Jon
It has been a month since I found out who my Lady mother was and the truth behind my birth. Part of me has had to adjust to the fact that I am what killed her. Had she never have had me, she would most likely be alive now and Queen. Had my true born father had not taken her and taken advantage of her; she would be alive. I was so mixed up on what I truly felt that it was hard not to just think only about this every second of the day. However, the one thing that I was not messed up on was my love for the man who raised me and who if I wanted would go to war for me. A man who has protected me and loved me as his own and who would continue to do so no matter what. It was that loyalty and love that drove home just what kind of man I wanted to become and strived for daily. I worked hard around the camps helping in any way I can, I train even harder and have become to where I am training with seasoned soldiers now and not the young men of my age.
It has not been all work though it has been very nice meeting others our age and who are going to be around for a while and when looks at me as if I am not that Stark Bastard; but just Jon, the second son of Lord Stark. They were nothing like Theon is and even better Rob has changed as well becoming more driven and finally thinking for himself instead of always following Theon around. The biggest surprise has been seeing the wall and knowing our ancestors are the ones who built it for a supposed legend, but something scared them enough to make them build something you can see three days away because of its sheer size.
The first night here was last evening and Uncle Benjen and some of the other rangers told us all the scary stories from north of the wall. All it did was make me want to see it more, as if there was something pulling us there. I also got to meet my however many great uncles Maester Aemon who was very nice and father had set a time aside to speak with the elderly man about learning some of the Targaryen ways and family stories. He had said it was because he was studying the history of the known worlds deeper and would like to learn more about all the houses in Westeros. It was for my curiosity, and it made my respect of him greater because he was willing to do this for me.
"Jon, come we are sparing in the yard against some of the Nights Watch." Rob yelled down from the stairs as he descended.
Smiling I nodded and followed along with the group to the yard. I was very much looking forward to seeing what they could teach us all. It was nice not having to hold myself back like before.
"I heard father and Joer Mormont talking a while ago about the watch and the people manning it. Seems it is the criminals, and most cannot fight at all. Some get better but he was telling father that he was worried. That is why we are sparing against them because Mormont wants father to understand just how horrible they are." Rob tells the group of us who were standing next to him watching as many of the recruits' line up behind an older man who looked to be in charge of the training.
"Well then we better show these men how it is done" said the smallest Jon making others around us laugh and yet we all agreed.
"Welcome Young men and lady's let see what you have got, first off it will be any way you choose to fight. In pairs, alone, so on but then we will go one on one. Who's up first?" The ranger asked and Rob and Jon looked at each other and stepped forward. They would be expected to lead by example but also, they wanted to prove that they were excelling even while travelling.
The two started side by side but quickly moved back-to-back as they had beaten their first couple recruits and as more join in and they were not holding back anymore wanting to prove something to the couple that had already lost. They had drawn the attention of most of the Nights Watch and their father and his banner men. It was a good 20 minutes before both boys slowed down. Now in just defensive mode and struggling the other heirs yelled a rallying cry and joined in flanking the nights watch men as many of the older ones were also joining in and they to paired off like Rob and Jon had because it was proving very affective. Many of the nights watch were out now having joined the sidelines watching these young men and a couple young ladies fight like season warriors and better than they had thought that they would have. They were all gaining a new respect for those in the north because if this was how their heirs fought, then how did their father's fight.
Jon moved left to dodge another blow and brought his own sword across the stomach of the man he was fighting marking him as out of the brawl that it had become. He knew Rob was barely hanging on as he was moving slower than before, but this was something to be proud of, they had lasted much longer than they all thought they would and had gotten a few second of relief when the others joined in. The mountain clans' large sons along with smallest Jon leading the charge into the fight bashing many outta the way to join him and Rob in the center. He watched as many took the same position as the Rob and him had and worked as a team to beat back the men who were supposed to be able to protect them from what's beyond the wall and the wildlings. Some of theirs had been taken out of course but they were young boys and one young girl who was sporting a dark mark across her face and her dress was ripped but she was standing next to her mother now all smiles.
"Form a circle that way we can rotate into the middle to get a break for a few minutes, and we can trade out as needed." Rob yelled out and all started moving into a large circle and done as he said. Jon gave his brother the first break and didn't let their whispered talk distract him from the two men who were facing off with him. After taking them out and feeling his arms starting to give having no idea how long they had been fighting he moved into the middle.
