A/N: Sorry for the delay, but my attention is now officially split between this and my other story FROM THE ASHES BEGIN ANEW. Will appreciate everyone's patience as I try to publish quality content as best as I could.
"It is the truth, Lord Commander," Benjen stated to Jeor.
"So, you're telling me that all this time, Ned Stark has been hiding the true Targaryen heir, one who has more claim to the throne than Viserys Targaryen, as his bastard son? Had this been anyone else, I would've demoted you and made you clean the boots of every brother in the Watch," Jeor replied indignantly.
"I don't know if I do have a claim to the throne anymore," Jon pointed out. "Doesn't Westeros respect those who took their claim by conquest?"
Benjen scoffed. "And look how good old and fat Robert Baratheon used his time on the Iron Throne. Makes me wonder on how all of us could've avoided the Rebellion if we all knew the truth in time."
"That wouldn't have made much of a difference," Aemon replied. "Events were long in the making for the realm to ignite in war, and Rhaegar supposedly kidnapping Lyanna Stark was only a convenient excuse for those seeking the throne to make their move."
Jon was still reeling from the truth. Rhaegar marrying Lyanna and Elia Martell serving as a witness, with the marriage documents stamped with her own personal seal while maintaining her own marriage to the Crown Prince. Lyanna giving Ned a copy of the letter that explained everything to people such as his grandfather and a copy of the scathing one sent to Robert Baratheon, as well as another copy written in the hand of Elia Martell herself which she sent to her brother Doran Martell. Most importantly, the reveal of his real name, Daeron. After recovering from the shock, he had to chuckle from how his liking of the Young Dragon was not a coincidence after all.
"Regardless of the Rebellion and everything that came after, Jon's true heritage changes many things. At the very least, he cannot stay here at the Wall and I don't what compelled Ned Stark to let him come here," Jeor stated.
"We can't blame my brother for thinking the Wall is the safest place in the realm, as he doesn't know what is stirring in the lands north of here," Benjen replied.
"Aye," Jeor nodded, who was still a little unsettled by the encounter with Othor the previous night, which Jon saved him from and prompting him to give him Longclaw. "I was skeptical of the reports, but after last night, I know that nothing should be left to chance. You barely came back from your previous ranging, Benjen, and I am not going to ask exactly what you saw. I believe that given the changed circumstances, I should contact Mance Rayder."
Jon, Sam, and Benjen looked at him with astonishment. "You would contact the King Beyond The Wall, a deserter no less?" Benjen exclaimed.
"Nothing serious yet, Benjen," Jeor explained. "But given his movements and what happened with Othor, it cannot be a coincidence. I have to find out what he knows of the threat that's coming before I can make the next move. And I believe that should solely be my concern."
"What do you mean?" Benjen asked.
"As I said, Jon cannot stay here. But he can't depart alone. You'll need to go with him," Jeor said.
More surprise came from Jon and Sam, but none more so than the First Ranger. "You would have me desert the Wall, my vows, and my post?" Benjen's eyes widened.
"Be committed to vows long enough, you can stay true to them from anywhere," Jeor answered. "That's a lesson that I wish I had learned long ago, and one that I find very appropriate given the lack of seriousness from our previous Imp visitor."
"You don't think Westeros will come to aid the Wall when the wights and then the Long Night approaches?" Jon asked.
"I have more confidence in the North responding," Jeor replied. "But the North is just one kingdom and the Long Night will affect everyone in the world. When they come, a united front must be made if we are to stave off ultimate death from plunging us into the dark abyss. And that is the reason why you must leave."
"So that I can come back with help?" Jon realized.
Jeor nodded. "Westeros is not the whole world, and I think the whole world will need to fight the Long Night when it comes. I'll give you a pass that you will take to Eastwatch and enough coin to get you a boat to Essos. If you can, meet up with your Targaryen brethren and find a way back to Westeros together, but don't go back yet. Get as much help as you can and return to retake the Iron Throne. Then, we can face the Long Night together."
"And where do I fit in all of this?" Benjen inquired.
"You're his uncle, and you're the closest thing to a father that Jon has right now. He's going to need you to guide him and protect him as he goes east."
"But what about my vows?" Benjen asked.
Jeor straightened himself up. "As I know you to take your oaths seriously, I command you to make another oath."
"Of course, my lord," Benjen nodded.
"Protect Daeron Targaryen, the Third of His Name," Jeor pointed to Jon. "He must come back after seeing a glimpse of the threat, and he must come back with help, the help that Westeros cannot provide by itself. Guide him towards manhood and greatness, be present in everything he does, and you would have fulfilled your duty to the realms of men. Do you accept this charge?"
