Gryn's brow tightened slightly as the king's gaze lingered on the darkness beneath the northern horizon.
Ser Brienne, ever faithful, seemed to sense something. Without the slightest hesitation, she stepped forward steadily to Gryn's side and turned her gaze in the same direction.
Silence spread through the cold wind for a moment. Her clear blue eyes fell upon Gryn's profile. "Your Grace?"
Only then did Gryn slowly withdraw his gaze, his eyelids lowering slightly. A map of the lands north of the Wall, drawn by the Night's Watch, flashed through his mind. He raised a hand and pointed toward the direction he had been watching. "My knight, what is that place?"
Looking in the direction he indicated once more, Ser Brienne thought for a moment. "It seems to be—the former camp of the King-Beyond-the-Wall—"
After a brief pause, she stepped closer and looked down for a while before continuing, "I'm certain, Your Grace. Stannis defeated the King-Beyond-the-Wall and his Wildling army near there. I checked the Night's Watch records—it was written in the hand of former Lord Commander Mormont."
"Thank you for the answer."
Patting her shoulder, Gryn turned and began to walk. "We need to arrange for someone to investigate that place immediately."
The wind and snow seemed to grow fiercer.
Ser Brienne gazed once more at that pitch-black expanse, then immediately followed him. "Your Grace, did you notice something unusual?"
Gryn fell silent for a moment. "I smelled danger. Call it a hunter's instinct. I hope I'm simply overthinking it—"
After a pause, he shrugged, his tone shifting. "Still, caution is a good habit. I should keep it."
He sighed softly. "Our enemy this time is far too unfamiliar."
Gryn suddenly felt a measure of anticipation, though their preparations for war were still far from sufficient—
His snow-white