Chapter 317

Crown's Rest, now the central hub of resources, population, and activity in the Gift, was changing every day. Compared to when Aegor last left it, the place was almost unrecognizable.

The most noticeable change was the emergence of the "outer city."
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The name “Crown's Rest” in the Common Tongue originally referred to the tower where Queen Alysanne Targaryen had stayed during her visit to the Gift. Over time, the name had been expanded to include the small village surrounding the tower. And eventually, people just assumed it meant a town by default

The first wall of Crown's Rest enclosed the lakeside ruins of the original village, forming a castle-like structure. Inside were the most critical facilities: supply and weapons depots, stables, dormitories for soldiers and staff, and a multi-purpose hall. Access was strictly limited to authorized personnel, and that policy would never change.

However, as the resettlement plan progressed and the population around Crown's Rest swelled, the open space outside the walls became crowded and chaotic, making management increasingly difficult. It was time for Aegor to launch the second phase of his headquarters’ construction: expanding Crown's Rest from a fortress into a true town, making the name “Crown's Rest Town”—or even “Crown's Rest City”—a fitting reality.
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After careful planning, construction began. The army of laborers that had once built roads was mobilized again. They cleared the chaotic sprawl of tents and makeshift shelters outside the walls, replacing them with neat rows of houses made from a mix of earth, wood, and stone.

These homes would become the residences of Crown's Rest’s first official citizens.

To earn this status, there were two ways: work tirelessly to save enough money to buy a house or achieve significant merit by participating in critical operations under Aegor’s leadership. Those who met the second condition would be rewarded with housing rights, lasting anywhere from a few years to permanent residence, for a symbolic rent so low it was almost negligible. They could remain in their assigned homes until the term expired or they chose to leave.

The first group of new residents had already been chosen: wounded soldiers, families of the fallen, and those who had distinguished themselves in Aegor’s campaign to drive out the ironborn. Each was granted housing rights, ranging from one to ten years, based on their contributions.

As soon as the residential area was completed, these homes were distributed according to a priority system, ensuring that they went to deserving recipients first.

This approach wasn’t just about giving idle hands something to do. It also filled the new housing district while ensuring that Crown's Rest’s first citizens were loyal and capable. Furthermore, the system created clear disparities in living standards based on contribution, incentivizing hard work while subtly diminishing the influence of the former wildling leaders.

Those who worked for Aegor and earned merit could move out of the scattered, impoverished villages in the Gift and into the bustling outer city of Crown's Rest, where opportunities and services were abundant. This tangible benefit was Aegor’s most effective tool for governance. If any chieftains tried to obstruct the process, they would be breaking the Gift’s laws. If they turned a blind eye, they would soon find Aegor’s influence over their people surpassing their own.

The city administrators naturally selected the strongest, smartest young adults for labor and opportunities. Across all worlds and eras, these individuals—the backbone of their communities—often held significant sway in their families and tribes. By prioritizing these “pillars” in resource allocation, Aegor ensured his hold on the Gift’s power structure while laying the groundwork for future plans.
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The new residential district was vast, with rows of identical, simple houses stretching into the distance. Though impressive in scale, it was monotonous and unremarkable. After a quick inspection, Aegor nodded in approval and moved on to the next area—the functional zone adjacent to the inner city.

Schools, hospitals, a market district, and a central square—small but comprehensive, the essential facilities were either completed or under construction.

The market district was an expansion of the old street outside Crown's Rest’s gates. The hospital, larger than most surrounding buildings and two stories tall, was ready but still lacked enough medical staff. The school, however, was already operational.

Inside, over a hundred children from the ruling families of the new Gift tribes, aged between eight and their early teens, were divided into two classes based on age. They were learning basic skills such as reading and writing the Common Tongue, as well as arithmetic.

This was a rare sight—not just in the Gift but across Westeros. Organized education like this, with so many students in one place, was almost unheard of.

In a world where survival often took precedence over culture, education was a privilege enjoyed by the few. Lords with castles had maesters to teach their heirs, while less fortunate knights and common folk had to rely on the slim chance of being accepted by the Faith or a Citadel scholar to escape a life of toil.

