CHAPTER 162
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CHAPTER 162
291 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
After two moons of marching, they finally reached Winterfell. The journey had been torturous, moving at the sluggish pace of an army accompanied by nearly a million gold dragons. Yet, despite the grueling ordeal, it was a necessary part of the aftermath of war. The Northern army had played a pivotal role in the conflict, and as a result, Lord Stark had secured a substantial share of the spoils.
Entering the castle, Aermir was met with a mix of emotions. Smiles adorned the faces of many, but occasional wails of anguish punctuated the air—a stark reminder of the harsh realities of warfare. Some warriors returned to their families, while others would never again see the light of day. Still, thanks to "Druid Emrys," the losses had been miraculously minimized. Even now, the prayers of gratitude to the old gods and the Druid resounded throughout Winterfell.
Amidst the rejoicing and solemnity, there were also curious and fearful murmurs. The people of Winterfell had never encountered a creature like Sith before, and her presence both awed and terrified them. Some would gasp and scream in fear, others would marvel at the majestic creature before them.
Aermir couldn't help but yearn for his own bed in Winterfell. It might not be the most comfortable, but after a year on the road, sleeping on leaves and dirt, it would feel like a cloud. Strangely, he realized he rarely felt discomfort in nature except for the occasional hard bedding. Cold didn't bother him, and bugs seemed to avoid him altogether.
His men were close behind him, mounted on their horses. Aermir knew he needed more than just his four companions, but these men were exceptional talents. Anguy and Fletcher were the realm's best archers after Aermir himself. Twins, especially Harlik, after receiving Aermir's magical enhancements, were worth more than fifty men on the battlefield. But he also recognized the importance of establishing a human network. He couldn't rely solely on animals for intelligence.
He had left Kilim at Casterly Rock to keep an eye on the Old Lion's machinations, but the wily Lannister lord had remained silent. Perhaps he was still sad since his good son's recent success in securing gold to repay the Iron Bank. Those Lannisters were more like cunning hyenas than noble lions, seeking to consolidate power by manipulating the crown's debts.
During the course of the war, Aermir's understanding of his connections with animals deepened. Whether it was the result of casting numerous spells or performing rituals, he had unlocked the ability to delve into their memories. This newfound power held immense potential for gathering intelligence. He no longer needed to establish a direct mental link with dominated animals; instead, he could read their memories, and his familiars, in turn, could access his memories.
This revelation had led to unexpected developments among his familiars. As he explored their memories, he found that Nin had taken a particular interest in becoming a ninja, inspired by his penchant for stealth and intelligence gathering. Nin had created a mana heart and developed magical abilities of his own. Kilim, on the other hand, had an affinity for earth magic, akin to Imu, allowing her to move through dirt and rock.
Nin's newfound ability was unique; he could become invisible while within a shadow, though he couldn't enter the shadow itself. He remained present yet utterly concealed from both sight and sound. Aermir decided to entrust Poe, Erebus, Nin, and Kilim with a critical role—intelligence gathering. They would read the memories of dominated animals spying on important individuals and report back with vital information. However, Aermir's abilities were limited to monitoring only four castles. For others, he would have to rely on his dominated animals to gather information, and they couldn't comprehend human talk. Because of that, Poe and Erebus had to shuttle between castles and read the minds of other animals.
Before arriving in Winterfell, he had summoned Artio and Berus to the Wolfswood, sending them to the weirwood tree near his small hut. As he reached the inner keep, he spotted Robb on the ramparts, and a playful greeting escaped Robb's lips.
"OHH, does my eyes deceive me? Is this the Great Knight, Warg, and hero of the North, Lord Aermir Drasil?"
"Fuc..."
Aermir was about to respond with colorful language but quickly held back when he noticed Lady Stark nearby. Instead, he replied with a smirk, "Honor is mine, Lord Robb Stark, The Stark in Winterfell."
"That is almost over. Where is my father?"
"He was in the middle of the procession; he will be here shortly."
As the war approached, Lord Stark had been unwavering in his determination to keep Robb safely within the walls of Winterfell. He declared him The Stark in Winterfell, a position that carried great responsibility. Now, as Aermir and his companions finally arrived, Robb rushed down from the ramparts, eager to reunite with his friend.
Aermir gracefully dismounted from Sith, her presence causing a stir among the people of Winterfell. The last time he had visited, he had purposely kept Sith outside the castle, not wanting to deal with the commotion her arrival inevitably caused. This time, however, there was no avoiding it, and the sight of the massive shadowcat left many awestruck.
Robb's curiosity and excitement got the best of him as he tried to approach, but Lady Stark intervened, holding him back. Her concern for her son's safety was evident, and she was not willing to take any chances with the formidable creature before them.
"You will not get close to this beast, and how dare you bring that beast into the inner castle?" she chastised Aermir.
Aermir sighed heavily and approached Lady Stark with a polite bow, kissing her hand gently before speaking in a whispered tone that only she could hear. "My lady, I could defy you when I was a commoner knight. Now, I am a noble and the hero of the North. Please be careful how you talk to me."
Lady Stark's mouth nearly dropped open in surprise, and she found herself momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond to Aermir's arrogant comment. His words held a weight she hadn't expected, and she quickly realized that the young hero before her was not the same person she had known in her son's company.
Indeed, Aermir had changed. As he stood there in his plate armor, he exuded an undeniable air of authority and power that had grown significantly since his days as a commoner knight. The transformation was palpable. He had become the very embodiment of heroism, a figure who commanded respect and attention wherever he went. His presence alone seemed to carry the weight of the entire North, and those around him couldn't help but feel the gravitas of his newfound stature. As Lady Stark stood there speechlessly, Aermir continued with a voice everyone could hear.
"I apologize, my lady. This is Sith, and she will not harm anyone as long as she is left undisturbed. As many have heard, I am a warg, and she is bound to me."
As the crowd absorbed this revelation, the scent of magic in the air did not go unnoticed by Sith. Communicating with Aermir, she shared her insights. -Master, this boy smells different too. Not the same as the Dacey girl. This castle's scent is peculiar as well. It resembles the scent of Pyke.-
Aermir had anticipated her ability to sense magic. -Yes, that's because he's also a warg. However, I still don't know what Dacey's gift might be.-
His theory was that Dacey was a skin-changer like himself, but he needed more information to confirm it. Lady Stark's words brought him back to the present. She remarked, with a smirk, "No wonder you must have wildling blood in you?"
A boisterous laughter escaped Aermir, catching everyone off guard. "Hahaha! So, being a warg makes you a wildling blood. My lady, I will be sure to remind you of those words when the time comes!"