He was clearly the leader of a major power carrying tremendous responsibility, yet the words coming out of his mouth sounded like something straight out of a romance tale. The moment he uttered something as nauseating as "silently guarding her for a lifetime," Aegor felt his stomach twist.
Although he felt disgusted himself, it produced an ironic effect. The more melodramatic, sappy, and idealistic something sounded, the more effective it was for someone like Jon, who had hardly experienced the world… no, for a righteous and selfless gentleman. After listening to Aegor's thorough analysis from two angles, Jon sat in silence for a long time, then finally clenched his teeth and nodded, apparently resolving to become a tragic, unseen guardian from that moment forward.
Aegor had pushed this problem down for now. But it was foreseeable that if the Greenseer's move truly had deeper intentions, he would definitely continue influencing Jon, perhaps through subtle subconscious nudges, or through others around him. He could simply use voices like Catelyn Stark's to pass the message along indirectly and keep interfering.
This matter was far from settled, and Aegor had no idea how to truly resolve it yet. As insurance, he added one final line before Jon left, telling him, "If you change your mind, come to me. I will introduce you to the Queen."
After sending off the Commander of Castle Black, Aegor let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair, only then noticing his back was damp with sweat. He had thought he only needed to persuade Jon to accept the role of vanguard for the coming expedition. Instead, a massive and sudden crisis had fallen into his lap. Having to improvise and deceive without preparation had been a heavy test even for an experienced hand like him.
Putting away the documents on his table, Aegor decided to relax. He stood, pushed open the door, waved to the guards to indicate he was not leaving the building, then walked out onto the second floor balcony. Leaning against the railing, he let the cold wind blow over him and breathed the icy air, trying to clear his mind.
He had previously considered consulting the two Red Priests, but as soon as he cooled down outside, he abandoned the idea.
Melisandre and Moqorro, as high ranking priests of the Red Temple, were reliable spellcasters and good at leading believers in both battle and daily management. But their fanatic faith, their dualistic worldview, and their habit of interpreting everything from flames according to their own understanding made them unsuitable as trusted advisors. One could see this clearly even from the original story.
If he were to ask them right now, "I suspect the Greenseer is up to something. What should I do?" those two frauds would probably respond instantly by suggesting he eradicate the heretic and convert fully to the Lord of Light for protection against demonic influence.
First of all, this was Bran Stark.
Regardless of whether he acted on his own will, the Greenseer's will, or both, it did not change that he was a Stark. Unless Aegor had already decided to eliminate him and accepted the consequences, he could not move rashly.
Also, even without overthinking, it was highly questionable whether the Red Priests could defeat the Greenseer at all.
He could not explain why, but based on instinct sharpened by personal experience, Aegor felt that while Melisandre and Moqorro were simply humans who could wield magic, the Greenseer had already stepped beyond the mortal realm. If ordinary people were a "1," Red Priests might be at most a "1.5." The Greenseer began at "2." Even Bran, in his basic state, already stood half a step above the two Red Priests. How could two people at the wrong level bridge such a gap?
Finally, although Aegor did not fully believe it, he could not rule out the possibility that things were simpler than he imagined, and that Bran and Catelyn genuinely wanted Jon to understand his origins so he could live with clarity. Perhaps Aegor himself was overthinking everything out of a darkened heart.
Should he go directly to Bran and have a frank talk?
The problem was that this matter was not like discussing strategies against the White Walkers. Even if Bran said, "You are overthinking," would he believe him?
Probably not.
With a bitter smile, Aegor realized he had stepped into the trap of suspicion. Even if the person he suspected had no ill will, or genuinely meant no harm, he could not feel at ease.
This was the helplessness of those who held power.
Just as he was absorbed in thought, a messenger hurried up the stairs and began speaking before even catching his breath. "Lord Commander! The Unsullied who landed at Eastwatch by the Sea have arrived outside Crown Town. The garrison has temporarily closed the gate and awaits your orders!"
Aegor raised his eyebrows slightly. He had indeed received news of their landing the night before, but he had not expected them so soon. Judging by the timing, they had barely rested one night before marching directly here. Their speed surpassed even his best trained troops. They truly were elites capable of striking fear into any army of this world.
"Since they are here, gather the men and follow me to welcome them."
A hint of relief entered his mood. In all this chaos, at least some news was not discouraging.
To protect Daenerys and her injured dragon, and to prevent just anyone from speaking freely to her, he had stationed his most trusted Industry guards at Last Hearth. These were trained, literate soldiers capable of acting as officers, the backbone of the Gift's army structure. Now half of them were tied up in a single protection duty, a waste of human resources.
The Mountain Clans, New Gift settlers, and the regular Night's Watch could not replace them in this role.
A small force of Unsullied would not significantly change the balance of power for the Southward March, but they could relieve the burden of guarding the Queen, freeing hundreds of Industry soldiers for other duties.
