Morning had come to Winterfell.
Mist covered parts of the courtyard, while steam rose from the hot springs that made the castle unlike anywhere else in the North.
Tristan Waters stood in the training yard, staring at the wooden sword in his hand.
Ever since his match with Sandor Clegane, his days had no longer been peaceful.
Everyone knew his name now.
Not as a noble.
Nor as a knight.
But as the boy who had stood before the Hound and refused to back down.
Yet what interested Tristan most was the System.
[Ding!]
[Host's achievements have been calculated.]
[Previous mission completed successfully.]
[Rewards are available.]
Tristan stopped.
"Finally."
Several lines appeared before his eyes.
[First Reward: Body Enhancement.]
[Host's Strength, Speed, and Endurance have increased by 10%.]
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
Not bad.
Then the second reward appeared.
[Second Reward: Combat Memory.]
[The host can memorize and analyze movements witnessed during combat, allowing him to understand fighting patterns at an accelerated rate.]
Tristan smiled.
This was better.
But the third reward made him pause.
[Third Reward: Skill Points ×5.]
[Skill Points can be used to develop future abilities and skills.]
"Five points…"
He didn't use them.
He decided to save them.
The final reward was different.
[Fourth Reward: Random Draw.]
A black circle appeared before him.
Tristan hesitated for a moment.
Then he pressed it.
It spun.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then it stopped.
[Congratulations.]
[The host has obtained: Talent — Sword Focus.]
[Sword Focus: A talent that allows the user to direct their entire concentration toward their sword during combat, increasing strike accuracy, reaction speed, and the ability to exploit an opponent's weaknesses.]
Tristan smiled.
"Now things are getting interesting."
"You talk to yourself a lot."
A voice came from behind him.
Tristan turned.
A young girl stood there.
Brown hair, grey eyes, and a wooden sword hanging at her side.
Arya Stark.
She said:
"Are you crazy?"
"Probably."
"You were talking to yourself."
"I was thinking."
"You were smiling too."
"Is smiling forbidden?"
She shrugged.
"No."
Then she looked at his sword.
"Are you good with it?"
"Good enough."
Arya drew her wooden sword.
"Show me."
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"You want to fight me?"
"Yes."
"You're younger than me."
"That means you're afraid."
Tristan smiled.
"Apparently, the entire Stark family enjoys provoking people."
Arya raised her sword.
The duel began.
Arya was fast.
Surprisingly fast.
She wasn't strong enough to overpower him, but she moved lightly, attempting to strike his legs and arms.
Tristan easily blocked her attacks at first.
Then he noticed something.
Arya did not fight like a knight.
She didn't rely on strength.
She relied on speed and deception.
Tristan took a step back.
He smiled.
"You're good."
"I know."
Then she attacked him.
Tristan moved aside and struck her wooden sword from below.
The weapon flew from her hand.
Arya froze.
Then she said:
"Again."
Tristan laughed.
"You don't give up."
"No."
Before they could begin the second round, a voice came from behind them.
"Arya."
She turned.
Jon Snow was standing there.
He looked at his sister, then at Tristan.
"Father is looking for you."
Arya said:
"Tell him I was training."
"He'll know you're lying."
She sighed.
Then she left.
Jon looked at Tristan.
"You made her angry."
"She was angry before I started."
Jon laughed softly.
Then he said:
"You're Tristan Waters, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"I'm Jon."
"I know."
Jon paused.
"Everyone knows my name, but they don't know me."
Tristan looked at him.
The sentence was deeper than he had expected.
He said:
"Perhaps we can change that."
The two sat on a nearby stone bench.
Jon remained silent for a while.
Then he said:
"I heard you're a bastard too."
"That's right."
"Does it bother you?"
"It used to."
"And now?"
"Now I've realized that the problem isn't being a bastard."
Jon looked at him.
"Then where is the problem?"
"In believing that other people's words determine your worth."
Jon lowered his eyes.
"I'm going to the Wall."
His voice was calm, but firm.
Tristan asked:
"Why?"
"Because I want to."
"Liar."