"After this rest we are going to make a push to end it. There is 12 of us and just 20 of them left. Granted it is the Rangers now but if your group shifts right quickly instead of switching, we can end this." Rob hurriedly whispered and then yelled at the heir of Hornwood, Daryn, to move and ran forward ending the battle that the kid had been in with two slashes of his practice sword and to a yell and swear of the man that was battling the younger boy who couldn't be much older than Bran and who only by pure luck was still standing.
"Listen up, we are not trading out this round we are going to break to the right where the more seasoned ones are left while Rob's group shifts left to finish off the ones barely hanging on and then will add to our numbers as they can. Let us finish this and show these men what the sons of the North can do." I said and was surprised at the loud cry that comes from those around me. I had Smallest Jon, three of the mountain clan boys, and Domeric Bolton still standing. He was surprised by the last as the boy was friendly and sociable with all but was not one you would think could fight like he had due to how willowy he was built. He seemed more suited on horse with a bow than the sword in his hand.
Taking a few seconds to recover and to shake his arms out and peel off his heavy coat along with his extra layers knowing it was going to hurt when struck but knowing he needed to not carry so much into this last push. "Ready," Jon asked seeing the slow move to the right slightly.
"Let's do this because I am exhausted." One of the mountain clans' heirs said and everyone nodded.
Nodding to each other Jon yelled, "Shift." And it threw everyone off as the boys rushed out meeting one of the nights watch one on one in a charge with yelled voices. It has mixed results startling their opponents, but it was harder than they thought and quickly it was Smallest Jon, two of the Mountain clan heirs, Jon, and the two of the boys from Hornwood; Daryn and his bastard brother Larence Snow, left facing what was left of the Rangers including Jon's Uncle Benjen.
"Nephew," His uncle said as he faced off and started moving around attempting to break the boys apart so that they could overwhelm them.
This battle did not last long as the older seasoned rangers were able to pick them off until it was just Jon and Smallest Jon left and the two looked at each other and charged with a laugh at the five remaining rangers knowing this was the end of it but it had been fun and very educational when it came to fighting. They would have to work on some smaller things but for boys and girls being nothing but children to young adults, he felt they should never have gotten that far so what pretty happy about it.
Just as he fell, he heard clapping and whistling coming from around them, but he was to exhausted that all he could do was lay there breathing hard and enjoy the cold of the ground cooling him down. "Nephew, that was amazing fighting. Rob. You both were amazing and great job planning and leading, that is what it takes in the field to win battles and to stay alive." His uncle Benjen said helping him up and walking over to where Rob was standing looking exhausted but had a with a smile on his face.
Ned
"I have never been prouder of the heirs of the north than I am right this moment. You all are mere children in some cases, but you have heart and fought better than most of the men at the wall. You fought together and used an effective strategy, something that many do not ever learn unless in war. You have known each other for just weeks but fight like you have been together since the nursery. You have done your families proud, and you have done your duty to the North in ways I have never seen. Keep up the hard work and none will be able to stand before you all on a battlefield and win." I said as I stood with my banner men and women watching as their sons and daughters did something I doubt anyone has seen before and filled them all with pride and gave me hope that they could come out the other side of what was coming. I wondered if Jon had been by Rob in the other life or dream, he had if Rob would have lived, and things would have been different. They did not rival the other at all they pushed each other to be their best and were closer now than ever before.
"I have no idea how you men of the north train your children to be so fierce and battle like men from war but that is something I have never seen before and doubt any others in this realm has either. Stand proud of yourselves and go clean up and come to the mess hall for some food and drink to celebrate your skills. Men of the Nights Watch, you should be ashamed of yourselves having been beaten by these children. I expect better from each of you, and I hope this shows just how laxed we have become on the wall. Change it or we you be humiliated daily from now on. Go clean up and get to work." Lord Commander Joer Mormont said.
"Lord Stark that was something else, Come let's talk now that you have rested, and everyone is busy." The lord Commander said leading the way to his solar and pouring the two some drinks before offering Ned the food that had followed them in.
"So, what brings you and so many of the North to the wall?" Joer asked the man who had been his liege lord and who had shown his family mercy when his son had messed up so badly.
"We are going North of the wall. Things are happening that I do not like the news of. What will it take to get the wall up and going again in a capacity that is sustainable and working like it is meant to. I do not mean towards the wildlings either but the true reason for the wall." I asked and gave the other man a look that told him I was serious about this and that I wanted the hard answers.
