Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Tonight, No One Sleeps

💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎

🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch

⏰ Resets Monday!

------

Lynn didn't return to his quarters. He strode through the uneasy courtyard, heading straight for his hundred Northmen's barracks.

Inside, Torren and the squad leaders were distributing evening rations—black bread and thin stew. Soldiers huddled around braziers, murmuring about the day's events, faces wary.

"My Lord!" Everyone snapped to attention as Lynn entered.

"At ease." Lynn waved them down and walked to the center. "Brothers." His gaze swept every face—weathered from the wild, loyal to the core. "You saw what happened today. Those two corpses—I guarantee they're dangerous."

Faces turned grave. Silence fell, broken only by crackling firewood. Soldiers exchanged glances—confusion, yes, but also ancestral awe.

They're Northmen. They believe in the Old Gods. In magic.

"Tonight, we have work." Lynn moved to a crude map of Castle Black's layout. "Lord Commander Mormont kept one corpse in his chambers. The other's with Maester Aemon."

He tapped two locations.

"Torren."

"Yes, my Lord!"

"Take thirty men. Guard Aemon's door. Your mission: protect him. He's old, blind. He cannot be harmed."

"Yes, my Lord!" Torren nodded firmly.

"Harvey." Lynn turned to another squad leader.

"Here!"

"Thirty men. Outside the Lord Commander's chambers."

"Yes!"

"The rest follow me." Lynn's gaze sharpened. "Listen carefully. This concerns all your lives. If—if—you see those corpses move, don't stab their hearts or cut off their heads. It won't work."

"Then... what do we do?" a young guard asked.

"Fire." Lynn's voice was steel. "Burn them. Only fire kills them permanently. Torches, coals, light their clothes—I don't care. Make them burn before they reach you. Understood?"

"Understood!" A unified growl filled the barracks.

"Good. Now check weapons. Prepare oil and torches."

Soldiers moved instantly—sharpening swords, hauling oil jars, wrapping rags into makeshift torches. Tension and killing intent saturated the air.

Lynn walked to a corner and picked up the Valyrian steel dagger Ned gave him. The dragonbone hilt felt cold, then oddly warm.

Ordinary fire might work on wights, but it's slow. Valyrian steel—forged in dragonflame—has innate power over dark creatures.

He strapped the dagger to his inner calf—accessible, concealed.

Arrangements complete, Lynn stepped outside.

Night had consumed Castle Black. Wind howled over the walls like wailing ghosts. Most lights were out, save a few dim windows.

Lynn's shadow melted into darkness.

He didn't head straight for Mormont's tower. First, he circled to Aemon's quarters.

Torren and his men were positioned—statues in corridor shadows, weapons and torches ready.

Lynn signaled Torren, then left to check the other side.

The Lord Commander's tower was Castle Black's tallest, strongest structure. Mormont's chambers occupied the top floor.

He kept the corpse close—partly trusting Lynn's judgment, partly suspecting foul play. Bait to draw out enemies.

Lynn avoided the main entrance. He circled to the tower's rear and scaled to a second-floor window ledge like an ape.

From here, he had a clear view of the only staircase to the top.

Harvey and his men lurked in stairwell shadows.

Everything's in place.

Lynn leaned against cold stone, steadying his breath. He looked up at the lit window.

Mormont's inside. Maybe drinking. Maybe reading. He has no idea he's sharing a room with a monster of death and terror.

Lynn's hand rested on the dagger at his calf.

Now, I wait.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

The story isn't over...

🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?

🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?

✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?

✨ patreon.com/DarkGolds