####
In the coming weeks, Wylis poured himself into work, and Rhaella a bit more.
Wylis had had enough of waiting. His plans for the city were so grand that to complete them would take decades. That was a decade too long for him. And it stung him when he knew he could hasten the process significantly with his Earthbending.
[Tyrant's Fief]
[Land - 32000 acres.
People - 4818
Garrison - 70 Men
GDP - 205 Golden Dragons
Industries Main - Timber and fish
Cities - 0
Town - 1
Villages - 11
Ships - 20
Fleets - 0
Horses - 503
Cows - 854
Sheep - 7689
Goats - 1869]
As far as he could see, there was a marginal improvement in overall numbers. Garrison had increased, as had the population of humans and animals. But the GDP had only increased by five gold dragons, and that was because of the money spent by visitors during the King's feast.
Plenty of red ones.
Just as expected, a few red dots had remained behind. It meant enemies, but he knew they were just spies. So, he sent out some of his men to gather up all of them. He had no desire to allow assassins and spies in his lands. The faster he dealt with them, the better.
"Here, drink this, Wylis."
He received a cup of hot ginger and lemon water from Lyanna in his top-floor solar of the tower. It was where he worked on the books and drew construction and trade plans. He did long for coffee, however.
"Thank you. Where's Magnus?" He asked since Lyanna didn't carry their son in arms.
"Where do you think? The boy is jealous of Aegon. He tried to ride that bicycle you gave him and took a fall. But he didn't cry or quit. He kept at it until he wore himself out. He sleeps now in Ashara's care."
Wylis chuckled just imagining it. Magnus was too big for someone just two and a half years old. The boy was also wiser than most his age.
"He'll grow as tall as me and likely wiser too, I reckon. Congratulations, Lyanna, you've birthed the finest lad the realm will ever see." He smiled at the blush rising on her cheeks. "Now all that remains is to leave him something worthy to rule. We'll start with this town. I'll use my 'gifts' to finish the walls. They take too long otherwise. Let the people turn their hands to the docks instead. The ice-faring ships held fast in their trials. I built the metal cases and created a vacuum in the walls with my abilities. All that's left is to set up shops in major cities and start selling."
"Vacuum?"
"I let my eagerness run ahead of me." Wylis rubbed the back of his head. He often forgot the world had not yet learned such things, though he blamed no one for it. "A vacuum is the utter absence of air. Heat and cold move through the air we breathe. Where there is no air at all, they have no road to travel. So if the hollow walls of a metal case hold a vacuum, the ice within will linger far longer before it melts."
"That was easy to understand," Lyanna muttered and gazed at the sheet sprawled on the table with advanced architectural designs. "You plan to build walls within the planned city? What is this place supposed to be?"
At Lyanna's finger, he looked at the walled-off area he planned to build just beyond the moat-wall of his castle. It was supposed to be a completely walled section, close to the castle, with its own private ports. It looked spacious with large buildings dotting it and wide roads.
"This shall be the city's administrative district. The walls will hold the military and naval academy, a great hall for the sick, a statehouse, the best inns, goldsmiths, training yards, schools, and select trading houses of high worth. Any lord or man of standing who comes to Ramsgate will stay here, not within my castle."
Lyanna chuckled. "Not too delighted with Robert's stay?"
"No, I suppose I can't refuse the King a roof in my own castle. But a noble lord is another matter. I want them out. I won't be hiding you below ground every few weeks. But best I raise the walls first, so I can work on the buildings alone and out of sight."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Not yet, no. But the time will come. I'll need hands to keep accounts, minds to manage affairs, and eyes I can trust. You noble ladies are learned, and I'll rely on you. For now, teach the men their archery. Our garrison must be stronger."
"I can do th—"
Knock! Knock!
Lyanna silenced herself, and Wylis eyed the door. "What is it?"
Chett peeked inside quickly, saluting. "My lord, Brandon Stark has returned."
"At last. The bastard swore he would be back before Robert arrived." Wylis rose, ready to face him, then caught Chett's scowl. "He didn't bring Lady Barbrey, did he?"
"No, my lord. It's Benjen Stark. I fought Brandon and barred them from entry to the castle."
Wylis frowned, trying to remember when Benjen joined the Night's Watch. But that didn't matter; he looked at Lyanna to see her reaction. He noticed her emotional state right away. She was close to her younger brother, after all.
"Lyanna, the choice is yours. I only ask to know one thing first. Can he be trusted to hold his tongue?"
"I…" Lyanna nodded, her eyes watery. "Yes. You can trust him… He was all I had at Winterfell while Eddard and Brandon were gone. I'm closer to him than Brandon. He would hold his tongue… even if it cost him his life."
Wylis remained silent for a moment. This wasn't just about Lyanna, after all. Rhaella was also there, and so were King Aerys' children. He didn't know how Benjen would react to them. Would he blame them for their father's sins?
Brandon wouldn't be foolish enough to bring him otherwise.
"Very well. Chett, lead them here."
####
Winterfell,
Catelyn Stark didn't know what to think of this. She liked the gift, but at the same time, it made her uncomfortable. It was too big, too expensive, and… luxurious.
Only moments had passed since King Robert's arrival. She had greeted the man, who was now being entertained by her lord husband. Both men had gone to the Stark Crypts. She remained behind to speak with her sister.
But the real shock was the large stagecoach. Not the one King had arrived in, but a second one that had come empty. It was painted in House Stark colors and looked stunning. The reinsman who had ridden it belonged to Ramsgate.
"I can't accept this."
"Oh, you absolutely can, Catelyn."
She eyed Lysa, who looked stunning now more than ever, her complexion bright and vibrant, her hair lush, while not as thin as before, her curves were full and sensual, very womanly. She noticed the baby boy in Lysa's arms.
He's quite… large.
"Lord Kaiser has no reason to do this." Catelyn eyed the stagecoach with conflicted expressions. On the one hand, she loved it, and on the other, she knew her husband would feel burdened to accept it.
"You…" Lysa snickered and stepped closer to her. "Wylis sent this in praise of a healthy birth. This is meant for Sansa. And I tell you, Cat, I would have kept one too, were I not tied to the Vale. It is wonderfully soft. You could fall asleep inside it and never feel the road beneath you."
Catelyn still felt conflicted, and decided to leave the decision to her lord husband. Her only impression of Lord Kaiser was from her marriage, when the gorgeous man had saved her from having her gown torn apart. Just remembering that moment made her embarrassed.
"Leave it for later. Bring the boy to me. Let me see Robin," she said, trying to catch sight of him. He was a beautiful child; she could already see how well he would grow. Even his size startled her. "I never thought Lord Arryn's seed would be so strong."
"..."
Lysa awkwardly giggled.
Hm? She… seems…
Catelyn had lived her entire life with Lysa until marriage. They had grown together. She knew her better than any, and she knew how to read hints on her sister's face.
Proud and… guilty?
With a gulp, Catelyn looked down at the babe again and… the thought of where Lysa had just come from rose in her mind.
No… That can't be. That's outrageous. But she called him Wylis… are they so close?
______________________
Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 12 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 45-50 Webnovel chapters.
Check out Wylis X Lyanna Stark NSFW Art & Wylis with Kids SFW ART, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
Old Free Art on Discord: https://discord.gg/W5FdB6WXaP