As his powers grew, Bran discovered that he was gaining more control over not only his warging experiences but also through his green dreams. They were lasting longer, had become more vivid and detailed, and were gaining more meaning than they had before. With Jojen's help of course, the confusing, encrypted visions were beginning to appear as artistically veiled future truths. his most recent one, containing the three 'direwolves' was the most promising yet. No doubt was growing insidw of him to oppose the thought that his sister, Arya and two others would be chancing upon them soon.
"Do you really think that we'll be seeing her soon?" Rickon asked,chewing on some walnuts that Hodor had recently shelled for him. He was walking beside the carriage as the little group continued to head to the South.
"My dreams have never been wrong before and Jojen agrees with me. He's more accustomed to predicting what's going to happen then I am." Bran replied.
"I thought the little lady was with your other sister in King's Landing. Sansa." Osha said.
"I did too, but I'm beginning to think that that was a lie created by the Lannister's to fool the rest of the world. Mainly my brother and mother." Bran answered. "We're going to meet them in a forest. If she really was trapped in the Capitol, I think I would have seen her inside the palace then."
"You must be careful. Westeros believes you and Rickon dead but they know Arya is probably alive. As you say, only two companions are with her. If she's being followed then our disappearance would be ruined." Meera advised them and Bran nodded slowly, despite wearing a frown.
"You don't believe her." Jojen noticed.
"I know my sister well. Even before I learned that Arya was taking 'dancing' lessons back when Father was alive in King's Landing, I always knew that Arya was no cripple. She's feisty, quick and talented with a bow and a sword. If she could escape Cersei's grasp, then I know she would not blindly let anyone with ill-intent follow her." Bran revealed.
Meera smiled as Rickon nodded enthusiastically and Osha looked forward to the road in front of them as though trying to imagine her first conversation and view of the wolf girl. Bran felt his spirits joy at the thought of rejoining with another member of his broken family.
"How far away are we to home now?" Rickon asked a moments later.
"Hodor." The big human giant returned.
"Hush Hodor." Bran said with good nature, unraveling the large paper map of Westeros in his lap. As the one with no power of his legs and the constant exercise of walking, he had been placed in charge with being their navigator. Unbeknownst to the rest of his friends, this job had ignited a small wonder and imagination in him that he had once thought lost. Grand tales of pirates and the High Seas had given him the thought that he was slightly living out an old dream and embarking upon an adventure where he was vitally important in other reasons than just being the lost Lord of Winterfell. It was also a good method in distracting him from the horrors of the past. "We have awhile to go yet, many leagues but I think we may reach Robb and my mother within a week. Hoping that we don't encounter too many time-consuming obstacles on our journey."
Sansa was never truly alone or in privacy while she was imprisoned in the Red Keep but whenever she could take the moment to take a slow, leisurely walk through one of the many beautiful gardens, she liked to pretend that she had that privilege. Sometimes, she would enjoy the scent of the flowers in bloom and the free nature all around. Sometimes, she would spend a little time speaking with the blissfully ignorant Ladies of the realm who had no idea that the game of thrones actually existed and sometimes, she would find some quiet little spot and dwell upon the traumatic events of her own short history. These days, Sansa found that she didn't have many tears anymore but once a time, in a moment of sadness, a few could be shed.
Shea's company was with her that day, despite her subtle objections and statements that she wanted to be alone. She had even expressed her desire to take a trip to the Godswood to 'pray' for Joffrey's success and Robb's defeat. Only amongst the Old Gods of the Starks could she ever truly wish for what she wanted.
Even the Seven, the New Gods of the South sometimes seemed too foreign and wrong to her when her enemies worshiped them as well. There were many things that could be said to differ Shae from other servants and one of them was trying persistence.
"Everyone is watching you." Shae told her with interest, her accent fooling Sansa to believe for a moment that the eyes were actually upon the servant. She knew better though.
"I am the daughter of a traitor and the sister of a traitor. I carry the name of a house in open rebellion against the one true king of Westeros, my beloved Joffrey." Sansa replied, her voice lowering slightly into an almost mechanical, automatic response that had become so much a part of her life.
"You lie but their stares are rude." Shae replied, in that blunt, funny way of hers. "You come here every day and suffer this?"
"Eventually, they grow disinterested and turn to something else. They would do no physical harm to me, you need not worry. The gracious King Joffrey would not let anything or anyone harm his betrothed." Sansa continued and she received a look that told her Shae knew of the beatings she had received under Joffrey's command.
"I believe I shall have to accompany you from now on. We shall see how much they stare when you have someone by your side." Shae said.
"A servant." Sansa replied, a little forcefully.
"A person all the same." Shae raised an eyebrow as though to challenge any response and Sansa was once again reminded of the difference between the foreign beauty and Westerosi servants. She was glad, for only a moment, when she changed the subject. "You said that you are going to visit the Godswood. What will you pray for?"
"The health of King Joffery, Queen Regent Cersei and King's Landing and the success of Joffrey's armies. I pray for the death of my brother and mother, the capture of my sister and the long reign of the true King. I pray for the safety and health of the men fighting and wish that once the war is over, they can return to their mothers." Sansa said.
"No one but a sadist could pray for the deaths and torture's of their own family members." Shae said, stopping and grabbing Sansa's arm to cause her to stop as well. "You tell your lies but once I heard you in your sleep. A caged bird free."
Sansa's eyes widened in surprise and a little fear before it turned to embarrassed, fearful anger and she glared. "You have no right to sneak on a noble during the night. I could have you fired for this. Do not question me again." She ripped her arm away from the girl's grasp and half ran out of the garden. Dreams of escape could prove her undoing and she only stopped when she had blindly reached the entrance to the Godswood. Tears came more easier than other days.