Chapter 96: A Ridiculous King and His Ridiculous Deeds
The knight indeed remembered Egger—not entirely because the bond redemption had yielded several gold dragons in interest, but also thanks to the unique black clothing of the Night's Watch and Egger's distinct features. Upon recognizing him, the knight not only offered a friendly greeting but also introduced him to the others nearby.
"This is the man from the Night's Watch I mentioned to you before," the knight said. "You all claimed it must be a scam, but I withdrew my money to the last copper and actually received three gold dragons in interest for a single month. From what I hear, many who withdrew their funds to purchase gear for the King's call found the same result."
"Three percent interest!" another knight asked in astonishment. "I don't understand. Where does the Night's Watch get that kind of gold?"
"From the profits of the Night's Watch industries. Actually, if you have more than five hundred gold dragons, you can invest directly for even higher returns. We can discuss the details once we've settled this business with the Alliance and returned to King's Landing. You can find me at the office opposite the City Watch's East Barracks. I can give you a full tour, even of the factories belonging to the Watch." Egger completed a lightning-fast sales pitch in seconds before immediately steering the conversation back to his current problem. "Now then, would any of you fine knights be kind enough to pass a word to King Robert for me?"
"I know the Kingsguard on duty today; I'll go ask for you," the knight who had bought the bonds said, patting his chest. After all, one must be helpful to those who have been generous. "Wait here for my news. Don't wander off."
"Understood. My thanks!"
Standing before a tent adorned with three red chevrons, Egger chatted with the remaining knights for a good while. Under his well-practiced persuasion, the knights quickly grew interested in the bonds and the industries he described, promising to pay the office a visit once the war was over.
This was an unexpected harvest, and the irritating sense that he was wasting his time began to fade. In any world, first impressions are vital. When Egger first asked for directions, both he and his squire Casey had kept their appearances respectable. Combined with the fact that the first knight introduced him as a friend—and the others heard this Chief Logistics Officer handled transactions of hundreds or even thousands (well, at least a hundred) of gold dragons and was demonstrably not a fraud—these anointed knights, men with their own squires, titles, and property, forgot he was a crow. They treated him as a fellow knight who simply happened to wear black. Their tone even carried a hint of deference and flattery.
Having money—or making people feel like you have it—truly makes every path smoother. It was no wonder people instinctively flaunted wealth; money was a resource, and those who possessed resources inevitably enjoyed status among their peers. Humans and animals were no different in that regard.
About twenty minutes later, the knight returned accompanied by another man with two stag horns embroidered on his chest. Interestingly, Egger knew this man as well.
"Lord Buckwell!" It was almost too much of a coincidence. Egger suspected it wasn't one at all, but he merely raised an eyebrow and remained silent. The newcomer was none other than the lord of Jarman Buckwell's house, the Master of Antlers, a Crownlands noble who had previously agreed to invest in the Night's Watch. He had intended to invest a thousand gold dragons into the paper mill, but unfortunately, before the gold could reach King's Landing, it had vanished along with the peace of the Vale.
Business aside, there was still goodwill. The lord's decision to halt his investment was a matter of necessity. As the first high-ranking noble to visit the office and tour the experimental workshop, the man—well over fifty yet bold enough to drop a thousand dragons on a whim—was a man of vision worth knowing.
Lord Buckwell nodded to Egger and the other knights in response to their bows, his face set in a businesslike expression. "His Grace the King has commanded it. The Night's Watch representative will march with the forces of Buckwell. I shall be responsible for your safety."
With his placement finally settled, the old lord bid farewell to the other knights and led Egger and their respective squires toward the buckwell camp.
"The truth is, King Robert had completely forgotten he summoned you. He only remembered when your friend reminded him," the lord said with a shake of his head once they were out of earshot. It was an unseemly bit of business, but a vassal had no right to criticize his liege, especially a King. "His Grace was wondering where to put you, and since I was present, I volunteered for the task."
"I... I am grateful for your trouble, my lord." So it was. Both of Egger's suspicions had been confirmed. A herd of metaphorical alpacas stampeded through his mind, but he wouldn't dare curse the King in front of a Crownlands lord. Not yet.
"Don't mention it. Now that you're here, don't be anxious. King Robert has a short memory; he sprouts new ideas and forgets them just as quickly, only to suddenly recall them much later. If the rebellion in the Vale ends and he remembers his plan to send the Royces to the Wall but can't find you, you'd be in a world of trouble."
