My first night at Winterfell was uneventful, and most of my time was devoted to the books in the tower's library, carefully reading every detail of Westeros's fascinating history. I have to say that of all the history books I've ever read in my life, these were the most fascinating and the more I read, the more fascinating it became. The earliest details of the continent's history were about the First Men and the Children of the Forest, a mysterious and magical race that has remained a mystery to this day. All the books varied on what ancient history really was, from the humans and children at war, the two living in peace, or the sudden arrival of the White Walkers during war or peacetime.

However I realized that these books had a problem present in all history books that cover very ancient times, the divergence of events.

Some books have narratives that contradict each other, some authors try to push the narrative more towards their preference and worldview, and some facts are too vague and the narrative seems to get thinner as we go further and further back.

One thing that really interested me was the human race of the Valyrians. described as riders of monstrous creatures, fire-breathing dragons capable of reducing an entire city to ashes. However, although the books detail the arrival of the conqueror and his sisters and how they made the entire continent their domain, they did not detail the mystery that destroyed their ancient nation and empire.

It got me thinking.

Could I absorb the soul of one of these dragons?

Could they be the same descendants of Akatosh from my world? Or just beasts devoid of conscience?

None of them were described as being able to use Thu'um, so perhaps they are some sort of inferior breed?

The more I think, the more questions arise, but from what the books say, I won't get an answer to my questions, as the beasts are described as extinct, all killed in the disaster that was the dance of dragons.

Leaning back in my chair, I realized that my candles were about to go out, forcing me to use Flames with a snap of my fingers, causing the candles flames to explode in fire igniting again.

"Why am I even using them? it's not like i truly need them."

I tried to go back to my studies but my hunger began to disturb my concentration, and it was time to satiate it.

"It looks like there's no other option" I muttered to myself.

I started putting the books away one by one, it was late at night and it would be difficult for a human to organize so many books in such a dark library, but I had Vampire Sight which allowed my vision to work better in the dark than in the light.

I took the most important books with me as I walked through the dark corridors of the library. I began to think about the nobles I met today.

Overall, I felt the Starks were honest and honorable people, something I had never experienced before. Most Jarls I've ever met often acted in bad faith and only cared about their own welfare. Ulfric was the closest thing I had to a friend among the nobility, but he was full of flaws. In my opinion, Ned's only real sin was his bastard son Jon Snow, a child he sired during Robert's Rebellion. However, he seemed to have raised Jon properly, though it was easy to tell that his wife Catelyn had an unspoken contempt for the young man. Still, it was none of my business to question this family's values, after all, I am far from a paragon of virtue as one can be.

As I left the library and entered the courtyard I closed my eyes. Savoring the sweet sound of the night. Afterwards, the anticipation for violence made me reopen my eyes, brighter and more red than a minute before.

It was late at night and except for a few guards patrolling the castle, no one was awake.

I casted Invisibility and with my Nightstalker's Footsteps I moved like a ghost through the night, passing through patrols without arousing any suspicion and my steps left no traces even in the snow.

I entered the modest servants' quarters, and moved to the leftmost room, when I sneaked in I could see a young woman sleeping peacefully, she was probably a chambermaid. I approached her, full of elation and sweetness. that was my poetry, I was sure. The hunt. The expectation for blood, a music itself. I moved my hand and caressed her cheek, as she woke up and looked at me standing over, her survival instincts kicked in and I could feel her studying her alternatives—running, screaming for help, or even trying to face her predator, whoever or whatever he was—but she she decided not to do anything, staring at my red eyes completely paralyzed with fear. In my years I had gotten used to this inaction, but at the beginning of my years as an immortal monster I was surprised that so many people let their deaths come so easily.

When she blinked, I struck.

Biting her neck and enjoying the warm feeling of nutrition.

The blood was good but the feeling of her warm skin was better. The way it glowed in the dim light of the waning moon coming in through the window, the way she gasped as her blood was drained from her body, there was no pain involved, only the pleasure elicited by vampire's seduction and the sweet embrace of death.

A sweet embrace because for her there will be no more pain in this life. She had carried a burden. I could taste it, her blood characteristics said a lot more to me than any sommelier could read drinking a vintage, and I knew she had been hurt. Which doesn't mean she was happy to be in my arms as her pulse slowed to a stop. But there was, I think, a degree of resignation there. Like a student who hadn't prepared well after being told he wouldn't have to take the test he dreaded so much. For her, there would be no more tests, ever again.

