+Chapter 6: Protector of Orphans
Pod yelled, "The Hound is down!"
Out cold but breathing, several cuts and a twice broken leg with blood flowing freely. Sally was there first, trying to stop the bleeding. "He is going to take me to a safe place" she thought, "I would be dead how many times? He has to live." Arya was helping Lady Brienne put the room in order, they'd ridden together for to long to fool Sally, she was just as dismayed.
Pod started to set up a tourniquet. One of the Brothers of the faith came over "I am a healer I'll take this wound you tend the others?
The Brother called for help to set the bone before Clegane awoke, which woke him up screaming. The bleeding stopped and the brother released the tourniquet "He'll hold for a while try to keep him still and drunk."
Sally found the next few hours hectic and confused. Lady Brienne took charge, when her size, voice, and manner could not command; a tap the hilt of her sword was enough. They got Clegane into a bed in a downstairs room and eventually their things followed.
"Girls stay in the room with the Brother "Brienne commanded," and tend to the Hound. Keep that door shut except for Pod and I." They heard noise for a long while, after it quieted down, the Lady and Podrick came back. "Pod you have the first watch wake Sally in three hours for the next." Pod sat where he could cover the door, Sally checked Clegane and sat next to Pod. They talked softly for a while and then just sat leaning on each other as she drifted into a sleep that had not been that fitful in months.
"Podrick Payne! Your useless!" Lady Brienne barked, as she kicked him, "Meet a pretty girl and you forget how to stand watch! Sally, you traveled with the Hound for how long, you should know better! We will expect better of both of you today." Arya, the brother, and the Hound were laughing. When Sally looked at Lady Brienne, she seemed to have a grin.
"Sally go to the kitchen and get us our breakfasts and order up enough food for three days, here is a purse. Be sure to take your weapons."
Sally went to the kitchen and ordering the food when she was accosted by two serving girls, "You ruined our dresses! We want ten coppers each."
As they were eating there was a loud knock on the door, and they heard the innkeepers' yell, "The Lord's Constable is here and wants to talk to you."
Brienne looked to be sure that every one was ready to fight, "Pod, open the door." The Constable came in with his sword sheathed and every one started to relax.
"I am Ser Jon the Lord's Constable for this town. I already know what happened; you're not in trouble with me. Glad to be rid of that scum. But you owe the innkeeper for damages. Tell me who are and why your here."
"I am Lady Brienne of Tarth, Podrick is my squire. I was in the service of Lady Stark and promised to be sure her children were safe. We think her daughter Sansa might be in the Vale, it is the best guess we have. Met the Hound last night, he gone north to check on some children of his and thinks the Vale is a safe place for them to settle. We are looking to go with Ser Donnel's train."
"Do not say any thing about the Starks around here, or the town will fill up with Lanister men at arms. I want the Hound out of town by nightfall, or I will have to place him under arrest. I want the rest of you out of here by the time Ser Donnel leaves, with his train or not. We have too many people and too few supplies to invite trouble."
The Brother spoke up. "This patient is under the sanctuary of the Seven. You will do nothing to hurt him. I will go find my brothers and start to Quiet Isle today."
"Lady Brienne, if you would come with me. I will introduce you to Ser William to see about joining the train."
Brienne said, "Sally come with me."
They followed Ser Jon to the main room, a knight was arguing with a group of small folk. Their leader said, "You said you won't take individuals we have formed a company, we will follow your rules.
"Ivan," Ser William explained," It is not that simple, if you come with us I want to get you there alive, four or five days is not enough to get you ready. You will just get your people killed."
Ser Jon interjected. "Ivan I want your people out of town soonest, we will barely be able to feed our own over the winter, you have to leave. Ser William, this is Lady Brienne of Tarth, she and her companions would like to go to the Vale. If she takes charge of organizing them, maybe they will be ready to go, or in better shape to go somewhere else."
"Lady Brienne," Ser William said, "I do not need unattached free riders, you must join one of the trader companies or get these people ready. I don't think it can be done, you're free to try, but Ser Donnel will decide."
Brienne grinned, "People have been telling me I can't do things all my life; and I have been doing them anyway. Let me have talk with Ivan and his council, I will tell you what we decide.
Sally and Arya looked at Clegane lying in the Brother's wagon. What ever his mood he had been a big presence, the anchor she depended on since her father was killed. She may be a farmer's daughter but he always treated her with his idea of respect, sometimes like the father he pretended to be. Now he was being hauled away like cargo to a monastery!
"Clegane, ' she said," I will pray to the Seven for you, our septon said that a protector of orphans was doubly blessed, I know the Seven will do right by you."
Trying to growl, "What orphans did I protect?"
"Me; and Nan."
"And my sister" Arya added.
"Well I guess I'll only go to the sixth hell! Sally you cook well, you carried your weight. Wolf-bitch, I wish I'd never met you, no reward could be worth this, not sure I would have made it this far without you... 'Daughters,' both of you go with the lady, she will get you to a safe place and watch over you."
Brother said, "We need to be off, may the Seven bless and keep you."
As they watched the wagon disappear, Lady Brienne said, "Pod, girls we have wagon train to organize."
Arya stated, "I am not going!"