Jon stood where he was, saying nothing for a long time.
He had let the wildlings in to save them.
He had thought that as long as everyone obeyed the rules, the Night's Watch and the wildlings could coexist peacefully. He had thought that as long as he kept them in check himself, nothing would go wrong.
He had been wrong.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened them again, a thought flashed through his mind-Ygritte.
She was caught in this chaos too.
Where was she? Was she still alive?
He wanted to ask Sam.
But the words reached his lips, and he swallowed them back.
He could not let his personal feelings cloud his judgment now. He was the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He had to bring the situation under control first.
He suppressed his surging emotions and asked, "Then why are you here? Where are Davos and the others?"
Worry crossed Sam's face. "When the wights attacked Castle Black, Maester Aemon was collecting raven messages in the Rookery. I was worried about him, so I went to find him. But the wights spotted me and trapped me here. Thank goodness you came in time..."
"Master-at-arms Davos and the others have been fighting desperately against the White Walkers, together with our brothers and the wildlings led by Mance Rayder. They've fallen back to the Commander Tower."
Jon's expression grew grave. "Let's get Maester Aemon to safety first."
Sam nodded and turned to lead the way.
They passed through burning ruins, skirted collapsed houses, and headed toward the tower at the highest point of Castle Black.
That was the Night's Watch's Rookery, the tallest building in Castle Black, where raven messages were received.
The tower soared high above them, and for that reason,