Though they were to serve His Grace King Joffrey, everyone knew who the real king was...
A flicker of understanding crossed Margaery's eyes.
She knew better than anyone that the women around Lynn, with their different identities and complicated backgrounds, were extensions of his power-and his greatest vulnerability.
He could not stay beside every one of them at all times. He needed a pair-no, many pairs-of eyes and hands to protect all of this for him.
Brienne, meanwhile, was still overwhelmed by the enormity of her recent knighting. Her head was still buzzing.
She looked at Lynn. This man always managed to make decisions that shocked the world, yet somehow felt perfectly natural.
"Ser Brienne."
Lynn's gaze settled on her again.
"You are the first member."
"I..."
Brienne opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found that no words could express how she felt.
In the end, she nodded firmly and pressed a hand against the armor over her chest.
"I also need the finest warriors." Lynn turned, looking through the branches of the Godswood toward Winterfell's towering Main Keep.
"Let's go."
Outside Bran's room in Winterfell's Main Keep.
Jaime Lannister leaned against the stone wall, staring blankly at the gray sky outside the window.
After Lynn had taken the Riverlands and the Vale, he had returned to Winterfell and remained there ever since.
He had not gone to see Cersei or Tyrion. He simply kept watch over Bran, the boy he had pushed from the tower with his own hands.
He wanted to make amends, but did not know how.
Kingslayer, oathbreaker...
Those labels bound him tightly, like so many shackles.
It seemed he had reached the end of any honor he could hope for in his life.
Footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
Jaime turned.
Lynn.
Behind him