Next up , we get a letter from Varys and mention of Ser Jorah Mormont SJM . Along with this comes another example of Ned ' s d o ityourselfleadfromexample playbook . It turns our Ned went all the way to Bear Island himself to discipline SJM for his slave trading exploits , only to find out SJM had bailed . Ned ' s still pissed . I suspect that Ned does journeys like this not just with one goal in mind , but rather would visit lords along the way there . He apparently also visits the hill clans regularly , as we learn later . Arya once remarks that she ' d visited White Harbor with her father . It ' s a way of ruling that shows everyone who ' s in charge , and that they care for them . Also I think it ' s a way to introduce everyone to his children and family . Or to take Robb with him to learn about the lands he rules . Know the men who follow you and let them know you . Don ' t ask your men to die for a stranger .