Chapter 39

"Aegor, why aren’t you going?" Will grabbed his arm in panic, his voice trembling. "Is it because everyone on this patrol is going to die? Is it?!"

The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, and most of the Night’s Watch brothers were still fast asleep. Aegor had risen early, wanting to see off the patrol he was supposed to be part of—Benjen Stark's group venturing beyond the Wall in search of White Walkers.

Will’s blunt question hit too close to the truth, leaving Aegor momentarily speechless. He tightened his grip on his comrade’s arm and said firmly, "Don’t overthink it. I was just assigned to other duties."

"That’s not it! That’s not it!" Will’s voice grew louder, his earlier gratitude for Aegor saving his life transforming into a desperate, almost superstitious faith in him. Now, hearing Aegor’s evasive words, dread consumed him. "Benjen knows! You know! The White Walkers are waiting for us in the Haunted Forest. We’ll never make it back!"

"Enough nonsense!" Benjen Stark, a few paces away, snapped as he tightened the last strap on his horse’s saddle. "Do you realize the pressure the Lord Commander faced to clear your names? The effort it took to prove you weren’t deserters? Mount up—now. We leave at once."

Aegor saw the terror etched on Will’s face, regret flashing briefly in his mind. He reached into his coat and pulled out his obsidian dagger, pressing it into Will’s trembling hands. "Take this," he said solemnly, forcing an air of certainty. "Keep it safe. Be careful out there—you’ll come back alive."
----


Aegor awoke in a cold sweat.

Since his harrowing encounter with the White Walkers—the chilling pursuit, the desperate battle, and the sheer luck of survival—his nightmares about them had faded. But something else had taken their place: vivid memories of Benjen Stark and the rangers mounting their horses, disappearing into the dark tunnel under the Wall to confront a danger few understood.

The scene played on a loop in his mind, especially Will’s pale, frightened face as he reluctantly obeyed Benjen’s orders. Will, of all people, knew the horror they were walking into, having already seen it once before.

Where were they now? Had they found the White Walkers? Were they... still alive?
----


The warmth of the room, heated by the hot springs beneath Winterfell, did nothing to ease Aegor’s unease. He sat in silence, staring blankly at the walls, haunted by his thoughts. Though he had left the Wall weeks ago under the pretense of a vital mission, his heart still lingered with those who had stayed behind.

After all, he was supposed to be out there with them.
----


Pushing away his dark thoughts, Aegor dressed and stepped out into the crisp morning air. Winterfell was unusually quiet, the emptiness amplified by the absence of Eddard Stark, his daughters, and a large portion of the household who had left with the king’s party. Only a skeleton crew of guards and staff remained, enough to make the castle feel hollow.

Aegor’s footsteps echoed softly as he wandered the halls, mentally cataloging the tasks ahead. He needed answers—about Bran, about Winterfell, and most importantly, about what might happen next.

Spotting a passing servant, Aegor called out. "Excuse me, miss—can I ask you something?"

The young woman stopped, slightly startled but polite. "Of course, my lord. What do you need?"

"I’m no lord," Aegor corrected with a faint smile. "But tell me—how’s the second son of the Stark family? Bran? I heard he... fell. I was the one who found him, actually."

The servant hesitated, then nodded. "He’s awake now, but not quite... right. He doesn’t remember much of anything."

Aegor’s chest tightened. Just as the original story had described. "And Lady Stark? How is she holding up?"

The servant’s gaze turned curious, as if puzzled by his concern. "She’s better now that her son has woken up. She barely left his side before. These days, she’s still here, but calmer."

Aegor exhaled deeply, relief flooding him. "She hasn’t left Winterfell?"

"No. Why would she? She’s needed here. Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing," Aegor said quickly, offering a polite smile. "Thank you for your time."

The servant nodded and mentioned that breakfast was ready before hurrying off. Aegor watched her go, his mind racing.

Lady Stark hadn’t left for the Vale. That meant Tyrion wouldn’t be intercepted by her along the Kingsroad. The ripple he had caused by preventing Bran’s fall from being blamed on Jaime had shifted the timeline enough to spare Tyrion that ordeal.

For the first time in weeks, Aegor felt the weight of fear and uncertainty lift, even if just slightly.
----


With a lighter step, Aegor made his way to the dining hall. As he finished breakfast and prepared to head back to his room, a Winterfell guard approached him.

"Brother of the Night’s Watch," the man said. "The steward asks for your presence in the main hall."

Aegor tilted his head. "What for?"

The guard shrugged. "You’d best hear it from him yourself."
----


Aegor followed, his thoughts already turning to what this meeting might hold. Though he had escaped one danger, his path was far from clear. Tasks, alliances, and uncertainty loomed ahead. But for now, he walked forward, ready to face what awaited.