Chapter 203

Sending Arya back to Winterfell? Aegor wanted nothing to do with the task and immediately lodged a formal protest with Robb. However, when Robb offered to let Aegor retain the hundred Northern soldiers for his command until the wildlings and White Walkers were defeated, he relented.

A hundred trained soldiers were a substantial boon to the Night’s Watch. Putting up with a troublesome child for a few days seemed a worthwhile trade.

...

Arya spent a full day with Robb. Whether she went to see her “betrothed,” Aegor had no idea. Regardless, the following morning, when he resumed his march north from Harrenhal with the logistics division, the hot potato—along with the hundred Stark soldiers—was handed back to him.

The Northern soldiers weren’t from Winterfell and didn’t recognize their lord’s daughter, so Arya’s identity as Aegor’s personal squire remained intact. The risk of exposure during the journey was minimal. Departing from the bustling encampment at Harrenhal, where countless soldiers and camp followers gathered, Aegor spent two days traveling to the town of Harroway.

Time seemed to fly, and Aegor couldn’t help but recall his first visit to this crossroads of the River Road and King’s Road. Back then, he was a nobody, heading south to King’s Landing with Tyrion Lannister as his only ally. He’d been consumed by anxiety—half worried about reaching King’s Landing safely, half preoccupied with solving the problems Commander Mormont had left him.

His second visit saw him as part of Robert Baratheon’s army, heading east toward the Vale to aid in suppressing the Brotherhood of Justice rebellion. By then, Tyrion’s management had spurred the Night’s Watch into an era of growth, and Aegor’s presence had already caused ripples in history, altering its course dramatically.

Now, on his third visit, he was en route to the Golden Tooth to retrieve Tywin Lannister’s son—the infamous Kingslayer—and escort him to the Wall. Whether he liked it or not, Aegor had become a figure of some influence across Westeros, irrevocably entangled in its sweeping tides of history.

He was no longer merely an observer; he had become a driving force.

...

After spending a night at a familiar inn in Harroway, Aegor ordered his supply convoy to remain there while he and his soldiers—both the logistics division and the hundred Northerners—set out westward along the River Road.

With the war over and the weather fair, the journey to Riverrun took four days. Upon arrival, Aegor arranged for Arya to stay with her maternal family while he continued westward with his men.

...

The recently war-torn lands were desolate. The Riverlands were devastated, but the Westerlands were worse. As the road widened—a testament to the wealth of the Lannisters—the grim sights along the way grew even more disturbing. Corpses hung from trees, fresh graves dotted the countryside, fields lay scorched, and villages were thoroughly looted.

Though the Starks were portrayed as honorable in the stories of Westeros, their armies and allies were no gentler or more disciplined than any other. Aegor sighed at the destruction but was surprised when the Northern soldiers informed him that many of the burned fields had been set ablaze by the Westerlanders themselves.

“Scorched earth,” a desperate tactic employed by rulers facing insurmountable odds. Aegor hadn’t witnessed the Westerland campaign firsthand, as he’d been busy filling the administrative void left by Tyrion’s departure from King’s Landing. But seeing the blackened fields chilled him. The Lannisters had come perilously close to annihilation—a stark reminder of how fragile even the mightiest houses could be.

With over a hundred soldiers in tow, Aegor’s journey remained uneventful. Five days after leaving Riverrun, they arrived at the fortified gates of the Golden Tooth. The battle scars from Robb Stark’s assault on the castle were still visible on the walls, though the golden lion banner once again flew proudly overhead. Surprisingly, the defeated Westerlander soldiers appeared more spirited than Aegor had anticipated.

Leaving the hundred Northern soldiers outside, Aegor entered the fortress with his logistics troops after announcing his purpose. He had expected to find Tyrion waiting for him and had even prepared to discuss topics like land grants, post-war recovery in the Westerlands, and the political future of the Seven Kingdoms. However, a red-cloaked officer informed him that Tyrion was in Lannisport, tirelessly managing the Lannister Bank’s finances.

Instead of the younger lion, Aegor was greeted by the elder one. Tywin Lannister awaited him in the great hall.

...

“Chief Logistician.” Tywin sat at the head of a long table, his expression cold and inscrutable as he regarded Aegor. “Even in the far reaches of the Westerlands, I’ve heard tales of your exploits and bravery. On behalf of House Lannister, I welcome you and thank you for your prompt arrival. Please, have a seat.”

“You’re too kind, Lord Tywin.” The legendary iron-willed lord delivered pleasantries as coldly as one might issue commands. Fortunately, Tywin needed Aegor’s cooperation, and Aegor had no qualms about taking a seat. “Thank you for the hospitality, but I still have official duties to attend to. I would appreciate it if we could expedite this matter and have Ser Jaime ready to depart for the Wall.”

