Game of Thrones: The Dragonborn.

Chapter 8 - Relationships.

[Chapter Size: 1878 Words.]

Third Person POV.
Somewhere on North.

...

...

The next morning, Val walked back to the camp, the defeat at the hands of Jon Snow, the mysterious giant slayer, still echoing in her mind. Despite her frustration being evident, a new determination sparked in her eyes. She was about to embark on a journey of teachings and challenges, where the ancient language would become a exchange for her to become a stronger spearwife.

Her brother laughed at her when he heard about the incident but was happy for his younger sister to be on good terms with the powerful stranger.

The following morning brought an atmosphere laden with expectations. Val headed to Karsi's camp, where Jon Snow was focused on training young Lafy once again, sharing his combat skills and tactical knowledge. The respect the southerner had earned was palpable, and Val, observing from a distance, couldn't help but recognize the presence of a true leader.

Jon Snow knew how to teach, communicate, seamlessly integrate into the group, and lead, despite not being in charge. But he had something even more important; everyone seemed to accept and respect him, something incredible for a man who had arrived in this place just a week ago. He had a story, but most knew it was a fabrication. How could a man come from a tribe exterminated by wights? He was everything but a Free Folk.

Upon being introduced to Jon, Val felt momentarily disarmed by the intensity of his purple eyes again, which seemed to capture the essence of her soul.
"I see you've arrived," he smiled.
"Yes, let's find a better place," she said.
"Lafy, do the exercise sequence I showed you; I'll be going. Because I have a teacher waiting for me," he told the boy and nudged his horse to move away. Val followed him to his cabin, where she began to teach him.

The cabin was immersed in the twilight of the afternoon, shadows dancing on the wooden walls as Val and Jon Snow sat in a corner, focused on the task that brought them together. A rudimentary table, illuminated by a single flickering torch, was the center of their joint attention.

Val, with her serious expression and determined eyes, perused an ancient scroll that had belonged to her late mother. Her agile and precise hands traced the intricate lines of the ancient language. Jon watched attentively, absorbing every movement, every elegant curve of the runes composing that ancestral language.

"This word here," said Val, pointing to a sequence of characters, "means 'courage' in the ancient tongue. It's a quality valued among the Free Folk beyond the Wall."

Jon nodded, his eyes fixed on the word drawn on the paper. He repeated the pronunciation suggested by Val, his strange, perhaps southern, accent emphasizing the unique sound of the language. Val smiled, appreciating his dedication to learning, and he did it quickly, much faster than she had when she was in his place.

As the lesson progressed, the atmosphere in the cabin became more intimate. The candle cast a soft light, highlighting the striking features on Jon's face and Val's silver hair. Between the words and phrases she taught, brief silences emerged, filled only by the crackling of the flame and the calm breathing of both.

Val couldn't deny the curiosity taking hold of her. Jon Snow, the mysterious stranger from the south, was proving to be a dedicated student. He absorbed not only the words but also the cultural nuances that permeated the ancient language. In return, Jon found himself fascinated not only by the language but also by the strong and determined woman before him.

As the night progressed, the conversation shifted to more personal topics. Soon, the lessons were set aside for Val to share stories of her tribe, her experiences beyond the Wall, while Jon revealed details of his life in the South during childhood, immersed in intrigues and challenges of its own. Amid shared laughter and moments of contemplation, a shy atmosphere formed between them with each passing moment.