和舰娘一起打章鱼的日子 第一百五十三章
防盗章节请勿订阅，恢复之后刷新即可
Weshouldstartback，”Garedurgedasthewoodsbegantogrowdarkaroundthem.
“Thewildlingsaredead.”
“Dothedeadfrightenyou?”SerWaymarRoyceaskedwithjustthehintofasmile.
Gareddidnotrisetothebait.Hewasanoldman，pastfifty，andhehadseenthelordlingseandgo.“Deadisdead，”hesaid.“Wehavenobusinesswiththedead.”
“Aretheydead?”Royceaskedsoftly.“roofhavewe?”
“Willsawthem，”Garedsaid.“Ifhesaystheyaredead，that’sproofenoughforme.”
Willhadknowntheywoulddraghimintothequarrelsoonerorlater.Hewishedithadbeeherthansooner.“Mymothertoldmethatdeadmensingnosongs，”heputin.
Mywetnursesaidthesamething，Will，”Roycereplied.“Neverbelieveanythingyouhearatawoman’stit.Therearethingstobelearnedevenfromthedead.”Hisvoiceechoed，tooloudiwilitforest.
“Wehavealongridebeforeus，”Garedpointed1out.“Eightdays，maybenine.Andnightisfalling.”SerWaymarRoyceglaheskywithdisi.“Itdoesthateverydayaboutthistime.Areyouunmahedark，Gared?”
WillcouldseethetightnessaroundGared’smouth，thebarelysuppressedangerinhiseyesuhethickblackhood2ofhiscloak.GaredhadspentfortyyearsintheNight’sWatch，manandboy，andhewasnotacedtobeingmadelightof.Yetitwasmorethanthat.Uhewoundedpride，Willcouldsensesomethingelseintheolderman.Youcouldtasteit;anervoustensionthatcameperilousclosetofear.
Willsharedhisunease.HehadbeenfouryearsontheWall.Thefirsttimehehadbeebeyond，alltheoldstorieshaderushingbadhisbowels3hadturowater.Hehadlaughedaboutitafterward4.Hewasaveteranofahundredrangingsbynow，andtheendlessdarkwilderhatthesouthroncalledthehauntedforesthadnomoreterrorsforhim.Untiltonight.Somethingwasdifferenttonight.Therewasahisdarkhatmadehishacklesrise.Ninedaystheyhadbeenriding，northandnorthwestandthennain，fartherandfartherfromtheWall，hardorackofabandofWildlingraiders.Eachdayhadbeenworsethahathadebeforeit.Todaywastheworstofall.Acoldwindwasblowingoutofthenorth，anditmadethetreesrustle5likelivingthings.Allday，Willhadfeltasthoughsomethingwerewatghim，somethingcoldandimplacablethatlovedhimnot.Garedhadfeltittoo.WillwahingsomuchastoridehellbentforthesafetyoftheWall，butthatwasnotafeelingtosharewithyourmander.
Especiallynotamanderlikethisone.
SerWaymarRoycewastheyousonofanahousewithtoomanyheirs.Hewasahandsomeyouthofeighteen，grey-eyedandgraceful6andslenderasaknife.Mountedonhishugeblackdestrier，theknight7toweredaboveWillandGaredontheirsmallergarrons.Heworeblackleatherboots，blackwoolen8pants，blackmoleskingloves，andafinesupple9coatofgleamingblagmailoverlayersofblackwoolandboiledleather.SerWaymarhadbeenaSwornBrotheroftheNight’sWatchforlessthanhalfayear，butnoonecouldsayhehadnotpreparedforhisvocation10.Atleastinsofarashiswardrobewased.
Hiscloakwashisingglory;sable11，thidbladsoftassihekilledthemallhimself，hedid，”Garedtoldthebarracksoverwiwistedtheirlittleheadsoff，htywarrior.”Theyhadallsharedthelaugh.Itishardtotakeordersfromamanyoulaughedatinyourcups，Willreflectedashesatshiveringatophisgarron.Garedmusthavefeltthesame.
“Mormontsaidasweshouldtrackthem，andwedid，”Garedsaid.“They’redead.Theyshan’ttroubleusnomore.There’shardridingbeforeus.Idon’tlikethisweather.Ifitsnows，wecouldbeafhtgettingbadsnow’sthebestefor.Everseenaorm，mylord?”
Thelordlingseemednottohearhim.Hestudiedthedeepeningtwilight12inthathalf-bored，half-distractedwayhehad.Willhadriddenwiththeknightlongenoughtouandthatitwasbestnottointerrupthimwhenhelookedlikethat.“Tellmeagainwhatyousaw，Will.Allthedetails.Leavenothingout.”
WillhadbeenahunterbeforehejoiheNight’sWatch.Well，apoacherintruth.Mallisterfreeridershadcaughthimred-haheMallisters’ownwoods，skinniheMallisters’
ownbucks13，andithadbeenachoiceofputtingontheblackorlosingahand.NooneovethroughthewoodsassilentasWill，andithadnottakentheblackbrotherslongtodiscoverhistalent.“Thecampistwomilesfartherohatridge14，hardbesideastream，”Willsaid.“IgotcloseasIdared.There’seightofthem，menandwomenboth.NochildrenIcouldsee.Theyputupalean-toagainsttherock.Thesnow’sprettywellcovereditnow，butIcouldstillmakeitout.Nofireburning，butthefirepitwasstillplainasday.Noonemoving.Iwatchedalongtime.Nolivingmaneverlaysostill.”
“Didyouseeanyblood?”
“Well，no，”Willadmitted.
“Didyouseeanyons?”
