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"Jon!"
The wind and snow, blowing in from the East Sea, scattered across cloaks and leather. The next day, the Great Wall would be covered in silver. If the snow continued day and night, the Night's Watch would have to move their activities to the tunnel system.
Although heavy snow could slow down wildling attacks, it would also trap Cole and the others here. This was something he wanted to avoid. The situation in the South didn't allow him to stay here too long, so Cole chased Jon out of the back hall.
Jon turned his head at the shout, the strong wind hitting his face, his black, curly hair whipping around him. His eyes were a mix of anger, disappointment, and sadness. Fresh footprints marked the ground; the snow had only just begun to fall.
"You need to calm down, brother," Cole said, approaching him.
"Brother?" Jon questioned.
Cole nodded. "Brother of the Night's Watch, aren't we?" He continued, "I know a lot has happened lately, but you must stay calm now."
"Calm down," Jon said, his gloved hand gripping his cane tightly. "How could you possibly know?"
Cole sighed. "While I can't truly feel your pain, I think an outsider's perspective can sometimes see things more clearly. Why don't you listen to my advice?"
Jon looked at him.
"Sadness and anger won't help you fix this," Cole stated. "Do you know what Slynt and Alliser have planned for you?"
"Planned?"
"A wildling. They captured a wildling at Eastwatch who calls himself the King of Bones."
"Rattleshirt!" Jon exclaimed, naming him. Rattleshirt, who prided himself on his bone armor, preferred to be called the 'King of Bones.'
"Rattleshirt will serve as a witness against you for killing Qhorin Halfhand," Cole informed him.
Jon was stunned for a moment, then his expression turned to anger. They would rather believe a wildling's word than his own.
"They have probable cause and evidence to charge you," Cole continued.
"I have never betrayed," Jon stated with fierce conviction.
"I know," Cole agreed. "Just like Maester Aemon and Donal Noye, we all accept your reasons, but you can't provide evidence to prove your innocence, Jon." He went on, "I was part of two trials by combat for Tyrion in the South.
One was when your mother—I'm sorry, Lady Catelyn Tully—thought he framed Brandon Stark. In truth, you should know that though the world calls him a 'little devil,' Tyrion is anything but. Without proof, you'll have nothing to say, Jon. Do you have any evidence or witnesses?"
Jon fell silent.
"No? Very well." Cole's tone suddenly shifted. "If that's the case, then you'll have to find another way to clear your name." He then asked, "Have you ever thought about becoming Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jon?"
Jon froze for a moment, then remembered what Sam had told him. The Old Bear chose him as his steward because he wanted to train him as an heir. Sam had explained that this was a common method used by nobles to train their successors.
"A snowstorm has descended on the Great Wall, yet its defenders are still in disarray. I know Slynt is eyeing the position of Lord Commander. He's certainly not a reliable man. Do you know why he was sent to the Wall? During his time as Commander of the City Watch in the capital, he was known for bribery and selling positions. More importantly, he betrayed Lord Eddard Stark, leading to his imprisonment."
Cole shook his head. "You would never want such a man to serve as the Lord Commander of the Great Wall."
"He may not be elected," Jon countered. "On the Great Wall, there are also the Old Pomegranate, Cotter Pyke, Dennis Mallister, and others, all quite respected."
"What if I told you he has Tywin Lannister's support?" Cole said. "And the Old Pomegranate has decided not to run for Lord Commander and will instead support Slynt."
"How do you know this?" Jon looked at him in surprise.
"I've lived on the Night's Watch for fifteen years after all," Cole replied.
He patted Jon on the shoulder. "I know Lord Mormont thought highly of you and gave you his sword Longclaw. I believe in his judgment, Jon. I also believe in your character. I will help you become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Lord Eddard Stark went to great lengths to come here precisely because he understood the importance of the Great Wall. Do you want the place he would guard with his life to be entrusted to Slynt, alone?"
Cole looked into Jon's eyes and understood that he had been swayed.
"Lord Eddard Stark, why would he want you to pity yourself like a child? You have to take responsibility, Jon. Now is not the time for sadness and anger."
"I..." Jon swallowed his words. He knew Cole was right, but he wasn't a fool. After a moment, he asked, "What do you want?"
Cole patted his breastplate. "I'll tell you once you become Lord Commander. Don't worry, I won't do anything to harm the brothers of the Night's Watch; otherwise, I wouldn't have come all the way north."
"Be prepared," he said, turning and leaving.
Jon's eyes followed him closely, disappearing into the falling snow.
In truth, what Cole didn't know was that Jon could see many things through Ghost in his dreams. The sword that pierced the eye was always firmly etched in Jon's heart. He saw Grey Wind leaping and Robb wounded on the ground.
The sudden snowfall did change Cole's plans. He had no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of the Night's Watch, and he also knew that Jon would become the Lord Commander. Eddison Tollett, the Old Bear's servant and confidant, would help Jon. There were many supporters of Mormont in Castle Black, and they would all support Jon with Eddison.
Cole was anxious to make Jon Lord Commander, naturally considering the wildlings. He had promised Mance Rayder to let them go south. With the ships Cole possessed, he couldn't transport so many wildlings, not to mention giants and mammoths.
To move the wildlings south, he would have to discuss it with the Starks, and Jon was the link Cole intended to use to negotiate with the Stark family. His main purpose in going north was to form an alliance with the Stark family. If he could achieve it, it would be the best outcome.
The tricky part was that Eddard Stark had died at the hands of the wildlings. If the Stark family blamed the wildlings or Mance Rayder for Eddard Stark's death, they would never easily let Cole lead his people south.
He remembered that there were still many ships in White Harbor. It was with Lord Wyman Manderly's help that Cole had previously been able to lead the free folk of the Moon Mountains south.
But if this alliance failed, Cole wouldn't give up. He didn't know what Robb Stark would think, nor was he sure if his former enemy would agree to an alliance with him. At this moment, Cole wished it were Eddard Stark sitting in Winterfell.
Standing under the King's Tower, he sighed, and white mist filled the air around him. Cole looked up at the tower prepared for the King.