Warg Maiden
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Chapter 34: Defiance
Imogen's POV
The sound of howling could be heard. I paused, listening, wondering why Ghost was howling until Skadi howled as well. Skadi doesn't howl for no reason. Quickly, I got up, put on my boots and vest, and grabbed my spear before going outside. My guards were absent; hence, something was wrong. It was near dawn, yet the direwolves continued to howl.
I spotted Ser Davos as he approached me, "What's going on?"
"I don't know," I answered.
Ser Davos turned and gasped. I looked over to see there was a body on the ground. We ran in that direction to see who it was. It was a Crow based on the black attire. A younger Crow. When we got there, I was baffled to see it was Jon, with a sign that had a wildling cloak that read Traitor. Someone killed the Lord Commander.
I knelt down, examining the wounds, to see if there was a chance that he was still alive. However, when I checked his torso…there was so much blood. Brutal stabbed wounds all over. The worst being in the heart.
I looked up at Ser Davos, "He's dead."
Ser Davos was in utter shock.
"It's coming from the courtyard," A Crow called out.
The direwolves continue to howl.
A crow came rushing in to see this, "It's the Lord Commander!"
Three more Crows came in along with Edd. His eyes widened in dismay to see this.
"Help me get him inside," Ser Davos ordered.
The men quickly got hold of Jon's body and carried him inside. Edd, realizing the situation, got Ghost out of his stall. Seeing the situation, we got Skadi out and opened the gate to free her. If there are traitors here, Skadi would be considered a threat.
The black she-wolf encourages me to come, but I order her to wait outside. She whimpered, but I warged instructions to stay a mile outside. She growled but nodded, licking my face before running away. Edd closed the gate, stopping at the weapons room to grab some swords and other weapons before returning to the Lord Commander's Chambers.
They had Jon lying on the desk, stationary all over the floor. We handed each man a sword. I came over to get a better look at the injuries, unraveling the jerkin to get a better view and ripping the undertunic, revealing the damage. There were ten stab wounds all over his torso, one being in his chest. This was no murder at the moment or even self-defense if Jon was attacking somebody. No, someone or more had stabbed Jon, intending to kill.
Edd saw this in anger as he came over, his hand hovering over each wound. His hand stopped at the chest; fingerings traced in blood. Realizing his friend was dead, Edd closed Jon's eyes, ensuring he had his eternal slumber.
"Thorne did this," Edd growled.
"How many of your brothers do you think you can trust?" Ser Davos asked.
"Trust?" Edd growled, looking at everyone. "The men in this room."
"Does the wolf know you?" Ser Davos asked.
Edd nodded as Ghost came over to stand by the Crow's side.
Ser Davos nodded approvingly, "We need all the help we can get."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Immediately, the Crows grabbed their swords. I took hold of a dagger that was on the ground, still by the body.
"Ser Davos," the Red Woman spoke out.
My eyes widened to hear the Red Woman's voice. What is she doing here? Isn't she supposed to be in Stannis's company in taking back Winterfell? Ser Davos and Edd stared at me momentarily, knowing there was bad blood between the Red Woman and me. The Red Woman killed Orell in his eagle form. Despite my hatred for the witch, we had no choice, so I nodded.
The Crows sheathed their swords as Edd approached the door, letting her in. She no longer looked like that confident woman several weeks ago. She seemed exhausted and ashamed. Slowly, she came in as she approached the body to see the damage herself.
Edd then left as well, probably to get more supplies.
Melisandre waved her hand over the body, "I saw him in the flames. fFighting at Winterfell."
Ser Davos stepped in, "I can't speak for the flames…but he's gone."
Melisandre caressed Jon's cheek and then pulled away.
Not saying another word, she left the room.
"What will happen now?" I asked, looking at the Crows.
The Crows did not respond.
Sighing, I looked around until I found a stitching kit. I grabbed the needle and thread and started mending the wounds. A Crow named Robert stopped me.
"There's no point in that," Robert murmured.
"Maybe so, but even the dead should be treated with respect as the living," I countered.
Robert sighed as he pulled away. I worked on each wound, trying to tend to every one, sowing the flesh back together. It was tedious, as there were deep puncture wounds, yet I did my best to mend what I could. Even seeing the fresh scar on the hip where I stabbed him. A small smile graced my lip from that dual. Once done with mending, I fixed his clothes to give Jon some decency.
Then I thought about the conversation I had with Jon this morning. How he wanted me to go to the Nightfort. Did he know this was going to happen? That his men were going to betray him. Was this the reason why Sam, Gilly, and their son left? Why was Jon sending Edd and me away? To protect us.
