Lady Catelyn Stark did not sleep well.
She lay awake long before dawn, staring at the shadows dancing across the stone ceiling of her chamber. The wind howled beyond the walls of Winterfell, carrying with it the low, distant cry of wolves.
Her thoughts, as they had too often in recent weeks, returned to Jon Snow.
The boy had changed.
Not in body—he was still thin, dark-haired, and quiet—but in presence. He watched more. Spoke less. When spoken to, he answered politely, without resentment.
That unsettled her.
Bastards were meant to be bitter. Or loud. Or reckless.
Jon Snow was none of those things.
"He's only a child," she whispered to herself.
Yet when she pictured him standing in the yard before dawn, sword moving steadily through the snow, her fingers tightened around the furs.
He does not look at the ground anymore.
The Hallway Encounter
Catelyn encountered Jon outside the sept.
He bowed his head respectfully. "My lady."
No hesitation.
No defiance.
No attempt to draw her attention.
That was worse.
Her eyes lingered on him longer than intended.
"You should not be training so hard," she said coolly. "You were injured."
Jon met her gaze calmly. "Yes, my lady."
He did not argue.
Did not explain.
Did not apologize.
He simply… accepted.
[Calm Mind Active][Emotional Resistance: Minor Hostility]
Catelyn felt something twist in her chest.
Why does that feel like a rebuke?
She turned away sharply. "See that you do not burden my lord husband with worry."
"Yes, my lady."
Jon stepped aside, allowing her to pass.
He did not watch her go.
The Lord of Winterfell Observes
Lord Eddard Stark stood on the inner battlements, hands resting on cold stone.
From there, he could see the yard.
Jon Snow trained alone.
Again.
His form was not perfect—too stiff in the shoulders, too cautious—but there was discipline in his movements. Intent. No wasted motion.
He trained like a man who expected no praise.
Benjen Stark joined him, leaning against the wall. "You've noticed it too."
Ned didn't look away. "Yes."
"He's changing."
Ned's jaw tightened slightly. "He's growing."
Benjen smirked. "At this rate, he'll give Robb trouble soon."
Ned remained silent.
That silence said more than words.
A Test Without Words
Later that day, Ned found Jon alone in the armory, carefully wiping down a blade.
"You're healing well," Ned said.
Jon turned immediately and bowed his head. "Yes, my lord."
Ned studied him.
Not the way a father looks at a son.
But the way a lord evaluates a man.
"You fell," Ned said. "But you rose."
Jon hesitated—just briefly. "I was fortunate."
Ned nodded once.
"That answer tells me enough."
He turned to leave—then paused.
"Winter is coming," Ned said quietly. "Strength matters. But so does restraint."
Jon met his eyes. "I understand."
Ned searched Jon's face for a long moment.
No anger.
No ambition.
Only resolve.
He left without another word.
[Hidden Approval Detected]Source: Lord Eddard Stark]
[System Notice]Condition Met: Gained Silent Recognition from a Great Lord]
Reward:
+1 Willpower
Trait Progress: Wolf of the North (Dormant)
Jon exhaled slowly once Ned was gone.
So that's how it works.
Not loud praise.
Not affection.
But acknowledgment.
Catelyn's Fear
That evening, Catelyn watched Jon from across the hall as he ate below the table once more.
He did not look up.
Did not seek Robb's attention.
Did not try to sit higher.
He knows his place, she told herself.
Yet her unease only deepened.
Because boys who knew their place did not train like that.
They did not look at lords without fear.
And they did not carry themselves like quiet wolves.
[Hidden Quest Progress: The Bastard's Resolve – 3/4]
Jon finished his meal and stood.
As he passed the high table, he paused.
"My lord," he said respectfully to Ned.
Ned inclined his head.
That was all.
No words.
But the bond—silent and dangerous—was there.
Jon walked away.
And for the first time, Catelyn Stark felt something close to dread.