Chapter 6: Chapter 5
As night fell over Winterfell, Jon found himself alone in his room, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across the walls. With Ghost by his side, he couldn't shake the nagging curiosity that had been gnawing at him all day—the desire to test his warging ability.
With a determined glint in his eyes, Jon settled onto the floor, his gaze locked with Ghost's piercing eyes. "Let's see if we can do this, boy," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Closing his eyes, Jon focused his thoughts, reaching out with his mind in search of a connection with his direwolf. He felt the familiar presence of Ghost's consciousness, a silent yet powerful presence that seemed to fill the room.
With a deep breath, Jon concentrated, willing himself to merge his consciousness with Ghost's. It was like dipping his toes into an icy stream, the sensation sending shivers down his spine.
Slowly, gradually, Jon felt himself slipping into the depths of Ghost's mind, his senses becoming one with the wolf's instincts and perceptions. He could feel the rush of the wind against Ghost's fur, the sound of the distant howls echoing in his ears.
For a moment, Jon felt a surge of exhilaration, a sense of freedom unlike anything he had ever experienced before. But as quickly as it had come, the sensation faded, leaving Jon feeling drained and disoriented.
Opening his eyes, Jon found himself back in his room, Ghost watching him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "We did it, boy," Jon whispered, a sense of awe filling his voice.
With a grateful pat on Ghost's head, Jon settled back onto his bed, a sense of accomplishment warming his heart. Tonight, he had taken a step into the unknown, embracing the mystical bond that connected him to his loyal companion. And as he drifted off to sleep, Jon knew that this was only the beginning of his journey into the world of warging, a path that held both wonder and danger in equal measure.
Jon's eyes widened in astonishment as he heard Hestia's voice echoing in his mind, the words both familiar and surreal at the same time.
"Congratulations on unlocking your warging ability, you have gained 100 Gacha Points along with a reward from the system."
A surge of anticipation coursed through him as he processed Hestia's message. "100 Gacha Points and a reward..." Jon repeated to himself, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what had just occurred.
"What reward have I earned?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and excitement.
As Jon eagerly awaited Hestia's response, his heart pounding with excitement, a sense of anticipation enveloped him like a warm embrace. The promise of Gacha Points and a reward stirred his imagination, igniting a spark of curiosity that burned brightly within him.
"Warging is a unique ability to form an empathic bond with all manner of creatures. Your reward is the title of 'Beastmaster'. This title comes with special abilities, that with each creature you bond with, the system will grant you special attributes tied to the beast. For example, by forming a warg bond with Ghost, you have gained attributes that are specific to him, such as, Heightened Senses, Enhanced Agility, Stealth, Increased Resilience, Tracking Prowess, and Intimidating Presence."
As Jon absorbed Hestia's words, a surge of excitement and wonder washed over him, filling him with a sense of awe at the magnitude of his newfound abilities. The promise of forming warg bonds with creatures and gaining special attributes tied to each bond was beyond anything he could have imagined.
With a sense of gratitude and determination, Jon focused his thoughts on his bond with Ghost. As he delved into the depths of their connection, he felt a rush of energy coursing through him, a tangible manifestation of the bond they shared.
With a sense of anticipation, Jon focused his thoughts on accessing his stats, eager to see the changes that had occurred since unlocking his warging ability and gaining attributes tied to his bond with Ghost.
Closing his eyes, Jon reached out to the system, feeling the familiar presence of Hestia's energy resonating within him. With a mental command, he summoned his stats, eager to see the results of his newfound powers.
A holographic display materialized before him, revealing a series of numbers and attributes that represented his current state. With a quick scan, Jon's eyes widened in astonishment as he took in the changes.
Sure enough, Jon saw 'Beastmaster' was added to his list of titles, along with the 100 Gacha Points. Then Jon saw a new section called 'Warg Bonds", with Ghosts name under it.
But what really brought a smile to his face was the list of abilities added to his "Powers" section.
With a sense of satisfaction and anticipation coursing through him, Jon prepared to retire for the night, his mind buzzing with excitement for the adventures that awaited him on the morrow. As he settled into bed, a contented smile graced his lips, his heart filled with gratitude for the gains he had made and the promising future that lay ahead.
As Jon entered Lord Stark's solar, he was surprised to see two unfamiliar figures standing alongside his father. His curiosity piqued, Jon approached the group, his gaze shifting between the strangers and Lord Stark.
