Winter's Curiosity
Winter immediately followed with massive strides.
Its three heads curiously leaned toward Myrcella, whom Lynn held by the hand. Sniffed gently with their snouts.
The little princess froze. Didn't dare move.
But her green eyes sparkled with wonder.
Just then—a woman in a gray gown hurried from the castle gates.
Catelyn Tully.
Her face bore undeniable weariness.
But the moment she saw Lynn and Robb—
—her blue eyes lit up.
Her gaze swept over Lynn. Over the dragon that would keep any lord sleepless.
Finally—landed on the golden-haired little girl beside Lynn.
"Ser Lynn."
Catelyn's voice trembled with urgency.
She approached. Eyes locked on Lynn.
"My daughters... Sansa and Arya. In King's Landing... are they well?"
Her voice shook as she asked.
King's Landing's storm had spread across the Seven Kingdoms via raven.
She knew Lynn won the tourney. Knew Queen Cersei was accused of murder. Knew Lynn fought a bloody trial by combat to clear her name.
Every night she prayed for her husband and daughters.
"Lady Stark. Rest assured."
Lynn's voice carried reassuring power.
"They're both fine."
He glanced at Robb—ears perked—then back at Catelyn.
"Arya's the same. When not practicing swords, she's plotting how to prank her tutors."
Catelyn's face showed helpless, indulgent bitterness.
That's exactly something her youngest would do.
"And Sansa?"
She worried more about her eldest.
Sansa lived in songs and fantasies. King's Landing was too dangerous for her.
"Sansa..."
Lynn's face showed an intriguing smile.
"She's changed greatly."
"She's now my biggest business partner in King's Landing. Together we created a 'soap empire' that's driven every noblewoman mad."
"She's no longer that little lady who only sang songs."
Lynn watched Catelyn's stunned expression. Continued.
"Now she spends every day thinking—how to blend new fragrances. How to craft compelling stories for products. How to make nobles willingly empty their purses."
"She found something more interesting than marrying a prince."
Catelyn was utterly dumbfounded.
Soap empire? Business partner?
These words—completely disconnected from the gentle, demure daughter who dreamed of becoming queen.
But she heard genuine approval in Lynn's tone.
Her daughter—growing rapidly in ways she couldn't imagine.
The Payment
Winterfell. Lord's Study.
After settling Myrcella with servants—
—Lynn and Robb finally had private time.
Robb plopped into a chair. Grabbed the wine pitcher. Gulped deeply.
"Where are the gold dragons you mentioned?"
He wiped his mouth. Eyes bright. Stared at Lynn.
Lynn smiled. Drew a King's Landing promissory note from his cloak. Handed it over.
Robb took it. When he saw the long string of numbers—
—his breathing stopped.
He rubbed his eyes. Looked again.
His voice trembled.
"Lynn. Did you rob the king's treasury?"
"Close enough." Lynn said noncommittally.
Robb held the note—worth enough to buy Winterfell itself. It felt scalding.
He carefully tucked it away. His expression turned serious.
"About what you asked the Night's Watch..."
He walked to the study's corner. From a locked iron chest, lifted a heavy wooden box.
The box opened.
A scent—mixed herbal fragrance and extreme cold—instantly filled the air.
Inside—fist-sized plants. Crystal-clear as ice. Roots wrapped in faint golden patterns.
Blessed herbs!
And in quantities far exceeding Lynn's imagination!
"The Night's Watch found these beyond the Wall."
Robb explained.
"They say these only grow in the extreme cold of the Lands of Always Winter. And... unclean things always lurk nearby."
"To gather these, they had to venture into the frozen wastes. Lost quite a few rangers."
"Not to the dead—but to wildlings."
"These are one of each type. Lord Commander Mormont personally instructed me to deliver them to you."
Lynn's gaze fell on the box. Eyes blazing.
He didn't hesitate. Grabbed one. Shoved it in his mouth.
The icy herb melted instantly. Became a warm current. Surged through his limbs!
[DING! You consumed 'Jade Marrow Mushroom'—Constitution +1!]
[DING! You consumed 'Sky Azure Flower'—All Attributes +1!]
...
A cascade of system notifications exploded in Lynn's mind!
Name: Lynn
Strength: 12 (2%)
Agility: 11 (61%)
Constitution: 9 (92%)
Spirit: 26 (1%)
Lynn clearly felt his body undergoing astonishing changes!
Muscles—more resilient. Bones—denser. Even mental power—unprecedented growth!
After devouring the entire box—his strength surged dramatically!
Lynn exhaled deeply. Felt the explosive power within. Face showed satisfaction.
Robb watched Lynn devour those precious herbs like carrots. His eye twitched.
Though he didn't know their exact use—Lynn's expression said everything.
Definitely good stuff.
The Wildling Prisoner
"Oh, one more thing."
Robb seemed to remember something.
"The Night's Watch recently captured a group of wildlings in the Haunted Forest."
"Among them—a red-haired woman. Particularly troublesome. Like a wildcat. Several brothers were wounded by her arrows."
"Lord Commander Mormont wanted to execute them per custom. But Uncle Benjen stopped him. Said to wait for your return before deciding."
Red-haired woman?
Ygritte!
Lynn's eyes lit up instantly.
Blessed herbs. Wildlings...
A perfect chain of clues formed in his mind!
Who knows that land better than wildlings who've lived beyond the Wall for generations?
Having them gather herbs—twice the result with half the effort!
"Those wildlings. I want them."
Lynn said without hesitation.
"What do you want them for?"
"Wildlings are brutal."
Robb was puzzled.
"To make them useful, of course."
Lynn's gaze turned toward the window. Toward the distant North.
His plan—far more than just herb gathering.
He came North not only for Ygritte and the wildlings.
He had a more important goal.
The Fist of the First Men.
And the artifact buried beneath its peak—
—the legendary horn that could bring down the Wall...
The Horn of Winter!
That was his true objective!
Winter's Stats
Lynn opened his mount panel.
[Mount: Winter (True Name), ?, ?]
[Species: Three-Headed Dragon (Male)]
[Status: Loyal]
[Description: A remnant dragon birthed from a frozen dragon egg + true dragon, king, and sage blood. Possesses three independent heads, four legs, one pair of flesh wings.]
[Strength: 78 (Growth Stage)]
[Agility: 52 (Growth Stage)]
[Constitution: 109 (Growth Stage)]
[Skills:]
[Bite, Claws, Flight, Scales]
[Dragonfire (Ice, Fire, Unawakened)]
[Dragon Speech (Unawakened—activates after magic revival)]
Lynn clicked his tongue.
This is absurd.
Not even three months—and these stats could splatter me into paste with one claw.
Truly the most powerful magical creature.
Well, this trip to the Wall—perfect chance to take Winter for a spin.
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