~:Back To Meereen:~
For three days and nights the dust storm raged above them before finally calming enough to allow them to leave the cellar. Thick dust and fine grey ash was thick in the air and there was still a slight breeze so they made sure to cover up as much as they could. Visibility was poor and breathing was difficult, but their food supplies were dwindling and they couldn't afford to stay in the cellar much longer. If the storm hit again they could be trapped for days without any supplies so they had to risk it
Arya was relieved to find shelter in the safety of the cellar as the worst of the storm had raged, but she was just as relieved to get out of there again and continue their long journey back to Meereen, even though it was tough going. 'I thought we'd be stuck in there forever.' She thought to herself as they walked along the crumbling valyrian road alongside Darion, who seemed just as relieved to be on the move again as she was.
Arya watched as Nymeria ran ahead of them before disappearing into the dust and ash cloud that surrounded them. Maybe she had gone off to hunt or maybe to stretch her legs and explore after being trapped below ground for three days, Arya couldn't say. She wasn't worried though, she knew that Nymeria could look after herself and would find her way back to them when she was ready.
Arya was also feeling happy that the tension between herself and Tyrion had eased after their long talk in the cellar. He seemed just as happy too the way he had drank all of the wine from his skin. She wondered how he was even standing, let alone walking after drinking so much. Arya had never really like the taste of wine and felt ill just from the smell of the wine on him so kept her distance.
When they came to a dried up stream the following day Darion showed them a Sothoryos way of finding and collecting water, a way his father had shown him and his father before him. He showed Arya the signs to look for and where to dig. It took a little effort to dig down far enough but eventually they did find water. It looked a little dirty and tasted of mud but it was enough to fill up their skins and keep the thirst at bay.
They continued to head north and stayed close to the base of the Painted Mountains before turning east, away from the valyrian road to head back towards the coast. The worst was now behind them as the landscape was slowly changing from a grey, dusty, barren wasteland into scrubland with sharp brown spiky grass which grew as tall as Arya's waist in places. The air became cleaner and breathing became easier as the dust and ash thinned with each passing day. There was even the occasional tree and bush which Arya recognized, though most had poisonous green fruits or blue berries and all had sharp thorns which would itch for days and bring you out with a burning rash if you were unlucky enough to be scratched by one.
As the landscape gradually turned from brown to green, finding fresh clean water became easier, as did hunting and trappingsmall animals. The brown spiky grass changed to a soft flowing green sea as far as the eye could see and the thorny bushes with their poisonous fruits changed to green ones with sweet red berries and bitter purple ones. Arya managed to catch a few rabbits with some traps that she set up each night and they even gathered a few sweet red berries and yellow fruits between which topped up their supplies and raised everyone's spirits.
When they eventually reached the coast Arya felt so much better. She breathed deeply to fill her lungs with clean, fresh sea air, it felt so good. She hoped to catch some fish or maybe find a crab and fill her stomach with warm meat by a fire tonight. They were all tired from days of walking and the respite of the sea was a welcome one.
As they walked closer they could see smoke rising on the horizon and decide to head towards it to see that a small camp had been set up on a narrow stretch of a sandy beach. There was a small wooden boat pulled up above the shoreline and a larger boat anchored not far out to sea. They approached cautiously as they didn't want to be seen until they knew that it was safe and took shelter behind some thick bushes and a fallen log that were close by to check it out.
"Could be fisherman?" Arya said hopefully as she watched the six men sat around the fire drinking ale or wine from a barrel, though they didn't look like fishermen. She couldn't see if they were all armed through the gloom, but two of them had crossbows at their feet and they each wore patchy brown leather.
"Only if our luck changes." Tyrion said glumly as he looked over to the camp, trying to figure out who they were and what they were doing. "Probably bandits or pirates or worse?"
"Worse?" Arya asked quietly as she looked over at Tyrion. She couldn't think what could be worse than bandits or pirates.
"Slavers." Ser Jorah said quietly as he continued to scout the situation. "Either way, we should be cautious." He warned, clearly concerned of the danger.
Arya's heart sank as she realized the situation that they now found themselves in.
"I have no wish to become a slave again. I say let us go around, continue on our way to Tolos like we planned. Why risk it?" Darion added, wanting no part of it.
Captain Forel nodded silently as he agreed with Darion.
