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The scent of blood in the forest was somewhat dispersed by the biting cold wind.
The bonfire still crackled, its light illuminating faces that had survived a close call.
The Guards were clearing the battlefield, piling up the bandits' corpses, and tending to their injured comrades.
Horen rushed over with a medicine box.
He tore open Lynn's blood-soaked clothing on his left shoulder.
The wound was deep, exposing bone, with flesh torn and gaping.
Under the dim firelight, it looked particularly gruesome.
Horen worked quickly, first rinsing the wound with strong liquor.
The piercing pain made Lynn's body tremble violently, his teeth clenched, and fine cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Theon Greyjoy walked over, shedding his usual flippant demeanor.
He looked at Lynn's pale face, then at the several gruesomely dead bandit corpses around him.
"I didn't expect a runaway crow to have such sharp claws."
The mockery in his tone had faded considerably, replaced by a scrutinizing gaze mixed with surprise.
Lynn had no strength to respond.
All his focus was on the blue panel that only he could see.
Host: Lynn
Strength: 3 (Injured, Weak)
Agility: 3 (Injured, Weak)
Constitution: 3 (Injured, Weak)
Skills: Single Handed Sword (Proficient) 18/100, Horsemanship (Beginner) 9/10, Unarmed Combat (Proficient) 84/100
Experience Points: 7
The number "7" was the best reward for Lynn's life-and-death struggle just now.
But the three crimson "Weak" statuses on the panel constantly reminded him of his body's current terrible condition.
The severe pain from the wound and the exhaustion of his physical strength made Lynn's consciousness waver.
He had to return to Winterfell as soon as possible to receive treatment from Maester Luwin.
"Experience points must prioritize boosting attribute points."
"3 Strength is the physical quality of an ordinary person; if I can directly increase it with experience points, I'll soon be invincible!"
"Put everything into Constitution!"
Please Note: Attribute points cannot be increased through experience points; experience points are only for improving learned skills!
There are various ways to increase attribute points; please explore them yourself!
"Right, if I could directly add attributes with experience points, I'd become a superman in a few days."
Lynn had thought he discovered a loophole.
After some experimentation, it indeed didn't work!
"Since that's the case, I'll just honestly improve my skills."
Lynn's gaze fell on the "Horsemanship (Beginner) 9/10" entry.
The road back was still long.
In his current physical condition, just the jolting ride on horseback would be enough to worsen his injuries.
Without the slightest hesitation.
"System, add 1 experience point to Horsemanship."
Lynn silently chanted in his mind.
Experience Points - 1
Horsemanship 9/10 -> 10/10, Level Up
Congratulations, Host, Horsemanship has been upgraded to (Proficient) 0/100
A warm current abruptly flowed through Lynn's limbs and bones.
It wasn't the warmth of physical recovery, but a more profound sensation.
Fragments of memories about riding a horse flooded his mind.
How to maintain balance on horseback, how to control the horse's direction with subtle leg movements, how to sense the horse's emotions... These knowledge seemed innate to him, as if he had practiced them thousands of times, etched into his bones.
"Alright."
Horen tightly bandaged Lynn's wound with clean linen, his voice steady.
"No bones were broken, you're lucky, otherwise you'd be in for it."
Lynn nodded, and with the help of a Guard, shakily stood up.
Robb led over Lynn's pony.
"Can you still go?"
The young Wolf Lord looked at Lynn.
In his blue eyes, there was no longer just simple scrutiny, but a hint of concern.
Lynn nodded.
He didn't speak, just took a deep breath, endured the intense pain, and swung himself onto the horse.
He performed this action much more deftly than when he arrived.
As soon as he settled into the saddle, that wonderful feeling returned.
He could clearly feel every tremor of the horse's muscles beneath him, sensing its slight unease due to the surrounding smell of blood.
Lynn subconsciously gently squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the reins in his hand also twitched slightly.
The pony, which had been somewhat agitated, miraculously calmed down, letting out a gentle snort.
Surprise flashed across Robb's eyes.
He didn't ask further.
"We're going back."
The group reassembled and set off on the road back to Winterfell.
