The Long Night's Vow

The north wind swirled up snowflakes, carving fine lines on the ice surface at the top of the the Wall.

Commander -Cregan in-Chief Charon Karstark rode at the head of the procession, the hem of his black robes brushing against the frost on the ice. He pointed to the long stretch of shadows to the west. "That's Shadow Tower, one of the three inhabited fortresses along the the Wall, guarding the natural barrier of the Gorge —the only way the Wildlings can bypass the the Wall."

Daemon reined in the Glutton's dragon saddle, and the Black Dragon's breath condensed into white pillars in the cold air.

Looking in the direction Cregan pointed, Shadow Tower was embedded in the cliff edge like a flock of eagles. The ninety-foot-high main tower was built of cliff stones from the Gorge, with half of the tower protruding over the cliff. The secret door of the underground tunnel was hidden in the rock wall, leaving only a narrow crack—a defensive fortification for twenty or thirty people to be stationed there, like the eye of Giants embedded in the stone.

"It took the craftsmen thirty years to dig these tunnels," Cregan's voice carried on the wind. "Below are armories, horse stables, and a brewery—half of the Night's Watch's ale is brewed here." He dismounted and led the group up the wooden steps to the top of the the Wall. "We Night's Watch brothers are divided into three groups: stewards who take care of food and clothing, craftsmen who repair the the Wall, and rangers who patrol Beyond the Wall. I was a ranger in my youth, and I chased Wildlings for three days and three nights in Haunted Forest."

Brandon Stark's eyes lit up. "Then, Uncle, have you ever seen Giants?"

"I saw them once." Cregan smiled, a flash of recollection in his gray eyes. "Over there in the Gorge, they were taller than the walls, and their stone axes could split pine trees in two. But they rarely approach the the Wall now."

When the group reached Westwatch-by-the-Bridge, everyone stopped in their tracks.

This tower, perched on a cliff, is three hundred feet high. Two giant iron chains extend from the top of the tower to the Shadow Tower on the opposite bank. Faded skulls hang on the chain bridge—hence the name "Bridge of Skulls."

The tower below the suspension bridge is made of solid stone, with only an internal ramp for passage. The stone gate at the bottom fits perfectly, as if it were integrated with the cliff face.

"This is the westernmost fortress of the the Wall," Cregan said, stroking the stone patterns on the tower. "For three hundred years, not a single Wildlings has been able to break through from here. The Chain Bridge's anchor point is two hundred and fifty feet high; with a pull of the chain, even Giants couldn't cross."

Gael landed on a nearby clearing on Dreamfyre, its pale blue dragon wings sweeping across the snow. "More dangerous than Castle Black." Mysaria clung to the dragon's neck, gazing at the skulls on the chain bridge, and whispered, "Are those all... Wildlings?"

"There are Wildlings, and there are Night's Watch." Cregan's voice deepened. "In the battles of the Gorge, there are never any winners."

" "

Traveling east for several days, we arrived at the Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. The sea breeze at Bay of Seals carried a salty smell, making it hard to open one's eyes.

Dozens of warships were anchored in the harbor, some slender as arrows, others as massive as fortresses— the Night's Watch fleet, patrolling and apprehending smugglers selling weapons to the Wildlings. Fishermen on the shore were gathering their nets; upon seeing Daemon's dragon, they all stopped what they were doing and bowed in awe.

"Greenwatch is just four miles to the east, it's the Night's Watch's shipyard," Cregan said, pointing to the cluster of wooden houses in the distance. "Once the ships are built, they'll be pushed into the sea through the river and head north to join the fleet here."

He paused, then added, "Our Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is elected. Whether you're a nobleman or a commoner, as long as the brothers trust you, you can become the Lord Commander. Five hundred years ago, Rensel Hightower tried to pass the position to his bastard son, but he was ousted within six months."

Daemon nodded, his gaze falling on the fleet's flag—the simple black emblem fluttering in the wind like countless pairs of watchful eyes.

In the following days, the group visited Deep Lake Holdfast and Long Night Fort.

Deep Lake Holdfast sits beside a green lake, its white towers reflecting the water, shining brightly—this was built by Queen Alysanne when she pawned her jewels, replacing the ancient Long Night Fort. A small statue of the Queen still stands by the lake, her silver dress seemingly still fluttering in the wind.

"Back then, the Queen said Long Night Fort was too big for the Night's Watch to live in," Cregan said, touching the base of the statue. "She even persuaded her brothers in the Night's Watch to move here, saving enough money to buy three years' worth of food."

