RoWE - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Lannister Siblings

Bricks and stones that had fallen from the abandoned watchtower lay scattered haphazardly across the ground of the old inner courtyard. Not long ago, Winterfell had experienced a summer snowfall, and although the snow on the ground had melted, some white residue still clung to the bricks and stones.

Fear of being hit by falling debris was the main reason why residents of the castle rarely ventured here. Due to the long period of neglect, besides the overgrown weeds that reached up to the knees, there were even a few bushes of unknown species struggling to grow.

To conduct his daily training here, Aeg had put in a great deal of effort to clear the weeds and remove the obstructing bricks and stones.

His black attire was a conspicuous identity marker and talisman. The North had a tradition of respecting the Night's Watch, and the image of "the First Ranger's confidant" that Benjen Stark had created for Aeg when he brought him back to Winterfell for the banquet ensured the smooth progress of his plan. Although the servants and staff found it strange that he chose such a secluded corner for his training, none of them obstructed him. Some even offered their help and convenience.

Without much effort, Aeg had taken over this small, long-neglected, dilapidated courtyard.

In fact, he had even considered blocking the staircase inside the First Keep with bricks and stones to solve the problem at its root, but after considering that he was only a guest, he hesitated and ultimately didn't dare to modify the Stark's castle.

Days passed, and the time the ruler of the kingdom planned to stay at Winterfell was dwindling. Early one morning, the king led a hunting party to the wolfswood west of Winterfell, hoping to add a wild bear feast to the final banquet in the capital of the North. The prince accompanied him, and all the adult males of House Stark, including Robb, followed. However, the queen remained at Winterfell, and her brother Jaime chose to stay with her.

There could be no better opportunity. Someone was even more nervous than the two parties involved. After seeing the First Ranger leave with the king's party, Aeg immediately rushed to the territory he had claimed. He decided that today he would not leave the courtyard leading to the First Keep until the hunting party returned.

Of course, he couldn't just wait. He started with sword practice.

The sun gradually climbed into the sky, and the temperature began to rise. The Night's Watchman had already completed a set of slashing exercises on the straw man and was now practicing archery on the target when an unexpected visit occurred.

"If I'm not mistaken," a slightly magnetic and forceful male voice with a casual tone sounded from behind him, "you're the Night's Watchman who crossed the Sunset Sea to come to Westeros, was captured by the Wall's defenders, and even killed a White Walker?"

Aeg turned around, surprised: "Your Grace, Ser, good morning, that's me."

Jaime Lannister nodded at him, while Cersei behind him glanced expressionlessly at Aeg in his black attire, completely disinterested in speaking with a Night's Watchman.

Jaime was Tyrion's brother, and the two were close. It was no surprise that the Kingslayer had heard about Aeg killing a White Walker from his brother. but approaching him for this reason was not in Jaime's character. As soon as he saw the queen behind him, Aeg became instantly alert: (These two!)

He had no ill feelings towards the blond man in front of him, but as the saying goes, "where you stand depends on where you sit." Now that their positions were different, seeing these two together naturally stirred up a silent curse in Aeg's heart.

Cursing in his heart was one thing, but the Night's Watchman quickly put on a look of awe and fear. Jaime was one thing, but Cersei was a completely different character from her two brothers, a petty woman. Despite her stupidity and malice, this woman held a high position. In this world full of dangers, the last thing one should do is offend such a reckless authority figure.

"Your archery is quite good," Jaime said, looking at the arrows sticking out of the straw target, suddenly feeling the itch to try: "Let me have the bow."

At the Wall, Aeg had considered using the leftover scraps from making obsidian daggers to create dragonglass arrowheads, replacing the iron arrowheads issued by the Night's Watch to achieve the goal of being able to kill White Walkers from a distance when necessary.

But it wasn't that simple. Arrows were important military supplies, just like ammunition in the army of his previous world, and were strictly controlled. Usually stored in the armory, signed for when taken, and any unused ones had to be returned. Losing even one could result in punishment if it wasn't during wartime. Such items could not be allowed to be tampered with by low-ranking soldiers.

