Only the rustle of wind through the leaves and Theon's ragged breathing remained in the Godswood.
He sat rigidly on the ground, watching the shadow that had devoured the Blood Warlock slowly shrink and finally merge into the darkness beneath his feet, as though it had never appeared.
"It seems you made the right choice."
A voice rang out from deep within the Godswood, tinged with languor and amusement.
Lynn emerged from behind the Heart Tree, moonlight outlining his slender figure.
He walked with an easy stride, as though taking a leisurely stroll, utterly unaffected by the bloody scene moments before.
Theon jerked his head up. Alongside the terror of narrowly escaping death, his pale face held an even deeper, indescribable shame.
He tried to rise, only to find his legs too weak to support him.
"Lord Lynn..."
Lynn approached and looked down at him.
"You said you wanted to defend your home?"
Theon lowered his head further, clenching his teeth so hard they nearly cracked. "I... I was wrong."
"How were you wrong?" Lynn asked curiously.
"I shouldn't have... shouldn't have listened to those monsters. I shouldn't have thought of... of betraying you and House Stark."
Theon's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's hum.
He dared not look up, afraid of seeing even a trace of contempt in Lynn's eyes.
Lynn said nothing, merely watching him in silence.
That silence tormented Theon more than any rebuke could have.
"I... I even thought that if you really were weakened, Lord Lynn, I would..."
Theon finally broke down and confessed every vile thought he had harbored.
"I wanted to kill you, kill Lord Ned, kill Robb... I wanted to seize Winterfell and restore House Greyjoy's glory!"
"Oh?" Lynn raised an eyebrow.
"You thought killing us would restore House Greyjoy's glory?"