Newcomers #72

Emerging from the cave, the weight of the unconscious man weighed on Gale's shoulder as he surveyed the surroundings with concern. Spotting Tormund, Qhorin, and Edd approaching from the tree line, he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

Tormund's keen eyes immediately noticed the man hanging limply from Gale's shoulder and his face painted. "Cave dwellers... they're responsible for this?" he questioned, his gaze shifting to Gale with a furrowed brow. Gale nodded in confirmation. 

"Seems that way," he replied. "Any idea why they'd turn against Rayder?" he inquired, seeking the ginger wildling's insight.

Tormund shook his head in disbelief. "None. They've already agreed to join the united clan army. Although only a portion of their group is at the camp," he explained. "Their leader claimed the rest would join in due course," he added, perplexed.

Gale's revelation brought a heavy sigh. "I'm almost certain the other half is in there, trying to create bloody White Walkers," he explained, gesturing back towards the cave. 

"It seems the cave dwellers are either grappling with internal conflicts or plotting to stick a knife in Rayder's back and the other clans," he added with a nonchalant shrug, though the gravity of his words seemed lost on the trio.

Edd, the first to fully grasp the gravity of Gale's words, voiced his alarm. "Creating White Walkers?! What on earth does that even mean?!" he demanded, his face etched with shock and disbelief.

Gale remained composed as he responded, his voice steady. "It means precisely that," he calmly replied. "The people in that cave are trying to perform the same ritual that turned me into... this," he explained, a mixture of resignation and caution lacing his words. 

He extended his arm, allowing ice to encase it briefly before dissipating into a flurry of particles. 

"Fortunately, their attempts seem unsuccessful—the captive they tried to transform exploded into shards of ice before the transformation could finish," he finished, a heavy sigh escaping him.

Qhorin, with a pensive expression, rubbed his chin in thought. "You did well to bring back a captive, lad," he noted, his gaze shifting to the unconscious cave dweller. "Give me some time with him... I'll get him to talk," he declared resolutely, a glint of grim determination in his eyes.

"The Halfhand at work... now that's something I'd like to see," Tormund chimed in with a grin, fully aware of Qhorin's reputation. "But for now, we best make ourselves scarce less the buggers sense our presence. I know a safe place nearby," he announced, turning and motioning for the others to follow as he set off. 

"Agreed. Lead the way," Gale nodded, falling in step behind Tormund, followed by Edd and Qhorin. 

...

Sometime later, near an abandoned shack nestled deep in the woods, Gale and Edd sat beside the crackling bonfire, the aroma of roasting hares filling the air. 

As Gale tended to the cooking, he initiated the conversation. "So... what's your take on our wildling friends?" he asked, tossing a couple of extra pieces of wood into the fire, stoking its flames.

"Eh, a bit rough around the edges, especially that fiery-headed brute," Edd replied with a chuckle, casting a glance at Gale. "But truth be told, they're not half bad. That Ryk fellow and I had a decent chat some time ago; seems like a reasonable lad," he added, adjusting his position.

Suddenly, a piercing scream reverberated from within the nearby shack, prompting Edd's expression to darken visibly. 

Gale, noticing his reaction, offered a knowing smile. "They've been at it for quite some time now," he remarked. "It's either Tormund and Qhorin are doing a thorough job, or that cave dweller is one tough nut to crack," he remarked, exhaling in frustration.

"Or it might be your ginger friend enjoying himself a bit too much," Edd grumbled under his breath, still perturbed by the scream.

"Tormund is a savage wildling, but he's not needlessly cruel or malicious," Gale responded with a shake of his head. "He's not above cruelty when the situation demands it, but he's not one to toy with a defenseless man for kicks and laughs," he explained, offering his perspective on Tormund's nature.

Edd was about to respond when Gale abruptly leaped to his feet, his countenance shifting to one of alarm. "Who goes there? Show yourself!" Gale's voice rang out, his hand firmly gripping his ice blade. 

His keen senses had detected movement in the vicinity. 

As his voice reverberated through the area, a number of figures emerged from the forest's edge, each wielding a bow and pointing arrows in their direction. 

One of the men stepped forward, eyeing the duo with a scrutinizing gaze. "I would ask the same of you... Who are you, and what brings you here?" he inquired with a stern tone.

Gale furrowed his brow, swiftly assessing the man and the group that encircled them. It took him only a moment to discern that they were not cave dwellers, prompting a relieved sigh to escape him. 

"I'm Gale Winterborne of the Night's Watch, and this is my friend, Edd. We're here with Tormund's Giantsbane!" Gale proclaimed, his voice carrying authority. "Are you part of Rayder's forces? What's your purpose here?" he asked, seeking clarification.

The man hesitated briefly before signaling his companions to lower their weapons. "We were sent under Harma's orders to find you," he disclosed, his tone somewhat less tense.

"Harma? Harma Dogshead?" Gale's brow furrowed as he questioned. "Was it Rayder who sent her here?" he pressed further. 

The man nodded in affirmation at Gale. "Yes, Rayder dispatched us with a considerable force to investigate the missing individuals and establish a camp in the Haunted Forest," he elaborated. "We encountered Threya Snowrider on our journey, and she instructed us to find and assist you in your inquiries."

"You've arrived a tad late to aid in the investigation, I'm afraid. We've uncovered that a group of cave dwellers orchestrated the attack. Although, we're uncertain if any survivors remain," Gale explained, the distant sound of another scream from the shack interrupting their conversation. 

A wry grin touched Gale's lips. "Fortunately, I managed to apprehend one of the cave dwellers. Tormund Giantsbane and the Halfhand are questioning him as we speak. They'll have answers for us soon enough," he concluded.

The man's brow furrowed deeper. "Cave dwellers, you say? Are you certain?" he inquired, his concern evident.

"As certain as I can be," Gale affirmed. "I saw them slaughter one of the survivors with my own eyes before I fled," he added, shrugging offhandedly.

The man massaged his forehead with a troubled expression. "But why would they do such a thing? Do you have any insight into their motives?" he pressed, seeking answers.

Gale shook his head. "That's as far as my knowledge goes... Tormund and the Halfhand will likely have more answers once they finish their business," he replied in a straightforward manner, a distant scream punctuating their conversation once more. 

Gale consciously chose not to reveal the specifics of the ritual he had witnessed and the cave dwellers' failed attempt to create a while walker, deeming it sensitive information better kept private for the moment. 

Such information could cuase a panic should they spread, and Gale knew little of Harma's scout to entrust him with it. 

"Stay if you wish, and see it yourself. I reckon it won't be much longer," Gale offered. "Plus, we'll need your guidance to find Harma and the others," he added as he sat back down at the bonefire, prompting Edd to do the same. 

"In that case, I'll take you up on that offer," the man replied, nodding affirmatively. 

He turned to his subordinates and issued instructions. "You two, head back to Harma. Inform her of everything you've heard. Let her know we'll arrive shortly with the crow and his companions," he commanded. 

The two men he addressed promptly nodded and left to relay the message without saying a word.