As the tension thinned and the cold wind of the Neck swept over the crumbling stones, Levi kept his eyes on the young girl with the unmistakable Stark presence. She hadn't spoken to him yet, but something about her eyes made him feel like she was seeing through him. Not in a hostile way—more like she was trying to understand what kind of strange creature fate had dropped in front of her.
Benjen whispered something to her, and she nodded, still watching Levi. The guards stood at ease, though none of them relaxed completely. Jory gave Levi a nudge.
"You alright?"
"No idea," Levi muttered. "But I think we just stepped into something big."
The shadows of the ruined fortress stretched long in the afternoon light. Whatever was coming next, it wouldn't just be about survival anymore.
The halls of Moat Cailin were quiet—too quiet, Levi thought—as he and Jory followed their escort deeper into the old stronghold. What little remained of the ancient keep had clearly been tidied up for important guests, but the air still carried the scent of damp moss and old battles.
They were brought into what must have once been a war room: a stone chamber with a round table and maps unfurled on top, their ink barely holding against the damp. Lyanna stood near the table, her arms crossed, while Benjen leaned against the wall with the casual sharpness of a boy trying to act older than he was.
"You're not from the North," Lyanna said without preamble. "You don't walk like us. Don't talk like us either."
Levi raised both hands slowly. "Guilty. I'm… let's just say I'm from very far away."
Benjen tilted his head. "Essos?"
"Sure," Levi said, unwilling to explain the concept of a world with cheat engines and pizza just yet.
Lyanna narrowed her eyes. "You're not lying, but you're not honest either."
Levi laughed nervously. "Lady, if you knew half the story, you'd call the nearest maester or start sharpening a blade."
She didn't smile, but there was something in her expression that looked like amusement. "Gran Mae says you're odd, but not dangerous."
Levi perked up. "So you know Mae?"
"She's helped our people for years," Lyanna said. "We stop by Bogwater every few months when we ride down from Winterfell."
Benjen cut in. "Our brother, Brandon, said she'd outlive the weirwood trees. Wouldn't be surprised."
Jory looked around awkwardly. "Are we… supposed to be here?"
"You're not prisoners," Lyanna said. "But you're not free to roam either. Not until we know more."
"More about what?" Levi asked.
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she walked to the table, picked up a carved figurine from the map—a wolf sigil—and rolled it between her fingers.
"People like you showing up in the Neck without explanation isn't common," she continued. "And when strange things happen near Moat Cailin, we pay attention."
Levi swallowed. "Look, I'm just trying to survive."
"You'll get your chance," Lyanna said.
A silence fell over the room.
Then Lyanna straightened and gestured to a servant. "Give them food. Let them rest. But keep them close. Tomorrow we speak again."
Levi glanced at Jory, who looked just as unsure as he felt.
As they were led away into a side chamber with a simple bedroll and a bowl of something warm-smelling, Levi sank to the floor with a groan.
"So," he muttered to himself. "Day four. Noble girl interrogations. Still no clue how this cheat engine thing is supposed to help."
He looked up at the crumbling ceiling and sighed.
"I miss my PC."