Jon raised his head.
"What did you say?"
"I said you're lying."
Jon stood.
"You don't know me."
"No."
Tristan stood as well.
"But I know that look."
He pointed toward Jon's chest.
"You're angry."
Then toward his head.
"And confused."
Then he said:
"And you think the Wall is the only place where you can become a man."
Jon fell silent.
Tristan said:
"Do you know what will happen when you get there?"
"I'll take the oath."
"And then?"
"I'll serve."
"And then?"
Jon didn't answer.
Tristan said:
"You'll wake every morning in the cold, surrounded by men, some of them criminals and some of them thieves, and you'll spend your life beyond the Wall."
He stepped closer.
"And all of that because you were born out of wedlock."
Jon said angrily:
"Don't talk about something you don't understand."
"I do understand."
He pointed at himself.
"I'm a Waters too."
Jon fell silent.
Tristan continued:
"But I won't let being born a bastard decide my life."
Jon said:
"And what do you want me to do?"
"Stay here."
"To be what?"
"Jon Snow."
"That means nothing."
"It means a lot."
Tristan said:
"You're Ned Stark's son, even if the name Stark isn't written after yours."
Jon froze.
"Don't say that."
"Why?"
"Because I'm not."
"That's what they've convinced you of."
Jon fell silent.
Tristan said:
"Your father loves you."
"My father…"
Jon stopped.
"Ned is an honorable man. Perhaps more than he should be."
Then he said:
"If you meant nothing to him, you wouldn't have remained in Winterfell all these years."
Jon looked at the ground.
"But I won't inherit anything."
Tristan laughed.
"Does inheritance make a man a man?"
Jon shook his head.
"Then why do you want the Wall?"
He didn't answer.
Tristan said:
"If you want to go because you believe in the oath, then go."
Then he added:
"But if you're going because you believe you don't deserve a place here…"
He stepped closer.
"Don't go."
Jon remained silent for a long time.
Then he said:
"You speak as if you're certain."
"I'm not."
"Then?"
"I only know one thing."
Tristan looked directly into his eyes.
"Don't make your birth an excuse to abandon your future."
At that moment, a third voice spoke.
"What moving words."
They both turned.
Tyrion Lannister was standing nearby.
He wore his usual mocking smile.
"Are you spying?" Tristan asked.
Tyrion said:
"Me? Of course not."
Then he added:
"I was merely walking very slowly in exactly the right place."
Jon laughed.
Tyrion said:
"I admit, you've piqued my curiosity."
He sat down.
"You're Waters, correct?"
"Yes."
"And now I understand why people are talking about you."
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"They're talking about me that much?"
"In Winterfell? More than they should."
Tyrion said:
"I heard you stood against Clegane."
"I stood."
"And you didn't run."
"I didn't see a good reason to."
Tyrion laughed.
"You're either very brave or very stupid."
"Perhaps both."
Tyrion smiled.
"Excellent answer."
Then he looked at Jon.
"And you seem to be about to make a mistake."
Jon said:
"Perhaps."
"The Wall isn't a bad place."
Then he looked at Tristan.
"But it isn't where a man should go because he hates himself."
Jon looked at him.
Tyrion continued:
"If you want to become a brother of the Night's Watch, that's an honorable thing."
Then he added:
"But using the oath as a way to punish yourself is foolishness."
Jon looked at Tristan.
Then at Tyrion.
Finally, he said:
"I'll think about it."
Tristan smiled.
"That's the first good answer you've given me."
That evening, Tristan was summoned to the Great Hall.
Ned Stark was there.
The Lord of Winterfell sat in his chair, while Robb and Jon stood nearby.
Ned said:
"Tristan."
"My lord."
"Jon told me what happened."
Tristan looked at Jon.
Then at Ned.
"I didn't mean to interfere in your family's affairs."
Ned said:
"But you did."
Tristan remained silent.
Then he said:
"Yes."
Ned didn't become angry.
Instead, he asked:
"Why?"
"Because I know what it feels like when a man believes his birth determines his worth."
Ned remained silent.
