Chapter 108: Secrets of the Godswood!

After coming back to his chambers, Damian was greeted by Lily, the pixie, who fluttered around him with concern in her bright eyes.

"Are you alright, Damian?" Lily asked, her voice as delicate as a breeze.

"I’m just tired, Lily," Damian replied with a weary smile. "I was up all night."

Despite Lily’s gentle reminder to eat something, Damian went straight to bed, hoping to catch a few hours of sleep. Unfortunately, barely an hour had passed before he was jolted awake by the sound of persistent knocking at his door. The noise was accompanied by the excited voices of children.

Damian lifted his tired body from the bed and dragged himself to the door, opening it to find Robb and Jon standing there, eyes wide with excitement.

"Jon, Robb, what is it?" Damian asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Uncle, you have to come to the Godswood," Robb blurted out, nearly bouncing with enthusiasm. "We found a weirwood sapling growing near the heart tree. And there are stones, too. Stones with something written on them, all around the heart tree. Grandma went to get Father, and she asked us to call you."

Damian sighed, realizing that his handiwork had been discovered much sooner than he had anticipated. He had hoped to get some sleep at least, before someone found out.

"Alright, give me a moment," Damian said, grumbling inwardly as he went back inside to put on a shirt. He knew he would have to explain his actions to his family, especially to Ned, who would undoubtedly connect the sudden appearance of the weirwood sapling to the seeds Damian had borrowed from him the other day.

Once dressed, Damian followed the boys to the Godswood, feeling Lily perch lightly on his shoulder as they walked. 

As they approached the heart tree, Damian saw a small crowd gathered around the new sapling and the runic stones. Lady Lyarra stood with Ned, both wearing expressions of curiosity and intrigue. Maester Luwin was there as well, crouching near the stones, examining the writing with keen interest.

"My lord, the writing looks similar to the runes of the First Men, but they are not the same," Maester Luwin noted, his voice thoughtful as he traced the markings with his fingers. He had been with Lord Stark when Lady Lyarra came to tell him about the stones, and the discovery had piqued his scholarly interest.

"It's because they are different, Maester Luwin," Damian said, stepping forward as he arrived at the scene.

"Damian, was it you who placed them here? And what about this weirwood sapling? Did you plant it here?" Lady Lyarra asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Yes, Mother, it was me," Damian replied, feigning surprise as he gestured to the sapling. "Quite fascinating, isn't it? It grew so much in one night."

Ned came closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "You’re saying you grew this sapling from the seed I gave you. But how could it germinate and become this big overnight?"

Damian smiled and looked around, ensuring that everyone present was either family or someone he could trust. Seeing that they were, he said, "I want you all to swear this will stay between us and that you will never speak of this to anyone."

Ned frowned but nodded, recognizing the seriousness in Damian's voice. "I swear by the old gods to never reveal any information to others without your permission."

Lady Lyarra quickly followed suit, her expression earnest. Maester Luwin, though eager for answers, also swore his silence, his curiosity outweighing any doubts he might have had.

"Good," Damian said, relieved. "But let's send the kids away. They shouldn't hear this."

Ned nodded and called Robb and Jon over, asking them to leave the Godswood. The boys were reluctant, their interest piqued by the mystery of the stones, but they eventually obeyed and made their way back to the castle.

Once they were out of earshot, Damian turned back to the others. "I grew the weirwood sapling with the help of these stones covered in runic glyphs. I know it's hard to believe, but these runes work. They extract some power from the heart tree and bless the land around it."

Lady Lyarra, Ned, and Maester Luwin exchanged glances, their skepticism mingling with a newfound sense of wonder.

"Do you all believe in the old gods?" Damian asked, his voice steady.

"Yes, we do," his mother replied, looking at Ned and Maester Luwin for confirmation. Both men nodded in agreement.

"The heart tree represents the old gods, so they should be magical in nature, right? Their wood never rots—what is that if not magic?" Damian continued, his eyes alight with conviction. "People believe that magic left with the dragons, but that's not true. It's still there, flowing deep beneath the earth. The weirwoods are the only things that can access it."

Damian explained further, his voice calm and assured. "I studied runes that can extract that energy from these trees and spread it into the surroundings. So don't be surprised if you see plants growing faster than usual."

"Maester Luwin, as much as I trust you, the same cannot be said for the Citadel, so please do not share any of this with them," Damian cautioned.

Maester Luwin bowed his head, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "I'm deeply honored that you trust me with this secret. I am loyal to House Stark and shall never reveal its secrets to outsiders, even to my alma mater."

Damian nodded, satisfied with the maester's solemn promise. As the realization of what Damian had done settled in, Ned stood in thoughtful contemplation, absorbing the implications of his brother’s work.

Meanwhile, Lady Lyarra, her curiosity piqued, began asking more questions. "Where did you learn these runes, Damian? And this magic in the weirwood trees—do you think the old gods will be angered by us drawing from their power in this way?"

Damian smiled reassuringly at his mother, understanding her concerns. "I came across these runes in my travels and studies, Mother. I've spent much time learning about the old magics and the ways they intertwine with the land. The weirwood trees have always been a conduit for the old gods’ magic, and I believe they were meant to share it with the world."

Lady Lyarra listened intently, her expression a mix of awe and concern. "And the old gods? Will they not see this as an affront?"

Damian shook his head gently. "I don't believe so. The old gods represent nature and the cycles of life. By nurturing this sapling and encouraging the growth of the Godswood, we are honoring their legacy, not diminishing it. The magic of the weirwoods has been dormant for too long, and it's time we helped awaken it."

Ned nodded thoughtfully, processing the implications of Damian's words. "You said the plants would grow faster and more plentiful with the help of weirwood magic? Is that really true?"

"I believe so," Damian replied, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "As for how far the effects would reach and how much the crops will be affected, we might have to wait and see. The process won't make crops or plants mature in just a week, but it will definitely shorten the time and make it easier for the crops to grow. For example, if a crop takes four to five months, then with this magic, it might take only three months."

Ned raised an eyebrow, impressed by the potential benefits. "And what about the people and animals living nearby? Will they be affected as well?"

Damian nodded. "Yes, the fertility and health of animals and humans living nearby will also be positively impacted. They will have an easier time reproducing, and the chances of people having twins or more will increase slightly. They will grow healthier in a magic-rich environment, benefiting from the vitality that the weirwood magic brings."