Several days after the election was suspended, the “vote supervisors” appointed by Robb Stark arrived at the various fortresses along the Wall and began implementing the new one-person, one-vote system.

It was no exaggeration to call it a sweeping victory for the reformist faction. Shadow Tower had two hundred and thirty-six brothers of the Night’s Watch with voting rights, while Eastwatch-by-the-Sea had two hundred and five. Even if none of these four hundred-plus votes went to Aegor, he would still suffer no loss. On the other hand, if even one voter abstained or abandoned their own Commander to support Aegor, his advantage would widen, approaching the two-thirds victory threshold.

Voting in each fortress was conducted in a closed booth, as instructed by Robb. The ballots were anonymous, and the tallying was carried out by a neutral third party. It was easy to imagine that the previous fear of retaliation for not voting for one’s direct superior would be greatly reduced.

Everyone believed that at least some would vote for Aegor. The only question was how many. But Aegor never placed his hopes on people he didn’t understand or couldn’t control. His true strategy, or rather, the real opportunity for victory, lay elsewhere: newly added votes.

Those who had followed Melisandre and supported Stannis had formally taken their vows to join the Night’s Watch, becoming full black brothers with the right to vote. Encouraged by propaganda and the promise of benefits, some among the Grey Area Citizens, both old and new, also began applying to join the Watch, and the number of recruits training in Castle Black’s yard increased by the day.

With the Chief Training Officer now persuaded by Melisandre to support the reformists, time was fully on Aegor’s side. As soon as these new recruits completed their training and took their vows, they would be eligible to vote… and when that day came, the contest would be over.

Step by step, the once-unlucky transmigrator in black was finally on the verge of a counterattack.

—

At the easternmost Night’s Watch stronghold on the Wall, the cold winds blew with relentless force. The Ice Wall was lower here and vanished entirely just a short distance out into the sea. With no barrier to shield them from the howling winds from the North, and with the damp chill from Seal Bay constantly rolling in, Eastwatch-by-the-Sea had long been the most difficult place to endure along the Wall.

But today, it buzzed with rare activity. Brothers gathered in the courtyard, listening to a soldier from Winterfell—whose clothing stood out from the rest—loudly announcing Robb Stark’s orders. The crowd began murmuring to one another.

“Why are we even voting at Eastwatch? Is this necessary? Besides Cotter Pyke, who else could we possibly vote for?”

“Let them hold the vote. But they’re saying no proxies are allowed? We have to show up in person or it counts as abstaining? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Exactly. It’s freezing! Thank the gods the dead aren’t bothering us, but the lords from the South won’t leave us alone. May the White Walkers take them all!”

“Instead of whining, let’s vote quickly and get back inside to warm up.”

“True. But how much longer is that guy going to talk?”

…

Listening to the mutterings around him, Will pursed his lips and leaned toward Gared. “That Aegor is really something now. He’s actually running for Lord Commander against two Commanders… We used to patrol Beyond the Wall together and escaped the White Walkers side by side. You’ll vote for him, right?”

Gared curled his lip. “Vote for him? I know exactly what kind of man that boy is. What makes you think he’s fit to be Commander? Don’t make me laugh.”

“You haven’t seen him in nearly two years. A lot can change. Judging by the supplies coming up from King’s Landing, he’s done quite well.”

“Yeah, and in all that time, he never once came back to visit the Wall. Not even once to Eastwatch. I really wasted my time watching out for that kid.”

“He had duties. It’s not like he could just travel all the way back here just to see us,” Will replied, scratching his head. He couldn’t argue with Gared’s complaint, but he still rubbed the dragonglass dagger Aegor had given him—a keepsake he treated like a lucky charm—and silently made up his mind to vote for his old comrade.

…

Months ago, when Mance Rayder led the Wildling army to the Wall, small groups escaped by raft across Seal Bay. Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, already short-staffed, faced a crisis. Jeor Mormont had responded by personally leading most of the Rangers to reinforce them. Among them were Aegor’s old companions, black brothers who had patrolled the Wall, and some newly sworn lords from the Vale.

After Commander Mormont’s sudden death, Cotter Pyke brought the Vale lords to Castle Black to enter the election, leaving behind Rangers who now had no voice in the vote—until Robb Stark intervened and restored their voting rights.

