The Night's Watch brothers in the hall stood in their respective groups. Cotter Pyke had a circle of rangers from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea around him, while the men of the Shadow Tower gathered around Dennis Mallister.
Steward Bowen Malsee, the Chief Builder, and Master-at-Arms Alliser Thorne belonged to the Castle Black faction.
Janos "Frog" did not even put his name forward. He dared not make a fuss and only wanted to hide in the shadows of the crowd.
Renly Baratheon, meanwhile, drank by himself and voluntarily abstained.
The results of the previous vote were already in. Today was the second round.
At first, thirty or forty men had been nominated, but now there were far fewer. Many knew they had no hope and began withdrawing.
Ser Denys had placed first yesterday, followed by Cotter, then Samwell, the Chief Builder, and Steward Bowen. A very few had voted for Three-Finger Hab, Dolorous Edd, and others.
Samwell Tarly's support came from the legend of the "Slayer." He really had killed a White Walker, and the king had encountered them later too. Besides, he was of noble birth and had been groomed by the Old Bear.
The aged Maester Aemon spoke first. "Before we vote, does any other brother wish to speak?"
"Before this election, I have something to announce," said Cotter Pyke, commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, rising to his feet.
"Brothers, I ask that my name be withdrawn. Winter is coming, and the wights and White Walkers will soon be here. At a time like this, I see no need to keep playing this drawn-out election game with Ser Denys... So I have decided to withdraw from the election for Commander-in-Chief. Support Ser Denys. Put your trust in him..."
"Thank you, Brother Cotter." Dennis and Cotter Pyke embraced.
"I'm not doing this out of love