Just one step more. And another one. Just one more. After that one it has to be over.
Arya couldn't tell for how long they have been going on now. The sky had already turned pitch black hours ago, but Yoren still urged them to ride on. Her feet were bogged down in the muddy ground. A severe storm the night before had flooded the Kings Road so bad, it could barely be called a road anymore. It couldn't be much long anymore. Soon, it would be time for their group, consisting out of orphans, thieves and worse to set up a camp, Arya kept telling herself. Just a few steps more.
Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Yoren gave sign to stop. Next to the road, parts of a derelict inn were peeking through the woods. They had little to no money left, but fortunately, inns had to take in Black Brothers or in this case – Black brothers-to-be.
"Arry, you come with me.", Yoren's strident voice broke the silence. He wouldn't leave her alone with the rest of them, not after the incident with Hot Pie and Lommy. So, the two of them rode to examine the inn first, whilst the others waited for them on the road. Even though the Nights Watch didn't side with any house and took no part in the ongoing wars, Yoren insisted to check everything at first. Most likely to avoid his own enemies, that he made in all his years of serving the Nights Watch.
Arya appreciated the warmth that surrounded her, when they stepped inside. She wasn't even bothered by the familiar smell of rotten wood, piss and wine in the inn. "We are full. No rooms left.", an old woman informed them, before rushing off to serve some drunk soldiers their wine. When she was done serving, she had to notice, they hadn't moved at all. "Didn't you hear me? We are full, expect for the barn. Get out now." "The barn it is then. I trust you can get some blankets, food and wine for us.", Yoren replied unsmiling. "Black brothers, eh? Take the barn then. But I don't want none of your men touching my daughters with their dirty hands or they will wake up with nothing between their legs next day." Her concern was reasoned. How often had Yoren warned her to take her piss alone in the woods, to never entrust anyone with her real name, to cover up her body properly so no one could glimpse her breasts? Truth was, not every man in the nights watch was like her brother and her uncle. There were rapists and murders, traitors and thieves, who only joined because they were too afraid to get their head chopped off and vouch for their wrong-doings, not to serve the realm and protect its people. Truth was, people don't change to the better all of a sudden.
"I'm going to get the others. You wait in the barn, boy and try not to make any trouble this time.", Yoren gave her a slap on the back. He didn't have to worry about her getting into a mess again. As soon as Arya laid down on the itchy hay, she dozed off in a dreamless sleep.