It was still another two hours before they were released from the war room, and Arya immediately ducked away from being hailed. She made her way swiftly back to her room, and then further on to one of the lesser known hot springs well beyond the walls of the keep and hidden amongst a thick cropping of trees.

It was easier to convince Jaqen to accompany her than she'd been expecting. That was, she hardly had to mention it before he agreed to go along with her. Despite his face remaining as blank as it ever was, she though he might be as eager as she to feel real warmth. It took a bit of time to reach their destination, and both their cheeks were tinted red by the time they arrived.

They began stripping unashamedly upon arrival, and were soon lowering themselves into the steamy pool of water that was surrounded by trees coated in fresh snowfall. There was snow on the ground too, but it had melted closest to the pool, and lay in a much thinner layer beneath the cover of the branches than beyond it.

The first several minutes were spent seeing to their own cleanliness. Where as they'd normally remove themselves from the water as soon as they finished, they found themselves lingering beyond necessity. As Arya thawed, the wound on her arm began flowing once more. When Jaqen noticed it (which was almost immediately), he turned away from her and reached for his clothes that were left folded neatly on a mostly dry patch beside the pool.

"Come." He stated as he reached into one of his many hidden pockets and drew out a thin sewing needle and silken thread. Items in hand, he turned back to face the slight form that had slipped through the water almost without disturbing the water.

She turned herself and stood easily as he pierced her flesh and tugged the slightly gaping wound back together. She ignored the sting of it, instead tipping her head up to watch the snowfall beyond their small cover. It was a beautiful sight, she'd freely admit, and she was remembering more and more reasons she'd so loved this place in her youth.

His hands were so light upon her skin that she hardly felt them past the prickle of the needlepoint, but they were skilled even in this, and he was soon finished. A single calloused finger dragged slowly down the flesh of her arm, bringing goosepimples to the surface and causing her head to turn and meet him once again.

No words were said, no words needed said. She stepped fully into his space, only a hairsbreadth from him, and his other hand moved to rest upon her hip beneath the steamy water. She reached up herself to brush back a strand of wet hair that had fallen forward. His eyes watched the movement of her hand, focused on her in a way that never failed to send a thrill humming through her.

He moved suddenly, faster than most people would be able to track, scooping her up like she were weightless and then carrying her over to the shallower side to set her bottom on the edge of the pool. The water settled around his own toned stomach, drawing them to almost equal height. Her skin pebbled at suddenly being exposed to the winter air, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him in response, drawing him firmly between her spread thighs so that she shared his lingering warmth.

His left hand came between the press of their chests to tweak at cold-tightened bud of her nipple, causing a mixture of pained pleasure to spark to life. She shifted despite herself, and a smirk formed upon his handsome face. His lips pressed against the corner of her of her mouth and then drug further down, nipping beneath her jaw and down her throat as he continued to toy with her.

His other hand settled on the juncture between her hip and thigh, thumb rubbing the slightest bit where it rested even closer to her hidden entrance. Her own hands ran up his strong arms to tangle in his hair, tugging lightly as she knew he enjoyed, and she felt his answering shiver move through him.

He changed suddenly, right hand moving up to attack her so far neglected nipple, while his left drug downward to tease at the core of her. Her legs spread further open without thought, allowing him easier access to all of her. She was rewarded for such trust immediately, as his thumb swirled in a practiced motion around the most pleasurable point of her.

He toyed with her until she peaked from the dual stimulation alone, not ever dipping to into her or granting her relief from the want that was throbbing inside of her for something more. She may have tried to take it for herself, but his manhood was still hidden beneath the surface and so out of her reach.

When her orgasm ebbed away, he lifted her once again and bodily rearranged her a few feet over, where the pool was shallower still, and formed more of a slope than an edge. She found herself settled on her hands and knees, while he molded his larger frame to press against the back of her. He was the only person in the entirety of the world that she'd trust to place her in such vulnerable position, and she did so without hesitation.

Large hands firmly gripped her slender waist, and a hard cock teased at her core, rubbing up and down slowly with slight movements of his hips. He speared her suddenly and without warning, causing her to jolt forward with the force, and allowing an involuntary moan to break free.

He uncurled, pulling back slightly to better control his thrusts, and Arya allowed her self to fall down onto her elbows, despite the thin layer of snow she now reached. Her back bowed, and her nipples dragged suddenly across the jagged crystals of ice. She tensed initially, and felt Jaqen's hands squeeze her tighter in response. He thrust again, more deliberately, and they dragged across the snow once more.

She couldn't quite decide if she liked it or not, as the sensitive nubs tightened further against the onslaught. Despite the twisted mess of painful pleasure, her blood rose higher still, and she clenched down once more, this time on purpose, as she felt her pleasure begin to build once more.

His right hand released its tight hold on her, and ran upwards to stroke across her smooth back. He pressed her down further, causing the snow to scratch across her breasts in addition to the nipple. She couldn't hold back the quiet moan completely, but she did muffle it as best she could. He shifted his angle again, the adjusted slant of her back allowing him to thrust deeper still.

