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CHAPTER 171
293 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
It had been two years since Aermir had embarked on the task of establishing his clandestine network and secret organization. The endeavor had proven to be challenging initially, but thanks to his Druid persona, he had managed to garner significant support among the smallfolk. Aermir used his skills, particularly his Hebagumen (plant growth) spell, and various rituals, to heal and bring prosperity to the people.
This benevolent approach had effectively swayed the smallfolk to his side, and their unwavering loyalty had become a crucial shield against the prying eyes of the nobility. His agents had infiltrated most of the towns and villages throughout the North, operating covertly under the guise of religion. Aermir's ability to perform what appeared to be miracles had drawn people to him, and he consistently attributed these wonders to the Old Gods, strengthening the bond between him and his followers.
Though many of these individuals were considered his assets rather than actual members, Aermir maintained strict control over the recruitment process. Only when he deemed them worthy and loyal did he initiate them into his inner circle, revealing his true identity to them. The revelation of a young man possessing such immense power often left them in awe.
To both the smallfolk and some minor nobles, the Druid figure represented the embodiment of the Old Gods' will. This association made it increasingly difficult for the Northern lords to locate and dismantle Aermir's network. When Lord Stark eventually became aware of Aermir's activities more than a year ago, he was consumed by anger and confronted the young noble.
ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO
The moment Aermir entered the room, Ned's voice erupted in a cascade of accusations.
"Are you trying to rebel against the lords and the crown?" he thundered.
Aermir, perplexed, replied, "No, why do you say that?"
Ned's frustration was palpable as he retorted, "You said you would create an information network, but you're building a militant force. They're no different from the Faith Militants."
Aermir, attempting to clarify his intentions, argued, "Of course, there is a difference. They are not working for a corrupt High Septon and are not here to suppress others."
Ned, his voice heavy with disappointment, continued, "I trusted you when you said you didn't want to rule the North, that you saw beyond me. Did you mean this? Do you intend to create an army? What is your aim with this army? Are you trying to be the king?"
Aermir, exasperated by the misunderstanding, asserted, "I am not trying to be the king. We don't have time to quarrel with each other. That army has three uses: First, they would create internal security for the North by ending banditry. With this internal security, trade will flourish. Secondly, we can exert influence over the Faith of the Seven and prevent them from expanding in the North. The third reason is to have a standing army. In the case of an invasion, they could hold off or slow down the destruction."
Ned, wary of the potential consequences, inquired, "Who would lead this force? I don't think you will give the reins to someone else. Six months ago, I said I didn't need an oath from you, but things changed the moment I learned about your army plans. I need one now."
Aermir, taking a solemn stance, performed the oath ritual, grasping Ned's hand firmly, and declared, "I did not create this organization to become the Paramount of the North or the King of Westeros. If I am lying, let me die right away."
Despite his reservations, Ned felt the sincerity in Aermir's oath. He couldn't fully understand Aermir's true motivations, but he sensed that there was more to this religious army than met the eye. As he pondered for a long time, he still couldn't guess. Aermir's underlying reason for forming this military force was the looming threat of the Night King.
Aermir suggested, "We can resolve this issue by placing The Order under your authority. As a knight, I will join this Order and serve as its commander."
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Ned, still concerned about power dynamics, inquired, "But you will be the one ruling it, right?"
Aermir assured him, "My lord, as long as your high morals do not cloud your judgment, it will follow your lead. However, this Order's primary allegiance will be to the North."
Ned, his temper flaring, questioned, "What do you mean by 'cloud my judgment'?"
"My lord, how many innocent Northmen died for your honor because you refused to act before telling the king in the rebellion? How many more would have died if I didn't act?" Aermir's voice was firm, his eyes locked on Ned's. "You have an unhealthy obsession with honor; mayhaps it's because you were fostered among hypocrites like the Vale knights. You cannot prioritize your sense of honor over the needs of the North."
A surge of anger coursed through Ned, and he forcefully struck the table, his voice thundering in the room. "You cannot talk to me like this! And why do you call Jon Arryn and the Vale Knights hypocrites?"
Aermir's accusations hung in the air, leaving Ned momentarily speechless. Aermir, undeterred, pressed on, "My lord, you know it as well as I do. I haven't uttered a word that isn't true. As for the Vale Knights and Jon Arryn, what did he do after the Mountain raided the capital and killed the Targaryen babes? Did he push for that monster to be punished and advocated for it alongside you, or did he simply let it go, or worse, did he dissuade you to sweep the matter under a rug? And what about the Vale knights? You must have witnessed how they treat the Mountain clans in the Vale. Do they treat them as humans?"