I got up and wiped the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand, and as I looked down at the young chambermaid's lifeless body I remembered a question Lydia had asked me when she first saw me feed.

"Are you aware that what you did was wrong?"

"As wrong as wringing a chicken's neck," I said.

"Your human notions of right and wrong are the instrument of judges and religious, dull tools used to build cages. But you and me — we chose freedom, right?"

Lydia didn't answer.

The chambermaid had left me invigorated, as feeding on human blood made me even stronger than I already was. I was drunk with the idea of my own greatness. And, as drunks do, I just wanted to drink more.

I heard noises coming from the stables and when I got there the scene i saw so sickened me that I can say I have no remorse about my second victim of the night.

Yesterday when I put a black stallion back in his pen I found the bruises on his back strange, but now I knew what was going on, there was a groom whipping him for no reason. he clearly enjoyed taking his frustrations out on the horse but when I made a growl he turned to me, and he saw my red eyes filled with hate.

He tried to close the door, but I was too fast. It was like I had all the time in the world to raise my hand, hold the door. Time to sort out how I was going to kill him. It would have been my teeth if I didn't know he was a damn filth. Then I held his head in my hands, as if I were going to kiss him. Instead, I broke his spine. He was dead, but I didn't stop. I twisted his head until I ripped it off and I threw his skull away towards the wall.

I was covered in blood.

"shit" I murmured.

I couldn't let this be the end of my brief run as a man. I knew that what happened from now on would be dangerous.

I moved towards the black stallion and stroked his back. He grunted in pain.

"Don't worry, I'll help."

I casted Healing, and saw his wounds close in an instant. the horse moved his head in my direction and received a pat, I could see he was grateful to be free of that damn man.

I spent the rest of the night cleaning the stables and myself off that blood, disposing of the man's body with destruction magic, and reanimating the chambermaid with Raise Zombie.

Although she became very pale and lighter-eyed, there was no change in her appearance, and in fact from now on it would never change.

"Continue your work as before and keep me informed on the conversations that everyone has" I said.

I confess that I felt bad for a second but only for a second, Raise Zombie was different from Bend Will.

Bend Will did as the names suggests, it just bends a person's will towards the caster's wish it did not erase the person they were before, but Raise Zombie was different, it raised a corpse, there was no emotion or personality left in the target and although it might act and look human in the end it still a corpse, no soul, desires or ambitions. just an eternal objective to serve.

I walked towards my room and stayed there until the sun came up, but I ended up getting lost in the books I had there.

"Oi! Ragnar! Are you awake?" Rickon spoke through the old wooden door.

When I heard the sound of a man's voice I moved to unlock the door and was greeted with sight of my northern guard. The man had groomed himself since I last saw him, he had trimmed up his beard and hair. He was dressed in a fitting leather jerkin like most of the men at the hold wore whenever the weather got warm enough, a suitable piece of armor for any soldier.

My soldier glanced into the room, seeing the mess of books and papers all around the nearby desk. "If I didn't know better I'd think you'd be aspiring to be a Maester with how many books you have there." Rickon chuckled.

"I had a lot to learn considering I was a few thousand years of feudal history behind everyone." I remarked back. "But don't worry, I probably know more than you by now."

"Ah…i see." He muttered, being more serious after being reminded of who he was dealing with. "Still it's not normal to be cooped up in here all day. You need fresh air and sunlight to help with your ummm…complexion." He'd gesture at me and I frowned at the soldier's attempt to be amusing. "I'm sorry, I don't mean no disrespect you lord, but everyone is talking about you. They want to see the Swordsman who crawled out of the woods."

"If it will get everyone off my back…fine. Guess I could use the exercise. Give me a few minutes." Before the soldier could even speak back, I closed the door in his face. The sunlight always gets me irritated and I grunted as I armed myself with DragonBane.

When I got to the training ground my attention focused on the center of the yard where Rickon was already chatting with the gathered men, two of which I recognized as Jon Snow and an older man with an odd 'mutton chop' hairstyle that tied under his chin who seemed to be drilling the soldiers.

"At last our mysterious guest reveals himself. Is Ragnar correct? My name is Ser Rodrik Cassel, Master-At-Arms for House Stark." The older man said, in an unfriendly deep voice, offering one hand towards me.

I reached out my hand and shook it, being annoyed at the man's strong grip obviously meant to intimidate me.