“Someswords，afewbows.Onemanhadanaxe15.Heavy-looking，double-bladed，acruelpieceofiron.Itwasonthegroundbesidehim，rightbyhishand.”
“Didyoumakehepositionofthebodies?”
Willshrugged16.“Acouplearesittingupagainsttherock.Mostofthemontheground.Fallen，like.”
“Orsleeping，”Roycesuggested.
“Fallen，”Willinsisted.“There’soneanironwood，half-hidinthebranches.Afar-eyes.”Hesmiledthinly.“Itookcaresheneversawme.WhenIgotcloser，Isawthatshewasn’tmoviher.”Despitehimself，heshivered.
“Youhaveachill?”Royceasked.
“Some，”Willmuttered.“Thewind，m’lord.”
Theyoungknightturnedbacktohisgrizzledman-at-arms.Frost-fallenleaveswhisperedpastthem，andRoyce’sdestriermovedrestlessly.“Whatdoyouthinkmighthavekilledthesemen，Gared?”SerWaymaraskedcasually17.Headjustedthedrapeofhislongsablecloak.
“Itwasthecold，”Garedsaidwithiroainty.“Isawmenfreezelastwinter，andtheonebefore，whenIwashalfaboy.Everyoalksaboutsnowsfortyfootdeep，andhowtheideshowlingoutofthenorth，buttherealenemyisthecold.ItstealsuponyouquieterthanWill，andatfirstyoushiverandyourteethchatter18andyoustampyourfeetanddreamofmulledwineandfires.Itburns，itdoes.Nothingburnslikethecold.Butonlyforawhile.Thesinsideyouandstartstofillyouup，andafterawhileyoudon’thavethestrenhtofightit.It’seasierjusttositdotosleep.Theysayyoudon’tfeelanypaintowardtheend.Firstyougoweakanddrowsy，ahingstartstofade，a’slikesinkingintoaseaofwarmmilk.Peaceful，like.”“Sucheloquence19，Gared，”SerWaymarobserved.“Ineversuspectedyouhaditinyou.”
“I’vehadthecoldioo，lordling.”Garedpulledbackhishood，givingSerWaymaragoodlonglookatthestumps20wherehisearshadbeen.“Twoears，threetoes，alefingeroffmylefthand.Igotofflight.Wefoundmybrotherfrozenathiswatch，withasmileonhisface.”
SerWaymarshrugged.“Yououghtdressmorewarmly，Gared.”
Garedglaredatthelordling，thescarsaroundhisearholesflushedredwithangerwhereMaesterAemonhadcuttheearsaway.“We’llseehowwarmyoudresswheeres.”Hepulleduphishoodandhunched21arron，silentandsullen22.
“IfGaredsaiditwasthecold…”Willbegan.
“Haveyoudrawn23anywatchesthispastweek，Will?”
“Yes，m’lord.”Thereneverhenhedidnotdrawadozenbloody24watches.Whatwasthemandrivingat?
“AndhowdidyoufindtheWall?”
“Weeping，”Willsaid，frowning.Hesawitclearenough，nowthatthelordlinghadpoiout.
“Theycouldn’thavefroze.Notiftheeeping.Itwasn’tcoldenough.”
Royodded.“Brightlad.We’vehadafewlightfroststhispastweek，andaquickflurryofsnownowandthen，butsurelynocoldfieroughtokilleightgrownmen.Mencladinfuraher，letmeremindyou，withshelterhand，andthemeansofmakingfire.”Theknight’ssmilewascocksure.“Will，leadusthere.Iwouldseethesedeadmenformyself.”
Aherewasnothingtobedoneforit.Theorderhadbeengiven，andhonorbouoobey.
Willwentinfront，hisshaggylittlegarronpigthewaycarefullythroughtheundergrowth.Alightsnowhadfallenthenightbefore，andtherewerestonesandrootsandhiddensinkslyingjustuscrust，waitingforthecarelessandtheunwary.SerWaymarRoyceext，hisgreatblackdestriersnimpatiently.Thewarhorsewasthewrongmountfing，buttryahattothelordling.Garedbroughtuptherear.Theoldman-at-armsmutteredtohimselfasherode.
Twilightdeepehecloudlessskyturnedadeeppurple，thecolorofanoldbruise26，theoblack.Thestarsbega.Ahalf-moonrose.Willwasgratefulforthelight.
“Wemakeabetterpacethanthis，surely，”Roycesaidwhenthemoonwasfullrisen.
“Notwiththishorse，”Willsaid.Fearhadmadehimi27.“Perhapsmylordwouldcaretotakethelead?”
SerWaymarRoycedidnotdeign28toreply.
Somewhereoffinthewoodawolfhowled.
Willpulledhisgarronoverbehanagnarledironwoodanddismounted.
“Whyareyoustopping?”SerWaymarasked.
“Bestgotherestofthewayonfoot，m’lord.It’sjustoverthatridge.”
Roycepausedamoment，staringoffintothedistance，hisfacereflective.Acoldwindwhisperedthroughthetrees.Hisgreatsablecloakstirredbehindlikesomethinghalf-alive.
“There’ssomethingwronghere，”Garedmuttered.
Theyoungknightgavehimadisdainfulsmile.“Isthere?”
“’tyoufeelit?”Garedasked.“Listentothedarkness.”
Willcouldfeelit.FouryearsintheNight’sWatdhehadneverbeensoafraid.Whatwasit?
