Chapter 298

The commotion at Castle Black that morning had been significant. Although Aegor intercepted the complaint letter, rumors could not be completely concealed from the Lord of the North. Since Robb Stark was bound to learn about it eventually, Aegor's priority was to seize the initiative and ensure Robb heard the story from him first. By controlling the narrative, he could shape its aftermath to be either advantageous or, at the very least, harmless to himself.

Aegor understood the power of a "first impression" all too well. He had just experienced it firsthand and planned to use this human tendency to his advantage.

As the group slowly ascended the spiral stairs back to the surface, Robb instructed the Flint clan to secure the well and post guards around it. The group then began their tour of the inhabited areas of the Nightfort, weaving through its makeshift homes and tents.

Thanks to prior arrangements, the Nightfort was as orderly and bustling as Crown's Rest had been during its inspections. However, the newly constructed walls, watchtowers, numerous guards, and sentries stationed atop the Wall gave the ancient fortress a distinctly fortified and vigilant atmosphere.

It looked like a place prepared to defend the Wall, Robb thought silently, his expression neutral but his heart already approving of what he saw.

Meanwhile, Aegor used their walk to brief Robb on the "incident" at Castle Black. In Aegor’s version, the conflict wasn’t caused by Jaime Lannister’s reckless actions but by a small faction of stubborn conservatives within the Night’s Watch. These individuals, driven by their hatred for the former wildlings now resettled in the Gift, had plotted to assassinate Mance Rayder to spark chaos and force the wildlings into rebellion.

Fortunately, Aegor claimed, the Black Brothers stationed at Castle Black had seen through this nefarious plot just in time. A few officers and Maester Aemon had intervened to prevent a tragedy.
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Aegor's retelling omitted or reframed all details that could damage his position.

The story shifted blame to a minority of extreme conservatives within the Watch, steering attention away from Jaime and others whose identities could bias Robb’s judgment. For instance, as a Stark, Robb would naturally favor Jon Royce, a senior and former ally of his father, over Jaime Lannister. To avoid such complications, Aegor avoided naming names altogether, simply describing the culprits as “a small group of dissenters.” Additionally, he praised the actions of Castle Black’s leadership and Aemon, aiming to keep moderates and neutrals on his side rather than alienating them by demonizing all dissenters.
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A single story, restructured, painted an entirely different picture. By the time Aegor finished, Robb’s brows were furrowed with frustration. “How could they act so recklessly? Do they not care for the stability of the Wall and the Gift? Were the troublemakers dealt with? Who were they?”

“Most of them were from Eastwatch,” Aegor answered, adopting a consultative tone. “Thankfully, the conspiracy was uncovered before anyone was harmed. They only managed to cause a scene near the tower where Mance Rayder’s family resides. But you must understand, my lord, the Night’s Watch is made up of men bound by their oaths, many of whom came here as criminals. We cannot weaken the defense of the Wall by arresting brothers for crimes they have not yet committed. The best course of action would be to remove the source of tension.”

“And what do you propose?” Robb asked.

“I would like to relocate Mance Rayder and his family to Crown's Rest for their safety. It’s a more neutral location and can shield them from impulsive attacks by disgruntled brothers.”

“Wouldn’t that decision rest with the Night’s Watch? Why are you asking me?”

“Mance Rayder’s confinement in Castle Black was Lord Commander Mormont’s decree,” Aegor explained. “Since we’ve yet to elect a new Lord Commander, I thought it prudent to seek the guidance of someone neutral and respected.”

Robb, still distracted by Arya’s incessant questions about the well, barely hesitated. “If moving them ensures stability along the Wall, then do so. The peace of the Gift and the defense of the Wall must take precedence over all else.”

“Of course.” Aegor nodded solemnly. “I’ll send orders to Castle Black and Crown's Rest to begin the relocation immediately.”

“Very well.”

Outwardly composed, Aegor smirked inwardly. With just a few carefully chosen words, his unauthorized move to relocate Mance Rayder had gained the official endorsement of the Warden of the North, transforming an improvised contingency plan into a sanctioned act of governance.

In truth, Jaime Lannister had likely already escorted Mance’s family to their destination. But in a world without instant communication, where Aegor controlled the ravens between the Wall’s fortresses, the sequence of events could always be reshaped to suit his narrative.
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The tour of the Nightfort concluded as the last rays of light faded from the sky. Robb dismissed the group, signaling an end to the day’s official business. The Flints busied themselves with preparing a feast and accommodations for their guests, while Aegor finally had a moment to address his pressing duties.

Beyond the intercepted complaint letter, several reports from Crown's Rest and other settlements awaited his attention. These dealt with logistical issues such as grain supplies, pricing adjustments, and the next phase of infrastructure development. Though tedious, his capable subordinates had already proposed solutions for each matter. All Aegor needed to do was review and approve them, which wouldn’t take more than half an hour.

But first, he met with a messenger who had ridden hard from Crown's Rest, bringing news that couldn’t wait.

“Thank you for coming,” Aegor said as he gestured for the man to sit. “What news couldn’t be sent by raven?”

“It’s not that it couldn’t be sent, my lord. It’s that Lord Yarm’s last raven was used this morning, and the message only arrived in the afternoon. We didn’t know when the birds would return, and the matter couldn’t wait, so I took horses and rode straight here.”

“What’s the matter?”

“A delegation from Braavos has arrived at Eastwatch. They’ve come to supervise the Wall’s defense and oversee the loan repayment. Their leader reports that the first grain shipment is following close behind on slower vessels. They request either the Lord Commander or the Chief Logistics Officer personally receive the shipment.”
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Aegor exhaled deeply. It wasn’t bad news, but it wasn’t ideal either.

The Night’s Watch had barely survived on the grain gifted by the North as thanks for helping drive out the ironborn. The arrival of Braavosi supplies marked a turning point, ensuring the Gift would survive the coming winter.

However, the contract with the Iron Bank had been signed by Mormont and himself. With Mormont dead and Aegor preoccupied with the inspection tour and his election campaign, there was no time to travel to Eastwatch.

Still, that wasn’t the real problem. The issue was that Eastwatch, the Watch’s sole port for receiving shipments from Essos, was commanded by Carter Pyke—an open rival of Aegor.
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If Pyke wanted to disrupt Aegor’s plans, this was the perfect opportunity. Refusing to allow the Braavosi ships to dock would be bad enough, but an “accidental” fire in the harbor could prove catastrophic.

Scowling, Aegor muttered under his breath, “Grain is a blessing, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

While he considered his options, the messenger spoke up hesitantly. “My lord, perhaps the ships could wait offshore until after the election? Would that help?”

Aegor frowned. “And pay for them to linger in dangerous winter waters? No, we’d need a better plan.”

The stakes were clear: if Aegor mishandled this, it could jeopardize not just the grain shipments but his bid for leadership. He needed a solution—and fast.