"As it stands right now, we cannot hold the wall fully. We have a handful of forts working to an extent, all are in bad shape and the ones no longer manned are falling apart. We get only a couple of hundred men a year and they are mainly scum of the realm and less than capable of fighting. Your children just beat the majority of them. We have no food coming in, no coin, and even less equipment to use. It is a simple mess, and we will be overrun if the wildlings decided to attack us." Lord Commander explained with a sigh, and this made me worried and angry that so many years have gone by, and this is the result of the lack of leadership and forgetting the history of why we needed the wall to begin with.
"Get me a list of things that is needed and the estimate of the needs to make this wall fully protected in a perfect world. I will get it once we are back from beyond the wall. We leave in the morning but once I am back, we will look it over and I will personally address it with the king." I explained and knew I would have a fight ahead of me with the king to get what was needed and he would have to figure out the best way to lead and to deal with all of this.
It was two long weeks of riding north of the wall before I held My hand up to stop the men traveling with me. I had only brought his sons and those from the north leaving the Rangers of the wall behind in hopes that it would seem less hostile and give him a chance of starting a dialogue with those beyond the wall. In a tongue that few knew anymore I spoke "I am the Stark of House Stark. I come in peace to negotiate peace and to renew old pacts that have long been forgotten."
It was not but a couple minutes and out of the wood's men stood before them in various dress. "Welcome to the Stark from the House Stark, you are far from home, and it has been many generations since your people have joined us, but we do not forget the histories of our people." The man who he assumed was the leader of one of the clans spoke using the same old tongue as I had.
Dismounting I turned to my people nodding before facing the new men and holding my hand out for them to take while flanked by my sons. "Many generations have forgotten in the south, but I want to renew and rebuild the old ways and start anew. We have many things to speak about. These are my sons." I introduced and was happy that his boys had been practicing the way to speak in the tongue of the first men. It was rough but understandable.
"Follow us, your people can set camp while we meet the other leaders. I am Maegor of the Thenn and the leader of this season's summit. The Thenn never forgot the old ways we are the last of the true first men and guardian of the north. Some have forgotten but we will make them see again. If you are here, then it is as foretold, and a long winter is coming with the evils of the past." Maegor said to me, and I followed as the boys and the others quickly start to make camp once they were told where their section was.
"Since you are new to these gatherings. They last one half of a moon turn and during that time we have peace. We sell and trade goods, we fight for fun or to settle disputes, feast, we trade prisoners, marry daughters and sons off, we talk of hunting agreements and trade deals, and then we choose who will lead each clan and who will lead the summit next season. I assume that will change drastically if the Night King is rising and a new battle is coming." Maegor said as we walked between huts made of skins and I watched as women talked and children played. Men were talking and doing business and it was amazing to see so many so well organized.
"I look forward to learning all I can, and we have brought many things to trade as well. I will promise there will be peace on our side, or I will deal with them personally." I started but come to a stop and stared at the sight before me. I had been told that all the giants had died generations before, that the large animals with them from the time of heroes had as well, but here in front of them were a whole group of giants with mammoths they were leading around as you would a horse.
"I can imagine the shock you are having. Not all have died like you have been told, they just stay very far north and hidden but they join in the summits sometimes when they have news or need to trade goods. They are helped by the last remaining Children of the forest." I was told.
"Truly they still live?" I asked not disbelieving him but finding it so hard to grasp what I was seeing because for all my father and my father fathers' lives, they were told that there was nothing but myth. So much needed to change and it seem too big of a task now for just one person.
"Truly the children do, and they are the ones to make the prophecy about the Stark coming and the old ways restarting. They will appear I am sure now that you are here. Here we are." He had led me to a large stone circle that had large stone pillars with designs carved down them and each having a chair carved into the stone for me to sit and smaller stones behind it for those I brought with me to sit. In the center was a large fire burning that I could feel the heat from as I followed the other man around the circle looking at the stones as I went. I could see polar bears on one, ravens, and fish on others. Caves and huts, rivers, and even more animals that he could not name nor that they had in the North. Coming to a stop I looked up at the stone I stood under, and it had large dire wolves circling it with the runes of the first men and kings of winter down it ends some 360 years before if his math was correct. It was in the time of winter kings that it looked to have been used last and was sorely needing upgraded.