“Wind.Treesrustling29.Awolf.Whichsoundisitthatunmansyouso，Gared?”WhenGareddidnotanswer，Royceslidgracefully30fromhissaddle.Hetiedthedestriersecurelytoalow-hanginglimb，wellawayfromtheotherhorses，anddrewhislongswordfromitssheath.Jewelsglitteredinitshilt，andthemoonlightrandowntheshiningsteel.Itlendidon，castle-fed，andnew-madefromthelookofit.Willdoubtedithadeverbeenswunginanger.
“Thetreespressclosehere，”Willwarhatswordwilltangle31youup，m’lord.Betteraknife.”
“IfIneedinstru，Iwillaskforit，”theyounglordsaid.“Gared，stayhere.Guardthehorses.”
Gareddismounted.“Weneedafire.I’llseetoit.”
“Howbigafoolareyou，oldman?Ifthereareehiswood，afireisthelastthi.”
“There’ssomeenemiesafirewillkeepaway，”Garedsaid.“Bearsanddirewolvesand…andotherthings…”
SerWaymar’smouthbecameahardline.“Nofire.”
Gared’shoodshadowedhisface，butWillcouldseethehardglitterinhiseyesashestaredattheknight.Foramomenthewasafraidtheoldermanwouldgoforhissword.Itwasashlything，itsgripdiscoloredbysweat，itsedgenickedfromharduse，butWillwouldnothavegivenanironbobforthelordling’slifeifGaredpulleditfromitsscabbard.
FinallyGaredlookeddown.“Nofire，”hemuttered，lowunderhisbreath.
Roycetookitforacquiesce32andturnedaway.“Leadon，”hesaidtoWill.
Willthreadedtheirwaythroughathicket33，thenstarteduptheslopetothelewherehehadfoundhisvantagepointunderaseree.Uhethincrustofsnow，thegroundandmuddy，slickfooting，withrodhiddenrootstotripyouup.Willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
Behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallic34slitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreagbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtugged35onhissplendidsablecloak.
dfoundhisvantagepointunderaseree.Uhethincrustofsnow，thegroundandmuddy，slickfooting，withrodhiddenrootstotripyouup.Willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
Behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallicslitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreagbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtuggedonhissplendidsablecloak.
Thegreatsentinelwasrightthereatthetopoftheridge，whereWillhadknownitwouldbe，itslowestbranchesabarefootofftheground.Willslidinunderh36，flatonhisbelly37inthesnowandthemud，andlookeddownoyclearingbelow.
Hisheartstoppedinhischest.Foramomenthedarednotbreathe.Moonlightshonedownontheclearing，theashesofthefirepit，thesnow-coveredlean-to，thegreatrock，thelittlehalf-frozenstream.
Everythingwasjustasithadbeenafewho.
Theyweregone.Allthebodiesweregone.
“Gods!”heheardbehindhim.Aswordslashed38atabranchasSerWaymarRoycegaiheridge.Hestoodtherebesidethesentinel，longswordinhand，hiscloakbillowingbehindhimasthewindcameup，outlinednoblyagainstthestarsforalltosee.
“Getdohisperedurgently.“Something’swrong.”
Roycedidnotmove.Helookeddownattheemptyclearingandlaughed.“Yourdeadmeohavemovedcamp，Will.”
Will’svoiceabandonedhim.Hegropedforwordsthatdidwasnotpossible.Hiseyessweptbadforth40overtheabandonedcampsite，stoppedontheaxe.Ahugedouble-bladedbattle-axe，stilllyingwherehehadseenitlast，untouched.Avaluableon…“Onyourfeet，Will，”SerWaymarmahere’snoonehere.Iwon’thaveyouhidingunderabush.”
Relutly，Willobeyed.
SerWaymarlookedhimoverwithopendisapproval41.“IamnotgoingbacktoCastleBlackafailureonmyfirstranging.Wewillfindthesemen.”Heglancedaround.“Upthetree.Bequickaboutit.
Lookforafire.”
Willturnedaway，wordless.Therewasue.Thewindwasmoving.Itcutrightthroughhim.Hewenttothetree，avaulting42grey-greeinel，aoclimb.Soonhishaickywithsap，andhewaslostamongtheneedles.Fearfilledhisgut43likeamealhecouldnotdigest.
Hewhisperedaprayertothenamelessgodsofthewood，andslippedhisdirkfreeofitssheath.Heputitbetweenhisteethtokeepbothhandsfreeforclimbing.Thetasteofcoldironinhismouthgavehimfort.
Downbelow，thelordlingcalledoutsuddenly，“Whogoesthere?”Willhearduainty44inthechallenge.Hestoppedclimbiened;hewatched.
Thewoodsgaveaherustleofleaves，theicyrushofthestream，adistanthoot45ofasnowowl.
TheOthersmadenosound.
Willsawmovementfromtheerofhiseye.Paleshapesgliding46throughthewood.Heturnedhishead，glimpsedawhiteshadowinthedarkhenitwasgone.Brairredgentlyinthewind，scratgatoherwithwoodenfingers.Willopenedhismouthtocalldownawarning，andthewordsseemedtofreezeinhisthroat.Perhapshewaswrong.Perhapsithadonlybeenabird，arefleonthesnow，sometrickofthemoonlight.Whathadheseen，afterall?
“Will，whereareyou?”SerWaymarcalledup.“youseeanything?”Hewasturninginaslowcircle，suddenlywary25，hisswordinhahavefeltthem，asWillfeltthem.Therewasnothingtosee.“Answerme!Whyisitsocold?”
Itwascold.Shivering，Willgmhtlytohisperch47.Hisfacepressedhardagainstthetrunkofthesentinel.Hecouldfeelthesweet，stickysaponhischeek.
