Chapter 195

Both the front and back entrances were draped with black cloth. Aegor sat in the main hall of the Night’s Watch residence, going over the recent accounts of the Night’s Watch industry with Nina, while also making plans for the future.

Most of these tasks could have been left to Nina alone, but with the battle raging outside the city and all commercial and production activities within the city halted, Aegor needed something to occupy his time. Simply sitting idle in the house felt unbearable—one had to find something productive to do, even if it was just to pass the time.

Aegor’s understanding of the situation in Westeros, now diverged from its original trajectory, was limited. His sources of information included market rumors, his own businesses in the city such as brothels and shops, a few loyal City Watch guards, and Arya Stark in the Red Keep. But with Arya out of contact and the City Watch fully engaged in the conflict, Aegor was left effectively blind and deaf. He had no idea about the state of the war in the Westerlands, the developments of the siege of King’s Landing, or even whether Melisandre—the key to victory—was in the city. Like most of King’s Landing’s residents and nobles, all he could do was hide indoors and wait for the battle to end.

...

“Our intelligence network is too limited,” Aegor mused. “If we survive this crisis, we must invest more in this area. We need to build relationships with people who reside in or can access the Red Keep—nobles, servants, or anyone connected to those within. For those we can’t reach directly, we’ll investigate their families and social circles, recruiting their relatives or friends into the Night’s Watch industry or our offices. Once we’ve gained their trust, we’ll have an excuse to pry into the Red Keep’s affairs under the guise of staying well-informed for business purposes.”

Littlefinger had thrived in King’s Landing with the intelligence gleaned from a handful of brothels because, as Master of Coin, he lived within the Red Keep and had easy access to information both inside and outside its walls. The Night’s Watch industry, while now influential outside the Red Keep, had developed too quickly, leaving its foundations unstable and its reach limited. Arya’s help had initially masked this disadvantage, but as time passed, the lack of an internal network in the Red Keep had become increasingly evident.

Recognizing this weakness, Aegor had begun taking steps to address it.

“In fact, my lord, you needn’t worry about this too much,” Nina said, pursing her lips. “Even without your efforts, King’s Landing’s noble families are eager to push people into the Night’s Watch industry. Back when Lord Tyrion was still in charge, our investors and clients often requested jobs for their family members and followers. Tyrion managed to hold the line, offering only limited, insignificant positions and ensuring that important roles were filled through merit-based competition.”

“Good. Continue that approach but loosen the standards slightly,” Aegor instructed. “There’s no such thing as a perfect deal—if we can gain the favor of these nobles by employing a few idlers, so be it, as long as they don’t cause trouble or become deadweight. However, critical positions must still go to those with clear backgrounds and proven competence.” He paused before adding, “Also, reach out to Littlefinger’s former prostitutes and see if they can connect us to his old informants in the Red Keep. That network is already in place. If we can inherit it, all the better.”

“Understood. I’ll get started right away.”

...

As the two novices enthusiastically discussed the details of establishing an intelligence network, a guardsman suddenly knocked on the door to deliver a report. “My lord, there’s a young girl outside, knocking and shouting that she’s here to see her master. What should we do?”

“Arya? What is she doing here?” Aegor’s brows shot up as he stood abruptly. “Damn it, how could she dare sneak out of the Red Keep in the middle of this chaos?!”

Dropping everything, Aegor rushed to the door, flung it open, and found his young apprentice standing there, covered in dirt as if she’d just crawled out of a mud pit. Arya was bent over, catching her breath, but when she looked up and saw him, she grinned cheekily. “Master, I went to the office to find you, but it’s closed today. Why aren’t you open for business?”

“Open for business? During a war? Are you out of your mind?” Aegor grabbed the girl and pulled her inside. “Did you come through that damned ‘secret passage’ again?”

“Yep.” Arya’s face lit up with pride.

“What do you want?”

“My sword! I left it with you, and I want it back!” Arya declared.

“Your sword? What sword?” Aegor frowned, trying to recall what she meant. After a moment, it dawned on him. “You... Why on earth would you come for it today, of all days?!”