Arya could understand why Darion thought that and wanted no part of them, but she could also see an opportunity. "There's only six of them. If we can kill them we can take their ship." Arya lips curled up into a smile as she started to form a plan in her head. "Then we won't have to walk all the way back to Meereen or Tolos."
"I agree with Darion. We don't know how well trained or equipped they are, it's too risky." Ser Jorah added as he turned to face her, he was clearly unsure of her plan to take their ship.
"If we take their ship it will save us so much time, time we don't have." Arya continued, convinced that her plan would work. "We have to get back to Daenerys, we have to stop Euron."
"You're right, maybe we can bargain with them?" Darion suggested, suddenly changing his tune. He was just as fed up with walking as Arya was.
"No." Said Tyrion firmly. "They will accept whatever we offer them and then slit our throats in our sleep. If we are going to take their ship, they will have to die." he said firmly as he looked at Darion.
They all agreed that it would save them a lot of time and effort if they took the ship and agreed to listen to Arya's plan. They knew as well as she did that time was running out, winter would soon be here and the White Walkers with it. Daenerys Targaryen must sit on the Iron Throne and unite the Seven Kingdoms or all would be lost. And who knows what Euron Greyjoy was planning.
Arya pointed down to some mushrooms that were growing by the rotting fallen log she was hiding behind. They were deep grey in color and had tiny white spots scattered over their wide, flat tops. "We're not going to fight them." She said softly as she remembered back to her lessons with Master Garavel back in Braavos. Arya had remembered seeing those mushrooms many times in the dark room back in the House of Black and White. "Widow's Bloom." She continued. "They may look harmless but they are deadly if swallowed. We crush some of those up into a fine paste and pour it into their barrel or tip a few drops into their flagons."
"A good plan, but how are we going to get the poison into the barrel without them knowing?" Ser Jorah asked doubtfully as he looked down at the Widow's Bloom.
"It'll be dark soon so I can sneak into their camp easily enough. But, if I had a distraction to buy me some time it would be a lot easier." She grinned a little and looked over at Tyrion who looked back and shook his head, he wasn't keen on the idea of being a distraction.
Ser Jorah, Captain Forel and Darion all looked at Tyrion for a few moments before he sighed in resignation. "Fine, I'll do it." He said reluctantly, knowing he had little choice in the matter. "Are you sure you can do this Arya?" He asked, still feeling unsure about it all.
"Yes." Arya replied confidently. "I can do this."
"Very well, let's do it before I change my mind." Tyrion said as he stood. "I hope that ship is full of spiced wine, I think I'm going to need a long drink after this is over."
Arya cut off a few large green leaves from a nearby bush with Frost before carefully picking five of the larger Widow's Bloom, being careful not to touch them. She knew from her books and lessons that they were harmless to touch, but she didn't want to take any chances as she had a few scrapes and and small cuts on her grubby hands.
After they had moved a little distance away from the camp she prepared the Widow's Bloom by crushing it into a fine paste and mixed it with some water from her skin. She then carefully poured the mixture through a piece of cloth that she had torn from her sleeve to filter out any bits to leave a smooth grey color liquid. There was no smell to it and such a small amount added to a barrel of wine or strong ale would be undetectable to taste, but still deadly.
Darkness fell quickly and the poison was finished just as the sun fell below the horizon and the first stars appeared in the dark cloudless sky. Arya and Tyrion carefully sneaked 'As quiet as a shadow' back towards the camp, leaving Ser Jorah, Darion and Captain Forel behind for fear of them being discovered, they were too big to be good at sneaking and they couldn't risk it.
Arya waited patiently, hidden behind the same fallen log and watched on as Tyrion walked off to cause his distraction, singing loudly a few moments later.
'The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun,
and her kisses were warmer than spring.
But the Dornishman's blade was made of black steel,
and its kiss was a terrible thing.
The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed,
in a voice that was sweet as a peach...'
Arya couldn't help but smile as she listened to his song, it was one that she had never heard before. Her smile grew as she saw the men by the fire stand, two of them picking up their crossbows and moving towards where Tyrion was walking and singing, the other four watched on.
She moved 'as fast as a snake' to circle behind them and skillfully sneaked up to the barrel of ale 'as quiet as a shadow', trying her best to keep low and stay out of sight. Luckily Tyrion's distraction had worked perfectly as all of the men were looking over to where the two men with crossbows were binding Tyrion's hands behind his back having caught him. She knew that she didn't have much time so quickly poured a few drops of the Widow's Bloom poison into each of the men's flagons before quickly hiding behind the barrel.