Ashadowemergedfromthedarkofthewood.ItstoodinfrontofRoyce.Tall，itwas，andgauntandhardasoldbones，withfleshpaleasmilk.Itsarmorseemedtogecolorasitmoved;hereitwaswhiteasnew-fallensnow，thereblackasshadow，everywheredappledwiththedeepgrey-greenofthetrees.Thepatternsranlikemoonlightoheverystepittook.
WillheardthebreathgooutofSerWaymarRoyalonghiss48.“enofarther，”thelordlingwarned.Hisvoicecrackedlikeaboy’s.Hethrewthelongsablecloakbackoverhisshoulders，tofree hisarmsforbattle，andtookhisswordinbothhands.Thewindhadstopped.Itwasverycold.
TheOtherslidforwardofeet.InitshandwasalongswordlikeWillhadeverseen.
Nohumaalhadgoothefofthatblade.Itwasalivewithmoonlight，translut49，ashardofcrystalsothinthatitseemedalmosttovanishwhenseenedge-on.Therewasafaintblueshimmertothething，aghost-lightthatplayedarounditsedges，andsomehowWillkwassharperthananyrazor.
SerWaymarmethimbravely.“Dahmetheedhisswhoverhishead，defiant.Hishandstrembledfromtheweightofit，orperhapsfromthecold.Yetinthatmoment，Willthought，hewasaboynolonger，butamanoftheNight’sWatch.
TheOtherhalted.Willsawitseyes;blue，deeperandbluerthananyhumaneyes，abluethatburnedlikeice.Theyfixed51onthelongswordtremblingonhigh，watchedthemoonlightrunningcoldaloal.Foraheartbeathedaredtohope.
Theyemergedsilentlyfromtheshadows，twinstothefirst.Threeofthem…four…five…SerWaymarmayhavefeltthecoldthatcamewiththem，butheneversawthem，neverheardthem.Willhadtocallout.Itwashisduty.Andhisdeath，ifhedid.Heshivered，andhuggedthetree，ahesilence.
Thepaleswordcameshiveringthroughtheair.
SerWaymarmetitwithsteel.Whenthebladesmet，therewasnofmetaloal;onlyahigh，thinsoundattheedgeofhearing，likeananimalscreaminginpain.Roycecheckedasedblow，andathird，thenfellbackastep.Anotherflurryofblows，andhefellbackagain.
Behindhim，tht，toleft，allaroundhim，thewatchersstoodpatient，faceless，silent，theshiftingpatternsoftheirdelicatearmormakingthemallbutinvisibleinthewood.Yettheymadenomovetointerfere.
Againandagaintheswordsmet，untilWillwaocoverhisearsagainstthestrangeanguishedkeeningoftheirclash.SerWaymarantingfromtheeffortnow，hisbreathsteaminginthemoonlight.Hisbladewaswhitewithfrost;theOther’sdahpalebluelight.
ThenRoyce’sparrycameabeattoolate.Thepaleswordbitthroughtheringmailbehhisarm.
Theyounglordcriedoutinpain.Bloodwelledbetweentherings.Itsteamedinthecold，andthedropletsseemedredasfirewheretheytouchedthesnow.SerWaymar’sfingersbrushedhisside.Hismoleskinglovecameawaysoakedwithred.
TheOthersaidsomethinginalanguagethatWilldidnotknow;hisvoicewaslikethecragofiawinterlake，andthewordsweremog.
SerWaymarRoycefoundhisfury.“ForRobert!”heshouted，andhecameupsnarling52，liftingthefrost-coveredlongswordwithbothhandsandswingingitaroundinaflatsidearmslash39withallhisweightbehindit.TheOther’sparrywasalmostlazy.
Whenthebladestouched，thesteelshattered.
Ascreamechoedthroughtheforestnight，andthelongswordshiveredintoahundredbrittle53pieces，theshards54scattering55likearainofneedles.Royttohisknees，shrieking56，andcoveredhiseyes.
Bloodwelledbetweenhisfingers.
Thewatchersmovedfether，asifsomesignalhadbeengiven.Swordsroseandfell，allihlysilewascoldbutchery.Thepalebladesslicedthrmailasifitweresilk.
Willclosedhiseyes.Farbehhim，heheardtheirvoidlaughtersharpasicicles.
Whenhefoundthecetolookagain，alongtimehadpassed，andtheridgebeloty.
Hestayediree，scarcedaringtobreathe，whilethemooslowlyacrosstheblacksky.
Finally，hismusclescramping57andhisfingersnumb58withcold，heclimbeddown.
Royce’sbodylayfacedowninthesnow，onearmoutflung.Thethicksablecloakhadbeenslashedinadozenplaces.Lyingdeadlikethat，yousawhowyounghewas.Aboy.
Hefoundwhatwasleftoftheswordafewfeetaway，theendsplinteredandtwistedlikeatreestruckbylightning.Willk，lookedaroundwarily59，andsnatcheditup.Thebrokenswordwouldbehisproof.Garedwouldknowwhattomakeofit，andifnothim，thehatoldbearMormontorMaesterAemon.WouldGaredstillbewaitingwiththehorses?Hehadtohurry.
Willrose.SerWaymarRoycestoodoverhim.
Hisfiheswereatatter，hisfacearuin.Ashard50fromhisswordtransfixedtheblindwhitepupilofhislefteye.
Therighteyeen.Thepupilburnedblue.Itsaw.
Thebrokenswordfellfromnervelessfingers.Willclosedhiseyestopray.Long，eleganthandsbrushedhischeek，thentightened60aroundhisthroat.Theywereglovedinthefimoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.
brushedhischeek，thentightenedaroundhisthroat.Theywereglovedinthefimoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.
