Chapter 237

In front of Mance Rayder, none of the Night’s Watch officers openly questioned the Lord Commander’s decision. Once the King Beyond the Wall was escorted out of the chamber to be taken atop the Wall and lowered back beyond it, Bowen Marsh immediately voiced his objection.

"That’s it? That’s the decision? I don’t know what Aegor whispered to you, but making such a hasty agreement is reckless! We’re talking about thirty thousand wildlings! Even if they surrender their weapons, armed with sticks and stones, they’re still a massive threat. Not to mention the giants!"

“Calm down, Lord Bowen.” Aegor offered a reassuring smile. “Surely, you remember I mentioned two conditions to Mance.”

“Surrendering weapons and following our laws—don’t you think that’s far too simplistic and arbitrary?”

“Yes, on the surface, those two conditions seem minimal. But the first one is merely a smokescreen; the second is what truly matters. Think about it—why did I emphasize ‘following the laws of the Gift as set by the Night’s Watch,’ rather than using the existing laws of Winterfell or King’s Landing?”

Bowen hesitated, the implication clear. After a moment’s thought, realization dawned. “You mean… we’ll be the ones drafting these laws?”

“Exactly. ‘Following our laws’ may sound like a single condition, but it actually encompasses countless others because we control both the creation and interpretation of these laws. In fact, I could have bypassed the first condition altogether, demanded only adherence to our laws, and written the weapon surrender requirement directly into those laws. The outcome would be the same.”

“I see now,” Othell Yarwyck nodded thoughtfully. “If you’d only asked for adherence to our laws, Mance might have been more wary. Clever. We can consolidate every condition we want into these laws. But drafting laws is one thing—how do we ensure thirty thousand wildlings actually follow them? We barely have three thousand men to manage them, and they outnumber us ten to one!”

“My approach is both simple and complex. In essence, it boils down to two objectives: teach the wildlings the use of currency to introduce the concept of private property, and establish a system of order rooted in the laws of the Gift, training them to abide by rules.” Aegor leaned forward, confidence gleaming in his eyes. “The Free Folk are some of the most unruly people in this world. They respect strength. To tame them, we need to wield two greater forces—gold and steel.”

“Providing food, warmth, and safety will dull their aggression. Money will create economic disparities, isolating individuals or smaller groups and making them easier to manage. And a judicious application of force will instill discipline and ensure compliance. Once this system takes root, ‘wildlings’ as a concept will disappear. In their place will be a new population: the people of the Gift.”

Aegor’s ideas drew murmurs from the officers. His experimental system of wages and trade had already proven successful with the thousands of mountain clansmen near the Wall. However, doubts lingered.

“You mentioned force,” said Bowen. “How do we, with our limited numbers, maintain control over tens of thousands?”

“Through control and containment. Surrendering weapons is just the start. Once the wildlings pass through the Wall, we’ll buy up all their food, livestock, and other critical resources at low prices, paying them in coin. At the same time, we’ll teach them how to use currency to purchase their necessities rather than taking whatever they see. We’ll scatter them across the Gift in small, isolated groups, placing them in unused fortresses and abandoned villages along the Wall. These settlements will be surrounded by walls, with garrisons of loyal Watchmen, mountain clansmen, and other settlers controlling access to resources. Stripped of their weapons, divided from one another, and deprived of their supplies, they’ll have no choice but to comply—or flee hungry.”
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As the officers processed this plan, Maester Aemon, who had been silent during the earlier negotiations, finally spoke up in his frail voice. “What if the wildlings refuse this arrangement and scatter south? Would we not be endangering the North by letting them through?”

“The North is already on high alert due to the Ironborn. Supplies are scarce, and the wildlings won’t find much to loot or destroy. Besides, we’ll know exactly where every tribe is placed. If anyone escapes, we’ll send out rangers to hunt them down.” Aegor’s response was firm. “We can also demand hostages—each tribe’s leader or their kin—to ensure compliance. What do you think?”

Before the discussion could continue, Mormont raised his hand. “Aegor’s plan is comprehensive, but there’s no need to decide everything today. We have time to draft the laws of the Gift and include every safeguard. And for the record, I haven’t formally decided to let the wildlings through the Wall yet.”

“What?” Jeremy Rykker’s surprise was evident. “But you’ve already given your word…”

“Yes, I gave my word, but survival and duty outweigh honor when the stakes are this high,” Mormont said firmly. “I’ve instructed Mance to bring his people to the gates. Once they’re gathered, we’ll verify his claims. If he lied—if there are more than thirty thousand or their stores can’t sustain us through the winter—then we’ll proceed with the alternative plan: assemble a strike force, scatter their ranks, and seize their supplies.”

“Massacring tens of thousands?” Bowen’s face paled.

“Our duty is to protect the Wall. Everything else is secondary.” Mormont’s hand clenched into a fist before relaxing. “That’s the plan. Aegor will lead the drafting of the laws, with input from everyone here. Once finalized, the wildlings will review and accept them. If they don’t cause trouble, they’ll be allowed in.”
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Aegor left the chamber in high spirits. If Mance truly had fewer than thirty thousand wildlings and Braavosi grain shipments arrived on schedule, the Watch would endure the winter.

Outside, the biting cold cut through the air, but Aegor spotted a striking figure in the courtyard. Melisandre, the Red Priestess, was speaking with a pair of black-cloaked Watchmen.

“Lady Melisandre,” Aegor greeted her, his gaze lingering briefly. “Aren’t you cold? I can fetch a cloak for you from the storeroom—though we don’t have any in red.”

“Faith is warmth enough.” She stepped closer, her presence radiating an almost unnatural heat. Sliding her arm through his, she began to lead him away. “The flames showed me the Watch letting the wildlings through. Have you finished your discussions?”

“Preliminary discussions,” Aegor replied cautiously. “Details remain undecided.”

“Good.” She leaned in, her voice dropping. “I have a request.”

“Of course. If I can help, I will.”

“What do you plan to do with Mance Rayder? If you mean to execute him, can it be by fire?”

“By fire? Why?”

“The flames have spoken: king’s blood can awaken the stone dragon. As the King Beyond the Wall, his blood may be of use.”

Aegor hesitated. “The prophecy you mention has already been fulfilled. Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons.”

Melisandre frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Her blood—or that of her unborn child—fulfilled the prophecy. Think about it: stone dragon eggs hatched amidst fire and blood.”

The Red Priestess studied him carefully, her red eyes gleaming. “You’re well-informed for a man of the Watch. I wonder how much more you know.”

Aegor simply smiled. “Enough to suggest you focus your efforts elsewhere. But if you still believe the flames, you’ll need to convince the Lord Commander.”

Melisandre’s laugh was soft but knowing. Whatever her thoughts, she let the matter drop for now.