Game Of Thrones : Merchant of Two Worlds

On the way back, dicken and his three companions didn't dismount from their chosen horses. They rode behind Lord Jason's carriage, choosing to avoid passing through Winter Market Town. Jason Liu didn't stop them; after all, horseback riding was the most efficient mode of transportation in Westeros, and his guards were accustomed to it.

Upon their return to the castle near Winter Market Town, Barron and his 30-person solar lighting team had made significant progress. Fully staffed and organized, they had installed energy-saving lamps in the shop, warehouse, weapons store, kitchen, laundry room, toilets, and even the hospital next to Boris's quarters.

The task was relatively simple. Once a person installed the lights a few times, they quickly mastered the process. Many of the newly recruited workers had become almost as skilled as Barron himself.

Boris, now standing in the hospital, looked at the brightly lit rooms with satisfaction. The white, energy-efficient lamps were a vast improvement, making it easier to read, write, and treat patients even during the night. The two-story wooden hospital was nearly ready, and Boris decided it was time to begin accepting patients the following day. He was eager to make the Easter Hospital a renowned name across the North.

The hospital's name, Easter Hospital, was Boris's idea. As a loyal servant of Lord Jason and the Easter family, it was only fitting that the institution carried their name. After all, the medicines used in the hospital were supplied by the Easter family, making the connection both practical and symbolic.

Meanwhile, Jason faced another challenge: finding a place to house the 50 newly acquired horses. The castle lacked sufficient stables, forcing him to act quickly. He ordered his men to build a temporary wooden enclosure outside Winter Market Town, where the horses could be kept for the time being.

Jason also arranged to purchase an abandoned property a little farther from the main market. The property was large enough to be converted into a stable, and its location ensured that the strong smell of the horses wouldn't affect those living in the castle. In addition to the stables, Jason planned to construct barracks nearby to house his soldiers. This would serve two purposes: providing a closer watch over the horses and reducing the overcrowding in the castle's barracks, which were already home to over 100 soldiers.

Kent, ever efficient, contacted the mason who had worked on their previous projects. The mason was tasked with organizing a team to construct the new stables and barracks. With these arrangements underway, Jason handed over the details to his trusted men and shifted his focus to other pressing matters.

Boris insisted on showing Jason the hospital, seeking his input on any final preparations. Together, they walked through the facility. The "Easter Hospital" sign above the entrance caught Jason's eye. Although he found the name slightly amusing, he chose not to comment, knowing Boris had put thought into it. Instead, he followed Boris inside, where Polly, Camilla, and three other apprentices were busily cleaning. They greeted Jason and Boris with polite salutes before returning to their tasks.

Jason inspected the rooms, both upstairs and downstairs. Finally, he turned to Boris and said, "I agree. The hospital can officially start accepting patients tomorrow." His approval brought a wide smile to Boris's face.

The next morning, news spread quickly that the hospital, under the care of Bachelor Boris, was now open to patients. The townsfolk of Winter Market Town, who had been curious about the building, soon gathered outside its doors. Word of Boris's medical skills had already reached nearby villages, where patients treated by him or his assistants had experienced remarkable recoveries.

Rumors of Boris's "miracle medicine" spread like wildfire. People claimed that the medicines provided by Lord Jason from his homeland could cure various illnesses, sometimes overnight. As more patients were successfully treated, the tales grew even more exaggerated, painting Boris as a healer with almost magical abilities.

These rumors eventually reached the ears of minor northern nobles. Some of these lords, suffering from ailments that their own maesters had failed to cure, began to consider seeking treatment from Boris. The idea of a "miracle cure" was too tempting to ignore.

However, the growing fame of Boris and his hospital unsettled the established maesters of the North. These learned men, trained in the Citadel, prided themselves on their knowledge and expertise. To hear that an unqualified assistant like Boris was outperforming them was both shocking and infuriating. Many dismissed the rumors as exaggerations, confident that no one without proper training could rival their skills.

Yet, as more reports of successful treatments emerged, the maesters began to feel threatened. If Boris's success continued, it could undermine their credibility and expertise in the eyes of the lords they served. This fear led many maesters to take a keen interest in Boris and his so-called "miracle medicine."

Some maesters resolved to investigate the hospital themselves. They wanted to see if the rumors were true and, if so, how Boris had managed to achieve such results. Their curiosity coincided with the annual harvest celebration at Winterfell, where lords and their maesters would gather. Many maesters persuaded their lords to take them along, using the opportunity to discreetly observe Boris and assess his medical practices.

The northern lords, while puzzled by their maesters' sudden interest in the hospital, saw no harm in indulging them. They, too, had heard the rumors about Lord Jason and his remarkable assistant. In a land where medical care was rudimentary at best, the prospect of a skilled healer was enticing. After all, sickness spared no one, and having someone like Boris nearby could be a matter of life and death.

For the Citadel, the rise of a healer like Boris posed a potential threat to their influence. The institution had long maintained its authority by providing maesters to serve the noble houses of Westeros. These maesters not only advised on governance but also acted as doctors, giving the Citadel significant control over the health and well-being of the realm's nobility. Boris's growing reputation could disrupt this balance, especially if his methods proved superior to those taught in the Citadel.

Jason Liu, however, remained focused on his plans. While others speculated about the implications of Boris's success, he saw the hospital as another step toward strengthening his influence in the North. Whether it was through medicine, innovation, or infrastructure, Jason was determined to make his mark on Westeros.

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