Benjen cleared his throat before nodding. "I do."
Jeor pulled out a piece of parchment from his desk and a quill. "Then, as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, I hereby release you from your vows and permit you to leave the Wall. Write down your resignation from you post as First Ranger, sign your name, and it'll be done." Benjen promptly did so.
"But before you leave, may I have some private words with my nephew?" Aemon requested.
Jeor nodded and gestured for Benjen and Sam to leave the room.
"I'm afraid that I won't be able to see you for years, Daeron," Aemon stated. "And I shall pray to the old gods and the new for them to keep my alive long enough to see you again."
Jon struggled to keep it together, not liking the thought of leaving the man who had become the grandfather he never knew he needed.
"As you leave this place, allow me to give you some advice as you embark on your journey."
"Of course… uncle," Jon said, prompting a grin from Aemon.
"Our family has been said to have committed greatness and great evil throughout its history. I, for one, do not take much stock in how the histories have been written despite my time at the Citadel, but I will not deny that our family committed a great deal of mistakes while they ruled Westeros. And from my years on this earth, I've had plenty of time to reflect on those mistakes."
Jon waited patiently, eager to hear what the oldest dragon living had to say about his family.
"Take for example, Aegon the Unworthy. He lusted after many, but he didn't understand the concept of love, something he could have embraced had his mother Larra Rogare not abandon him and his family. Love is a force that makes us cling onto the things when it could cost us everything, even our lives, and that was a lesson that I wish I had learned decades before. Love allowed Jaehaerys to accomplish great things while the lack of it caused the Unworthy to take the realm down a destructive path. So, Daeron, as you journey, look for someone that you can love, as that will give you a strength when all else fails."
Jon nodded strongly. "I shall remember that, uncle."
"Another lesson I have learned. You know Bloodraven, correct?"
"Of course."
"Then, you know of his courting of Shiera Seastar." Jon nodded, but his silence confirmed it for Aemon. "Besides her beauty, Shiera Seastar possessed every trait that was desirable for men. Intelligence, gracefulness, and gregariousness among other things. But Bittersteel and Bloodraven fought over her and the realm bled. Too many mishaps occurred because men were fooled by the wiles of beautiful women, women who would have never appreciated them in the first place. So, don't ever let yourself be used or manipulated by anyone, Daeron. And be on guard when good things come your way, as sometimes, things are too good to be true."
Jon admittedly didn't quite understand the deeper consequences of that lesson as he never experienced them yet, but he would remember it. "I will."
"And I must ask, are you comfortable with Daeron or Jon?"
"Both are fine, uncle."
"As you wish. Lastly comes the final lesson that I wish to impart with you."
Jon nodded, with his silence again confirming that he was listening.
"Never lose sight of who you are and what you are." Aemon knew that Jon was confused, so he elaborated. "I am sure you are aware of Baelor Targaryen." Jon snorting at his name prompted Aemon to continue. "He saw himself as a septon and a holy man, so sure that he was the gods' representative in this world. Some saw him as exactly that, while some others knew better. He forgot that he carried the blood of the dragon in his veins and allowed his devotion to the Faith to cloud his mind and better judgment. How else do you explain how the ones who lost so much in Daeron's war in Dorne were so angry with how Baelor dealt with them?"
Jon had heard very conflicting things about Baelor. Catelyn spoke of him very highly due to his acts on behalf of the Faith and his accomplishments peaking with the Sept of Baelor, while Ned Stark echoed their ancestor Cregan Stark's disdain for him. Aemon's explanation of Baelor the Not So Blessed certainly made sense for Jon, who never really had much thought for the Faith anyway.
But quickly, Jon caught on Aemon's meaning. He was no longer a bastard. He was Daeron of House Targaryen, the Third of His Name, and the ruler to the Seven Kingdoms. He was also descended from Theon Stark and Brandon the Builder, two rulers who accomplished extraordinary feats that the world remembered them for and also carrying the blood of the Warg and Marsh Kings. He had two great bloodlines in his body, but he would have to fight hard to get his family's throne back after the misdeeds of his… grandfather.
"I am the blood of the wolf and the blood of the dragon," Jon declared. "I shall remember who I am and what I am. No one shall tell me different and I will not make the same mistakes as the ones before me."
Aemon sighed, but out of pride for his nephew's newfound confidence. "That reminds me, Jon. I have certain things that I must give you before you leave."
Jon was intrigued as Aemon pulled out a journal, its black leather covers still holding thanks to being rebound several times. "This journal was written by a previous Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and we've already talked about him."
