NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51: Chapter 51
"I want to mine dragonglass here. What do I need to prepare?" Aegor held the torch close to the cave wall, illuminating the gleaming black volcanic rock.
"So this is what a dragonglass mine looks like... What's the use of this for a Night's Watchman?" the old mine owner muttered as he handed the torch to his youngest son. Pulling a small hammer from his waist pouch, he tapped on the cave wall, studying it closely. After a few moments, he straightened up and shook his head.
"The mine is already here. It's above sea level with a stable structure, and natural ventilation means no worries about collapse, water seepage, or toxic gases. The ore itself is pure dragonglass, requiring no refining. Mining this is almost effortless. Just get some strong men, and there's no need to worry about them sneaking nuggets like they would in a gold mine. The only thing you need to watch out for is falling rocks. Build some scaffolding and lay planks to keep workers safe during the mining."
Aegor nodded, his expression thoughtful. He wasn't an expert in mining, but he knew when to defer to those with experience. With a respectful tone, he asked, "Can you make a clear list of what we need? When can we start mining? And how much will this cost?"
"We'll need to make a list of tools and materials first, that can't be done here. As for when we can start mining, the conditions are excellent. If you have the money and tools ready, work could begin tonight." The old miner hesitated before continuing, "As for costs, it depends on how urgently you need the dragonglass, how much you want, and the quality of the ore you're looking for."
"What do you mean by ore quality?"
"For example, if you want to carve something grand, like the dragon heads at the castle gates, you'd need large, flawless stones, which are difficult to mine. But if you're just making beads or bracelets, the workers can smash smaller pieces directly from the walls, which is much cheaper and easier."
That made sense. Aegor stroked his chin, considering the options. Dragonglass, after all, was little more than volcanic glass. Forging massive weapons like swords was impractical. The Children of the Forest had used dragonglass daggers and arrowheads to fight the White Walkers thousands of years ago, and those designs had already been proven effective. With that in mind, mining smaller, easily workable pieces for arrows and daggers made the most sense. Against intelligent foes like the White Walkers, long-range attacks seemed far more viable than repeated close combat.
"The ore doesn't need to be large," Aegor said. "Focus on pieces that are practical for crafting weapons. We'll work with what's naturally available."
"Understood." The old miner nodded. "I'll prepare a list of tools and supplies. You can confirm the quantities after reviewing it. Once that's done, I can handle the procurement, it'll cost less than if you try to source it yourself. Also, you'll need someone to manage the site. This person will oversee the workers, prevent slacking, and ensure tools aren't stolen and sold off. My youngest son grew up around the mines near Casterly Rock. While he's not as experienced as me, he knows a lot more than someone new to the job."
---
Aegor smiled. Before being transported to this world, he had never been in a leadership position. But he understood a key principle: benefits should be shared among many, but planning must involve only a select few. In other words, major decisions should be made by a small, trusted group, while the execution should ensure everyone involved feels rewarded. Attempting to hoard all benefits or micromanage would only lead to failure.
"If the water is too clear, there are no fish," Aegor mused inwardly. Stannis Baratheon failed to grasp this, which explained why he was disliked by most of Westeros' nobility. While Aegor admired Stannis' fairness, he had no desire to emulate his isolation. Important matters would be discussed with Tyrion. For mining, the old mine owner clearly wanted to secure a future for his son and perhaps earn a little extra from purchasing tools. Aegor had no objections.
"Fine," Aegor said with a nod. "Your son will be the manager of the obsidian mine. He'll oversee all mining operations. His salary will be 100 silver stags a month, with the possibility of bonuses if he performs well. But there's one condition, all expenses, whether for tools, hiring workers, or travel, must be clearly accounted for. I'll need to report everything to my superiors. The Night's Watch has limited funds, so there's no room for excessive spending."
"Thank you, sir," the old miner replied, clearly pleased. He clapped his son on the shoulder, and the younger man quickly expressed his gratitude.
"Call me Aegor. There's no need for formalities." Aegor shook his head. "We need to get started quickly. The initial budget is capped at 100 gold dragons. Within a month, I want the first shipment of obsidian ready to be sent to Eastwatch. Aim to fill the small boat we took to Dragonstone."
"That's not much," the old miner remarked. "Recruiting a dozen workers from the village should suffice."
"Good. Finalize the details with your son. Tyrion introduced me to you, so I trust your expertise."
"Thank you, Aegor," the old miner said again, his tone grateful.
"Alright, let's head back to the village before it gets dark. I promised you all a good meal."
---
Aegor soon faced an awkward problem.
Fulfilling his promise of a hearty meal for his companions turned out to be harder than expected. It wasn't because the villagers were price-gouging visitors—Stannis' strict nature would never allow such behavior on his lands. The issue was simpler: the village didn't have anything to sell.
When Aegor asked for pork, beef, or mutton, they had none. Chicken, duck, or goose? Also none. The only thing available was fish. Aegor glanced at the young guide, realizing the man was likely sick of fish after a lifetime on Dragonstone.
"Is it the same at the castle?" Aegor asked, puzzled. "What does the cook serve Stannis when he wants something other than fish?"
"Supplies come by ship every ten days or so," the guide explained with a helpless shrug. "Whatever arrives determines what the castle has until the next delivery."
Aegor nodded, deep in thought. "If we're shipping out obsidian every month, we'll arrange for those ships to bring meat, poultry, and other supplies on their return trips. Add it to the food budget. And deliver half of it to Lord Stannis, it's only fair, considering he hasn't taxed us for mining on his land. The Night's Watch shouldn't take such kindness for granted."
Before being transported to this world, Aegor hadn't dealt with such mundane logistics. But he understood the importance of doing things properly, leaving no room for complaints. The food costs would be negligible, especially if Tyrion agreed to his fundraising plans. And since the miners' food expenses were technically the Night's Watch's responsibility, it was a win-win situation.
---
In the end, Aegor managed to keep his promise. At three times the usual price, he convinced a villager to butcher an egg-laying hen for their meal. With several fish dishes as sides, the guide finally got to enjoy something different. Watching the young man devour his chicken leg with enthusiasm, Aegor realized it had probably been months since the man had tasted chicken.
---
After the meal, the group continued discussing mining plans over beer. The old miner, tipsy and in high spirits, became the center of attention, regaling them with tales of his youth managing Lannister mines. His stories, filled with both humor and intrigue, captivated the table.
At one point, he began recounting how Tywin had stripped his father's mistress naked and paraded her through Lannisport after taking control of Casterly Rock. Though Aegor found the story vulgar, even he couldn't help but listen with interest.
But before the old miner could describe the woman's "white body" in detail, the door suddenly swung open.
A woman entered the room, her commanding presence silencing the table.
"This is the first time a Night's Watchman has come to Dragonstone, and you didn't think to inform me?"
Before Aegor could respond, the guide rose hastily, his face pale. "Lady Melisandre... why are you here?"
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