From Winterfell to Castle Black one must traverse the dense northern reaches of the Wolfswood cross the towering Northern Mountains then pass through the vast empty wilderness within House Umber's domain before finally reaching the "New Gift" and the "Gift" lands held by the Night's Watch—and only then does one truly arrive at the Wall.
The "Gift" was territory granted to the Night's Watch eight thousand years ago by Brandon the Builder King in the North who oversaw construction of the Wall so the brothers could sustain themselves. It stretches twenty-five leagues south of the Wall and is worked by the Watch's own stewards.
The "New Gift" was an additional twenty-five leagues bestowed later by Queen Alysanne after House Targaryen took the Iron Throne.
Unlike the stony barren Gift the New Gift contains relatively fertile soil. Before the queen gave it to the Watch it was direct demesne land of House Stark farmed by generations of tenants.
Each year the farmers paid only rent to the Night's Watch and otherwise lived much as before.
Yet when Ethan and his companions passed through both the Gift and New Gift they saw almost no one working the fields or orchards.
According to Chief Ranger Benjen Stark the Gift lands lay fallow because the Night's Watch itself lacked the manpower to cultivate them.
The New Gift had been gradually abandoned because the Watch's dwindling numbers had weakened border patrols allowing more and more wildlings to slip across the Wall to raid nearby settlements. Many farmers had fled south into Umber lands seeking safety.
Foreign invasions always begin with weakened frontiers and weakened frontiers usually stem from rulers' neglect. In the end surging waves of foreign warriors can destroy entire kingdoms—even whole civilizations. History repeats the pattern endlessly.
Logistics are the lifeblood of any army's fighting power. Seeing such fertile land lying wasted Ethan felt more anxious than the king himself—yet he was powerless to act. All he could do was close his eyes and ears trying to shut out the thought and the unease it brought.
The group spent six days covering the final fifty miles.
When the Wall rose into view like a mountain of ice and stone everyone fell silent in sheer awe.
Even Tyrion—who had read countless descriptions of the Wall in books—found its scale beyond anything he had imagined.
"My gods… it's so high!"
"Yes… it really is that high…" Ethan replied absently feeling faint threads of magical energy drifting into his body.
Tyrion assumed Ethan was simply overwhelmed by the Wall's sheer size like everyone else.
"Come on—only a few miles left. Once we reach it you can climb to the top and look out."
Ethan snapped back to the present smiled and said:
"Right. Let's go."
Ever since he had poured every drop of his magic into reviving Kevin and Juan in the Wolfswood Ethan had frequently felt a deep hollow ache inside—as though some wild beast were clawing at his chest roaring for him to fill the void.
Now as the Wall drew nearer he sensed the ambient magic in the air like winter morning mist condensing on his skin seeping into muscle and finally pooling quietly in his soul.
Though it was only the tiniest trickle—barely enough for a basic cleansing spell—it was real and it was slowly accumulating.
The discovery thrilled him so much that he spoke without thinking—drawing Kevin's immediate attention.
Once they had moved a little apart from the others Kevin asked in a hushed voice:
"Teacher—what is magic?"
"Magic… I can't explain it very well." Ethan glanced around saw no one paying attention and lowered his own voice. "Roughly speaking it's a kind of mystical energy that lets me cast Light spells."
"But Teacher—you said all sacred spells are gifts from the Sun God An'she."
"The techniques are gifts from the Sun God. The energy consumed to cast them is not.
Think of it like a scholar's ink. You need ink to write a book—but ink alone cannot produce a book."
Kevin nodded slowly.
"I understand… Then Teacher—how can I sense this energy?!"
Looking into his student's eager shining eyes Ethan found himself at a loss. He could hardly admit he didn't know either.
So he turned the question back:
"Kevin—tell me—do you believe the power of the sun is vast?"
"Of course!"
"Is it sacred?"
"Of course it is sacred!"
"Then why do you think that simply because I speak of it you can possess it?"
Kevin fell silent for a moment cheeks and ears flushing deep red unsure how to respond.
After a long pause he finally asked:
"Teacher—what should I do? Just tell me—I swear I'll do it."