This made me angry that I wanted to punch Jon in the face. However, there is no point in hitting the dead when they can't even feel it.
At least you are with Ygritte and your family now, I thought.
As Jon mentioned, his family was slaughtered by the war that was happening in the South.
"Damn it," I seethed.
Edd soon returns with some supplies.
"Thorne has called in a meeting," he announced.
"As if we are going," Stephon spat.
Ser Davos was sitting in a chair, "He'll see we didn't come. Thorne will have made it official by now. Castle Black is his."
Ghost licked Jon's hand, giving a whimper before standing next to me. I petted his head, knowing he had lost his other half.
"I don't care who's sitting at the high table," Edd spoke, coming over by Jon's side. "Jon was my friend. And those fuckers butchered him." He turned around to face us. "Now we return the favor."
"We don't have the numbers," Ser Davos reminded.
"We have a direwolf," Edd said.
"It's not enough," Ser Davos sighed. "I don't know Lord Commander Snow for long, but I have to believe he wouldn't have wanted his friends to die for nothing. "
"If you were planning to see tomorrow, you picked the wrong room," Edd said sharply. "We all die today. I say we do our best to take Thorne with us when we go."
"We need to fight, but we don't need to die," Ser Davos agreed. "Not if we have help."
"Who is gonna help us?" Robert asked.
I paused, then thought, "My people owe their lives to Jon Snow."
"But they are days ahead," Stephon said.
"Not with the injured and elderly. It would take longer," I said. "And the Dires who ride direwolves and shadowcats can make it here faster. I can send Frigg ahead to get hold of Tormund to come back."
The men nodded.
"Can't you just go and get them?" Gared asked.
Edd shook his head, "No, the moment she steps outside, they will rape and kill her."
All the Crows in here joined the Night's Watch as a means of survival. They were not criminals who murdered, raped, or stole. All just trying to live and not die from hunger. Therefore, they have my trust versus the other men of Castle Black.
Edd looked at Stephon, "Bolt the door. Don't let anyone in."
Realizing Edd was volunteering, I said, "Skadi will take you. She is faster than a horse."
"She won't bite me, will she?" he asked.
I shook my head, "I'll warg into her to know you are to be trusted."
Edd nodded, "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Wait, take this," I said as I removed my torc. I felt the discomfort and mild suffocation before handing it to him. "Tormund will know I trust you."
Edd took hold of the torc and nodded. With nothing else to say, Edd made his way out. Stephon followed as he closed the door, bolting as he grabbed other items to secure the door.
I sat down, took a deep breath, and warged into Skadi. I could hear the Crows gasp from my eyes rolling to the back of my head, yet none touched me. I told Skadi to trust Edd and to take him to Tormund, along with an image of Edd so she knew who he was.
Afterwards, I warg into Frigg. The snowy owl was flying around the caravan. Taking control of her body, I searched for Tormund. We had a better chance of defeating the Crows with Tormund. It took a while until I found Tormund talking with the Eastern Chieftains. Quickly, I flew to him, landing on his shoulders roughly. The man cursed, ready to strike until see who it was.
"Imogen," Tormund grumbled. "What is it?"
He offered his arm so we could look at each other better. I walked over and stared into his eyes, warging so we could communicate. For Tormund, we were in a forest by Ruddy Hall, where his clan resides. I stood in my battle gear as he looked at me with a glower.
"What's going on, Imogen?" He asked.
"Jon's dead," I announced.
"What?" he nearly yelled in shock.
"This is Thorne's doing. He and others killed Jon, calling him a traitor, and killed him," I explained.
Tormund took the information in.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"I'm in the Lord Commander's room with those loyal to Jon," I answered. "I can't leave without the Crows killing me. They want justice for Jon's murder. Edd is making his way over to you on Skadi. I need you to grab the Dires and those willing to fight to come back."
Tormund nodded, "I'll start getting the others. You stay safe."
I sighed in relief, "Thank you."
Tormund nodded as he offered me his signature bear hug, which nearly broke the connection. He snorted at my gasp before letting me go.
"You better get ready," he told me.
I nodded, breaking the connection and returning to my body.
I gasped, returning to my body. Ser Davos placed a hand on my shoulder, steadying me. I panted, gaining my breath though the Crows stared at me with concern.
"Tormund's coming with reinforcement," I announced.
The Crows sighed in relief.
The only question will be whether he will make it in time.
.o0o.
It would be mid-day when Alliser Thorne made his presence known. All the Crows drew their sword while Ghost stood beside me, growling at the door. No doubt, the traitor crows and those following orders have the halls and courtyard covered, leaving no room to escape.
