New chapter is live.
Settle in, take your time, and let’s see what waits in the dark 🖤 ✦ The noise in the hall quickly died.
Under every watching eye, the Lord of Winterfell entered first, escorting the queen.
Before arriving in Westeros, Aeg had known these people through a television adaptation that often aged characters up and favored strong performances over exact physical resemblance.
The real nobles therefore looked familiar without always matching the faces in his memory.
The queen before him proved the point.
Cersei Lannister was younger and more beautiful than Aeg remembered, with none of the open menace he associated with her screen counterpart.
A jeweled crown rested on her golden hair, its emeralds matching her bright green eyes.
She entered beside Eddard Stark with an innocent smile and never once glanced his way.
Without knowing the story, who would have guessed what lay beneath that lovely face?
The king followed, with Lady Stark on his arm.
She too was younger than the screen version in Aeg’s memory.
Robert was indeed red-faced and bearded, but he was taller than Aeg had imagined: a giant of a man gone soft with fat.
After them came the Stark and Baratheon children.
They all differed somewhat from the faces Aeg remembered, and he had neither the ability nor the intention to identify each one at a glance.
While everyone else watched the procession, he finally turned his attention to the fish and meat on the table.
After ten days of flight, confinement at the Wall, and the hard ride south, he had gone far too long without a decent meal.
The two Lannister brothers entered after the children.
Jaime Lannister was truly tall, handsome, and brilliantly confident.
In a crimson silk tunic, black high boots, and a black satin cloak, he looked more like a king than the king did.
The little man beside him, however, needed no setting, costume, or sigil for Aeg to recognize him.
Tyrion Lannister.
Not because his face was especially familiar.
Because he was a dwarf.
Of everyone in this story, Tyrion might be the one most worth befriending.
If Aeg could form a connection with him, perhaps he could use—no, borrow—the man’s influence and power to leave the Night’s Watch without deserting.
The thought flashed through his mind.
But how was a common black brother supposed to strike up a conversation with a Lannister?
Aeg watched the brothers pass and make their way toward the high table reserved for honored guests, sinking into thought.
The last of the great nobles to enter were Benjen Stark and Theon Greyjoy, the Lord of Winterfell’s “ward.” Once they had taken their places under everyone’s gaze, cups were raised, greetings exchanged, and the feast began in earnest.
Jon and the young squires still wanted Aeg to tell them about encounters with wildlings, but his mind had moved elsewhere.
“I’ve told most of my stories,” Aeg said.
“What about yours?
Since coming to Westeros, I have not been south of the Neck.
Who will tell me what life is like down there?” * * * There was one advantage to spending time with boys who had little guile: after a few cups of wine, everyone became familiar.
Before long, one of the Lannister squires, egged on by the others, began boasting about his adventures and those of the knight he served.
Under the table, Jon’s direwolf happily gnawed on the bones tossed down to him.
Beside Aeg, Jon Snow listened with shining interest to stories of war, hunting, and illicit affairs.
Only Aeg, dressed in black, had already let his thoughts drift far away.
“Jon.
How are you enjoying the evening?” Benjen Stark’s familiar voice sounded beside them.
He had left his own place and come to see his overlooked bastard nephew.
“Very well,” Jon said happily.
“Uncle, Aeg told me the Night’s Watch needs men badly.
Take me with you when you leave.” The squire who had been describing his passionate adventure with a widow outside King’s Landing fell silent and made room.
Benjen straddled the bench and took the cup from Jon’s hand.
“Summerwine,” he said after tasting it.
“Nothing is sweeter.
Jon, how many cups have you had tonight?” “I’m not drunk.” “I did not say you were.” Benjen set down the cup, glanced toward where his brother sat, and studied Jon’s face.
“Truthfully, the Wall does need young men like you.” Jon lifted his chin with pride.
“I am better with a sword than anyone I train with, and Hullen says my riding is among the best in the castle.” “Good.” “Then you agree?” Jon’s excitement broke through at once.
“If you speak to Father, he will allow it.
I know he will.” Benjen looked toward Aeg.
Aeg shrugged.
He had not encouraged the boy.
The First Ranger turned back to his nephew.
“Jon, the Wall is a hard place for a boy.” “I am almost a man,” Jon argued.
“I will be fifteen on my next nameday.
Maester Luwin says bastards grow up faster than other children.” ✦ ✦ ✦ Want to keep going?
I hope this chapter gave you another reason to stay with the story.
There’s still plenty ahead, and things are only starting to unfold.