Yes—what should he do?
That was another hard question.
Seeing the burning hope in his student's gaze Ethan knew he could delay no longer.
Since the duel with the Kingslayer and the Hound in Winterfell Ethan had gradually come to understand that he and Kevin ultimately came from two different worlds with profoundly different values.
As Tyrion Lannister had pointed out with Ethan's current strength he could easily have sworn service to a powerful lord become his trusted enforcer righted wrongs earned favor and one day risen to lordship himself.
But Ethan could not.
Everything he had been taught growing up insisted that all people possess equal dignity and that social rank should arise only from differences in ability and division of labor—not from birth.
He could not accept kneeling before a lord then watching his own children kneel before that lord's children and his grandchildren kneel before their grandchildren.
The very thought filled him with deep despair.
Yet in this land such customs had become so deeply entrenched they felt like natural law.
Only the noble warrior class that wielded military power could hold real authority while those who possessed faith or knowledge were required to swear vows of celibacy ensuring they left no heirs.
This was bizarre.
In Ethan's homeland the most prosperous eras had always arisen when those who held faith and knowledge also held military power.
Separating these three elements and placing martial might above the other two had only ever produced endless war and chaos.
This was abnormal—and Ethan rejected it. That rejection made his actions fundamentally out of step with this world.
It was also the root of his conflict with Kevin.
Though Kevin had later apologized Ethan could tell from his words that the boy was apologizing to his "lord" Ethan—not his "teacher."
Kevin had not truly accepted Ethan's values; he had merely followed custom.
If this continued one day Kevin would leave him—perhaps even become his enemy.
Ethan did not want that outcome. He needed to explain his worldview to his student from the very foundation—and the present moment was the perfect opportunity.
After thinking carefully Ethan said:
"Kevin—the Sun God's trials are everywhere always present in every moment. You will encounter them.
I cannot tell you exactly what form the Sun God's test will take—but I can tell you what the Sun God values."
"What does the Sun God value?"
Ethan pointed to the sun blazing overhead.
"First the sun is selfless. It hangs high in the sky burning itself to give light and warmth to the whole world.
Second the sun is impartial. It shines equally on animals plants mountains rivers—on everything without favoritism…"
Over the remaining short stretch of road Ethan—drawing on his limited knowledge of astrophysics—infused the sun's power with moral meaning and taught it to Kevin as core doctrine of the "An'she Faith."
The ethical framework he used naturally came from the civic and moral education he had received on Earth.
However considering the cultural makeup of Westerosi children Ethan limited himself for now to the three core slogans of the French Revolution with a light seasoning of Paris Commune ideals.
As for the philosophies of the three great teachers of the Internationale—they were far too advanced. Ethan feared that revealing them too early would cause disaster so he kept them concealed waiting for the right moment to introduce them gradually.
Though the content he shared with Kevin was not especially profound even the most basic elements of these ideas were far nobler and deeper than "get rich and powerful even if your wife dies"—perfectly suited to reshaping the mind of a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy steeped in aristocratic spirit and chivalric honor.
Moreover the parts Ethan currently remembered and personally believed in were more than enough to keep him talking for months.
Once he finished the main points he could draw on his "memory enhancement" ability to revisit sections he had read but never deeply pondered expanding them chapter by chapter point by point—providing material for a very long teaching arc.
Then he could guide Kevin to truly understand and put them into practice…
Surely by now he could find a way right?
Gradually through this shared process of teaching and learning Chief Ranger Benjen Stark and his small mounted party reached the great yet dilapidated fortress at the base of the Wall—Castle Black headquarters of the Night's Watch.
Castle Black was an ancient stronghold and the Watch's principal seat situated at the northern terminus of the Kingsroad.
Half a mile south lay a small settlement called Mole's Town.
Castle Black was not a true castle. Its eastern western and southern sides had no walls—only the Wall itself loomed to the north.
It consisted of several stone towers and timber keeps. Beneath them ran a network of underground passages known as "wormways" that linked the different buildings.
Rarely used in summer in winter these became the only way to move between parts of the castle.
After entering the main yard Benjen went straight to the Lord Commander's Tower to make his report.
