(A/N: This is a Game of Throne fanfiction that centers around Sandor Clegane so this should go without saying but I'll say it anyway. Foul language and graphic violence lay ahead in these following chapters. Enjoy.)
The heat made the stench of the city almost unbearable. Riding through the winding streets of Kings Landing Isolts discomfort only worsened. She felt many eyes fall on her; though it was certainly possible they were looking at Tyrion as well. Even though he was a well known noble a dwarf was still a unique sight to behold. It wasn't every day you saw a young Lord Imp and two sell-swords, strutting through the capitol on horseback; especially when one of those sell-swords happened to be female. The stone made the labyrinth of streets feel like an oven. She took a sip from her wineskin before wiping the sweat from her brow in the crux of her elbow.
"They don't seem happy to see you." Isolt muttered her steely eyes surveying the sea of stern looks that lay before her. She tensed up slightly, taking a small dry gulp of torrid air in.
"I'm sure you're not helping any," Bronn said. "A dwarf is one offense, but an armed woman. Now that's something most men never see." Isolt glared over at him, trying her best to ignore the tense looks the people of Kings Landing continued to give them. "I told you to wear a bloody dress when we come to new places maybe try and draw fewer eyes, but you're to gods damned proud."
"Ah yes, a dress. There were so many places to purchase such things along the road. I can also imagine it would be so useful if I had to fight. Tell me Bronn where exactly would I stow my weapons on this imaginary dress of yours?"
"You wouldn't." Isolt narrowed her eyes at him. Bronn and her had traveled together for longer than she cared to admit; his rude remarks were nothing new. Every time the pair entered a city or town and received more attention then he would've liked he always blamed it on her queer style of dress. To be fair, Isolt knew that it played a part, but she was sure his appearance did nothing to help matters either.
"Now, now there's no need to bicker. I assure you my sister would be just as displeased with you had you worn a dress. In fact, I'm quite positive she would hate any person I saw fit to bring with me. If Cersei had it her way I would've died at the Green Fork."
"Sounds like a real cunt." Isolt blurted out without thinking. Tyrion glanced over his shoulder at her, flashing her a smirk.
"Of that, there is no doubt, just be sure to keep that sentiment to yourself while you're here or it might earn you, your head on a spike. I rather like your head right where it is." Tyrion placed his gaze on the outer wall of the Red Keep that lay before him and the numerous heads that lay impaled for all to see. Isolt clenched her jaw at the grim sight and smell that lay before her. She had seen severed heads before and much worse, but something about the varying degree of decay paired with the sheer number of them unsettled her. That was not a way she wished to die.
Monitoring her words and actions was not something Isolt was accustomed to. In fact, as a sellsword she would have never gotten as far if Isolt used measured words like most ladies and nobles did. No, it was her blunt abrasiveness that had driven her success. Isolt was a born fighter she lived to fight. She pursed her lips while dismounting her speckled mare for Podrick to take to the stables. The guards at the gate stepped aside upon seeing Tyrions approach. It seemed they were quite familiar with the half man, which was not surprising given his relation to the Queen.
"Where exactly are we?' Isolt asked while entering the gate, the sickening scent of rotting flesh hit her nose as the passed the row of heads. She crinkled her face trying to suppress a gag.
"Wherever it is, it best be where you'll be paying us," Bronn said sternly seemingly unbothered by the sight that lined the outer wall. Tyrion waved a dismissive hand in their direction.
"Not that expect either of you to know this, but today is my shit of a nephews name day." Isolt quirked a brow before quickly glancing to make sure he hadn't been overheard. Though Tyrion had expressed distaste for the King before she hadn't expected him to be so bold as to utter it openly within the halls of his castle. Especially not after that small display of cruelty and power they saw at the gate. "Ahh you hear that? We aren't far off now." She heard the sound of clanging and chainmail crunching, as well as cheers from a crowd, followed up by an exclamation.
"Well struck dog!"
