Mormont knew what it meant for him to say those words.
But he understood even better what a dragon meant!
It was neither an army nor money, but an absolute power capable of rewriting the rules.
With a dragon, they would no longer fear the dead!
Lord Commander Mormont's words struck the courtyard of Castle Black like a boulder crashing into a still lake, stirring towering waves before everything sank into deathly silence.
Every man of the Night's Watch stared at the scene before him, almost dumbstruck.
The Lord Commander had actually said such things in front of everyone!
Your will is my will?
Your commands are the highest orders of the Night's Watch?
This was no longer a matter of delegating authority.
It was practically an abdication!
Alliser Thorne's body began to tremble violently.
His knees felt weak, and he could barely remain standing.
He, too, understood what a dragon meant.
With a dragon, Lynn could easily gather an enormous force around himself.
He could even... covet that chair forged from swords!
He looked at Mormont, then at Lynn. The last shred of arrogance in his eyes was crushed, leaving only endless despair and madness.
It was over.
He knew he was utterly finished.
Lynn, the man he had always considered a thorn in his side, had become someone he could never hope to rival.
He had become the de facto uncrowned king of Castle Black, and even of the entire Night's Watch!
"My lord commander, you..."
Lynn had not expected the Old Bear to be so decisive, or to say such things in public.
"You deserve it."
Mormont waved a hand, cutting off Lynn's attempt to decline.
"I haven't gone senile yet. I know what I'm saying, and I know what a dragon means."
Mormont turned, his piercing