I saw myself parish and burn
I had to awaken in turn
To hold what I cherish
And brave the nightmarish
I must not have fear and return
Jon was nervous although he didn't know why. He was standing outside of his fathers solar waiting to be called in. He was always nervous to enter his fathers solar since it usually meant he was in trouble. The time he had broken Theon Greyjoy's hand came to mind. Though this was different he shouldn't be nervous because he hadn't done anything wrong.
The creak of a door interrupted his thoughts. Jory exited the room and gestured for Jon to enter. Jon took a hesitant step into the solar expecting to be yelled at but instead was met with a strong embrace.
His fathers arms were crushing him in a hug. Hesitantly he hugged back. This was the first time in years that his father had hugged him. Once Jon had reached ten nameday's any affection from his father was a strange occurrence.
"We thought you were gone Jon." He heard his father whisper. It surprised him even more when he heard the sadness in his fathers voice.
"I wasn't gone that long." Jon said thinking of nothing else to fill the silence.
"it's been three days." His father said louder than before.
"Everyone was worried, most assumed the worst." His voice fell of at the end as if imagining it.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be gone that long." Jon never thought his father would be this upset over him before. He wondered how his siblings were. Sansa probably didn't care and rickon was too young to understand. But Robb arya and bran would have missed him.
"it's alright all that matters is that your alive and well." After that his father dismissed him. Jon decided to head to his chambers to get some actual rest. He walked down the quit corridors not many people were in the halls at this hour. His siblings were all in their lessons and the servants were cleaning or preparing lunch.
As he was rounding the corner leading to his chambers he ran into a blur of dark brown hair. Almost knocking him over Jon had to use the wall to regain his balance looking up he saw arya sitting on the floor holding her head.
"watch were you-" half way through she seemed to look at Jon for the first time.
"Jon." Was all she said before she dove on him wrapping her arms around him. A gesture he returned only moments later.
"where were you." She asked looking up at him.
"sorry I lost track of time." He ruffled her hair causing her to swat his hand away.
"well you still need to make it up to me." She backed up and tried her hardest to make a serious face.
"And what is it that I have to make up." Jon asked confused.
"leaving me alone for three days without you I had no chance to avoid my lessons." Letting out a slight chuckle Jon reached out to mess up her hair again.
"how does some archery practice sound." Jon almost laughed again at the pure excitement on her face.
"you better keep that promise." She said with a smile so bright it was almost blinding. Arya reached over and hugged Jon one more time before saying her goodbyes and running off to do something she probably wasn't supposed to.
After she had disappeared down the corridor Jon looked down at the ring still glowing on his finger. No one has noticed it Jon realized. It wasn't exactly discreet and Jon wasn't one to buy or wear fancy jewelry even if he had the coin. Plus he had been in the woods the whole time so there was no were to buy it which meant that they either didn't see it or couldn't see it. Jon was betting on the second one after all he had seen from the ring so far invisibly wasn't much of a reach.
He examined the ring again it looked no different from when he had put it on. The same glow same material and same color. He wondered just how many abilities this strange object possessed.
Putting that to the back of his mind he began heading to the kitchen after all it had been three days since he had ate and while he was asleep for the majority of that he had yet to eat.
He reached the kitchen and was greeted with the usual chaotic scrambling that came with preparing meals. He waited and tried to motion over a nearby cook to no avail as he was to caught up in whatever he was doing.
Jon saw a young servant pass by and grabbed her arm. She stumbled back in surprise almost falling over. She seemed like she was about to say some insult before realizing who had grabbed her.
"What can I help you with." She politely spoke politely and bowed to him.
"When you are done preparing lunch could you have some sent to my room."
"of course it will be up as soon as we're finished anything else."
"no that will be all." After Jon's words she bowed again and hurried back to whatever task she was doing.
After that Jon returned to his room. It was a small space with simple sturdy wooden furniture and a average size bed pushed into the corner. He had a desk in front of the small window and a bookshelf about as tall as himself. He had a chest to keep his clothes laying at the base of his bed. It wasn't a big or luxurious room but it was fine with Jon who had long since accepted his place as a bastard and with it the simplicity.
Jon walked over to his desk pulling out the ancient chair that's been here longer than him. As Jon set down the chair made a familiar creek as if complaining about the new weight.
Pushing the books scattered on the table aside Jon removed the ring or at least he tries to. No matter how hard he tried Jon could not remove the ring. After multiple failed attempts Jon gave up. He settled for just studying it.