His left hand moved around to press between her legs and start stroking along with the motion of his hips. The faster he moved, the faster her pleasure built until she couldn't hold it back anymore and fell over the edge, muscles clenching and releasing as his hand continued to tease her, drawing it out further and further, until she reached down and pulled him away. He thrust a few more times and then finished himself, hips stuttering slightly as he worked through it.

Once they'd detached, they slipped back into the warmth of the water, which felt even hotter after having been bare to the air above for so long. It was only a couple of minutes after that they heard the distant howls on the air. The first one that had gone up had sent a tingle down her spine, and she knew immediately who it came from.

She stood straighter in the water, tilting her head to the side as the howls continued to sound from what sounded like a wolf pack a hundred strong, at least. Jaqen was watching her, his own head tilted similarly as he waited to see how she reacted. The song trailed off slowly, and the silence resounded around them.

The started up again just a minute or so later, sounding much closer than they had before. They must have been moving quickly, to cover so much ground. Arya began moving up the sloped side she'd been lain against just before, and moved around the pool to grab the cloth they'd brought to dry off with when they'd finished. She motioned Jaqen to remain where he was, thinking the wolves might be less likely to attack if it meant entering the water on such a frigid day.

She hadn't yet dressed when she heard the sounds of paws surrounding them, still hidden by the trees. She rose fully back to her feet, taking up the Valyrian steel dagger out of habit, even if she didn't think she'd truly need it.

The creature that emerged first she seen but once since her childhood, and wasn't a wolf at all, but a Direwolf whose head nearly reached her shoulders now that they stood on even ground. She was still just as wild looking as she'd been when Arya had first arrived back in Winterfell, but didn't look quite as angry with the girl.

More normal sized wolves followed her lead, emerging from the trees all around them, though never getting closer than their leader was. "Nymeria," She breathed lightly, stepping closer. Nymeria hesitated when the girl moved towards her, but only for a moment. Her great head dipped lower, and she sniffed the air before huffing at her, pawing at the ground. "Nymeria." She said again, just a bit more firmly, crouching down to put herself level with the rich brown eyes.

Suddenly the next largest wolf, her mate, approached, followed by four larger than normal pups, still covered in the soft fuzz Nymeria had been when they'd found her and the others. "You have a family now." She whispered, reaching a hand out towards her old friend. That great head bowed slightly once more, allowing Arya to stroke her nose softly, and then the side of her head and neck.

Her mate stayed back, but the four pups wandered closer, nuzzling their mother as they passed by and then walking fearlessly up to Arya, tails waggling in curiosity. The largest of them crouched down and growled at her, the action more cute than intimidating thanks to his small size. "They're gorgeous." She complemented, drawing a low rumble from the broad chest in front of her. She reached her hand out to the pups, so sniffed her eagerly and allowed her to stroke across their backs- even the largest, who'd quit his own growling as he saw his siblings remain unharmed.

Jaqen approached slowly from behind her, curiosity alight in his own eyes. Nymeria locked eyes on the stranger, huffing at the air once more and sniffing him. She didn't bow her head as she had for Arya, but she did allow the larger hand to reach out and stoke behind her ear.

The large beast pulled her head back a moment later, lifting her head to look up at the sky above. She let out a deep, resounding, howl, which was picked up immediately by the rink of wolves still surrounding the two. When they tapered off, and Nymeria had lowered her head once more, Arya smiled. "Thank you for bringing them to meet me." She said softly. Nymeria stepped forward and butted her head gently against the girls still bare abdomen, and then turned to go.

Her packed moved with here, keeping pace as they lopped away and disappeared back into the depths of the forest beyond. Only when they last wolf trailed out of sight did Arya realize how cold she felt once more. Still, she was dry, and so she didn't want to get back in the water. Instead, she turned to dress in the new set of clothes she'd also brought, Jaqen following her lead.

"Come." The man stated once they were dressed. "It is time for a man to seek council with the queen."

"The queen?" Arya questioned, tone showing her small surprise. So he had wanted to be seen, after all. Why hide then? Why not just remain with her and speak with the queen then? "What business have you with the queen?"

Jaqen glanced over at her, one brow raised slightly higher than the other. "A lovely girl need not worry," He stated, a hint of teasing hidden in his voice. "I come with good tidings. Tidings from the Iron Bank."

Her own brow raised in question, but she did not press further, knowing she'd get her answers soon enough.

When Arya walked confidently into the meeting chambers where the Small Council had once again convened in after lunch was concluded, it wasn't really a surprise. What did come as a surprise was the man who strode in beside her.

Jon stood immediately, hands pressed against the table top. "Arya. Who's your guest?" He questioned, voice firm. It was only that she was his beloved sister that he didn't show more anger at bringing an unknown stranger amongst their strategy session unannounced.

"My guest speaks for himself." She replied blithely, stepping to the side and leaning casually against the wall.

To her mild surprise, Jaqen strode across the room and came to a stop directly facing the queen, dropping smoothly to one knee and bowing his head. He pressed a closed fist to his heart and bowed his head. "Valar Morghulis."