In good spirits from receiving reinforcements, Aegor hurried with his guards to the north wall of Crown Town. He ordered the gates opened and went out to meet them.
Even with only a short wait, the Unsullied were already assembled in a perfectly formed square outside the city, making counting easier. Aegor quickly estimated at least four hundred soldiers. Knowing the North's harsh climate, they had changed into winter gear before leaving the South, yet still underestimated the cold at the Wall and ended up borrowing cloaks from Cotter Pyke. Each wore a black coat now. If not for their helmets, they might have been mistaken for an elite Night's Watch detachment.
Aegor immediately saw the petite figure before the Unsullied formation. A little girl. The only person who could stand there was Missandei, the Queen's most trusted attendant. Daenerys had not brought any attendants when riding her dragon north. Though Aegor had selected two reliable women from the Industry workers to care for her, they could never be as competent as her own people. Missandei's arrival had been strongly recommended by him.
A few steps closer revealed a man in a warm hood beside her. His body was noticeably broader than any Unsullied officer. Although Aegor could not see whether he was bald, how many fat men served under Daenerys? His earlier relaxed expression froze at once.
One eunuch was bad enough. But when Aegor's gaze shifted to the man standing between Missandei and the hooded fat one, whose height and build were unremarkable, and recognized yet another familiar face, he had to work hard to keep his expression steady.
The two greatest troublemakers in all of Westeros, Varys and Petyr Baelish, had come to the Gift together. How had that idiot Cotter Pyke failed to mention this clearly in the letter?
Aegor mentally cursed for several seconds, then realized his own mistake. Cotter Pike was neither a transmigrator nor someone who had ever left the Wall after swearing the oath. It was normal for him not to recognize these two or know their significance. Expecting that simple minded commander to identify the threat and report it in detail was like expecting a rooster to lay eggs.
Now, regardless of how shocked or uneasy he felt, Aegor had to welcome them.
"Lord Aegor, it is good to see you again." Missandei looked at him with bright, curious eyes and spoke in her clear voice. "We have all heard of your pledge of loyalty to Her Grace. It is a wise and far seeing decision. Welcome to the Queen's council."
Aegor smiled and nodded politely. "Crown Town also welcomes all of you. Missandei, Varys, Lord Petyr, please bring the Unsullied inside. I have prepared barracks, food, and drink to ease your long journey."
"Thank you, Lord Commander," Petyr Baelish replied with a pleasant smile, "but we must decline for today."
"Every moment we delay is another moment Her Grace remains surrounded by strangers, bearing risk," Missandei added frankly. "We will continue south immediately."
"Please send a guide who knows the road," Varys said. "Last Hearth is not on the King's Road, and wandering in this weather would waste precious time."
Aegor could block Bolton's informant from seeing the Queen, but he could not block her longtime councilors from returning to her. As a newcomer, he had no excuse to refuse, and under their combined gaze, he had to appear efficient.
After a few perfunctory attempts to persuade them to rest, Aegor gave up. He selected a young guard familiar with the road and ordered him to guide the Unsullied to Last Hearth.
With swift precision, the Unsullied switched from rest to march and continued south, their carriage carrying the guide and the three leaders. Within moments, they were gone.
The two troublemakers left, carrying the faint scent of political danger with them… but Aegor felt no relief.
Yes, it was good to be rid of their immediate presence. But he knew exactly why they were rushing. For ministers, nothing was more dangerous than being far from their liege, losing influence day by day. Daenerys had arrived at the Gift alone, completely cut off from her council. During this time, she had been under Aegor's total control. What she heard, what she saw, even what she thought, all passed through him.
Varys and Baelish were rushing not only because they distrusted him, but more importantly because they feared losing their influence.
His brief period of unrivaled sway over the Queen was over. Worse, as Crown Town was still in the most critical stage of preparation, he could not leave to compete for influence at Last Hearth.
This meant he faced not merely political interference but the possibility of the Queen being pulled away from him entirely. And he could only watch from a hundred miles away.
No minister could withstand the whisper campaigns of rivals, especially when he himself was not even a loyal minister. He could already imagine how, once she reunited with Varys and Baelish, Daenerys would begin questioning his plans, his intentions, even his loyalty. If they discovered Jon's true parentage, or if they learned the North's supposed plans from Roose Bolton…
Damn it. His carefully controlled situation was slipping from his grasp.
He could not wait any longer. He needed to act immediately and stabilize the situation through decisive action.
With urgency he had not felt in days, Aegor turned back toward Crown Town, ready to adjust the plan and accelerate the southern march. But just then, a Night's Watchman from Eastwatch, one who had stayed behind after the Queen's council departed, suddenly called out.
"My Lord, please wait!"
A tall, handsome young man jogged forward and was stopped by Aegor's guards several paces away.
"I am Iron Emmett, First Ranger of Eastwatch by the Sea. Commander Cotter Pyke instructed me to report certain special circumstances to you in person."
(To be continued.)