"Glad to meet you, Rodrik. I apologize if I've been a bit reclusive, I just needed some time to rest."

"Understandable. At the least I'm glad you've come to join us for a bit of training, we are all eager to see if you are a warrior or a liar" The Master-At-Arms chuckled at me while the younger trainees gave me angry looks.

seems i'll have to convince them the hard way.

"I think Lord Stark has put too much faith in the man Rodrik. He looks soft, and does not have a single scar on him." One of the younger men spoke out, stepping out from the main group. He had been chatting with Jon, the two seeming good friends from what I could tell. He also seemed out of place among the northerners in appearance yet seemed to fit in well with the group.

"Then by all means Theon, you get to fight him first if you feel so confident." Rodrik answered back, drawing a short look of arrogance from Theon.

I had heard about Theon, a political ward of Eddard's. From what Rickon told me, Theon's father was the ruler of the Iron Isles who tried to rebel against their new King Robert, he was kept under the care of lord stark to ensure iron born loyalty, the old betray me and i kill your son strategy was not too uncommon in Tamriel too, Yet Lord Stark treated Theon well and he seemed more like a guest than a hostage.

I smirked as the young man quickly made his way to me, giving a huff as he'd move to the nearby weapon rack to get a training blade.

"Fine…i will make this quick." He muttered as he'd flex his sword arm and get a feel of the weapon's grip while I moved to check over the other blades.

I checked all of the practice swords to find the right one to fight with. By the time I picked up my weapon Theon was grumbling as he was kept waiting.

"About time…"

Turning to face him, I gave a few test swings and spun the blade in my grasp in a small show of dexterity to my opponent before pacing forward into the sparring circle.

"This one will do i suppose, don't worry and come at me with your best, i won't hurt you… too much… ." I calmly informed my impatient foe.

"Smug bastard." Theon muttered as he paced around the sparring ring.

We were facing each other, a dozen paces away while the rest of the men surrounded the ring. Rodrik looked between the two of us before nodding to start the fight. I shifted my stance, lowering my weapon with no guard at all. My sword was kept to my side leaving me completely open towards my enemy. Then Theon narrowed his gaze in fury, so sure he was that i was mocking him, he yelled and rushed in, his sword raised up to strike me down.

A loud sound of clashing of steel echoed across the yard.

Theon's sword had been tossed far away, and I held my training sword across his neck.

The crowd of men stared, shocked looks showing among the younger recruits while the older members muttered about, obviously impressed.

"You are dead." I said.

In the end I put my sword away before turning my back to a stunned Theon, who was still trying to figure out what had just happened.

"Well… you really did make it quick." I remarked while Theon looked towards Rodrik in shock.

The soldiers were amazed.

"What just happened?"

"By the seven! that was the fastest duel I've ever seen!"

"I didn't even see him block!"

"I did… but barely."

"So he really did kill all those wildlings…"

"By the Seven you're acting like gossiping maids!" Rodrik grumbled, making the others quiet down.

"Theon! Grab your sword and fight him again!" Rodrik shouted.

Theon finally snapped out his stupor, grabbed his sword and readied himself for another round.

his eyes looked at me in fury.

"You won't get me off guard again!"

Feeling humiliated he charged at me without Rodrik even giving us the signal.

This time Theon kept his distance as he'd slash out more quickly, mixing in high and low attacks. I simply focused on blocking and dodging, making him swing and miss, frustrating him to no end.

"Grah! Stand still!"

At his next high strike I raised my sword up to lock blades with Theon who was struggling to overcome my enhanced strength, he had no chance, the difference in our strength was like a bear fighting a four year old girl. Quickly I twisted the blades about, forcing Theon's sword down into the soft dirt before punching him right in the gut. The blow knocked the wind out of the man, leaving him stunned as I used my right foot to trip him onto his back. When Theon struggled to get up he had a sword tip at his throat.

"Dead again." I remarked again with a small smirk. The gathered crowd chuckled while the young man growled in anger.

Everyone looked at me in awe and as I approached the master-at-arms he gave a stunned look.

"By the gods… From what I heard you were trained by your father right? How did he train you to fight like this?" The master-at-arms questioned.

"Well, he Trained me in learning multiple fighting styles from different countries and cultures, and gave me endurance and dexterity training as well. At the time I thought it was a waste of time, but as you can see, speed is power." I explained.

"I used my whole life to practice and add my own personal touch to it." I added.