"We will have the artisans update your stones now that you are back in your rightful place. It will be done after this summit and before the next. Listen up we will start as soon as you all take your seats." Maegor yelled out as he left me standing by my seat and to start the proceedings.
"Welcome, our circle is complete for the first time in many generations. We have many things to talk over and decide now that the Stark seat is once again held. But tonight, we feast and welcome a new year that we hope will bring prosperity to us all." Maegor said and the others all raised their cup towards him finally removing their eyes from me.
"Why are we letting a kneeler in our mix?" A man stood up yelling. He was dressed in dark furs and whose face was painted blue along with his hair. From what I could tell he was about my height and just as broad as me but not nearly as young.
"You forget the old ways; Starks were Kings in the north at one time not so long ago in which the free people followed. We held the North, and it was a different time when dragons burned whole kingdoms alive. We lost as much as you did when the gates were closed, and I am here to fix those mistakes. Can I change the fact my ancestors kneeled to another, no. But we can work around those issues and come together building our people back stronger. Protecting them from the long winter that comes." I said facing the man and using the old tongue to answer him which seemed to shock all there.
"Ye' but who closed those gates and who stops all from coming over to our ancestral homes for winter." The man asked after a few heart beats.
"All true, most all in the south have forgotten the ways it was and over the years forgot why the wall was built and that we were allies, blood long ago, but not anymore. I remember, my sons are learning, I have talked to the Nights Watch and told them changes are coming. I am going from here to the King of the lands below the wall and talking to him so that things change again." I explained calmly.
"Why should we believe you. You come here speaking the ol' tongue, speaking of old truces and ways, changes you think you have the power to enforce. Why now?" Another stood to his left, and I looked to him. He was just a plain man dressed in white furs and had long black hair with brown eyes. His scars spoke of a hard life and one that told of suffering and exhaustion. I understood this man's feelings well.
"Winter is coming and with it the dead." I said out loud for the first time accept to Small Jon and let that sink into the group. While some laughed and others glanced to the older ones sitting behind them remembering their childhood stories that had been whispered in the dark.
"There was a prophecy made thousands of years ago, the men beyond the wall would forget all the old ways and the tongue. They would fight over a chair and power not watching beyond the wall for our deadliest and oldest enemy to all races. When that time came, the end of the world as we knew it would end with it. There was but one chance; The Stark of the North, blood of the first men, would come again to once again take up the crown of Winters kings. Learning of the way from his ancient ancestors and the Gods themselves. Being touched by them to show us all the way and to stop the quieting of to many of the voices. When he came, he would show at the final summit and prove himself worthy of leadership by knowing our ways, speaking our tongue and seeing the future as we the children do. Tell us Eddard the Stark in Winterfell, do you remember and see?" A figure who was glowing just slightly with long almost black hair that had flowers of the darkest blue and purest white weaved into it. The figure was smaller than a normal human with dark nut-brown skin and paler freckles. Their eyes were the reddest color just like that of the heart tree that I pray at. The figure was wearing leaves as clothes and had odd hands with long black claw. At the tip of it was an earth stone pressed into it. This was a thing right out of the myths and not seen by a human south of the wall for centuries.
"I remember and it is as you have said." I said using the language of the Children who nodded and moved around to stand in front of me.
"You know that they come again then. That there is only one path to stopping them and saving our world as we know it bring in a new time of peace between all once again. You have accepted your place and let the visions come?" The being asked and I paused because I had only the one and while it was intensive since only the feelings of urgency and worry.
"I am trying but have not had but the one yet." I answered back and felt the women, how he knew he did not know but that was what she was, take my hand and look at it before she placed a bag of herbs in my hand.
"You will know when the time is right to drink this and see more. You will be marked though once you do, and he will come for you through those you love." She explains me sending fear through my soul because my wife and children were going to be in harm's way if I did this, but we would all parish if I did not and I knew that as well as I did my name.
"The Children will once again fight alongside the blood of the first men to stop the evil that was created. I will travel south with Stark, and we will bring back the age of old, but you must follow him or you will doom your clans to a walking death. We leave in two weeks." She said having turned and looked at the others who looked as shocked as I was. The Thenn were the first to act.
"I, Maegor, the magor of the Thenn. The last of the first men pledge my sword and that of my people to Eddard the Stark of the North, to follow him into battle against the ancient enemy and the undead that he controls.
