Granted, this method worked best in warm, sunny areas, but I felt that the late spring through the early autumn would be sunny enough to make it work. After all, a similar method was used in Cornwall and Wales to harvest sea salt, and their weather was relatively wet. Which was why I included the retractable canvas cloth coverings.
"What's this?" Jorah asked while staring at the drawings.
"This is a method for harvesting salt from seawater," I explained. "Obviously, with Winterfell so far from the sea, I can't use it myself. But, given your island home, I expect you'll be able to put it to good use."
"Why give us this?" Maege asked. "Surely this knowledge is valuable…"
"It can be, in the right hands," I replied with an almost uncaring shrug. "But let me answer your question with another question; what do you know about pickling?"
"A bit," Maege replied with a mild frown. "I know it's used to preserve vegetables for storage, and that it often uses vinegar. Why do you ask?"
"Because its other main ingredient is salt," I answered. "And, as Lord Jorah pointed out, salt is expensive, in part because we have to import it from the South."
"I see," Jorah rumbled. "You want us to produce salt in the North for the North."
"No," I said with a Mona Lisa smile. "I want you to be able to produce so much salt that you can afford to export it."
"Again, why?" Maege pressed. "Why give this to us? Surely the Manderlys are better positioned to make use of this."
I idly tapped the table as I considered how to answer the question. I could tell them that it was because I wanted their house to have a decent source of income, but that might strike them as charity. Their pride may lead them to reject the gift. On the other hand…
"I have two… no, three main reasons for helping House Mormont in particular," I said, doing my best to present a serious demeanor. "First, the North needs salt, and who better to produce it than an island in the sea? Second, because Bear Island is some of the best fishing grounds in Westeros, but you don't have a means of preserving your catch other than smoking it. Having salt would let you preserve and export fish. Third, by helping you set up a salt and preserved fish export business, it'll attract foreign merchants to your shores."
"I understand wanting a Northern source of salt, but why go to all this trouble to help us?" Maege pressed. "What benefit does House Stark get from this?"
"I…" Pausing, I took a brief moment to arrange my argument. After months of discussions with Ned, he had managed to impress on me the importance of preparing defensive measures in advance, such as repairing Most Cailin. While that was still a project for later on, I had asked him why the North doesn't have a navy, and I'd been told the story of Brandon the Shipwright and Brandon the Burner. I'd promptli told him that rebuilding Moat Cailin wouldn't matter if enemies from the South could just sail around it. And so we had come up with this plan. "The North had more miles of coastline than any other kingdom in Westeros, but we have no navy to defend it. Given our recent economic windfall-"
Maege snorted at my oblique reference to my ventures and the coin it has provided.
"I think it's time to start laying the groundwork for a future navy," I explained. "White Harbor is the obvious choice for the eastern coast, but of all the holdfasts on the western coast, Bear Island is the best option for a safe harbor for our western navy."
"There are other, larger ports in the west," she pressed. "Torrhen's Square connects to the sea, and had a much larger and busier harbor than ours."
"True, but because ships have to navigate up a river to get there, it limits the size of the ships their docks can handle," I countered. "Bear Island has a fantastic sheltered deepwater harbor, is close to the Glover's lands, so that plenty of wood is nearby, and the only other major settlement on the coast, Flint's Finger, is surrounded by rocky shores and cliffs; not exactly a good place for ships to dock. No, Bear Island is the best choice."
Maege and Jorah locked eyes for a long moment before turning back to me.
"You want to turn Bear Island into the home base of a western naval force," Jorah stated. "To make the North more secure?"
"Aye. The threats faced by the western shores have always been either the Ironborn or Wildlings in small craft from the Frozen Shore," I explained. "Flint's Finger is protected by their cliffs, and there is little aside from fishing villages along the Stony Shore. Deepwood Motte and Bear Island would be the main targets of a raiding force from the Iron Islands."
"They're known for attacking Torrhen's Square as well," Jorah pointed out.
"True, but given the river, it's a lot easier to build defensive fortifications to block the raiders," I replied. "The coast near Deepwood Motte would also make a good place to embark and disembark armies from further inland. Given Bear Island's proximity…"
"Alright. I take your meaning," Maege said with a huff. "But you realize it will take years before we can build everything up, don't you?"
"I expect it'll take a decade or so," I admitted. "But, between the weaving machines and the salt pools, you should have more income available to get the process started. And, if necessary, I can contribute to building some of that infrastructure."
"Very well, Lady Stark," Jorah said, his voice firm. "We accept. What do you need us to do first?"
"We can start making more specific plans in the future," I told him. "For now, start making salt, preserving fish, and attracting merchants from the Riverlands and Westerlands. Once your trade volume has grown and a few other future projects of mine start coming to fruition, we can start further development."
"Very well. House Mormont thanks you."
"You have been one of House Stark's most stalwart vassals," I replied with a smile. "There is no one else we would trust more with this task. Now, why don't we head down to the hall and get some meat and wine?"
"After you, Lady Stark."
"Please, call me Catelyn."
"My lords, my ladies, before we begin the Harvest Feast, I have a few announcements to make," Ned said, catching the attention of everyone present. "With the permission of the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, I will be restoring the holdfast of Queenscrown, in the New Gift. The land will be ruled by my brother, Benjen Stark. His taxes and military obligation will be owed to the Watch, just as it was before the lands were abandoned."
I made sure to clap extra loudly, if only to cover up the whispers and mutterings that were echoing through the hall. The various lords looked speculative, though just what exactly they were speculating on, I couldn't be sure.
"My lords, I have another announcement to make," Ned continued, if only to make the muttering stop. Both he and I could see how uncomfortable it was making Benjen. "Ser Rodrik Cassel, step forward."
The Master at Arms for Winterfell looked startled and nervous as he stood from one of the far tables and slowly approached the High Table.
"Ser Rodrik, the Cassels have served House Stark for many generations. Due to you and your late brother's exemplary service in Robert's Rebellion, I, Eddard Stark, Warden of the North, reward you with one thousand gold dragons."
The announcement was met by shocked gasps; all the prize money from the 'tourney' had been barely more than that sum.
"In addition, I award you with the holdfast of Dorren's Bridge," he continued. "All but the bridge over the White Knife is in disrepair, but the land around it is good and fertile, and you should have little trouble attracting farmers to work on it. Rule it well, and it will take care of you and your family for generations to come."
"Thank you, my Lord," he replied, looking stunned and joyful at the same time. Ned held out a leather sack that was bulging with coin and set it in Rodrik's hands.
In reality, the bag only had about 200 dragons, but there was a note explaining that the rest of the 1000 would be paid to him in installments over the next few moons. But the bag certainly looked impressive.
"My lords, my ladies, please welcome House Cassel to the ranks of the landed nobility," Ned said and led the hall in applause. "And with that, let the Harvest Feast begin!"