowned. "This would be a conversation for a later time, Lord Manderly, though to answer your question, I am not too fond of hiring men for gold, for their loyalty lies only where the gold is plentyful. Such a man cannot be trusted," he said, before pausing for a moment.

"But if it means securing our kingdom from assailants, then I would condone, but not urge you to fall too deep in line with these sell sails. Be sure you have a plan, should they betray you, and all of the North," Gariss said heavily. Todays events were taking a toll on his energy, though he would stay in strong. He turned to Lord Karstark.

"Let us hope that it does not come to such a war as I have read happened in the past. Defending our kingdom is our main priority, and one I would not let falter."

[westerosi]

Cregan nodded once to Gariss's orders.

"Do you have any more orders, my liege? If not, I will leave at once to gather my men and begin the preparations"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"Very well, and may the Old Gods be with you," Gariss said, nodding once.

[westerosi]

He gave quick bow.

"I am certain they'll be busy protecting you farther south, my liege" he said with a rare smile of his.

He and the men that was with him left the hall.

[Ollie]

Lord Reed sat back in his chair, watching his King, the son he had raised from the cradle, deal out orders with the strength and confidence that could only be possessed by a leader.

He wears the face of a king well, Olander thought to himself as the younger men spoke. Inwardly he his pride swelled at Gariss' said, "Moat Cailin was newly rebuilt by my father." Olander could only assume his foster son was speaking of him, as the ruins of Moat Cailin had been repaired under his initiative, and the name he was given spoke highly of their bond.

"Lord Manderly, a moment?" he said, raising his head to grab the attention of the White Harbor lord. The Manderly line had shifted to another branch, it seemed. Long gone was the boy lord whose father's killer her had brought to justice, and the thought left the crannogman with an odd feeling.

"The navy currently stands in two parts: ten ships stationed at Bear Island and the Stoney Shore on the West Coast, and fifteen on the east Coast, at White Harbor. I would advise that you keep the northern fleet similarly divided, to guard each of our shores. If you can find the coin to construct additional galleys, then by all means proceed with their construction, but do keep in mind that the North has recently bought no small part of King Rickon's debt, and is still recovering from a long, frigid winter."

[Lord Lester Merryweather]

"House Manderly, my lord, is recovering better than the rest. Our trade is flourishing, but I will spend all my money wisely." he gave a smile to Olander 'If we were in the south, I bet you would be the king's hand.' he thought, but only nodded and left the room wit his entourage