Sword and Magic and Taxi

This time, the night watchmen discovered something remarkable on the north side of the Great Wall: three completely frozen corpses. It is common to freeze to death in the ice and snow, but this time it was very different.

No frostbite can turn the blood in blood vessels into black powder, no cold can turn a person's pupils into the blue of the sky, and no frostbite can make muscles as brittle as glass.

The three men found were all rangers of the Night's Watch. They had followed Benjen Stark into the ice fields and disappeared together. Now they're back on the scene, and it's certainly not a good thing. The situation of the chief ranger is worrying. What is hidden in the vast snowfield that makes the strongest man in the Night Watch still missing?

Moreover, how did these three corpses get near the Great Wall? There was no blood or signs of struggle near the place where they were found, which indicated that they did not die here but were moved here. Who would do such a thing and for what reason? Countless questions were swirling in Mr. Xiong's head. He needed to find the answer, and he first thought of Maester Aemon.

Open the gate, take them back, and show them to Master Aemon. Old Bear stroked his beard, then turned to look at Samwell, who was about to wet his pants because of the corpse, and said with a rare compliment: Sam, you discovered These doubts are very important, and you performed well. You are fat, but you are not stupid. And Snow, you did a good job.

Sam's face immediately turned red and he hurriedly wanted to say thank you, but his tongue didn't obey him. Jon couldn't help laughing, and knelt down to rub Ghost's head again. It was it that discovered the abnormality and led everyone to find the body. It is also the only animal that is not afraid of the smell of corpses. The other horses and dogs are frightened by the corpses and dare not approach or even smell them.

Okay, let's go back! After Mr. Xiong finished speaking, he sat on his horse and meditated. The weather outside the Great Wall is getting worse and worse, with a heavy snow followed by a warm hot wind. The newly fallen ice and snow melted quickly, and water dripped from the branches, as if it had rained again. According to records, this weird weather is called Ghost Summer and will only appear before the arrival of extremely dangerous winter.

Mr. Xiong knew that the days ahead would be difficult. There is bound to be heavy snowfall in a few months, followed by a winter that lasts for many years. He is not worried about winter, because the Great Wall can block the wind and snow from the north, and Castle Black is warm enough. But the hidden enemy worried him. In previous years, savages would sneak over the Great Wall and go south to rob and rape. What about this year? The huge cold winter is coming, will they get worse?

The power of the Night Watch is not what it used to be. If we don't take the initiative to detect dangers and respond to dangers in advance, isn't it just a dead end? Mormont was thinking all the way. He didn't want to become the last commander of the Night's Watch.

The group of people who went out for reconnaissance slowly returned to the Great Wall. The horn of Castle Black (the top half of the city wall) sounded, and a long and powerful Ooooooooooooooooooooo... represented the return of the rangers. Two blasts represent a savage enemy attack, a very simple and easy-to-understand signal.

Jon and Samwell looked at each other. Although they were both stewards, this horn meant that they had been rangers for at least one day! You're a ranger too, Sam. Jon punched his friend on the shoulder.

Really? So are you! Fat Sam raised his eyebrows, looking very proud. However, he also saw three corpses dragged on the wooden board behind him, and he felt nauseated again. He probably wouldn't be able to eat today...

After hearing the signal, the gate of the ice tunnel opened. Bursar Bowen Marsh was standing in the first gate and ran up quickly, holding a letter in his hand. My lord, there is a message from a bird. You will definitely want to see it as soon as possible.

Huh? Mormont was deeply surprised. He grabbed the letter and read it carefully word by word. Everyone was curious about what it contained, and Jon noticed that the Steward had been looking at him with an indescribable look.

After Mr. Xiong read the letter, he remained silent for half a minute. Bowen, please make arrangements and find a place to put the things you brought back. It seems that Master Aemon can't spare his hands for the time being. I will go find him. Then he turned to look at Jon, His lips trembled and he said: Xiao Nuo, when you finish the work at hand, go to Master Aemon to find me. I estimate... in two hours.

After saying that, he spurred his horse forward and galloped through the ice tunnel to Castle Black.

The three corpses were carried into a storage room at the foot of the Great Wall. It was one of countless cold rooms carved out of the ice walls, specifically used to store things like meat, grain, and sometimes ale. Bowen thought he had found a good place, so he chose an empty room and threw the body in. Let's go, you all need to warm up. They closed the door without locking it at all. Low temperature will affect the working of the locks, and the dead person is not a prisoner, so why should he lock the door since he would not move in the first place.

They came out of the tunnel and saw Zhao Mai standing in front of the door, looking inside. The magic of the Great Wall of Despair is still powerful. Zhao Mai tried it and he was able to walk ten meters in the frozen tunnel. Then frost would start to appear and the blood would slowly solidify. He estimated that even if he transformed into a white ball and used his elemental body to avoid freezing, he would only be able to go half way at most, and then he would run out of power and freeze into ice.

