Jon had just emerged from the Commander Tower when he ordered the steward to summon everyone again.
The Night's Watch officers and wildling chiefs who had only just dispersed returned to the Council Chamber one after another, looking puzzled...
They had just finished one meeting. Why call another so soon?
Once again, people filled the seats on both sides of the long table.
Davos, Alliser Thorne, the Magnar, Ygritte, the other wildling tribal chiefs, and the Night's Watch stewards and quartermasters all fixed their eyes on Jon.
Jon looked around at everyone present and spoke. "I've thought of a way to resolve the conflict between the Night's Watch and the Free Folk."
Everyone turned toward Jon, waiting for him to continue.
"I'll take off the black and go south to fight."
The Council Chamber fell silent for a moment.
The Night's Watch officers stared in disbelief. They had never expected their Lord Commander to lead the way in breaking his oath.
Some wanted to object, but a glance at Davos stopped them. He said nothing; Aegon had spared his life and sent him to the Wall in the first place.
And Alliser Thorne, whom they had expected to stand up and condemn Jon, remained silent and motionless.
With no one taking the lead, the Night's Watch tacitly accepted Jon's decision to take off the black.
Having addressed the Night's Watch, Jon turned to the wildlings.
"I'm going south to support House Targaryen," he said. "If the Free Folk follow me south in search of a way to survive, bloody battle will be inevitable. Perhaps several bloody battles."
"This war will be fought for me, Jon, and for House Targaryen."
He made that clear, then asked whether the wildlings were willing.
The wildlings began weighing their options.
Staying at the Wall