Weshouldstartback，”Garedurgedasthewoodsbegantogrowdarkaroundthem.
“Thewildlingsaredead.”
“Dothedeadfrightenyou?”SerWaymarRoyceaskedwithjustthehintofasmile.
Gareddidnotrisetothebait.Hewasanoldman，pastfifty，andhehadseenthelordlingseandgo.“Deadisdead，”hesaid.“Wehavenobusinesswiththedead.”
“Aretheydead?”Royceaskedsoftly.“roofhavewe?”
“Willsawthem，”Garedsaid.“Ifhesaystheyaredead，that’sproofenoughforme.”
Willhadknowntheywoulddraghimintothequarrelsoonerorlater.Hewishedithadbeeherthansooner.“Mymothertoldmethatdeadmensingnosongs，”heputin.
Mywetnursesaidthesamething，Will，”Roycereplied.“Neverbelieveanythingyouhearatawoman’stit.Therearethingstobelearnedevenfromthedead.”Hisvoiceechoed，tooloudiwilitforest.
“Wehavealongridebeforeus，”Garedpointed1out.“Eightdays，maybenine.Andnightisfalling.”SerWaymarRoyceglaheskywithdisi.“Itdoesthateverydayaboutthistime.Areyouunmahedark，Gared?”
WillcouldseethetightnessaroundGared’smouth，thebarelysuppressedangerinhiseyesuhethickblackhood2ofhiscloak.GaredhadspentfortyyearsintheNight’sWatch，manandboy，andhewasnotacedtobeingmadelightof.Yetitwasmorethanthat.Uhewoundedpride，Willcouldsensesomethingelseintheolderman.Youcouldtasteit;anervoustensionthatcameperilousclosetofear.
Willsharedhisunease.HehadbeenfouryearsontheWall.Thefirsttimehehadbeebeyond，alltheoldstorieshaderushingbadhisbowels3hadturowater.Hehadlaughedaboutitafterward4.Hewasaveteranofahundredrangingsbynow，andtheendlessdarkwilderhatthesouthroncalledthehauntedforesthadnomoreterrorsforhim.Untiltonight.Somethingwasdifferenttonight.Therewasahisdarkhatmadehishacklesrise.Ninedaystheyhadbeenriding，northandnorthwestandthennain，fartherandfartherfromtheWall，hardorackofabandofWildlingraiders.Eachdayhadbeenworsethahathadebeforeit.Todaywastheworstofall.Acoldwindwasblowingoutofthenorth，anditmadethetreesrustle5likelivingthings.Allday，Willhadfeltasthoughsomethingwerewatghim，somethingcoldandimplacablethatlovedhimnot.Garedhadfeltittoo.WillwahingsomuchastoridehellbentforthesafetyoftheWall，butthatwasnotafeelingtosharewithyourmander.
Especiallynotamanderlikethisone.
SerWaymarRoycewastheyousonofanahousewithtoomanyheirs.Hewasahandsomeyouthofeighteen，grey-eyedandgraceful6andslenderasaknife.Mountedonhishugeblackdestrier，theknight7toweredaboveWillandGaredontheirsmallergarrons.Heworeblackleatherboots，blackwoolen8pants，blackmoleskingloves，andafinesupple9coatofgleamingblagmailoverlayersofblackwoolandboiledleather.SerWaymarhadbeenaSwornBrotheroftheNight’sWatchforlessthanhalfayear，butnoonecouldsayhehadnotpreparedforhisvocation10.Atleastinsofarashiswardrobewased.
Hiscloakwashisingglory;sable11，thidbladsoftassihekilledthemallhimself，hedid，”Garedtoldthebarracksoverwiwistedtheirlittleheadsoff，htywarrior.”Theyhadallsharedthelaugh.Itishardtotakeordersfromamanyoulaughedatinyourcups，Willreflectedashesatshiveringatophisgarron.Garedmusthavefeltthesame.
“Mormontsaidasweshouldtrackthem，andwedid，”Garedsaid.“They’redead.Theyshan’ttroubleusnomore.There’shardridingbeforeus.Idon’tlikethisweather.Ifitsnows，wecouldbeafhtgettingbadsnow’sthebestefor.Everseenaorm，mylord?”
Thelordlingseemednottohearhim.Hestudiedthedeepeningtwilight12inthathalf-bored，half-distractedwayhehad.Willhadriddenwiththeknightlongenoughtouandthatitwasbestnottointerrupthimwhenhelookedlikethat.“Tellmeagainwhatyousaw，Will.Allthedetails.Leavenothingout.”
WillhadbeenahunterbeforehejoiheNight’sWatch.Well，apoacherintruth.Mallisterfreeridershadcaughthimred-haheMallisters’ownwoods，skinniheMallisters’
ownbucks13，andithadbeenachoiceofputtingontheblackorlosingahand.NooneovethroughthewoodsassilentasWill，andithadnottakentheblackbrotherslongtodiscoverhistalent.“Thecampistwomilesfartherohatridge14，hardbesideastream，”Willsaid.“IgotcloseasIdared.There’seightofthem，menandwomenboth.NochildrenIcouldsee.Theyputupalean-toagainsttherock.Thesnow’sprettywellcovereditnow，butIcouldstillmakeitout.Nofireburning，butthefirepitwasstillplainasday.Noonemoving.Iwatchedalongtime.Nolivingmaneverlaysostill.”
“Didyouseeanyblood?”
“Well，no，”Willadmitted.
“Didyouseeanyons?”
“Someswords，afewbows.Onemanhadanaxe15.Heavy-looking，double-bladed，acruelpieceofiron.Itwasonthegroundbesidehim，rightbyhishand.”
