Winterfell grew restless after the King's arrival. Feasts filled the nights, and whispers filled the halls.
King Robert offered Ned Stark the role of Hand of the King.
Ned hesitated. Honor held him back. But Ryu already knew the answer.
He had heard the full conversation before it was spoken—his shadow hidden beneath the table, listening as the King and Ned drank together.
He didn't care who ruled from thrones of stone. He cared who controlled the game behind the walls.
That night, Ryu stood in the godswood, eyes closed.
"Status window."
---
[Level 5]
New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Link
Allows direct mental communication with controlled shadows across great distances.
---
He opened his eyes. A quiet smile.
With Shadow Link, Ryu placed his shadows inside key places—under beds, behind thrones, inside raven cages.
He knew which ravens flew and where they went. Which letters were written and which ones were burned.
When Jon Snow visited the family crypts with King Robert, Ryu followed from the shadows.
He listened.
Robert spoke of Lyanna. Regret. Targaryens.
Weakness.
Ryu stored it all. Not for kindness. For leverage.
---
[Secret Recorded: Robert's Past with Lyanna Stark]
Potential Use: Blackmail, Political Pressure
---
When Jon said he wanted to join the Night's Watch, Ryu saw the opening.
At night, he visited the yard where Jon trained alone. No words. Just a shadow cast across the snow.
From it rose a figure—tall, in full armor, moving fast.
Jon fought hard, thinking it was a test. He lost.
But before he passed out, he saw Ryu's calm eyes.
"Train harder," Ryu said coldly. "Or you'll die in black."
He left without waiting for thanks.
Ryu wasn't here to guide Jon. He was here to make sure the Wall held—until it didn't.
Meanwhile, he sent his wolves beyond Winterfell's lands. They brought back gold from robbed bandits. Letters from broken camps. Even a Valyrian steel dagger from a dead smuggler.
He sold nothing. He stored everything.
---
[Inventory Updated]
Valyrian Steel Dagger – "Whisperfang"
Rare Artifact: Grants +15% shadow damage when used by a Shadow Monarch
---
By the end of the week, Ned had accepted the position of Hand.
The court would soon ride south.
So would Ryu.
Not as a lord. Not as a knight.
As a shadow that moved through every room, listening, watching, preparing.