Inaction #74

Perched on a vantage point, I watched Edd and Qhorin vanish into the horizon atop their mounts. A heavy sigh escaped me, frustration swirling within. 

I had hoped to persuade Qhorin to stay, relying on his expertise in these unfamiliar lands to assist me in tracking and capturing a wight. However, the plan crumbled before it could even form. Edd's limited knowledge of the area rendered him incapable of making his way back to Castle Black alone, leading Qhorin to accompany him.

On the other hand, Tormund was even more familiar with these with these wilds than Qhorin. However, he took it upon himself to embark on a dual mission: to scour the surroundings for any survivors from the first group Rayder sent to secure the area and hunt down the Weepin Man.

I hesitated to request his aid for my own task as it would make me seem dismissive of the missing wildlings, jeopardizing the fragile trust I'd painstakingly built with the wildlings.

I briefly contemplated seeking guidance from Harma's scouts but quickly dismissed the idea. 

Oddly, I felt a sense of trust with Tormund after spending so much time with him, yet these unfamiliar scouts bred a strange unease in me. I couldn't bring myself to rely on them, plagued by a nagging uncertainty about their loyalty and capabilities.

Left with no viable alternatives, I resigned myself to staying put, trapped in a frustrating state of inaction for the next few days, my plans momentarily halted.

I settled onto a fallen tree nearby, observing the flurry of activity among the wildlings who were fervently engaged in fortifying the camp. My inability to venture in search of a wight weighed heavily on my mind, but I refused to be idle. 

The bustling energy around me stirred a restlessness within; I was no stranger to labor, yet I knew my physical strength had its limits. Assisting in fortifying the camp-- although feasible --wouldn't significantly expedite the process.

My thoughts inevitably turned towards fighting as I contemplated my options. The notion of confronting the cave dwellers simmered in my mind. 

While a direct assault on their stronghold was unfeasible, the idea of harassing them to thin their numbers and hinder their rituals. I mulled over the possibility of infiltrating their gatherings within the caves. 

With a hum of thoughtful consideration, a plan took shape. Sneaking into the vast chamber where the cave dwellers congregated seemed plausible. Utilizing my skills, I could pick off a few targets from a distance and swiftly make my escape. 

Should any of them come chasing behind, I can have a few archers waiting at the cave's entrance to shoot them down. If all goes well, I could make them suffer many losses and stop them from completing their rituals. 

And if they get tired of my meddling and decide to sally out, then all the better. Many cave dwellers hid within the caves, but their numbers weren't as numerous as the troops Harma brought along. 

A decisive battle outside the cave was all we needed to crush them. 

"I better take this up with Harma..." I muttered, promptly standing up and making my way toward the center of the camp. 

...

Within the heart of the main wildling encampment near the Frostfangs, Rayder's tent stood as a hub of deliberation. As Rayder leaned over the table, examining the map spread across its surface, a deep frown etched his face. 

"Should the Southerners betray us, it will be a massacre... despite our numbers, they'll have the advantage of surprise, organization, and better equipment," he lamented, his voice tinged with bitterness as he weighed the precarious situation in his mind. "It pains me that we must rely on them, but I don't see any other alternative..." 

Val, standing nearby, couldn't suppress a smile at his words. "I've never known you to be so mistrustful... your willingness to trust others has always been your biggest strength... and greatest weakness," she remarked, her gaze soft but meaningful.

Rayder's expression remained somber as he responded, acknowledging the weight of her words. "Aye... my trust in others united most of the clans and brought us to this point, but I fear it might also be the undoing of our people," he admitted with a rueful shake of his head. 

"The crow, Gale, seemed pleasant enough and willing to work with us, but it's them other crows I'm most wary of," he confided, his concern evident.

Val placed a comforting hand on Rayder's shoulder, offering reassurance. "If you have faith in Gale, it should suffice. The First Ranger and Lord Commander of the Night's Watch value his counsel and heed his word as if he has them under a spell," she reminded him with a chuckle. 

"Even the Warden of the North seemed to have a positive impression of the lad-- I gathered as much from my stay in Castle Black," she added, hoping to alleviate Rayder's worries.

Rayder's tense posture eased slightly at Val's reassuring words. "I can only hope you're right..." he responded with a sigh. "In any case, we have more urgent worries to--" He added, intent on shifting the discussion to another topic. 

However, his attempt at resuming the conversation was abruptly interrupted as the tent flaps parted to admit Threya and Long Spear Ryk. Their urgent entrance immediately drew Rayder's attention.

"We have troubling news, Rayder..." Threya's voice carried a sense of urgency as she spoke. Her words hung heavily in the air, setting a somber tone inside the tent. 

"The first group you sent to secure the Haunted Forest was attacked by someone... possibly wiped," she explained, her expression mirroring the gravity of the situation.

The severity of Threya's report cast a shadow over Rayder's countenance. He had suspected trouble but hadn't foreseen the magnitude of such a devastating blow, his features darkening with concern and frustration.

"Tell me everything you know... don't spare any details..." Rayder said. His command was firm, his tone reflecting a mixture of resolve and concern. 

This unforeseen attack on the group sent to secure the Haunted Forest demanded immediate attention and thorough understanding to formulate a response.

...

Inside Castle Black, within the Lord Commander's office, Lord Mormont, Benjen, and Maester Aemon engaged in an intense discussion about future plans and the challenges they faced.

"Our biggest concern remains convincing the northern lords to permit the wildlings into the Wall," Lord Mormont remarked, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "Their stubbornness and deep-seated animosity towards the free folk clans pose a significant hurdle."

"I've faced the stubbornness of my brother's bannermen firsthand," Benjen chimed in, acknowledging the difficulty. "But with Gale's plan in place, we might make some headway. If not, perhaps the lad will conjure another one of his unconventional ideas to sway them," he said, thoughtfully rubbing his chin, and pondering the potential strategies.

Observing the conversation, Maester Aemon felt compelled to interject. "Do you think it wise to rely so heavily on the young man?" he calmly inquired, causing a momentary pause. 

Both the Lord Commander and the first ranger exchanged puzzled glances, surprised by Aemon's query.

"Are you questioning Gale's abilities, Maester Aemon?" Benjen asked, his tone slightly defensive and genuinely puzzled. "The lad's cunning and resourcefulness should be well-known to you..." he added, furrowing his brows in confusion.

Maester Aemon shook his head gently. "Indeed, The young man is reliable enough," he clarified. "We all know he is reliable, but we should be asking ourselves if it wise to rely on him so readily?" he explained, leaving his companions in contemplative silence.

The Lord Commander's thoughts swirled at Maester Aemon's cautionary words. It seemed the old Maester was doubting Gale, though why, Lord Mormont had no clue. The young man had given no reason to doubt him, after all. 

"You misunderstand me, old friend," Maester Aemon chuckled, seeing the perplexed expression on the Lord Commander's face. "I don't question Gale's intentions. It's his capacity to shoulder such a heavy burden that concerns me," he explained with a sigh. 

"Clever and strong as he is, he's still a young man. The weight he carries should not rest solely on his shoulders," he concluded meaningfully.

A sense of realization dawned on both Benjen and the Lord Commander, understanding the gravity of Aemon's words. But before they could delve deeper into the conversation, a knock at the door interrupted their thoughts. 

Lord Mormont granted entry, and Edd entered the room, his troubled expression not escaping their notice.

"There's trouble brewing north of the Wall... Gale sent me for help," Edd hesitantly informed them, his words adding a sense of urgency to the atmosphere.