Ned, grappling with the weight of Aermir's words, found himself unable to offer a retort. Eventually, Aermir's persuasiveness began to chip away at Ned's resistance, leading him to see the potential benefits of the Old Gods' Templar Order. Jon Arryn's initial opposition faded into insignificance as Robert, the reigning king, granted permission for its formation at Ned's request.
As a Templar Order, they required a sacred place to protect. Thus, for the next two years, Aermir diverted his efforts from his plant growth spell to a new endeavor. He set about creating a forest between Manderly and Dustin's lands, adjacent to his own territory just north of Moat Cailin. While not comparable in size to the vast Wolfswood, it spanned an impressive 30 square kilometers. The tallest trees reached heights of 3-4 meters, making it a young forest, but a thriving one nonetheless—a testament to the miraculous abilities of Druid Emrys. During this period, a temple dedicated to the Old Gods was under construction within this newfound forest.
Aermir's days were consumed by various tasks, leaving him little time for respite. In this time, he formed a bond with a female snow owl named Skadi, who became his familiar. Skadi, in turn, managed to tame 60 other snow owls, effectively establishing an extensive observation network beyond the Wall. However, these owls could not venture deep into the Lands of Always Winter. Aermir, out of concern for Skadi's safety, strictly forbade her from going too far. Losing her would be unbearable, as she held a special place in his heart.
Aermir's network of spotters never encountered White Walkers or wights, but he was acutely aware of their presence. He meticulously mapped out the territories beyond the Wall, reaching all the way to the Lands of Always Winter. The largest wildling settlement was the Thenn clan, distinguished by their relative sophistication among the wildlings. While they paled in comparison to the Northerners, their society featured a system of laws and clear governance. Armed with bronze weaponry, they enjoyed a more favorable climate than most regions beyond the Wall, thanks to their location within a basin created by the Frostfang Mountains.
The Thenns communicated using the Old Tongue, a language of the First Men. Aermir found it surprisingly easy to acquire this new language, thanks to his ability to use Authenticate, which streamlined the learning process. This skill allowed him to establish connections between different pieces of information, greatly facilitating the recall of words and phrases. Remarkably, in less than a month, he had grasped the fundamentals of the Old Tongue.
As he delved into the intricacies of the language, Aermir's exploration led him to a stunning revelation—the existence of giants. The Thenns, being well-versed in the Old Tongue, had extensive interactions with these colossal beings, more so than other wildling groups. The giants came in two size categories: the smaller ones stood at approximately 3.5 meters (11 feet) tall, while the larger specimens reached an astonishing 5 meters (16 feet) in height.
Cloaked in fur, giants possessed diminutive eyes and relied heavily on their acute sense of smell due to their limited eyesight. They bore a semblance to apes but were far from mere beasts. In fact, they communicated using a dialect of the Old Tongue and were organized into small clans dispersed across the Frostfang Mountains.
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With Lord Stark's support, approximately 100 nobles joined the ranks of the Templars, forming a new order known as the Paladins of the Old Gods. These nobles were not high-ranking individuals within their respective houses; instead, they consisted of spare heirs and bastards, individuals often overlooked in the line of succession. Meanwhile, the construction of the temple was nearing completion, and remarkably, Aermir hadn't expended a single copper coin on it. Volunteers and devoted workers handled every aspect of the construction, leaving Aermir to create the stones using his Druidic abilities. The lords, eager to earn the favor of the Druid, generously provided all other necessary resources.
Aermir never solicited donations, yet the temple attracted pilgrims from both noble and common backgrounds. These visitors offered whatever they could, contributing to the temple's growth. However, one critical element was still missing—the weirwood tree with a face. Aermir had attempted to plant one, but it always reverted to a faceless state whenever he attempted to carve a face onto it using his magical talents. He refrained from employing a blade to create an artificial face, as the tree lacked a connection to the intricate root network. Despite his efforts as a level six Druid, since he leveled up a few months ago, attempts to establish this connection remained fruitless. Even when he tried to replant an existing weirwood tree, the moment he unearthed it, the connection severed, and the tree's face vanished.
Over the course of two years, Aermir had honed his skills in enchantment while doing research on the bronze armor of Royce and Nightfall. This newfound understanding of enchantments had a significant impact on his leveling progress, and thanks to this, he had reached level 5. While he couldn't produce items of Valyrian steel weapons caliber, he could imbue a single enchantment into a weapon or armor piece, such as enhancing its durability or sharpness. While these enchantments didn't rival the exceptional qualities of Valyrian steel, they endowed the items with superior qualities compared to standard steel weaponry and armor.