The Last Stag • Game of Thrones

22.

Chapter Twenty-Two
Kill the Boy

"Relax your guard arm" Renfri tapped on Willa's elbow, prompting her to untense. "When you raise, raise hard and fast. Right now I need you to focus on being strong, not necessarily on being precise. Okay?"

"Making a swordsman out of her, Ren?" Called a voice. "I always pictured her with a bow."

Renfri turned, raising her eyebrows as Karsi approached them.

"Better she's able to defend herself when her enemies get close, wouldn't you say?"

Karsi came to a halt beside Ren, taking a glance around the courtyard.

"She'll have more down here than she ever would've in the North." Karsi crossed her arms over her chest. "You Southerners and your castles."

"Hardly call this a castle." Ren mused, sheathing her sword. She ruffled Willa's hair, directing her off towards her sister. "More of a fort, really."

"There's a difference?"

"Not that it matters." Ren shook her head. "Castles are where noblemen live. Men of the Night's Watch give up their titles when they join, so no noblemen can live here. That makes this a fort."

"But it's called Castle Black." Karsi began for the feast hall, motioning for Ren to follow. "Besides, it's big. Castles are big, or so I've heard."

"It isn't big." Ren matched Karsi's pace. "The home where I grew up had five-hundred rooms."

Karsi's eyes widened.

"Five hundred-"

They were interrupted by shouting. Ren turned, hand on the hilt of her dagger.

"The wildlings will make a difference!"

"The wildlings will never fight for Stannis! I told him as much before-"

"You saved their bloody LIVES!"

She was not sure exactly when Davos had arrived at Castle Black. But the man looked tired, his voice ragged, bags blooming underneath his eyes. 

"If they're going to live in the Seven Kingdoms, safe behind our wall, they ought to fight for the damn place!" 

His voice echoed across the courtyard. Renfri excused herself from Karsi, crossing to the arguing men.

Something large and monstrous tackled her, knocking her to the side. She groaned, clutching her ribs.

The thing sniffed her face before nuzzling its head into her neck. Her eyes peeled open, and she realized that this was not a thing, but her very best friend.

"Goji!" She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Hi baby!"

She winced as she rose to her feet, holding her ribs. Ren greeted her longtime friend, scratching him behind the ears. Although it had only been a bit over a week, the seperation had made Ren realize just how big Goji had gotten. On all fours he was nearly as tall as Ren, his snout level with the top of her chest. 

She crossed to Davos and Jon, Goji trotting diligently at her side. 

"Davos." She breathed, coming to a stop between the men. "What happened? Did Stannis take Winterfell?"

"We need more men." Davos breathed, his eyes shooting daggers into Jon. "And the Lord Commander refuses to allocate."

"It's not the Wildlings fight." Jon spat. "They play no part in your war."