Lynn paid no attention to those looks.
He simply took a portion of the same black bread and meat broth as everyone else.
Then, carrying his tray, he walked toward Jon Snow's table.
Grenn, Pyp, Sam, and several other recruits were sitting beside Jon.
Ever since Lynn had helped them resolve their differences, their relationship had improved considerably. They were chatting animatedly now.
It seemed Jon was doing pretty well for himself.
At least among these recruits.
When they saw Lynn approaching, they instinctively stood up, a hint of awkwardness and respect on their faces.
"Lord Lynn."
Grenn even addressed him formally.
"Relax. Sit down."
Lynn gestured for them to sit, then took a seat beside Jon.
As he sat down, the new longsword at his waist lightly struck a table leg with a clear ring.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the sword.
A black scabbard, silver trim, and... at the end of the hilt, a lifelike white wolf's head carved from weirwood.
The wolf's eyes were two blood-red garnets.
"Th... that's..."
The men of the Night's Watch stared wide-eyed.
They fixed their gazes on the sword, their breathing growing rapid.
They recognized that sword.
They had seen Lord Commander Mormont wearing it.
It was House Mormont's ancestral sword-Longclaw!
Why... why was it here?
Why was it hanging at Lynn's waist?
And why had the bear's head on its hilt become a wolf's head?
Every man of the Night's Watch who recognized the sword was stunned.
Bowen Marsh's mouth fell open. He did not even notice his bread dropping into his soup.
The instant Alliser Thorne saw the sword, his face went deathly pale.
He shot up from his chair and pointed at Lynn, blurting out accusations.
"Longclaw!"
"House Mormont's Valyrian steel sword!"
"What is it doing in your possession?!"