“He will leave with you,” Tywin replied, drumming his fingers on the table. “But before that, I’d like to know more about the current state of the Wall and what my son’s life will be like in the Night’s Watch.”

“Ask anything you wish, my lord. I will answer honestly.”

...

Tywin did not hold back, bombarding Aegor with questions. As servants brought wine and refreshments, their conversation stretched into the night. Aegor truthfully described the Wall’s condition, explaining that Jaime would likely begin as a ranger captain—an intermediate officer role.

“Will rangers be required to patrol beyond the Wall often?” Tywin asked, frowning. “Are the reports of undead and White Walkers true, or just Night’s Watch exaggerations?”

“They are true,” Aegor replied bluntly. “But due to heavy losses among the rangers and the wildlings’ proximity to the Wall, patrols beyond the Wall have almost ceased. You needn’t worry about that.”

Though Tywin’s expression remained composed, Aegor sensed his frustration. For a man as proud and powerful as Tywin, being forced to send his son to the Wall was undoubtedly galling. Yet beneath his icy demeanor, there was a faint hint of paternal concern for Jaime’s well-being.

After a lengthy discussion, Tywin subtly broached the topic of whether it might one day be possible to “remove” Jaime from the Night’s Watch.

Aegor’s mind flashed back to something Tyrion had once said: if anyone tried to pull Jaime out of the Watch, the price would be so high that selling Casterly Rock might not cover it. Tyrion had made the remark as a joke, but now it seemed prophetic.

“There is no precedent for a sworn brother removing his black cloak,” Aegor said bluntly. “Given the current state of the Seven Kingdoms, it’s almost impossible to extract someone like Jaime from the Night’s Watch without severe consequences. As for the future... who can say what will happen?”

Tywin showed no reaction to the answer and instead shifted to another concern. “What of the Stark soldiers outside? Why are they here?”

“Robb Stark sent them to ensure Ser Jaime’s safe passage along the Riverlands and the King’s Road.”

Tywin stared at Aegor for a long moment, as if trying to read his mind, before speaking again. “That Stark boy—Robb—he truly agreed to let Jaime take the black?”

“The Night’s Watch is neutral, Lord Tywin,” Aegor replied evenly. “I wouldn’t be here without Robb Stark’s explicit consent.”

“Can you guarantee Jaime’s safety on the journey north?”

“I can’t even guarantee my own safety in these chaotic times,” Aegor said candidly. “But I can assure you that there will be no attacks sanctioned by Robb Stark. As for bandits or outlaws, my logistics unit is more than capable of dealing with them. If you’re still worried, you can keep Jaime here until both kings issue written guarantees. But, if one side triumphs while you delay, the victor may well change their mind about this arrangement.”

...

Tywin exhaled slowly, shaking his head as he stood. “There’s no point waiting. This trouble is of Jaime’s own making, and any risk on the road is his to bear, not the family’s. If anyone dares harm my son, I won’t waste words. House Lannister will act decisively.”

As Tywin rose, Aegor followed suit, but instead of Jaime, he was presented with a surprising offer. “There are young men in the Westerlands who’ve heard of the threat facing the Wall and wish to join the Night’s Watch. Since you’re here, you might as well escort them north.”

Volunteers? Aegor knew some had joined the Watch after seeing the wights in King’s Landing, but why would Tywin personally arrange this?

Following Tywin to the courtyard, Aegor was stunned by the sight that greeted him. Dozens of soldiers in black stood in perfect formation, clad in armor that had once borne the red and gold of House Lannister, now painted over in black.

These men weren’t “volunteers” but an elite guard Tywin had disguised to accompany Jaime to the Wall as his personal protectors.

“They’ll take the black alongside Jaime?” Aegor asked.

“Yes. They’ll swear the oath and serve as true brothers of the Night’s Watch, just like you.”

(Impressive, Tywin.)

Aegor couldn’t help but marvel. He had spent countless hours and resources recruiting men for his logistics team, and even then, they were auxiliaries, free to leave after fulfilling their contracts. Tywin, on the other hand, had casually assembled a force of elite soldiers to endure the frozen hell of the Wall for the rest of their lives, all for his son’s sake.

Aegor had gained some fame, but in terms of resources and influence, he was still far from Tywin’s level. It made him wonder: how many years would it take to build a power base comparable to this old lion’s?

“In addition to these men,” Tywin continued, “I’ll be donating weapons, armor, horses, and provisions to the Wall. My quartermasters are preparing everything. Stay the night in the castle; tomorrow, Jaime, the volunteers, and the supply wagons will be ready to depart with you.”