Night lay heavy, and the snow fell without end.
Jon Snow rode at the head of the column, snowflakes covering his black cloak.
Behind him, five hundred brothers of the Night's Watch stretched out in a long line, struggling through the wind and snow.
Their boots crunched through the snow, mingling with labored breaths and the occasional cough.
They had been traveling for three days straight, setting out from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and following the road west along the inner side of the Wall. They pressed on day and night, stopping for brief rests only when necessary.
No one complained, but exhaustion showed on every face. Yet he dared not stop.
He understood the divide between the Wildlings and the Night's Watch better than anyone.
He had forced the Wall's gates open and let a hundred thousand Wildlings through. He knew full well how many of his brothers would gladly put a knife in his back.
Conflict was only a matter of time.
He could only hope Davos would keep it under control.
"Lord Commander."
A voice came from behind him.
Jon looked back and saw Grenn urge his horse forward to ride beside him.
Grenn felt at his waist, where a black longsword hung. It looked as though it had been ground from stone.
"This stone sword," Grenn hesitated before asking, "will it really work against those things?"
Jon did not answer at once.
His gaze settled on the dragonglass longsword, and he fell silent for a moment.
"Perhaps," he said.
Grenn waited for him to continue, but Jon offered no further explanation.
He had no way to explain.
These dragonglass weapons had been sent from the south by the brother he had never met.
The letter said they were effective against White Walkers and had been sent specifically to aid