Now, hundreds of black brothers pushed forward toward the voting booth, eager to cast their ballots and escape the cold. But the Winterfell soldier raised his hand and called for patience. “Brothers, please wait a moment. A noble from King’s Landing, a follower of King Stannis, wishes to say a few words before you vote.”

There were scattered boos, but discipline held under the watch of the officers. Though the King’s authority meant little here, the Night’s Watch still belonged to the Seven Kingdoms. And if the White Walkers ever came again, they’d need Southern aid.

Soon, a man in ornate clothes, bearing the flaming heart of R’hllor on his chest, stepped onto the platform. Under the watchful eyes of the Eastwatch soldiers, he began his rambling speech.

“Brave brothers of the Night’s Watch! The Long Night is long and full of terrors. A great evil stirs beyond the Wall, a power no mortal can stand against. The endless night is nearly upon us. Only with courage like yours, and faith in the flaming heart, can humanity hope to endure…”

“What’s he going on about?” Will asked, frowning. “Is he preaching?”

“It’s that red god again,” Gared replied with a sneer. “These bastards act like men but bark like dogs. Preaching in villages wasn’t enough—now they’ve come inside the Wall to trick us black brothers too.”

“But isn’t this supposed to be about voting for Commander? What’s the red god got to do with it?”

“There’s always a reason. Just keep listening,” Gared muttered, squinting. And sure enough, a familiar name soon came up. “See? There it is. He’s talking about Aegor? Hah. That brat’s still full of tricks. Now he’s the Prophet, the chosen Lord Commander, the one who will lead us to defeat the red god’s great enemy and end Winter?”

“Aegor’s the Prophet?”

“Bah. You believe that?” Gared rolled his eyes. “He’s no prophet. Just nonsense to scare children. I can’t believe he’s stooped to using this for votes. Everyone knows there are more brothers who’d bed that Red Priestess than follow her god. This pitch will flop.”

“You never believe in anything, so of course you’d say that. But more and more brothers are switching to the red god. They gather around fires all day. At least it’s something they believe in.”

“Yeah. Their old gods never answered, so now they’ll try new ones. Wait till they find out this one doesn’t work either.”

“You’ve never believed in anything, so how would you know it’s fake? Besides, they say that Red Priestess really can use magic,” Will said. “And I think there’s truth in the idea that Aegor is part of some prophecy. Don’t forget—when Waymar Royce led us into that trap, Aegor was the first to sense something was off. He warned me to watch for the dead. And you admitted he killed a White Walker and saved your life… Can you explain that?”

“That was just dumb luck. And don’t start with that dragonglass dagger again. If it’s so powerful, why don’t you go out and kill all the White Walkers with it?”

“I’m just saying it might not all be nonsense.”

“Well, stop talking nonsense. I’ll vote for the brat, alright? Just don’t go shouting this crap around—you’ll get laughed at.”

Will held his tongue. Gared had been promoted to squad leader for his past service and was now not only a senior brother but also an officer. Though frostbite had weakened his strength, his experience remained intact, and his words often carried more weight than some mid-tier commanders.

But while Will stayed silent, his mind kept turning. He’d only wanted to get Gared to vote for Aegor, but the more he thought about it, the more it all seemed to line up. Aegor’s foresight with the White Walkers, the miracle of surviving their pursuit and striking back, and the dragonglass dagger…

Plenty of Rangers had survived missions Beyond the Wall, but to face death so many times and always come through? That was something else.

To Will, Aegor was no longer just an old friend. He had become something larger. A symbol. A belief.

If others said he was the Prophet… If someone was explaining those strange events… Why not believe?

Maybe one day, he’d even try praying to the red god himself.

—

Gared, of course, had no idea what Will was thinking. And even if he had, he wouldn’t care. Old, savvy, and sharp, Gared’s judgment of the brothers around him was spot-on. After listening to the noble on stage deliver his bloated propaganda, the mockery from the crowd was unmistakable. Many openly said it was a failed campaign ploy.

“That Lord from King’s Landing!” Eastwatch’s Chief Steward was the first to step forward. “Aegor West is a capable and excellent Chief Logistics Officer. Thanks to his efforts, our stores—like those in every castle along the Wall—are better stocked than ever. If he had come to speak for himself, we might not vote for him, but we’d have welcomed him with respect. But instead, he sends you to sell us on vague prophecies? It leaves a bad taste.”

