The homes of the New Gift People held little in the way of supplies, but fortunately, the Logistics Department had transported ingredients and cooks a day in advance. There was no concern over food or drink, and the reunion of the Umber father and daughter greatly eased the tension between the Northmen and the “Wildlings” from Beyond the Wall who now shared a roof. The welcome dinner at Ice Mark City for the Northern Lords was simple but not crude, not overly warm but not neglectful, and at least nothing went wrong at the very start.

As night fell, the members of the great Northern houses were assigned rooms in the “guesthouse” and began to rest, while the accompanying guards, under the orders of their respective lords, took turns keeping watch.

It was not obvious on the surface, but there were easily more than a thousand New Gift People in Ice Mark City, including men, women, and children. The Northern inspection party would spend the night “surrounded” by these people, whom they were still more accustomed to calling Wildlings. The guards on duty kept their ears sharp, vigilant at every rustle of wind and shadow.

Now and then the distant howl of a wolf could be heard, mingling with the mournful cry of the cold wind and the occasional thud of accumulated snow sliding from rooftops to the ground. One watch shift replaced another, yet the feared riot or night attack never came. It was not until the heavily clouded sky began to pale with dawn that an unexpected guest, whose appearance and identity were entirely unforeseen, arrived from outside the settlement.

…

“Someone came from the west and went straight into the main keep to find the Northerners?” Without needing to hear more, just from the guard’s description, Aegor immediately realized the visitor meant trouble. “Did you hear anyone call his name? What did he look like? Any distinguishing features?”

“I did not hear a name, but he looked like he had traveled a long way, covered in frozen snow, so cold he could barely speak clearly. It took a long time of mumbling negotiations with the guards before he was let in.”

(Could it be a messenger from Shadow Tower? I sent Kent with a letter overnight to prepare for action. Are my opponents retaliating in kind, using the same method to catch me off guard?)

Aegor frowned. He had been mentally prepared, but a messenger arriving so quickly in this heavy snow still exceeded expectations. The weakness of Ice Mark City having no walls had immediately been exposed. Even with great ability, it was impossible to completely seal off such a large settlement. He had told Robb it was arranged that way deliberately, but in truth, with more than a thousand New Gift People living in this fortress, which had housed only a few hundred brothers of the Night’s Watch in the past, the building materials had barely been enough to repair the houses. There had been none left to build walls.

…

He had originally woken in a good mood, intending to confirm that the five tribes were ready for the Northern Lords’ inspection and questions. But no sooner had he stepped out than he was confronted with bad news, instantly cooling his mood. Aegor turned back, intending to quickly gather his trusted men, activate a contingency plan, and at the same time prepare the statement he had already composed.

“Master, good morning!” A clear and energetic voice called out as someone hurried across the courtyard.

“Arya?” Aegor looked around. Seeing none of Lady Stark’s guards, his expression immediately hardened. “Did no one tell you this place is unsafe? Do not wander around alone.”

“I am not wandering! I just wanted to look around before breakfast and see what the Wildlings really look like.” Arya had greeted Aegor cheerfully, but as soon as he began to scold her, she pouted. “Besides, I am with you now. What is unsafe about that?”

“They are no longer called Wildlings. They are called New Gift People,” Aegor corrected her. “I have important business to deal with now. Go back to the main keep and find your brother. Do not come out alone again.”

“You are so annoying. I do not need you to tell me what to do.”

Arya stamped her foot indignantly, turned, and walked toward the main keep. At that moment, a thought struck Aegor and he suddenly recalled the greatest use of this girl’s identity. “Hey, come back, I need to tell you something.”

“What?” The girl had wanted to ignore him out of spite, but several attempts to cold-shoulder Aegor had failed before. After a moment’s thought, she reluctantly turned back.

Aegor leaned close and whispered, “Someone just came from the west and went into the main keep to find your brother. Go see who it is, and while you are there, listen to what they say. Come tell me afterwards.”

“Aren’t you ashamed? You say it is unsafe, but now you want me to be your spy? No way. I am going back to my room right now so no one can say I am wandering.”

“Hey, don’t shout!” Aegor grabbed Arya as she was about to leave and rubbed her shoulder. “Alright, alright, I was wrong just now. I apologize, alright? Be good. Help me this time, and I will spoil you from now on!”

“Get away, that is disgusting.” Although she knew he was just coaxing her, his touch instantly melted her temper. She made a gagging expression, rolled her eyes, and said, “I will go eavesdrop, but you have to take me to see that tree someday!”

“Alright, next time we are at Nightfort, I promise to let you see it as long as you like!”

—

Even among family, there was no one else who could so brazenly eavesdrop on Robb Stark’s conversations. Catelyn Stark, as a Lady, could not move too strangely. Sansa was gentle and obedient. Bran, even before his fall, had only the odd hobby of climbing walls. And Rickon was still a child, not worth mentioning.