Arya stayed 'as still as stone' behind the barrel as the men returned to the camp. There was no time to make her escape back to the fallen log and she could only hope that they wouldn't find her. Her heart was beating so fast in her chest and told her to try to sneak away, get to safety, trust in the skills she had learned in the House of Black and White. Her head told her to stay.
She heard a thud as Tyrion was dumped unceremoniously on the sand. "You're going to make us very rich, Half-Man." She heard one of them say in a thick Braavosi accent.
She could hear Tyrion mumble through his gag as one of the other men spoke in an equally thick accent. "Are you sure it's really him?" He asked in a doubtful tone.
"Look at his scar, it's him." The first man replied confidently, feeling certain of himself. "Tyrion Lannister, The Imp."
The men sat as the talking and drinking continued for a few moments before she heard one, then two, then three, then four of the men start to cough. Calmly at first as though they had swallowed a small insect and could feel it stuck in their throats, then louder and more violently as the Widow's Bloom poison took hold of them, strangling them as it tensed and swelled up the muscles in their necks. The coughing stopped as it gripped them tighter, stopping all air from reaching their lungs and moans of pain from leaving their mouths.
Arya carefully peeked around the side of the wooden ale barrel to watch as panic set in to the camp. Four of the men were laying on the sand, squirming as they struggled for breath, their faces red and contorted as they helplessly fought for their lives. The other two men were on their knees trying to restrain the largest of them, he must have been their captain and leader she thought. He wore soft leather boots and gloves and a fine jerkin compared to the patched leather and worn jerkins that the other men wore.
She spotted Tyrion who was watching on, tied up and gagged on the edge of the camp. He didn't notice her though, his eyes were firmly fixed on the dying men as he struggled to try and break free of his binds.
Before Arya knew it she had drawn Needle and driven it through the back of the neck of one of the men trying to restrain the captain. The thin blade dripped with blood as it stuck out of his mouth. She quickly pulled the skinny blade from him and watched him slump to the floor clutching desperately at his neck, hearing him choking on his own blood as he died. She turned to face the only man that wasn't dead or dying.
He had messy, long black hair down to his broad shoulders and his scruffy beard had hints of grey in it. A long, thick scar ran from his forehead, across his nose and down his left cheek, a terrible wound from a previous battle long ago. His rown leathers were worn and faded and boasted several scars of their own. "You little cunt!" He cursed angrily as he looked up at her, rage filled his pale green eyes.
He quickly moved to stand and tried to draw his sword but Arya was quicker, skillfully stepping in to drive Needle through his heart before his sword had fully left it's scabbard. Blood sprayed from his chest, covering her face as his sword slipped from his hand and fell to the blood stained sand. He desperately clutched at Needle with one hand and gripped Arya around the neck with his other, squeezing tightly as he tried to choke her, just as he was slowly choking on his own blood.
Arya fought for air as she released Needle and grabbed his hand with both of hers to try and break the choke, but he was too strong. She gasped desperately, his grip was starting to weaken until both of his hands wrapped tightly around her neck and squeezed even tighter. His hands felt rough and cold against her soft warm flesh. He was too strong for her, it was no use.
'What do we say to the god of death?' She could hear Syrio say in her head as she started to black out from the lack of air.
'Not today!' She told herself as she reached down to grip the black handle of Frost before driving it deep into the side of his neck. Blood sprayed from him as she quickly pulled the vicious valyrian blade from him and drove it into the side of his ribs over and over until he finally released his grip and slumped silently to the floor.
Arya sank to her knees next to his motionless body and breathed in deeply, gratefully filling her lungs with air, her head clearing as the blackening faded. Her bloody hands trembled as she looked over at Tyrion who looked back at her with relief in his eyes.
After a few moments she managed to calm herself and retrieved Needle, wiping the thin blade clean on the jerkin of the man who's heart it had pierced moments earlier. Then she cleaned Frost before walking over to finally free Tyrion from his binds.
"My lady, are you hurt?" He asked as soon as the gag was removed from his mouth, looking up at her with concern written all over his scarred face.
Arya shook her head before turning away from him as her grey Stark eyes welled up so that she didn't look craven in front of him. She felt quite shaken up and her neck felt a little sore, but physically she was fine. "I'm alright, fetch the others." She replied, her voice shaky and a little broken as she sat on the cool, soft sand by the fire, facing away from him and looking out to sea through the flickering flames. She could feel the heat on her wet, bloody cheeks as tears trickled down them.
