NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: Chapter 62
The sun rose, heralding a new day. As usual, Yoren, the recruiter for the Night's Watch, went to Flea Bottom after breakfast to round up "new recruits." Tyrion, in an unusual display of early rising, left to begin setting up the "printing factory" he had been dreaming of. Only Aegor remained behind, sleeping a little longer. When the sun was fully up, and the time seemed right, he mounted his horse and set off leisurely for the storefront Eddard Stark had arranged for the Night's Watch in a street-facing location.
It was, of course, impossible to have seals and signs made overnight, and the bonds wouldn't be issued in just a day or two. But the Night Watchman's Office had to open quickly. Whether for signing bonds or recruiting new members, such activities couldn't be conducted in the open air or in someone else's home. Just as conmen and shell companies rent office spaces and hire employees to establish an air of legitimacy, financial dealings need to be conducted in a fixed, professional-looking location. This would provide first-time visitors with a sense of security.
Jack had already ordered tables, chairs, cabinets, and other office supplies the previous day and scheduled their delivery. They were due to arrive today, and as the applicant and future head of the Night Watchman's Office, Aegor had no choice but to be on-site to supervise the setup and oversee the arrangement of the storefront.
…
The merchant proved to have a good sense of timing. Within half an hour of opening, all the workers and goods arrived.
After a quick cleanup, Aegor began directing the workers to move tables, chairs, and cabinets inside, arranging them one by one in their designated places. Though he'd never opened a shop before, growing up around his mother's tailoring and clothing store had left an indelible influence on him. Without even realizing it, he set up the office's layout in a way reminiscent of his childhood home.
The office was divided into two rooms, one for public access and the other for private use. On one wall of the public room, a poster would display detailed explanations and rules of the Night's Watch bonds. On another wall, a poster would highlight the benefits and requirements of enlisting in the Night's Watch. Below these posters, two rows of benches were set up for visitors to rest. In the center of the room stood a large table, where the store manager would eventually sit to explain bond purchases or enlistment procedures to interested visitors. Once they were certain of their interest, they would be invited into the inner room.
The inner room served as Aegor's private office. It featured a row of simple cabinets and wooden shelves, with space for safes or other secure storage in the future. A desk stood by the window, slightly smaller than the one in the outer room. This would be the place for more in-depth discussions and negotiations, where Aegor would personally sign every Night's Watch bond and recruitment contract.
After the setup was complete, both Aegor and Jack were drenched in sweat. They moved chairs outside the storefront, sitting down to catch their breath while looking at the newly furnished but still-empty office.
…
"Do you really think anyone will sign up for the Night's Watch?" Jack asked, fanning himself with one hand. He had removed his Lannister armor due to the heat. "I mean, no offense, but the price you pay for wearing black... it's just too steep. I'd rather die."
"True," Aegor replied, a slight smile on his face. "The Night's Watch does need to reform. If we keep clinging to that 'sacred' nonsense about lifelong vows, we'll disappear altogether."
"Reform?"
"Yes, reform."
Aegor's smile deepened, though it was a calculated one. He had no intention of actually sending large numbers of new recruits to the Wall. Even if he had the means to do so, he wouldn't. Training them, making them swear oaths, and turning them into lifelong "brothers" of the Night's Watch offered him no personal benefit.
It was true that the more men he sent to the Wall, the more secure its defenses would be, and the less likely it was that the Watch would recall him. But it was also true that with more recruits, the overall power of the Night's Watch would grow and that growth would diminish his influence. Aegor had no desire to return to the Wall, but neither did he want to be sidelined by others in the Watch.
His plan was simple: spend a month or two pretending to recruit in King's Landing, then write a letter to the Night's Watch leaders, lamenting his difficulties. He would claim he'd tried his best to persuade many to join, but nearly all balked when they learned of the lifelong vows. He would propose a compromise: allow men to temporarily serve at the Wall for a few years, help defend it during these dangerous times, and then return home.
With the Wall in desperate need of manpower, Jeor Mormont would have little choice but to agree.
From there, Aegor could recruit mercenaries or adventurers, paying them wages to fulfill their service. These men would owe their positions, their pay, and even their eventual freedom to him, forming a network of loyalty. Over time, this "temporary force" would grow into a significant faction within the Night's Watch. Imagine a scenario where half or even more of the Watch owed their allegiance to him. His influence would be unparalleled.
Even if he held no formal position, he could become the de facto leader of the Night's Watch. He wouldn't rebel or seek independence, avoiding attention from larger powers, but anyone—whether Alliser Thorne or Benjen Stark—who tried to move against him would have to think twice.
What to name this new force? The "Night's Watch Auxiliary Corps"? The "Wall Defense Construction Corps"? Or the "Temporary Garrison of the Wall of Despair"?
That could be decided later. For now, there was no need to share such thoughts with Jack. It wasn't a matter of looking down on Tyrion's squire, some things were simply better kept to oneself.
Everything depended on the success of the Night's Watch bonds. As long as that succeeded, all his plans would follow. After all, problems that can be solved with money aren't real problems.
...
Aegor's confident expression, as if he had everything under control, made Jack uneasy. After following Tyrion for so long, the squire had absorbed some of his master's insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Just as Jack was about to ask more, he glanced up and froze.
"Seven hells! Lord Stark—why is he here, Aegor? He seems to be heading this way. Is he looking for you?"
Aegor, startled by the interruption, followed Jack's gaze. Sure enough, the current Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, was riding along the street with a group of guards.
…
The Night's Watch office had only just begun its renovations, far from ready to host visitors, let alone the Hand of the Seven Kingdoms. Still, Eddard Stark's presence couldn't be entirely coincidental. Given his concern for the Night's Watch, it wasn't unreasonable to think he might stop by to inspect or even "instruct" the progress of their work.
Technically, the Night's Watch was independent, and the Warden of the North had no authority over its operations. But practically speaking, Stark's support or at least his lack of interference was critical for Aegor to carry out his plans in King's Landing.
…
It wasn't long before Eddard Stark's sharp gaze fell on Aegor, standing conspicuously in black. Stark said something to his guards, who lightly pulled their reins and steered closer. Within moments, the group stopped at the door of the half-finished office.
"Lord Stark." Aegor greeted him with calm composure, neither overly deferential nor insolent. At that moment, he fully embodied the role of a diligent and loyal Night's Watch officer. For this reason alone, Eddard would have no cause to make things difficult for him.