Chapter Four - Women's Things

They continued at a slow pace. The fear was ever present but easier to handle, she knew her companions ability and was developing confidence in her own. It was becoming clearer though her grief that she had no family and likely no friends left alive back home. Just her traveling companions, but they liked good meals.

Arya saw Sally go over the supplies counting on her fingers. "Didn't they teach you numbers?"

Sally snapped, "I know my numbers! Only highborns need paper." Arya started spending a some time teaching her how to keep track of supplies on an old piece of hide.

There was a wagon a quarter mile ahead of them. Overloaded with supplies and what the family thought was important to keep. When they got close, they would go off the road to bypass them. Maybe one of the girls would go over and talk if it looked safe. Same as always.

They lost sight of it for a few minutes at dip in the road, when they saw it again the family had weapons out and was facing down some bandits.

Sally looked at Clegane, he nodded to keep going. When they got near Clegane boomed, "What the fuck do we have here!"

One of the bandits responded, "Just a little fun, they have food, some girls, and maybe some silver. I see you have your own girls, you're welcome to share the food and coin."

"Fuck that shit! You cunts put your weapons up and go!"

"Who are you to fucking tell us what to do?"

As Clegane pulled his sword, Sally pulled the short sword Clegane took from a bandit and tried to look mean.

"The fucking Hound, Sandor Clegane!"

The lead bandit changed tone. "Excuse me, this is all a mistake, we're going our way." To his men he said, "I saw him win the melee at Kings Landing. - He can kill us all and not break a sweat!"

As they retreated, Sally started to relax and secure her weapons, she thought, "A good thing about riding with Clegane, those who know him don't want to fight."

The families grandfather said, "Thank you Ser, I was a sergeant in our levies in the Five Penny War, I've forgotten more than I remembered, they would have made short work of us."

Clegane thundered "I am not a fucking Ser!" then more calmly "You remembered enough, these are my daughters Nan and Sally. Let's get moving, girls ride the flanks."

Sally was wondering what was with Clegane. They were still riding with the refugee family and he agreed to ride with them for a day or two until they got to their Lord's castle. He'd never even come close to doing that before. She was enjoying it; she liked being with people and hearing their banter.

She found out that evening. She played with the children while dinner was being cooked. She relished a dinner she didn't cook and enjoyed talking with farmers about farm things. Clegane with a low and embarrassed voice asked "Goodwife can you talk to my daughters about women's things? They're getting old enough that they need to know." The wife said "Girls let's go talk and not scare these brave men."

Sally found next morning was a rather enjoyable except for Clegane reminding the girls to watch the flanks not the wagon. He was right of course, but that did not make any easier. The wife's instruction last night had eased fears and question both she and Arya had, they both knew Clegane would be useless, he must have realized it himself. He would never admit to kindness.

One night The Hound yelled "Would you girls stop giggling, half the Riverlands can hear you!"

Sally yelled back, "We're girls!" They didn't make any more noise.

At dinner, a week and miles later, squirrel stew for change, Sally asked, "Who is this Sansa you two keep going on about.

Arya chirped up with pride "My sister, she is a real lady!"

Clegane added, "Yea, Little Bird is that, songs and knights and silk dresses."

Sally listened as Arya reminisced of Winterfell and Clegane told of the terror of Kings Landing. When they went to sleep, she cried quietly in jealousy, "This Sansa may not know they are alive, but she has two people who love her like crazy. Everyone who loved me is dead." A little later she mused, "I am a girl. I can make a new family and fill a house with love. Guess I need a husband first."