“Well, there’s a battle going on,” Arya said, her tone matter-of-fact. “If someone tries to hurt me or Sansa, I need something to defend us with.”

“Utter nonsense! Complete madness!” Aegor trembled with anger. He had draped black cloth over his doors and shut himself inside to avoid any entanglement in this war. With Stannis and Eddard on one side and Renly on the other—both of whom had ties to him through promises or favors—his neutrality as a Night’s Watchman guaranteed his safety, no matter the outcome.

But now his troublesome apprentice had dragged him straight into the conflict.

The only solution was to throw the hot potato back where it came from. Aegor quickly made up his mind. Turning to his guards, he barked, “Saddle two horses! And remember, no one came here today—understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

Arya looked at Aegor’s panicked expression, blinking innocently. “Master, why are you so worked up?”

“Nina, fetch a child-sized black cloak and put it on her,” Aegor ordered, ignoring the question.

Ten minutes later, the horses were ready, and Arya was dressed in the smallest black cloak available, which still hung on her like an oversized robe. Nina had to cinch it at the waist and secure it with cloth at the chest to keep it from slipping off.

“Lock the door. If anyone knocks, don’t answer unless it’s me!”

...

Riding out into the deserted streets, Aegor scanned his surroundings warily. The few looters and cutthroats lurking in the alleys quickly retreated at the sight of him, a black-cloaked man on horseback, armed and grim-faced. With Arya in tow, he set off toward the Red Keep.

Arya, far from realizing the trouble she’d caused, was thrilled to be wearing the Night’s Watch cloak. “Master, can girls join the Night’s Watch?”

Aegor, still fuming, didn’t respond.

“Master, this isn’t the way to the office,” Arya said after a while, noticing the change in direction.

“We’re not going to the office. I’m taking you back to the Red Keep. Stay there and don’t cause any more trouble. I’ll have someone bring your sword to you later.”

“That’s too much trouble! Just take me to the office, and I’ll go back myself.”

“Go back yourself?” Aegor shot her a sharp glare. “Did you see those thugs hiding in the alleys? Do you know what would happen if you fell into their hands?”

“I’m not afraid! One of them tried to follow me earlier, but I outran him,” Arya said smugly.

“You think that’s something to be proud of?!” Aegor was furious. “Do you know what could happen to a noble girl like you in a city like this during a war? If you still consider me your master, keep your mouth shut and follow me quietly!”

“…Okay.” Chastened, Arya fell silent and obediently followed.

...

The ride to the Red Keep was short, but as they approached the gates, Aegor noticed something was amiss. The castle gates, which should have been tightly shut and heavily guarded during a siege, stood wide open, with no one in sight.

“This doesn’t feel right,” Aegor muttered. “Arya, if we run into anyone unfamiliar, stay silent and let me handle it.”

“Yes, Master.”

They slowed their horses and cautiously entered the Red Keep. The vast castle seemed eerily empty, though Aegor’s instincts screamed at him to leave. But he couldn’t simply abandon Arya and risk bringing her back to his residence. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on toward the Tower of the Hand.

It wasn’t long before the sound of shouting, clashing weapons, and screams reached them. Then, they encountered the first body—a man lying face down on the cobblestones, his blood-soaked gray cloak trimmed with white satin unmistakable. He was one of the guards Eddard Stark had assigned to assist Aegor.

Arya froze, recognizing the man as the same guard she’d tricked into fetching pastries earlier. Her face turned pale, and for once, her mischievous energy vanished.

Aegor felt a chill run down his spine. The worst had happened. Thanks to Arya, he was now caught in the very chaos he’d tried so hard to avoid. Lowering his voice, he ordered, “Turn around. We’re leaving. Now.”

“But Sansa—”

“No buts. Move!”

Leaving was easier said than done. When they reached the castle gates, which had been deserted minutes earlier, they found them now heavily guarded by a dozen Gold Cloaks in full armor. The soldiers immediately spotted Aegor and Arya, their spears snapping to attention.

“Who goes there? Don’t move!” one of the guards barked.

...