Undead

"Thenn's are the only group to have fine steel weapons. Most favour axes. Does the wound match such a weapon?" Aemon questioned.

"Can't tell. The wound is just too old and chilled from a month of exposure. Thenn be the best bet yet that doesn't explain why they left the bodies."

"Ahh, yes…the rumoured claim of them being cannibals. I take they weren't looted as well?"

The Ranger nodded. "Indeed. Everyone had their swords and daggers still. Wildlings are scavengers overall and take every chance to get new weapons when they can."

"So, a group of Wildlings ambush the deserter's scouting party. They kill one and brutally kill the other in front of the deserter if his story is to be believed, yet simply let him go…maybe as a warning? Doesn't add up."

"New group then? Tons of Wildling tribes, heck we keep finding new ones every few years." The Ranger remarked.

"Unless these types are mindless ferals, I doubt it." Jason argued back. "Again I need the bodies thawed for a full examination. Have one idea that I remember from Skellige, a northern island nation where I came from. Going to need some metal containers and coals along with some burning oil to help create steam. Should allow for a gradual thawing without damaging the bodies."

Aemon nodded, seeming to agree with the plan. "An interesting idea overall. See to it that Jason gets everything he requires." The Maester said to the Ranger who nodded before moving to help Aemon out of his seat.

"Just wait here, Master Surgebinder." The Ranger answered back as he'd guide the Maester out, leaving Jason alone.

Sighing, he'd glance back at the two bodies. "Nothing adds up." He muttered as he'd pace around the table, one hand touching his medallion which was humming intensely again. "Damn thing still won't calm down. Can't even check for lingering magic if any was involved. Need at least a few miles away from the Wall to do that." After a few minutes waiting, the Ranger returned with the items the Surgebinder had requested, which he took off the Watchman's hands.

Certain this is going to work?"

"Small chance the bodies could just…rapidly decay. Have seen it happen before." Jason casually remarked as he placed the metal tins around the before carefully pouring oiling into the coal inside of them. With the Ranger distracted, he'd make the Igni sign to light the tins up before getting the lids mostly closed so steam funnelled out into the room. "Anyway, should keep the place shut up. Need to keep a few windows open just to air it out yet not let cool air in." If anything he was more of talking to himself as the Ranger simply nodded as he watched Jason get the few windows cracked open slightly. "I'll have to make sure the coals are refilled every couple of hours. Overall they should be thawed out by tomorrow night." He'd move to leave the infirmary, the Ranger following out yet making sure to lock the door behind them. Turning to the ranger, he'd have one hand out. "Hand me the door key. If I'm correct only Aemon and the Lord Commander have other copies."

The Ranger seemed hesitant yet he'd give a sigh and handed the iron key over. "I'll report this to them both. I trust you'll not lose it."

Pocketing the key, he'd nod. "Of course. I doubt either of them will disagree." The ranger simply shrugged before he'd departed, leaving Jason alone. Considering the busy night, he decided to head for his room and sleep into the morning. By then it is a good chance to check on the bodies along with discussing what could have happened with the others.

**************

Jason spent most of the day either in his room or checking up on the corpses in the infirmary, making sure the thawing was going well along with replacing the spent coals. He had expected the Lord Commander to call for a meeting, yet none came as the day went by. Over the course of the day, he did see Jon and Tyrion yet they seemed busy considering how they were moving about the castle, no doubt related to last night's events. Soon the evening crept in and by this point Castle Black had calmed down, the yard being empty as the sun was setting.

"Should be time about now," Jason muttered as he'd head outside and down to the lower levels of the keep for the infirmary. On the way there though, he'd nearly run into someone out on the walkway down to the yard. He'd quickly realize it was Jon who had a quite surprised look on his face and a tired hint showing in his eyes. "Didn't expect you to be up still." The Surgebinder remarked.

"Uncle Benjen had me taking care of certain matters. I did alert his arrival first, so I guess I'm getting a lot of attention." Jon answered.

"If anything Tyrion saw the Rangers arriving first." Jason corrected, making Jon frown.

"Doesn't count…" He muttered while the Surgebinder chuckled. "Anyway what are you doing at this hour?"