“Didyoumakehepositionofthebodies?”
Willshrugged16.“Acouplearesittingupagainsttherock.Mostofthemontheground.Fallen，like.”
“Orsleeping，”Roycesuggested.
“Fallen，”Willinsisted.“There’soneanironwood，half-hidinthebranches.Afar-eyes.”Hesmiledthinly.“Itookcaresheneversawme.WhenIgotcloser，Isawthatshewasn’tmoviher.”Despitehimself，heshivered.
“Youhaveachill?”Royceasked.
“Some，”Willmuttered.“Thewind，m’lord.”
Theyoungknightturnedbacktohisgrizzledman-at-arms.Frost-fallenleaveswhisperedpastthem，andRoyce’sdestriermovedrestlessly.“Whatdoyouthinkmighthavekilledthesemen，Gared?”SerWaymaraskedcasually17.Headjustedthedrapeofhislongsablecloak.
“Itwasthecold，”Garedsaidwithiroainty.“Isawmenfreezelastwinter，andtheonebefore，whenIwashalfaboy.Everyoalksaboutsnowsfortyfootdeep，andhowtheideshowlingoutofthenorth，buttherealenemyisthecold.ItstealsuponyouquieterthanWill，andatfirstyoushiverandyourteethchatter18andyoustampyourfeetanddreamofmulledwineandfires.Itburns，itdoes.Nothingburnslikethecold.Butonlyforawhile.Thesinsideyouandstartstofillyouup，andafterawhileyoudon’thavethestrenhtofightit.It’seasierjusttositdotosleep.Theysayyoudon’tfeelanypaintowardtheend.Firstyougoweakanddrowsy，ahingstartstofade，a’slikesinkingintoaseaofwarmmilk.Peaceful，like.”“Sucheloquence19，Gared，”SerWaymarobserved.“Ineversuspectedyouhaditinyou.”
“I’vehadthecoldioo，lordling.”Garedpulledbackhishood，givingSerWaymaragoodlonglookatthestumps20wherehisearshadbeen.“Twoears，threetoes，alefingeroffmylefthand.Igotofflight.Wefoundmybrotherfrozenathiswatch，withasmileonhisface.”
SerWaymarshrugged.“Yououghtdressmorewarmly，Gared.”
Garedglaredatthelordling，thescarsaroundhisearholesflushedredwithangerwhereMaesterAemonhadcuttheearsaway.“We’llseehowwarmyoudresswheeres.”Hepulleduphishoodandhunched21arron，silentandsullen22.
“IfGaredsaiditwasthecold…”Willbegan.
“Haveyoudrawn23anywatchesthispastweek，Will?”
“Yes，m’lord.”Thereneverhenhedidnotdrawadozenbloody24watches.Whatwasthemandrivingat?
“AndhowdidyoufindtheWall?”
“Weeping，”Willsaid，frowning.Hesawitclearenough，nowthatthelordlinghadpoiout.
“Theycouldn’thavefroze.Notiftheeeping.Itwasn’tcoldenough.”
Royodded.“Brightlad.We’vehadafewlightfroststhispastweek，andaquickflurryofsnownowandthen，butsurelynocoldfieroughtokilleightgrownmen.Mencladinfuraher，letmeremindyou，withshelterhand，andthemeansofmakingfire.”Theknight’ssmilewascocksure.“Will，leadusthere.Iwouldseethesedeadmenformyself.”
Aherewasnothingtobedoneforit.Theorderhadbeengiven，andhonorbouoobey.
Willwentinfront，hisshaggylittlegarronpigthewaycarefullythroughtheundergrowth.Alightsnowhadfallenthenightbefore，andtherewerestonesandrootsandhiddensinkslyingjustuscrust，waitingforthecarelessandtheunwary.SerWaymarRoyceext，hisgreatblackdestriersnimpatiently.Thewarhorsewasthewrongmountfing，buttryahattothelordling.Garedbroughtuptherear.Theoldman-at-armsmutteredtohimselfasherode.
Twilightdeepehecloudlessskyturnedadeeppurple，thecolorofanoldbruise26，theoblack.Thestarsbega.Ahalf-moonrose.Willwasgratefulforthelight.
“Wemakeabetterpacethanthis，surely，”Roycesaidwhenthemoonwasfullrisen.
“Notwiththishorse，”Willsaid.Fearhadmadehimi27.“Perhapsmylordwouldcaretotakethelead?”
SerWaymarRoycedidnotdeign28toreply.
Somewhereoffinthewoodawolfhowled.
Willpulledhisgarronoverbehanagnarledironwoodanddismounted.
“Whyareyoustopping?”SerWaymarasked.
“Bestgotherestofthewayonfoot，m’lord.It’sjustoverthatridge.”
Roycepausedamoment，staringoffintothedistance，hisfacereflective.Acoldwindwhisperedthroughthetrees.Hisgreatsablecloakstirredbehindlikesomethinghalf-alive.
“There’ssomethingwronghere，”Garedmuttered.
Theyoungknightgavehimadisdainfulsmile.“Isthere?”
“’tyoufeelit?”Garedasked.“Listentothedarkness.”
Willcouldfeelit.FouryearsintheNight’sWatdhehadneverbeensoafraid.Whatwasit?
“Wind.Treesrustling29.Awolf.Whichsoundisitthatunmansyouso，Gared?”WhenGareddidnotanswer，Royceslidgracefully30fromhissaddle.Hetiedthedestriersecurelytoalow-hanginglimb，wellawayfromtheotherhorses，anddrewhislongswordfromitssheath.Jewelsglitteredinitshilt，andthemoonlightrandowntheshiningsteel.Itlendidon，castle-fed，andnew-madefromthelookofit.Willdoubtedithadeverbeenswunginanger.
