When Jon returned to the Wall, Davos was standing beside the battlements, watching the wildling camp below gradually settle down.
He turned to Jon, undisguised surprise in his eyes.
He had never expected Jon to quell the unrest single-handedly.
"Call a meeting," Jon said, his voice carrying an unquestionable certainty. "I have something important to announce."
Davos nodded without asking any questions.
The two took the winch lift down from the Wall, then walked through the snow toward the Lord Commander's Tower.
When they pushed open the door, many people were already seated inside.
Alliser Thorne was among them. Several officers of the Night's Watch sat on either side of the long table, with a map of the lands beyond the Wall spread before them.
At the sight of Jon, some rose to their feet, while others lowered their heads to avoid his gaze.
Thorne did not stand. He merely looked up at him.
Although the White Walker's arm had briefly diverted everyone's attention, that hardly meant they had accepted Jon as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
Ignoring their strange looks, Jon walked straight toward the seat at the head of the table, the one belonging to the Lord Commander.
Just then, Alliser Thorne abruptly stood and raised an arm to bar Jon's way.
"Lord Snow," Thorne said with his usual contempt, "let us set aside the fact that Commander Mormont gave you his sword before he died."
"Every Lord Commander who has sat in this chair proved through time and blood that he deserved it."
"You've only been here half a year... what gives you the right to sit there?"
Jon did not rush to take his seat.
He looked at the hand barring his way and said nothing.
But behind him, whispers surged like a rising tide.