"Bloodraven?" Jon asked in awe as he held the journal in his hands.
"He was a wise man ahead of his years, more so than myself, and he had many lessons to pass on to our family. I have also included my own thoughts on our family's history, so I'll be present wherever you are, Jon."
"Thank you," Jon managed.
"Jon, if you can, I need you to do something for me," Aemon said to him as he began to get to his feet. He was quick to help him as his uncle guided him towards the corner of the room where the hearth was.
"Grab that poker, could you please?" his uncle asked. Jon frowned but complied, poking at the charred logs that were left within the fireplace.
"You'll have to clear away the logs before you can use that," Aemon explained.
Jon sweept the logs out of the fireplace, his sleeve instantly consumed in soot as he did so. Soon enough, the last of the logs were moved out of the hearth and he knew that something was off when one of the stone slabs underneath wobbled under his palm as he leaned on it.
"I think you know what to do next."
Jon pried the stone slabs up and out of the hearth. Getting to the bottom of the false floor, Jon saw a chest made of ironwood with steel linings and a sword in its sheath, its dragon cross-guard obvious. He grabbed them both and set them upon the floor.
"What is this?" Jon asked as he helped Aemon back into his seat and retook his own, noticing the way his uncle rummaged underneath the small table next to him and pulling out a small key.
"Things I don't want to become lost when I depart," Aemon cryptically replied as he fiddled with the lock before latching the chest open.
"Could you help me with the contents, Jon?" Aemon asked and he shot to his feet to help him. Jon would be lying if he said his curiosity wasn't what had him stand to his feet that quickly.
Jon brushed away the excess mixture of soot and dust from the first thing that he saw in the chest, a small black pouch containing something heavy inside. But what caught Jon's attention was the red dragon egg that was besides the black pouch.
"Do you see the dragon egg and the pouch?" Aemon asked.
"Yep." Jon replied. "How do you have a dragon egg?"
"A keepsake from a childhood long lost, when I played with Egg over our imaginary dragons. You know him as Aegon the Fifth of His Name." Jon sighed, sad that a king like Aegon V, despite his flaws, had to meet a fiery end at Summerhall. "I want you to have it, as a reminder of where you come from. If the gods will it, you might have more success than Egg did."
Jon wasn't sure if he could hatch dragons in the first place, as he didn't know how to.
"Open the pouch, please," Aemon urged Jon.
"What's in this?" Jon asked as he untied the pouch.
"A peace of jewelry that belonged to somebody that caused Bloodraven much joy, much happiness, and much pain," Aemon explained as Jon pulled out the silver necklace from inside. Jon took a moment to admire such a beautiful piece of art, as age like with most pieces of jewelry had done nothing to take away its elegance. Numerous star sapphires and emeralds alternated in the polished silver chain of the necklace.
"Is this what I think it is?" Jon asked as he realized to whom this necklace belonged.
"If you know your history, Jon, you would know that the piece of jewelry in your hands belonged to Bloodraven's lover, Shiera Seastar," Aemon stated as Jon looked down at the necklace, almost mesmerized by its gemstones. "He took it with him to the Wall as reminder of the love he couldn't have."
As Jon put the necklace back in the pouch, he turned his attention to the sword and unsheathed it. He noticed that it was made of Valyrian steel, just like Longclaw, and with its dragon cross-guard and ruby at its center, it didn't take long for Jon to recognize what this sword and who it belonged to.
"This is Dark Sister?" Jon stared at the sword in awe.
"Correct, another keepsake that Bloodraven took with him. He kept it here for safekeeping even after Egg told him to leave it at King's Landing. As the heir to our house, it is yours."
Jon sheathed Dark Sister, set it down upon the table, and brought his uncle into a strong hug. "Thank you so much, Uncle Aemon. I will never forget and I shall return."
Aemon returned the hug gratefully as Jon felt tears fall on his shoulder. "I know, nephew. I know."
As Jon and Benjen were about to set out from Castle Black and take the ship to Essos from Eastwatch, Sam approached them. "Sam, what are you doing here?" Jon asked.
"I want to come with you both, if you have room for one more," Sam answered.
"Why do you want to come with us, Lord Tarly?" Benjen inquired.
"I haven't taken my vows and there's nothing left for me in Westeros now," Sam explained. "I can't go back to Horn Hill and Jon, you were the only to have treated me with any decency, something that not even my family did. If there is one thing that I have learned so far, it is to not let a friendship wither on the vine."
Jon's first instinct was to think that Sam wanted to go with him because of his Targaryen heritage, but he pushed those thoughts aside as he realized how ridiculous they were. Sam just wanted a friend and Jon was exactly that to him, so he couldn't blame him for trying to keep a friendship going.
