Chapter 493

“Now that you’ve got the truth you were looking for, my lord, will you make your decision?” The greenseer showed no intention of seeking Aegor’s comfort after venting his frustrations. After a brief silence to give Aegor time to think, he continued, “I have no interest in the specifics of the task Lady R’hllor has given you, nor will I pry. But I can assure you this: no matter the goal, the power of the Green Sight will be an invaluable asset in achieving it. Say the word, and I am at your service. Refuse, and I will not set foot beyond the Wall again.”

Some beliefs are better left unsaid but are still treated as absolute truths by certain people. For Aegor, one of those truths was this: everything in the world comes with a hidden price tag.

Now that the greenseer had laid bare his earlier omissions, the supposed “selfless offering” had transformed into a clear transaction with defined terms. If Aegor accepted, he would shoulder the risk of R’hllor’s potential wrath, while the greenseer would repay him with extraordinary abilities. Regardless of how it played out, this arrangement felt far more reliable than the vague promise of “no repayment.”

Aegor was the kind of man who felt most at ease when prices were explicit. If the cost was clear, paying it ensured ownership. But with undefined costs, one never knew how steep the future price might be.

The problem was now simplified: Aegor only had to weigh whether this price was worth it.

Leaning back in his chair and pressing into the soft cushion, he seemed lost in thought as he stared at the greenseer. Yet, beneath his composed exterior, his mind was racing, meticulously analyzing the pros and cons of this deal.
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As his thoughts accelerated, Aegor’s first realization was that the situation wasn’t as straightforward as it initially seemed.

“R’hllor’s wrath,” while seemingly the most severe risk, was actually the least of his concerns. As her chosen representative, R’hllor herself had said: as long as Aegor fulfilled her directives, she wouldn’t care how he wielded her authority or conducted himself under her banner. This seemingly careless statement was actually her way of granting Aegor full autonomy. It made one thing crystal clear: as long as he was working in her name, all his actions could be considered extensions of her will.

In short—R’hllor had his back.

This authority meant Aegor had the power to relieve the greenseer of his “warden” duties, freeing him from millennia of imprisonment beyond the Wall. This, Aegor realized, was why the greenseer had come to him after sensing R’hllor’s influence.

Given this autonomy, R’hllor couldn’t logically object to her chosen champion using it for mission-critical decisions. Even if she eventually recovered and returned, finding that the warden assigned by her mother had been “reassigned” without her knowledge, at most, she might criticize Aegor or strip him of his title. She likely wouldn’t undo the decision outright.
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With such low risk, gaining a powerful ally seemed like a no-brainer. But as he followed this line of thought, a new problem quickly surfaced: who would take the greenseer’s place if he was relieved of his duties?

The Cold God, cowed for now by R’hllor’s overwhelming power, would eventually realize her absence and return. If R’hllor had not yet recovered by then, humanity would be left to face its ancient foe without a warden to guard the northern watchtower or the backing of their divine protector.

From a practical standpoint, the Cold God’s threat could potentially be managed through other means—building a strong kingdom, advancing military technology, or fortifying the Wall with the help of R’hllor’s priests. But Aegor, as a pragmatist and ambitious schemer, had to consider more than just the grand strategy. The real danger wasn’t just external—it was the greenseer himself.

Could he control a being who had lived for thousands of years, who knew that R’hllor, though powerful, wasn’t omnipotent, and who could manipulate human subconsciousness with his Green Sight?

Aegor quickly pictured the scenario: while the greenseer might appear compliant at first, his unparalleled intellect and insight would allow him to discern the truth over time—that R’hllor had abandoned this world, and Aegor was just a figurehead playing the role of her chosen. At that point, the greenseer’s fear and respect for Aegor would wane. Worse, Aegor would have likely become dependent on the greenseer’s intelligence, leaving himself vulnerable to manipulation.

The greenseer, with his ability to influence decisions and warp the perceptions of those around Aegor, could easily become a puppet master pulling the strings behind the scenes. In the best-case scenario, Aegor would be reduced to a figurehead ruler. In the worst case, the greenseer might even defect to the Cold God, dooming humanity to annihilation.
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Distrusting others might not be a virtue for most, but for Aegor, it was a survival skill. Only by assuming the worst and preparing for it could he endure in this absurd and perilous world.

The greenseer’s offer was so tempting that Aegor had to douse himself in cold water repeatedly to keep his impulses in check. After careful consideration, he reached a bitter conclusion: he had no means of controlling or countering the greenseer if he ever turned rogue.

Accepting his help was tantamount to making a deal with the devil—far too dangerous to justify the potential benefits.
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“No.” After a long moment of internal debate, Aegor finally spoke. His tone was firm, decisive. “I believe that rather than meddling in the petty squabbles of mortals, the Lord of Light would prefer for you to continue watching the North—watching her enemy. While your abilities would be invaluable to me, I am confident I can achieve victory on my own.”

Bran stared at him in silence. The youthful smoothness of his face betrayed no emotion, no anger, no disappointment. It was impossible to tell whether he had exhausted his frustration earlier or was simply suppressing it now.

Aegor, however, wasn’t about to take any chances. While he had rejected the greenseer’s “offer of allegiance,” he knew it was wise to extend some concessions to keep the peace.

“However, I do understand the hardship and danger you’ve endured beyond the Wall,” Aegor continued, his voice measured. “As R’hllor’s chosen, I grant you permission to relocate south of the Wall.”

Bran’s expression didn’t change, but Aegor pressed on. “In addition, I’ll see to it that you are provided with all the comforts befitting a Stark noble. You’ll receive the finest food, clothing, and accommodations to make up for your years of service.”

Finally, Aegor added, “And I promise to bring your case to R’hllor herself at the next opportunity. I’ll seek her explicit guidance on your situation.”

Bran’s gaze flickered briefly at this, a small crack in his stoic demeanor. “Thank you. But, my lord… please, when you speak to her, leave out my earlier outburst.”

Aegor smiled internally. For all his complaints, the greenseer was still terrified of R’hllor. Outwardly, he nodded solemnly. “Of course. But I do have conditions.”

He laid them out bluntly: Bran was to monitor the Cold God and alert the Watch of any signs of movement. He was also to split his attention between the Gift and potential threats from the Ironborn, the North, or any other faction. And, finally, there were to be no more slip-ups like Jon’s. No reckless emotions or information leaks, deliberate or otherwise.

Bran agreed, though the simmering resentment was clear in his eyes. He requested only one thing in return: to be stationed at Castle Black near the heart tree. Aegor accepted but made a mental note to assign a contingent of R’hllor’s priests to keep an eye on him.

With the matter settled, Aegor left, his mind already turning toward the more immediate challenge: his southern campaign. For now, R’hllor’s gifts—and his immunity to the greenseer’s subtle manipulations—had given him some breathing room. But the stakes were only getting higher.