Although the question about the gods did not get the most desired answer, Aegor tentatively accepted the premise that the cold god would not directly intervene. Rather than being convinced by Bran, it was more like having no choice but to believe it. At least they knew what the White Walkers and the wights looked like and what their weaknesses were. But the cold god... if it truly existed and truly moved against the Night's Watch, who would know how to slay a god?
At least, Aegor had obtained enough information related to the defenses along the Wall. Overall, there were no major gaps to fill in his defensive arrangements. If he had to point out something that needed modification, it would be that the garrisons of the two new strongholds, Ice Canyon Port and Gorge Lookout, as well as Shadow Tower, needed further reinforcement, and the patrol routes on the south side of the Great Canyon also needed to be further opened up and repaired, in order to raise the frequency and density of patrols along the canyon to the same level as the top of the Wall as soon as possible, to better deal with the threat of the army of the dead on the north bank of the Great Canyon.
Bran took another sip of water, silent for a moment, giving his throat a rest and giving Aegor enough time to think.
"If the Commander has no other questions, then I will take the liberty of offering a suggestion. Do not place all your hope on repelling the enemy outside the Wall. Prepare to fight the White Walkers who cross the Wall." The boy's face showed a look of recollection again. "Thousands of years ago during the Long Night, humans and the Children of the Forest fought the White Walkers without the Wall. The dead pressed forward step by step, and the living retreated steadily. They were almost forced south of the Neck, until a team of heroes, combining courage, wisdom, and ability, landed by ship from the rear, in the middle of the narrowest point bordering the North and Beyond the Wall, that is, the location of Nightfort where we are today. At the cost of their lives, they cast powerful magic, creating a magical barrier and unexpectedly cutting off the power source of the White Walker army moving south. In this way, the legendary Azor Ahai had the chance to lead the combined forces, and with one push, won the Battle of the Dawn."
"I understand. As long as the Wall stands, fighting the White Walkers south of the Wall gives us a great advantage." Aegor shook his head. "But conversely, the living spread across this side of the Wall are also extremely likely to become the enemy's prey and reinforcements. I will not actively let the White Walkers pass just to utilize the Wall's function of shielding the cold god's power, exposing millions of residents in the North to threat. As the highest officer of the Night's Watch, to put it plainly, I am a gatekeeper, and since I am a gatekeeper, it is my duty. Regardless of whether I succeed or not, I must at least try to block the enemy outside the gate."
"I hope the Night's Watch can do it." Bran nodded silently. "I am only telling you to be prepared to fight the enemy south of the Wall."
Aegor had already prepared without him saying it. Of the original nineteen strongholds of the Night's Watch, Crown Town, Ice Canyon Port, and Gorge Lookout, the newest one established between the port and Shadow Tower, which one was not built with matching high walls and fortresses under his orders, and for what purpose?
Was it not so that in case a battle, whether against the dead or the living, broke out on this side of the Wall, his side would definitely not just sit and wait for death?
"Thank you for resolving so many of my doubts." If the other party had not first revealed his identity, Aegor would likely have feigned ignorance. But now that they both knew a little about each other's background, there was no need to act. "You have just returned from beyond the Wall, and I presume you need rest, so I will not bother you further. I have sent a raven to Winterfell informing them of your safe return from beyond the Wall, and also had Nightfort arrange the itinerary... it seems a bit late today. We will depart tomorrow morning to return and wait for your brother to send someone to pick you up in Queenscrown."
"I will return to Queenscrown with you." Bran nodded. "But it is because it is now the Night's Watch headquarters, not to return to Winterfell. Almost every generation of the Starks has had someone join the Night's Watch, and in this generation, it should be my turn to bear this responsibility."
Aegor frowned. Bran wanted to take the black. Yes, if he truly wished to contribute the most to fighting the White Walkers, where could be more convenient than being in the Night's Watch?
In theory, the person making the application and the Night's Watch Commander who could make the decision were both in this room, so this matter could be decided on the spot. And emotionally, Bran would be his subordinate after becoming a member of the Night's Watch. Whether considering the sense of security brought by having this extraordinary person under his command, or the direct military benefit of the Night's Watch having a deluxe warg scout from now on, it made it impossible for Aegor to refuse.
But the reality was not that simple. Robb did not have a son yet, and as long as Bran was alive, he was the beloved brother and first heir of the Lord of the North. The result of the Mad King allowing the Lannister heir, that is, Jaime the Kingslayer, to take the white cloak without Tywin's consent, the whole world had seen.
