Chapter 171

Within the Red Keep, even an idiot could sense something was off as a fully armed company of Gold Cloaks marched past in tight formation. The Night's Watch brothers escorting the wights gathered together, whispering among themselves with varied expressions.

"What’s going on? Is Westeros about to change dynasties again?"

"Let it change, then. If the Starks take the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, that doesn’t sound so bad."

"Lord Eddard—no, King Eddard—would definitely send thousands of soldiers to help us guard the Wall, wouldn’t he?"

"Hah! Maybe not. If he becomes king, why bother with the Wall? He’d just abandon the North and move everyone south to enjoy the warmth. Then we’d build a new Wall at the Neck, and leave the frozen wasteland up north to the wights and wildlings!"

The brothers of the Watch, cynical as ever, joked freely about the future. Having little hope left, they indulged in reckless talk—after all, what was the worst that could happen? They’d just get sent back to the Wall anyway. Aegor, however, did not join in their pointless chatter. He watched the column of armed Gold Cloaks disappear from view, following Eddard Stark. Unease churned in his chest.

As a transmigrator and proprietor of the Night’s Watch’s burgeoning enterprises, Aegor knew far more than his companions. He knew exactly what Eddard was up to. With the soldiers Jory Cassel had brought to the Red Keep, victory was practically assured. Cersei and Jaime Lannister had no chance of overturning the situation. It was, of course, a good thing for the Watch to have a Hand of the King friendly to their cause seizing control of the military during the chaos. But instead of pondering how to benefit from this upheaval, Aegor’s thoughts turned to his partner and friend—Tyrion.

The scandal surrounding Cersei and Jaime had erupted, implicating House Lannister. As a core member of the family, Tyrion could hardly escape the fallout. The clever dwarf had smelled trouble as soon as the rumors began, and prudence would have dictated his return to Casterly Rock a week ago when Aegor returned to King’s Landing. But to help his partner manage the expanding Night’s Watch operations, Tyrion had taken an uncharacteristic risk by staying longer. Then, with Robert Baratheon’s return to the capital and the noose tightening, delays caused by Janos Slynt’s interference further postponed Tyrion’s departure.

Now, the end result was clear: Tyrion was still in King’s Landing. He’d last mentioned heading to the Night’s Watch’s compound outside the River Gate to settle some business before leaving for Casterly Rock. But had he finished? Had he even started his journey west? With Eddard Stark seizing Cersei and Jaime, there was no chance he’d let Tyrion, a valuable hostage, escape simply because “he’s a good man.” Even if Tyrion had already set out, how far could he get before Stark’s men hunted him down?

The more Aegor thought about it, the more anxious he became. Tyrion had likely underestimated the severity of the situation, viewing it as a storm to be weathered rather than a full-blown hunt. In such a mindset, he might take his time leaving the city, meandering along the roads, only to be inevitably caught.

The Watch’s enterprises had gained some clout, but only enough to deal with someone like Janos Slynt. Against the powers in this game of thrones, they weren’t even qualified to take action. If Tyrion were captured, Aegor had no way to rescue him. The man had risked his safety to help Aegor expand the Watch’s businesses and delayed his escape as a result. If this led to Tyrion’s imprisonment—or worse, his death—Aegor would never forgive himself.

(The only option now is to stop Tyrion from being caught... I have to warn him about what’s happening, urge him to drop everything and flee to Casterly Rock at once!)
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Even Jaqen H’ghar, typically silent and shadowy, showed interest in the wights and the situation beyond the Wall, engaging Aliser and Domeric in conversation. Aegor, sweating coldly, racked his brain for a way out. He was a known figure in King’s Landing, but within the Red Keep, he was no more than a pawn. How could he justify leaving to warn Tyrion with the gates sealed on Eddard Stark’s orders?

Beads of sweat trickled down his temples as he rapidly weighed his options. But before he could settle on a plan, commotion erupted near Maegor’s Holdfast. A squad of Gold Cloaks hurried back, visibly agitated, led by Commander Jacelyn Bywater.

“What’s happened?” Aegor asked.

“The Kingslayer attacked the king!” Bywater’s face was tense with fury and alarm. “One Kingsguard is dead, two others injured. Cersei and Jaime fled Maegor’s Holdfast under the protection of their guards. They’re heading toward the northeast corner of the Red Keep. Our forces are clashing with Lannister troops.”

Bywater continued urgently, “The Hand has ordered more troops to completely seal the gates. Not even a fly is to escape. He’s also commanded the capture of all Lannisters in King’s Landing and the confiscation of their assets.”

As a loyal commander, Bywater had no reason to share military orders with a Night’s Watchman. Aegor realized instantly that Bywater was discreetly urging him to warn Tyrion.

Jaime’s attack on Robert—whether fatal or not—was irrelevant. Aegor had no time to dwell on the implications. He quickly instructed Jaqen to escort Aliser and the others back to the Watch’s compound later, then broke away from his guards and companions to follow Bywater toward the gates. He’d improvise his exit.

When they reached the gates, the Stark guards stationed there raised their weapons, eyeing the group warily. “What’s going on?”

“The Kingslayer attacked King Robert,” Bywater said. “The Hand has ordered us to assist in securing the gates and send word to the city watch.”

“Do you have a written order or token of authority?” one of the guards asked.

“There wasn’t time for that!” Bywater snapped, but he had anticipated the question and brought a Stark guard to vouch for them. “Send word to the city watch, then lock the gates and let no one else out!”

With a rumble, the gates opened. The city watch messengers bolted through. Aegor tried to slip out with them, but a guard stopped him. “Night’s Watchman, what business do you have outside the Red Keep?”

“I’m Arya Stark’s swordsmanship teacher,” Aegor lied smoothly, improvising. “She trains daily at the Watch’s compound outside the city. With all this chaos, I need to fetch her immediately.”

The guard hesitated, glancing at his companion. “Arya Stark? Did she leave the Red Keep today?”

“I don’t think so,” the other guard replied. “Not through this gate, at least.”

Aegor cursed inwardly—of course Arya hadn’t left today. Eddard Stark wouldn’t let his daughter roam the city on a day like this. She was likely sequestered in the Hand’s Tower under Septa Mordane’s watchful eye.

“She might have gone out through another gate,” Aegor insisted, feigning urgency. “If I’m wrong, I’ll just have wasted the trip. Let me pass!”

Bywater intervened, vouching for Aegor. “This is the Night’s Watch’s quartermaster. He swore an oath; he wouldn’t be aiding the Lannisters.”

Another guard nodded. “I saw him in Winterfell. He warned me about Bran climbing the towers. If I’d listened to him that day...” The man trailed off with a sigh.

With multiple voices speaking for him, the guards relented. “Fine. Go, and hurry!”

Aegor darted through the gates, heart pounding as the city sprawled before him. There was no turning back now.