A silver brow raised at the greeting that had been familiar back in Essos, but not one she'd heard since arriving in Westeros. "Valar Dohaeris." She replied automatically. "And who might you be?" She drawled next, shifting to stand so that she could face him fully.

He rose back to his feet just as gracefully, crossing his arms behind his back and standing proudly at his full height. "A man comes bearing tidings for the Break of Chains from the Great City of Braavos." He intoned, nodding slightly.

Having grown up in Braavos herself, Dany was familiar with the Faceless Men, followers of the Many Faced God. She didn't know very much about them, they being a very secretive guild who lived in the House of Black and White, situated on its own isolated island in the lagoons surrounding the city proper. It was accessible only by boat, but its members could often be seen wandering the city.

"You still haven't identified yourself." Jon spoke sternly, crossing his arms as he glared across at the newcomer.

Jaqen ignored the demand, keeping his eyes firmly on the queen as he continued, ignoring the King completely. "The City of Braavos appreciates what the Break of Chains has accomplished in Slavers Bay. A man has come to offer support in this upcoming war. Whatever Your Grace requires, you shall receive."

Frowns of suspicion grew around the table, and the two watched as looks were exchanged and silent conversations held. "I did not think the Iron Bank willing to support my claim in this war?" Dany pressed. "I was under the impression they were backing Cerci Lannister." She finished coolly.

"The Queen in the South has paid grave insult to the Iron Bank. They are no longer willing to back her campaign."

"What insult would that be? I'd hate to make the same one, after all."

"The Queen insinuated that the Iron Bank profited from the Slave Trade, and that their profits were hurt during the liberation of Slavers Bay." He explained in the same bland tone, seeming unconcerned with the reactions he was receiving.

"I see." The Mother of Dragons replied.

"Forgive my ignorance, but I don't. Why would such a statement be insulting enough to change their allegiance, and likely the tide of this war?" Jon questioned.

Jaqen finally looked over at him. "Tell me, King in the North, what do you know of the history of Braavos?"

Jon, as the bastard son, hadn't received as extensive education in histories as Rob had, and so he only had vague knowledge of the city itself.. "I know that it's the richest of all the free cities, and that it remained hidden from the world for three centuries before coming into the light." He offered scantly.

The Faceless Man looked over at Arya, expression prompting her without needing to use words. She straightened from her careless pose, granting the story the more respectful stance it deserved. The history was one of the first lessons she learned, and it had made her feel even more attached to the unique city when she'd learned it than she'd been upon arriving and seeing the wide variety of people.

"Eight hundred years ago, a fleet of Valyrian trade ships were overthrown by the slaves being transported upon them. The freed slaves sailed the ships nearly a thousand leagues away, to the Land of a Hundred Isles. They settled upon one of the largest, it's boarders surrounded by sheer mountain peaks, and near constantly shrouded in fog, allowing them safety from the dragon scouts that may fly above."

"The people of Braavos dyed the sails of the stolen ships purple, and then used them to trade the resources that were found richly upon the isle. The wealth of the city began growing before the rest of the world even knew it existed. Even once it was discovered, it's location remained a secret for another two hundred years."

"A group of twenty three men and women accumulated their wealth and hid it away in a subterranean iron mine. They created the Iron Bank and, when the city was revealed to the world, the Iron Bank saved Braavos from new war with Valyria by paying the Grandchildren of the original slave holders for the stolen ships. They did not offer payment for the slaves themselves."

"Braavos was founded on the idea of Liberty for all. It's first law forbids slavery, it's engraved on the very arch that spans the Long Canal. For Cerci to imply the Iron Bank makes money on Slavery insults their very foundation and shows an ignorance for their values."

Finished, she settled back against the wall, crossing her arms and propping a booted foot up against the stone. Jaqen nodded once more. "Just so." He stated simply. "You have shown yourself true to the values Braavos is built upon, and so Braavos will support you in this war."

"That still doesn't explain why a Faceless Man would speak for the Iron Bank."

Jaqen tilted his head, acknowledging her point. "Though not as well known, the Faceless Men were born during the same time, in the slave mines of Ancient Valyria. The conditions of those mines were so terrible, the slaves themselves began praying for mercy. So many men prayed, in so many languages and for so many gods, that He of Many Faces was created. He came first for the weakest of the slaves, granting them the merciful end they were seeking. Then, he came for the masters."

"Though it was the Moonsingers that led the freed slave ships to the Land of a Hundred Isles, those loyal to He of Many Faces were aboard and came to settled on the sheltered shores with the rest of the refuges. Like the rest of the Braavosi, the Faceless Men believe in freedom for all. It is for this reason that a man offer's his services to you as freely as the Iron Bank offers aid. Speak you will, and a man will see it accomplished." His head bowed a final time, right hand coming once more to clasp above his heart. "Your Grace." He finished respectfully.

Looks were exchanged again, more hopeful in nature. Arya glanced around the table briefly to get a general idea of the mindset, and then settled her eyes back on her mentor, feeling a bit lighter herself. Mayhap they'd survive the coming struggle after all.

~*~ END ~*~