"This matter, in principle, I do not object." Aegor, who had gotten up from the chair, stood still, and after thinking for a while, gave his answer. "As long as your mother and brother agree, you can take the oath directly. I hope you can understand the concerns."
"I am immobile, so it is inconvenient to travel back and forth between Winterfell and Queenscrown to persuade my family before joining the Night's Watch. I will trouble the Commander to send a raven conveying my decision to Winterfell and ask them to come find me in the Gift." Bran nodded, seemingly not worried at all about the possible opposition and obstacles. "We were so busy talking about the White Walkers and the Wall that I almost forgot another important matter. I brought something back from beyond the Wall and intend to present it to the Night's Watch, as an early thank you to my sworn brothers for the trouble of having to look after a physically disabled me in the future. It is in the corner by the bed. The Commander can walk over and get it himself."
Aegor looked over there but did not see anything, so he had to walk around the chair Bran was sitting in and go in a bit farther. Finally, he saw something in the gap between another cabinet on the inner side of the bed and the Wall, a slender longsword leaning against the Wall, sheathed in an old scabbard, looking as if it had not been used for several hundred years.
A strong premonition suddenly emerged from the depths of his heart, and after Aegor bent down to pick up the weapon, it almost turned into certainty. This sword was so light, so light that one could not help but suspect the scabbard was empty.
"Dark Sister, Lord Bloodraven was her previous owner," Bran explained calmly, his tone so casual it was as if he were talking about a spatula. "There are countless records about her story in the histories, so I will not elaborate. You only need to know that she is forged from Valyrian steel and is the bane of the White Walkers. A fine sword for a hero. I believe you can make full use of her."
Aegor held the Valyrian steel sword and was stunned for a moment. Although he was familiar with the plot, to be honest, he had pretty much forgotten such minor details as the Greenseer having a Valyrian steel sword in his hand. This was indeed an unexpected surprise.
"Understood. I promise, I will make it serve its proper purpose." This sword was given to the Night's Watch, not to him personally. Aegor was not being pretentious. After expressing his sincere and solemn gratitude, he took his leave again. "Then get some good rest. The great battle is imminent, and I need to make more preparations."
Bran finally nodded and did not speak up to stop him a third time, watching Aegor leave the room.
Outside, the cold wind howled, but the sky was still bright. Aegor closed the wooden door, took a deep breath, and instead of rushing to put on his gloves, he raised Dark Sister with bare hands, one hand on the hilt and the other on the scabbard, cautiously attempting to draw the sword.
The sword's surface had a terrible feel of mixed grime and dampness. Due to prolonged disuse, the scabbard mouth had bonded with the semicircular guard of the hilt. Aegor's first attempt without much force failed to draw it. It was not until he applied a little more strength and tried a second time that the iron filings and dirt condensed at the scabbard mouth finally yielded to the external force, cracking and abandoning their mission.
There was no cool flash of light, nor the legendary crisp dragon's cry, but even under the low sky of Nightfort where the sun was obscured by clouds, the Valyrian steel drawn from its scabbard still shone as if newly forged. The wavy patterns were clearly visible, yet it looked as if a very thin layer of transparent glaze had been applied to the surface, not affecting the blade's inherent smoothness and metallic sheen at all.
"Clang." The sword was not very long. Aegor quickly drew the entire blade, the tip pointing upwards, holding it in a standard Night's Watch posture, examining it closely.
The surrounding guards waiting in the sheltered area saw Aegor come out of the room and came from the corners to watch.
"Valyrian steel?"
Someone quickly guessed it, not because they were knowledgeable, but because as Aegor's guard squad, they were all extremely familiar with their commander. It was the first time the Commander, who was never a weapon enthusiast, had examined a sword so seriously, so this sword could not be ordinary. Since they had to guess, they naturally started with the highest grade, Valyrian steel.
"It really is?" Seeing Aegor nod, everyone gasped in unison.
Unless you were in Westeros, you could not truly appreciate how scarce and precious Valyrian steel was in this world. Even before the Doom, when this metal had not ceased being produced, the price of a Valyrian steel sword was enough to arm an army. After the methods of smelting and forging Valyrian steel disappeared with the fall of the Freehold, and every Valyrian steel weapon became a limited edition, its value soared to an inestimable level. Even House Lannister, rich enough to rival a kingdom, could not obtain another one through legal channels.
Any Valyrian steel sword could easily be exchanged for a castle that was by no means shabby, or get the Iron Bank and House Lannister to readily approve hundreds of thousands in interest-free loans. And the one Aegor was holding now was the legendary weapon once held by Visenya, Aegon Targaryen's sister, which had made great contributions alongside the Conqueror during the unification of the Seven Kingdoms.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)