It worked.
Looking at Ygritte's docile and obedient appearance, Lynn felt a flicker of interest in the "Skinchanging" ability beyond mere utility for the first time.
The Three-Eyed Raven hadn't lied to him.
Perhaps this was the correct way to use it.
"Alright, you can get up now."
Lynn withdrew his mental power.
Ygritte's body trembled, as if waking from a beautiful dream.
She looked at the bow and arrows on the ground, then at Lynn. A blush uncontrollably rose on her cheeks, but the look in her eyes was even more complicated.
That feeling just now...
It was gentler and more lingering than the last time.
His will was like the warmest spring water, wrapping around her heart that had long been frozen stiff in the ice and snow.
It made her sink into it, made her willingly lower all defenses.
"Is... is this magic?"
Ygritte's voice trembled.
She picked up her bow but didn't dare look Lynn in the eyes again.
"Snap out of it."
Lynn knocked her lightly on the head, amused.
He looked at the Three-Eyed Raven and Leaf, speaking calmly.
"I will fulfill my promise, but not now."
"I need to go see Mance Rayder first."
"He has something I want."
The Three-Eyed Raven gave Lynn a deep look with his single eye and didn't object.
"Go then. You will need his help."
"Good luck."
---
Leaving the cave protected by the Old Gods and returning to the endless white wasteland felt like stepping into another world.
The three rangers following behind looked at Lynn with completely changed eyes.
Their gazes were filled with awe and fear.
Jon Snow was heavy-hearted. Several times he looked at Lynn, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
He desperately wanted to ask if the so-called "vessel" was his brother Bran.
But he didn't dare to ask.
He was afraid of getting an answer he couldn't accept.
However, Lynn had promised he wouldn't use a warg as a sacrifice.
The atmosphere in the group was even stranger than when they arrived.
The only one who seemed somewhat hyperactive was Ygritte.
"Hey, Southerner."
While they walked, she would unconsciously sidle up to Lynn and nudge him with her elbow.
"What?"
Lynn kept his eyes forward.
"That amazing ability you used just now... do it again."
Ygritte lowered her voice.
Those grey eyes, usually full of wildness, now shone with a strange light.
Lynn paused, turning to look at her as if she were an idiot.
"Are you sick?"
"You're the one who's sick!"
Ygritte glared at him, her cheeks burning slightly.
"I just wanted to... to help you practice."
"Right, help you practice!"
"Don't you need a sparring partner?"
Having found an excellent excuse, she immediately became self-righteous.
Lynn couldn't be bothered with her and quickened his pace.
This woman had likely awakened some strange fetish.
Could mental touch be addictive?
But all along the way, Ygritte was like a sticky candy he couldn't shake off no matter what.
"Just once, I promise not to resist."
"I feel like you haven't fully mastered it yet."
"Look, I can still talk to you, which means your control isn't deep enough."
"Can you not do it?"
"Are all Southerners this dawdling?"
Jon, listening from behind in confusion, couldn't help but ask.
"What on earth are you two talking about? What control? What deep or not deep?"
"You know nothing, Jon Snow!"
Ygritte yelled back without turning her head.
Jon, rebuffed, shut his mouth.
He felt there was an atmosphere flowing between the two of them that he couldn't understand.
Finally, worn down by Ygritte's tireless harassment, Lynn stopped.
He turned around and stared dead at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!"
Ygritte lifted her chin like a victorious rooster.
Having been pestered for so long, Lynn finally lost his patience.
He closed his eyes.
This time, his mental power was no longer gentle sunlight.
Instead, it transformed into an invisible giant hand. With undeniable dominance, it grabbed hold of her soul directly while she was fully awake.
"Ah..."
Ygritte groaned, her legs giving way, and her body fell backward uncontrollably.
Lynn reached out and caught her in his arms.
"Now, how does it feel?"
Lynn's low voice sounded in her ear.
Ygritte trembled all over.
She could feel every inch of her thoughts, every notion, exposed naked under his will.
With just a thought, he could make her cry, make her laugh, make her do anything.
This feeling of being completely controlled didn't terrify her. Instead, a thrill like a shudder rose from the depths of her soul.
"Kneel."
Lynn commanded.
Ygritte's body disobeyed her own mind; her knees went weak, about to kneel into the snow.
But just as her knees were about to touch the ground, Lynn's will receded rapidly.
Testing it was enough; there was no need to make her actually kneel. Ygritte bore no malice, he just wanted her to stop pestering him.
Lynn held Ygritte in his arms.
Ygritte gasped for breath.