"I Once saw a Dornish man fight and spin about like you just did… but never at this level of precision and speed." he said to me.

Shit. It seems like I overdid it a bit, believe it or not I was trying to be as close to human speed as possible but it's hard to do that when the world moves in slow motion.

"Can you spar a bit more?" Rodrik questioned. "I'm curious to see if our veterans can measure up to you."

I thought for a moment before nodding.

"Sure…yet pair me against two or three of them." My request made Rodrik give a scared look.

"sure… Rickon! Alaric! Joah! arm yourselves!" Rodrik Yelled.

The three men came forward. Rickon grinned as he'd picked up a sword while two other gruff soldiers got training swords as well. I took the time to stretch a bit as the three men moved to try and surround me, Rickon facing me while the two were to my flanks. Looking between them all, they had focused looks as they took their fighting stances. "Try not to hold back lyseni. Rodrik would Hate to be disappointed." Rickon remarked as he took a fighting stance. I just narrowed my gaze at Rickon who gave me a short nod before charging forward.

I didn't hesitate and took a step forward, blade up in a guard blocking the incoming attack and twisting about in a spinning slash. Rickon barely had time to dodge away while I moved around with my blade up parrying the attack from the soldier on the right who moved in for a stab. The soldier staggered back before grunting out as I striked him across the chest with a shove sending him flying to the ground before reaching my sword arm behind my back to block the third soldier who tried to attack me from behind.

"How did you-" The man started before I turned fully about, a sword blow cutting for the man's gut which the soldier blocked with much difficulty. I took advantage of that hasty block to lock swords with him twisting his blade around disarming him in an instant. But I didn't stand still turning around towards Rickon who was moving in closer. my practice blade slamming against his leg, the blunt blade cracking against the back of his knee with enough force to knock the man onto his back. Rickon was out of the fight as he'd grasp at his knee in pain, no doubt i had almost cracked the joint with that blow. With a real blade, the man would have gotten his leg lopped off easily.

I turned to my one remaining opponent who was now disarmed and looking at me in pure disbelief.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I yield" His answer came immediately.

Rickon glanced at me, panting from the intense pain on his knee while I had not even broken a sweat.

"See Rodrik? I told you he was good.." He muttered as I helped him up onto his feet.

Rodrik chuckled while the gathered men cheered and clapped, amazed at the fight they had just seen.

"In all of my years I've seen only one man fight as well as you , I think even Jaime has no hope against you."

That voice caught everyone's attention in the training yard and looking around the venue, everyone noticed that Lord Stark and his wife had approached our group. I had sensed his scent from one of the inner walls and I had no doubt that he had watched the whole thing.

"The last man I fought with such skill was Arthur Dayne during the Rebellion. Never thought I would see someone with equal skill." Eddard praised, making me nod back in thanks.

"Compliments aside, I assume you've enjoyed your stay so far?"

"I have. Admittedly I am truly grateful for your hospitality." I answered back. "I apologize for imposing myself on you."

"Nonsense! it is I who should apologize for doubting you, making you fight even after you saved my men.' He said humbly.

"Well he can't blame you my lord, it's not everyday we see a man who lives up to his reputation." Rodrik said with a laugh.

The men in the yard laughed too before Rodrik began to give orders, telling Rickon and his companions to take a break while he'd have the younger recruits get back to doing drills. Eddard beckoned me to walk with him, yet Jon stepped up to speak.

"Ragnar, perhaps later on you could spar with me. Show me how you can move around like you did." The young man said respectfully. "Rodrik has taught me much already, yet I feel you are at a completely new level."

"Can't hurt I guess. I do have a lot of free time on my hands." I answered back.

"Thank you! Will a week from today be good?"

I gave him a small nod, making Jon give a small smile before returning to talk to Theon over the news, while Ned who was now far away, was busy talking with his wife which I could easily overhear.

"Cat, how about you go check up with the girls. Make sure Arya isn't fooling around during her studies."

"I suppose…yet are you sure it's safe to be alone with that man?" Caitlyn muttered back and I could feel the tension in her voice.

"Of course. You need to relax Caitlyn. red eyes aside, he's no different than any man I've known. Rickon has already vouched for him as well and we now know that he is not a liar.

"I just know he's hiding something. I keep thinking over his story…he's not sharing everything-"

"Which is what I plan to figure out. Trust me Cat." Ned gave a soft kiss to her lips, making her give a sigh as she decided to drop the subject not realizing I was hearing them. Giving a small hug, she'd move off to the Great Keep, leaving Ned in the yard.