Only Arya, the second daughter known throughout Winterfell for running wild, was both beloved and unpredictable. Her sudden appearance anywhere would not arouse suspicion.

The boldest spy in history swaggered up to her brother’s door, gestured for the guards to keep silent, then carefully pushed the door open a crack and slipped inside.

Inside, the Northern Lords had been summoned by their liege lord to meet the visitor from afar: Yohn Royce.

This former Lord of Runestone had finally gambled correctly. He had set out from Castle Black yesterday and ridden along the Wall on the north side for a day, completely undetected by White Walkers or the dead. Of course, it was possible they had seen him, but those ghastly things were too lazy to approach the Wall just to attack a single living man. In any case, he miraculously met with no danger, crossed several forts before dark, and finally ascended the Wall at Stone Door, where Aegor had made no prior arrangements, with the help of the sentries on top.

After a brief rest, he immediately set out again, hatred burning in his heart and determined not to let his opponent succeed. He returned east from Stone Door overnight and finally arrived here at dawn.

Although they had been on opposing sides during King Robert’s pacification of the Vale, Yohn had been Eddard Stark’s old friend. Robb Stark retained some respect for this now-convicted old Lord who had taken the black, receiving him courteously and listening to his words.

“Lord Royce, you have ridden all night. You must be tired. Why not change clothes and eat something first? We will discuss what you have said and give you an answer as soon as possible.”

This was a polite way of saying he did not want him to hear their deliberations. Yohn, born a nobleman, naturally understood Robb’s meaning. He nodded, glanced at the line of Northern Lords with varying expressions, and withdrew.

This temporary “master chamber” for the Warden of the North had once been Ice Mark City’s armory. It was spacious, and the door was some distance from the inner room. Neither Yohn, who had just left, nor the Northmen still inside noticed Arya hiding behind a curtain.

Robb Stark faced such a situation for the first time. He frowned, thought for a moment, and said, “Everyone heard what Lord Royce just said. My Lords, what do you think?”

“I have known Yohn for many years. Although we faced each other on the battlefield last time, Lysa Tully’s mess… everyone knows about it. I do not think he is a liar,” said Karstark. “If what he says is true, then Aegor doing these things under your banner is… treasonous.”

Roose Bolton glanced at Karstark, then turned to Robb. “I would like to ask first, has Aegor reported these circumstances to you?”

“Yes. However, he only mentioned a little of the cause, and his account was very different from Yohn’s. Although I am more inclined to trust Aegor, somehow I feel Yohn’s account is closer to the truth,” Robb said helplessly. “Lords Umber and Glover, what do you say?”

“Although Deepwood Motte owes him a personal favor, I must say that Aegor has gone too far this time,” Glover said frankly. “Lord, whatever you decide, I will have no objection.”

Although Aegor had helped Greatjon’s uncle reunite with his daughter only yesterday, honestly, in all the Umber family, only Mors was truly happy about the return of a female relative who had been missing for decades. To say the Umbers owed a debt was an exaggeration. The Lord of Last Hearth shrugged. “I agree with Lord Glover.”

“I doubt the full truth of this matter. But since everyone agrees, let us assume for now that Yohn Royce’s words are true, and everything he said was planned and carried out by Aegor,” Roose Bolton interjected. “However, I want to correct a misunderstanding. Even if it is true that Aegor sent Crown Town troops to surround Castle Black, he has not broken any law in the Seven Kingdoms. A candidate for Lord Commander, using the power under his control to suppress competitors and build his own momentum, has no obligation to report to the Warden of the North.”

Absurd. That was the first reaction of the others, but upon reflection, it seemed reasonable. Legally, the Gift stands equal to the North or any other kingdom in Westeros. The internal struggle for the position of Lord Commander is no different from the struggles within the great houses of the Riverlands or the Vale for succession. As long as the one who finally wins swears allegiance to the King and does not rebel, the other kingdoms ostensibly have no right to interfere.

In this upheaval in the Gift, the true wrongdoers were the Mountain Clans who came to help. As guests and outsiders, they had “colluded” with some brothers of the Watch, influencing the Commander’s election and interfering in the Gift’s internal affairs. Openly, they had no justification.

Unfortunately, these Mountain Clans were also reinforcements who had come a long way to help defend the Wall, which made even Robb reluctant to accuse them.

“It is true that Aegor is not required to report his every move, but the Gift and the Wall concern the safety of the North. How could we ignore it? By your logic, whether the Gift resettlement plan is implemented would also be an internal Night’s Watch matter, and we could not interfere. Yet here we are inspecting,” Karstark said disdainfully. “What is more, Aegor is acting under the Stark name this time, staining the honor of his liege lord, which is unforgivable.”

“The Stark family is not Aegor’s liege lord.”

“All right, all right, that was a slip of the tongue. Then staining my liege lord’s reputation is even more unforgivable!”