The added light from the open window reveals carvings in the ring that Jon hadn't noticed before. He had never seen anything like them before they seemed to be some kind of art but not a style Jon had ever seen before. It was crude and jagged though there wasn't much art in the north as it was a more southern taste there was still some and Jon had seen his fair share. But something about this form of art attracted him like nothing he felt before.
Jon was broken out of his thoughts by a knock at the door. Reluctantly he stood up and approached the door. Opening it revealed the servant he had spoken to earlier holding a plate of food and a jug of water.
"Here, as you requested my lord." She spoke in the same polite voice as she entered his room and placed the meal on his desk.
"Thank you, and please call me Jon I'm not a lord." He said smiling politely at her.
"of course my... Jon would you like anything else." She stuttered out as she grew slightly red at her mistake.
"No that will be all." He dismissed the young girl and turned to his food. Roast boar and barley bread it was a nice meal although rare and expensive making it a delicacy only lords could enjoy.
Jon dug into the meal and destroyed it in mere minutes. His stomach tricked him and now he felt as if he could eat another full meal.
But he decided against it and headed to the training yard. Whenever there was something on Jon's mind it always helped for him to train and right now there was a lot on his mind.
When he reached the yard it was empty most people were likely on break or at lunch. Glad for the quiet Jon quickly took advantage of it and picked up a nearby sword. When it touched his hand it felt different lighter better almost like an extension of his arm. Jon had never felt this before from a sword. As he gave it a test swing the ring began pulsing with a flashing glow.
Jon touched the ring and everything around him froze. A box with writing popped up in front of him. Training sword level 1 damage 1. Underneath this were the words store and equip. Confused he picked the former and the sword disappeared into the ring. Jon pressed the ring and instead of the normal menu he was taken to a new one. On one side it said Equipment and on the other it said level. Jon pressed equipment and was taken to a screen with the words armor and weapon He picked weapon and it had the training sword he was just holding and it's stats and under armor were the clothes he was wearing. Jon decided to save the level side for later and equipped the training sword which appeared in his hand.
He walked over to a straw dummy and took a few practice swings. The difference was easily visible his swings were faster more precise and stronger.
"Jon it's good to see you alive and well." Shouted an old and recognizable voice. Jon turned and saw ser rodrick Cassel and a few guards enter the training field. He was a old but deadly man being one of the few knights in the north and the master at arms of Winterfell so his skill spoke for itself. He was average height with a broad build his hair was grey and retreating except for his beloved beard which came down the side of his face and was braided down to his chest.
"I apologize for my absence I lost track of time ser." He smiled at the man. See rodrick was one of the few people that didn't treat him differently because of his birth. He had trained Jon just as well as Robb never putting him down unless he made a mistake.
"it happens to the best of us lad." Rodrick responded with a smile. The guards that were accompanying him walked over and grabbed a few training swords.
"Say Jon would you be interested in testing yourself against these fine men." Rodrick motioned to the guards most of whom wore unimpressed or confident expressions. While Jon was not usually one to openly spar or show off he felt a burning desire to compete and show his true skill that had not been there before.
"sure I'll give it a shot." Jon said walking over to the sparing ring. It was a decent ring serving no real purpose except as a warning to not get to close to the fight.
"good lad. Now who shall be your opponent, how about you Faron." He pointed at a boy about Jon's age who was a bit taller and broader than Jon.
The boy stepped forward and entered the circle. He held a two handed Greatsword with a dulled blade of course. Jon held out his hand as a sign of friendly competition but the boy scoffed and got into a position.
"Is there a problem." Ser Rodrick asked from the sideline as he would be watching the match and making sure no one was seriously injured.
"I'm not shaking hands with a bastard." Ser Rodrick just sighed most small folk and guards had no problem with bastards especially when they were the lords child. But some remained adamant in the distrust.
Jon just shrugged not really caring for the opinion of a guard. Jon raised his sword into a simple stance with his sword beside his body ready to counter any move.
Rodrick motioned for the match to begin and Faron wasted no time charging at Jon. He started with a high slash which Jon parried with ease pushing the sword right and directed a slash at Faron's chest. He jumped back narrowly avoiding the blow and took up a defensive stance.
Jon looked for any openings or weakness finding two his left arm and his right leg. Taking advantage of this Jon lunged forward with a high right slash only to feint and aim at his leg. Faron proved to have excellent reflexes as he barely deflected the attack and retreated once more. But this time Jon did not let him as he continued to press with swings from both sides. Jon continued to press forward until his sword was caught in a parry Jon quickly tried to retract his sword only to be slammed into by the other boy. Jon was pushed back almost losing his balance. Dazed Jon looked up and saw the dull blade swinging at his face. Instinct kicking in Jon ducked barely dodging the swing. Faron put to much power into the swing and it took a second too long for him to reposition his sword which Jon would make him regret as he hit Faron with a thrust to the chest pushing him back. Then he swung low hitting the right knee the high hitting the left arm. Faron couldn't react to any thing as he fell to his knee and lost grip of his sword. Looking up he found the tip of Jon's sword to his throat.
