Chapter 62: The Office
The sun rose and another day began. Yoren, the Wandering Crow, set out as usual after breakfast to pick up recruits in Flea Bottom. Tyrion, in a rare display of early rising, headed out to find people to organize his long-awaited printing house. Only Egger slept in a bit longer; he watched the sun until the time was right, then unhurriedly mounted his horse and set off toward the street-front property Eddard Stark had arranged for the Night's Watch.
The seals and signs couldn't possibly be finished overnight, and the bonds wouldn't be ready for a day or two, but the Night's Watch office had to open immediately. Whether it was the signing of bonds or the recruitment process, none of it could be done out in the open or in someone else's home. It was the same logic used by swindlers and shell companies—they usually rent a floor in an office building and hire some staff to keep up appearances. For any activity involving money, having a fixed location provides a great sense of security to outsiders during their first encounter.
Yesterday, Jakken had already ordered the desks, chairs, cabinets, and other office supplies from the list Egger provided, scheduling the delivery for today. As the applicant and future manager of the office, Egger naturally had to be on-site to oversee the decoration and the placement of the furniture. He had to be there.
...
The businessmen had a good sense of time; within half an hour of opening the doors, both the people and the goods had arrived.
After a quick cleaning, Egger began directing the workers to move the tables, chairs, and cabinets inside, placing them one by one in their intended spots. He had never run a shop, but he had grown up playing in his mother's tailor shop. This had left a subtle yet indelible influence on him, and he unconsciously arranged the space to mimic the structure of that shop back home.
The office was divided into an inner and an outer room. On the walls of the outer room, one side would eventually display a detailed explanation of the Night's Watch Bonds and their rules; the other side would list the benefits and requirements for recruitment. Beneath these, two rows of benches had already been placed for visitors to rest. In the center of the room stood a large table, where the office manager would eventually sit to converse with and explain things to passersby or those interested in the bonds or joining the Watch. If a genuine interest was established, they would be invited into the inner room.
The inner room was Egger's private office, containing a simple row of cabinets and wooden shelves; perhaps in a few days, he would add a safe or similar facilities. Facing the window was a desk slightly smaller than the one outside. This was where Egger would conduct deeper negotiations and sign every Night's Watch Bond and recruitment contract.
After a flurry of activity, both Egger and Jakken were soaked with sweat. They pulled up chairs and sat outside the door, looking at the empty, not-yet-open office, discussing what was still missing.
...
"Do you really think anyone will sign up for the Night's Watch?" Because of the heat, Jakken had stripped off his Lannister armor and was fanning himself as he asked skeptically. "You might be a smooth talker, but putting on the black... the price is just too high. You couldn't pay me enough to go."
"True. The Night's Watch needs reform. If we keep clinging to those 'sacred' bullshit vows, we'll vanish from the world soon enough."
"Reform?"
"That's right, reform."
Egger gave a cryptic smile. He certainly wouldn't be sending a bunch of standard Night's Watch recruits to the Wall. It wasn't just that he lacked the ability; even if he could, he wouldn't do it. Sending people to the Wall to be trained, swear vows, and become his lifelong brothers? What would he gain from that?
The more recruits he sent, the more stable the Wall's defense became, and the less likely it was that he would be forcibly recalled. That was a fact. However, conversely, the more members there were, the greater the power of the Night's Watch... and the more he would be suppressed. He didn't want to go back to the Wall, but he also didn't want to spend his life watching people's faces, begging them not to recall him.
Egger's plan was to put on a show of recruiting in King's Landing for a month or two, then write a distressed letter to the high command: he had exhausted himself trying to convince people to go north to fight wildlings and White Walkers, but the moment lifelong celibacy and the inability to leave were mentioned, ninety-nine percent backed out. If the requirements could be relaxed slightly—allowing people to go to the Wall temporarily for a few years to help the Watch through these dangerous times and then return home—he could soon find hundreds or even thousands of men to replenish the Wall.
The Wall was currently desperate for men. Mormont would have no choice; eventually, he would agree to the suggestion.
Then, under the guise of hiring workers, Egger could pay people to go north to fulfill his quota. These people would join the Watch through his hands, receive their pay from him, and ultimately rely on him to fulfill the promise of leaving after a few years and getting their travel expenses home... They would form a solid community of shared interests with him. In a sense, they would be his people. Imagine if a fraction or even half of the Night's Watch consisted of such men—how much influence would he wield?
By then, even if he still held no official rank, he would be the second-in-command or even the most powerful person in the Night's Watch. He wasn't planning on leading a rebellion or seeking independence, and without a stronger force interfering, the likes of Alliser Thorne or Benjen Stark... anyone wanting to move against him would have to think twice.
What should he call this force... the Night's Watch Auxiliaries? The Gift Construction Corps? Or the Wall's Temporary Garrison?
He'd decide on a name later; he had plenty of time to refine the plan. But this wasn't something to discuss with Jakken. It wasn't that he looked down on Tyrion's guard, but some things are better kept to oneself.
Everything hinged on the success of the Night's Watch Bonds. If that step went smoothly, the rest wouldn't be much of a problem—problems that can be solved with money aren't really problems.
Egger's confident expression of having everything under control made Jakken itch with curiosity. Having followed his master for so long, he had picked up some of Tyrion's insatiable thirst for knowledge... He was just about to ask more when he looked up and saw a great figure. "Seven hells! Lord Stark! Why is he here? Egger! He seems to be coming this way. Is he looking for you?"
His train of thought broken, Egger was startled. He looked in the direction the young guard was pointing and indeed saw the current Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, riding down the street with a retinue.
...
The Night's Watch office was only just starting its renovation; even if it were officially open, it was unlikely that the Hand of the Seven Kingdoms would show up to support it. Eddard Stark was likely just passing through, but given his concern for the Watch, it wasn't impossible for him to stop, inspect, or even direct the work.
Theoretically, the Warden of the North had no authority over the Night's Watch, but he was a high-ranking leader. For Egger to carry out his work in King's Landing, he relied entirely on Stark not obstructing him—and perhaps even providing convenience.
...
Soon, the Warden of the North locked eyes with Egger, who stood out significantly in his black clothing. He said something to the guards riding with him, and the whole group lightly pulled their reins to approach, finally coming to a halt at the door.
"Lord Stark," Egger greeted him with his usual calm and respectful demeanor. At this moment, he was playing the role of a loyal logistics officer for the Night's Watch. On that basis alone, the man would not make things difficult for him.
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