Chapter 94

"What are you so worried about? No one’s sending you into battle—just think of it as a sightseeing trip," Tyrion said with a shrug, attempting to console Aegor. "The Vale has some beautiful scenery if you’re not climbing mountains. Do you really think Robert could lose? At worst, it’ll be a stalemate."

"I’m not worried about my personal safety," Aegor sighed. "It’s just that our enterprise is at a critical stage of growth. If one of the two pillars behind the Night’s Watch industry suddenly disappears, it’s bound to have an adverse effect."

"Two pillars? Hah… Thanks for the flattery," Tyrion said, rolling his eyes. "You really have a way of making even praise sound peculiar. But don’t worry. With me here, nothing will go too far off track. As for you, it’s the king’s order. Don’t try any tricks to defy it; just do as you’re told. By the time you return, the factory will likely be thriving, and I might have even built you an entire network of allies. You’ll be one of the ‘connected’ people in King’s Landing, someone with status and backing. To the outside world, you’ll be the face of the Night’s Watch industry. To our people, you’ll be ‘the man upstairs.’"

"Fine… I’ll leave it to you, then," Aegor replied reluctantly.

"Not a problem. After all, I have to live up to being one of the ‘pillars.’ Sign a statement delegating authority to me while you’re away, leave an official seal, and off you go. Enjoy your little ‘Vale vacation.’"
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Aegor decided to follow Tyrion’s advice. This was the reality of being caught in the tides of power. He wasn’t truly worried that the Night’s Watch industry would collapse without him. After all, Tyrion was an extraordinary talent, a rare “peerless statesman” even in a world as vast as Westeros. Sure, Tyrion lacked Aegor’s modern knowledge, stature, and physical strength, but his wit, expertise, and connections far surpassed anything Aegor could muster. With the greatest financial crisis behind them, the sky wouldn’t fall just because Aegor was gone. And given Tyrion’s integrity, there was no need to worry about being betrayed.

Aegor’s real frustration stemmed from a deeper unease. Tyrion didn’t know it, but this war was, in part, a result of Aegor’s own meddling. Months ago, when he watched Bran Stark fall from the tower at Winterfell, he’d believed fate and the original storyline were immutable. But now, he realized how easily events could be altered. A small nudge at the right moment could send the dominoes tumbling, transforming the story into something unrecognizable.

The problem was that his changes had started to ripple back toward him. The term for this, he thought bitterly, was "backlash." He was now caught in the web of consequences spun by his own rumors.
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The king’s command left Aegor with no choice. In theory, the Night’s Watch didn’t fall under Robert Baratheon’s direct authority. But in practice, few men in Westeros could openly defy Robert and escape unscathed—perhaps only Eddard Stark could manage it. And given that financial dealings required cooperation from the ruling class, it was clear that Aegor couldn’t avoid this trip to the Vale.

With the royal forces set to march in a few days, Aegor’s only option was to spend the time briefing Tyrion and issuing instructions to ensure the plans he’d set in motion continued in his absence.
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One of those plans involved enhancing the Night’s Watch’s provisions. The next delivery to the Wall was scheduled for a month later, and Aegor had intended to make some changes. Beyond the usual supplies requested by Jeor Mormont, he planned to add “extras” to improve morale. Each shipment would include several thousand pounds of meat and barrels of wine to improve meals, as well as additional sets of winter clothing for the brothers, who currently only had one set to last through freezing conditions.

The idea was simple: every time the “Logistics Department” delivered goods, the brothers at the Wall would enjoy better food and receive new clothing. Over time, the department would become indispensable, its contributions impossible to ignore. And since food and clothing were far cheaper than weapons and grain, this goodwill came at a minimal cost.

To ensure proper credit, Aegor insisted that all packages clearly display markings like “Night’s Watch Logistics Department” and “Provided by Aegor West.”

The plan had received Tyrion’s enthusiastic approval. However, with Aegor likely to be away when the next shipment was due, he had to delegate the logistics. The meat and wine were left to merchants recommended by Tyrion, while the winter clothing was entrusted to Nina. Her family’s experience in textiles made her an ideal choice. Aegor also used the opportunity to test her ability to handle responsibility, ensuring the clothing was properly marked with his name and department.
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The bond redemptions had nearly concluded. Of the 2,000 gold dragons raised, around 1,200 had been redeemed—right between the 50% and 70% thresholds Aegor had calculated as critical limits. Three days after being summoned by the king, Aegor packed his belongings and, along with a newly recruited squire named Casey, rode out of the city to join the royal army’s camp.
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The journey to the assembly point wasn’t long, but as Aegor approached, the sights and sounds of a massive military camp became overwhelming. Smoke from countless fires rose into the sky, mingling with the noises of clanging metal, neighing horses, and shouting men.

When Aegor reached the top of a hill overlooking the camp, the full scale of the operation came into view. Tents stretched as far as the eye could see, scattered like mushrooms after a rain. Fires burned everywhere, filling the air with a pale haze. Rows of horses stood tethered, and the surrounding forests had been stripped bare to create flagpoles and siege engines. Some of the siege towers were so massive that their wheels alone dwarfed a man.

Amid the organized chaos, soldiers moved about—some on horseback, others carrying spears, swords, or bows. Carters transported supplies, laborers tended to livestock, and even children’s laughter punctuated the cacophony. The smell of food mingled with the stench of waste, fresher than the stink of King’s Landing but still unpleasant.

This was no mere army. It was an enormous gathering of nobles, soldiers, merchants, and common folk, all drawn together by Robert Baratheon’s call to arms. It was a bustling, chaotic city of war.

Aegor took it all in, the enormity of the moment settling heavily upon him. This was the beginning of something far greater than he had anticipated.