The temperature in the corridor of Castle Black was freezing. Viserys held Daenerys's hand tightly, and the warmth of the palms passed through the skin, silently soothing her nerves that were slightly tense due to the meeting just now.
"I'm fine, Older Brother, you did a great job just now."
Daenerys didn't care about anything else. His purple Roland eyes reflected Viserys's stern profile and said softly, "Although those lords from the south began to fear Others, they finally understood the serious situation Westeros is facing now."
Viserys did not respond immediately, but looked deeply at the spiral staircase leading to the top room of Tower at the end of the corridor.
He knows that the obedience of Mace. Tyrell and his like is only due to fear and the binding of temporary interests. Once there is a real life-and-death crisis, these people's minds may immediately become active again.
But at this moment, he had no time to take into account the intrigues of those Ambitionist. What's more, he just wanted to take advantage of those people. It was not up to him to decide whether they would be alive on the battlefield.
Viserys raised a cold arc at the corner of his mouth, and said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, "Dany, you have to remember that in this continent that is full of greed and rarely has the spirit of chivalry, loyalty is completely a luxury, and it is most reasonable to use them rationally."
Daenerys nodded slightly. Although she was kind-hearted by nature and never liked to judge others with malice, the determination in Viserys's eyes made her understand that this was not cold-blooded, but a burden that she had to bear as a member of the Targaryen royal family.
She tightened the cloak with full Golden Rose edges and let Viserys hold her hand and climb up the stairs. The Castle Black spiral staircase was narrow and deep, and their footsteps echoed among the silent stone walls.
When they arrived at the room on the top floor of Tower, the Flame in the fireplace was booming, dispelling the cold air they brought in from the corridor.
Viserys let go of his hand and walked to the window. He overlooked the dark castle below and the Wall not far away that stretched between heaven and earth, isolating the world of the living and the dead.
Daenerys walked behind Viserys and gently put a thick fox fur prepared in the room on his shoulders. He turned around and looked at Daenerys's concerned eyes, and the haze in his heart dissipated a little.
In this game with Ancient Other God, he is the chess player and the lone warrior, but at least at this moment, in this warm room between inches, he is no longer alone.
"Go to rest early, Dany. I will take you to see Grandpa Aemon tomorrow." Viserys reached out and rubbed the top of Daenerys's hair, showing a gentle smile.
Early the next morning, Viserys took Daenerys to Maester's Tower where Maester Aemon was.
The furnishings in Tower have not changed much from the last time Viserys came here. There are still scrolls, books and bottles of potions everywhere, and the fire in the fireplace also makes the whole room warm.
Viserys When they came in, Maester Aemon was sitting on a chair by the window, and the little fat boy Samwell. Tarly was squatting in front of the bookshelf, sorting out a pile of old scrolls that were somewhat moldy.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Samwell raised his head and saw Viserys and a young girl also named Silver-Haired Figure Violet Eyes coming in. He quickly stood up and saluted.
"Your Majesty Viserys, Your Highness Princess." Sam's voice was still so timid, and because of nervousness, the scroll he held in his arms almost slipped off.
"You go about your business first." Viserys waved his hand towards him, indicating to Sam that there was no need to be polite.
The old man seemed to be in better spirits today than last time. Although his cloudy eyes were still invisible, his face looked less gloomy.
"Is it Viserys? Who is the other one? Although I can't see it, I can still tell from the footsteps. She is not Rhaenys."
He turned his head slightly, facing Viserys and their direction, with a gentle and kind smile on his face, and said, "I also heard the dragon roar, that is not Rhaenys's Meleys."
When Samwell heard Maester Aemon's question, he hurriedly held the scroll in his arms steady again, and stepped aside awkwardly to make room for the three of them.
"She is Daenerys, my Little Sister." Viserys pulled Daenerys forward and said in a relaxed tone, "Grandpa Aemon, long time no see, your complexion looks much better."
Maester Aemon's turbid eyes that seemed to be able to see into people's hearts moved slightly, as if they were trying to capture the unique breath in the air.
He held his old fingers in the air for a moment, then showed a clear smile and said, "The blood of House Targaryen... Yes, I smell the breath of the dragon, a breath stronger than Rhaenys. Welcome you here, my child. Although the wind and snow in Castle Black are cold, as long as the human heart is warm, it's not too bad."
"Daenerys." Maester Aemon suddenly read the name again slowly, as if recalling something, and then said, "Were you born on Dragonstone, the day of the storm?"
"Yes." Daenerys's voice sounded a little tight.
"I was at Wall at the time and received news that the storm destroyed Dragonstone Fleet. I also heard that Rhaella had given birth to a daughter."
Aemon's tone was very calm, and he said, "It's just that there was no news after that. I never knew whether you survived or not. I was the only Targaryen left in the world until Viserys arrived."
Daenerys was a little surprised by the blind old man's words. She bowed gracefully, even though the other party couldn't see her at all.
She said softly, "Older Brother told me that you have been at Wall. When I was a child at Braavos, I sometimes wondered if House Targaryen had any other relatives alive besides the three of us."
"Later, when I learned that you were in Wall, I wanted to come and see you, but I never had the right opportunity. I am very happy to meet you. Grandpa Aemon, Older Brother often mentioned you before, saying that you were one of the wisest people in this land."
"Wisdom?" Aemon chuckled self-deprecatingly, shook his head, and said, "I just lived longer and read more books. On this Wall, time passes slower than elsewhere, slow enough for people to see clearly many truths that have been ignored by the world."
"I was also confused. When I first learned that Usurper had rebelled against Iron Throne, I wanted to go south. Later, when I heard about Rhaegar's death, and then I heard that Viserys and the others had retreated to Dragonstone, I couldn't wait to draw my sword immediately, even if this old bone could no longer lift it."
Maester Aemon sighed, with a deep sense of powerlessness in his voice, and continued, "But I am bound here, by an oath, and by these invisible eyes. I can only wait here, in the cold at the end of the world Wall, watching you struggle in despair."