"What in seven hells is that?" Her ears perked up to the sounds of metal clashing metal, sword meeting sword and Grenn's voice laced with confusion with the harsh, bitter wind flowing through the small stone window, which with the occasional peek shows the training courtyard, causing her to briefly shiver and blow upon her hands, her breath causing momentary warmth. Continuing on with her repetitive chopping of strange, short orange sticks and large green flowers. What she had done for the past month, forced to work within the kitchens. She opted to prove her worth her worth to the man who had spoken to her, calling himself by the name of Thorne and had heard stories of men who dress in black, live on ice and fight for honour and "The realm". That was what amazed her, not slicing meat.
"They'll need an eighth hell to fit him in." Another voice flowed in from the courtyard followed by a bout of laughter quickly catching her attention. Sneaking silently, she grabbed a short wooden stool and stood upon it gracefully, gently standing upon her toes and peering out for the first time of that day, scanning to familiar faces and names from overhearing. Pyp, Grenn and Rast. Him she did not like, there was something dark about him and it was something she could sense every time she saw him. Snow lightly coating the stones placing gentle cold touches to her finger tips. Her gaze shifting to a familiar form, she had not be able to catch a glimpse of his face as much as the others or heard of his name but she had noticed how his ink black hair fell to just above his shoulders and hung in tight natural curls. She admired him none the less and noted how he seemed to have more strength within the training yard than the others. Deem it as warrior intuition to see who is the best and how to defeat them. Today was different there was a new boy within the training yard. He was big, but that was all she could see of him and Thorne's voice reached her keen ears. Maybe today she could prove her worth. Quickly stepping down from the stool and placing it back within the dust coated corner, she scanned over the pots and pans of boiling water and strange food, she knew it would be long enough, Hours at least. Placing her feet softly upon the creaking steps leading out of the kitchen and pushing the large door, unsurely. The cold breeze gripped her suddenly, causing her hand to quickly stifle a gasp and her gaze to snap towards the men within the yard. None had noticed her presence as she slipped behind the wooden post closer to the courtyard. Close enough to grip a sword from the rack not far from her.
"Tell them your name." Thorne looked over his shoulder as the large boy waddled his plump frame forward, his head stooped face hidden slightly from her and the others. She had noticed how he seemed to shake.
"Samwell Tarley of Horn Hill... I mean, I was of Horn Hill." His voice mild and timid, she took this as her time to see them fully and the man who's skills she had admired for the past month. The one she had heard the name of Grenn, stood at the tallest, His hair light brown almost appearing a dim red with freckles reaching up to just below his Basil green eyes. The next called Pyp standing at medium height and coltish. Very short dark hair and youthful, only appearing as a boy to her. The one by the name of Rast, standing the shortest of them, his black hair cropped harshly with what others would see as brown eyes, to her they appeared as dark, the unease and caution about him was there even as she looked at him now. Her mind suddenly became aware of her dagger within a leather pouch, held by black cloth she had tied around her waist, able to keep it hidden from the men by her cloak. Her Azure eyes snapped to him, the man she had seen from the kitchens. She had noticed how he stood at medium height with a stocky build, his eyes, appearing umber in the light and the brightness of the snow falling lightly, she noticed how he did although appear youthful, dark stubble framed his pale complexion matching perfectly with his dark, curling locks. "I've come to take the black." The boy, Samwell, spoke up unsurely bringing her attention back to him.
"Come to take the black pudding." Rast grinned widely and tapped Pyp on his shoulder as he shared in his laughter.
"Well, you couldn't be any worse than you look. Rast." Thorne turned from Samwell toward Rast as he stepped forward and she watched as Samwell stepped forward, face painted in uncertainty. Hesitating as Rast twirled his practice sword. She glanced toward the rack of swords as she felt her hand drift towards the handle of the closest one. Her gaze snapping back as the sounds of Rast beating Samwell came to her, watching as he yelped and whimpered, becoming no more than a child. Her hand gripped the handle briskly and brought it to her, delicately enough that no one had noticed.
"I yield, please no more." He sobbed upon the floor, cringing in defence as she sighed exasperated. The sword becoming tighter in her grip and a slight wash of security coming over her. Snapping back to the men as Thorne's voice picked up to her once more.
"On your feet, pick up your sword." Thorne grinned as Samwell Simpered. "Hit him until he finds his feet." She tensed and noticed the man she admired looked on at the boy with sympathy, Watching as Rast beat Samwell with relish. Pyp and Grenn looking away to each other hesitantly. "It seems they've run short of poachers and thieves down south. Now they send us squealing bloody pigs." Thorne mocked loudly as she saw the man to step forward only to be stopped by Pyp, releasing an angered sigh. She bit her with need to do something, leaning further against the wooden post that kept her hidden, her grip upon the handle of the sword becoming harsher and her knuckles becoming white.
"I yield!" Samwell shrieked upon the ground and after becoming flooded with agitation, revealed herself from behind the wooden post.