"Father, who are these gentlemen?" Jon inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Lord Stark regarded Jon with a solemn expression before gesturing to the two men. "Jon, allow me to introduce you to Lord Howland Reed of Greywater Watch," he began, indicating the older man with a nod, "and Ser Arthur Dayne, a knight of the Kingsguard."
Jon's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of Ser Arthur Dayne, a wave of astonishment washed over him, mingled with a hint of disbelief. The knight before him was a figure of legend, believed by many to be long dead. Yet here he stood, alive and well, in the heart of Winterfell.
Jon couldn't help but feel like ROB was out there somewhere cackling and twirling his mustache like a villain from a cheesy B-grade movie.
"Ser Arthur Dayne," Jon murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, his mind reeling with the implications of the knight's presence. "But... how?"
Lord Stark's expression was somber as he exchanged a glance with Ser Arthur, a silent acknowledgment of the weighty secrets that had brought the knight to Winterfell.
"It's a long story, Jon," Lord Stark began, his voice heavy with the burden of the past. "One that we must discuss in private."
Jon nodded, his curiosity burning brightly as he followed Lord Stark and the others into a secluded corner of the solar. As they settled into their seats, Jon's mind raced with questions, eager to uncover the truth behind Ser Arthur Dayne's miraculous return and the secrets that had brought him to Winterfell.
Lord Howland Reed's voice was steady as he began to recount the tale of Ser Arthur Dayne's survival. "During the final days of Robert's Rebellion, after the sacking of King's Landing, a small group of us, including Lord Stark, found ourselves at the Tower of Joy," Lord Reed explained, his gaze meeting Jon's with a solemn intensity.
"In the midst of the chaos, a fierce battle ensued between us, and three members of the Kingsguard, which included Ser Arthur, who were protecting the Tower." Lord Reed continued. "Everybody believes Lord Stark killed Ser Arthur in that fight. But in a moment of mercy, he managed to disarm Ser Arthur, sparing his life when he could have ended it."
Jon listened in rapt attention, his eyes wide with astonishment at the revelation. The legendary knight, believed to have perished in the war, had been spared by an act of compassion.
"Ser Arthur was gravely wounded, but still alive," Lord Reed explained. "In the aftermath of the battle, and what we learnt at the Tower itself, we made the decision to keep his survival a secret, fearing the repercussions of his return to the realm."
As Jon processed Lord Reed's words, a sense of awe washed over him. The tale of Ser Arthur Dayne's survival was a testament to the bonds of brotherhood forged in the heat of battle, and the enduring power of mercy in the face of conflict.
"And now, after all these years, Ser Arthur has emerged from the shadows," Lord Reed concluded, his voice tinged with solemnity. "To seek redemption, and perhaps, to fulfill a greater purpose."
Jon nodded in understanding, his mind buzzing with the weight of Lord Reed's revelation. He then turned to Ser Arthur Dayne, his eyes searching the knight's face for answers.
"What is this greater purpose you seek to fulfill?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and anticipation.
Ser Arthur met Jon's gaze with a solemn expression, his eyes betraying a hint of determination mixed with a touch of regret. "For years, I have lived with the weight of my past," he began, his voice measured and resolute. "But now, as I emerge from the shadows, I am determined to make amends for the mistakes of my youth."
Jon listened intently as Ser Arthur spoke, his mind racing with possibilities. What could Ser Arthur's greater purpose be? What deeds did he seek to undertake to atone for the sins of his past?
"As a knight of the Kingsguard, I swore an oath to protect the realm and its people," Ser Arthur continued. "And though I may have faltered in my duty in the past, I now seek to honor that oath with every fiber of my being."
Jon's breath caught in his throat as Ser Arthur Dayne knelt before him, his words echoing in the chamber like a solemn oath.
"My greater purpose is to serve Rhaegar and Lyanna's son!"
The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air as Jon processed the significance of Ser Arthur's declaration.
"To serve Rhaegar and Lyanna's son," Jon repeated, his voice barely above a whisper, the words resonating with a profound sense of destiny.
As he met Ser Arthur's gaze, Jon saw a flicker of determination in the knight's eyes, a steadfast resolve to fulfill his sworn duty to his liege lord's offspring.
The revelation sent a shiver down Jon's spine, awakening a sense of purpose deep within him. To be acknowledged as the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark was a burden and a privilege, a legacy that carried with it both the weight of history and the promise of a brighter future.
