The Dividing Line
Chapter 4
She made sure to put on her wolf helm after she was several feet away from the Stark camp. It sometimes made noise during certain movements. She had waited for her maid to fall asleep at the foot of her bed and changed from the tunic she was sleeping in, into the clothing and armor she had been wearing earlier in the day. Never too cautious…the Starks had learned. She was in a camp with so many different people under different banners, and she realized still that until she reached her safe destination with Gendry and their friends, it would be stupid to not be careful or prepared. One never knew either about travelers during the night not with them as well. Needle was securely strapped to her side.
As she approached her horse, she used the toe of her boot to gently wake a stable boy near her horse just as swiftly, squatting down and putting her hand over his mouth before he could speak with speed and ease. She whispered to him." I am taking my horse and I need you to help me get him ready, as quick and quiet as you please. I will be back in an hour or two. Tell no one. " The boy nodded and knew. She always came back and he had worked for the Starks for awhile now. He was no longer surprised by anything Lady Arya did. He never said anything. More than his job was worth.
Arya waited until the boy was done and then silently slipped one leg up and over her saddle. She took hold of the reins firmly. She looked ahead in the direction of the house and lowered the visor on her direwolf helm.
She trudged along only picking up a little speed to when she was further away from the Stark camp. It was dark and she had lit a small torch to light her way. She still squinted in the pitch dark further away to make sure she was approaching her destination. Several minutes later she saw the house that was much larger first and then the barn.
The horse kicked up gravel as it left the road to enter the path leading to the house. As the house came up, she decided that she would tie her horse there instead of by the barn. She didn't know if anyone besides their friends would be there, and if she had to make a quick exit or if anyone looked toward the barn, Arya Stark's horse would be clearly visible outside the barn where people were surely congregating. She looked at the barn and noted two large torches outside and some candles burning within.
She got down off her horse. She lifted her visor and extinguished her small torch by stepping on it and smothering it. She did not remove her helm. After she double checked to make sure that her horse's reins were tied securely, she started to make her way toward the house.
Syrio has tought her many things as did the Faceless Men. Every detail, every nuance, could mean all the difference. She noted the pattern-like music; her right foot and then the sound the crushing of the grass made, then the left, rhythmic ,soothing, a pattern …until it broke.
She slowed her steps, she heard the breathing. The time between footfalls differed. She knew better than to turn around.
She stopped and abruptly raised her elbow and slammed it behind her with all her might. In a second, Needle was out of its scabbard as she swiveled.
She heard the coughing fit first and then saw Gendry. Bent over, clutching his stomach, and taking deep breaths.
"You took the bloody wind out of me. I thought this was over." She noticed his eyes were wet.
"Why wouldn't you call my name first?" she countered, biting her lip and feeling instantly sorry about it.
"I didn't want to be loud or scare you." One hand clutched his side, but he rose to his full height.
"But this was going to be better or work?" she rambled out.
He pulled in his stomach with another deep breath and grinned at her. He ran a hand through his hair and took one last breath exhaling.
"As if you even need someone to help you…"
"I'm fine and you shouldn't be out here without someone at least. The Lannisters would love to have you." She had raised her visor, but it slammed shut as her arms waved to make her point.
"And you too. "He smiled. "Here." He pulled off the wolf helm and her hair tumbled around her shoulders. She cursed the twine silently that had held it back. "Well, I am with you now and you are certainly prepared, so you can protect me."
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe not, you did leave the pack." She bit her lip again but she was teasing him.
"I am still in the pack. Bran's wolf likes me. I think. Almost took a chunk out of Hot Pie, but he did see him making his way to the tents from the makeshift ovens with food. Near pissed his pants, I'd say. Dropped some rolls. But your brother held him off when we were leaving." And he chuckled remembering the sight of Hot Pie.
She laughed. "Wouldn't be the first time…"
He threw back his head and laughed. "Forget the Hot Pie nickname…"
"Well, let us see if we can think of something catchy to do with piss. She dead-panned.
He laughed aloud again even louder. "Oh, that's enough. We will wake somebody."
"I can take my helm." She held out her hand obligingly. " I can carry it myself, you know."
"No, not yet, Arya. I want to take a better look at it inside. I can't make nearly as much as I'd like to anymore now."