Then he said:
"You spoke about things I didn't expect to hear from someone your age."
"Perhaps because I had to think about them early."
Ned looked at him for a long time.
Then he said:
"Jon told me you advised him not to go to the Wall if the reason was because he was a bastard."
"That's right."
"And you believe that?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Tristan answered:
"Because the Wall should be a man's choice, not a refuge for a man who believes he isn't wanted."
Silence filled the hall.
Ned looked at Jon.
Then back at Tristan.
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You remind me of someone I knew."
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
"Myself, when I was younger."
Tristan hadn't expected that.
Ned said:
"But I was more foolish."
Robb laughed.
Even Jon smiled.
Ned said:
"You have a good head on your shoulders."
Then he stood.
"If you need anything while you're in Winterfell, tell me."
"Thank you, my lord."
Before Tristan could leave, Ned said:
"Waters."
Tristan turned.
"Yes?"
"Don't let anyone make you ashamed of your name."
The words were simple.
But they carried great weight.
Tristan nodded.
"I won't."
He left the hall.
As soon as the door closed behind him, the System appeared.
[Ding!]
[Special condition fulfilled.]
[The host has gained Eddard Stark's recognition and respect.]
[New Reward: Warrior's Body.]
Tristan stopped.
The details appeared.
[Warrior's Body: A rare physical talent.]
[Increases the growth rate of Strength, Endurance, and Speed.]
[Improves the body's ability to adapt to training.]
[Reduces recovery time after training and minor injuries.]
[As the host gains combat experience, the talent will evolve alongside him.]
Tristan stared at the window.
Then smiled.
"Now that's a reward."
But the System wasn't finished.
[Note: Warrior's Body can evolve into higher-level talents in the future.]
The window disappeared.
At the end of the corridor, Tristan found someone waiting for him.
Tyrion Lannister.
He was holding a cup in his hand.
"You know half the nobles here will think you're trying to get close to the Starks."
"Do I look like I am?"
"No."
Tyrion smiled.
"And that's precisely what makes it interesting."
Tristan asked:
"Why are you interested in me?"
Tyrion looked at him.
"Because I've met a lot of men."
He raised his cup.
"Cowards, arrogant fools, idiots, good men, bad men…"
Then he pointed at Tristan.
"But very few of them refuse to behave according to the place where they were born."
Tristan said:
"And you?"
"Me?"
Tyrion smiled.
"I like problems."
The next morning, Tristan opened his eyes.
He remained lying down for several seconds, staring at the wooden ceiling above him.
Then the System window appeared before his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Host's data has been updated.]
[Strength: 150]
[Speed: 150]
[Endurance: 150]
[Agility: 150]
[Perception: 150]
[Spirit: 150]
[Mana: 150]
Tristan stared at the numbers.
They were completely different from before.
He could already feel the change.
His body felt lighter, his senses sharper, and his heart beat with powerful, steady rhythm. Even the sounds of servants in the corridor outside his room were clear to him.
He raised his hand.
He clenched his fist.
"150 in every stat…"
He smiled.
"That's more than enough for now."
Tristan got out of bed and dressed.
When he left his room, Winterfell had already begun to wake.
Servants carried food, guards changed shifts, and knights trained in the courtyard.
But two people were waiting for him near the inner gate.
Jon Snow.
And Tyrion Lannister.
Jon said:
"Finally."
Tristan looked at them.
"You've been waiting for me?"
Tyrion said:
"Long enough for me to start thinking you'd slept until noon."
"It's still morning."
"For me, that's late."
Jon laughed.
Tristan looked at the two of them.
"What do you want?"
Jon said:
"Breakfast."
Tyrion added:
"And a conversation."
"Which comes first?"
"Breakfast."
Tyrion answered immediately.
"I can't think when I'm hungry."
The three of them went to the hall.
Tristan sat beside Jon while Tyrion sat across from them.
It didn't take long before Tyrion began speaking.
"I want to understand something."
"Ask."
"Why haven't you left Winterfell yet?"
"Why would I leave?"
"Because you've become famous here."
"That's a reason to stay, not leave."
