Chapter 326: Opportunity and Brainstorming
Arya was able to remain in Queenscrown for quite a while, not just because of her own playfulness and refusal to go home, but because of another key factor: her temporary guardian, Ser Rodrik Cassel, was enjoying guest treatment in the Gift. With good food, fine drink, and the occasional opportunity to advise on the training of the Queenscrown recruits, his days were easy and fulfilling. Like any employee on a business trip without their boss, he was in no hurry to return.
However, no matter how comfortable the stay, one did not dare delay when the Lady of Winterfell herself sent word. While Egger was in his room with Nina discussing private business, the Winterfell guards were desperately chasing their young lady through the castle of Queenscrown. After turning the inner keep upside down, they finally cornered Arya at the closed North Gate with the help of local guards. Regardless of her crying, tantrums, or pitiful pleas, after a night's rest, they unceremoniously set her on the road south.
The departure of the little troublemaker allowed many to breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, Egger could focus all his energy on the construction of the Gift and the development of his own power.
Only through comparison does one truly understand the difference. Egger kept Nina in Queenscrown for over a week. They say a brief parting makes the heart grow fonder, and through this reunion, Egger gained a profound insight: not all physical intimacy between a man and a woman can be called making love. Embracing, kissing, and whispering sweet nothings with someone you know intimately and trust completely—mixing and exchanging life's essence without barriers or reservations, leaving marks upon each other's skin—was a harmony of body and soul far superior to a common roll in the hay.
Nina was a brilliant girl. She didn't know magic, but she understood far better than the Red Priestess how to give her man a sense of control and how to help him truly relax and find joy.
Of course, no matter how harmonious their life was, business still had to be done. Egger wouldn't trust anyone else with the southern mission—traveling to the West to borrow money and returning to King's Landing to redeploy the next phase of the plan. After several days of exhaustive briefings, he reluctantly sent off his capable helpmate and returned to a work-centered routine.
Having been Lord Commander for only a short time, ensuring internal stability was just as important as planning and construction.
Egger's confidants planted across the Wall provided constant reports: Castle Black was under Jon Snow's management, so there was no need for concern; Ser Denys Mallister at the Shadow Tower was dutifully commanding the defenses, focusing entirely on establishing patrols along the south side of the Gorge; the most worrisome duo, Cotter Pyke and Yohn Royce, showed no signs of unrest at Eastwatch. The former quietly executed all orders from the new Lord Commander, while the latter went out daily with the fleet to check the freezing conditions where the Wall met the sea. Though Royce's enthusiasm was low, he wasn't slacking or defying orders.
As for the remaining dozen newly upgraded forts along the Wall, they were in the midst of frantic integration and construction under their new commanders and their respective three—no, four—Chiefs.
After a period of busy work, news arrived of the North's setback in the West Coast defense.
Since the Kingsroad between Castle Black and Winterfell had been repaired and the Gift was now teeming with residents, business followed the people. Commercial exchange between the North and the capital of the Gift had become frequent. From Northern merchants who came to Queenscrown to hawk their wares, Egger quickly learned more details about the battle.
Robb had been ambushed by Euron while leading his elite guards to protect the transfer of villagers, suffering the first defeat of his life. Not only was he wounded in several places, but most of the noble sons sent to serve as his squires had perished. Even his direwolf, Grey Wind, was lost in the fight. Robb had only escaped the battlefield through the desperate efforts of his subordinates. Fortunately, the Ironborn lacked cavalry, preventing a total slaughter.
Among the chaotic rumors were claims that a hell horn could scare away warhorses and destroy a soldier's courage—even causing men to die of burst gallbladders—and that "the Crow's Eye is a demon possessed, invulnerable and possessed of monstrous strength, killing over a hundred Northmen single-handedly." Egger dismissed these as obvious exaggerations. However, one piece of information caught his eye:
The Northern lords, after several discussions, had tentatively resolved to rebuild a naval force on the West Coast to pay the enemy back in kind.
This news came from unofficial channels, but Egger felt it was reliable the moment he heard it—simply because it was logical and made sense.
The North was said to have lost five or six hundred veterans who had returned from the Westerlands. While not a crippling blow to the vast North, it was no small loss. Furthermore, the squires serving Robb Stark weren't just anyone; they were typically the sons of lords or clever kin from core branches, whose lives were cherished by many. Additionally, as a transmigrator, Egger knew that Robb's bond with his direwolf was as deep as brotherhood.
This defeat hadn't broken the North's foundation, but it was a painful sting for everyone from the liege lord to the vassals. If Robb didn't do something to retaliate, his authority—not yet fully entrenched—would be greatly damaged. Given this, the news of the North intending to build a navy to counter the Ironborn was likely true!