"yield." Was all Jon said.
"I yield." The boy spat out like he had to swallow a ball of spikes. Without speaking another word Faron picked up his sword and threw it at the weapons rack almost knocking it over in the process before storming out of the yard completely.
"well done lad, don't worry about him sore loser is all." Ser Rodrick smiled at him. Jon smiled back and stepped out of the ring.
"I think that's all for me today." Jon said walking to put up his sword. As he did Robb and Theon walked into the training yard.
"Jon your back!" Robb exclaimed loudly when he noticed Jon.
"Robb it's good to see you." Jon said as they embraced. Theon did his best to ignore Jon as he walked over to the other guards in the yard.
"where have you been." Robb asked concerned.
"I was just out hunting and lost track of time." Jon answered which seemed to put Robb at ease.
"So now that your back are you for a spar snow." Theon remarked from behind Robb. Jon although about to leave felt an urge to put Theon in his place.
"Sure, why not." Jon's Answer seemed to surprise Theon who probably was expecting Jon to refuse and go off and brood. However Jon must have gained confidence in his last victory as he now felt a need to fight Theon.
"Alright then, hurry up." Theon said walking over to the ring Jon retook his sword and walked over to join him.
"Ready to lose snow." Theon quipped once Jon had reached the ring.
"In your dreams Greyjoy." Jon replied as he took his position.
"well then let's get this over with." Theon stated as he made the first move. Without wasting any time Theon swung hard at Jon's face which Jon barley blocked. Theon was two years his senior so he was stronger and taller so he naturally had better reach Jon however was faster with better technique.
Theon continued with a barrage of heavy strikes all missing their marks every block or doge made Theon even more angry until he raised his sword over his head and brought it down with all the force he could muster for it to hit nothing but air. Jon had swiftly dodged to the right and shot a quick thrust into Theon's side followed by a strike to the leg before Theon was able to recover.
Stumbling back Theon was able to block Jon's next attack before finding his stance once more. Theon now thoroughly pissed lost all composure now just advancing with wild sloppy swings which Jon evaded with ease.
Looking for an opining Jon found one when Theon made a wild thrust which Jon side stepped and followed with a riposte striking Theon in the chest and winning the match.
"How the hell did you do that snow." Theon remarked accepting his defeat.
"I just practiced you should try it some time." Jon replied walking over to put his sword away.
Once he reached the rack and placed his sword down he felt the ring pulse. Looking down he saw the ring flashing in a way he had not seen before. Jon touched the ring and the words level up appeared with a bar partially full and the number 2 above it. It then took Jon back to the level up screen and showed that he now had one skill point.
Jon pondered his option's eventually landing on block which would make blocking 20% more effective. Once satisfied Jon exited the ring and everything returned to normal. As Jon made his way to the exit he waved once more at Robb who was just starting todays training and made off to the archery yard.
Once he arrived Jon was pleased to see Bran practicing. Although less pleased to see lady stark watching him. But not letting her deter him Jon went over to the bows and selected one getting the same screen that he did with the sword. Selecting equip Jon placed a quiver on his back and walked over beside bran.
"Jon where have you been." Bran smiled up at Jon.
"Oh I was just hunting sorry I was gone so long." Jon said smiling back. Once Jon was lined up with the target he took aim and fired hitting it dead center. Jon notched another arrow and took aim this time hitting only inches from his original arrow. Jon repeats this process two more times until he was out of arrows.
Jon turned to gather more but instead found the amazed gaze of bran staring up at him.
"how did you do that." Bran asked mesmerized. Jon let out a soft chuckle.
"here I'll show you." Jon walked over to bran and corrected his form and gave him a few tips. Once bran shot his arrow it was much better than originally. So Jon spent the next thirty minutes or so helping bran improve his archery until Jory cassel approached them.
"Jon, Bran." Jory said nodding to them.
"what's the matter Jory." Jon asked as he was usually by lord starks side.
"we have found a deserter from the nights watch. Your lord father has asked me to get both of you ready to ride out." Jory said and Jon grimaced deserters only got one thing and it wasn't pleasant but he was surprised bran was coming along at such a young age.
"I'm supposed to come too." Bran asked excitedly not knowing what he was going to see if he did go.
"it's what your lord father asked." Jory answered and bran smiled widely.
"well then let us get going." Jon said leading bran to the stables.