"Get a horse, Sam. We'll be waiting," Jon answered. Sam smiled before he ran back to the stables, loaded his effects on his mare, and the three galloped to Eastwatch, towards an unknown horizon.
Jon woke to the rays of sunlight penetrating through the white paper screens of the walls of his room, or rather their room. Rubbing his eyes, Jon sat himself up and saw Sam and Benjen still sleeping. It had been only yesterday since they arrived at Kushiro, but something about his castle felt warmer to him than he ever did at Winterfell.
Suddenly, the screen doors to their room opened. Joon Kitara's son, Seong, said something to Jon that he didn't understand, but from his hand gestures, he was telling the three of them to follow him.
Jon crawled to Sam and was momentarily surprised at the feeling of hard wooden floor. "Wake up, Sam. It's morning." When he merely groaned, Jon shook him. "Come on, Sam. It's almost time to break our fast."
"Fine, fine, give me a moment," Sam managed while rubbing his eyes. Jon turned around to see Benjen already sitting up.
The three followed Seong Kitara down to the ground level of Kushiro, where they found Joon, his wife Myung, and his two daughters Komo and Karasa already seated on mats around a low table. Jon noticed that Lord Kitara's daughters were eyeing him especially nervously, as this was the first time that they saw another comely young man enter their home. Best be careful around those two, Jon sighed internally.
"How good of you join us, my lords," Joon greeted with his heavily accented common tongue. "We were about to break our fast without you."
"Apologies, my lord," Benjen replied as the three and Seong took their seats on the mats.
Jon looked at the table and saw that each had a bowl of rice, another bowl containing a brown broth, and a small plate of red-coated vegetables that smelled fermented. He also saw that their only utensils were those hashi and a strange-looking spoon. Finally, something I'm familiar with.
"Our breakfast is rice, misoshiru, and baechi, which are those vegetables that you see on your plates. Enough to sustain us until the noon meal," Joon explained.
Jon was skeptical at how such meager foods would keep them going until that that time, and so did Sam and Benjen. However, this was their first meal in their host's castle and they didn't want to repay his generosity with insults, so they simply nodded.
Joon clapped his hands together, as did Myung, Seong, Komo, and Karasa. Jon, Benjen, and Sam followed their gestures. "Xièxiè nín zuò de fàn (thank you for the meal," Joon said in guanhua, the official tongue of Yi-Ti, before picking up his hashi and eating from his rice bowl. The family repeated his words before they followed suit, with Jon, Benjen, and Sam mumbling.
Jon still didn't know how to handle the hashi so he instead picked up the strange looking spoon and drank the brownish miso broth. Although the soup didn't look tasty to him, the miso gave off a very pleasant smell and its warmth inside Jon's throat instantly relaxed him, which he needed after ending up in this strange land. Setting down the spoon, he kept his eyes closed as he continued to relish the soothing feeling from the miso.
"Enjoying yourself, Lord Snow?" Jon heard Joon speak to him. He opened his eyes to see Seong, Komo, and Karasa look at him with bewilderment.
"This is great soup, my lord," Jon replied.
"Glad that at least one dish in his land has become agreeable to you," Joon grinned. "I shall have Seong teach you to how to use the hashi. After all, a citizen of the empire cannot hope to advance by eating like barbarians."
Jon pursed his lips. "Am we citizens, my lord?"
"No," Joon replied bluntly. "But if you wish to survive here, you have to show proper respect to the customs of this land. As men possessing at least a basic education, all of you should understand that."
Jon sighed before he picked up his hashi.
"I didn't hear your response, Lord Snow," Joon interrupted. "In these lands, when an elder speaks to the younger, the younger should always respond. To not answer is considered very rude."
So many rules to follow, Jon thought. "I do understand, my lord."
"Good," Joon stared at Jon. "Now, after we break our fast, I will assign you to your duties around the castle. But before that, I will take you all to my headquarters."
"Your headquarters?" Benjen asked.
"As Governor of the Northwest Province, I am charged with the defense of the empire from ravaging bands of barbarians in the northern steppes. But mind you, I am not a warden in the Westerosi manner. I serve at the pleasure of the emperor and I can only fulfill the military duties of my post after having served in the army myself."
Jon and Benjen had to appreciate the irony of their new surroundings. The Night's Watch mostly fought against wildlings, and now they were in the household of an official who also had to defend the realm against so-called savages. "So besides being a lord, you're a soldier?" Benjen inquired.
