The Dragonborn Comes

7. The Nights Watch

Jon Snow

Executing Janos Slynt was one of the hardest things i had to do in my life.

I knew that i had to do something about his insubordinance. And I knew I gave him more chances than I should have. Janos himself would have had me hanged tent imes sooner.

And yet, I was reluctant.

My father had always said that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. "If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die." His words rang clear in my head as I beheaded Janos Slynt in the cold of the early morning. My father had said them to me and Robb when we were still boys.

But where did loyalty get him?

His word?

His honour?

Sighing I was making my way up the spiral staircase that led to the tower were Amalia Ryder was being held. She had given birth to a healthy boy. What I was to do with the child, I did not yet know. Whispers about the Red Sorceress Melissandre and her human sacrifices went about in the keep, and King Stannis's apparent infatuation with the woman was somewhat dubious.

She had approached me, the Woman in Red. With promises of wealth and power she tried to talk me into agreeing to King Stannis's offer. She pleaded for me to reconsider.

Again, I refused.

As 98th Lord Commander of the Nights Watch it was my duty to remain imparcial when it came to matters of the Kingdom.

And yet I knew that if I ever saw a Lannister again I would gut them without a second thought.

When a Raven reached Master Aemon with news from Kings Landing, i decided on visitin Amalia first. I hadn't seen her since that faithful morning when the Battle Beneath the Wall ended.

When I reached the top of the stairs, a soft wail could be heard from inside. Knocking on the door I waited until I heard a voice saying I could come in.

Entering the rom the first thing I saw was a woman standing near the window, a small babe wrapped in a bundle of cloth in her arms. She was beautiful, with dark hair and emerald green eyes. Seh observed me calmly, assesing me witha impassive gaze.

Her sister, Adara, was very much like Amaliza. Her long ebony hair cascaded down her back in waves. With her sharp nose and high cheeckbonse she had an almost aristochratic look about her, softened a bit by full lips. Her eyes were a forest green, with golden flecks surrounding the irises. She was looking at me with anger flashing in those green depths.

I could understand her anger.

Stannis had offered me her hand in marriage. A marriage she probably didn't want. It was a way to a means, a way to make sure the Wildlings would not rise against us and try to bypass the wall. I had refused to the union, but I could see it plainly on her face that she didn't like to be treated as property.

In a way she reminded me of Igritte.

Shaking my head at the unwelcome strain of thoughts I gestured towards the baby in Amalias arms.

"I see you both are all right" I said, smiling when the boy stopped crying and looked at me curiously. I could clearly see Mance Ryder in the boys face, and I briefly wondered if the boy would grow up having a father.

I would try and make that happen.

The newfound mother nodded, not saying anything.

"Of course shes not allright!" Adara snapped, looking angrily at me "Shes being held captive here in this tower!"