On the training grounds of Castle Black, the cold wind whipped up shards of snow, stinging exposed skin.
One hundred and fifty rangers of the Night's Watch stood in a loose formation in the center of the yard.
Curiosity was written on their faces.
This Lynn fellow had been making waves recently.
Even those rangers just recalled from other outposts had heard the rumors.
They were the elite force of the Night's Watch, the sword upon the Wall.
Every one of them was a veteran who had survived life-and-death struggles with wildlings.
They were proud, arrogant, and they respected only true strength.
And now, this young man was supposed to be their commander?
To pick them over like goods at a market?
Did he really have what it took?
Lynn stood before them.
He wore no heavy armor, just a set of black boiled leather for mobility.
The Longclaw, now fitted with the weirwood wolf pommel, hung quietly at his waist.
Behind him stood his one hundred battle-hardened Northern guards.
Like a pack of silent wolves, their eyes were locked onto the black-clad brothers in the yard.
Jeor Mormont stood on the raised platform at the edge of the training grounds.
His aged face betrayed no emotion.
But his sharp eyes were fixed intently on Lynn.
This was Lynn's first day as commander.
It was also the first step in truly taking control of this expeditionary force.
"I see it."
"Many of you look down on me," Lynn began.
"You think I'm just a green boy who climbed to this position on luck and the Lord Commander's favor."
"You think I'm not fit to lead you."
The training ground was dead silent.
No one spoke up, but the silence itself was an admission.
Alliser Thorne stood at the very back of the crowd, a faint, imperceptible sneer on his lips.
He didn't believe these rangers, who spent their years hunting wildlings, would obediently listen to this boy!
He was eager to see Lynn make a fool of himself.
Let this arrogant brat be taught a lesson by these unruly veterans.
"Good."
Lynn nodded, seemingly unsurprised by their reaction.
"I don't like wasting words."
Lynn slowly drew Longclaw.
The Valyrian steel blade shimmered with strange red ripples under the grey sky.
An invisible, sharp aura instantly filled the air.
The pupils of the rangers constricted involuntarily.
As veterans, they felt the oppression of a masterwork weapon more keenly than anyone.
"I know the rules of the Watch."
Lynn pointed the tip of his sword diagonally at the ground.
"Whoever isn't convinced, step forward."
"Beat me, and this commander's seat is yours."
"But if no one can beat me..."
Lynn's gaze swept over everyone like a hawk.
"Then put away your laughable pride and prejudice!"
"From today on, my word is law!"
Mormont nodded. Not every ranger was as genial as Benjen Stark.
To deal with this lot, you had to conquer them with strength.
Arrogant!
Too arrogant!
A suppressed commotion rippled through the ranks of rangers.
They had seen cocky men before, but never one this bold.
They were elite rangers!
"My Lord, with all due respect, you think too highly of yourself!"
A tall ranger with a savage scar across his face was the first to step out.
His name was Cotter, one of the best among them, known for his strength and ferocity.
He grabbed a two-handed greataxe from the weapon rack, a weapon that matched his massive frame perfectly.
"I'll show you what real strength is!"
Cotter roared, giving Lynn no time to prepare.
Like a raging bull, he charged.
The battle axe in his hands whipped up a vicious wind as he chopped down!
On the platform, Lord Commander Mormont's hand unconsciously tightened on the railing.
Jon and Arya held their breath in tension.
Lynn didn't move.
He just stood there quietly, watching the axe descend closer and closer.
Just as the blade was about to touch his scalp...
Lynn moved.
His body shifted a single, small step to the left.
Just that one small step.
The axe grazed the tip of his nose and smashed heavily into the spot where he had just been standing.
This was the one weakness of heavy weapons.
Unless the enemy was in full plate, it was incredibly difficult to land a clean hit.
BOOM!
Frozen mud exploded outward.
Because of the excessive force, Cotter's body went into a brief, rigid recoil.
For Lynn, with his Expert Swordsmanship, that opening was enough.
Longclaw moved.
A flash of white lightning vanished as quickly as it appeared in the air.
Fast!
Impossibly fast!
Cotter saw only a blur before Longclaw was pressed against his throat.
If Lynn pushed just an inch further, he would be dead on the spot.
Cotter gave a bitter laugh and dropped his weapon.
"My Lord, I yield. My apologies for the offense."
Lynn sheathed his sword and nodded at Cotter.
Then his gaze turned to the rangers, who were now thoroughly stunned.
"Next."
Just one word, spoken calmly, yet it laid an invisible weight upon them all.
An instant kill.
Clean and decisive.
Cotter, the strongest among them, hadn't even lasted one move before a blade was at his throat!
What terrifying skill was this!
Why was his sword so fast?
Who could possibly beat him in a duel?
The sneer on Alliser Thorne's face had long since frozen.
This guy... is he even human?
He felt that Lynn's swordsmanship had improved significantly yet again!
If he were to cross swords with Lynn now, he feared it wouldn't take long for him to be completely overwhelmed!
Who can tell me?
What the hell is going on!
The remaining rangers looked at one another.
The defiance and contempt on their faces had vanished without a trace.
They weren't fools. Lynn's skill with the blade was clearly leagues above theirs. Going up there would just be humiliating themselves.
No one else stepped forward.
"Since there are no other challengers."
Lynn slowly settled Longclaw back into its sheath.
"From now on, I am your commander."
"Any problems?"
Dead silence.
"Good."
Lynn nodded.
"Now, I announce the first order for the expeditionary force."
"Everyone, go pack your gear immediately."
"In one hour, we assemble at the North Gate."