She felt Tyrion's hand gently grip her slender shoulder as if he was trying to comfort her for a few moments before hearing his footsteps in the sand as he walked away. After the footsteps had faded and she was sure that he was gone Arya stood and walked down the beach to the sea to wash the blood and tears from her face. The cool salt water felt so refreshing, washing away the blood and some of the hurt.
It was the first time she had killed someone like that and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. The stable boy in King's Landing was more of an accident than anything else, so she didn't really feel guilty about killing him. He had refused to leave her alone even after she had warned him, but he still wouldn't stop. 'It was his own fault. I didn't mean to kill him'
She had been instructed to kill Littlefinger and Lord Tywin by Mathis and Jaqen as part of her training and initiation into the faceless men. And although she had felt a little guilty at the time, she didn't really feel guilty about those any more either. 'I had to kill them, it was part of my training'
And everyone else she had killed was out of revenge for the wrong they had done her family or out of self defence. 'They deserved it. The Frey soldier, Royce the Lannister guard, Jaime Lannister, all of them...'
The six men that lay dead on the beach had done nothing to her or her friends or her family. She didn't even know who they were or if they had families of their own that would be missing them. She had no doubts that they weren't good and honorable men, which made it a little easier. But, Arya knew that they had to get back to Meereen as fast as possible, back to Daenerys with the valyrian weapons that she had requested no matter what it took. They had to stop Euron Greyjoy from whatever he had planned.
Arya turned her head as she heard something approaching. "Nymeria!" Arya smiled as she watched her direwolf bound over and stand in front of her, they were almost the same height as each other now. "Where were you? I needed you?" She asked as she looked into Nymeria's yellow eyes.
Nymeria made a faint whining sound and tilted her head a little before licking Arya's cheek with her moist, rough tongue. It was just like she used to do as a pup back in Winterfell when they were almost inseperable. Arya would have taken Nymeria everywhere had her mother not forbidden it. Septa Mordane would not have said Arya's stitches were crooked if Nymeria had been allowed to their needlework lessons!
Arya giggled a little and then started to stroke Nymeria's thick grey fur. "I can't stay mad at you."
"Arya." She heard Darion call out behind her.
Arya turned to face him before walking up to him and into his huge open arms.
Darion hugged her tight and she gladly hugged him back. "Next time you listen to me and we go around?" He smiled down at her, flashing his square white teeth as he looked her over to see if she was hurt.
Arya couldn't help but giggle a little at his comment and nodded in agreement. "Yes." She replied as the others joined them, hoping that there wouldn't be a next time. Although her plan had worked, it didn't go as smoothly as she had hoped.
"I'll make sure there is no more of them." Ser Jorah said as he started to push the small boat into the sea, the shallow waves splashing against his feet.
"I'll go with you." Darion said as he released the hug and walked over to join Ser Jorah in the small wooden boat. "You stay here until we know it's safe." He told Arya firmly as they started to row away.
Arya nodded in agreement, she knew it was no use arguing with him even though she wanted to help. She sat by the fire and watched as Ser Jorah and Darion rowed out to the larger boat. Nymeria lay beside Arya while Tyrion helped Captain Forel pile up the bodies of the six men that had died before sitting next to her to wait.
They didn't have to wait long before Darion rowed back to shore. Arya was pleased to see that he was alright. "It's all clear, there was nobody onboard." He told them as they started to get into the small wooden boat.
Arya walked alongside Captain Forel as he inspected his new ship, wondering what he thought of it. It wasn't as big or as grand as Sweet Lily and some of the ship was in quite poor condition. The sails looked dirty and were torn in places. The decks needed scrubbing and the whole boat creaked as it rolled on the waves. But, it was seaworthy and would serve to get them back to Meereen at least.
"Will you rename it?" Arya asked him as they walked into the captains quarters at the rear of the ship. It was much smaller than his old quarters on Sweet Lily, but there was still room enough for a large bed, a desk and some shelves which contained various bottles of wine and ale and rum. Arya didn't like the name 'Salt Bitch' and wasn't sure Captain Forel would like it either and she really hoped that he would change the name.
Captain Forel sat at his new desk and nodded slowly. "Yes, but only once we're safely back in Braavos and have fixed her up. We'll need to do the proper ceremony and blessing too." He replied as Arya sat opposite to him. He smiled and leaned forward towards her, raising his bushy eyebrows. "It's bad luck to rename a ship unless it's done properly you know."
