章 658: Chapter 658: Tracking the White Walkers
"Caw—"
A crow, perched on a tree branch, gazed down at a black-clad knight below, tilted its head, and emitted a shrill call. Then, flapping its wings, it soared into the sky.
Since reclaiming Winterfell, the Night's Watch, akin to a marauding force, progressively retook other castles and villages in the North, even the final holdfast of Hearth's Home. Commander Jeor Mormont of the Night's Watch directed his troops, reclaiming most of the lost territory in the North. However, before he could retake his homeland of Bear Island in the Bay of Ice, he hastened to the imposing Wall.
For the men of the Night's Watch, the Wall was home. Since Jeor Mormont swore his vows upon the weirwood, he ceased to be the Lord of Bear Island and became Commander of the Night's Watch, where duty eclipsed personal sentiment.
Still, the Wall stood grandly upon the land, approximately three hundred miles long and seven hundred feet high, its continuous stretch obscuring half the sky.
The black-clad knight, astride his horse on a hillock, gazing upon the distant Wall amidst the snowy winds, was Eddard Stark. The sight was awe-inspiring, and the new recruits of the Night's Watch, upon witnessing such a spectacle, couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves, a reverence rising from their very souls.
However, the collapsed section, resultant from the Wildlings blowing the Horn of Winter, was conspicuously evident. Like a dam with a gaping hole, even the sturdiest defense was futile. Wildlings and White Walkers entered through this breach, wreaking havoc upon the lands of Westeros.
"Seeing it again, I long to slay the Wildlings anew!"
"Stannis acted too hastily. The King of the Wildlings should have repented for his horrific sins before execution."
Eddard Stark, his wolf-pelt cloak billowing in the brisk wind, gazed at the partially crumbled Wall and spoke, his voice raspy.
Mance Rayder, King of the Free Folk, had collapsed the Wall by sounding the Horn of Winter, directly enabling the White Walkers to cross the Wall and invade the Seven Kingdoms.
The Great Fleeing of the North ensued, with countless individuals abandoning their homes and many perishing on the arduous journey.
Their wives, husbands, children, and parents - after perishing from cold and hunger, their bodies were not buried but collectively burned, preventing any possibility of resurrection as foes in the icy winds.
Beside Eddard, his brother Benjen, also on horseback, turned to look at him, then shook his head silently, not responding.
Benjen wanted to say that the Wildlings did what they did to survive. If Mance hadn't blown the Horn of Winter and the Wall hadn't opened, his people would have perished at the hands of the White Walkers.
At the end of the day, it was Robert's responsibility. He insisted that they bend the knee before crossing the Wall. However, the Free Folk, holding the artifact that could breach the Wall, stubbornly refused to kneel.
But if they had been allowed through, the Wildlings, who did not farm or herd and lived by raiding, would have wreaked havoc upon the citizens of the Seven Kingdoms. Robert, as the king, was justified in protecting his subjects by denying the Wildlings entry.
Nevertheless, discussing this now was pointless; what was done was done. Robert was long gone, and his grave was overgrown with grass. There was no need to argue with his brother over such trivial matters.
Although Benjen loathed the Wildlings for killing many of his brethren, he also knew that the Wildlings were people too. Just that, before the Wall was built, their ancestors had chosen to live on the other side, thus being isolated.
But how could the noble and honor-bound Eddard Stark understand how the Wildlings lived?
"When I reach Castle Black, I will go there."
"To bring Lyanna back."
Benjen didn't continue his brother's train of thought. He held the reins in one hand, turned his head, and spoke lightly.
However, Benjen's words made Eddard's heart slightly heavy. He looked at his younger brother, his gray eyes meeting Benjen's, and spoke seriously.
"Benjen."
Since the last time in the dungeons of Winterfell, Eddard told Benjen that once he reached the Wall, he intended to request permission from Commander Mormont to venture beyond the Wall, alone, to track the White Walkers and find his sister.
But Eddard's decision was met with strong opposition from Benjen.
Eddard could not possibly be more familiar with life beyond the Wall or have more experience than him. Furthermore, while Eddard donned black, he was once the Lord of Winterfell. He had his wife, Robb, Sansa, Jon, Arya, and Bran. But Benjen, solitary and unbound, was unencumbered.
He was more suited for this perilous venture.
Therefore, Benjen vehemently opposed Eddard going alone and was willing to go in his brother's stead.
After all, he also had a duty to find Lyanna, his sister.
In the end, between the Stark brothers, Benjen's arguments prevailed.
Perhaps, deep down, Eddard couldn't completely abandon his wife and children and live solely for himself.
The Stark brothers, inheriting the straightforward nature of the North, were devoid of pretense. Benjen was willing to go in place of his brother, and Eddard was not posturing.
"I owe a life, Benjen."
Then the middle-aged man with dark brown hair spoke earnestly, causing Benjen's smile to gradually fade.
He looked at Eddard, his gaze intense, and promised solemnly.
"I will return alive, brother."
"And I will bring back Lyanna."
Soldiers of the Night's Watch, their numbers stretching beyond sight, entered the long-collapsed Castle Black. The primary task awaiting the watch was to repair the Wall.
Although, according to legend, the Wall was interwoven with spells and magic to fortify it against mystical entities, such as the White Walkers, from a military perspective, such a gaping breach could not be left unattended. It must be repaired to the best of their abilities.
And so, the Stark brothers also followed the troop into the crumbling Castle Black.
After resting for a night and making ample preparations, Benjen, with Commander Mormont's permission, departed the next morning without bidding anyone farewell. He did not inform his brother of his departure time.
Alone, with horse and sword, his elongated shadow submerged into the snowstorm, heading towards the unknowable north.
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