Prologue

The Night's Watch Supply

"Is that all of it?" Baron asked, running his hand along the horses neck.

"Quite sure. They did ask for more this week, must have some new men in the watch I wonder." I waited for Baron to stand back before leaving with the horses and carriage filled with food for the Night's Watch.

"Safe Journey Alison." Baron called out from behind me, I looked back at him where he stood in the fresh snow and flashed him a grin before setting off down the road to Mole's Town.

I whistled a tune Baron taught me but soon found the dreaded memory creeping back into my mind once more.

Almost a year it's been since I last shared any conversation, laugh or smile with my dear childhood friend. The only person I've ever had in my life to care for me, was murdered.

I dabbed at my eyes, furiously wiping away the tears that came when the images of her lifeless body slumped across our cot raced through my head.

I couldn't escape it, no matter how hard I tried; guilt, anger and devastation engulfed me whenever Marea came to my mind.

I took a deep shaky breath, inhaling the fresh air before entering Mole's Town which smelled like a vermin's arse. I cringed as I inhaled the unwanted stench, I hated this fucking town so much. Now more than ever. Ever since what happened to Marea.

I passed the smallfolk as they got about their days and made my way down into King's Road where a group of the Night's Watch awaited for me.

Their black winter cloaks were flaked with snowflakes and their cheeks kissed by the chilled air. I inwardly groaned when I noticed that two of crows were indeed, Karl and Rast. Rast I had heard, was condemned for rape but had chose the Watch over castration. I feared them both and made sure to never make eye contact or react to their disgusting approaches at me.

I steadied the horses when I reached them and jumped down from the carriage. I found Pypar, who was standing with two crows I'd never seen before. Honestly, I'd rather not be around any of them but Pypar was alright and by the seven hells I certainly preferred his company over Rast and Karl.

"Alison." Pypar greeted looking over me longingly, I grimaced but nodded at him in acknowledgement.

It made me feel extremely uncomfortable knowing that quite a lot of these crows were here because of committed crimes such as murder or rape, so I made sure to keep my guard up around them. Though fortunately for me, Pypar was sent to the wall for stealing a wheel of cheese for his starving sister. (Not so fortunate for him).

I was silent as I watched three crows transfer the goods into their own carriage. Rast as usual, was sniggering with Karl about I and saying such awful things like, 'Wish she'd be supplying us with something other then food, I'd have her the whole night.' To which Karl would groan an agreement.

One of the crows I was standing with heard their remarks and looked back at them irritated. He then looked back at me with his dark brown eyes and gave me a sympathetic smile, "Sorry about them, we're not all bad. Believe me."

I laughed half-heartedly, "Oh I'm quite sure you're all thinking the same as them, just that they're the only ones to say it aloud." Pypar cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Anyway, where is my pay crows?" I held out my hand expectantly looking over the three crows who stood before me.

I watched as Pypar reached into his pocket underneath his cloak and pulled out a pouch of coins, "There's extra for the raise in supply." He smiled at me sheepishly before he placed it into my hand, lightly brushing my gloved fingers.

I weighed it appropriately and tucked it into my dress' belt, "Alright well, I best be off." I treaded through the snow back towards the carriage and hoisted myself into the seat.

"Is she always the one to deliver the supplies?" I heard a fat crow with a trembling voice ask to Pypar, as I turned the carriage around.

"Most of the time yeah," I sighed, they could be so pathetic sometimes. I also knew for fact that some sneaked off to the brothel, completely forgetting their vows to watch. Marea told me she'd been with a few of them before.

There I went again, bringing her up, "Ya!" I swung the reins and the horses picked up their pace as we headed out.

I couldn't help but wonder about the wall, I mean if you looked far out enough you could make it out but... I found it so mysterious. Going beyond the wall certainly interested me, though I knew that opportunity would probably never arise. Only men were allowed to be crows and I was not.

The carriage jostled as it went over a bump heading back into the farm, Baron was in the stables with the horses and his wife Jerna, was watching him from the hut door happily.

They were nice folk but, they treated me as if I was the daughter they never had, but I tried to keep my distance because sooner or later the nice folk always died.

I made my way into the stables with the carriage and helped Baron put the horses away.

"Give you any trouble eh?" Baron pondered, leaning against the carriage as he scratched his greying beard.

I shivered as the chilly wind went through my thin woolen dress, "What do you say old man?" I laughed through my chattering teeth. Baron joined me with his own throaty laugh.

"Come on girl, best be heading back inside and have ourselves a nice bit of lamb broth eh?" He patted my shoulder before taking the lead back to the stone hut I'd officially called home for a year.

A.N: So that's the first chapter, it will get better as we get into it just like SOIAF :) next chapter should come soon.