Tyrion's enthusiasm for this game was beyond imagination. When Aegon woke up from his dream, got dressed, and prepared to go out for business, he had already taken Maurice out of the city to find the young man who made paper...
Of course, the Night's Watchman was not ashamed of waking up late. He had been busy until the latter half of the night, and in terms of rest time, he probably slept two or three hours less than the Dwarf.
While eating breakfast, he met Yoren, who also woke up very late. This Crow colleague was truly enjoying the King's Landing life without the restraint of a superior. Aegon couldn't help but feel a little envious of him when he thought about how busy he had been recently.
"Yoren, I need to ask you something." Aegon was sitting in the hotel lobby, munching on breakfast, when he suddenly remembered something: "Didn't you go to the prison some time ago to confirm some recruits?"
"That's right, why?" The Crow walked over and sat down opposite his colleague, also ordering breakfast: "Serious offenders who have no hope of being released rarely choose the path of donning the black clothes."
"Was there one among them named Jaqen H'ghar?"
"There seems to be such a person. How do you know?" Yoren was wearing the new black clothes Aegon bought, and he no longer had that sour smell.
"I just heard about it. Do you know how he was caught and put in the black cells?"
"Hmm, I know. When recruiting new soldiers, how could I not ask about their background?" Yoren shrugged: "The two people in the same cell with him are both mentally unstable murderers, crazy and erratic. Even I was afraid of them. But only this Jaqen is quite interesting. He was caught while stealing books from the Royal Library."
"Stealing books?" Aegon became interested. This was a plot point he didn't even know about. What kind of book would require Braavos to send such a top-tier spy and assassin to steal? He had this question and pressed further.
"How would I know? I can't read!"
He had forgotten this point. Aegon smiled and shook his head, but then he had other questions: "But the crime of stealing books shouldn't warrant being locked up with murderers in the black cells, right?"
"Pah, do you know where the Royal Library is? In the Red Keep! The charge for which that kid was thrown into the black cells wasn't 'stealing books,' but 'trespassing in the King's residence with malicious intent'!" Yoren said gleefully: "The reason he was discovered was quite funny—originally, he hid in a corner of the Red Keep's kitchen during the day and secretly entered the library at night to look for things. He didn't know how many days he had stayed in the Red Keep like this. But no one else borrowed books that month, and a thin layer of dust gradually accumulated on the books and the floor, leaving his footprints and handprints. The administrator responsible for cleaning discovered that someone had been in and moved the books, so he casually reported it to the Kingsguard. That guy was unlucky; Barristan paid attention and went to investigate with another Kingsguard that night. As expected, they cornered this only reader inside. The Royal Library has no windows... that unlucky fellow could only surrender obediently."
So that's how it was. Jaqen might indeed be one of the strongest assassins in the world, but he could never face two Kingsguard head-on—one of whom is currently recognized as the most excellent swordsman in Westeros. This suggests that Jaqen was not deliberately caught, which makes it even less likely that he was aiming for the Night's Watch.
But what exactly was he looking for, staying in the Royal Library for several days?
...
Yoren's breakfast was brought by the maid. The old Crow made a move to pat the girl's butt, scaring her into screaming and running away. Then he grabbed a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing as he added: "And the most crucial point, how long ago did the previous Hand of the King die? Although he died of illness, wasn't this unknown person who could sneak into a place less than a hundred feet from the Hand's Tower suspicious? So, this unlucky fellow was consequently sentenced to death, considered to be buried with the former Hand of the King."
"That's quite a coincidence."
"Quite a coincidence?" Yoren snorted and lowered his voice: "I think, perhaps Jon Arryn was killed by this guy or his companion. This person looks gentle and scholarly like a Maester, but even the two man-eating lunatics in the same cell with him are afraid of him. Why do you think that is?"
"He's very good at fighting."
