Arya wanted to go to the Wall

The clang of hammer blows rang through Winterfell's smithy.

The furnace burned red-hot, casting a crimson glow over the smith Mikken's sweat-soaked face.

Jon Snow stood nearby, watching Mikken's work intently.

"It needs to be thinner."

Jon reminded Mikken.

"Thinner than Bran's practice sword."

Mikken stopped hammering.

He lifted the glowing iron bar with his tongs.

In the dim smithy, it looked like a piece of burning charcoal.

He gave Jon a puzzled look.

"Lord Snow, a sword this thin will snap at the first touch."

"This isn't for a boy."

The faintest smile appeared on Jon's face.

"It's for Arya."

Understanding dawned on Mikken.

He remembered the lord's younger daughter, who was always scampering around the castle, less a lady than a wild little boy.

"I understand."

Mikken returned the iron bar to the furnace and worked the bellows hard.

Sparks flew.

Jon 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 sister was this one insignificant gift.

A sword that suited her.

Lynn's room had already been packed up.

He sat on the edge of his bed, turning the Valyrian steel dagger in his hands.

The dragonbone grip felt smooth and warm, and strange ripples seemed to flow across the blade.

The door was gently pushed open.

Lynn put the dagger away and looked toward the doorway.

Arya poked her head inside, her gray eyes holding a hint of nervous anticipation.

"They said you're leaving tomorrow."

Arya walked in and closed the door behind her.

Lynn nodded, sheathed the dagger, and secured it behind his waist.

"For the Wall."

"With Jon?"

"Yes."

Arya walked up to Lynn and tilted her little face up toward him.

She fell silent for a moment, seemingly gathering her courage, then threw her arms around Lynn and looked up.

"Can you take me with you?"

Lynn paused.

He looked into Arya's hopeful eyes.

"Are you mad?"

"I'm not mad!"

Arya raised her voice.

"I don't want to stay here!"

"I don't want to learn embroidery or be some lady!"

"I want to learn swordsmanship!"

"I want to go on adventures!"

Arya's gaze fell on the longsword at Lynn's waist.

It was filled with undisguised 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 clash would lead to Nymeria being driven away.

It would lead to Sansa's direwolf, Lady, being executed as a scapegoat.

And it would deepen the conflict between House Stark and House Lannister.

Now, a chance to change all of that lay before him.

Lynn considered it, then stood.

"Arya, come with me."

Lynn opened the door and walked out.

Arya froze for a moment, then hurried after him.

The atmosphere in Ned's study was heavy.

He was writing letters, arranging the affairs of the North.

Once he went south, the burden of the entire North would rest on the shoulders of Robb, his eldest son.

"Father."

Arya's voice made Ned look up.

His brow furrowed slightly when he saw her.

"Arya, you should be with your septa at this hour."

"You've skipped your lessons again."

"Father, I want to go to the Wall with Lynn."

Arya blurted it out.

Ned's expression darkened.

"Nonsense!"

"It's not nonsense!"

Arya met her father's gaze without fear.

"I don't want to stay in Winterfell!"

"I hate this place! It's too dull!"

"I want to go on adventures."

Ned's breath caught.

He looked at his youngest daughter.

He could not bring himself to voice his rebuke.

Finally, Ned spoke.

"Arya, why don't you come south with us instead?"

"The warm south will suit you better than the harsh north."

"Don't you want to learn swordsmanship?"

"When we reach King's Landing, I'll find you the best swordmaster!"

Arya's eyes lit up for an instant.

But then she glanced at Lynn beside her.

She shook her head without hesitation.

"No!"

"I want to go on an adventure to the Wall!"

Then Lynn spoke.

"My lord."

"Perhaps we could compromise."

"Lady Arya could travel to the Wall with Snow and me first."

"Once I've finished my business there, I'll take her south to King's Landing."

Ned fell silent.

He knew better than anyone.

What his daughter was like.

She was so much like her long-dead aunt, Lyanna.

Just as wild and untamable, just as hungry for freedom.

To a little wolf like her, Winterfell and King's Landing were nothing but cages.

"Let her come with me, my lord."