Tyrion shook his head.
"You don't understand."
He gestured around them.
"This is Winterfell. Here, they see you as a strange but interesting young man."
"And in the south?"
"In the south, they'll try to figure out who your father is, who supports you, whom you can serve, and whom you can betray."
Tristan smiled.
"Sounds fun."
Tyrion said:
"You're sick."
Jon laughed.
Tristan said:
"And you? Why do you care?"
Tyrion took a piece of meat.
"Because you intrigue me."
"Only that?"
Tyrion stopped.
Then said:
"And I think I enjoy your company."
Jon raised an eyebrow.
"That's a rare admission from you."
"Don't get used to it."
Jon smiled.
Tristan looked at both of them.
Then said:
"And I enjoy your company too."
A brief silence followed.
Tyrion said:
"That's the strangest thing I've heard today."
"The day started an hour ago."
"Exactly."
Jon and Tristan laughed.
That moment marked the beginning of something none of them expected.
They weren't three similar friends.
They were three completely different people.
Jon was an honorable, quiet young man, carrying a constant feeling that he didn't belong.
Tyrion was an intelligent, sarcastic man who knew all too well how the world looked at people like him.
And Tristan stood somewhere between them.
He had no great name.
No lands.
No family to protect him.
But he wasn't willing to accept that any of those things would determine his future.
Jon said:
"My father told me I shouldn't make a decision about the Wall too quickly."
Tristan looked at him.
"What will you do?"
"I don't know."
Tyrion said:
"That's becoming his new habit."
Jon looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know."
Tristan laughed.
Jon smiled.
Tristan said:
"Stay here for a while."
"Why?"
"Because you no longer want to go to the Wall for the same reason."
"Perhaps."
"Jon."
"Fine."
Jon sighed.
"I don't want to go anymore."
Tristan looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Jon said:
"I want to see what I can become first."
Tristan nodded.
"Good decision."
Tyrion said:
"And now comes the difficult question."
"What is it?" Jon asked.
"What will you do instead of going to the Wall?"
Jon didn't answer.
Tristan said:
"We train."
"And then?"
"We learn."
Tyrion said:
"And drink."
Jon looked at him.
"I don't drink."
"I was joking."
"You didn't sound like it."
Tyrion smiled.
"You're growing on me."
After breakfast, the three of them went to the courtyard.
Robb Stark was training with several men.
He looked at Jon when he entered, then at Tristan and Tyrion.
"What are you doing?"
Jon said:
"Training."
Robb said:
"You always train."
Then he looked at Tristan.
"Are you going to fight him?"
Tristan said:
"If he wants to."
Jon picked up a wooden sword.
"Come on."
The two stood in the middle of the courtyard.
The duel began.
Jon was better than he had been days before.
His movements were steadier, his strikes more powerful.
But Tristan was on another level.
His body was no longer the same.
With his new stats, everything felt easier.
He noticed the direction of Jon's sword before the attack even began.
He avoided it.
Then blocked another strike.
Then struck Jon's shoulder.
Jon stepped back.
Tristan said:
"Better."
Jon picked up his sword.
"Again."
"Of course."
The second round began.
This time, the fight lasted longer.
Jon was learning quickly.
He watched Tristan instead of attacking recklessly.
Then he executed a simple feint.
He pretended to strike high, then changed direction and aimed at Tristan's leg.
Tristan stepped back.
"Better."
Jon smiled.
But in the next moment, Tristan used the same movement against him, twisting his body and striking Jon's chest with the wooden sword.
Jon stumbled back several steps.
"How did you do that?"
"I saw the movement before you made it."
"How?"
Tyrion interrupted from the side of the courtyard.
"Because he's arrogant."
Tristan looked at him.
"And you're an expert?"
"Only with words."
Jon said:
"That much is obvious."
The three laughed.
Ned Stark had been watching from a distance.
He approached them after the training ended.
"Jon."
"Yes, Father."
"You're improving."
Then he looked at Tristan.
"So are you."
Tristan bowed slightly.
Ned said:
"But your strength isn't normal."
