GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond The Ice

"Then, I await your good news." Melisandre smiled at Aegor, then turned and walked toward the tower where she resided.

---

While Mance returned to the Haunted Forest to gather the remaining Free Folk, Aegor began preparations to receive the incoming gray-area citizens. The plan to relocate settlers into the Gift had actually been proposed as far back as Benjen Stark's tenure as First Ranger. The Night's Watch had even submitted the proposal to the Warden of the North, but in the end, it had been abandoned. The issue of constant wildling raids and harassment simply couldn't be resolved.

This time, taking advantage of the reappearance of the White Walkers, Aegor applied a strategy of addressing the root of the problem. He aimed to turn the greatest historical threat to the Gift—the wildlings—into its very settlers, and hopefully resolve the issue once and for all.

This method of resettling and taming the wildlings was, in essence, the creation of a new, miniature nation within the Gift. The ideal was appealing, but the reality was harsh. Even if it was only a miniature state, it would still require functioning institutions and departments. The Free Folk and the mountain clans might be the cheapest and most readily available population source, but their disadvantages were also obvious—these barbarians had no education system, and there simply weren't any suitable talents among them to manage even the most basic affairs of this new society.

Thus, the necessary personnel could only be drawn from the nobles who had voluntarily joined the Night's Watch, and from the employees Aegor had brought north from King's Landing under the Night's Watch Industry banner.

This was both a complication and an opportunity. Although the Night's Watch now had nearly a thousand sworn brothers, the number of literate individuals capable of basic calculation was fewer than the number of staff Aegor had brought with him.

In other words, if this new system within the Gift were to be built, no matter how much Jeor Mormont might resist the further expansion of Aegor's influence, he would have no choice but to allow those employees—funded and directed by Aegor—to join the governance of the region. And judging from his current attitude, Mormont didn't seem particularly inclined to resist Aegor's growing control.

After all, the Night's Watch Logistics Department was, at least in name, a subordinate body of the Night's Watch, and Aegor was a true brother of the order. No matter how far he expanded his power, the Gift could never be self-sufficient in food. It would always rely on the North and could never break free entirely.

...

As the grand resettlement plan in the Gift began accelerating, new problems arose in the North. Winterfell had only just retrieved the runaway Arya Stark when Bran Stark disappeared next—just like in the original timeline—accompanied by the Reed siblings, Meera and Jojen, and the giant Hodor.

When the First Ranger heard the news, his expression twisted in disbelief.

"What's wrong with the Lord of Winterfell? Can't he even keep track of his own children? A crippled boy ran away from Winterfell?"

Maester Aemon, clutching the raven's message with trembling hands, replied,

"It's true, but we have no right to criticize. The letter says… before leaving, Bran Stark expressed his intention to go north of the Wall. Lady Catelyn asks that the Night's Watch increase patrols and, if the boy is located, either bring him to Castle Black or send him to Last Hearth for protection."

"What about Winterfell's own forces? Can't they catch a crippled child?"

"To my knowledge," Maester Aemon continued, "Winterfell's men have been sent elsewhere to defend against Ironborn raiders. The few remaining horses were let out of the stables the same day Bran left. At a critical moment, the capital of the North can't even gather a small cavalry force, and they're asking for our help. But at this juncture, how can I lend them men?" Commander Mormont shook his head helplessly. "We're not responsible for the boy's escape, and we needn't be overly concerned. Just keep an eye out. Aegor, have your people in Queenscrown keep watch for the children's whereabouts."

Aegor nodded. The Greenseer had finally acted. With his methods, there were countless ways to help Bran escape Winterfell and cross beyond the Wall. If the people of Winterfell hadn't prepared specifically to prevent it, they had no chance. Competing against a being who was nearly omnipresent through the North's weirwoods was pointless. As for himself... help Arya stop her brother?

What a joke. He'd already crossed the Greenseer once and had been marked. If he interfered again, he might not even know how he died.

For the sake of survival, he chose not to get involved in that business.

---

The Free Folk began gathering outside the gates of Castle Black, and Jeor Mormont recalled soldiers from other strongholds along the Wall to prepare for any sudden developments. For the first time in a century, Castle Black, the Night's Watch's headquarters, once again had a four-digit garrison. Rangers were lowered from the Wall to inspect Mance Rayder's claims within the Free Folk's camp.

The investigation results were a relief to Aegor. For the time being, none of Mance's claims proved false. The number of wildlings was roughly as stated, and the food stores—though meager—were real. The only surprise was the number of giants. Despite losses from battle and cold, there were still a full hundred of them.

To ensure that these towering folk could pass through the Wall without posing a threat, the Night's Watch held another lengthy meeting to make arrangements. In the end, several ballistae were lowered from the Wall, and a carefully planned transit system was devised. The matter was resolved.

Giants weren't quite as enormous as most imagined. They averaged around three meters tall, clumsy and slow. They were taller than ordinary men by about a meter, but if struck by a bolt from a ballista, they'd surely die. As long as the number of giants crossing at once was kept to three or fewer, the Night's Watch would be able to respond effectively if anything went wrong.

...

"You want to take all our grain?" Mance Rayder, with help, was reading over the laws the Night's Watch had spent several days drafting. He voiced only one objection. "The Free Folk don't want your coppers. If you're short on grain, we'll willingly give up a third. You don't need to force us like this."

"An agreement is an agreement. If you don't accept it, then the plan to let you through the Wall is suspended for now."

"You..." Mance gritted his teeth, then slumped his shoulders. "Can't we keep any at all? What are we supposed to eat once we reach the settlements?"

"Once the Free Folk trade their food for coin, they can buy grain back again before leaving Castle Black. But they'll only be allowed to purchase up to ten days' worth." Aegor shrugged. "Besides food, you'll find clothing, daily goods, and all kinds of other supplies available. Much more than you'd ever find beyond the Wall. If you have no further objections, you can return and explain the terms to your people. If there are no issues, then come back to Castle Black as a hostage. Once that's done, the plan to resettle the Free Folk in the Gift can begin."

(To be continued.)

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