Ser Davos stood as he made his way to the door but did not open it.
More knocking intel as Alliser spoke, "Ser Davos! We have no cause to fight. We are both anointed knights."
"Hear that, lads? Nothing to fear," Ser Davos taunted.
"I will grant amnesty to all brothers who throw down their arms before nightfall. And you, Ser Davos, I will allow you to travel south a free man with a fresh horse." Alliser offered.
"And some mutton," Ser Davos added. "I'd like some mutton."
"What?" Alliser grunted.
"I'm not much of a hunter. "Ser Davos explained. "I'll need some food if I'm gonna make it south without starving."
I tried not to snort at this.
"We'll give you food," Alliser promised. "You can bring the Red Woman with you if you like. Or you can leave her here with us, whichever you choose."
Of course, Melisandre is in her room and not with us.
Ser Davos sighed, debating on that.
"And Imogen?" Ser Davos spoke. "What about Imogen?"
I tensed, knowing Alliser did not discuss my fate. As the man flogged me when I was a prisoner. How he nearly destroyed my back. Let alone being a woman, they would instead rape me before killing me. I was the Wildling Huntress. I have killed their men. But only those who have done harm to my people or to myself.
"The Wildling Bitch will be sent across the Wall with the direwolf," Alliser offered.
I glanced at Stephon and Robert, wondering if this was true. They had been here longer, so would Alliser keep his word. If I crossed, I would have to make my way to the Shadow Tower or Eastwatch-By-The-Sea. Seeing as Commander Mallister and Commander Cotter side with Jon. Would they honor Jon's wishes until the next election? If not, I would have to get the Dires to climb the Wall, send a rope down, and do the tedious climb, or wait for the Free Folk to attack and reclaim any of the active castles to let me through.
The question is, will I survive long enough until then.
Or will the Crows hunt me down until Ser Davos is gone?
"But surrender by nightfall, or this ends with blood," Alliser warned.
"Thank you, Ser Alliser." Ser Davos replied. "We'll discuss amongst ourselves and come back to you with an answer."
We could hear footsteps departing, indicating they had left. However, they must guard the door and the courtyard to ensure we don't escape. Ser Davos looked at me, seeing the dangers we were in.
The knight looked at the men in the room, "Boys, I've been running from men like that all my life. In my learned opinion, we open that door…"
"And they'll slaughter us all," Robert finished.
"They want to come in," Stephon added.
"No doubt about it," I confirmed.
"Aye, but we don't need to make it easy for them," Ser Davos agreed, nodding his head.
"Edd is our only chance," Robert said.
"It's a sad fucking statement if Dolorous Edd is our only chance," Stephon disagreed.
"Can't you do something?" Toad asked me. "With your magic thing with animals."
I took a deep breath," I don't think there are any predators nearby. I can scare the animals, make things difficult."
"And they torture you for it afterwards," Gared argued. "Jon wouldn't want that."
Ser Davos sighed, "There's always the Red Woman."
I scowled when mentioning her.
"What's one redhead gonna do against forty armed men?" Stephon asked.
Ser Davos looked at the Crow with cautious fear, "You haven't seen her do what I've seen her do."
What else could the Red Woman do than manipulate fire?
.o0o.
Time continues on as I send Frigg to the Nightfort. It will take a day for her to get there. Once she gets there, I need to inform my parents of the situation and send help. If I cross the Wall and go to the cursed side, I will need to find a way to get Ghost and me out of there.
Time seemed to vanish as the men, and I prepared for the inevitable.
I pray to the gods that Edd has reached Tormund and the others are coming.
A few crows were watching Jon's body with caution.
"He won't turn into a wight," I told them.
"And how do you know," Robert asked.
"Because he died on the southern side of the Wall," I answered. "Let alone, he has the mark that'll keep him dead."
The men nodded, recalling seeing the rune on his chest.
So many emotions were stirring inside me, yet I remained neutral. I wanted to scream at Jon for being careless with his men. Everyone had warned him about Ser Alliser Thorne, as it was common knowledge that the knight hated Jon. Jon should have sent him away to start his own Castle. If he did just that, there wouldn't be a mutiny.
Also, I needed him alive to keep the peace between the Southerners and the Free Folk. Now that Jon was dead, the men of fancy Houses would strike unless.
"Will Stannis come?" I asked Ser Davos.
The others stared at the knight.
Ser Davos frowns with disappointment, "King Stannis is dead, along with his army against the Boltons."
Disappointment consumed the room.
"What about Lord Overton?" I asked.
