With a weapon pointed at him, Jaime showed no tension at all. Wearing a relaxed smile, he kept his gaze fixed on Cotter Pyke and reached for his waist... He firmly gripped the finely forged steel sword, crafted by the best blacksmith in Lannisport, and slowly drew it. The blade scraped against the metal ring of the scabbard, producing a hoarse sound. Though extremely faint, the sound made the hair on many people's necks stand on end.
The Kingslayer's movements appeared slow, but were actually swift, smooth, and fluid. In a single breath, he assumed a fighting stance. "My Lord, if you insist on resorting to force... then I can only oblige."
The surrounding black-clad soldiers gasped and exclaimed.
Patrols beyond the Wall had long ceased. The Free Folk were no longer a threat, and the White Walkers and their army of the dead had not returned. The entire Night's Watch was fully prepared for war, yet what awaited them were endless, boring elections day after day. A hundred days had passed since Lord Commander Jeor Mormont's untimely death, and the Night's Watch still hadn't elected a new leader. The rank-and-file brothers had long grown weary of the current stalemate, yearning for something significant to break the monotony.
The return of the Chief Logistics Officer a few days ago had stirred life into Castle Black. His one-sided outburst was widely discussed and enjoyed by the brothers. However, though the two factions had clearly broken with each other, the conflict remained confined to behind-the-scenes maneuvering. The clandestine struggle was just as thrilling, but most of the Night's Watch couldn't feel it directly... On the surface, Castle Black remained stagnant—until today, when something interesting finally happened.
Sensing a spectacle, the black brothers put down what they were doing and quickly gathered around, forming a circle. All that was missing were benches and roasted nuts to enjoy the drama.
The two squared off, circling each other and watching for openings. Their respective followers had also stopped their tasks and stood behind their leaders, gripping their weapons. The air turned heavy and confrontational.
---
The Kingslayer's skill was famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and Cotter Pyke had heard much about it. But he knew that the strength of highborn sons like Jaime was often exaggerated by others. Just how much of it was true? He would find out today—he would properly assess this so-called expert who had killed two kings.
He had made up his mind and readied himself for battle. But the moment they squared off, Cotter Pyke felt a jolt in his heart. He immediately realized: he was facing the most difficult opponent of his life. Jaime stood casually, holding his weapon in a simple and unflashy preparatory stance, yet it gave the feeling that no matter which direction one attacked from, there was no opening to be found.
This opponent was nothing like the Ironborn he'd dealt with in his youth, the Free Folk he fought after joining the Watch, or even the southern nobles who occasionally joined the Night's Watch. This was the first opponent Cotter had ever encountered who could not be defeated by brute strength alone.
"Stop!"
Just as the fight between the Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and the Kingslayer was about to break out, an angry shout rang out and cut through their standoff.
"You! What are you doing!?" Several high-ranking officers of Castle Black, finally roused by the commotion, emerged from their quarters. Ser Jeremy Rykker, the First Ranger, glared with fury in his eyes as he barked, "Jaime, can you explain what you're doing?"
"By order of Commander Mormont, which I received in a dream, I am transferring the King-Beyond-the-Wall's family to Crown Town for their safety. This action has been approved by the Chief Logistics Officer, who assured me that Crown Town will make preparations to receive Mance Rayder's family." Jaime still held his sword without moving. "Oddly, Lord Cotter Pyke, the Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, suddenly jumped out to stop me."
"Jaime, if I'm not mistaken, you are a Ranger," Ser Jeremy said coldly. "Leaving aside whether this dream of yours is real or fabricated, even if it's true, why didn't you come to me—your direct superior—to discuss it, instead of going to the Logistics Department?"
"I apologize, my lord. That was thoughtless of me. Please forgive me." Jaime replied politely, but he did not sheathe his steel sword, nor did he show any real remorse for asking forgiveness.
"Considering this is your first offense, I won't pursue it further. Now, put away your weapon and return the King-Beyond-the-Wall's family to Hardin's Tower. I will assign extra guards to ensure their safety."
Jaime did not move. He didn't even look at the First Ranger. He stood like a pine tree in front of the carriage containing Mance Rayder's family's belongings, holding his sword and staring down Cotter Pyke, who wielded twin axes. Though silent, his expression clearly conveyed disdain: And who are you to give orders to a Lannister?
...
"It seems our 'Kingslayer' is determined to defy orders and protect his Wildling whore!" A cold snort rang out. Ser Yohn Royce had returned, leading over a dozen fully armed men. He joined Cotter Pyke, standing at his side.
Aside from the sentries posted atop the Wall, everyone in Castle Black was now present. Aside from Mance Rayder's family, who were being moved, everyone wore black. Their attire was uniform, but they clearly formed four groups—Jaime's group of Westermen, more than forty strong; Cotter Pyke's Eastwatch men, along with a few Castle Black members, numbering over thirty; the high-ranking officers and their close retainers... and the largest group: the onlooking black brothers.
Val, the so-called "Wildling whore" mentioned by the former Lord of Runestone, now stood behind Jaime, looking like a timid bird, relying entirely on him to make decisions. Their closeness made it hard not to suspect something between them, indirectly confirming Ser Yohn's accusation.
Jaime glanced briefly at the speaker but did not reply. He was Tywin Lannister's son, heir to Casterly Rock, and the infamous Kingslayer… but at this moment, surrounded by drawn blades, he was simply a warrior. A lion uses all its strength to hunt even a rabbit. Cotter Pyke before him was no unarmed farmer. Facing this seasoned, battle-hardened soldier, Jaime instinctively focused all his attention.
