Sally found the next few days a rush of organized confusion. The council organized the farmers, and put them work. Much harder work than they would have taken from Lady Brienne. Repairing wagons, selling what couldn't be taken, buying supplies, and training farmers to fight. Lady Brienne was every bit as tough as Clegane, except she could smile, sometimes with a smile fiercer than Clegane's scowl, and she called people useless rather than cunts.

The first night, Lady Brienne suggested to the council they should practice in camp like they were on the road. Up and armed an hour before dawn, ready to meet the surprise dawn attack. After dawn, the wagons were prepared to move. Then an hour of weapons training and drill. After which hot soup and a cold breakfast. Finally, it was time for the days work to begin. The first morning was a little disorganized the second was better, on the third Sally saw Lady Brienne smile when she thought no one was looking.

Lady Brienne was starting to teach the young girls how to defend themselves. The girls were scoffing at Breinne's teaching "Were girls, how can we beat a warrior?" As arranged, Sally walked in front of Pod who grabbed at her, and froze when Sally put a knife next to an artery. "

Brienne explained, "People don't expect a girl to fight. You have one free hit, use it well. It will give you the time or run or for help to come. Sally."

"Lady Brienne is right or I would be dead. Listen to her!"

Sally only got see Pod for a few snatches every day, but they were getting to know each other. If he was sometimes clumsy, she saw his dedication and willingness to work and learn. She told him "Pod, your like me, slow to talk about important feelings. Any thing you tell me goes next to my heart and will treasure it. I won't repeat it." She hoped he saw something more than a pretty face. He said she was pretty, but she wasn't a high born girl with her own maid.

On the third day Lady Brienne asked Sally to see her. "My Lady, Good Wife, you sent for me."

"Yes, Sally" Ivan's wife said. "A number of the women have been talking and we wanted to check with you before we propose it to the Council. The small children are getting in the way, but the trip is nothing if don't get them to Vale safely. We thought we could take one of the wagons redistribute it's cargo and put all little ones on it where they will be protected and out of the way."

"Goodwife, that sounds like a good idea, why tell me?

"Because we want you take charge of it. A number of the mothers, refused to agree unless you were protecting the children."

"I am honored. but I'm a farm girl, when my father was killed and I would have died if I stayed there, I agreed to go with some highborns to cook. I've leaned a little; I'm not a girl at arms, you want some one more experienced!"

Lady Brienne said, "Sally, I am confident. Clegane and Nan spoke highly of you, you've done well. I think they taught you better than you know. I would not have agreed if I had any doubts."

Ivan's wife added, "That is why they want you, you're farm people, like us, but you have learned how to be, as you say, a "girl at arms." Two of the older children from the family that owns the wagon will be with you to drive the animals and Widow Sara will go with you. She is too old to walk that far but she has kept small children wrapped around her thumb forever."

Briene added, "There will always be a couple of the men or older boys along as guards."

Looking doubtful, Sally said, "If the council approves I will do my best."

"Goodwife," Sally greeted Ivan's wife, as she was starting her watch, "Can I help you?"

"I came to see how you are doing; we just put a lot on you."

"I'm scared. Well, I've been scared since my father died. But this is different, it's not just me - I'm scared that I will fail the children."

"Sally, I know, I've had that fear since my first was born. It's been much worse since the war started. Make the fear keep you alert; don't let it overwhelm you. We wouldn't want someone who wasn't scared for the children. You'll do fine. So tell me about Podrick?"

With a smile, she chatted with her about boys' men and things for a while.