So, when Gared discovered Aeg secretly working on arrowheads, he not only scolded him fiercely but also forbade him from continuing. The reason was simple: if the superiors found out, he would also be in trouble. These large items couldn't be hidden like daggers, so the matter had to be dropped, leading to the later scene where Aeg could only fight the White Walkers with a dagger.

Although the plan to make dragonglass arrows was thwarted, Aeg did not neglect practicing his archery, after all, encounters with White Walkers were rare, but skirmishes with wildlings were common. As possibly the only time-traveling Night's Watchman in the world, he cherished his life. Compared to close combat, a modern person from a world with guns and cannons naturally preferred to take down enemies from a distance with ranged weapons.

Driven by this subconscious impulse, whenever he had free time at Castle Black, he would go to the archery range to practice. His archery skills were actually much better than his swordsmanship.

Better than most Night's Watchmen, but not good enough to warrant praise or a challenge from one of the best in the Seven Kingdoms, the "Kingslayer" Jaime Lannister.

What was this guy up to?

Full of suspicion, Aeg handed the bow to him.

The Kingslayer took the longbow, weighed it in his hand, assumed a stance, pulled the bowstring, and selected an arrow from the quiver, aiming at the target.

For the first time, Aeg was so close to the Lannister siblings that he couldn't help but steal a glance at them. From this distance and angle, he couldn't help but admire once again: Jaime's stature was imposing, and his demeanor as he focused on the target was both handsome and dashing. Cersei, on the other hand, had a graceful figure and a noble, cold, and beautiful appearance. At first glance, one wouldn't believe she was the mother of three children. Even with an impatient expression, she was captivating. These two, even in Aeg's modern world, would be Hollywood-level beauties.

Understandable, but not acceptable.

Not to mention the lack of strong resistance in Westeros, a continent ruled by the Targaryens for centuries, even in Aeg's modern world, the law did not explicitly address this. In short, as long as you didn't intend to marry, who you slept with was your own business, and no one had the right to interfere.

But having an affair behind your husband's back and letting him raise your lover's children was a provocation that no culture could tolerate.

Aeg was lost in thought when the Kingslayer released the first arrow. With a dull thud, the arrow flew across several dozen meters and steadily embedded itself in the target, just inches from the center, the feathered end still quivering.

Not bad.

As a soldier, Aeg instinctively evaluated the shot. From drawing the bow, aiming, to releasing the arrow, Jaime's entire process was smooth, and judging by his relaxed appearance, he still had room to improve. His arm strength was impressive, and as a member of the Kingsguard, he should be more than competent.

The archer muttered something under his breath, seemingly still dissatisfied with the good shot, and drew a second arrow. This time, the arrow landed squarely in the center of the target, pushing aside Aeg's previous best shot.

"Tsk." The archer clicked his tongue and reached for a third arrow.

"How long do you plan to shoot here?" Cersei said coldly from behind them, "Is the training ground in Casterly Rock not big enough, or is there no bow in the White Sword Tower where the Kingsguard resides?"

"Heh, I got into the zone and almost neglected my dear sister." Jaime tilted his head and apologetically shrugged at Aeg, aiming at the target again: "Last one!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the arrow left his hand. The next second, another shaft appeared within the white cloth covering the center of the target.

"Alright, take it, practice well. Knowing that the northernmost part of the Seven Kingdoms is guarded by brave brothers like you, I can sleep more soundly at night." Jaime tossed the bow back to Aeg and joked half-heartedly.

"It's our duty." The Kingslayer could be nonchalant, but Aeg, a mere soldier, couldn't overstep his bounds. After a brief thought, he replied with a conventional phrase and added a harmless, insipid flattery: "You have excellent archery skills, my lord."

Jaime Lannister's three arrows demonstrated a level of archery skill that easily surpassed Aeg's, but he couldn't be considered a marksman. However, archery was just one of the Kingslayer's lesser-known talents. If his swordsmanship and horsemanship were as legendary, he would indeed be a remarkable figure of his time. But Aeg had no interest in assessing the other's skill level or in getting close to these two key characters in the plot. He only hoped that these two would leave soon and not take a liking to the spot he had deliberately occupied.

Unfortunately, fate did not oblige. Jaime put down the longbow and turned his attention to the remnants of the tower.

"What's the deal with that tower? Why does it look so dilapidated and neglected?"