Lord Buckwell was echoing the exact fears shared by Tyrion and Egger. If Egger were a truly blunt, fearless brother of the Watch who didn't care about being sent back to the Wall in disgrace, he could have ignored Robert's absurd whim. But he wasn't. As long as the King spoke, he had to obey. Even if this trip turned out to be nothing more than a sightseeing tour of the Vale, he couldn't gamble with his future prospects.
"You are right, my lord. I came prepared to waste some time."
"Good. I know the Night's Watch takes no part in internal strife, but this is different. This is 'the Seven Kingdoms uniting to suppress a rebellion,' not six kingdoms bullying one. The target isn't the lords of the Vale; in a strict sense, following us doesn't break your rules." Lord Buckwell saw Egger's expression and, thinking he still had doubts, offered further comfort. "Regardless of whether King Robert achieves the unprecedented feat of breaking the Bloody Gate, no one will hold you responsible. Rest easy."
This was true. If Robert broke the Bloody Gate, the outcome spoke for itself. If he didn't, the most likely conclusion would be the King accepting the demands of the Lords Declarant and withdrawing, while the Royces and other houses guaranteed Lysa Tully's safety and handed her over for a fair trial. As for the idea of a few lords defeating the united army of the Six Kingdoms led by the King himself—that was a fairy tale. Unless another transmigrator had reached the Vale, joined the Alliance, and invented gunpowder, such worries were purely theoretical.
Egger had already written to Castle Black to request a steward be sent south. If the suppression was swift and smooth, he would fulfill his duties. If it wasn't... who would have the time to remember him? Once a Wandering Crow arrived to take over his duties, he could drop the burden and return to King's Landing in peace.
...
The lord of antlers and the Chief Logistics Officer chatted as they walked. Egger quickly gathered more information: he had brought five hundred men to this fight, including twenty knights. The King had decided to march tomorrow morning toward the Saltpans to rendezvous with the Riverlands' army, then wait for the other kingdoms at the entrance to the mountains. Finally, there was a piece of news that nearly made Egger spit out his drink: Robert had ordered Petyr Baelish to go to Braavos to apply for the next loan, just in case the war went poorly and a financial crisis occurred.
Egger couldn't hide his shock. "How is that possible? I mean... isn't our Master of Coin facing certain... allegations?"
"Yes, well, who knows? This fellow has always been in charge of the Throne's dealings with the Iron Bank. Now that there's a war, they apparently couldn't find a suitable replacement to send to Braavos... Sending a 'paramour' to borrow money so we can use the men to rescue his mistress... only our King Robert could do something so... ridiculous." he sighed, swallowing a more aggressive word. "Of course, we are only discussing a rumor. We can't assume it's true without evidence... but if it is, I suspect Littlefinger won't be returning to Westeros this time."
"Indeed." Egger calmed down. As absurd as it was, if Robert could think up a Night's Watchman in the Host, what other stupidity was he not capable of? Unexpected as it was, this didn't change the fact that Littlefinger had been taken down by the rumors. What could a minor noble with no power do, even if he fled across the Narrow Sea? Would he dare swallow the loan from the Iron Bank and try to invade Westeros on his own? The Iron Bank wouldn't back an opponent of their biggest client, and the Faceless Men were not to be trifled with.
Moving past that, they spoke of Jarman Buckwell, currently at Castle Black. Since most Crownlands nobles had originally been Targaryen loyalists, lord Buckwell had inevitably stood on the wrong side during the Usurpation. The heir to the Buckwell family had been captured after Rhaegar was crushed at the Trident, subsequently forced north to join the Watch. He was now a senior ranger at Castle Black; Egger had nearly been assigned to his command. Lord Buckwell's initial goodwill toward the Watch was largely due to this connection.
"The Wall has never had much contact with the Seven Kingdoms. Why the sudden move to send someone south to raise supplies or even build industries?" Away from Tyrion and the other nobles, the old man finally asked the question he had hesitated to pose at the office. Having a groomed heir sent to the Wall was a massive blow to any house; it could lead to decline. It was impossible for the elders not to be anxious.
(Since Egger West can leave the Wall and move freely in the south, perhaps, if a price is paid, Jarman Buckwell could enjoy the same treatment?)
Egger immediately caught the subtext: Lord Buckwell saw hope in him and was entertaining the thought of fishing his heir out of the Night's Watch!
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