Jon, for instance, had little power but great ambitions, and in the end, the honor of being Commander-in-Chief cost him his life.
He had been there too briefly, risen too quickly, gained too little support, and faced too many crises.
"The Iron Throne's support is vital to the Night's Watch. Though the Watch swears neutrality, our strength has dwindled time and again. If Your Majesty provides them with aid, there will be fewer complaints."
Gendry thought it over and still considered choosing from among the older, seasoned men. Aside from First Steward Bowen and the Chief Builder, the others were not necessarily all useless.
Gendry had ideas of his own, but he also listened to the old man's opinion.
"Ser Wynton Stout served as a ranger for eighty years, but now his strength and memory are gone. He would have been quite suitable twenty years ago. As for Bowen, he cannot command troops in battle. Our Chief Builder is far too inadequate." Maester Aemon ruled them out first.
"The studious and bold Samwell Tarly, the brave Coldhands Colin, the tenacious Old Bear, and the compassionate Donal Noye. Unfortunately, the Old Bear is gone, Sam is too young, and Colin and Donal are too low in standing," Aemon said thoughtfully.
"Ser Qhorin Pyke or Ser Denys Mallister. Those are the remaining choices. Though choosing either would anger the other, they have sufficient seniority and prestige. Besides, with Your Majesty here, they will all behave..."
The commanders of the Shadow Tower and Eastwatch-by-the-Sea were both capable men, but very different: Ser Denys was courteous, cautious, chivalrous, and older, while the younger Pyke, a bastard, spoke crudely and was unafraid of mistakes, but also had drive.
Unfortunately, the two did not get along. The knight from Seaguard would always be wary of the