"I was," Joon confirmed. "Ten years in the cavalry and I commanded a brigade against the barbarians in the steppes. Then again, every lord in Yi-Ti is expected to perform military duty at some point in his life and I was no exception. Being governor means that I am also Captain-General of the Northwest Imperial Army."
Jon absorbed Joon's words, as did Benjen. Sam listened, but continued eating the rice, miso, and baechi. So, Lord Kitara is not just some random lord. He'd seen battle and holds a significant rank in Yi-Ti. Is it possible that our meeting him was not a coincidence?
"So, Yi-Ti has a well-defined structure for its military forces," Benjen observed.
"Yes," Joon nodded. "While there are no banners to call in Yi-Ti and all men carrying arms must foremost swear loyalty to the emperor while committing many years of uninterrupted service, the lords in Yi-Ti still hold considerable influence in that they can mobilize the manpower needed by the empire in crises and the emperor can trust the lords to continue collecting taxes from the land. Failure to do that would result in severe consequences for families such as mine."
Jon listened with astonishment at how similar and different Yi-Ti was to Westeros. The lords still held power, but not as much as in Westeros since they all had to swear loyalty to this emperor, whom he assumed was the supreme leader of the realm. Authority was more centralized than in Westeros, which Jon assumed was very useful in keeping ambitious lords in line and not able to raise his own armies.
"Lord Stark," Joon addressed to Jon's uncle. "I understand that you have some experience commanding men, correct?"
"Yes, my lord," Benjen replied.
"Would you please elaborate?"
Benjen hesitated at revealing the truth before exhaling and readying himself. "I was the First Ranger of the Night's Watch and led many rangings north of the Wall. So, I have had many years to hone my experiences at command."
"So, you're a deserter of the Watch?" Joon concluded.
"No, my lord," Benjen corrected him. "Before I left, I was released from my vows to the Watch and granted leave by the Lord Commander. Therefore, I am no deserter."
Joon became very confused. "From what I remember, vows to the Night's Watch are for life. Why did the Lord Commander release you, his right hand man in ranging, from the Wall?"
Benjen took a moment, as he needed to be careful on how he worded the next sentences. "I was needed… to escort my nephew. The Lord Commander knew that Jon needed guiding as he journeyed west, so he was very willing to allow me to accompany him and his friend, Samwell Tarly."
"That doesn't answer the question on why the Lord Commander released you in the first place."
Jon and Benjen exchanged glances, knowing that they couldn't reveal the whole truth.
"The Lord Commander… found things north of the Wall that concerned him," Benjen managed. "But the solution that he was looking for could not be found on Westeros, and he knew that to find the solution would potentially take years, years that Jon would have to spend. That was why the Lord Commander released me from my vows, as to find that solution required wisdom and support, both of which that I could provide."
Jon looked at Joon with slight nervousness, afraid that the Lord of Kushiro would realize that Benjen had only told a partial truth. Fortunately for him and Benjen, Joon dropped the matter by resuming the breaking of his fast.
He knows that we're not telling him everything. He must know, Jon thought fearfully. While Joon proved very generous in inviting them into his home and allowing them to eat at his table, Jon had to keep his Targaryen heritage a secret. At least until Joon proved trustworthy, which required more time.
But on the other hand, a man like Joon Kitara would not have been able to survive in the cavalry and rise to become a powerful man in the empire without possessing some cunning, and Jon could sense that the Lord of Kushiro had more than his fair share of it.
"You've made a very good impression at Asabhad, Lord Tarly. The city leaders were very pleased with your conduct despite your obvious stumbling with the hashi," Joon spoke to Sam.
Sam became bashful with the praise Joon heaped onto him. "Thank you, my lord," he replied.
"But be careful," Joon warned him. "The right amount of attention can get you enough clout with the right people. Too much of it, and you'll be painting a target on your back. Understood?"
Sam's smile disappeared, not expecting their host to appraise his behavior. "Yes, my lord," he managed as he put a small amount of rice in his mouth by putting the hashi together and sticking them both in the bowl. Jon copied his friend's method, which he then used to stab the vegetables finally put them in his mouth. The strong aroma released in his mouth caused Jon to cough, prompting laughter from Seong, his sisters, and their mother.
Joon smiled. "It's hard to handle the first time, Lord Snow. But it'll be filling until noon and will help rid the poisons in the body in a gradual manner."
"Thank you, my lord," Jon replied.
"There are many ways to thank you in the empire," Joon stated. "The one I'll teach you now is 'xiè xie', which is thank you in guanhua, the official tongue. Try saying it."
Jon cleared his throat. "Shyeh shyeh," he attempted while retaining his northern brogue. Seong snorted while Karasa and Komo giggled, but all stopped under the scolding gaze of their father.