As First Ranger Benjen had long been part of the Night's Watch's senior leadership.
His journey to Winterfell had not been merely a family visit; he had also carried word of the Wall's defenses to his brother Lord Eddard Stark Warden of the North.
Now that he had returned—and by chance met King Robert who was hunting in the North—he naturally wished to relay whatever feedback the rulers of the Seven Kingdoms had given whether good or bad to the rest of the Watch's high officers.
Yet he did not neglect his guests.
Soon after he entered the tower a middle-aged man in black with a hard scarred face emerged and introduced himself:
"I am Bowen Marsh Master Steward of the Night's Watch. Lord Commander Mormont sent me to see you settled."
Tyrion extended his hand.
"Pleased to meet you. Tyrion Lannister.
It's comforting to be greeted by a Master Steward—at least we won't have to worry about being bitten by dogs."
Bowen bent and shook the offered hand then led them toward an old leaning tower whose top tilted alarmingly.
"This is Hardin's Tower. Long ago it housed Night's Watch officers.
But now the barracks stand half-empty so the tower is used for guests and new recruits who haven't yet taken their vows.
Did you bring your own bedding?"
Receiving Tyrion's affirmative Bowen gestured at the creaking doors along the tower's levels.
"Pick whichever room you like.
You can each have your own chamber—but don't expect anyone to clean for you.
It's best if you stay on the same floor; that way it's easier for me to find you if needed."
Bowen had barely stepped out the tower's main door when he turned back to Tyrion.
"Lannister—Old Bear wants to see you at supper."
Tyrion answered with an exaggerated smile.
"Understood ser. I'll dress nicely for him."
Bowen nodded and left—this time without returning.
It was already late so Ethan—lugging his gear—chose the most appealing room and moved in declining Kevin's offer to share.
Because no one had lived there in years cleaning alone took Ethan a full hour.
Only when Kevin knocked did he realize supper time had arrived.
Tyrion was attending a formal dinner and had taken Jack with him so only Maurice and Ethan's group of three ate in the common hall.
Though Ethan and his companions were guests in the eyes of the Night's Watch they clearly did not require special treatment and were therefore seated with the rest of the black brothers.
The Watch's meal was simple: a slab of bacon a scoop of pickled vegetables a hunk of hard bread a bowl of hot broth and a small cup of ale—all ladled out by a plump cook.
The men in black formed a line to receive their portions giving Ethan a strangely familiar feeling.
What was missing? Ethan wondered for a moment before realizing it was only the cafeteria lady's habitual shake of the ladle.
"Don't you like our food?"
Chief Ranger Benjen Stark sat down across from Ethan carrying his own plate.
"Before he came to the Wall Hobb was just an ordinary farmer.
Back home he only knew how to cook beans—so don't expect too much."
"So why did he come to the Wall?"
"He borrowed money from a knight and couldn't repay it. Poor bastard."
Benjen tore off a piece of bread with his teeth chewed and asked:
"About what you mentioned earlier—wanting to ride out beyond the Wall with us—have you reconsidered?"
While still on the road Ethan had expressed interest in seeing the lands beyond the Wall and Benjen—feeling indebted for Ethan's earlier hospitality—had agreed at the time.
Seeing Benjen now preparing to retract Ethan asked:
"What's changed?"
"Not exactly—but during this afternoon's meeting Old Bear told me the wildlings have been far more active since I left.
Going out now is very dangerous.
I wear black—patrolling beyond the Wall is my duty.
But you're only a guest. It's not worth the risk.
If you just want to see the Wall I can arrange for one of my brothers to show you around. I think this great ice cliff will keep you entertained until you leave."
Ethan shook his head.
"Chief Ranger—if you're worried about the danger outside that's exactly why you should take me along.
You've seen what I can do."
Benjen had been present the day Sandor Clegane dueled Ethan—he had watched an adult schooling a child.
"If you insist… very well.
Three days from now I'll take a few skilled men beyond the Wall. We leave at first light—so be ready."
"What should I prepare?"
"Plenty of food extra warm clothing and leave your servants behind."
"Understood."
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