"Sounds like we are missing the festivities. Come I'm eager to see the look on my nephews face when I present him with his gift. Joffrey will be elated by the news that I survived as will my dear sister Cersei, of that I have no doubt." He remarked sarcastically. Isolt knew little of his family affairs but had seen how his father Tywin held him in such low esteem. It appeared much of his family held the same low opinion of the dwarf.
They followed Tyrion towards the canopied table where the King and his noble guest sat. Isolts eyes were immediately drawn to a beautiful young girl who greatly resembled Catlyn Stark, sitting beside the King. She had no doubt it was her daughter, Tully was written all over that poor girl.
As Isolt made her way closer towards the covered seats which housed the nobles she peered over the ledge into the courtyard that lie beneath them. A frown tugged at her lips at the sight of a man who was sprawled out, partially crushed and bleeding on the stone below. As his life's blood spilled from his body this much was clear; it seemed he was not victorious. Though she had no indication of who the pitiable bastard actually was she felt bad for him, it seemed a poor way to die.
"We looked for you on the battlefield." Tyrion started as he strolled up beside the King. Isolt went to continue alongside the man who had hired with a small grin. She was uncomfortable but determined to not let it show. Her fear worsened when a massive man grasped her shoulder tightly in his armored hand, holding her in place. Isolt glowered up at him as Bronn stepped close behind her. She felt her cousins eyes on her but refused to break the unnamed mans gaze. Tyrion continued to greet his other niece and nephew while the pair frowned at each other in silence.
Bronn cleared his throat in a futile attempt to draw Isolts scowl away from the much larger stranger. Isolt was by no means a small woman, but her stature paled in comparison to his. Of course, she knew she should keep her head down anyone with half a brain would know that. Isolt ripped her shoulder from the strangers' grasp not breaking focus with him for a second. His lips twisted into a sour smirk while placing his hand near the hilt of his blade.
Isolts grey hues remained confidently locked on him despite his threatening posture. A much-needed breeze cut through the heat of the courtyard blowing some thin dark hair that had been obstructing half of his face. Isolts brows arched as she saw the right half was badly scared. She frowned slightly at the sudden realization of who this man was. His size, the scar, that nasty expression on his face; this man was the Hound. He was commonly regarded as one of the most fearsome warriors in all of the Seven Kingdoms and she had clearly annoyed him to some degree.
The left side of his face was broad and pale with a hollow cheek; his nose was large and hooked. The right side of his face was disfigured with scars he had undoubtedly acquired from burns. Though his injuries and demeanor aged him Isolt sensed her wasn't much older than herself. As much as it shamed her to admit the sight of him unsettled her. It wasn't as much his size or deformity but the way his darkened gray hues glowered at her. They cut through her worse then any blade could.
"This one doesn't like me," Tyrion said, referring to Joffrey. Isolt forced a smile across her face, using his comment as an excuse to turn her focus towards him. She was desperate to take her mind off of the fact one of the most feared men in all of Westeros was standing mere feet from her with a less than hospitable look written across his face. She forced herself not to look, but Isolt felt his eyes continuing to burn a hole through her.
"Can't imagine why," Bronn remarked sarcastically. Though she was still unsettled by the Hounds close proximity to her, Isolt managed a small laugh. This earned her a small snarl from the massive man. Despite her better judgment, Isolt smirked up at him in response. He unsettled her, yes, but he didn't need to know that. His eyes narrowed, it seemed her response was unexpected and unwelcome. The two continued to glare at each other silently while Tyrion spoke to the others at the table.
"You're quite smug." He snapped at her breaking their silence, Isolt placed a hand on the hilt of a dagger, trying her best to appear calm. She certainly didn't want to fight him, but she also refused to allow him to disrespect her, "Or maybe you're just very fucking stupid." He spat, wrapping his fingers around the hilt of the long sword that hung from his hip.
