Castle Black

"How many people are there in Pentos?"

Joffrey abruptly asked Tyrion beside him atop the snow bear.

Tyrion gazed at the Wall looming faintly in the distance, unable to understand why Joffrey was thinking of Pentos at a time like this.

"Four or five hundred thousand, I'd say. Another one or two million outside the city, perhaps more."

Joffrey nodded without speaking, though inwardly he marveled at the scale of Elin's actions. Pentos had truly suffered this time.

He had seen Pentos's Bloody Night.

Although he had only acquired Runes such as Location, Scout, and Rewind after Elin had set sail, leaving him without a prepared medium to observe Elin's every word and action.

But there were plenty of mediums connected to the city-state of Pentos. Pentoshi gold coins, amber wine, saffron, Dragon Eggs, and so on.

Using those mediums, he could use the Location Rune to determine Pentos's location, then input that information into the Scout Rune and see Pentos from the North.

From then on, Joffrey observed the situation in Pentos at fixed times every day.

Last night's blood and fire had declared his victory.

Daenerys and Viserion were about to fall into his hands. Pentos had been dealt a heavy blow, and the relationship between the Dothraki and the Free Cities was bound to worsen. The two sides would likely return to open hostility.

In that case, would Dothraki riders still sail across the Narrow Sea?

Varys and Illyrio's scheme had already come to nothing.

Without the Beggar King and Daenerys as shields, Young Aegon—the one they truly supported for restoration—had lost a major source of aid and would find it difficult to continue quietly building strength on Essos.

What would Varys's reaction be?

Joffrey knew that Varys would learn of Pentos within days. When that time came, would the Spider of the Red Keep flee or kill?

He chose to trust Hannah's resolve and the Lannister forces remaining in King's Landing.

"Your Highness," Benjen reminded him, "Castle Black is half a day's journey away. It is the largest of the three Wall fortresses still in use among the nineteen, and the headquarters of The Night's Watch."

Joffrey glanced at him. "Now is not the time. Once I ascend the throne, I will begin improving the Night's Watch's situation."

Benjen nearly blurted out, "How long will that take?" Fortunately, he kept silent.

Benjen was not the only one grieved by the Night's Watch's decline. Lord Commander "Old Bear" Jeor Mormont, the hundred-year-old Maester Aemon, and every brother who felt a sense of belonging to the Night's Watch could only watch it fade day by day.

The Night's Watch had once been heroes guarding the safety of the Seven Kingdoms; now, it was merely a motley force defending against Wildlings;

The Night's Watch had once been seen as a symbol of honor and dedication, with many knights, nobles, and men from good families volunteering to join; now, only criminals and unwanted noble offspring served there unwillingly;

The Night's Watch had once possessed over ten thousand brothers, stationed in nineteen sturdy fortresses and capable of resisting any foreign foe; now, fewer than a thousand men guarded the Wall stretching for hundreds of kilometers.

Benjen believed the Wildling woman was telling the truth.

Why wouldn't he? Thinking carefully, too much of the Wall had been abandoned. What did one hidden passage amount to?

He could lead men to seal this one, but if the Night's Watch continued to decline, who would be sent to seal the next hidden passage? Or would the Wildlings even need to sneak across the border by then?

Benjen silently watched Joffrey's back.

Other than the North, the only great figure who still believed in the value of the Night's Watch was the Crown Prince.

The image of King Robert dying suddenly surfaced in his mind. Benjen hurriedly shook his head hard, flinging that sinful thought far away.

Gods forgive me. That was not my intention, absolutely not.

Ahead, beyond Benjen's sight.

A secret smile flickered across Joffrey's lips.

It was afternoon, and the cold wind howled.

The Wall grew larger and taller before their eyes, gradually filling their entire world.

Sunlight fell directly upon the blue-white giant serpent that stretched across the end of the world. With every breath it seemed to take, crystalline blue light flickered across its length.

Gods.

It seemed as though all the Ice in the world lay upon its boundless body.

Tyrion remained solemnly silent. Having witnessed the existence of magic, how could he still doubt the great mystery of the Wall?

To keep the terrifying Others beyond its bounds, the Wall must possess vast power.

They drew closer still.

They saw Castle Black beneath the Wall, but though it could house thousands or even tens of thousands, it was only an insignificant corner at the Wall's base.

More than a dozen men in black rode out to greet them.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, all the brothers of the Night's Watch have awaited you for a long time. It is the greatest honor of everyone at Castle Black to serve you."

The speaker was a bald old man with a long beard.

Joffrey smiled and nodded.

Benjen stepped forward and embraced the old man. "Lord Commander, I'm back."

The Lord Commander thumped him hard on the back. "Benjen, you're finally back. I waited so long my hair fell out. The Wall simply cannot go a day without you."

Even Benjen showed a rare smile. "The Commander lost his hair long ago. How can you blame me for that?"

Everyone immediately burst into laughter.

Lord Commander Old Bear greeted Yoren and the others one by one, exchanging warm pleasantries without pause.

As Joffrey listened to them talk, he gradually matched the names he remembered with the faces before him.

Following Old Bear was his steward, Eddison Tollett, "Dolorous" Edd;

The ruddy-faced fat man was the First Steward of the Night's Watch, Bowen Marsh;

The severe-looking man seemed born without the ability to smile. He was the Night's Watch's master-at-arms, Alliser Thorne;

The man with the jutting chin was the First Craftsman, Othell Yarwyck;

The strong one-armed man with a large belly was Donal Noye. He had once been the Baratheon family's blacksmith, personally forging Robert's warhammer and Stannis's first sword.

The judgment that "Robert is True Steel, Stannis is Pure Iron, and Renly is bright but worthless Bright Copper" had come from his mouth.

Stannis truly was like Pure Iron. As for Renly...

Joffrey wanted badly to believe the part about Renly, but as long as Renly lived, he would not underestimate that formidable enemy.

Lord Commander Old Bear came before Joffrey again.

"Your Highness, Castle Black has fallen into considerable disrepair. We did our best to prepare the King's Tower for you. I hope you will not find it lacking."

Joffrey waved a hand at Old Bear. "You have troubled yourself, Lord Commander. How could I possibly be picky?"

His gaze firm, he faced the gathered Night's Watch and encouraged them loudly. "All of you are brave, worthy men. The kingdom will not forget your contributions. I guarantee, as Crown Prince, that the Night's Watch will regain its former glory within one or two years!"

The men cheered and offered their grateful thanks.

But Joffrey knew that perhaps only Tyrion, the inexperienced Jon, and half-believing Benjen and Yoren truly believed his words.

No matter what, the Wall's secrets were beckoning to him.

The party entered Castle Black.

Joffrey caught the scent of ancient, powerful, sweet magic.

I want it so badly.