The title is taken from Birdy's "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight".

What you are about to read is an AU in which Lyanna awesomely becomes one of the most powerful women of her time. This may contain some law-related references. They will be signaled at the end of the chapter.

Enjoy!


It is her father that sells her after her eldest brother's betrayal of the Great Masters. All is done in order to appease them, and Lyanna should not feel anything but honoured. "They have sons, young men in need of a partner. Bend the will of one, and we will be safe. Can you do this, for your brothers and me? And if not, for yourself."

For herself. Lyanna almost laughs at that – why would she wish to become the mistress of some cruel, young tyrant? "You could just sell me and be done with it." The words leave her mouth without her meaning to release them. A flush takes over her face. But she doesn't not back down, it is too late for that. "I will not condemn myself with my own hands. If it is your will to offer me to pay for your son's disgrace then at least have the decency to do it yourself."

Rickard's face takes an ashen colour. "You would rather that we all died? Do you want to see your brothers torn by beasts in the arena? And when they crucify you, shall you take comfort in those words you've uttered? They will not give you a clean death."

Of course they wouldn't. Lyanna knows that. There are so many reasons for which they won't just nail her to the cross and leave her to rot in the sun. Because she's a woman. Because if they sell her to a pleasure house they'll have both profit and entertainment. Which is worse? To be mistress to one man, or to be forced to entertain many more? There is a chance that she will find a kind man interested in having a lover. Surely not all men wish ill on their women. And in nay case she won't be a slave. Little better – mistress – but not a slave. After a time, when the man tires of her she might convince him to emancipate her.

"Would that Brandon gave back the money." Her brother, the oldest of them, Brandon, had been getting in trouble for as long as Lyanna can remember. Sometimes it is replaceable goods, sometimes father bribes the guards to look the other way, sometimes he settles his eldest's debts. But not this time. This time it falls to her. "You should have taken your hand to him a long time ago, father. Look what he's done now."

"Forgive an old man his weakness, daughter. But Brandon is as much my child as you. Eddard and Benjen too. I must think of all. Which is why I ask that you do this." Leathery skin and trembling fingers, the father catches the daughter's hand, before he falls to his knees. "You may choose the one you go to, they have sworn so."

What little pity still resides in her heart forces Lyanna's head to bow. Brandon deserves to visit the gladiator pit. It is on account of his own foolishness that he's landed them in this situation. But Benjen and Eddard, they have nothing to do with this. Neither does father. "When I am released, will you have me back in this house?"

In their world a woman without a home may be claimed by any man that takes interest. Lyanna thinks it is quite enough that she has to play the lover of an unknown man even for a year. This is her sentence. She won't abandon her family, but she needs to know they will not abandon her either.

"You have my word on it," Rickard agrees. Perhaps there is kindness in his voice, perhaps not, Lyanna cares not. It is only important that after this ordeal she may never be bothered again.

Meereen has been kind to her family for more than a thousand years. Mayhap this is payment for that kindness. Of Westerosi descent, Lyanna remembers that in the stories the Starks were kings and queens. But the Valyrian Empire expanded even to what was once the home of her ancestors. Now the only think that remains are those tales and the paleness of their skin that even the harsh sun of the East could not remove in those thousand of years. Loss has visited too. Broken crowns, but ever filling coffers. Taken titles, but a new life. It all mingles and the good outweighs the bad. It shall be so now too.

Lyanna has only to wait after her father lets it be known that he has agreed to the Masters' plan. Again, it is not at all uncommon for the daughters of the small aristocracy to find position as lovers of notable, influent men – and sometimes women too – as the practice is not prohibited, nor frowned upon. She is intended to take the first man who inquires.

As luck – or its malignant counterpart – would have it, Grazdan zo Galare finds his way into her father's house. "It is good that you have decided to follow my advice." His voice chills the blood in Lyanna's veins. "Is she your daughter?" He inspects her as if she were a piece of meat. "My nephew is to visit. I thought to provide some entertainment for him."

"My daughter will be honoured." Lyanna refusal to agree earns her a harsh look. "When would you have her come to you?"

"Ah, I'll send my palanquin for her. You know which one it is, I trust." Grazdan's jape does not escape Lyanna's notice. Alas she bites her lip to keep from cursing him. He is a Great Master and her family has enough problems already. "What say you, maiden?"

"I am beyond pleased to be of service." Her demure mien is perfect company to such words.

"As you should," the man approves. "I do believe this folly of your son's may be forgotten very fast indeed, Stark. Have her dressed in the clothes which I will send her. My nephew must be moved by you, maiden, I shall accept no less."

"He will be moved, Great Master," Lyanna speaks, offering assurance even as her mind and heart disagree. She can not know what will follow. "I promise you he shall."


I have written that Lyanna must stay a year with this potential lover. According to the Roman Law a woman could become the wife of a man if she spent a year with him - it was called "usus". After that point she was considered his wife and the man could divorce without causing too much of a ruckus, thus emancipating her.

Bradon's little stint saw him divested of his freedom. Here it is temporary, but to the Roman it was permanent. You will see what happens to him.

That's all I have to say for now.