"Stop!" Her harsh foreign tone giving strength to her words as she lifted the sword with ease in her hands, she watched as their gaze all snapped to her, along with other men within the courtyard. Thorne's face become angered with red as she held the sword. Looking around she noticed how Pyp and Grenn looked on with great surprise but Rast's dark eyes became locked to hers then shifted but not leaving her. Finally her gaze come to the man's and she felt a wave of ease wash over her, her grip loosening slightly upon the sword.
"What are you doing here." Thorne stepped forward, ripping the sword from her grasp. "Go back." His clasp upon her arm became rough as he began shoving her back toward the kitchen door, her anger radiated before bursting for her to rip her arm from him. She had noticed with a quick glance that the man had taken Thorne's distraction as a chance to remove the simpering boy from the ground and stood in front of him.
"He yielded." His northern accent adding hidden strength to his words as he spoke to a scowling Rast, shifting his look to her for cutting his joy short.
"I can fight." her stature remaining strong as she stared at Thorne.
"Oh, can you now." Thorne began to chortle at her preposterous claim. The others looked to each other, still surprised from her reveal.
"Yes." Her voice became low with determination. Wrenching the sword from him, she moved toward the hesitant men, her gaze flickering between them. Thorne grinned widely with his arms crossed, it was then Thorne had noticed the man stood his ground, protecting Samwell.
"Looks like the bastards in love." Thorne chuckled slightly, her gaze snapped up to the insult and swivelled toward Thorne, surprised how his gaze was not on her but on the man. The man who helped the boy was a bastard although he fought with the pride and greatness of a warrior. "Alright then, Lord Snow. You wish to defend your lady love, let's make it an exercise. You three." Thorne gestured to Grenn, Pyp and Rast. They stood closer as she watched closely to examine their skills, strengths, weaknesses, what they should and what they shouldn't. Looking around briefly, she noticed how the snowflakes fell before her, the darkness of the stones holding the buildings strong, the whistling of the wind by her ear, the pitiful efforts of the fire pits against the bitter wind and that most of the men were looking in curiosity. "The three of you ought to be sufficient." Pyp, Grenn and Rast stepped forward as the mud of the courtyard sloshed beneath their feet. "To make lady piggy squeal." Thorne grinned once more as her jaw clenched with irritation at his comments.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" The man whispered met instantly by Grenn aggressively shaking his head. It seems to her perhaps they have done this before and it did not come into his favour. Rast was the first to attack but was quickly deflected by him and thrown to the earth by a knee to his gut, knocking the wind out of him. Pyp lunged only to receive a punch to his face. Her gaze flickered to Samwell cringing, shrinking backwards. The man deflected Grenn's sword giving Rast enough time to strike his shoulder, shouting out in pain before gripping his arm and kicking him back to the ground. Twirling his sword as Grenn rose up.
"Yield, yield, yield! I yield." Holding up his hands and gasping for breath, all taking a moment before Thorne turning to her as she still observed the man, 'Snow' with impressive skills in combat.
"Go ahead." Thorne grinned showing grimy teeth as she stood forward. The four men looked to each other as she waited for one to attack. "Go on!" Thorne crossed his arms impatiently. Pyp shrugged and swung his sword at a gentle pace, not wanting to hurt the lady, suddenly filled with surprise when it was quickly blocked and thrown out of his hand when she spun, gracefully arching backward as Grenn swung for her head bringing a strike from her sword to his gut and smashing her elbow to his face, swiftly making him fall. Briefly watching before awaiting Rast to strike. Knowing he is the easiest to beat, attacking before he thinks. He raised his sword to bring it down upon her but was easily stopped and slumped to the ground after she kicked him in his weak spot and struck his face.
"My, my. not only beaten bloody by a bastard but by a woman as well." Thorne's grin widened as she watched, breathing heavily and waiting for his judgement. "Let's see what happens when she tries to get to the squealer."
The man locked his gaze hesitantly with hers, Azure met Umber briefly as she took her stance, watching and stalking, waiting for the other to make their move. She took the first strike which he blocked and returned the strike which met the same result, going on in continuous attacks and deflections. She noticed he must have became as agitated as she as he lunged toward her giving her the chance she needed, spinning while extending her leg, bringing it to his knees and as he fell charged for Sam, halting quickly as she watched him unfold from his crimpled state in confusion to see her still paused but slowly pulled a kind smile to him. Her head quickly snapping behind her as 'Snow' swung his sword. Pivoting, connecting her sword with his and arching back once more as his fist swung for her face. Her Long raven braid trailing behind her. She swung her leg to his gut however it being caught by him, sent her to the ground harshly, letting out an animalistic hiss before striking him once more. Placing her knee upon his chest and her hand by his head, the blade of the dulled sword against his throat. Her eyes snapped to his intending to stare him down, she hoped to see fear, perhaps anger but frowned as she saw strength, authority and possibly kindness. She frowned further remembering what she was trying to do and thrust her blunt sword into his throat further.
