Arya's fingers whitened around Needle's hilt, its point aimed straight at the monster kneeling on the ground.
The piercing cold radiating from its body made her feel as though her blood were about to freeze.
This was beyond anything she understood.
The dead had risen and obeyed commands.
Wasn't this a White Walker, the very thing the bards said had brought endless terror during the Long Night?
She had seen Lynn burn their corpses herself when she was at the Wall.
She had even seen Lynn kill White Walkers with his own hands!
And this "thing" looked exactly like those White Walkers!
There was no mistaking it. This was a White Walker!
Then...
Lynn... could bring these dead creatures back to life... so what exactly was he?
"Don't be nervous."
Lynn's voice was calm.
He did not even glance back at the monster. He simply stepped forward and gently pushed down the sword in Arya's hand.
"It won't hurt you."
"What... what is it?"
Arya's voice trembled slightly.
"A soldier."
Lynn's answer was simple and direct.
"An utterly loyal, tireless, fearless soldier."
With that, Lynn turned and issued a new command to the kneeling White Walker.
"Get up. Go to the weapon rack and choose a longsword."
The White Walker rose stiffly and walked toward the weapon rack in the corner of the cave with heavy steps.
It held weapons Lynn had gathered from all over, everything from Arakhs to the standard longswords carried by knights of Westeros.
The White Walker extended its pale, shriveled hand and picked up an ordinary Knight's Longsword.
Its movements were still somewhat stiff, but the instant it gripped the hilt, something remarkable changed.
A warrior's aura emanated from its body.
"Attack me."
Lynn gave the order while casually drawing a longsword from the weapon