Tristan looked at him.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No."
Ned paused.
"But strength attracts attention."
"I know."
"And attention can be dangerous."
"I know that too."
Ned looked at him.
Then said:
"If you ever decide to leave Winterfell, tell me."
Tristan was surprised.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want you disappearing without knowing where you've gone."
Then he left.
Jon looked at Tristan.
"Father likes you."
"Perhaps."
Tyrion said:
"That's dangerous."
They both looked at him.
"What?"
Tyrion said:
"If Ned Stark likes you, you've become a problem for a lot of people."
Tristan said:
"And you?"
"Me?"
Tyrion smiled.
"I like problems."
That evening, the three sat in a small room near the library of Winterfell.
A fire burned in the hearth.
Jon was reading a book.
Tyrion was drinking wine.
And Tristan was staring at a large map of the continent.
Tyrion said:
"Why have you been staring at that map for ten minutes?"
"I'm thinking."
"That's a dangerous habit."
Jon said without looking up from his book:
"Let him think."
Tyrion looked at the map.
"What do you see?"
Tristan said:
"The world."
Tyrion laughed.
"That's not an answer."
Tristan pointed toward the North.
"Winterfell."
Then toward the south.
"King's Landing."
Then east.
"The Narrow Sea."
Then farther away.
"Essos."
Jon said:
"Do you want to travel?"
"Yes."
Tyrion raised an eyebrow.
"Where?"
"I don't know yet."
Jon said:
"Why?"
Tristan answered:
"Because I don't want to spend my entire life in one place."
Tyrion said:
"And Winterfell isn't enough for you?"
"Winterfell is a good place."
Then he looked at Jon.
"But you won't become what you want to become if you stay here forever."
Jon looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
"You want to become a better warrior, don't you?"
"Yes."
"And you want to see the world."
"Yes."
Then Tristan looked at Tyrion.
"And you want to see new places."
Tyrion said:
"I want to see places where everyone doesn't look at me as though I'm a joke."
Tristan smiled.
"Then we have something in common."
Tyrion raised his cup.
"I'm beginning to fear that sentence."
Tristan said:
"I suggest we leave together."
Silence fell.
Jon lifted his eyes from the book.
Tyrion slowly lowered his cup.
"What?"
"Me, you, and Jon."
Jon asked:
"Where?"
"South, to begin with."
Tyrion said:
"Why the south?"
"Because the king will be leaving Winterfell soon."
Tristan pointed at the map.
"We can travel with the royal procession until we reach the Kingsroad."
Jon said:
"What about my father?"
"Tell him the truth."
Tyrion said:
"And me?"
"Tell your father you want to travel."
Tyrion laughed.
"He'll think I'm going to cause trouble for him."
"He won't believe that."
"You don't know my father."
Jon asked:
"And where will we go after the south?"
Tristan said:
"We can decide that later."
Tyrion stared at him.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
"Why me?"
Tyrion asked.
Tristan answered:
"Because you're intelligent."
"That's not enough."
"You understand politics."
"Better."
"You know the world."
"Better."
"And because I want you with us."
Tyrion stopped.
For once, he didn't have a quick response.
Then he looked at Jon.
"And you?"
Jon said:
"I want to go."
Tristan looked at him.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Jon put the book aside.
"I was going to the Wall to run away from something I couldn't change."
Then he looked at the map.
"Perhaps traveling is better than hiding."
Tristan smiled.
Then he looked at Tyrion.
"And you?"
Tyrion sighed.
"You two are annoying."
"That's not an answer."
"I know."
Tyrion was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Fine."
He raised his cup.
"I'll go."
Jon said:
"Really?"
"Of course."
Then he added:
"I've always wanted to see the world, but I needed a reason."
Tristan said:
"And now you have one."
"Actually, I have the two of you."
The three looked at one another.
Tristan said:
"Then it's settled."
Jon nodded.
Tyrion smiled.
"But I have conditions."
"What are they?"
"I don't want to sleep outdoors."
"Fine."
"And I don't want to fight anyone without a reason."
"Fine."