His speech resonated with many others.

“Right. We thought he was a solid quartermaster, but now it seems he’s just another snake-oil peddler. Who knows what lies he told to get those Southern supplies?”

…

They were insulting Aegor? Will’s heart burned. He made to push forward and speak, but Gared grabbed his arm.

“What are you doing?”

“They’re calling Aegor a liar!”

“And you think you can change their minds? You’re no orator. You think shouting at them will help? Aegor can speak his mind because he has the title. Who are you? What weight do your words carry?” Gared glared at him. “Stand still. Let that babbling noble finish and then go cast your vote.”

Will gritted his teeth but obeyed. Still, he watched closely.

But the noble on stage wasn’t done yet.

“I take no orders from Lord Aegor or any member of the Night’s Watch. He is the one chosen by R’hllor, the one destined to defeat the god of cold and death. That is the vision Lady Melisandre saw in the sacred flames. It is the will of the Lord of Light!”

It would have been better if he’d said nothing.

The moment he mentioned Melisandre again, the crowd erupted.

“Send that witch back to Asshai! She struts around the Wall preaching her madness. How are we supposed to fight the dead when we’re always dealing with her lies?”

“That one claimed he killed a White Walker. Maybe even that’s fake!”

“You dare insult Lady Melisandre? She is King Stannis’s trusted advisor!”

There were already followers of R’hllor at Eastwatch, and when it came to faith, sparks flew fast. In the chaos, Gared—who’d just told Will to stay silent—forgot his own words.

He exploded.

Killing a White Walker was the most glorious moment of his life. He had bragged about it endlessly, in Black Castle and at Eastwatch. And now someone dared to question it?

“Who just said Aegor made that up?” Gared’s voice rasped as he shouted. “Step forward! White Walkers have pale skin and inhuman strength. They carry ice blades that freeze steel, and their evil magic raises the dead. When killed, they melt away into nothing. Aegor and I reported all this to Commander Mormont! And then it was confirmed by the Rangers’ second battle Beyond the Wall! You think we just guessed all that?”

“Maybe you read it in some old book,” a voice muttered. “Just saying, I didn’t see it. Could be made up.”

“You didn’t see it?” Gared froze. A few seconds passed before he had a flash of inspiration.

“My brothers! Aegor and I are not the only ones who have killed a White Walker. When Commander Mormont led us Beyond the Wall to capture a wight, we all fought together and brought one down again! That glory belongs to every Ranger here! And now someone dares say, ‘I didn’t see it, so who knows if it’s true?’ What’s next? You’ll say the White Walkers don’t exist? One line wipes away the sacrifices of countless Rangers over the years. Are we going to let that stand?”

Gared wasn’t trained in rhetoric, but he had instinct. By tying himself to every Ranger present, he changed the argument from “Aegor’s claims” to “insulting all Rangers.”

And Rangers weren’t just in Castle Black.

Eastwatch and Shadow Tower, though small, still had Rangers. They had fought, bled, and died Beyond the Wall. Gared’s shout turned the mood. Now it was Rangers versus garrison brothers who had never faced the dead.

“White Walkers exist! I was there when we killed the second one!”

“Frank, apologize for your nonsense.”

“Sorry… I was just questioning Aegor. I didn’t mean…”

“Doubt requires proof!” Gared pressed on. “I don’t know if Aegor will be a good Lord Commander. But I saw him charge a White Walker with my own eyes. That courage alone earns my vote!”

“Exactly!” Will cried out. He wasn’t much for speeches, but joining in was easy. He held up the dragonglass dagger. “This is the weapon Aegor used to kill the White Walker! For his courage, I’ll vote for him too!”

The red god’s follower, seeing that he’d nearly ruined everything, slipped away quietly. A Stark guard stepped forward to take over and smooth things out.

“All right, brothers. Support who you want, that’s your right. Let’s stop arguing and get to voting.”

Seeing he’d done his part, Gared returned to Will’s side, satisfied. He offered one last bit of advice.

“See? That’s how you win support. We might not convince all of Castle Black to switch sides, but at least the Rangers will consider our Aegor… Now put that dagger away before you make a fool of yourself.”

(To be continued.)

***

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