New chapter is live.
Settle in, take your time, and let’s see what waits in the dark 🖤 ✦ “It used to be one of Winterfell’s watchtowers,” Aeg answered truthfully, suppressing the jolt in his chest.
Any person in Winterfell could answer a question like this, so he did not dare invent nonsense on the spot.
“I heard it was struck by lightning more than a hundred years ago, caught fire, and was abandoned after that.
I went inside once.
It is filthy and cluttered, and the stairs going up are no longer usable.” “Good that it was abandoned.
Winterfell has no need of watchtowers.” Cersei followed her brother’s gaze toward the Broken Tower, and a curve of contempt touched her mouth.
“Who would be mad enough to march an army against this cold, grim castle?” “Do not say that.
To a wolf, even a golden hall cannot rival its own den.” Jaime shrugged and laughed it off.
“And what is that fortress supposed to be?” Aeg could only pretend he had not understood their mockery of House Stark.
Helplessly, he introduced the First Keep to the Kingslayer as well.
Jaime listened, gave a noncommittal nod, and asked in a casual tone, “Black brother, why train here?
Winterfell’s yard is not far.” “I…
prefer solitude,” Aeg said, realizing Jaime already found him in the way.
He hurried to explain.
“I find the noise distracting.” “Is that so?
Then I hope every wildling you meet in the future is a quiet gentleman or lady.” Jaime’s mouth curved.
He clearly did not believe a word.
“Sweet sister, shall we go inside and have a look?” “Here?” The queen frowned, then raised her eyes to the ruined old fortress.
* * * What was happening?
Could his presence here still not stop the plot from unfolding?
Were these two so reckless that they would ignore him and enter the First Keep to do as they pleased anyway?
Aeg felt as if an invisible hand had closed around his throat.
His breathing quickened.
“My lord…
it is filthy up there.
There are only rats and spiders.” “I do not expect to find anything.
I am simply curious.” Jaime smiled with easy confidence and looked back at Cersei.
“Sweet sister, if you are not afraid of rats and spiders, shall we go exploring?
Perhaps we will find some old Stark treasure hidden in a crack in the wall.” Cersei met her brother’s eyes.
The look between them lasted only a moment.
She knew the idea was far too risky, yet something deep inside her stirred at the thought of being in an ancient, broken fortress with her dearest brother.
“Aren’t you a little old to be playing explorer?” she said with a frown, trying to cover herself.
“As you like.
Just be careful.” “I prefer to think of it as staying young.
If the mother of the realm spends all day frowning, she will age faster.” Jaime started toward the First Keep.
Before leaving, he patted Aeg on the shoulder.
“Black brother, keep training here.
Her Grace and I will go in, look around, and try not to disturb you.” What could Aeg say?
Jaime was not asking for permission.
He was informing him.
The twins had grown up inseparable, and everyone knew they were close.
It was hardly a matter for a man of the Night’s Watch to criticize.
If Aeg did not already know the plot, then judging only from their behavior and their perfectly ordinary conversation, who could possibly guess what they intended to do once they entered the First Keep?
He could only nod and watch the two of them walk into the old fortress.
* * * What now?
Aeg felt helpless.
It had been a long time since he had felt this small, this powerless, this completely ignored.
The plan to catch them in the act had been discarded long ago.
As for walking in and making himself a deliberate nuisance so they could do nothing, Jaime had already told him to “keep training.” If Aeg forced his way inside under some excuse, he might end up taking Bran’s place and being thrown from the tower.
He was relying on Tyrion to leave the Wall.
If he offended the dwarf’s powerful brother and sister first, he might never know how he died.
In that instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind, and he rejected them one after another.
After thinking it through, he decided to do what the Kingslayer had told him.
He would keep training here.
He would stand watch for that shameless pair and, at the same time, keep an eye out for the troublesome boy who might appear.
Stopping the queen and a member of the Kingsguard from “touring” the First Keep was impossible.
Stopping a boy of ten from climbing walls and getting himself killed should be another matter.
Even if Eddard Stark and his wife learned of it, surely they could not punish him for that.
The plan had not collapsed completely.
Seething with pent-up anger, Aeg walked to the target, pulled free the arrows he had already shot, placed them back in the quiver, and returned to practice.
* * * Arrow after arrow, Aeg vented his frustration on the target.
Strangely enough, his accuracy improved under pressure.
More than half his shots landed inside the white cloth that marked the vital area.
Before he realized it, the quiver was empty.
Drawing a bow took strength, and his arms were already sore.
He shook them out and walked toward the chair, intending to tidy up and sit down with a book.
“You shoot really well.” A child’s voice came from above, startling Aeg so badly he nearly jumped.
He turned and searched for the source, then froze at the sight of the person he had been waiting for.
Bran Stark, second son of the Lord of Winterfell, was still very young.
He had his mother’s auburn hair and blue eyes, a handsome little face, and an open, lively manner.
With that charm, the boy had long been the favorite little lord in the eyes of Winterfell’s women.
✦ ✦ ✦ 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.