Arya smiled back at him, she was glad that she wouldn't have to sail a ship called Salt Bitch for too long. She loved how superstitious Captain Forel was, she had come to learn that a lot of sailors were the same way having spent so much time at sea. "What will you call her?" Arya asked, curious to know the new name.
Captain Forel leaned back on his chair and gently stroked his big bushy beard as he thought for a moment. "Sweet Amba." He replied after a few moments.
Arya like the new name, it was much nicer than Salt Bitch. It also reminded her a little of Sweet Lily too which was nice. It was strange but Arya would miss Sweet Lily. Her own little cabin and the crows nest where she used to climb up to think and admire the view, Captain Forel's cabin and even the cargo hold where she spent some time with Nymeria on their long journey from Braavos. She knew that Captain Forel and Darion would miss her too, but hopefully they would grow to love Sweet Amba just as much.
"Why Sweet Amba?" She asked, curious to know why he was going to call his new ship that name.
"I was married once, long ago before you were born to a Braavosi woman called Lily. She had the most beautiful long hair, golden as the sun and eyes as blue as the summer sky. A few moons after we had wed her belly started to swell with our child. The tiniest little thing when she was born, my sweet little Amba." He replied, closing his eyes as he thought back.
Arya smiled and nodded. "That's a good name."
"A fine name indeed." He agreed with a broad smile. "We will rest for tonight and set sail for Meereen at first light. Better get some sleep."
Arya stood and giggled playfully. "Yes captain."
Captain Forel laughed loudly at her enthusiasm.
By the time Arya had woken the next morning they were already under way. Captain Forel was stood by the wheel and Darion was working on repairing one of the sails. Ser Jorah was up in the crows nest high above keeping watch and Tyrion had found the wine and looked well into his cups as he sat with Nymeria on the bow of the ship.
He raised his wooden cup when he saw her approach. Arya couldn't help but smile and shook her head, she figured he deserved a drink after being a distraction. "A fine animal, big too" He said as he looked up at her direwolf through drunken eyes. "What did you feed her to make her grow so big?" He asked, clearly deep in his cups.
The smell of wine on his breath was nearly enough to make Arya drunk herself. 'How much did you drink?' She wondered.
Nymeria tilted her head as she looked down at Tyrion, trying to figure him out.
"Back in Winterfell when she was a pup I used to feed her chicken, but sometimes I would sneak into the kitchens to steal some pork bits for her too." Arya smirked a little as she scratched behind Nymeria's ears. Nymeria had always liked it when Arya did that and closed her eyes. "Don't worry, she doesn't eat dwarf."
"Lady Stark! You're as mischievous as your sister told me." He smiled and drank some more wine. "Maybe if I had eaten chicken and pork bits when I was a pup I wouldn't be so short."
Arya smiled and decided to leave Tyrion and Nymeria to each others company. She noticed that they were staying close to the shore until they were clear of the Smoking Sea. By the next morning they were headed out into the open sea across Slaver's Bay. Arya was thankful that the worst was now behind them. The sea and weather remained calm and they were finally heading back to the safety of Meereen and Daenerys.
Meereen was finally in sight two days later and a welcome sight it was. The beginnings of a fleet of ships had started to be built and the harbor was a hive of activity with sailors and merchants bartering over their wares. Silks and wines and spices and fruits were changing hands for gold and silver. The great Pyramid dominated the city from down there and they could see that Drogon was sat on top of it, looking out over the city. He had returned and grown so much.
Tyrion, who had now sobered up stood next to Arya and pointed over to a large ship called Silence. "Euron Greyjoy's ship. We should be cautious." He warned, concern written across his scarred face.
Arya looked over to where he was pointing to see an unusual looking ship. It was large and weather worn but it looked as solid as the day it was built. It boasted several scars from various battles and it looked quite intimidating. "Silence? What a strange name for a ship" She replied as she looked down at Tyrion.
"It is said that Euron rips out the tongues of his crew members." He looked up at her and raised his eyebrows. "It is a very appropriate name!"
Arya looked back across to Silence and pictured Euron's face, his eyepatch, his thin blue lips and that cruel smile and icy blue eye. She still hadn't forgiven him for killing the crew of Sweet Lily and leaving her to die inside that ruined temple.
'Cersei, Walder Frey, The Crow's Eye'