Lynn continued.

"I'll escort her and Jon to the Wall."

"Life there is harsh, but at least it's safe."

"Once you've established yourself in King's Landing, I'll personally bring her to you."

Ned looked at Lynn.

At the young man who had saved his family time and again.

That trust had long since taken root in his heart.

Lynn's proposal was not unreasonable.

At least for Arya, it would be a wonderful adventure.

A long while passed.

Only then did Ned slowly exhale.

"Lynn."

He looked at Lynn with utmost solemnity.

"I'm entrusting her to you."

"You must protect her as you would yourself."

"Bring her back to me safely."

"Catelyn told me she offered you a reward, but you refused."

"I'll give you a hundred men to command as you see fit!"

Holy shit, a hundred men?

Lynn was stunned when he first heard it.

But when he thought of Arya, he understood.

Arya certainly had something to do with it. No one knew better than Ned what the Night's Watch had become.

He was worried about his daughter's safety...

God knew how long it had been since those men of the Night's Watch had seen a woman.

"That should be enough to help you overcome most difficulties you encounter. House Stark never begrudges rewards to those who have earned them."

"Most of these men are seasoned soldiers, and there are cooks among them. You needn't worry about their provisions or pay. I'll send those regularly. All I ask is that you treat them well."

A brilliant smile instantly spread across Arya's face.

She nearly jumped for joy.

Lynn lowered his eyes, concealing the sharp gleam that flashed through them.

At its peak, the urban population of Westeros was only three million, with King's Landing, a massive city, accounting for almost a third of that.

In terms of carrying capacity, supporting such an urban population required at least fifteen million people in the countryside.

By medieval wartime mobilization rates, fielding an army of a hundred thousand was already impressive. Small conflicts generally involved only a few thousand men.

Moreover, assembling a large army mostly depended on the support of troops supplied by landed vassals.

Bear Island, for example, had only eighty accomplished fighters in total.

Despite having many vassals, Ned's ability to spare a hundred loyal soldiers belonging to House Stark represented a considerable investment in Lynn.

Of course, protecting Arya was also part of it.

"As you command, my lord."

Being too eager for quick gains would only make others dislike him.

With a family that valued honor so highly, taking a step back to advance was the best choice.

Ned Stark nodded and walked straight over to Lynn.

"Lynn."

"I can see that you're a man who cares deeply about honor."

"I've seen everything you've done for House Stark these past few days."

"I've made you break your oath to the Night's Watch. Please don't resent me for it."

Lynn shook his head in denial.

"It's my honor to serve you, my lord."

Ned had grown quite fond of Lynn, who knew how to conduct himself.

He was loyal, capable enough in battle, and knew when to advance and when to retreat. With his gift of prophecy as well, Ned could not help wanting to invest more heavily in his development.

House Stark never treated loyal followers poorly!

Besides, Lynn's gift of prophecy was simply too important!

"When you return, I want you to help me uncover the cause of my foster father's death."

"In return, I'll ask Robert to grant you a lordship. As my vassal, you'll have your own fief in the North, and your own subjects."

"I have high hopes for you, Lynn."

"Don't disappoint me."

A lordship?

Just as I thought.

Lynn understood that giving him a hundred men earlier had sent two important signals.

First, Ned now considered him one of his own.

Then came the most important point.

Ned would surely spare no effort in cultivating him from now on!

That meant Ned's words were no empty promise. He truly intended to do it!

But Lynn had to meet the prerequisites first.

He needed to prove his worth to Ned before Ned would invest more in him.

Once he became a vassal, even without any real authority, subjects, or wealth, Lynn would still rise beyond the ranks of ordinary people and enter a new social class.

The marriage alliance between House Stark and House Baratheon was through Sansa.

If Ned isn't currently considering a marriage alliance with another power, then I can try to win Arya's hand myself!

Only by actually marrying Arya will I truly bind myself to House Stark!

At that thought, Lynn dropped to one knee to pledge his loyalty.

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, my lord."

"By the Old Gods, I will not disappoint you, my lord!"

At the mention of the Old Gods, Ned's expression softened.

"All right. Go pack your things and get some rest."