"Yield?" She struggled to get her pronunciation but looked into his eyes non the less. He nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers as she stood and stepped closer to Samwell. Offering him a kind smile as he fearfully met his gaze with hers before watching as the man rose from the ground, everyone only noticing that Lord commander was stood watching outside of his chambers.
"Thorne." His voice was stern yet raspy from the cold. "I'd like to have a word." Pointing at her as Thorne began making his way up the creaking steps. "You can come to too." She began to shift uneasily before following, becoming aware of the others gaze. "Come in." He beckoned with his hand as she wearily stepped inside. "What is your name?"
"Irenya." Easining slightly but caution was still present.
"Why did you fight those men?" He frowned gently as he eased within his seat, Thorne standing beside him.
"To prove myself, I wanted to join the men who live on ice."
"You mean you wish to join the nights watch. Has Ser Alliser Thorne made it clear that woman are not permitted to join the nights watch?" He sat back within his seat, his gaze scrutinising her.
"I was not told." Irenya lowering her gaze toward the deep brown, wooden floor.
"The Nights Watch have guarded the wall and the realms of men for 8,000 years. A sworn brotherhood of men bound by a sacred vow. Not once within the 8,000 years of tradition has a woman became part of The Nights Watch." his fingers clasping from reciting the knowledge.
"I have known, tra-diti-on can be broken, ser-" Her foreign tone causing her to struggle and Commander's head to tilt at her dialect.
"I am no knight, child. I am lord commander. That is my title." He spoke with slight amusement. Irenya noticed how Thorne grinned also.
"I have known how tradition can be broken. I have spent my life perfecting my skill and have sacrificed much. I would not have came here if it was not for a purpose." Her gaze locked to the floor, fearing she had perhaps over spoken.
"I understand and I do admit your skill is impressive. If you are to join The Nights Watch, you must remember the danger for you will be far greater. Chose who you will keep close wisely and keep yourself cloaked at all times." He gestured toward her cloak which she indistinctively wrapped closer. "Inform me of anything that should happen."
"I shall." She nodded slowly.
"Alright." Lord commander rose slowly as Thorne nodded towards him before gesturing for Irenya to follow, again as they entered the courtyard, became aware of the gaze of the others particularly the man. Noting how they schist talking once she re-joined them. Giving a glance to Samwell, Thorne's demeanour became one of being unimpressed greatly.
"We're done for today. Go clean the armoury. That's all you're good for." Lingering his glare to Samwell before he sloshed away though the mud.
"Well fought." Pyp spoke mockingly to Grenn as he gestured toward Irenya.
"Piss off." Grenn watching as Pyp quickly grasped his wrist, still aching from Irenya disarming him. She had noticed how that as Rast stalked by he gave a lasting glare at the man, then watched as it snapped toward her and shifting over her before walking away. Her daze of caution being snapped by Samwell's soft voice.
"Did he hurt you?" She noticed how he waddled toward the man she stood by and listened closely.
"I've had worse." Looking to the ground quickly as his gaze locked briefly to hers.
"You can call me Sam...if you want." He looked around to all of them with childlike endearment. The man began to frown at his sudden kindness to those he does not know anything about. Irenya could see it was strange and rare to him, it was also rare to her, in fact the first. "My mother calls me Sam."
"It's not going to get any easier, you know?" 'Snow' raising his voice slightly. "You're going to have to defend yourself."
"Could you not protect yourself?" Irenya's foreign sound quickly capturing the attention of the men before it breaking back toward Sam.
"Why didn't you get up and fight?" Grenn spat out from tiredness as they all awaited Sam's answer.
"I wanted to. I just couldn't." He whimpered
"Why not?"
"I'm a coward." Sam looked to the ground in shame as the others looked to one another in disbelief. "My father always says so."
"The Wall's no place for cowards, or women for that matter." Snow's gaze shifting from Sam to Irenya, her eyes widening in anger.
"And I have proved myself." Her foreign tone becoming thicker with anger. Remembering her place and Lord Commander's words, she quickly backed away.
"She did." Grenn nodded while Pyp still grasped at his wrist.
"You're right, I'm sorry." Sam spoke up. "I just...wanted to thank you. Both of you." He turned to Irenya. "For not hitting me." She watched with great confusion at his sweet smile before picking up his sword an waddling away. Irenya simply shrugged to the man she now knows as 'snow' before following Sam.
"A bloody coward and a woman." Glancing back, Grenn spoke once they were gone. "People saw us talking to him. Now they'll think we're cowards too." He spoke aggressively.
"You're too stupid to be a coward." Pyp grinned widely.
"You're too stupid to be a..." Grenn spat out with difficulty, Trying to find the words from his slow mind.
"Quick now, before summer's over." Pyp laughed as Grenn chased him with fury, wielding his practise sword. Un able to keep up with his swift movements.
"Come here!" Chasing him until they were out of sight, leaving Snow stunned within the courtyard.