“We can discuss reputation later. Let us first speak of the safety of the North and the Seven Kingdoms,” Roose Bolton said, lips pressed into a thin line. “Across the Narrow Sea, in Qarth, there is an ancient guild of assassins called the Sorrowful Men. They often use a venomous insect called a manticore for assassinations. Its venom is extremely deadly, with no cure. Anyone stung will surely die.”

Count Karstark frowned impatiently. “What are you talking about? What does a venomous insect have to do with the safety of the North and the Seven Kingdoms?”

“Do not be so impatient, Rickard,” Roose Bolton continued unhurriedly. “How are these venomous insects chosen? According to rumor, the handler pours a pile of manticores into a basin and lets them fight to the death. The one that survives, uncrippled, is considered the ideal specimen, possessing both venom and strength. That one is chosen to kill high-value targets, the great lords.”

“Your story is enlightening, Lord Bolton,” Robb said politely, though he did not yet see the point. “But I do not see the connection to what we are discussing…”

“My Lord, if you were the one choosing among the Sorrowful Men’s insects, would you intervene when the insects are savaging each other in the basin, just because one is particularly strong, vicious, or cunning, in order to make the struggle among them more ‘fair’?”

“Of course not,” Robb answered without hesitation. “I am choosing venomous insects to kill people, not for sport or for insect fights. If there were such an insect, I would be pleased. Why would I intervene…” Before he finished, he understood the Flayer’s meaning. “I see. Lord Bolton, you mean that the election for Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch is like selecting a venomous insect. I want the smartest and most capable to hold the position. Whoever wins is the qualified next Commander, and I should not interfere?”

“Precisely. The Chief Logistics Officer has already shown complete ability in command, charisma, and decisiveness. If you, as Warden of the North, interfere too much in the final stage of the election and choose someone else, I ask you, can that man suppress Aegor, who controls the Night’s Watch Industry, can easily call up thousands of Mountain Clans warriors, and has even subdued tens of thousands of Wildlings, so as to prevent ‘conflicting orders’ within the Gift?”

Karstark stared at Roose Bolton for a while, then laughed. “Interesting. I truly do not understand. If Galbart or Greatjon spoke for him, I could at least see why. But I have heard you have no dealings with Aegor. What do you gain by going to such lengths to speak for him?”

(What do I gain? I gain a great deal. Only an ambitious, intelligent man, never content with the status quo, holding the Gift will give the stagnant structure of the North, unchanged for hundreds of years, a chance to shift. You, a crude man, a Stark hound, are not worthy of knowing, nor capable of thinking so far ahead.)

Roose Bolton felt disdain in his heart, but his face remained calm. “What you heard is true. I have no dealings with him. I support him purely out of self-interest,” he said, spreading his hands. “Because I believe that only a capable man like Aegor West, leading the Night’s Watch in defending the Wall, can let me sleep in my bed without worrying that one day the White Walkers will come to the Dreadfort with an army of the dead.”

“No one denies Aegor’s ability,” Karstark said coldly. “But the choice of Lord Commander is for the defense of the northern borders of the Seven Kingdoms. How can that be compared to choosing venomous insects to kill people? If he can casually send troops to surround Castle Black today and point weapons at his sworn brothers, who can guarantee he will not grow ambitious in the future, take the Wall as his kingdom, and turn on us? Do not forget, the rule that ‘fortresses of the Night’s Watch shall not build walls’ was made to prevent a Commander from building his own power.”

“What Lord Karstark says is exactly my concern,” Robb nodded approvingly. “Lord Bolton, after the Night’s Watch selects a Commander, I will entrust him with the rear. This is entirely different from hiding a venomous insect in a gift to assassinate outsiders. While ability is important, humility, loyalty, and a sense of honor are also indispensable. Believe me, I am closer to Aegor than anyone here, and I hope my friend becomes Lord Commander. But if he can use my name against his sworn brothers today, then I must worry whether he will threaten me once secure in his post.”

“Even counting the surrendered Wildlings, the Gift has only about forty thousand people. The North can raise more men than that, and this place cannot feed itself. Even with extraordinary ability, what could he do to the North?” Roose Bolton knew further arguing was pointless and chose to retreat a step. “I believe the most important matter now is first to choose a capable man to get through this Winter crisis. However, your concerns, my Lord, are not unreasonable. I only think that deciding to change our policy towards the Gift solely on the word of a nobleman convicted of treason is too hasty. We should at least give Aegor a chance to explain honestly why he did what he did.”

Karstark snorted and turned away. “Hmph, I wager that boy will still try to talk his way out of it. But since Lord Bolton has said so, I agree: give him a chance to explain.”

Robb nodded in satisfaction and struck the table. “Guards!”

The guards at the door answered at once and pushed it open. Arya seized the chance to dart out. The guard, nearly bumped into, stared at the retreating back of the second Stark daughter with a puzzled expression, then shook his head helplessly and walked inside. “Lord, what are your orders?”

“Go and invite the Chief Logistics Officer. Tell him I have important matters to discuss with him.”

(To be continued.)

***

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