Her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, freezing in the cold wind, while her cheeks were red enough to bleed.
She looked up at Lynn with glazed eyes.
"You..."
"Now, can you lead the way quietly?"
Lynn looked down at her.
"...Mm."
Ygritte lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's.
For the next few days, she was indeed much more well-behaved.
Only, the look in her eyes when she occasionally glanced at Lynn became increasingly fervent and resentful.
---
Northern Frostfangs.
When the continuous mountain range, sharp as giant beast fangs, finally appeared on the horizon, everyone in the group breathed a sigh of relief.
But the closer they got, the heavier the atmosphere became.
The air began to carry the smell of smoke from countless campfires.
Mixed with the scent of roasting meat, strong spirits, sweat, and animal dung.
Occasionally, the thunderous sound of horns and the landslide-like roars of giants could be heard from deep within the valley.
Here, almost all the Free Folk north of the Wall had gathered.
Fleeing the awakening White Walkers, they converged under the banner of their common King—Mance Rayder.
They seemed prepared to launch an assault on the Wall to the south.
When Lynn and his group crossed the final ridge, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
Below the ridge lay a valley so vast its edges were unseen.
The valley was densely packed with tents made of hides and bones.
Forming a massive, chaotic "city" filled with primitive vitality.
Countless campfires burned like stars in the night in every corner of the valley.
Tens of thousands of wildlings, dressed in various furs and holding crude weapons, moved through it—cursing, trading, fighting.
Lynn even saw mammoths as large as small hills being used as beasts of burden, walking slowly through the camp.
And giants, over four meters tall, covered in long hair and holding massive stone clubs, sat around a huge bonfire, tearing and devouring whole roasted sheep.
There were at least a hundred thousand people here!
"Seven Gods above..."
A ranger dropped his weapon into the snow, letting out a groan of despair.
Just then, a sharp whistle sounded from below the valley.
Over a dozen wildling scouts riding stout garrons rushed out from behind a pile of rocks, quickly surrounding the five of them.
Their spears and bone bows were unceremoniously aimed at these uninvited guests.
"Crows!"
"Kill them!"
Hateful shouts rose one after another.
"Stop!"
Ygritte stepped forward and shouted loudly.
"They are my guests! I am taking them to see Mance!"
A wildling with a face full of fleshy ridges, looking like the leader of the scouts, rode forward and scrutinized Ygritte.
Then he looked at Lynn, Jon, and the others behind her.
"Girl kissed by fire? I know you."
The scout leader sneered.
"Bringing crows to our territory, do you want to be a traitor?"
"I am not!"
Ygritte was frantic.
"Then kill them and prove your loyalty!"
The scout leader threw a hand axe at her feet.
The tension instantly snapped taut.
Jon and the three rangers had their hands on their sword hilts, ready for a final desperate fight.
"Enough."
A voice broke the standoff.
Lynn took a step forward, standing in front of Ygritte.
Ignoring the spears and arrows aimed at him, he simply looked at the scout leader.
"Do you want me to kill you to prove my intentions?"
The scout leader froze, then flew into a rage.
"You little crow from the South, you talk big!"
He raised his spear, about to thrust.
But the next second, his movement froze.
An indescribable chill shot from the soles of his feet through his entire body instantly!
He watched helplessly as a layer of thin frost spread rapidly from beneath Lynn's feet.
The frost instantly covered his horse's four hooves, freezing it firmly in place!
The warhorse let out a terrified whinny but couldn't move!
The entire scene fell dead silent!
All the wildlings were terrified by this eerie sight!
Was this... sorcery?!
"Now, can you take us to see Mance?"
Lynn's voice remained calm.
"Or do you want me to walk there myself?"
Under the effect of Ice Magic, a massive frost greatsword slowly coalesced in Lynn's hand.
Seeing this, the scout leader's face was filled with terror.
He nodded frantically, unable to utter a single word.
Lynn snapped his fingers, and the frost on the horse's hooves melted instantly, as if it had never been there.
Escorted by the fearful and awestruck gazes of the dozen wildlings, Lynn and his group were invited into this massive wildling camp.
They passed through countless hostile and curious stares, through the chaotic and lively "streets."
Finally, they stopped in front of the largest tent, stitched together from the hides of various giant beasts.
At the entrance stood two burly Thenns, holding massive battle axes.
From inside the tent came the faint sound of a lute and low singing.
The scout leader went in to announce them and quickly came back out.
He bowed to Lynn, his posture humble to the extreme.
"The King-Beyond-the-Wall... is willing to see you."
The singing stopped.
A voice came from inside the tent.
"Let them in."