Castle Black first fell deathly silent. But the name Targaryen was like a massive stone hurled into a still lake.
Some of the older brothers in black certainly remembered that name. They had once been loyalists who, unwilling to serve the new king after their defeat, had been sent to the Wall by Robert Baratheon to join the Night's Watch.
Some of the younger brothers had also heard the name Viserys: the Dragonlord rising in the east, a Targaryen who possessed a dragon.
And now he had actually come to this godforsaken stretch of the Wall.
When Mormont heard that Viserys had come specifically to see him, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I am Jeor Mormont, the 997th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Your Grace of House Targaryen, our vows forbid us from interfering in the affairs of the Seven Kingdoms or taking part in their conflicts. You should not have come here."
Viserys had already noticed the tall, burly old man. Although he wore the same black fur cloak as everyone else, he held a Valyrian steel sword. Valyrian steel swords were magical, after all, and Viserys could sense it.
"I'm not here to ask you to take part in the conflicts in the south," Viserys said. "I came for two main reasons. First, to meet Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch. Second, to bring you news of a threat to the Wall's very survival. Let me inside first, and we can discuss it in detail."
Mormont hesitated. Allowing a Targaryen into Castle Black was a tremendous risk. If the North found out, it might cut off the Watch's supplies. But refusing could anger this Dragonlord, with potentially even graver consequences.
Just then, a voice came from behind the crowd. "Let him in."
The black