"I accept your swords and your help as an ally and friend to the people of the North." I said not sure I wanted to become the leader of so many groups but knowing this was what was always going to be the outcome having come here to seek help with the dead.
"I, Asel, the leader of the Cave people pledges my sword and that of my people to Eddard the Stark of the North, to follow him into battle against the Night King and the undead that he controls as long as Stark does as he has promised and return to letting us through the wall to stay during the winter and reclaim our ancestral lands.
"I accept your swords and that of your people and will allow you below the wall, but terms and conditions must be met on your side as well for that to happen." I replied knowing that some terms would have to be met before allowing them to move south.
"I do not doubt the words of the one of the Children who have been touched by the gods, but I doubt the words of a kneeler who comes here for the first time and expects us to follow him blindly and do as he say. That is why we are free people we refuse to bend the knee why should we now." A woman said standing directly across from Maegor and staring down everyone who looks her way including that of the Children of the Forest.
"Lysenna, you forget the stories. You war with us all and cost your people food and territory because of it. Your people are leaving your clan because of their children starving. You will be the death of them all." Maegor said and she pulled her two axes while she glares at him.
"There is no war here put those away now or you will be dealt with. You know the rules of a summit woman." Maegor says standing tall as those around the circle watch the two standoffs.
"My Clan is leaving tonight; we shall never follow those who will listen to a kneeler. He will kill you all." She spit out.
"There is more of us then them. See sense Lysenna; and save your people." Mance said being the closest to her.
"My people can survive without him; I vote we kill the southern ilk and get down to business of restoring my lands and hunting areas." She said and I knew she would be a problem he would have to solve. She looked very young maybe Jon and Rob's age and she was using aggression to lead which was not her strongest suit.
"Child you know nothing, but you will." Said the child of the forest as she had walked over to the younger woman gracefully and touched her between the eyes before anyone could stop her and then stood back as the younger girl's eyes rolled into her head and she collapsed at their feet.
"She will learn, it will be at a hard cost, but she will learn. I leave now but will meet with you Stark of Winterfell at sun rise in front of the heart tree, we have much to talk about." She said and I nodded to her in agreement and watched as she was followed off by two giants dressed for battle. I wondered if my sons or those of the other holds had spied them yet.
"I Mance Ryder, Leader of the Free Folks, say we proceed with caution. But know this Stark if you are false, I will kill you meself." He says and I nodded once again to him.
"I tell it straight; it will take time to build trust and for me to accomplish all that needs to happen. Time, we do not have I fear." I answer and look to the last three clans standing still.
"Aye we will follow you Kneeler, but I do so because of the old ways and because it will save my people. Just know after the long winter my people will return to our villages and life beyond the wall free from your rule and laws." A tall red hair man said gruffly.
"I would never stop you. Just know I hope that the gates stay open after this war, and I extend my hand in friendship and nothing more. I do not look to rule over you; nor change your way of life unless you are in the south beyond the wall. Then you must live according to the rules of the land until it is safe again." Eddard said to the larger man.
"You won't be takin my sons either, nor me daughters, as some hostage either. I will kill ya first." The second man said sizing me up. He was around my age and a fighter. He had no shoes on and dark hair and features.
"I would never take them. If you choose to let them train with my sons and daughters is up to you and you are welcome in my hold anytime; but I would never hold your children hostage just like I would never let mine either." I put forth in a very clear tone and the man nodded but that was the end of the conversations, and all seem to look to Maegor for the next business item as they all sit back down. Men from the Ice River clan having moved the young woman, and another had taken her place. This one much older and who seemed to just be listening to all that was being said and not said.
It was a few hours of talk of treaties, hunting lands, supplies needing to be moved though areas belonging to another. Lastly more talk of a retreat south for the elderly and women and children while the warriors stayed to protect them before coming through as well. Areas that could be week in an attack and ways to make sure that it was done before it was too late. The giants would follow the children of the forest and were not a part of these talks I saw. What had me reeling was the amount of people that would need to be moved south and he still did not have a timeline for when the attacks would start yet.
That evening Ned took the boys along with some of his lords and feasted with the free folk, traded goods with them and let the boys buy items from the tents that had been set up to sell things. He found his daughters nice cloaks and matching gloves made of bear fur. A black stone necklace for his wife and toys for his younger sons. The boys were having a blast talking to the free folk in their tongue and listening to their songs as they danced and watched fights between warriors. I had warned the boys to not entertain the idea of joining in yet as they were still too new to the talks and things were still tentative.
