Samwell Tarly pulled his black cloak tight against the biting wind and collected the newly arrived raven's message from Castle Black's rookery.
He hurried down the stone steps, crossed the snow-covered courtyard, and headed for old Maester Aemon's room.
The weather at the Wall was growing colder and colder.
Every breath felt as though it would freeze him from the inside out.
He rubbed his hands together and glanced down at the message tube he held. The sealing wax bore the image of a three-headed dragon.
Another letter from the Targaryen prince.
Most of the Night's Watch's pleas for aid sent south had gone unanswered.
The lords of the Seven Kingdoms had always ignored the Wall's needs. Only this prince had sent help.
That was how Master-at-arms Davos and his men had come... Though they had supposedly been exiled to the Wall after a defeat, they had greatly bolstered the Night's Watch's ranks.
Samwell thought the Targaryen prince must be a good man who took his responsibilities seriously.
If he had to choose one of the southern lords and kings to sit on the Iron Throne, he thought, perhaps only this prince would be a blessing for all Seven Kingdoms.
He pushed open the door to Maester Aemon's room.
The old maester was already waiting at the table, his hands clasped in his lap and his eyes closed.
His sight had failed him completely, and moving about had become increasingly difficult, so he needed Samwell's help with his letters.
"Maester Aemon, a letter from the south has arrived."
Samwell sat down at the table, broke the seal, and unfolded the letter, holding it close to the oil lamp.
Old Aemon nodded slightly, signaling for him to read.
Samwell cleared his throat. "In the name of Aegon VI of House Targaryen,