Chapter 77

Aegor’s booming voice carried across the roadside gathering, drawing the attention of everyone present. Inside the wooden cage, the three prisoners exchanged glances. The disfigured man with the missing nose snorted disdainfully, his eyes gleaming with malice. The grotesque, pockmarked brute chuckled, revealing his sharp teeth in a twisted grin. Only the third man, calm and composed, raised his head slightly, his measured gaze meeting Aegor’s.

“I can read and write,” the composed man said evenly, his voice smooth but devoid of emotion.

Aegor fought back a smirk. There you are, Jaqen H’ghar.

Before anyone else could speak, Aegor turned to Yoren and said with feigned casualness, “He’ll do. Unlock the cage.”

Yoren hesitated, glancing at the other two prisoners. “Are you sure about this? He’s dangerous, Aegor. I told you—”

“I’m not asking, Yoren,” Aegor interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. “You’re leaving for the Wall tomorrow. I need someone literate now. If you’re worried, I’ll take full responsibility.”

The old recruiter grumbled under his breath but eventually nodded. He gestured for one of the guards to unlock the cage and release Jaqen. As the iron door creaked open, the other two prisoners pressed themselves against the bars, glaring at Aegor with undisguised hostility.

Jaqen stepped out with an air of nonchalance, brushing off the dust from his worn clothes. He glanced at Aegor, his expression unreadable, then gave a slight bow. “A man thanks you.”

Aegor chuckled. So, the infamous ‘a man’ rhetoric begins.

Turning to the remaining prisoners, he added loudly for the benefit of the group, “The rest of you will have your chance to prove yourselves at the Wall. Serve the Night’s Watch well, and you might find redemption.”

The noseless man spat at the ground, and the brute growled low in his throat, but neither dared to speak. Aegor had already shifted his attention back to Yoren.

“Thank you for your cooperation,” Aegor said, pressing a small pouch of coins into the old man’s hand. “Use this to make your journey more comfortable. And if anyone asks about him”—he gestured at Jaqen—“just say he was transferred to the local Watch post.”

Yoren weighed the pouch in his hand, his grumpy demeanor softening slightly. “Fine, fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

With that, Yoren clambered back onto the supply wagon, shouting orders to the rest of his ragtag group. Aegor, meanwhile, turned to Jaqen.

“Follow me,” he said simply.
----


As they rode back toward King’s Landing, Aegor kept an eye on Jaqen. The man’s demeanor was serene, his posture unassuming, yet there was an undeniable sense of control about him. He didn’t fidget, didn’t glance around nervously like the other prisoners. He was a man who understood his environment—and his role within it.

“You’re an interesting one,” Aegor remarked after a long stretch of silence. “How does someone like you end up in a place like that?”

Jaqen’s lips curved into a faint smile. “A man was... in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Aegor snorted. “And what were you doing in the Royal Library? Sightseeing?”

“Seeking knowledge,” Jaqen replied cryptically. “Books hold many secrets.”

“And which secret were you looking for?” Aegor pressed.

Jaqen’s smile widened ever so slightly, but he said nothing. Aegor decided not to push further. The last thing he wanted was to scare off his new ‘ally’ before he’d proven useful.
----


By the time they returned to the Night’s Watch office, the sun was high in the sky. Aegor dismounted and motioned for Jaqen to follow him inside. Arya, who had been waiting impatiently, leapt up from her seat the moment she saw them.

“Master, you’re back!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. But her gaze quickly shifted to Jaqen, and her brow furrowed. “Who’s this?”

“This,” Aegor said with a faint smile, “is Jaqen. He’ll be helping out around here.”

Arya eyed the man suspiciously. “He looks... weird.”

Jaqen inclined his head toward her, his expression unreadable. “A man is honored by the lady’s attention.”

Arya blinked, clearly confused. “Why does he talk like that?”

“Don’t mind him,” Aegor said quickly. “He’s just got a peculiar way of speaking. Now, Arya, didn’t you say you wanted to practice your stances? Go to the courtyard and start. I’ll join you in a moment.”

Arya pouted but obeyed, casting one last wary glance at Jaqen before grabbing her practice sword and heading outside. Once she was gone, Aegor turned to Jaqen.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” he said, his tone low. “You’re free now, but you’re here because I made it happen. Do your job, don’t cause trouble, and we’ll get along fine. Step out of line, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Jaqen studied him for a moment, then gave another slight bow. “A man understands.”

Good, Aegor thought. Let’s see what you’re really capable of.