As Jon pondered the implications of Ser Arthur Dayne's presence in his life, a sense of trepidation gnawed at the edges of his mind. The legendary knight's return was sure to complicate matters, throwing a wrench into Jon's carefully laid plans and adding an unexpected layer of complexity to what was an already daunting task.
But even as uncertainty clouded his thoughts, Jon knew that he could not afford to dwell on the challenges that lay ahead. Ser Arthur's presence was a reality that could not be ignored.
With a deep breath, Jon resolved to confront the obstacles before him head-on, to adapt and overcome whatever challenges arose in his path. Ser Arthur's return may complicate his plans, but it also presented an opportunity.
The legendary knight's skill with a sword was renowned throughout the realm, and the opportunity to test his own abilities against such a formidable opponent was an opportunity too valuable to pass up.
In his quest to assimilate the Taskmaster's abilities and unlock his full potential as a warrior, Jon knew that he would need to push himself to the limit, honing his skills through rigorous training and practical experience. And who better to serve as his mentor and sparring partner than Ser Arthur Dayne himself?
With Ser Arthur's guidance, Jon would have the chance to study the knight's techniques up close, learning from his expertise and incorporating his insights into his own fighting style. The intensity of their sparring sessions would push Jon to the brink, forcing him to adapt and evolve as a fighter with each clash of their blades.
But beyond the physical aspect of their training, Jon also recognized the opportunity for personal growth and development that sparring with Ser Arthur would provide. The knight's wisdom and experience could offer invaluable lessons in leadership, strategy, and the code of chivalry, shaping Jon into a more well-rounded and formidable warrior.
As he gazed out the window of Lord Stark's solar, Jon felt a flicker of determination stir within him.
With a sense of solemnity, Jon turned to face Ser Arthur and nodded in acknowledgment, "I accept your pledge, Ser Arthur," he said, his voice ringing with conviction.
Ser Arthur's expression softened, a flicker of pride crossing his features as he rose to his feet. "It will be an honor to serve you, my lord," he replied, his voice filled with reverence.
Jon's brow furrowed in concern. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, his uncle's wish was for Ser Arthur to accompany him to Castle Black .
"Lord Stark, are you certain that it is wise for Ser Arthur to come with me?" Jon questioned, his voice tinged with apprehension. "The Night's Watch has its fair share of Targaryen loyalists who were sent there after Robert's Rebellion. If any of them were to recognize Ser Arthur, it could spell trouble."
Ned's expression was grave as he considered Jon's words, a furrow forming between his brows. "You raise a valid point, Jon," he conceded, his voice measured. "But I believe that Ser Arthur's presence may prove beneficial in other ways. His skill with a sword and his experience in battle could be invaluable to us during our journey."
As Jon and Ned discussed the potential risks of Ser Arthur's presence at the Wall, the legendary knight remained silent, his expression thoughtful as he weighed their concerns. Finally, he cleared his throat, drawing their attention.
"Perhaps there is a solution to our dilemma," Ser Arthur began, his voice steady and authoritative. "If the risk of my true identity being exposed is too great, then perhaps I should assume a different guise for our journey."
Jon's eyes widened in surprise at Ser Arthur's suggestion, a glimmer of hope sparking within him. Could it be that there was a way to mitigate the risk of discovery?
"What do you propose?" Ned asked, his interest piqued.
Ser Arthur's gaze shifted between Jon and Ned, his expression serious. "I have a set of armor and a cloak that I could don to conceal my identity," he explained. "With a few minor alterations, I could pass for a common knight, unremarkable and easily overlooked."
Jon's mind raced with the possibilities of Ser Arthur's plan. If he could disguise himself effectively, they could potentially avoid drawing unwanted attention during their journey to the Wall.
"It's a risk, but it may be our best option," Jon conceded, nodding in agreement. "If Ser Arthur can blend in without arousing suspicion, it could help us maintain our cover."
Ned regarded Ser Arthur with a nod of approval. "Very well," he said. "If you believe this plan will minimize the risk to our mission, then we shall proceed accordingly. But we must be cautious—any misstep could jeopardize everything."
Ser Arthur inclined his head in acknowledgment, a sense of determination shining in his eyes. "I understand, Lord Stark," he said. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that our journey to the Wall remains as discreet as possible."
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