"Size and brute force may help you in battle dog, but speed and accuracy tend to be my preferred style," Isolt stated calmly, sure to maintain that smug look that seemed to infuriate him. Logic told her to shut up, but pride pushed her further "I'd be glad to give you a demonstration sometime if you'd like to learn how a skilled fighter works."
"Ohh seven hells woman…" She heard Bronn mutter under his breath. "Will you shut the fuck up before the man cleaves you in half?" Isolt ignored him keeping her focus solely on the Hound.
"Listen to the man, girl." He growled, keeping his hand clasped around the hilt of his blade.
Isolt placed both hands on her daggers grinning slightly, though a duel against one of the most feared men in Westeros wasn't ideal it seemed she had little choice in the matter. Half wild, ill-tempered and loyal only to his masters and his own whims, this was not a man who could be reasoned with.
"Isolt is not just amusing Clegane," Tyrion interjected while stepping between the two in an obvious attempt to diffuse the situation. "She's also greatly skilled in combat. I saw her shoot a man in the center of the head from at least 100 yards away." Isolt knew he was greatly embellishing that distance, but the Hound didn't need to know that. "She also managed to slit the throats of at least 50 Stark soldiers during the battle of Green Fork." Another gross exaggeration, Isolt puffed up her chest slightly proud of her asserted actions. "I know it's not common to see, but this woman is a better fighter than most men I know. If not for her and Bronn I have no doubt that I would be dead right now. I owe them both my life." The Hound seemed unimpressed by Tyrions ambitious claims about her. She wondered if he figured it was too grand to be true, he wouldn't be completely wrong in that assessment.
"Well then, it seems she is truly an asset to us all. Come closer I would like to look upon you." A womans' smooth voice called from the canopy. Isolt glanced down at Tyrion unsure of what to make of her request. He merely shifted his glance between Isolt and the strikingly beautiful blonde woman dressed in a fine dress that was a lavish Lannister red. Though there wasn't much of a family resemblance, the woman who beckoned her was undoubtedly Cersei Lannister. Isolt stood before King Joffrey his mother, offering them a small and clumsy bow of the head. Cersei laughed, causing the color to rush to her cheeks "Well I suppose you're one of the common folk. I expected as much. Come closer I'd like to have a look at your face" She smirked down at her caustically. Isolt held her tongue, this was not the time to lash out nor a person she had any standing to lash out against. "I shall be sure you learn a proper curtsy during your time at the capitol, it's not hard I've been doing it since I was a child. Such a shame… I'm sure you would have been quite acceptable to look at had you not gotten your face butchered." The more Cersei spoke the more Isolt imagined punching her right in one of those brilliant emerald eyes of hers. She narrowed her eyes towards the Queen, she was answered with a smug grin. " We will have to make sure we treat…her and your other guest… with the upmost respect and honor." Though the words were decent enough, Isolt knew they were tinged with venom. It was unsure what the Queens intentions were, but Isolt was sure she wasn't welcoming her as an honored guest.
"I've never seen such a ridiculous thing in my life. A woman fighter? My Hound would have your head in a second flat." Isolt felt her rage flare, but continued to smile pleasantly. She wasn't the smartest person around, but she was also no fool. This asshole was the King, the only thing speaking out against him would get her was her head on a spike. "You have no place on the battlefield."
"And yet there she stood along side me and thousands of your men fighting at the battle of Green Fork when you as I recall were no where to be found." Tyrion replied snidely. Joffreys face went red as he began to stutter insults at his uncle. Isolt took this opportunity to leave the platform and return to Bronn, subconsciously running her fingers a long the faint scar that ran across the bridge of her nose into part of her left cheek.
Before things escalated any further Tyrion, Bronn and Isolt took their leave. Isolt dared one more glower at the Hound as they left. It seemed he was doing the same; there was a tense moment of their eyes locking once more before she stepped from view. They walked in silence towards the Tower of the Hand, where Tyrion would be staying. Once they entered his chambers Tyrion sent the servants away for some wine.
