After a brief pause, Gryn slowly raised his deep brown eyes. "Who else?"
"Lady Melisandre returned with them as well—" As she spoke, Ser Brienne handed over the neatly folded parchment letter in her hand.
Daemon Sand had died in battle, and Jorah Mormont had died as well. Their bodies had been buried beneath the wind and snow; only Jaime had returned, grievously wounded.
Though his injuries were severe, he had ultimately lost neither hand nor foot. It had to be admitted that the Seven favored Jaime. Even though he was a kingslayer and a godslayer, even though he was steeped in sin, they had still spared his life.
Of the two Ranger parties that had gone forth with the expedition, only five men returned—
Melisandre had gone Beyond the Wall on Gryn's orders to capture the Three-Eyed Crow, and she had brought back a crippled boy—
Gryn's fingertips brushed over the rough handwriting on the parchment. "Ser, make the arrangements. We leave for Castle Black tomorrow morning."
"As you command, Your Grace."
After Ser Brienne departed, Gryn walked over to the narrow window.
The Long Night was gradually drawing to an end. Cold stars vanished beyond the horizon, and the bonfires of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea slowly died out, leaving only the bone-piercing wind.
The next day, in the Hand of the King's chambers.
Pushing away the soft body in his arms, the newly awakened Lord Mace Tyrell rubbed his still-swollen head. Carelessly, he had drunk too much again last night.
After a pause, he reached out and gently shook the silver bell beside the bed.
A moment later, the door was gently pushed open. Several Rose maidservants, dressed in servant uniforms bearing rose patterns, entered one after another. Their movements were skillful and disciplined. Without a single unnecessary word, they silently