Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord.

Chapter 92 Black Castle

Gavin shook his head decisively and refused: "Mance Rayder, my ship is not your tool to invade the Seven Kingdoms. In order to prevent the White Walkers from becoming stronger, I can use the ship to take you to the island of Skagen for refuge, but that's all."

Mance Rayder frowned, stepped forward and said, "Skagen? How can such a small island support my people? Gavin, you are denying us the chance to survive."

Gavin looked calm and said, "I understand your situation, Mance Rayder. But invading the South and starting a war will bring more death and chaos. This is not a solution to the problem. Instead, it will make it easier for the White Walkers to break through the Wall, and the chaotic Seven Kingdoms will not be able to resist the White Walkers."

Mance Rayder sneered. "Death and chaos? When have the southern lords ever cared about the lives of wildlings like us? They built a wall to keep us out and called us wildlings."

Gavin said calmly: "Mance Rayder, even if you succeed in crossing the Wall, what can you do? The White Walkers will not stop their march southward, and you will still be unable to escape in the end. Moreover, because of your invasion of the Seven Kingdoms, you will completely lose the opportunity to resist the White Walkers. Of course, I can give you a chance to survive. If you are willing to be loyal to me, I will arrange a proper resettlement for my people."

Mance Rayder waved his hands angrily and roared, "Pledge allegiance? That's what you're thinking. We freemen will never kneel to anyone, and we will never become slaves of the southern lords. We are born free and we die free."

Gavin spread his hands, smiled helplessly, and said: "Mance Rayder, what you call freedom is robbery, plunder and killing? When you step into someone else's territory, shouldn't you abide by the laws there? I am eager to gain the loyalty of the free people, and in return, I also give you a chance to survive."

Mance Rayder said firmly: "We follow the laws of nature outside the Wall. We fight for survival. This is the way the free people have always survived."

Gavin laughed and said, "If you can't change your so-called way of survival, there will be no future survival."

After hearing this, Mance Rayder stopped talking and fell silent, as if he was thinking deeply about something.

"If you want to rob ships, I advise you to give up this idea. Even if you succeed in robbing one or two ships by chance, they will be sunk by other warships." Gavin reminded.

After being exposed, Mance Rayder said disdainfully: "Gawen Balerion, you seem to have us in your grasp, but you do not understand the free folk."

Gavin nodded and said, "Perhaps. Maybe I don't understand the free people, but I understand human nature. In the moment of life and death, people will change many of their previous beliefs."

After he finished speaking, Gavin looked at Osha behind him and said, "Think about your children. Isn't it your responsibility to save their lives?"

Then Gavin ignored the two silent people and turned away calmly, saying as he walked away, "There is still plenty of time. Think about it carefully, Mance Rayder."

Gawan never saw Mance Rayder again after that conversation, and heard that he had left Hardhome, so Gawan guessed that he had continued to gather the wildlings.

One day, Osha sent a message to inform that the giant Gavin had agreed to the deal and was currently transporting wood to Hardhome. However, due to the long distance and the huge amount of wood to be transported, it might take quite some time to complete the task.

After a brief consideration, Gavin immediately entrusted some experienced and steady captains to take charge of the remaining matters. In addition, he ordered the other warships to start their return journey, except for those armed merchant ships that were left for escort and necessary defense. After arranging all this, Gavin took Daenerys and rode on a flying dragon to the direction of the Black Castle.

After landing in an open space not far from the Black Castle, Gavin took Daenerys on foot towards the ancient castle.

Gavin led Daenerys towards the Black Castle. Not far away, the Wall stood tall. This magnificent building made of ice and huge stones was seven hundred feet high, like a sleeping dragon lying on the ground. The sun shone on the ice surface of the Wall, reflecting a dazzling light.

Below the Great Wall, the outline of the Black Castle gradually became clear. The castle walls were very low and built entirely of black stone, contrasting with the white Great Wall, looking solemn and majestic. Although it was summer, there was still unmelted snow at the foot of the Great Wall, adding a bit of coolness to the land.

As they got closer, the guards of the Black Castle soon spotted the two people in the distance, but seeing that there were only two of them the guards did not pay any attention.

When Gawen and Daenerys arrived at the foot of the castle, the guards shouted, "Who are you and what is your purpose here?"

Gavin walked forward and said to the guard, "I am Gavin Bellerys, Lord of the Stepstones. I'm here with my squire and would like to see Jeor Mormont, commander of the Night's Watch. Please pass the message on." After that, he turned sideways to glance at Daenerys, who was already wearing a hood and dressed like a tomboy.

The guard frowned, looked Gavin and Daenerys up and down, hesitated for a moment and said, "Wait here, I'll go and report." Then he turned and walked quickly into the castle.

Not long after, the guard reappeared and raised his hand to signal, "The commander agrees to see you, come with me." Hearing this, Gavin pulled Daenerys's sleeve, and the two followed the guard into the Black Castle.

Gavin followed the guard into the house and saw two people sitting behind a slightly old wooden table.

The gray-haired, strong-bodied old man is the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont. Next to him sits Maester Aemon, who has gray hair and cloudy eyes.

Mormont looked up at Gavin with a hint of confusion in his eyes, "Gavin Bellerys? I have never heard of this family."

Gavin bowed respectfully and said, "Commander-in-Chief, I was awarded the Development Order a few years ago and became the lord of a newly developed territory. Before that, I was operating in the south, which is a remote area. It's normal that you don't know about it."

Mormont nodded and said, "I see. I know Ser Gawain of the Stepstones. It is no small achievement that you were able to conquer them."

Maester Aemon on the side tilted his head slightly, as if trying to see Gawen and Daenerys clearly, his eyes searching them.

After a few words of small talk, Mormont asked, "So, Lord Gawain, what brings you all the way to the Wall?" Mormont frowned, then asked, "And are there only two of you walking here?"

(End of this chapter)