“Thetreespressclosehere，”Willwarhatswordwilltangle31youup，m’lord.Betteraknife.”
“IfIneedinstru，Iwillaskforit，”theyounglordsaid.“Gared，stayhere.Guardthehorses.”
Gareddismounted.“Weneedafire.I’llseetoit.”
“Howbigafoolareyou，oldman?Ifthereareehiswood，afireisthelastthi.”
“There’ssomeenemiesafirewillkeepaway，”Garedsaid.“Bearsanddirewolvesand…andotherthings…”
SerWaymar’smouthbecameahardline.“Nofire.”
Gared’shoodshadowedhisface，butWillcouldseethehardglitterinhiseyesashestaredattheknight.Foramomenthewasafraidtheoldermanwouldgoforhissword.Itwasashlything，itsgripdiscoloredbysweat，itsedgenickedfromharduse，butWillwouldnothavegivenanironbobforthelordling’slifeifGaredpulleditfromitsscabbard.
FinallyGaredlookeddown.“Nofire，”hemuttered，lowunderhisbreath.
Roycetookitforacquiesce32andturnedaway.“Leadon，”hesaidtoWill.
Willthreadedtheirwaythroughathicket33，thenstarteduptheslopetothelewherehehadfoundhisvantagepointunderaseree.Uhethincrustofsnow，thegroundandmuddy，slickfooting，withrodhiddenrootstotripyouup.Willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
Behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallic34slitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreagbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtugged35onhissplendidsablecloak.
dfoundhisvantagepointunderaseree.Uhethincrustofsnow，thegroundandmuddy，slickfooting，withrodhiddenrootstotripyouup.Willmadenosoundasheclimbed.
Behindhim，heheardthesoftmetallicslitherofthelordling’sringmail，therustleofleaves，andmutteredcursesasreagbranchesgrabbedathislongswordandtuggedonhissplendidsablecloak.
Thegreatsentinelwasrightthereatthetopoftheridge，whereWillhadknownitwouldbe，itslowestbranchesabarefootofftheground.Willslidinunderh36，flatonhisbelly37inthesnowandthemud，andlookeddownoyclearingbelow.
Hisheartstoppedinhischest.Foramomenthedarednotbreathe.Moonlightshonedownontheclearing，theashesofthefirepit，thesnow-coveredlean-to，thegreatrock，thelittlehalf-frozenstream.
Everythingwasjustasithadbeenafewho.
Theyweregone.Allthebodiesweregone.
“Gods!”heheardbehindhim.Aswordslashed38atabranchasSerWaymarRoycegaiheridge.Hestoodtherebesidethesentinel，longswordinhand，hiscloakbillowingbehindhimasthewindcameup，outlinednoblyagainstthestarsforalltosee.
“Getdohisperedurgently.“Something’swrong.”
Roycedidnotmove.Helookeddownattheemptyclearingandlaughed.“Yourdeadmeohavemovedcamp，Will.”
Will’svoiceabandonedhim.Hegropedforwordsthatdidwasnotpossible.Hiseyessweptbadforth40overtheabandonedcampsite，stoppedontheaxe.Ahugedouble-bladedbattle-axe，stilllyingwherehehadseenitlast，untouched.Avaluableon…“Onyourfeet，Will，”SerWaymarmahere’snoonehere.Iwon’thaveyouhidingunderabush.”
Relutly，Willobeyed.
SerWaymarlookedhimoverwithopendisapproval41.“IamnotgoingbacktoCastleBlackafailureonmyfirstranging.Wewillfindthesemen.”Heglancedaround.“Upthetree.Bequickaboutit.
Lookforafire.”
Willturnedaway，wordless.Therewasue.Thewindwasmoving.Itcutrightthroughhim.Hewenttothetree，avaulting42grey-greeinel，aoclimb.Soonhishaickywithsap，andhewaslostamongtheneedles.Fearfilledhisgut43likeamealhecouldnotdigest.
Hewhisperedaprayertothenamelessgodsofthewood，andslippedhisdirkfreeofitssheath.Heputitbetweenhisteethtokeepbothhandsfreeforclimbing.Thetasteofcoldironinhismouthgavehimfort.
Downbelow，thelordlingcalledoutsuddenly，“Whogoesthere?”Willhearduainty44inthechallenge.Hestoppedclimbiened;hewatched.
Thewoodsgaveaherustleofleaves，theicyrushofthestream，adistanthoot45ofasnowowl.
TheOthersmadenosound.
Willsawmovementfromtheerofhiseye.Paleshapesgliding46throughthewood.Heturnedhishead，glimpsedawhiteshadowinthedarkhenitwasgone.Brairredgentlyinthewind，scratgatoherwithwoodenfingers.Willopenedhismouthtocalldownawarning，andthewordsseemedtofreezeinhisthroat.Perhapshewaswrong.Perhapsithadonlybeenabird，arefleonthesnow，sometrickofthemoonlight.Whathadheseen，afterall?
“Will，whereareyou?”SerWaymarcalledup.“youseeanything?”Hewasturninginaslowcircle，suddenlywary25，hisswordinhahavefeltthem，asWillfeltthem.Therewasnothingtosee.“Answerme!Whyisitsocold?”
Itwascold.Shivering，Willgmhtlytohisperch47.Hisfacepressedhardagainstthetrunkofthesentinel.Hecouldfeelthesweet，stickysaponhischeek.