"I do not know," Ser Davos answered. "Before Stannis sent me to get help from the Night's Watch, we were being attacked by the Boltons. The storms were not kind, and our men were dying from starvation or cold."
He gave a look that ended the discussion.
All we had left were the Free Folk.
Yet, time was not on our side.
.o0o.
Nightfall came, and there were no sightings from the Free Folk or Edd. I know Skadi had taken Edd, yet I had to preserve my energy in case of battle. The only person who could make that decision was Ser Davos. The knight and the Crows would be safe. However, for me…I was dead.
Ghost stayed by my side as if he knew I was afraid.
There was a pounding on the door, indicating they were there.
"It's time, Ser Davos," Alliser said. "Open the door, and the men inside can rejoin their brothers in peace."
Ser Davos stared at the door, contemplating.
"We'll even set the wolf and wildling free north of the Wall, where they belong." Alliser added. "Nobody needs to die tonight."
Ser Davos turned to face us, "I've never been much of a fighter."
He went to the window where Longclaw rested, taking hold of the Valyrian sword.
"Apologies for what you're about to see," Ser Davos said, unsheathing the blade.
All of us drew our swords, ready to fight as well.
They will not defile Jon's body, nor will they take Ser Davos and me captive. These Crows have violated their Lord Commander, their leader. Despite following the laws of men, they betrayed their leader.
Pounding could be heard as the door shifted. No doubt they were using an ax to cut down the door. Ghost growled, hunching low, ready to pounce. Over and over, they bang on the door, cutting away at each layer. Robert gestured to me to stand by Jon, keeping as much distance between me and those traitors as possible. I only complied since I was the only woman in the room.
The door started to give and break.
Ghost growling louder.
Any moment now…
A panel shattered, revealing First Builder Yarwyck. He raised the ax, about to strike again, when another sound caught everyone's attention. A pounding in the distance. I couldn't help but grin, for I know one person with the strength to pound on the door.
Wun Wun, I thought.
There was an explosion as all the traitors' crows backed away from the door to tend to the matter. Followed by the Free Folk battle cry and the roars and snarls of shadowcats and direwolves. Edd and Tormund made it just in time.
"Attack!" Alliser ordered.
A battle could be heard, yet we all remained at our post to be sure it was safe.
"Fight you cowards!" Alliser bellowed.
Silence until one man screamed, followed by a wet smacking sound and a crash.
"What was that?" Ser Davos asked.
"Someone pissed Wun Wun off," I answered.
We all came out seeing the surrender, as weapons from the traitor crows were dropped. Edd aimed his sword at Alliser, whose arms were spread out in surrender, furious.
"You fucking traitor," Alliser seethed.
"The only traitors here are the ones who shoved their knives into their Lord Commander's heart," Edd said sharply.
"For thousands of years, the Night's Watch has held Castle Black against the wildlings," Alliser reminded.
Tormund stepped in, "Until you."
The boy… Olly charged in, raising his sword to attack Edd. Except Tormund grabbed hold of the boy, disarming him, and put him in a chokehold. Alliser tried to run, yet two men grabbed him. Tormund tossed the boy to one of his men, adjusting his weapon.
Edd made his way over to Alliser with anger, "Throw them into the cells where they belong."
All the traitors were taken away.
"Tormund!" I called out.
Tormund turned around, seeing me.
"Seems I have saved you yet again, She-wolf," Tormund proclaimed.
I scoffed, shaking my head. I made my way down, and Tormund opened his arms, ready to get a hug. However, to add salt to injury, I rushed over to Skadi and hugged her. Skadi purred in relief as she pressed her snout into my chest before licking my face.
"Good girl," I murmured.
Afterward, I came over to Tormund and gave him a hug.
"Oh, now I get a hug," he playfully murmured, pulling away to hand me back my torc.
I chuckled softly and nodded, putting on the torc and ignoring its discomfort, then sighed, for even though the traitors had been handled, there was still one problem.
Jon.
We all headed up to the Lord Commander's room. Tormund getting a look at it. He stared at me to confirm this death, to which I nodded. After stitching the wounds, there is without a doubt Jon was dead.
"Took a lot of knives," Tormund murmured, then looked at me. "I'll have my men get the wood for a fire. Bodies to burn. Get him ready."
I nodded.
Tormund left to get the pyre ready.
Ser Davos shook his head, "No."
He two left, leaving Edd and me alone in the room.
Edd showed me where the clothes were kept, but his emotions were getting to him, so he left. I sighed, staring at Ghost, who oversaw me. Thus, I went to grab some fresh water and rags as I began stripping Jon to prepare him for the pyre. Slowly, take off each layer.