This might seem unrelated to him, but Egger keenly sensed an opportunity for the Gift!
Rebuilding a West Coast navy was a massive project; naval ports and shipyards were indispensable. The former required sailors and ground-crew protection, while the latter required a large labor force and a secure production envIronbornt. Egger was currently worried about the surplus labor in the Gift. If he could convince the Northern lords to hire his people cheaply, it would solve a major headache and potentially allow his people to apprentice and learn the craft of warship construction. Though a sea battle with the White Walkers was unlikely, one can never have too many skills. The inherent preference for a complete industrial system seemed etched into his very bones, persisting even in another world.
After opening the floor for discussion and presenting this idea to his two key confidants in Queenscrown, Egger realized the benefits far exceeded the two points he had initially considered.
"Rebuild the West Coast navy?" Humphery Hill, who had met Egger in the dungeons of King's Landing and now served as the new Lord Steward of the Night's Watch, expressed some surprise. "Has there been word on where Lord Stark plans to start? The West Coast is entirely under Ironborn control, and Bear Island is likely being watched closely. White Harbor? That's on the East Coast. Location is the biggest problem."
"Wait, my Lord," Yam, the Mayor of Queenscrown, suddenly remembered something unrelated. "Didn't Ser Denys Mallister write to you the day before yesterday? He wants to build a new outpost on the south side of the Gorge for the patrols to rest. Do you remember?"
Of course he remembered.
The Wall extended east into the sea, but to the west, it only reached the Gorge. The reason the builders left this gap was simple: the elevation drop between the high mountains and the deep river valleys of the Gorge was no less daunting than the Wall itself, and the Milkwater at the valley floor was far too treacherous for a large army to cross.
However, even the best geographical advantage is meaningless without defenders. Thus, while Egger ordered Eastwatch to monitor the sea ice, he also ordered the Shadow Tower garrison to patrol the south side of the Gorge, just as they would the top of the Wall.
But every command based on common sense quickly faces reality. The distance from the Shadow Tower to the Gorge—or the mouth of the Milkwater—was dozens of miles, and the terrain was rugged and pathless. A patrol departing in the morning would reach the sea only to turn around, finding it impossible to return to the fort for rest the same day. They were forced to camp in the wild.
Hardship was one thing, but the difference between needing and not needing to spend the night in the wild changed everything. The level of preparation and threat faced by the soldiers was entirely different. If every patrol had to carry full gear and plan like a long-range ranging, it would waste energy and supplies and increase the risk of non-combat casualties.
Egger had been beyond the Wall a dozen times himself; he knew the score.
Thus, Ser Denys had formally submitted a request to the new Lord Commander: build another outpost near the sea on the south side of the Gorge as a defensive supplement. Patrols could be sent simultaneously from this new outpost and the Shadow Tower to meet in the middle and finish at the opposite starting point. This would increase patrol density and solve a host of problems. It was perfect.
The Gift was not short on labor, so the proposal was easy to approve... but what did this have to do with the Northern navy?
Egger was confused for a second, then quickly understood why Yam had brought it up.
"My Lord can suggest to Lord Stark that a place be provided at the westernmost end of the Gorge for the North to establish a shipyard and naval port," Yam confirmed Egger's guess. "This naval base would be far enough north to likely evade the Iron Fleet's scouts, and it could serve as a defensive supplement for the Shadow Tower toward the West. We could station more guards in this fort, allowing one force to handle three major tasks: defending the Gorge, protecting the West Coast fleet's port, and guarding the shipyard. This way, the defense against the White Walkers isn't delayed, and you make the Northern lords feel that you are loyal and treating their concerns as your own. You might even naturally get them to pay for the upkeep of everyone in that outpost. It kills many birds with one stone!"
"That is a brilliant idea," Humphrey praised, adding his own thoughts. "I have an idea as well. You were planning to head south soon to borrow money from the Northern lords, my Lord. Given the North just suffered a defeat and several houses lost their young kin, it might be an awkward time to ask. Why not be more direct? Offer the land to Lord Robb first, then generously state that we will provide the labor for the ships and the garrison for the port for free. This way, you share a common enemy and it will be easier to talk about money. The North has finished its autumn harvest and isn't short on labor, so New Gift residents aren't very competitive and can't command high wages anyway. Since we won't make much money, we might as well bear the cost ourselves and call it interest on the loan!"
Brainstorming truly worked. The suggestions from his two capable subordinates broadened Egger's horizons. He was already quick-witted, and building upon these excellent proposals, inspiration flowed like a spring.
"Excellent. No time to waste. Make the arrangements; I depart south tomorrow. No matter how much I manage to borrow, I will return as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'll have to trouble the two of you to look after Queenscrown and the Night's Watch."
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