"We'll work on your pronunciation later, Lord Snow. Let us just finish our meal and we shall depart to my headquarters," Joon said.
After Myung took their empty dishes, the three followed Joon to the stables and mounted their steads. Jon felt uncomfortable in the Yi-Tish garbs that he, Sam, and Benjen had to wear. While Benjen wore a black silk robe with grey trousers underneath a white overcoat and Sam wore a loose fitting tan overcoat over a green silk robe with blue trousers, Jon wore a grey silk robe with black trousers underneath a red overcoat with black linings. The colors of House Stark and Targaryen. How convenient…
Jon noticed that Joon's daughters were staring at him from the courtyard and were fidgeting nervously. He had seen their looks before, from how Jeyne Poole and some of the servant girls at Winterfell stared at him for his handsome features. He decided to take it more in stride, as he was not in the North and there was no Lady Catelyn scolding him for his bastardy stain, which was a falsity to begin with.
Don't get distracted, Jon reminded himself. Soon, the four rode out of Kushiro along with twenty of Joon's men as escorts as they rode eastwards.
Jon heard tell of the dragon roads laid down by Valyrians of the past, and the roads that they strode upon in Yi-Ti were nothing compared to the kingsroad sections in the North. They were well paved, well maintained, and there were guard postings every few miles. While only three men manned each post, it was enough to deter any organized banditry and impose a certain sense of security among any travelers. Jon's opinion of Yi-Ti had already become high from his time at Asabhad, but seeing the roads only increased his opinion of the realm.
The group rode for an hour until they came across a very large castle, with higher walls and a wider compound. Once they neared the gates, the guards promptly opened them after recognizing Joon and the three became more awed at what lay inside.
There were groups of soldiers training in various parts of the large courtyard, which dwarfed Kushiro's and Winterfell's. There was a group training with spears, another with swords, and one other practicing what Jon assumed were fighting techniques unique to Yi-Ti. There were also groups of soldiers standing watch on the walls and others coming in and out of the various pavilions, which also had sloped roofs and screen doors.
But what struck Jon was how well organized the whole castle was. Not only was there no space wasted, each man was focused on the task at hand, whether it was training or other duties of the castle, and none sat or stood idly. These were men that were focused in being the best soldiers that they could be and each played a part in keeping the castle, and possibly the army, in top condition. Even Winterfell doesn't have anything close to this in regards to organization, Jon observed.
Coming in front of the largest pavilion in the castle, which was at its center and dominated the other buildings, Joon dismounted while Jon, Benjen, and Sam followed suit. Some soldiers eyed the three Westerosi with unease as they took their horses away, but the three merely followed Joon into the main pavilion, where two guards opened the screen doors while bowing their heads at their commander.
As expected, the pavilion looked much bigger on the inside than on the outside, with the spaces filled with various smaller rooms and a large open area containing many desks. Men were moving about, carrying out their duties, while the men in the desks were occupied with filling out whatever forms they had to sign. But they were using a system of writing that Jon was not familiar with, and he had a feeling that he would need to become good very quickly if he, Sam, and Benjen wished to survive in this land.
The four finally arrived at what Jon assumed was Joon's solar, which had two large screen doors and guarded by two men armed with swords. They bowed to their commander after opening the doors and the three followed their host inside. The solar, or the Yi-Ti's equivalent of it, had three desks, one larger than the other two, and all had scrolls atop of them along with brushes and pots of ink instead of quills. Mats on the floor took the place of chairs, but the room had an atmosphere that only came with spaces in which important decisions occurred.
There was also another man in the room, who was slightly younger than Joon but Jon could see that he was subordinate to their host in terms of rank. As soon as they entered the room, he stood up from his mat and dipped his head while addressing Joon.
"My lords, this is Kang Shin, Quartermaster-General of the Northwest Army and my direct subordinate. He served under my command in various campaigns against the steppe barbarians when we were both young cavalry officers," Joon introduced him. Joon then introduced them in goryeomal, which was the native tongue of the eastern provinces, where Kang Shin hailed from. But Jon saw that Kang Shin eyed them with suspicion, not all surprising given that the three were foreigners.
Joon motioned for the three to sit on the three mats in front of his desk, the large one, while Kang Shin resumed his duties.
"Now, you came at a very auspicious time, my lords," Joon said after sitting down. "Every three moons, the Northwest Army must conduct field exercises to remain in optimum condition and it is quite the event for smallfolk in the empire to look upon the men who are charged with their protection. Today is the final portion of these exercises, the cavalry maneuvers, and I invite you all to be my guests."
