Just as the Seven Kingdoms were embroiled in civil war, and the continent of Essos was captivated by the treasures of Valyria, at the far northern Wall, the Nights Watch were grappling with events Beyond the Wall.
All Nights Watch units had entered a state of combat readiness, and the top of the Wall was guarded day and night, monitoring movements to the north.
The bonfires on the watchtowers were lit, like a string of pearl necklaces, connecting from the East Coast all the way to the West Coast, a magnificent sight from afar.
Old Bear Jeor Mormont anxiously signed directives, instructing Steward Jon Snow to send them to Raven's Nest, and for the Assistant Scholars in charge of Raven's Nest to forward them to the various castles.
Maester Aemon sat quietly by the fire, ready at any moment to answer the Old Bear's questions and offer advice.
Instructor Allister Thorne paced restlessly in the room, and upon seeing Jon leave, immediately spoke, "Commander, you should not continue to have Jon Snow serve as your Steward; he carries the blood of a rebel, which will displease King's Landing…"
Jeor Mormont, like an enraged brown bear, stood up and roared at Allister Thorne, "Shut up, Allister! Damn it, how many times have I told you not to bring those southern power struggles to the Wall? We do not meddle in those affairs.
Our only task is to guard the Wall.
No matter what a Night's Watchman was in the past, or what blood runs in his veins, he is only a Night's Watchman, only our brother.
Do you remember that, my Nights Watch Instructor?!"
Allister did not back down, looking directly at Jeor Mormont, and said, "Compared to a Night's Watchman with rebel blood, we need the support from King's Landing even more, otherwise, manpower, provisions…"
The Old Bear directly retorted, "Enough, Allister!
You know very well that even in the past, King's Landing could not give us much support.
The most support we ever received was from the South and Summerhall.
It's the same now.
What does it matter if King's Landing is displeased with us? It won't affect us at all."
Allister fell silent, for he knew the Old Bear was right; nearly half of the Nights Watch on the entire Wall were supported by Summerhall, and their provisions were also supplied by Summerhall.
As long as Summerhall supported them, the attitude of King's Landing was irrelevant.
The Old Bear walked up to Allister, glared at him, and said, "I know why you are so hostile towards Jon.
You've simply transferred all your hatred for Lord Eddard onto his bastard son.
You hate Lord Eddard for having King Robert send you here to be a Night's Watchman back then."
Allister neither admitted nor denied it, merely turning his head away, avoiding the Old Bear's gaze.
The Old Bear continued, "You should actually be grateful to Lord Eddard, because without Lord Eddard, you would have had your head chopped off and become a pile of dry bones more than ten years ago!"
"I'd rather have my head chopped off!" Allister said through gritted teeth.
The Old Bear frowned, knowing his persuasion was useless, and he was too lazy to say more.
He sighed and waved his hand, "A new batch of recruits will be sent over later; they should be the last batch this year.
Go take charge of training them.
My requirement is that they can pick up a weapon and swing it when facing an enemy, not cower in the bushes like that fat fellow last time.
By the way, how is that fat fellow from last time?"
Allister's face flushed with shame upon hearing this; the "fat fellow" the Old Bear referred to was absolutely the greatest humiliation of his life.
If not for the Nights Watch rules against brothers harming each other, he might have chopped that fellow into pieces.
"His name is Samwell Tarly, and he has now been transferred here to be my Steward," Maester Aemon, who had been sitting silently nearby, spoke up.
The Old Bear paused, then said, "Tarly? Is he Lord Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill, The Reach's…"
"Eldest son, he is Lord Tarly's eldest son," Maester Aemon introduced.
The Old Bear couldn't help but mutter, "Such a valiant warrior actually has such an eldest son; no wonder he was sent here to be a Night's Watchman."
Perhaps feeling it was inappropriate to speak ill of someone behind their back, he awkwardly coughed twice, then gestured for Allister to leave.
After Allister left, the Old Bear returned to his desk, picked up a document, glanced at it, and said, "We still have a manpower shortage of at least five thousand, and our provisions are only enough for two months.
Things are a bit tricky!"
He then looked at Maester Aemon and asked, "How are things at Bear Island and the Iron Islands?"
"Lady Daisy Mormont has already joined the Northern Allied Forces, and Bear Island's provisions are now supplied there, so not much can be diverted here.
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