"Yes, subjects of Kal, I come from the realm of God!"
"I am a servant of God. I exist because of God!"
As if to match Kal's words, Erevi held a goblet in one hand, while in her other, empty hand, a fireball materialized out of thin air.
The scorching heat of the fireball warped the air as it drifted slowly from Erevi's hand toward the hearth. When it fell upon the firewood, the flames already burning there surged even more fiercely.
Her tone was deep and unhurried, like one chanting an epic.
Faced with Erevi's cooperation, Kal gave her a faint smile, slipped an arm around her waist, and gently squeezed the ample flesh there.
The many incredible sights left Theon and the others staring at one another in bewilderment. As they looked at the fireball that had appeared from nothing, they did not know what to say.
It seemed that ever since the fury that swept across the Reach had set the land ablaze, the miracles this King displayed before the world had only grown more numerous. Now there was also a wondrous and powerful witch at his side.
Maester Aemon could not help but touch his face. As he looked at the witch before him, he could not help thinking of himself.
After Kal granted him new life, it seemed He had also altered his race.
Recently, he had found his sense of taste beginning to fade. He could no longer savor much flavor in food. Though he was old and long accustomed to such dullness, regaining youth should not have brought such an anomaly.
Moreover, Aemon had discovered that he could not endure the sun. Even sunlight filtered through clouds made him uncomfortable, as if his skin were being seared by flame.
He had also noticed that his body temperature had become faint and elusive. In the bitter cold of Castle Black, he no longer feared the chill as he once had.
He did not fear the dark. On the contrary, darkness brought him a strange sense of ease.
Aemon had even found himself beginning to crave life and blood. Were it not that the one who saved him was a living man—recognized by a dragon and bearing the blood of the true dragon as well—he might have believed he had become one of the Others of old.
She says she is a servant of God. She comes from the realm of God…
Then am I as well now?
Maester Aemon sat to one side, pondering in silence.
Kal had no notion of what thoughts were stirring in their hearts. Seeing that the matter seemed to have been smoothed over, he turned his gaze to Aemon.
"Maester Aemon, did you seek me for some matter?" Kal asked with mild curiosity. At such a time, it was unlikely to be anything trivial.
"Yes, Your Grace." Aemon roused himself from his thoughts and hastily presented the materials he had compiled the previous night. "These are the documents I have gathered. They include recent events beyond the Wall and related reports. I believe they may be of use to you."
Hearing this, Kal was slightly surprised. He raised a hand to take the documents and unfolded them to read.
The materials focused on the recent movements of the wildlings beyond the Wall, related information, speculation concerning the Others, and records of sightings of wights, supported by several letters as evidence.
Maester Aemon had also connected the times and locations of these incidents upon a rough map, faintly outlining the general shape of the developing situation.
"It seems these free folk beyond the Wall are preparing for major action. Maester Aemon, do you believe the recent border-crossing incidents were a test directed at us?"
After skimming through the information in his hands, Kal grasped what Aemon intended to convey.
Closing the book, Kal looked at Aemon and asked.
Erevi also looked at the book from the side, though she recognized few of the characters within.
"In truth, there are already reports pointing to the wildlings beyond the Wall forming an alliance. When Lord Commander Jeor Mormont was still alive, he had prepared to launch an expedition beyond the Wall. Yet in the end, the rebellion of Tywin Lannister occurred…"
"According to notice from Craster to the previous Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont, the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, and the free folk appear to have abandoned their villages. Mance seems to be gathering a great host of free folk in the Frostfangs."
Maester Aemon's expression was grave.
When Lord Commander Jeor Mormont was still present, many troubling events had already occurred at the Wall.
Rangers disappearing. Walking corpses. Rumors of the Others entering mountain villages. Great fires in the night. The King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, assembling his followers. All of it pointed in secret to something grave about to unfold.
"Craster?"
The name felt vaguely familiar to Kal, yet for a moment he could not recall who the man was.
Seeing the King's confusion, Maester Aemon explained earnestly, "Craster is a wildling, the master of Craster's Keep, whose stronghold lies beyond the Wall."
"His father was a brother of the Night's Watch, while his mother was a wildling who lived in the village of Whitetree."
"But after his mother conceived him, his father abandoned her."
"When she later brought him to Castle Black, they were driven away by the brothers of the Night's Watch."
Aemon searched his memory as he recalled the matter, remembering the child from those days.
He then shook his head. "Your Grace, he is one of the few wildlings who has not openly shown hostility toward the Night's Watch. Though he bears no enmity toward us, and even provides lodging when we ride north on patrol, at best he can only be considered an ally."
"His reputation is not a good one. Yet for our purposes, he may still be regarded as a friend of the Night's Watch."
Hearing Aemon's explanation, Kal at last remembered who the man was.
He occupied a single earthen keep beyond the Wall and ruled there as a petty king.
Most important of all, he was a true kinslayer. Of the children he sired, he kept only the girls. All the boys he brought into the forest as sacrifices.
Those who were truly transformed into the Others seemed to be his sons.
Kal narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment's thought, he offered no comment on the man.
Instead, he said in an offhand manner, "Perhaps after I leave the Wall this time, I may pay him a visit."
"That was my suggestion as well, Your Grace."
Maester Aemon did not know what Kal was thinking. In mentioning the man, his purpose had indeed been to have Kal see whether something might be learned from Craster's own mouth.
"It seems the expedition I have prepared will require a more detailed plan."
Kal nodded to show he understood. He then set down the book in his hand, his fingers tapping lightly against the arm of his chair.
"I will take this with me. At least the map will be of use. Maester Aemon, while I am away, these troops shall be entrusted to you for oversight and management."
"The North is a harsh land for those southerners. Show them more care, yet keep watch that they do not break the laws. And they must show proper respect to women."
Kal spoke only briefly. With a wave of his hand, the book upon the table vanished into thin air.
The sight made Aemon and the others widen their eyes once more.
…
Two hours later, clad in a bearskin cloak, Kal appeared before the gate of Castle Black. At his side stood Erevi, likewise draped in a bearskin cloak over her shoulders, along with Kingsguard Theon and Dacey Mormont.
A force numbering more than two hundred men stood assembled before the gate, awaiting him.
Among them were over fifty lords and nobles from the Vale and the North. The remainder included ten brothers of the Night's Watch, as well as guards and attendants.
The nobles and knights were the principal fighting strength; the others were chiefly responsible for transporting provisions.
Seeing the King arrive, Lord Commander Benjen Stark, who had long been prepared and waiting, stepped forward at once.
Yet before he could speak, Kal said first, "Robert will remain south of the Wall. Each day he will patrol the route several times, to ensure that no mishap occurs."
His words caused Benjen to pause in surprise. He had not expected the King to leave the dragon behind.
He had originally intended to count the dragon Robert as their foremost strength in battle. With a dragon's aid, searching for the wildlings beyond the Wall should have been an easy task, and their mission could have been accomplished with far greater ease.
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