Long Night Fort presents a completely different scene. As the first castle on the the Wall, its staircase is carved directly out of the ice wall, and the ice patterns on the steps are as ancient as tree rings.

In the ruins of the castle, you can still see the stone foundations from the time of the First Men, and the sound of the wind passing through the broken walls seems to tell the story of eight thousand years of guarding.

"These ice stairs are the only way to walk through the ice wall," Cregan said with awe. "They were left behind by the Brandon the Builder, and they're still usable today."

It was evening of the fifth day when they returned to Castle Black. Cregan sat by the fire, rubbing his temples, his voice weary. "After the Thenn clan came to the Gift, three more Free Folk clans followed—mostly women, children, and the elderly. The young are well-behaved, but supplies are really insufficient. Fortunately, summer is coming, and the ice in the south of the the North has melted, so we can bring some grain over."

Daemon put down his beer, his tone firm. "I will write to King's King's Landing and ask my grandfather to increase the supplies to the the Wall —not just food, but also iron and medicine. In addition, I will suggest sending some lesser criminals to the the Wall; the officials are short-staffed, and the craftsmen can also help repair the Wall."

He paused, then added, "If any Free Folk wish to go further south, I will have the Iron Throne grant them some unclaimed wasteland to cultivate; the Kingswood can also organize hunting parties to hunt and trade with their Night's Watch brothers on the the Wall in the north, so everyone can benefit."

Cregan looked up abruptly, his gray eyes filled with shock, which quickly turned into excitement.

He rose and walked to Daemon, almost kneeling on one knee. "Your Highness—you are truly the most devoted royal to the the Wall since Queen Alysanne! If the Night's Watch weren't required to remain neutral, I would gladly lead my brothers to pledge allegiance to you!"

"No need for that." Daemon helped him up, his purple eyes filled with respect. "The Night's Watch guards the Seven Kingdoms; I was just doing what I was supposed to do."

Brandon slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Well said! From now on, every year after my brothers and I finish hunting, all the surplus game will be sent to the the Wall!"

Gael nodded in agreement, and Mysaria whispered, "I think we could also send scholars to teach the children of the Free Folk to read and speak the Common Tongue, so they can learn the story of the Seven Kingdoms."

Larys Strong sat in the corner, his body draped in a black robe, his dark eyes gleaming with a thoughtful light—he gazed at Daemon and Cregan's figures, and suddenly realized that the prince's gaze was no longer limited to the the North or the Iron Throne, but rather to the future of all Westeros.

That night, Daemon suggested going to the ice steps of Long Night Fort. The moonlight shone on the ice surface of the the Wall, giving it a pale blue glow. In the distance, a few long, howling howls came from the Wolfswood, intertwining with the wind on the the Wall to create a solemn melody.

Cregan and the Night's Watch stood behind him, their black robes fluttering in the wind. Daemon walked to the ice steps, his silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his right hand resting on the hilt of the Blackfyre, his voice clear as a bell, echoing through the Long Night:

"The oath of the Night's Watch's Watch is good, and may I read it tonight to inspire you all to persevere. Long Night is coming, and I shall begin my watch now, until my death."

I will not marry, will not be granted land, and will not have children.

I will not wear a crown, nor will I vie for glory or favor.

I will serve my duty faithfully, even unto death.

I am the sword in the darkness, the guardian of the the Wall.

I am the flame that wards off the cold, the light that breaks the dawn, the horn that awakens the sleepers, and the sturdy shield that guards the kingdom.

I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and for all the nights to come.

As the Night's Watch swore their oath once more, even the north wind seemed to cease. This was no longer accompanied by the melody of a song, but by Daemon's genuine, heartfelt reverence. Cregan and the Night's Watch knelt on one knee, their right hands pressed against the black emblem on their breasts, their eyes filled with adoration.

The Glutton and the Dreamfyre emitted a low, mournful dragon's roar in the distance, their breath condensing into white vapor in the cold air, like a tribute to this oath.

Daemon gazed at the ice ladder before him, then at the Night's Watch behind him, and felt the brand on his right shoulder no longer burning. The brand, which had inexplicably burned every day, only served to remind Daemon of the heavy responsibility he now bore.

This the Wall is not a cold barrier, but a guardian built with the lives of countless people—he must guard this guardianship, guard the dragon's flame, and guard the future of the Seven Kingdoms.

Under the moonlight, the ice surface of the the Wall shimmered with a pale blue luster, like a galaxy stretching across the continent. The Night's Watch's Watch song gradually rose, deep and resolute, echoing through the long Long Night along with the Night's Watch oath sung by Daemon.