Chapter 457

As far as Aegor knew, the North had no weapons or preparations capable of dealing with dragons. With Targaryen fleets from Dragonstone blocking maritime routes and Stannis in King’s Landing unable to provide technical or military aid, Daenerys could potentially dominate the North with just Rhaegal.

Moreover, the Gift’s army—fresh from its victory over the White Walkers—was well-organized, highly trained, and riding high on morale. With Rhaegal’s support, the combination of disciplined infantry and dragonfire—what he mentally termed "infantry-dragon coordination"—seemed militarily unstoppable.

But was it really that simple?

Aegor frowned, feeling uneasy about his own conclusion. Reviewing his reasoning, he quickly found the flaw.

Conflict could take many forms—hot wars and cold wars. While he might have the upper hand on the battlefield, the Gift’s internal structure was far from stable.

Tywin Lannister had once said, "Some battles are won with swords and spears, others with quills and ravens."

If he were in the North’s position, lacking the means to directly counter dragons yet intent on opposing the Night’s Watch’s shift in neutrality to back Daenerys’s claim to the Iron Throne, he wouldn’t launch a war. A softer approach would be far more effective: undermining Aegor’s power from within.
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The Gift, Aegor realized, was a patchwork of three groups: the hill tribes, the newly settled Free Folk, and the Night’s Watch. The defeat of the White Walkers had eliminated the shared enemy that had previously united them. Now, without an external threat, fractures could easily form.

Aegor’s position as their leader was precarious. He wasn’t a hereditary lord, lacked the legitimacy of a noble lineage, and had neither heirs nor a network of disciples or mentors. His control of the Gift, while outwardly firm, was more fragile than that of any Northern house over their lands. The North didn’t need to defeat his forces in open battle; they only needed to topple him personally.

If House Stark were to:Reach out to the hill tribes and declare their support.Promise the Free Folk the freedom to choose whether to remain or return beyond the Wall.Collaborate with internal dissenters within the Night’s Watch to create a coordinated uprising…

They could dismantle his authority without firing a single arrow.

The North might not have strategic masterminds, but Aegor couldn’t afford to dismiss the possibility that a simple plan might emerge through sheer numbers or discussion. Even crude tactics could destabilize his position and leave him scrambling to recover.
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How to prevent this?

Aegor took a deep breath and began formulating countermeasures.

Among the three factions in the Gift, the hill tribes were the easiest to manage. While nominally part of the North and supposedly loyal to the Starks, their loyalty was conditional. The North’s policy of minimal interference—no taxes, no conscription—had kept relations amicable. But during this winter, it was the Night’s Watch that had provided them with food, clothing, shelter, and protection.

By negotiating with the tribal leaders first and promising them permanent lands in the Gift, Aegor could ensure their loyalty—or at least their neutrality. They wouldn’t likely rise against the North for him, but they also wouldn’t allow themselves to be used as a weapon against him.

The newly settled Free Folk were a more complicated issue. They were the largest group in the Gift, having fled beyond the Wall to escape the White Walkers. While they had made significant contributions to the Gift’s defense and development, their forced migration had created deep divisions. Some would be content to remain in the Gift, enjoying safety and resources. Others, however, longed to return to the “freedom” of the lands beyond the Wall now that the Others were gone.

This division could easily be exploited by outside forces. By claiming that the lands beyond the Wall remained unsafe, Aegor could delay the problem temporarily. But ultimately, he needed to address it head-on. It was time to deploy the tools he had prepared: loyalists among the Free Folk, a carefully cultivated cult of personality, and the media apparatus he had built to shape public opinion in the Gift.

The Night’s Watch was the most troublesome faction. Even after Aegor’s reforms and expansion, they were the smallest group in the Gift, but also the most potentially dangerous. Through improved conditions and his leadership during the war, Aegor had earned their respect and loyalty. However, this loyalty was contingent on him fulfilling his role as Lord Commander and defending the realm. Now that the Others were defeated and he had taken a more active role in politics, the discipline and unity he had fostered might falter.

The old guard of the Night’s Watch, with their experience, knowledge, and understanding of tradition, were particularly resistant to manipulation. Worse, should they conspire with the North, the prospect of filling the now-vacant positions of Lord Commander and senior officers would incentivize betrayal.

Fortunately, relocating the Night’s Watch headquarters from the Wall to Crown Town had created a buffer zone between Aegor and the old guard. By remaining vigilant and treating dissenters within the Watch as potential enemies, Aegor could mitigate their threat—though not eliminate it entirely.
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As Aegor mulled over his strategies, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Lord Commander, I’ve gone to considerable effort to ensure my followers don’t turn against you. Have you thought about what you’ll do with your little prophet?”

It was Melisandre. She and Machiro had accompanied Daenerys during her inspection of the dragon’s temporary lair. With the queen fully absorbed in overseeing construction, the Red Priestess appeared unusually relaxed.

Her words brought two matters Aegor had nearly forgotten crashing back into focus. The “followers” she referred to were nobles loyal to Stannis who had joined her at the Wall. Despite their skill and contributions during the war, their allegiance was tenuous. To her credit, Melisandre had kept them in line even after Aegor pledged loyalty to Daenerys.

As for the “little prophet,” she meant Bran Stark. Since returning from beyond the Wall and joining the Night’s Watch, Bran had taken his vows under Aegor’s direct supervision. But as a Stark with supernatural abilities, his presence remained a source of unease. Both Aegor and the Red Priests had kept a close eye on him.

Conveniently, Bran had fallen into a near-constant state of exhaustion after the Battle of Long Lake. He spent most of his time asleep, claiming that his confrontation with the Night King had drained him. While plausible, Aegor suspected this was a deliberate attempt to reduce his visibility and avoid scrutiny.

Aegor sighed. “Do you think his condition is genuine, or could he be faking?”

“He’s certainly drained,” Machiro replied evenly. “But whether that justifies this level of debilitation, I have my doubts. Still, without evidence, I hesitate to make any accusations. As he was the one who brought the Lightbringer from beyond the Wall, I’m inclined to withhold judgment. Ultimately, the decision rests with you.”

“I see,” Aegor muttered. “I’ll figure something out.”

He had no plan, of course. There were too many pressing issues to juggle. But leaving someone like Bran—unpredictable and unaligned—unaccounted for was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.
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Just as Aegor resolved to address the matter later, a soldier arrived, breathless, to deliver a report.

“Lord Commander, we’ve discovered the saltpeter workshop in the main keep’s rear courtyard. It’s fully stocked with materials. What are your