Northern Conqueror

Chapter 51: Taking The Night

Chapter 51: Taking The Night

It felt odd to chase the dead, but that is what the armies of Westeros did. While they might have been able to catch the backs of another army the dead never needed to stop and rest. Thankfully their scouts weren't just men, but an unkindness of ravens that seemed to follow them, waking them every mourning and guiding them north east.

When they came to the hill of ice that was the remnants of the Wall they found a clear path had been opened through it. The dead weren't waiting for them on the other side, which told Jon that come morning they would pass through the Haunted Forest. Either they would be lead north west and deeper into the forest, or the wight army had moved east intending to freeze the bay again and cross over to Skagos in hopes of coming around and hitting their back. The Night King could hole up on the island and let them try to siege it, but Jon doubted it.

The sun was still in the sky when the army made camp and had their fill for the night. After meeting with his generals Jon retired to his tent with his wives to get what rest they could before what could be their final march.

"Shouldn't I be with Brienne and my guard?" Sansa asked as Jon removed his cloak.

It was Daenerys who flashed an apologetic smile at her. "You did incredible during the attack, but they'd still be focused on protecting you instead of fighting."

Sansa crossed her arms with a hint of indignation. "We can't guarantee our safety on the dragons either, not with them throwing spears around."

"That's why I want you to wait until we've met them before coming," said Jon. "Let us take their attention, give you less to dodge."

Seeing Sansa's frustration, Daenerys walked to her with a teasing smile. "Don't tell me you've gotten a bloodlust from killing things without blood."

"It's not-" Sansa sighed, shaking her head.

With a solemn smile Jon pulled her head forward to kiss her forehead. "You're fine."

Daenerys nodded. "Viserion chose you. You're meant to do this."

"You'll be able to help us more guiding him than you could from the field," Jon said meeting Sansa's eyes, who seemed shocked he knew what had been bothering her. "Let me worry about the men on the ground, I'll need you and Dany helping us from the skies and watching our back."

"You really think he'll go through Skagos?" Sansa asked once Jon released her and stepped back.

"Hopefully we'll catch him before that happens."

They were woken by the unkindness of raven overhead. The moon was in the sky, but that had stopped mattering these past few days as they rode until they couldn't anymore and woke when the were rested enough.

Jon had considered using Rhaegal to drop him and a group off in the middle of their army as a kind of distraction, but was talked out of it quick enough. Not wanting to wait with Daenerys and Sansa he opted to ride with the ground forces so he would be among the first to engage the wights. With his helmet and bever gone, Jon wore the gorget Gendry made him to top off the rest of his armor and strapped Nighttaker on his waist.

Mounted on his horse before his gathered army Jon took a breath and looked upon them. "I see before me a dream many have had but few have every seen! People of Westeros truly united, bound together and unwavering in our resolve! Let our march end today! Let it end when the living face death itself and prove that we fear no darkness! Let the earth quake in fear of our might as we march to death and find ourselves alive! Let us rise a new, united people born beneath the dawn of a new era of life"