In the smithy of Winterfell, the clang of hammer on iron echoed.
The furnace burned red-hot, reflecting a crimson glow onto the sweat-drenched face of Mikken, the blacksmith.
Jon Snow stood to the side, watching Mikken's work with concentration.
"It needs to be thinner," Jon reminded Mikken. "Thinner than Bran's practice sword."
Mikken stopped his hammer. He used tongs to pick up the red-hot iron bar. In the dim smithy, the iron bar looked like a piece of burning charcoal. He looked at Jon in confusion.
"Lord Snow, a sword this thin will snap at a touch. This isn't for a boy to use."
A faint smile appeared on Jon's face. "It's for Arya."
Mikken suddenly understood. He thought of the Lord's youngest daughter, who was always jumping around the castle, looking more like a wild boy than a lady.
"I understand."
Mikken put the iron bar back into the furnace and pulled the bellows hard. Sparks flew.
Jon's gaze looked past the dancing flames toward the courtyard.
He was going to the Wall. To the end of the world, to guard a frozen wasteland. All he could leave his little sister was this insignificant gift. A sword that suited her.
---
Lynn's room was packed and ready.
He sat on the edge of the bed, toying with the Valyrian steel dagger. The dragonbone hilt felt warm to the touch, and strange ripples seemed to flow across the blade.
The door was pushed open gently.
Lynn put away the dagger and looked at the doorway. Arya peeked her head in, her grey eyes holding a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"They say you're leaving tomorrow," Arya walked in and closed the door behind her.
Lynn nodded, sheathing the dagger and tucking it behind his waist. "To the Wall."
"With Jon?"
"Yes."
Arya walked up to Lynn, looking up at him with her small face. She was silent for a moment, seemingly gathering her courage, then hugged Lynn and looked up.
"Can you take me with you?"
Lynn paused. He looked into Arya's hopeful eyes.
"Are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy!" Arya's voice rose a few notches. "I don't want to stay here! I don't want to learn embroidery; I don't want to be a lady! I want to learn swordsmanship! I want to go on an adventure!"
Arya's gaze fell on the longsword at Lynn's waist, full of unconcealed longing.
Lynn looked at Arya.
He knew. If Arya went south with Ned, she and her direwolf Nymeria would clash with Joffrey on the Kingsroad. That conflict would lead to Nymeria being driven away. It would lead to Sansa's direwolf, Lady, being executed as a scapegoat. And it would intensify the conflict between House Stark and House Lannister.
And now, a chance to change all this was right in front of him.
Lynn thought for a moment, then stood up. "Arya, come with me."
Lynn opened the door and walked out. Arya froze for a moment, then immediately followed.
In Ned's study, the atmosphere was oppressive. He was writing letters, arranging various affairs of the North. After he went south, the burden of the entire North would fall on Robb's shoulders as the eldest son.
"Father."
Arya's voice made Ned look up. Seeing Arya, his brows furrowed slightly.
"Arya, you should be with the Septa right now. You skipped lessons again."
"Father, I want to go to the Wall with Lynn," Arya blurted out.
Ned's face darkened. "Nonsense!"
"It's not nonsense!" Arya met her father's gaze fearlessly. "I don't want to stay in Winterfell! I hate this place; it's too dull! I want to go on an adventure."
Ned's breath hitched. Looking at his youngest daughter, words of blame couldn't leave his mouth.
Finally, Ned said, "Arya, why don't you come south with me too? The warm South is ultimately more suitable for you than the cold North. Didn't you want to learn swordsmanship? When we get to King's Landing, I'll hire the best fencing master for you!"
Arya's eyes lit up for a second. But then she glanced at Lynn beside her. She shook her head without hesitation.
"No! I want to go to the Wall for an adventure!"
At this moment, Lynn spoke up.
"My Lord. Why not compromise? Let Miss Arya go to the Wall with me and Snow first. After I handle my affairs, I will bring her south to King's Landing with me."
Ned fell silent.
He knew better than anyone. His daughter's personality was exactly like her long-dead aunt, Lyanna. Just as wild and untamable, just as longing for freedom. And Winterfell, or King's Landing, was simply a cage for such a little wolf.
"Let her come with me, my Lord," Lynn continued. "I will escort her and Jon to the Wall. Although it is harsh there, it is at least safe. Once you have established yourself in King's Landing, I will personally bring her to you."
Ned looked at Lynn. Looking at this young man who had saved his family time and again. That trust had long taken root in his heart.
Lynn's proposal wasn't impossible. At least for Arya, it would be an exciting adventure.
After a long time, Ned slowly exhaled.
"Lynn." He looked at Lynn, his eyes incredibly solemn. "I entrust her to you. You must protect her as you would protect yourself. Bring her back to me safely."
"I heard from Cat that she wanted to reward you, but you refused. Then I will take the liberty to give you a squad of a hundred men, under your command. This should be enough to solve most problems you encounter; House Stark is never stingy with rewarding those with merit. These men are elites; treat them well."
A brilliant smile instantly blossomed on Arya's face. She almost jumped for joy.
Lynn lowered his eyes, hiding the gleam that flashed through them.
In Westeros, the urban population at its peak was only 3 million, with King's Landing as a super-city accounting for nearly a third of that. Calculating by carrying capacity, supporting such an urban population would require at least 15 million rural people. So, in terms of medieval war mobilization rates, being able to field an army of 100,000 was already impressive; typical small-scale conflicts involved only a few thousand people.
Moreover, gathering a large army relied mostly on bannermen sending troops for support. Take Bear Island for example; the entire island had only about 80 capable fighters. Although there were many bannermen, Ned being able to allocate a hundred loyal Stark soldiers was a result of his strong commitment to nurturing Lynn. Of course, protecting Arya was also a factor.
"As you command, my Lord."
Being too eager for quick success would only make others disgusted. With such honor-bound families, retreating to advance was the best choice.
Ned Stark nodded and walked straight to Lynn.
"Lynn. I can see that you are a man who cares about honor. I have seen everything you have done for House Stark these past few days. I asked you to forsake your Night's Watch vows; please do not resent me."
Lynn shook his head in denial. "It is my honor to serve you, my Lord."
Ned now liked this sensible Lynn very much. Not only was he loyal, but his combat power was decent, he knew when to advance and retreat, and possessed the ability of prophecy. Ned couldn't help but feel more inclined to groom Lynn heavily.
House Stark never mistreated loyal followers! Moreover, the prophetic ability Lynn possessed was simply too important!
"When you return, I want you to assist me in finding out the cause of my foster father's death. As a reward, I will petition Robert for a lordship for you. You will be my bannerman, having your own fief and subjects in the North."
"I have high hopes for you, Lynn. Do not disappoint me."
A Lord?
Sure enough.
Lynn understood that giving him a hundred men earlier conveyed two important signals. First, he had become one of Ned's own. And most importantly, Ned would definitely nurture him with full force!
This meant Ned wasn't speaking empty words; he truly had this intention!
But the prerequisites had to be met. He needed to prove his value to Ned so that Ned would continue to increase the stakes.
As long as he became a bannerman, even without any real power, population, or financial resources, Lynn would leave the category of commoners and enter a new class.
The Starks and Baratheons were uniting through Sansa. If Ned currently had no thoughts of allying with other factions, then Arya was someone he could fight for! Only by truly marrying Arya would he be genuinely bound to the Starks!
Thinking of this, Lynn knelt on one knee to pledge his loyalty.
"Thank you for your trust, my Lord. By the Old Gods, I will certainly not disappoint you!"
Hearing the "Old Gods," Ned's expression softened.
"Alright, go pack your luggage and rest early."