"Good thinking, I'm rather thirsty myself, this place is hotter then the Seventh Hell." Isolt said with a grin as she sat herself on a cushioned seat covered in embroidered pillows. Both Bronn and Tyrion glared over at her sternly, "What's with that look?"
"I know you're new around here and I apologize if I assumed any prior knowledge on your part." Tyrion began, pressing the temples of his head with his fingers. "The hulking brute of a man with the half burned face and permanent scowl, the one you kept scowling at like a petulant child, that man is Sandor Clegane, I expect you'd know him better as the Hound. I know you and Bronn have been on the road for a while, but I assume you've heard that name before."
"Of course we have. We don't live under a bloody rock." She snapped.
"Well, I also assumed as much. So now that we've established you're familiar with the name have you also heard that he is a man with little kindness or patience."
"Yes, that's what they say ain't it? That and the fact he's an unstoppable brute on the battlefield." The more Isolt thought on the rumors of the Hound the more she wondered if she should've just kept her nose down. "Not surprising given the size of him."
"Right," Tyrion said with a sigh, clasping his face in his hands for a moment. "So you were able to see the size of him. I wonder did you notice his weapon or perhaps that look across his face that makes it seem as though he will scoop you up and gobble you down for supper in a moment."
"Sure the fucker was big but_"
"Isy shut your bloody gob for once." Bronn groaned, "This is the thing I hate the most about you, you find the biggest meanest looking fucker in the room and try and pick a fight with them."
"I'm not saying that I do or don't, but in all the people I've challenged have I lost?" Bronn gave her a stern look "Alright I suppose there was there have been a few_"
"That's not the bloody point, that man is different breed then anything you've dealt with before. Couldn't you see there's nothing but hatred in those dark eyes of his? I'm surprised he didn't take a chunk out of your neck. The mans true to his nickname, nothing more then a vicious dog."
"You're the one who told me size isn't any indication of skill. Dogs have never frightened me before, why should they now? If I'm to stay here I need to let these men know I'm more then a commodity. I'm someone with as much skill and worth as the next man."
"You have more worth and skill then the average man there is no arguing that, but maybe try to prove it in an other way besides picking an unnecessary fight with the Hound." Tyrion pleaded.
Isolt pursed her lips, she wasn't willing to give him any sort of promise on the matter. It depended on Cleganes actions, Isolt would not actively seek a fight with him, but she also wouldn't allow him to speak down to her in any regard. How could she be blamed for defending her pride?
"Now that we've aired that issue, lets get down to your payments."
Usually, Isolt was all for getting paid, but her thoughts kept going back to the snarled brute of a man. The more she thought of him the deeper the pit in her stomach grew. A small pout spread across her face.
"A toast to new endeavors." Tyrion said abruptly pulling Isolt from her thoughts. She flashed a smile before the three clanged their cups, hoping they had not noticed her mind was elsewhere. "Is something wrong, I thought getting that much gold on a regular basis would be more exciting to you, Bronn over there seems beside himself with joy".
"You bet your rich fucking ass I am." Bronn said with a grin.
"I'm getting more?"
"For fuck sake did you not just hear the man? He's hired us, we both said yes. Well you more sort of just nodded, I just thought you were in shock."
"O-Of course I am!" She stuttered hoping it would cover the fact that she hadn't listened to them at all.
"You're a horrible liar… Don't tell me you're still thinking about that ugly fucker. The way you're obsessing about the man I'm starting to think you want to fuck him not fight him." Bronn replied, Isolt opened her mouth to object, but Tyrion cut her off first.
"As interesting topic as this is I'm afraid I have work to do. You will be called upon when I have need of you. Until then, Lyra." Tyrion called, a small mousy girl entered the room it was clear she was a servant. "Show Bronn and Isolt to their rooms. See that they're given anything they desire."
( A/N: See, I didn't make you wait long at all until he made an appearance. Hope you're all enjoying so far, I will probably post the next chapter within the next few days after I properly revise it.)