dark eyes flash dangerously at him, but only for a moment — to look at that face, earnest as he was, truly believing what he said, and yet being so terribly wrong, was infuriating, and she had not even the slightest authority to contradict him. ‘ if you believe that, you’re a fool, ’ she tells him, the even, calm tone of her voice ringing hollow even to her. ‘ the night’s watch is an old, proud institution, and the punishment for desertion is death. if the northern king sends forces south for you, we must either risk a war with them, or an uprising from our own bannermen if we let them have your head. tell me, what good does that do the realm ? ’