"Probably more than just good at fighting... Of course, it's all just speculation, just us talking nonsense among ourselves. Speaking of which, even if he did kill the Hand of the King, what of it? Historically, the Night's Watch has even taken in King-slayers."
Perhaps Jaqen had indeed killed many people, but this time he was truly wronged, Aegon thought with amusement. Even such a formidable Faceless Man can be as unlucky as an ordinary person.
"You took in the other two lunatics too?"
"Yes, 'As long as they are willing to don the black clothes, we don't dislike anyone,' that's what the Commander said."
"Those kinds of lunatics, don't let them suddenly lose their minds and even kill their own Black Brothers," Aegon said with a frown—such tragedies have happened in the history of the Night's Watch, more than once. Didn't Jeor Mormont later die at the hands of such a person?
Yoren shrugged: "I'm only responsible for recruiting people. The more people I recruit, the better the mission is completed. As for how to train and discipline them, that's the Commander and Ser Alliser's business."
"Alas..." Aegon shook his head. This attitude towards recruitment, although forced by circumstances, was something he truly couldn't agree with.
"Don't sigh. The next time I come, I'll be counting on you to provide reliable young men. Do a good job."
"I'll try."
***
After breakfast, with the lingering doubt about Jaqen's intrusion into the library, Aegon went to the Night's Watch Office as if going to work. So far, the storefront was still empty with nothing in it, so it was naturally impossible to have customers. He, the Chief Logistics Officer, was still a bare Commander up to this point, and the drawback of this had gradually begun to show: no matter what the matter was, he had to do it himself. It was fine if he only had one thing to do, but once something came up, he couldn't get away.
He also wanted followers like Bronn, who had a knack for things, or loyal and devoted attendants and followers like Podrick Payne. If they could have both loyalty and competence, that would naturally be even better... But everything had just begun, and he couldn't rush.
After posting the two notices written by Tyrion himself at the entrance of the Office, his young apprentice arrived early for class.
...
A Wolf Family guard he didn't know escorted Arya here. Today, the girl wore a neat ponytail and a well-fitting dress that was clearly custom-made in Winterfell. It wasn't stunning, but it was enough to make the preoccupied Aegon smile knowingly.
This girl actually took his words seriously.
"You wait outside." Arya said to the guard who accompanied her, then looked at her Master with eager eyes: "I did as you said. When do we start?"
"Please sit down—Does Lord Stark know that Arya is here?" Aegon didn't answer the girl directly but politely asked the Winterfell guard. After receiving an affirmative answer, he looked at his little apprentice: "Alright, come with me."
The girl, holding the long object wrapped in cloth in her arms, excitedly followed the Night's Watchman into the inner room.
The Office also had a small backyard of a few dozen square meters. For this location, it could be said to be a rather luxurious configuration. Originally, Aegon planned to plant some flowers and grass and build an outhouse here, but now it seemed it could be used for other purposes.
Aegon went to the corner and picked up a training sword, turned around to hand one to the girl, but saw her holding the slender rapier that Jon had given her.
"A beautiful little sword, like a needle."
"How did you know it's called needle!" The girl's eyes lit up, feeling she had found a kindred spirit.
I also know who forged it and who gave it to you, Aegon thought to himself, smiling kindly: "Very good, it seems we have a lot in common in terms of aesthetics. Now, put away your needle."
"Can't I practice with this one?"
"This is a real sword. Do you want to kill me, or be killed by me?" The man shook his head: "Come on, you promised to listen to your Master."
"But I secretly brought it here. If I take it back, my Father might find out."
He won't confiscate this sword, Aegon didn't say this out loud. He was busy, and the plan required him to establish a close relationship with the girl as soon as possible: "You can leave it with me. I will keep it for you. When you're ready, perhaps we can spar with real swords."
"Is that so..." Arya hesitated for a moment, "That seems possible. This way I don't have to worry about the septa rummaging through my things all the time!"
"Then it's decided. Come on, take the sword."
—