This time, Lynn's position was no longer at the end of the line.
He rode beside Robb and Theon.
This was a silent signal.
Lynn had the most kills this time, earning him the right to ride at the front of the group.
Westeros revered martial prowess.
Lynn had earned their respect with his sword and blood.
The night wind of the North was biting cold.
Hooves crunched on the snow, making a squeaking sound.
Lynn's body rose and fell rhythmically with the horse's pace.
The improvement in Horsemanship allowed him to adapt to the jolting ride in the most effortless way.
This allowed his tense muscles to relax somewhat, and the wound on his shoulder no longer hurt as much.
"What did you do before?"
Robb suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
His gaze fell on Lynn's longsword, still stained with blood.
Lynn's swordsmanship lacked the elegance of a knight and the structured style of a drillmaster.
But every move was simple, direct, and deadly.
It was a technique purely designed to kill enemies in the shortest possible time.
Indeed, it was the Night's Watch's style.
It was very similar to the style of his father's brother, Uncle Benjen.
"Before I put on the black, I was just an ordinary man trying to survive."
"I committed some offenses and came to join the Night's Watch."
Lynn looked straight ahead, his voice somewhat muffled by the wind.
The Night's Watch no longer held its former glory; most of its members were criminals, and going to The Wall was almost equivalent to exile.
"To survive, one has to learn something."
This answer was ambiguous, yet reasonable.
Robb didn't press further.
He just silently urged his horse to go faster.
On the distant horizon, the huge gray silhouette of Winterfell gradually became clear under the starlight.
When the group passed through the castle gates, blazing torches had already been lit in the courtyard.
Ned Stark stood on the steps of the main keep, with Maester Luwin holding a lantern behind him.
His face, like the northern night sky, was serene and dignified.
His gaze swept over the group, over the bandit heads carried on horseback, over the wounded Guards.
Finally, his eyes rested on Lynn.
The deserter, his body half-stained with blood, was now sitting quietly on his horse, riding side by side with his eldest son.
Robb dismounted, walked quickly to his father, and knelt on one knee.
"Father, the bandits have all been eliminated."
Ned nodded, helped his son up, and patted his shoulder.
His eldest son, though young, could already share his burdens, which greatly pleased him.
"You did very well."
Ned's gaze passed over Robb and looked at Lynn again.
"He..."
"He fought bravely, Father."
Robb interjected, his voice carrying the excitement peculiar to youth.
"He killed six bandits and protected the flank several times."
"He proved his loyalty with his actions."
The courtyard was silent.
All the Guards looked at the young man, still on his horse, with complex expressions.
Ned Stark said nothing.
He just looked at Lynn, emotions swirling in his gray eyes.
Doubt, scrutiny, and a hint of almost imperceptible... approval.
Clearly, a runaway crow could not be fearless in the face of death.
He now believed Lynn's claims about the Others somewhat.
After a long pause.
"Maester Luwin."
Ned finally spoke.
"Take him for treatment."
"Yes, My Lord."
Maester Luwin walked down the steps with his lantern and approached Lynn's horse.
Lynn dismounted, his body swaying.
After a long period of tension, arriving at a safe place, weakness and exhaustion instantly overwhelmed him.
Lynn handed his longsword back to the Guard beside him.
Ned stopped Lynn's action.
"No need to return it; keep this sword, you've earned it."
As he followed Maester Luwin through the courtyard, Lynn could feel the gaze of the Warden of the North lingering on his back.
He knew that from this night on, he was no longer a prisoner who could be beheaded at any moment.
He had survived.
But the danger had not yet passed.
Lynn, Ned, and Maester Luwin were all waiting for the raven.
Hi guys! I use Webnovel to promote my Etsy shop. Sorry if this story isn't very good. In my Etsy shop, you'll find many customized gift products for your loved ones. Please check it out and support us!
etsyshop/BHAGYSMART
Link is in my aboutHi guys! I use Webnovel to promote my Etsy shop. Sorry if this story isn't very good. In my Etsy shop, you'll find many customized gift products for your loved ones. Please check it out and support us!
etsyshop/BHAGYSMART
Link is in my about