"We'll be honored to join you, my lord," Benjen dipped his head.
"Excellent, which brings me to you, Lord Stark," Joon grinned.
"Me?" Benjen asked with surprise.
"I have a situation in one of my brigades, which is the largest army unit directly underneath an army," Joon cut straight to the point. "Its previous commander had been executed for embezzling funds for his personal uses instead of keeping his men in top condition for battle. Consequently, the fighting quality of the brigade at large has declined sharply. Its reputation became so low as to result in no officer willingly assuming command and a representative of the Imperial Army Quartermaster threatened to disband the brigade and cut the funds from the capital. Each army must have twelve brigades at any given time and if one brigade is found to underperforming, the funds to this army will decrease unless I successfully overhaul it."
Jon listened intently, as did Benjen. "I understand the situation, my lord, but I'm not sure how this relates to me."
"We're getting to that," Joon answered. "As the First Ranger of the Night's Watch, you have good qualifications for command and given that lack of officers I have at the moment, I can think of no one more qualified to restore the brigade than you."
Benjen gulped. "I don't know if I am qualified, my lord. I may have commanded fighting men, but I never commanded full-time soldiers. Moreover, I'm a man of Westeros and I don't know if the men in this brigade will even accept me as their commander."
"And that's why I want you to take command of the brigade," Joon replied. "I figured it was time to bring in some new blood around this place and your arrival is quite opportune for me. As Captain-General of the Northwest Army, I have authority to appoint individuals to command units where needed and under special circumstances. If you survived many years in the bitter cold of the Wall, surely the duties of commanding troops would be manageable."
"That might not be enough to make these soldiers accept me, and I know very well that if men do not accept their commanders, they would most surely fail when battle occurs," Benjen occurred.
"If I was making you commander of one of the abler brigades, that would be true. However, as this is a brigade threatened with disbandment and filled with soldiers not in prime condition for fighting, expectations would be low, so don't expect very much. At the same time, it'll be your responsibility to bring them back into proper battle fitness. I will give you someone to assist you in commanding these men as well as teaching you the intricacies of our culture, but the rest is up to you."
Benjen absorbed what Joon told him to do.
"I see you're still hesitating, so let me remind that you, as did your nephew and Lord Tarly, agreed to fulfill whatever duties as I see fit in exchange for inviting you all into my home. But I assure you that whatever duties I assign you would best fit the aptitude that you all have displayed so far. Your nephew and Lord Tarly will be back in Kushiro by the end of today, where I will assign them tasks around the castle, and you'll be able to see them both while you're here. Is that fair enough?"
Benjen still looked hesitant, but seeing the genuineness behind Joon's words, he let out a sigh before nodding. "Yes, my lord."
"Good," Joon smiled and got out a scroll and brush. "I'm giving you a temporary commission as a brigade captain, awaiting official review and confirmation of rank before the Imperial Military Commission of Generals. Report for duty tomorrow and you will be given a uniform and officer effects. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord," Benjen answered.
"You're part of the army now, so you should address me as 'general.'"
"Yes, general," Benjen bowed his head.
Joon nodded in satisfaction. "Lord Tarly, you've showed aptitude in sums, which means you are more educated than most people I've met. I'll have use for you here and at Kushiro, after you learned the basics of our tongues, in maintaining the records and our communications via scroll. For now, I'll have you assist our quartermaster, Kang Shin, in ensuring that all of the soldiers get paid in a consistent manner."
"Thank you, my lord," Sam replied with a bow.
"As for you, Lord Snow, I'll keep you at Kushiro for now, where you will assist my master-at-arms and accompany me wherever I go. You have combat potential, but you'll learn by observing how things are conducted here. Battle is bigger than the blade and a warrior must understand every aspect of war beyond battle, as wars can be won even if you lose every battle."
That puzzled Jon. "How can you win a war if you lose every battle?"
"The fighting capabilities of armies is important, but just as important is how long you can maintain an army in the field, how well you protect your supply lines, and how much more information you can get on your opponent. 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.'"
"Who said that?" Benjen asked.
"A great general who lived long before either of us, a rarity in the world of men but ultimately used by those with unlimited greed," Joon cryptically replied before standing up. "Well, shall we witness the cavalry in action, my lords?"
