The Ultimate Player Of The Game Of Thrones

Hall of The Flint's Finger Castle

The next day Ser Holt met with Lady Laina, regent of the House Flint, in the castle's meeting hall.

"My Lady, I commend you for how you educated the young lord in the political arena. But it is the time for the young lord to go through his martial training to become a knight."

Lady Laina acknowledged his remarks and said "If you believe so Ser Holt."

°°°

From that day onward grueling teaching of Ser Holt began. The Mornings were reserved for Combat training; afternoon was reserved for training in how to run the keep. The young lord was swamped in these things and did not have much time to do nothing else. Like this another 2 years passed. While he didn't do spectacularly in his knightly training the same couldn't be said for his performance in his domestic studies. This was a slight concern to his mother as anyone who was great in domestic affairs can make the house survive they would be hard pressed to reverse the situation the House Flint of the Flint's Finger was in. What they needed was to regain the prestige and collect the vassals who were competent. But this was not as bleak of a situation as it seemed to be because the House needed someone to do finances and keep the books clean. They could rely on the Rickard if it meant he would be adequately keep books. The North valued martial strength above everything else. There was a saying in the south that whenever a northerner comes to the south they die of southern heat. This was not so much that they couldn't deal with higher temperature rather they couldn't deal with southerners schemes. Being the more populous part of the westeros the South had both abundance of people and nobles. This created the perfect environment for most cutthroat, most ruthless, most decisive individuals to raise to the top. The northerners being not raised in such an environment naturally were inferior statecrafters. The young lord's abilities could still have a decisive advantage in the north.

The young Rickard Flint was not going to wait forever or rather until he comes of age to make his move. He knew what future held for the westeros. The White Wakers. He also knew the lords of the westeros were busy in fighting each other for every small bit of power. And this wouldn't change even in coming decades. Believing White Walkers were mere myths and legends they wouldn't be ready to face them when the long night came. Most importantly he didn't want to die by the White Walkers or be turn into them. Who knew whether they can turn an adult into one, he wouldn't test it. To save himself he needed power and prestige and lots of loyal men who could happily sacrifice themselves for him. Even if they didn't sacrifice themselves happily as long as they sacrificed themselves it was enough.

For that to come to fruition he needed to be stronger, his house needed to be stronger. He wanted to be involved in household affairs and make his fief better. He couldn't do this right now as he was still a child. But what he could do instead is request to keep books. Streamline bookkeeping and make solid foundation for future civil matters. Thus he planned to ask his mother to let him do the bookkeeping.