Chapter 303

Aside from Arya’s dissatisfaction at not being able to see the massive weirwood tree rumored to lie at the bottom of the well, the Northern inspection group’s visit to the Nightfort could be considered a success. However, after resting there for two days and nights, the true challenge lay ahead.

Their next stop would take them to villages and strongholds inhabited by the "wildlings," or rather, the newly settled free folk of the Gift.

Emotionally, Aegor wished he could simply use mountain clan members as stand-ins to gloss over the inspection. But he was plagued by two concerns: one, the truth would eventually come out, and two, there simply weren’t enough idle clansfolk available. Moreover, the Night’s Watch’s budget couldn’t support such a lavish facade.

Not to mention, his attention was already divided—he was orchestrating another operation from afar, one that could very well determine the outcome of this power struggle over the Gift.

Still, Aegor didn’t sit idly by. He took several measures to ensure the inspection would proceed smoothly. The route was meticulously planned, passing only through settlements of tribes who had previously lived far from the Wall and had limited conflict with Northerners. These tribes spoke the common tongue and had cooperated more readily during the resettlement process.

Choosing the right route was only the beginning. Aegor also devised strategies to divert attention from any problematic areas, ensuring the Northerners wouldn’t stumble upon anything that might sour their impression of the settlement plan.

...

Ice Mark, a ruined fortress now inhabited by five medium-sized tribes of new settlers. The snow, which had begun falling days earlier, showed no signs of stopping, blanketing the landscape in white. In the howling wind, for the first time in history, the rulers of the North approached a settlement of free folk not as enemies but as neutral observers.

Though it was another ancient Night’s Watch castle at the foot of the Wall, the atmosphere was markedly different from their visit to the Nightfort. Even before entering Ice Mark, the guards accompanying the Northern nobles straightened up, checking their weapons and armor at the prompting of their leaders. Tension hung heavy in the air—none wanted their lords to meet the same fate as Jeor Mormont.

...

“The biggest difference between the settlements of new settlers and the mountain clans is this: the staircases leading to the top of the Wall remain in disrepair, and the logistics department neither funds nor provides resources for rebuilding the walls. The former ensures the Wall stays under the control of the Night’s Watch and their trusted allies, while the latter guarantees the Watch’s military superiority in any potential internal conflicts within the Gift.”

Aware of the Northern lords’ distrust of the free folk, Aegor didn’t bother trying to convince them of the settlers’ reliability. Instead, he leaned into their suspicions. As they approached Ice Mark, he explained the measures he had implemented to guard against potential unrest. There was no need to go into excessive detail—the scene before them spoke volumes: low wooden fences barely sufficient to keep out wild animals; ramshackle buildings, none taller than five meters; and a courtyard and passageways eerily devoid of people, all blanketed in snow.

Though Ice Mark had been inhabited for months, it still resembled an abandoned ruin.

The disparity between the settlements of the free folk and the castles of the mountain clans was stark. The poor conditions of the ruins were one reason, but another was the mindset of the settlers. Having lived their lives on the move, they lacked a sense of “home” even now. Many of the able-bodied adults had left for Crown's Rest in search of work to support themselves. These subjective and objective factors combined to create the desolation before them.

In truth, the situation wasn’t as dire as it appeared. The bitter cold and scarce food drove most settlers to stay indoors, conserving energy. The snow only enhanced the visual impression of desolation.

But like it or not, the Northern lords would have to confront this reality. Ordinary settlers could hide in their homes and do nothing, but the tribal leaders could not. Called out by scouts who had arrived moments earlier, the five tribal chiefs, wrapped in tattered furs, stood scattered at the edge of the fortress’s fence. Some were alone, while others brought a few followers, their thin numbers hardly inspiring confidence.

...

For years, the Seven Kingdoms had been the other side of a distant, mythical Wall to the free folk. It had been an enemy, a source of hatred, and occasionally a place to test one’s bravery or acquire valuable goods and women. Who could have imagined that, after all this time, they would suddenly become citizens of the realm?

Changing their status was as simple as surrendering, but altering their mindset and ingrained prejudices was a much slower process. Facing the very nobles they once scorned as "kneelers," the free folk couldn’t help but feel a sense of awkwardness.

This awkwardness led to a palpable tension.

If the Flint clan chieftain was simply a bit tongue-tied, the five chiefs of the new settlers were utterly out of their depth. After introducing themselves per Aegor’s prior instructions and giving a brief report on the state of the fortress, they quickly found themselves at a loss for words.

Fortunately, Aegor was there. As the person in charge of the settlement plan, he wouldn’t let the atmosphere sour. Before anyone could grow too uncomfortable, he smoothly took over the conversation: “Many of the young and able settlers have gone to Crown's Rest to find work, which is why the area appears... sparsely populated. However, order and law have begun to take root here. But enough about that for now—I want to introduce you to someone.”

Someone? The Northern lords were intrigued. Out of respect for Aegor and the bitter cold, they didn’t ask many questions. Following his lead, they entered the gate of Ice Mark. Passing by low houses and half-buried tents, they ignored the uneasy gazes of the settlers peeking out at them and headed for the remnants of the Night’s Watch’s main keep. There, Aegor lifted a thick fur curtain and ushered them inside.

The central building, which had once stood three stories tall, was now reduced to a single patched-up level. Holes and stairwells had been sealed, and a fireplace provided warmth. Though still empty and bleak, it was a far cry from the freezing winds outside.

This hall, typically used for tribal meetings and trade, had been cleared out to serve as a reception area for the Northern delegation. Near the fireplace sat a middle-aged woman and two teenagers. Seeing Aegor enter with the group, they hurriedly stood, looking both nervous and unsure.

Robb Stark glanced at the trio but saw nothing remarkable. Turning to Aegor, he asked, “Where is the person we’re here to see?”

Aegor smiled faintly. Instead of answering, he turned to Mors Umber. “Lord Mors, the last time I visited the Last Hearth, you shouted at me in anger, saying the wildlings had stolen your only daughter. Do you remember that?”

The implication was unmistakable. Mors, who had been standing idly, suddenly stiffened, his one eye fixed on the woman by the fireplace.

...

The story was well-known among the Northern nobles, who shared a collective memory of the tragedy. As the realization dawned on them, all eyes turned to the Umber family’s representatives.

Big Jon Umber, Mors’ nephew, stared at Aegor, wide-eyed. “What do you mean? Are you saying that woman is my uncle’s daughter—my long-lost cousin?”

Aegor shrugged. “At least, that’s what she claims. Whether it’s true or not, wouldn’t Lord Mors be the best judge?”

...

What followed was an emotional reunion, as Mors confirmed the woman’s identity through her memories and a distinctive birthmark. The long-lost daughter, once taken beyond the Wall, tearfully recounted her decades of hardship among the wildlings. The gathering, initially skeptical, was soon caught up in the heartwarming scene.

By the time the meeting ended, the attention of the Northern lords had completely shifted away from the settlement’s flaws. Aegor’s carefully planned distraction had worked perfectly. Ice Mark, for now, was safe from scrutiny.