Convincing the wildlings-turned-settlers that learning arithmetic and literacy was as important as physical labor was no easy task. Fortunately, the wildlings had handed over hostages as part of their agreement to pass the Wall. Mormont’s original plan had been to use these children as attendants and servants at Castle Black, fostering bonds between them and the Watch through daily interactions. But Aegor had a different idea.

Among these wildling hostages were the children of prominent tribal leaders, many of whom would one day inherit positions of power. Since the Watch was already feeding them and aiming to integrate the wildlings’ next generation, why not streamline the process? These hostages became the first students of Crown's Rest’s school, blending education with indoctrination.

Over time, these children would grow familiar with the “civilized” world, adjust to life in Crown's Rest, and absorb the values and ideas Aegor instilled. When they eventually returned to their tribes, they might not become his zealots, but they would no longer stand as obstacles.
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By creating an environment where hard work and loyalty led to tangible rewards, Aegor expanded his influence among the lower classes. Simultaneously, by educating and subtly indoctrinating the children of tribal leaders, he ensured his ideals would reach the upper echelons of the former wildling society.

This two-pronged approach, given enough time, would fully integrate the wildlings into the Gift’s population.
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The school faced one major challenge: a lack of teachers. While new maesters would eventually be sent to the reactivated castles, such arrangements took time. Aegor also couldn’t entrust education to outsiders beyond his control. For now, the task fell to literate clerks from the Night’s Watch’s holdings. Reinforcements from King’s Landing were expected soon, but in the meantime, the staff would learn by doing, adapting as they went.
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The students stared curiously and nervously at the imposing figure of the Lord Commander as he entered the classroom. To them, he wasn’t just the head of the Night’s Watch—he was the new “King of the Wall.”
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“Greetings, future rulers of the Gift,” Aegor began with a smile. “Yes, you heard me correctly. I called you the future rulers of the Gift, and that wasn’t a joke. But that title isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you must earn.”

He scanned the room, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Your parents, the leaders of your tribes, are not the true rulers of the Gift. No offense, but the fact is, they are nothing more than defeated warriors who surrendered at the Wall and handed over their children for the privilege of survival. The true masters of the Gift are within those walls.” He pointed toward the inner city. “Those people decide where your tribes live, what they eat, where they may go, and what they can or cannot do.”

“To join them—to become one of the real rulers of the Gift—you must first learn. What your teachers teach you, I expect you to learn. Understand how the world beyond the Wall works, and you’ll earn the right to enter those walls.”
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He paused, letting his words settle, then added, “Some of you may think, ‘What’s the point? By the time I return to my tribe, my siblings will have taken my place, and I’ll be seen as weak for wasting time on this.’ A fair thought.”

Aegor shrugged. “But here’s my promise: those who excel in their studies will never be abandoned. Behind you stands me—the man who holds all power in the Gift, who can shape the fate of every new settler. I won’t let those who share my language, my ideals, and my vision be discarded by their tribes. In the Gift, the rules are mine to make.”
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Aegor didn’t expect applause or cheers. He had only come on a whim, deciding to lay things out plainly. While most of the wildling hostages likely didn’t grasp the full implications of his words, the smarter ones would reflect on them later and begin to understand.

By painting an alluring vision of the future, Aegor made it clear that he intended to reshape the power dynamics of the new Gift tribes. Rather than impose external rulers, he would support and elevate these students—those who had been shaped by his teachings and shared his vision.
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This strategy was a long game, one that might take years to bear fruit. But as Lord Commander, Aegor now had the time to plan for the future. Building a legacy required careful, calculated moves, and each small step contributed to the larger picture.
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As he left the school, Aegor noticed Arya Stark sulking nearby. She had followed him to Crown's Rest, irritated that he’d left her behind at Long Night Fort to return to Castle Black for his inauguration. Despite seeing all the changes in Crown's Rest, she had remained silent.

Sensing her mood, Aegor patted her shoulder with a smile. “Look, there are so many kids your age here. You might even make some friends.”

Arya glared at him. “I’ll make friends with whoever I want. You don’t get a say.”

“Fair enough,” Aegor chuckled. “But lighten up, will you? Didn’t Ser Rodrik say you could stay in Crown's Rest for a few days before heading home? Come on, let me show you something interesting.”