"And I want the best horse we can get."
Jon said:
"That's a lot."
Tyrion replied:
"I'm a Lannister."
Tristan said:
"I'll try."
Tyrion smiled.
"And one last condition."
"What is it?"
"If I die, don't leave my corpse for the wolves."
Jon said:
"You won't die."
"And who said that?"
Tristan said:
"I did."
Tyrion looked at him.
"You're very confident."
"Yes."
"That confidence will get us all killed."
Tristan said:
"Or it will keep us alive."
The next day, Jon told his father.
Ned was sitting in a private room when his son entered.
"Father."
Ned looked up.
"Sit."
Jon sat down.
He remained silent for a moment.
Then he said:
"I'm not going to the Wall."
Ned remained silent.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
"And why?"
Jon said:
"Because I realized I wanted to go for the wrong reasons."
Ned looked at him.
Then said:
"And what do you want now?"
"To travel."
Ned's expression changed.
"Travel?"
"With Tristan."
Ned fell silent.
Then asked:
"And who else?"
"Tyrion Lannister."
Ned raised an eyebrow.
"Tyrion?"
"Yes."
Ned remained silent for several seconds.
"Was this Tristan's idea?"
Jon smiled.
"Yes."
Ned sighed.
"Of course."
Then he asked:
"And what will you do?"
"We'll go south first."
"And then?"
"We don't know."
Ned looked at his son for a long moment.
Then said:
"That's more dangerous than the Wall."
Jon said:
"I know."
"But I won't stop you."
Jon raised his head.
He was surprised.
Ned said:
"If this is your choice, I will respect it."
Then he added:
"But you'll train more before you leave."
Jon smiled.
"Yes, Father."
As for Tyrion, he went to speak with his sister.
The conversation wasn't long.
She asked him why he wanted to travel.
He answered with sarcastic remarks.
But the truth was clear.
He had grown tired of remaining in a place where everyone saw him as Tywin Lannister's son and the dwarf who didn't know how to live.
And Cersei wasn't interested either; she had little concern for the despised dwarf who had killed her mother.
He wanted to see the world with his own eyes.
When he finished, he left the room.
He found Tristan waiting for him.
Tyrion said:
"She agreed."
"Good."
"Jon too?"
"Yes."
Tyrion said:
"Then there are three of us."
"Three."
Tyrion looked at Jon, who was approaching from a distance.
He said:
"Three men with no real place in the world."
Tristan corrected him:
"Three men who will make their own place."
Jon smiled.
"I like that."
Tyrion said:
"Don't encourage him."
The three laughed.
That night, Tristan stood alone atop one of Winterfell's walls.
He looked toward the sky.
The stars were clear.
The cold was harsh, but he didn't feel it as strongly as before.
He raised his hand.
The System window appeared.
[Ding!]
[New Objective Created.]
[Objective: Begin the Journey.]
[Description: Leave your homeland, discover the world, and forge your own path.]
[Reward: Unknown.]
Tristan smiled.
Then another window appeared.
[Potential Companions:]
[Jon Snow]
[Evaluation: High]
[Tyrion Lannister]
[Evaluation: Very High]
The windows disappeared.
Tristan looked down.
Jon and Tyrion were talking together.
Jon carried his sword.
Tyrion carried his cup.
Three different men.
Three different destinies.
But one path had brought them together.
Tristan said:
"Let's go."
Jon raised his head.
"Where?"
Tristan smiled.
"Into the world."
Tyrion said:
"I only hope the world isn't worse than Winterfell."
Jon said:
"It will be."
Tristan said:
"Definitely."
The three laughed.
And the next day, preparations for the journey began.
None of them knew what awaited them in the south.
They didn't know that the roads they would travel would lead them to powerful men, princes, kings, and wars.
They didn't know that their friendship would be tested more than once.
And they didn't know that three men the world expected nothing from…
Would one day become a force no one could ignore.
For now, they were merely three friends preparing to leave Winterfell.
Three men.
Jon Snow.
Tyrion Lannister.
And Tristan Waters.
And their journey had begun.