I was so exhausted, yet I will rest once the funeral is over. Afterward, I will go to the Nightfort and prepare the Free Folk for the upcoming war. With Jon and Stannis gone and Lord Overton's fate unknown…it was up to me and those I could trust to fight against the Night King.
I need to find the Raven and the Dragon.
Bran is undoubtedly with the Three-Eyed-Raven, learning to become the next host. If Bran does not take control, then I will be stuck working with the damn bird again. Also, the Dragon. Who the fuck is the dragon? Bloodraven told me House Targaryen sired many spawns. However, from what I learned, the Targaryens are no more.
Either an actual dragon appears, or the person I need is a needle in a haystack.
I glared at Jon, "Why? Why? WHY!"
Yet Jon did not answer.
"I hate you," I seethed. "You ruined everything." A sob escaped. "You took the people I care for away. Ygritte, Mance, Orell. If you had just let us pass…none of this would have happened."
I shook my head.
"No…without you, all of Hardhome would have been slaughtered." I sighed. "Karsi and her daughters would have been dead."
I rested my hands on either side of his head, glaring at his face.
"You damn fool," I seethed. "You fucking damn fool."
Again, no response.
"To think I was starting to trust you," I muttered. "I don't get what Ygritte saw in ya. You're not that handsome."
I sighed, going back to stripping his clothes to wash his body. Although I'll give some credit, his cock was a decent size. Setting a rag over his privates, I grabbed the basin and second rag about to wash Jon, slowly chanting a song for the dead.
The door opened as Ser Davos, Edd, Tormund, and the Red Woman entered.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"The Red Woman says she can bring Jon back from the dead," Tormund answered.
I shook my head, "That's impossible."
"I said the same thing," Tormund agreed.
"He has the mark, and he died on the south side of the Wall," I reminded. "We are not turning him into a wight."
"He won't be a wight," Ser Davos assured. "Melisandre has done things that I don't even understand."
"He is dead. Let him rest," I argued. "Must we defile his body with blood magic? With dark magic."
"It is not blood magic nor dark magic," Melisandre explained tiredly. "It's from the Lord of Light."
I glared at her, "Your god is a demon."
She did not argue.
"Imogen, this is our only chance," Ser Davos said.
I paused, staring at them before turning to Jon's vessel. "What is dead should remain dead. For what comes back is never the same." I faced them. "Are you all willing to accept the consequences of a broken soul? Jon will not be the same."
They all nodded.
I stepped aside next to Ghost.
Ser Davos and Edd set up a standing fire pot, which Melisandre lit. She nodded in approval as she made her way over, took the dry rag, and started wiping the blood off his body, wiping all of the blood away until none remained. She tossed the bloody rag into the fire pot. Next, she took some sheers and started cutting Jon's hair and trimming the beard before tossing the hair into the fire pot. Afterward, she took the pitcher and started washing his hair.
Ash she did this, she started speaking in Valyrian:
"Zyhys oñoso jehikagon Aeksiot epi, se gis hen syndrorro jemagon!"
She put the pitcher away and came over hesitantly, placing her hands on Jon's chest.
"Zyhys perzys stepagon Aeksio Oño jorepi, se morghultas lys qelitsos sikagon!"
Nothing happened as she continued.
"Hen syndrorro, oños! Hen ñuqir, perzys! Hen morghot, glaeson!"
She continued saying those words. As I could barely make out what she was saying. Knowing a little bit of Valyrian from Bloodraven. She asked the Lord of Light to shine in the darkness to free the soul whose candle had gone out. Along with words like light, fire, ashes, death, and life. I was not entirely sure, as her accent was different from Bloodravens.
The men looked at each other in question.
Melisandre repeated the words again, yet she was near tears as if nothing happened. She gave a frustrated sigh, "Please."
Nothing.
As Jon lay there dead.
Melisandre turned her head to Ser Davos, giving an apologetic look. Tormund, shaking his head, was the first to leave. Next was Melisandre. Then it was Edd.
Ser Davos stood there for a moment, staring at Jon. Waiting for something to happen. Any slightest movement. Only silence. Ser Davos gave me an apologetic look before leaving as well. Ghost, who was lying down by Jon's feet, remained.
I sighed, taking my dirk and prick to the top of my finger, and drew the rune of the warrior's mark on Jon's forehead. As I sang to the dead.
"Home is behind, the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow, to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall fade."
I took a deep breath, and Jon gasped for breath just as I was about to exhale.
Edge of Night by JRR Tolkien
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