Ashadowemergedfromthedarkofthewood.ItstoodinfrontofRoyce.Tall，itwas，andgauntandhardasoldbones，withfleshpaleasmilk.Itsarmorseemedtogecolorasitmoved;hereitwaswhiteasnew-fallensnow，thereblackasshadow，everywheredappledwiththedeepgrey-greenofthetrees.Thepatternsranlikemoonlightoheverystepittook.
WillheardthebreathgooutofSerWaymarRoyalonghiss48.“enofarther，”thelordlingwarned.Hisvoicecrackedlikeaboy’s.Hethrewthelongsablecloakbackoverhisshoulders，tofree hisarmsforbattle，andtookhisswordinbothhands.Thewindhadstopped.Itwasverycold.
TheOtherslidforwardofeet.InitshandwasalongswordlikeWillhadeverseen.
Nohumaalhadgoothefofthatblade.Itwasalivewithmoonlight，translut49，ashardofcrystalsothinthatitseemedalmosttovanishwhenseenedge-on.Therewasafaintblueshimmertothething，aghost-lightthatplayedarounditsedges，andsomehowWillkwassharperthananyrazor.
SerWaymarmethimbravely.“Dahmetheedhisswhoverhishead，defiant.Hishandstrembledfromtheweightofit，orperhapsfromthecold.Yetinthatmoment，Willthought，hewasaboynolonger，butamanoftheNight’sWatch.
TheOtherhalted.Willsawitseyes;blue，deeperandbluerthananyhumaneyes，abluethatburnedlikeice.Theyfixed51onthelongswordtremblingonhigh，watchedthemoonlightrunningcoldaloal.Foraheartbeathedaredtohope.
Theyemergedsilentlyfromtheshadows，twinstothefirst.Threeofthem…four…five…SerWaymarmayhavefeltthecoldthatcamewiththem，butheneversawthem，neverheardthem.Willhadtocallout.Itwashisduty.Andhisdeath，ifhedid.Heshivered，andhuggedthetree，ahesilence.
Thepaleswordcameshiveringthroughtheair.
SerWaymarmetitwithsteel.Whenthebladesmet，therewasnofmetaloal;onlyahigh，thinsoundattheedgeofhearing，likeananimalscreaminginpain.Roycecheckedasedblow，andathird，thenfellbackastep.Anotherflurryofblows，andhefellbackagain.
Behindhim，tht，toleft，allaroundhim，thewatchersstoodpatient，faceless，silent，theshiftingpatternsoftheirdelicatearmormakingthemallbutinvisibleinthewood.Yettheymadenomovetointerfere.
Againandagaintheswordsmet，untilWillwaocoverhisearsagainstthestrangeanguishedkeeningoftheirclash.SerWaymarantingfromtheeffortnow，hisbreathsteaminginthemoonlight.Hisbladewaswhitewithfrost;theOther’sdahpalebluelight.
ThenRoyce’sparrycameabeattoolate.Thepaleswordbitthroughtheringmailbehhisarm.
Theyounglordcriedoutinpain.Bloodwelledbetweentherings.Itsteamedinthecold，andthedropletsseemedredasfirewheretheytouchedthesnow.SerWaymar’sfingersbrushedhisside.Hismoleskinglovecameawaysoakedwithred.
TheOthersaidsomethinginalanguagethatWilldidnotknow;hisvoicewaslikethecragofiawinterlake，andthewordsweremog.
SerWaymarRoycefoundhisfury.“ForRobert!”heshouted，andhecameupsnarling52，liftingthefrost-coveredlongswordwithbothhandsandswingingitaroundinaflatsidearmslash39withallhisweightbehindit.TheOther’sparrywasalmostlazy.
Whenthebladestouched，thesteelshattered.
Ascreamechoedthroughtheforestnight，andthelongswordshiveredintoahundredbrittle53pieces，theshards54scattering55likearainofneedles.Royttohisknees，shrieking56，andcoveredhiseyes.
Bloodwelledbetweenhisfingers.
Thewatchersmovedfether，asifsomesignalhadbeengiven.Swordsroseandfell，allihlysilewascoldbutchery.Thepalebladesslicedthrmailasifitweresilk.
Willclosedhiseyes.Farbehhim，heheardtheirvoidlaughtersharpasicicles.
Whenhefoundthecetolookagain，alongtimehadpassed，andtheridgebeloty.
Hestayediree，scarcedaringtobreathe，whilethemooslowlyacrosstheblacksky.
Finally，hismusclescramping57andhisfingersnumb58withcold，heclimbeddown.
Royce’sbodylayfacedowninthesnow，onearmoutflung.Thethicksablecloakhadbeenslashedinadozenplaces.Lyingdeadlikethat，yousawhowyounghewas.Aboy.
Hefoundwhatwasleftoftheswordafewfeetaway，theendsplinteredandtwistedlikeatreestruckbylightning.Willk，lookedaroundwarily59，andsnatcheditup.Thebrokenswordwouldbehisproof.Garedwouldknowwhattomakeofit，andifnothim，thehatoldbearMormontorMaesterAemon.WouldGaredstillbewaitingwiththehorses?Hehadtohurry.
Willrose.SerWaymarRoycestoodoverhim.
Hisfiheswereatatter，hisfacearuin.Ashard50fromhisswordtransfixedtheblindwhitepupilofhislefteye.
Therighteyeen.Thepupilburnedblue.Itsaw.
Thebrokenswordfellfromnervelessfingers.Willclosedhiseyestopray.Long，eleganthandsbrushedhischeek，thentightened60aroundhisthroat.Theywereglovedinthefimoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.
brushedhischeek，thentightenedaroundhisthroat.Theywereglovedinthefimoleskinandstickywithblood，yetthetouchwasicycold.