Lynn's consciousness sank into a golden haze, then abruptly floated upward.
The air around him was no longer the biting Northern wind, mixed with pine needles and snow.
Instead, it was a warm fragrance woven from expensive spices, rich wine, and the heat of a woman's skin.
He "saw" a pair of well-maintained hands, knuckles distinct, holding a golden goblet encrusted with rubies.
Inside, red liquid swirled gently.
"Jaime? I'm talking to you... stop drifting off, will you?"
A lazy, seductive voice sounded in his ear, carrying a hint of petulant complaint.
Lynn's "vision" moved slowly.
A stunningly beautiful face came into view.
Cersei Lannister.
The most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms.
She wore only a silk nightgown as thin as a cicada's wing, her waterfall of golden hair draped casually over her shoulders.
A few strands fell playfully onto the breathtaking whiteness of her chest, rising and falling gently with her breath.
This was King's Landing, the Red Keep, Jaime Lannister's bedchamber.
And he, Lynn.
Was currently controlling Jaime's body.
With a Spirit attribute of 25, his Skinchanger ability—though only at the Novice level—was far more domineering than he had imagined.
He could not only share senses but, when the target's mental defenses were at their weakest, briefly hijack their body to achieve effects like this.
"Nothing, sister."
Lynn tried to mimic Jaime's tone, his voice carrying Jaime's habitual nonchalance.
Lynn drained the wine in the goblet in one gulp.
"Just wondering if those fools in the North are still shivering in the ice and snow."
Lynn set down the goblet, reached out, and pulled Cersei into his arms.
The touch of her smooth, tender skin was transmitted clearly to Lynn's consciousness through the mental link.
Lynn felt not a ripple of emotion, nor a shred of guilt.
She was an enemy anyway. Consider it... making friends.
He hadn't come here to steal a tryst, but primarily to gather intelligence.
Cersei leaned docilely into Lynn's embrace, her white arms wrapping around his neck, her breath sweet as orchids.
"Don't talk about those savages."
"Just the thought of living under the same roof as that Stark makes my skin crawl."
"He's like a stone, hard and foul, his head full of nothing but his laughable honor."
Cersei's tone was filled with disdain.
"Though, he has been surprisingly well-behaved lately."
Here it comes.
Lynn focused his mind instantly.
"Well-behaved?"
Lynn raised an eyebrow, one hand starting to wander roguishly beneath the hem of Cersei's gown.
"Isn't he constantly investigating Jon Arryn's death?"
"Investigating? Hah."
Cersei let out a scoff, her body trembling slightly at Lynn's touch.
"His so-called investigation consists of crawling into filthy smithies and brothels every day, consorting with lowborn scum."
"Asking stupid questions no one understands."
"That fool Robert made him Hand, but instead of ruling, he treats the Small Council like decoration and disappears all day."
"Littlefinger and the rest are practically treating this Northern bumpkin as a joke."
A triumphant smugness appeared on Cersei's face.
"It seems he is no match for us at all."
"Just a Northern brute who only knows brute force. He can't adapt to the rules of King's Landing."
"We overestimated him before."
Lynn smiled at her words.
His hand ventured deeper, eliciting a series of suppressed moans from Cersei.
"So, we can sleep soundly?"
"Of course."
Cersei's breathing grew ragged.
"When he finds nothing and Robert is thoroughly disappointed in him, we can kick him out of King's Landing like trash."
"Then, the position of Hand will naturally return to House Lannister."
"Father will be very pleased."
Lynn's breathing grew heavy as well.
Good, Ned.
You're doing very well.
You listened to me and disguised yourself as exactly the person they wanted to see.
A stupid, incompetent Northern brute with no head for politics.
This put Lynn completely at ease.
As long as Cersei and her lot lowered their guard, as long as Ned could buy enough time.
Then, the game in King's Landing could proceed according to plan the moment Lynn arrived.
Intelligence secured.
Lynn intended to slowly withdraw his consciousness.
But seeing Cersei's exquisite face, flushed with desire, Lynn hesitated slightly.
Cersei was the acknowledged beauty of the Seven Kingdoms.
To miss this opportunity would be a pity.
Might as well take a free ride.
Thieves don't leave empty-handed...
(Don't worry, folks, I won't be taking responsibility for Cersei.)
A long while later.
Just as Lynn's consciousness was about to detach.
An unconscious thought from Jaime flashed through Lynn's mind like lightning.
It was a buried memory.
A young Jaime Lannister, not yet a Kingsguard.
He stood in the training yard of Casterly Rock, holding two identical longswords.
Opposite him stood a man built like an iron tower, his face stern.
Barristan Selmy, "Barristan the Bold," one of the greatest knights in the Seven Kingdoms.
"Your right hand relies too much on strength, Jaime."
Barristan's voice was steady as a mountain.
"The essence of swordsmanship lies in balance and coordination."
"Try using your left hand."
Young Jaime swung the longsword clumsily with his left hand, easily parried by Barristan time and again.
Sweat soaked his golden hair, but a fire of refusal to admit defeat burned in his green eyes.
"Again!"
...
Dual-wielding one-handed swords?
Lynn's consciousness jolted awake from that memory.
He realized he could pry into the combat techniques buried deep in Jaime's subconscious!
This... how is this possible?
Greensight could only see past events.
Skinchanger could only share current senses.
But now, under the influence of his terrifying 25 points of Spirit, these two abilities seemed to have created a miraculous chemical reaction!
He could not only "enter" a person's present.
He could even follow their consciousness back into their past!
To pry into their deepest memories, to learn their most exquisite skills!
A crazy idea exploded in Lynn's mind.
What if... what if I used this method to 'watch' the youth of Arthur Dayne?
To 'watch' how the legendary Sword of the Morning practiced his peerless swordsmanship?
What if I could 'watch' Rhaegar Targaryen play the harp that brought Lyanna Stark to tears?
What if I could 'watch' how those ancient, lost magics were cast?
Lynn felt his blood burning!
This wasn't simple voyeurism, nor mere intelligence gathering.
This is a cheat code!
It's directly accessing the top-tier skill library of the entire continent of Westeros!
Anyone's lifelong learning!
Any House's secret techniques!
As long as I want it.
As long as my Spirit is strong enough.
I can make it mine!
An indescribable ecstasy swept through Lynn, making him almost want to laugh out loud.
He suppressed the excitement and slowly withdrew from Jaime's consciousness.
"What is it, my love?"
Cersei felt Jaime's body stiffen and asked in confusion.
"Nothing."
Jaime came back to himself, a trace of confusion on his face.
"Just... spaced out for a moment."
He shook his head, throwing the strange feeling to the back of his mind, and focused his attention on the alluring body before him.
---
Castle Black, Maester Aemon's room.
Lynn snapped his eyes open.
He gasped for air, his forehead slick with cold sweat.
The mental journey across a thousand miles had consumed a massive amount of energy.
But in his eyes burned a light like never before.
"My Lord, are you alright?"
Torrhen's voice came from outside the door, laced with worry.
Lynn stood up, walked to the door, and pulled it open.
"I'm fine."
His voice was full of vigor.
"Pass the order. Pack our gear."
"We depart immediately. Back to Winterfell."
He was going to see Bran.
That was his promise to Jon.
But the journey wouldn't be idle.
He could verify his new ability with his first attempt.
He wanted to go and see the legendary Sword of the Morning, Arthur Dayne.
---