Even with my back to him, I could hear his footsteps approaching me.

"Need to take the Lyseni off your hands for now Boys, Besides if I left him with you I think he'd have Maester Luwin busy for weeks patching you all up."

"Come with me young man." I nodded and we left the courtyard and soon we arrived at portcullis gate set between the Guest House and Library Tower. Already the guards were raising it to reveal a lush forest set beyond them, which I did realize was the Godswood I had read about.

"Here we can talk freely"

With that said, he'd lead the way into the private woods, with me following along.

The Godswood was a beautiful sight, almost feeling like we had left Winterfell completely and into the heart of the northern woods. For a moment I stayed silent along with Ned, listening to the lively birds and animals that roamed the large walled forest. After a long while, we soon arrived at a big grove with a tranquil pond at its center. Beside the water was a towering, thick white barked tree with blood red leaves adorning its hanging branches. At its base there was a plain face carved at it, a strange addition considering. Ned would soon stop beside the pool, his gaze set on the Weirwood tree.

"Have you read about our land's faiths? About the Old Gods and the New?" He questioned me.

"I did." I answered back. "The Old Gods are known to be Westeros's oldest beliefs. A simple faith compared to most."

"The Faith of the Seven is more favored in these times. Still, the North follows the old beliefs." Ned remarked with a small nod.

"I don't know if the Gods are real or not…yet I can't deny that fate plays oddly with our lives." Pausing, he'd look at me before continuing.

"I can tell that there is something special about you. It isn't a feeling I can simply explain…a gut instinct if I had to put it simply."

"It's a sense I can say I've relied on and one we can often trust." I muttered back.

Ned nodded in agreement. "I know you have reasons to keep secrets from us. A man has a right to share only what he wishes so long as others are not harmed by silence. But I think your silence will only hurt yourself."

I was silent, quietly agreeing that Ned had a point on the matter. "Perhaps…yet I bet you'd think I'm crazy if I told you everything."

Ned chuckled as he'd move to sit by the Weirtree while I followed and sat on a smooth rock set nearby.

"There is no else here to judge or doubt you, just me and the woods. I'm a patient man Ragnar and we have plenty of daylight left."

"And that's the problem." I grumbled as I stood up, facing towards the small pond. With my left hand, I started to gather mana and push my hand forward casting frostbite as a strong burst of magical energy surged forward freezing the water in the pond in an instant, Glancing back at Ned, the lord tried to keep a calm look on his face but his eyes betrayed him and showed the shock and confusion at what he had just saw. but I just sat down, staring at Ned waiting for a reaction. little did he know that the next seconds would decide not only his fate but also the fate of his entire kingdom.

"Just...how did you do that?" Eddard muttered, fascinated yet tense after what he saw.

"A Spell, and a novice Spell at that. It's basic magic really, even student mages can do it. But a master like me can do far more such as heal the injured, conjure monsters, alternate the world around me and much more." I explained before looking at my left hand.

"Yet I think people would not look kindly at my talents." Pausing, I looked back at Ned who seemed to have calmed down a bit . "So I trust you'll keep this between us."

"I doubt anyone would believe me if I did." Ned remarked with a small chuckle Rubbing his hands together slightly, he'd take a deep breath.

"It is smart to keep such abilities hidden, there are many who would take you for a demon so I'm glad you trusted me with such knowledge," he said.

I nodded thankfully, surprised that Ned handled the news quite well, even if he seemed shaken from the reveal.

"So whats next?" i asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked back with a confused look on his face.

"Aren't you gonna ask me to serve you? shower you with riches or conquer the world in your name?" I asked him and he looked at me even more confused.

"no… why would i do that?"

There was a moment of silence before I started to laugh.

"By the eight! finally! a man who deserves to be a ruler!"

Ned looked really uncomfortable with the way I was laughing, visibly disturbed and afraid of what I might do next.

"Do not worry, i took a liking to you mortal let us be friends from now on!"

Hours passed as I shared every detail of my life with Eddard. The full story and purpose of the dragonborn, the shortened details on the civil war back home and the twisted state my life had been in over the last few years. I spoke about the dragons, vampires, elves and the Daedras I had dealings with. Then at last I shared my secrets of immortality.

"Wha- what are you?"

he asked, visibly afraid.

"Your new friend and master"

GOL-HA -DOV!