But the woman referred to as the "Wildling whore" was not pleased. Val threw back her hood and looked sharply at Ser Yohn Royce.
"Lord Royce, is that woman you speak of... me?"
"Whether it's you or not, you know the answer in your heart."
"Heh... Considering that aside from my sister and me, only Melisandre can be called a Lady in Castle Black, I'll assume, my lord, that you are referring to me." Val's golden hair still shimmered under the thin winter sunlight. Combined with her proud expression—so similar to Jaime's—anyone could be fooled into thinking she was some noble lady of the Seven Kingdoms, even Jaime's sister. "Then I must point out the problem with your words—Wildling whore? As I recall, your former Lord Commander classified the surrendered Free Folk as 'New Gift People' and forbade the use of the term 'Wildlings.' The moment you spoke, you violated a standing order of your former superior. Is it because he's dead that you dare be so reckless?"
Using Jeor Mormont's name to pressure others again? Even the Free Folk had learned Aegor's tricks.
Val paid no mind to Cotter and Yohn's clenched jaws and continued without a care. "As for calling me a 'whore'... I don't even know where to begin. For more than twenty years, I lived in Free Folk villages far north of the Wall, never interacting with the Night's Watch. Since moving to the Wall, I've remained in the tower and never left. I clearly haven't slept with any man south of the Wall, so why do you insult me with such vulgar words the moment you open your mouth? Honestly, if anyone here acts like a Wildling—it's you."
What a sharp-tongued Wildling woman.
If not for the different appearance and voice, Yohn Royce would almost have suspected Val was Aegor in disguise. He glared grimly at this striking woman who, in some ways, even matched Jaime well. He was about to speak when the officers of Castle Black made it clear they had no intention of letting the farce continue.
"Enough!" the First Ranger roared. "Jaime Lannister, have your men immediately return Mance Rayder and his family's belongings to Hardin's Tower. Lord Cotter... please take your men out of the yard and end this nonsense!"
"I haven't finished!" Val shouted, her shrill voice piercing louder than Ser Jeremy Rykker's deep baritone. "I know the Night's Watch is in the middle of electing a new Commander, and I neither understand nor care about your grudges, grievances, or ideological differences—but I do understand one thing: if something happens to my brother-in-law, the Night's Watch will never be able to appease the surrendered Free Folk, and the Gift will fall into chaos! Clearly, someone intends to profit from this."
She swept her hand in a wide arc, her slender finger pointing directly at the group from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. "Some time ago, unknown figures were lurking outside our window, spying on our family. Now I know who is trying to harm us—whoever blocks our relocation is the would-be murderer!"
The black brothers watching broke into a commotion, whispering and discussing the claim.
Ser Jeremy Rykker frowned and turned to Bowen Marsh. "You oversee most of Castle Black's personnel. Have you heard any rumors about this?"
Bowen's expression turned grim. Of course he had heard about it. He'd heard it directly from the mouths of the two ringleaders—Cotter and Yohn. They had approached him days earlier, trying to pull him into the plot.
It was an underhanded, despicable plan. His first instinct had been to reject it outright—but in the end, his hatred for the Free Folk outweighed his revulsion. He made his decision: he would neither take part nor expose it.
If it failed, Cotter would be discredited. If it succeeded... Aegor would lose his leverage, and Cotter would be too busy cleaning up the mess. Bowen could then lead the Night's Watch in suppressing the rebellion, earn merit, return to the race for Commander, and etch his name into history.
Everyone had their little schemes, but now that Val had exposed it publicly, even though Bowen had planned everything clearly in his heart, he couldn't admit it aloud.
He shook his head with a calm expression. "I haven't heard anything, but I won't rule out that Cotter and Yohn might've had such thoughts... We should increase the guards at Hardin's Tower to prevent any of our brothers from acting rashly."
The Chief Logistics Officer had long been known for his loyalty and integrity. Ser Jeremy had no reason to doubt his word. He nodded and turned back. "Lady Val, your concerns are not without merit. We'll assign trustworthy brothers to guard you and your family. Now, I ask you to help persuade Ser Jaime to lay down his sword and return to Hardin's Tower."
"You are a good man, and I respect you, Ser Rykker," Val replied calmly. "But those with ill intent won't give up just because I've exposed them, and I won't gamble with my life... Who's to say that the very Night's Watch assigned to protect me won't be the ones who storm Hardin's Tower to rape me or stab a dagger through my heart?"
Her words were excessive. Many of the black brothers were offended, muttering in protest and even openly cursing the so-called "Wildling princess."
Amid the noise, the main figure in the standoff, Jaime, spoke again. "Today, the King-Beyond-the-Wall's family must be moved to Crown Town. There is no room for negotiation. Anyone who wishes to stop them... must step over my corpse."
"What arrogance!" Cotter Pyke had originally prepared to back down when he saw others trying to mediate, but Jaime's firm declaration was simply too contemptuous. His anger boiled over. "Then let me see the so-called 'Kingslayer's' skill!"
The situation changed faster than anyone could react. Amidst the cheering of the watching black brothers, the shocked and angry cries of officers like Ser Jeremy and the Artisan, and Val's sharp cry of alarm, the Commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea charged forward with his battle axes swinging at Jaime Lannister.
(To be continued.)
***
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