Sunrise came to early as I had laid awake thinking over the day and the stress of everything. I had spent more time with Mance and Maegor the night before discussing what he wanted to happen and what he had to still do to make it happen. I made the introduction to my lords of the north and was impressed at how the Mountain clan and those of the Cave clan seem to mesh well and had connected as distant relations. Small Jon had drunk allot before he then fought with the red-haired man from the first meeting, and both came out laughing from it, but it was a draw on who had won.
"Welcome child of the first men, Last of the Starks in the kingdoms. Your line was once vast now it is weak. Too much has been lost over the years. Tell me Eddard what did you see when you came back in time." The woman asked him as he entered the woods and stood before the heart tree. This one was larger than any other he had ever seen, and any who stood before it could feel the gods' present there.
"Glimpses of my children's paths and their deaths. Wars and lost friends. It was horrible and I hope to stop it from happening again." I said turning to look at the human like creature in front of me.
"What is your name?" I asked.
"I have had many through the generations, but my true name is Bellisama." She answered, "Come sit."
I sat down facing the tree and Bellisama. "You need to see what is to come, you must open your eyes and heart to the magic and accept you did live before and that you did die. Accept that your children and theirs will have a place in this story only if you win this war and change how the south is going. You have started in the right direction, but you still make mistakes." She tells me.
"What mistakes have I already made?" I inquire.
"You must tell your children and prepare them for their destiny, you must see what is coming and open your mind to it." She tells me and that was going to be hard. I wanted so badly to protect my children from the pain of what they had lived through and had wondered if they would have even believed me if I had told them.
"How do I do that Bellisama? How do I see what is coming?" He asked.
"Take this and drink it all; then place your hand on the heart tree. From that moment on you will be able to see the past, future, probability of paths taken or to take. You must learn this to survive winter." she explains as she hands him a cup that looks as old as she was, and it was filled with a dark liquid inside.
"This will open your visions up, but you must not get lost in the emotion of those visions. Look at all that is being shown not just what affects you emotionally. The gods have chosen others to help you, only a few but well-placed ones. Find them in your visions and seek them out. When you wake there will be a bag of the herbs here in your cloak, it will help you to show them and make them remember as well. Only those of your blood can use it and only those of your blood can remember only the past and will not ever see again. We leave at the end of the summit for the south. My people are coming with us as far as Castle Black where they will move out into the North and slowly south restoring the Heart Trees so that we can see the whole kingdom. You and I must reconnect the connection north and south of the wall and fix the walls magic. Now Drink" She explains, and he had so many questions, but she was already walking off as she had finished speaking so he did as she said and drank all of the contents of the cup and then rested his hand on the tree.
At first, he felt nothing and was just looking at rough almost pure white bark, but then a tingling in his fingers started; then down his arm as if ants were climbing on him. Finally, his whole body was engulfed in the feeling and his eyes blurred as they narrowed as if looking through a merish spy glass and slowly widened into his vision. He was once again at the time of his birth and watching his childhood. He watched as his father played the game of thrones with his sister's hand and his heir. Watched his death and that of his brother and sister again. On and on it went up till his death and then as the war played out for each of his children once again, but this time in more detail. He watched as the dragons came and brought down the wall. His nephew chooses his Stark family over the love he had for Daenerys and the best for a kingdom, but not his heart. His daughters fight for their lives and win but at the cost of their souls. He would have to ask them again to be those strong standing pillars of strength for the north and their family once again and it broke his heart to take that innocence away from them.
Taking the time to search for a future for them, all he seen was different outcomes but none very long term. He did see older children and younger running around Winterfell with Cat and him standing on the side of the castle looking down at them all. But not how to get to that point. He saw him going south and meeting Robert and saving Jon from Baelish, but it was for not when his son dies. It seemed that it was days of searching but as the visions stopped and his eyes cleared, exhaustion set in he knew it had been minutes not hours.
Two weeks passed quickly as more people filtered in and out of the camps. Trade deals for goods were made and bought and tentative friendships were started. All which I hoped would help save them all. Many choose to follow him to the Wall but without some proof of what they would be facing it was going to be his word and nothing more. I could only pray to the gods that it would be enough change.
