Chapter 31: Fulfilling the Promise
The clang of swords echoed through the square, another ordinary day at Castle Black.
Commander Mormont had taken the pressure from House Royce upon himself, and now the three survivors of the patrol, who had escaped the White Walker's sword, were cleared of desertion and could move freely within Castle Black again.
At this moment, Aeg was standing with Tyrion on a balcony at the edge of the courtyard of Castle Black, leaning on the railing and looking down at the new recruits training below. He felt as if he had returned to his university days, standing by the playground watching the new students go through military training.
It was somewhat disappointing that there were no women among the recruits, nor many good-looking men.
Jon was dressed in a black wool shirt, leather vest, and chainmail, practicing with a training sword against his opponent in the center of the courtyard.
There were nearly twenty recruits in this batch, including Jon, the volunteer. Their ages ranged from fourteen to eighteen, but none could match the youngest bastard in combat. Some were agile but fought timidly, worse than Will; others didn't understand the basics and kept stabbing their swords like daggers; one was as delicate as a girl. More commonly, the recruits were clumsy, dull, and awkward. Jon was like a tiger among wolves in this group. In just a few minutes, he had already defeated four people and now used a beautiful feint to daze the fifth recruit, a burly-necked newcomer, striking his head and then knocking away his sword, hitting him in the abdomen with his elbow.
The burly-necked recruit lost his balance and fell hard into the snow, dropping his blunt sword.
Aeg had to admit that Jon's swordsmanship was indeed as good as he boasted. Even if he, a "veteran" who was ten years older and had joined the Night's Watch a year earlier, were to compete with him, he doubted he could do more than defend and draw a tie.
The training was stopped by the drill instructor. Ser Alliser Thorne, who had come to the Wall after being on the losing side of Robert's Rebellion, had no affection for the victor's bastard. He had a conversation with Jon in the arena, too far away to hear the details, but it was clearly not a friendly chat. The boy's face showed anger.
"The kid's skills are indeed good." Tyrion commented. The forced march had been over for a few days, but his buttocks were still numb, and he could only stand comfortably, "But he's too harsh on his future 'brothers'."
"He joined the Night's Watch for honor, only to find it completely different from what he imagined. The sense of abandonment and resentment towards his father is indescribable, turning into strength and venting on his opponents."
"That's a succinct summary. Now you sound like a poet." Tyrion smiled, "But if he keeps this up, he'll have a hard time in the legion. Someone needs to tell him what to do."
"You're quite the philanthropist."
"I can't help it. I have this little quirk where I can't help but sympathize with bastards, cripples, other oddities, and anyone who's in trouble because of bad luck."
"So, I got into trouble but was lucky enough to be sympathized with because I'm the last category on your list. Is that good or bad luck?"
"Hmm. Good question, you've stumped me."
As their acquaintance grew, their relationship became more casual and close. The dwarf indeed had the qualities of a protagonist. Despite his noble birth, he never put on airs or looked down on others. "Not being annoying" is actually a skill, a manifestation of intelligence. With just that, coupled with a good brain, he was destined for great things.
He smiled at the moment, "How's your situation?"
"The chief ranger has started preparing for the next patrol, and I'm supposed to lead the way." Aeg was anxious inside but spoke casually, "How long will you stay at the Wall?"
"As long as I want. I don't have a pile of state affairs to deal with." The dwarf shrugged, "How long does a patrol usually take?"
"Anywhere from a month or two to half a year."
"That's a pity. I was hoping you'd catch a White Walker and bring it back for me to see, to prove you weren't bragging." Tyrion made a deeply regretful expression, "I came here mainly to see the legendary Wall of Despair, climb to the top, and pee over the edge of the world. I can't stay that long."
Catch a White Walker? The collection of obsidian weapons had just begun, and the materials gathered so far weren't enough to equip a patrol team, let alone the fragile nature of the glass, which made it impossible to use as a conventional weapon like Valyrian steel. Obsidian weapons were destined to be used only to seize the opportunity to injure ice magic creatures. Their existence only changed the outcome from "certain defeat" to "possible survival" for humans facing White Walkers, without the miraculous function of reversing the advantage. Without full preparation, going beyond the Wall and hoping to return alive would be a miracle, let alone considering a capture.
The timing for dealing with White Walkers was actually far from ripe, but the stubbornness of House Stark had been fully inherited by someone. No matter how Aeg tried to persuade him, Benjen refused to give up or postpone the patrol.
"My lord, catching a wight might be possible, but a White Walker. Please forgive us, we really don't have the ability." Aeg explained anxiously, "The purpose of Lord Benjen's patrol this time is actually to verify the reality of the White Walkers' existence. When he returns, the Night's Watch may be able to plan an operation to find evidence and prove it to the world."
If he participated in this patrol, there was a good chance he wouldn't return. The best solution was to find a way to avoid the mission!
Although he was joking and laughing with Tyrion, the dwarf was, after all, a genuine Lannister, a high noble. He had already promised to help him. To urge him would be to treat him as what?
"Alright, it was just a joke. I'm willing to take you away from the Wall, not because you killed some fantastical magical creature." The dwarf shrugged, "No need to explain more. I'll go find your commander now and take you away. Also, stop calling me 'my lord.'"
"Alright, Tyrion." Aeg breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully, "I'll wait for your good news."
"Hope I don't disappoint you." The dwarf said, striding away briskly on his short legs, hunched over and hobbling towards the commander's office. After a few steps, he turned back and waved at him, "Find a place to sit. No need to wait for me here."