"Checking up on the corpses. Should be thawed by now." Already he'd move by Jon and down the stairs, yet the young man followed along. "Don't have to come along."

"What, no lesson to share this time?"

"Not this time. Still can't stop you from tagging along." By now they'd near the infirmary, yet once the door came into view Jason would stop suddenly. The door into the room was opened, lingering steam just flowing out through the cold evening air. Already the Surgebinder was on guard as he approached the door, one hand grasping his sword for a possible ambush as he'd peek inside. "Damn it!" He growled as he stomped into the room, gaze set on the table which was missing one corpse, Waymar's corpse.

"What is wrong?" Jon questioned before following in, seeing the empty table as well. "Uhh…where is one of your corpses? You didn't accidentally melt it did you?" Despite the jesting remark, Jon seemed just as confused and worried.

"It wouldn't decay into nothing if that's what you're joking about. Be a gory mess behind if that happened." Jason muttered as he paced around, sharp eyes looking for any clues on the floor or nearby furniture. "Only three keys to this place and whoever did this had only four hours move the bodies, yet they'd be easily spotted by someone outside. Doubt the Lord Commander or Aemon just decided to dispose of one of them without informing me." His attention shifted to the door itself, checking the lock. "Huh…switch lock on the inside."

"Meant for emergencies from my understanding. If there is an attack, the injured can lock the door from the inside and then unlock it once everything has cleared up." Jon explained. "Wait…you're not thinking it was open from the inside?"

"Unless someone stole one of the other keys it's the only explanation. Whoever it was would have had to sneak in while I was checking the steamers which takes me only a few minutes. No one is that skilled to get me in such tight quarters."

Jon shook his head. "Then what? Did your corpses just get up and walk out? Should we go tell everyone to look out for a man without a head?"

Despite the young man's chuckle, Jason had a serious look about him that made Jon quiet down quickly. "I think I may need my shardblade for once." Already he'd step out of the room, trying to think over what could be going on.

"Jason, what in the Hells are you talking about?" Jon questioned as the Surgebinder was already moving up to the upper floor of the keep, heading for his room. "You can be serious about the dead just….getting up and walking away."

"Has happened before in my experience." He calmly remarked. "Just don't know how it's possible in this case." Going down the hallway towards his room, Jason paused as he noticed that the door was open. Calmly, he'd draw his blade and move closer to the door. Suddenly a figure lunged at him, making him quickly step aside as the figure slammed into the stone wall, giving a deep inhuman growl. In the low light, he recognized the figure to be Waymar, yet his eyes were different having a low blue colour to the irises. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, stabbing the walking corpse right through the gut, yet Waymar didn't even flinch as enchanted steel pierced through his thawed guts. "Stay back!" Jason warned Jon was stood by baffled at what he just saw, while the Surgebinder ducked a heavy swipe from the reanimated corpse. Again his blade slashed out, dismembering the swung arm but yet again the undead Ranger didn't react to his injury. Once more the thing lunged at Jason, forcing the Surgebinder to get his sword arm up to shove the thing back. Pushing his arm under its chin, it growls and snarls as he pinned it against the hallway wall. Bringing his other hand up, he made summon stormlight. This time the thing howled out and thrashed, forcing Jason back as the thing struggled to put out the flames yet only spreading it across its body. Stumbling towards the Surgebinder and Jon, both backed off as its pace slowed until it flew forward a smoldering mess.

"You…you just shot blue light out of your hand…" Jon muttered in shock.

Jason gave an odd glance to the young man as he'd sheath his sword, stepping closer to the corpse which he gave a light kick with his foot. "You just saw a walking murderous corpse and that's your first concern?" He muttered as he looked back at Jon, who seemed to be ready to answer back yet remained silent.

"Anyway yes, I can conjure light. I'll tell you more later…" Already footsteps and alert voices could be heard, no doubt people are drawn by the sounds of fighting and undead Waymar's shrieking. Lord Commander Jeor was the one leading the group and just one glance of the scene had a stern questioning look showing in those eyes. "This is going to be hard to explain…" Jason sighed.