That's why he could only stand at the entrance of the tunnel and look around. When Zhao Mai saw Jon, he immediately stepped forward and reached out to hold his hand: Welcome back.

Uh, thank you... thank you. Jon said a little strangely. Then Zhao Mai went to shake Samwell's hand again, Welcome back.

Maybe it was some kind of warm custom he didn't know about, Jon thought. Estimating the time, I can still go to the canteen and order a steaming cup of something, no matter what it is, as long as it is wine. Then, you can take two cups of the stuff to Master Aemon, and give each of Mr. Xiong and the bachelor a cup. What a great idea!

This is what he planned, and he did the same an hour later, but he didn't expect that Mr. Xiong asked him to drink one of the cups first. You need to sit down and listen to a message.

Jon had a premonition that something bad was going to happen, so he tried to calm himself down, and then did as he was told.

The king is dead, said Mr. Xiong.

Jon was shocked. He met the king half a year ago. He was a fat but healthy man. He had not heard of any disease. Why did he die suddenly?

Then who is the new king? It should be that annoying Joffrey, right? He certainly wasn't going to let his father continue to be Hand of the King, which meant that he and his father might be returning to Winterfell. Maybe he could ask Mr. Xiong for leave to go back and have a look, just like Uncle Ben Yang did. His father promised him last time that he would tell him about his mother when they meet again. He didn't care if she was a whore, he was old enough to know everything, the man of the Night's Watch, the Ranger.

Be prepared mentally, the above is all bad news. Mormont said: Lord Eddard is currently in prison. He is accused of treason. The letter states that he conspired with Robert's two brothers to seize Jofer. The throne inside.”

Impossible! Jon said immediately: Absolutely impossible! Father, he will never betray the king!

Whether it's true or not, it's not my turn to make irresponsible remarks. Of course, it's not your turn either, said Mr. Xiong.

But that's a lie! Jon insisted. He knew his father too well. He was a man who valued honor above life and had no stain in his life. But... maybe there is another stain, and that is an illegitimate child.

My lord, what will happen to him? Will he be executed?

I don't know. Elder Xiong said, I will write to important ministers of the kingdom, such as Sir Barristan, the steward of the royal guard. I have a good relationship with him. Whether your father has done this or not, he is still a good person. A great man, Lord, so even in the worst case scenario, we must give him the opportunity to wear black and join us. Although he will no longer be the Duke of Winterfell, you also know how much we need people like Eddard You are such a talented person.

There was a spark of hope in Jon's heart. There had indeed been precedents for people accused of treason to go to the Wall to atone for their sins. Why couldn't Lord Eddard do the same? It might be a good thing to see his father here, because it means that his father only belongs to him and to the night watchman.

The only problem is the queen. Old Bear said: Joffrey is young and must listen to his mother's words. His uncle may also be able to do it. It's a pity that the dwarf is not with them. He has seen the plight of our night watchmen, Seeing with your own eyes how urgent we are in need of help, you will be willing to help us persuade you! Alas, it is really inappropriate for your mother to arrest him like that...

Lady Stark is not my mother, Jon said sharply. Tyrion treats him as a friend, but Catelyn Stark is not a mother. If her father was really killed, she and the queen would be equally responsible. Jon suddenly remembered something and immediately became worried and asked quickly: My lord, where are my sisters? They are all in King's Landing with my father. Do you know...

I don't know, the letter didn't say it, I will ask for you. Old Xiong said: Damn it, when is not good, but this time. I have smelled that the most terrible winter is coming, and the king needs someone right now. A powerful ruler. Robert is a true warrior, and Joffrey? This name makes me worried! Why at this time when I need all the help! Xiong Lai gave Jon a meaningful look: Boy , I hope you don’t do anything stupid! Now your responsibility lies here. From the moment you put on the black clothes, you in the past are dead. No matter what happens in King’s Landing, it has nothing to do with you, and it has nothing to do with you. It has nothing to do with us.”

Jon nodded blankly and took another sip of wine. Those were his father and sister, how could they be irrelevant?

You can go, I don't need you today. You have a good rest and come and write me a letter tomorrow!

Then the master of the direwolf stood up and excused himself as if in a dream, bowed mechanically and left. If Bai Ling hadn't grabbed his clothes, he might have fallen down the stairs.

Hey, Jon, I think what you need now is not a direwolf, but a guide dog. Zhao Mai appeared out of nowhere, or was he waiting here? By the way, I heard that like Sam, he was assigned to Maester Aemon, so he must have known the contents of the letter!

The gods are cruel, Zhao Mai said: Why not take a golden elixir!