The training yard was louder than usual.
Steel rang against steel as guards rotated shifts, squires shouted, and breath steamed in the cold air. Jon Snow stood at the edge of it all, wooden sword in hand, calm and waiting.
He had grown.
Not much in height—but enough in presence.
Two years had passed.
Jon Snow was twelve.
Across the yard, Theon Greyjoy laughed loudly as he disarmed a guardsman with a flashy spin.
"Careful," Theon said smugly, tossing the blade back. "You Northmen swing like you're chopping firewood."
A few men chuckled.
Jon didn't react.
But Theon noticed him.
Those sharp, mocking eyes lingered.
"Well, look at that," Theon said, turning fully. "The bastard still playing knight?"
Silence spread.
Robb stiffened.
Jon met Theon's gaze.
Calm.
Unflinching.
"I'm training," Jon said simply.
Theon grinned. "With a stick?"
Jon glanced at the sword rack. "Steel, if you prefer."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the yard.
Robb stepped forward. "Jon—"
"It's fine," Jon said quietly.
Theon's grin widened. "You heard him."
Steel swords were handed over.
Real weight.
Real edges.
Ned Stark watched from the steps.
He did not stop it.
Steel Drawn
They faced each other.
Theon moved first—fast, aggressive, confident. His blade flashed toward Jon's shoulder.
Jon stepped inside the strike.
Pain flared as steel kissed his arm—hot and sharp.
Blood bloomed red against white snow.
Gasps erupted.
[WARNING: Injury Detected]Status: Bleeding – Moderate]
Jon did not cry out.
He did not retreat.
The pain grounded him.
[Pain-Based Quest Triggered]
Quest: Endure the CutDescription:Pain is truth.Those who endure it learn its language.
Objective:
Continue combat for 60 seconds
Do not show distress
Do not retreat
Reward:
Skill Upgrade Opportunity
+2 Endurance
Failure:
Fear Imprint (Permanent Debuff)
Theon laughed. "Oops."
Jon's eyes sharpened.
Sixty seconds.
He advanced.
Theon swung again—wide.
Jon ducked, stepped in close, and struck.
Not hard.
Precise.
A tap to the wrist.
Steel clattered.
Theon froze.
Jon twisted, kicked Theon's leg, and sent him crashing into the snow.
Jon's blade rested at Theon's throat.
Silence.
Blood dripped from Jon's arm onto Theon's collar.
"Yield," Jon said calmly.
Theon's face burned red.
"I—"
"Yield," Jon repeated.
Teeth clenched, Theon spat, "Yield."
Jon stepped back.
[Quest Completed][Endurance +2][Skill Upgrade Available]
The yard erupted.
Some in awe.
Some in shock.
Theon staggered to his feet, eyes blazing with humiliation.
"You bastard—"
Jon turned away.
That was the worst insult of all.
[New Relationship Status]Theon Greyjoy: Hostile Rival]
The Wound
Maester Luwin cleaned the cut in silence.
Jon did not flinch.
"You should not have continued," Luwin said finally.
"I could," Jon replied.
Luwin studied him. "That is not always the same thing."
[Skill Upgrade Chosen]
Calm Mind → Calm Mind (Steelbound)]
Pain resistance increased
Focus improves under injury
Jon exhaled slowly.
Worth it.
The Council Breaks
That night, the solar doors closed hard.
Catelyn Stark stood rigid, hands clenched.
"This has gone far enough," she said sharply. "He draws steel with our ward? Bleeds in the yard?"
Ned remained standing. "Theon challenged him."
"He humiliated him," Catelyn snapped. "In front of everyone."
"He defended himself."
"He is a danger," she said, voice trembling now. "Not to us—to our children. People watch him, Ned. They whisper."
Ned's eyes hardened. "They always have."
"He is not your son."
Silence fell like a blade.
Ned stepped closer. "Do not speak of him as if he were a threat."
Catelyn's voice broke. "Every day he grows stronger. Quieter. More watched. What happens when he no longer knows his place?"
Ned's answer was cold steel.
"Then perhaps the world should learn to respect it."
They stood divided.
Between them—
Jon Snow.
Outside the Door
Jon stood in the corridor, blood-stained bandage hidden beneath his sleeve.
He heard everything.
[Hidden Quest Completed: The Bastard's Resolve]Reward:
Trait Unlocked: Bastard's Pride
+2 Willpower
Jon turned away quietly.
Snow fell beyond the windows.
Theon hated him.
Catelyn feared him.
Ned watched him.
Good.
He clenched his fist.
I'm done being invisible.