Jon became more amazed at how orderly the forces under Joon's command was even during times of peace. How they maintained formation, how they kept a consistent pace, and how well they remained focused on the objective… all of it put the martial traditions of Westeros to shame. It was made more impressive given that Joon commanded at least fifteen thousand cavalry at any given time, and all of them were full-time soldiers. They were supported by thirty-five thousand infantry and five thousand missile troops, which puzzled Jon until he saw them equipped with a mixture of bows and what looked like short wooden clubs with metal rods. But Jon witnessed those weapons in action after two thousand men armed with them got into two lines, one kneeling and the other standing, and unleashed a torrent of fire and smoke onto hay targets. Their projectiles punched very large holes in them. What did I just witness?
"What are those weapons?" Benjen asked in awe.
"Those are called tanegashima," Joon explained. "It's a new weapon being introduced into the army, and one in which the armies in the south and around the capital have readily adopted. This is merely a first batch to be adopted by the northern armies and used against the barbarians from the steppes."
"But what powers them?" Sam inquired.
"Black powder, which is what makes the fire and smoke you see possible. And it is also used for festivities, where containers filled with black powder is utilized to celebrate some great event and to ward off evil spirits. You probably seen them when you all were on Leng."
Jon remembered seeing such explosions, and now he knew what exactly they were.
"But whether these tanegashima would work on nomads who could move fast on horseback is to be seen," Joon noted.
"Surely, such weapons would scare horses," Sam pointed out.
"But can they fire faster or further than archers can?" Joon asked. Having seen how long it took for those troops to reload them, Sam couldn't answer.
Joon took them around the military castle, where the three saw the kitchens, the training grounds, the various pavilions that each were responsible for an aspect important to the army like supply and weapon maintenance, they departed back to Kushiro for the day.
"Brigade Captain Benjen Stark," Jon said proudly as they lay back in their room.
"I'm not so sure if I can be used to the new title," Benjen answered.
"I'm sure you'll do fine, uncle," Jon reassured. "So… what do you think of Lord Kitara now?"
"He certainly gets to the point, which is quite unexpected with someone like him. But as he's a military man, that's understandable. And very kind of him to show us around his headquarters and allow us a glimpse into the forces under his command."
"But what about him personally?"
Benjen sighed. "Doesn't remind you of someone, Jon?"
Now that he thought about it, Jon could see that Joon was similar to Ned Stark in a way. "He's forthcoming, but he doesn't waste time."
"Exactly. And he loves his family, so that counts for something. But, as I said to you before, keep your identity close for now. Joon Kitara might seem a good man, but there's still much we don't know about him. Who knows how he would react when he finds out who you really are?"
Jon rested his hands beneath his head. "I understand that I have to much learn during our time here, but my aunt is still with the Dothraki and we don't know how our family is faring back in Westeros."
"We should trust the gods to protect them while we are here. We promised the Lord Commander and your uncle Aemon to return with help, so that's what we'll do."
"I should say the same to you," Jon pointed out. "Don't get too comfortable in your new position."
"I won't," Benjen assured Jon. "But if I can improve this struggling brigade, then we will be in a better position here in Yi-Ti and with Lord Kitara. From there, we will have more opportunities to get the help we need. We must play the long game, Jon."
"Of course. While you command the brigade and Sam assists Lord Kitara, I shall commit my best efforts under his master-at-arms."
"You do that," Benjen said approvingly. "We all have our parts to play now, so let's perform them well. You got that, Lord Tarly?"
"Yes, my lord," Sam answered.
"Rest well. Tomorrow will be a big day," Benjen managed before sleeping.
Indeed, it will be, Jon thought before closing his eyes. While he would not remember most of them, he dreamt of what he heard of his aunt Daenerys Targaryen, who heard of while docked at Volantis, and her silver hair and amethyst eyes stood out from the other things that were in his mind during the night.
A/N: This chapter was a bit of a slow-burn, but I wanted to introduce you all to the world of Yi-Ti as I would imagine it and from the rather scant details that GRRM provided in World of Ice and Fire. I introduced you all to the basics of the Yi-Ti military machine and regarding the culture, here is the structure for now: guanhua is essentially the ASOIAF version of Mandarin, spoken by the Ming Chinese court and in official settings, goryeomal is basically the ASOIAF version of the type of Korean spoken during the Joseon period prior to the 20th century, and nihongo is the ASOIAF version of Japanese and is the military language of Yi-Ti, which takes much from Japanese samurai and martial tradition as well as Ming Chinese structures.
Here, the roles are set: Benjen will continue his military career, but as a brigade captain (which is basically a colonel by modern standards), Sam will learn very much from behind the desk and mature into one familiar with politics and bureaucracy (don't worry, he'll have combat training), and Jon will learn under a samurai-like figure. Things can only go up from here.
Don't worry. The next chapter will be more fast-paced and really kickstart the plot.
And that last scene with Jon dreaming of Dany... just wait, all of you ;)
