Hello my lovelies, I had hoped to reach 100 reviews before posting this chapter, but I do not want to keep it from you anymore. Hope you will like it!
When Samaya Tyrell had passed her 13th name day, she was told a secret that made her unbelievably angry and disappointed. She had taken her horse and ridden off into the land. When they found her on the third day, she was ready to come back, having hidden away in a deserted barn, living off rotten apples. She was dirty, cold and miserable, and vowed to never run away again.
Seven years later, Samaya was dirty, cold, wet and miserable. She had run away again. This time though, it was no childish temper that made her do it. It was the will to survive. Sighing, she pulled her knees closer to her chest while sitting under a big oak, staring into nothingness. Around her, rain was pounding on every leaf, branch and root it could find. Shadowfoot was tied up behind her, and he was about as happy with the circumstances as her.
It was the third day of their journey, and Samaya knew that she had to find food, or she would begin to starve. Hogar had said that she should reach Bronzegate after three days, but Samaya had been careful to stay off the Kingsroad, and progress was slow.
Observing the dense forest in front of her, she absent-mindedly fumbled with the simple gold necklace she was wearing. She was cursing herself ever so slightly for not feeling the need to wear a big amount of jewellery. When she leapt off that cliff, she was only wearing said necklace, which was now her only trading good. Hopefully, she would get a good price for it. She would never even think about selling her horse or Rhaegar's ring, so she had to rely on that. Maybe she could find work as well. Her whole life seemed like such a sham at this point. Now that she was on her own, she didn't even know how people really earned their money. She knew there were farmers, and fishermen and soldiers, but what did the women do besides prostitution? Maybe she would have to cut off her hair and pretend to be a boy… maybe that was her sole option.
When dawn broke, she readied Shadowfoot and started her journey again. In some places the forest was so dense that she had to lead him by hand, but Samaya was lucky that day. It had stopped raining a few hours ago, her clothes, however, were still drenched. Slowly, the temperatures were declining, even the further south she got. She did not like to think about what that meant. Whether another winter was on its way. If so, she had to come up with a plan soon.
As the sun was rising, her clothes drying, and more and more miles behind her, she started to notice the commotion of other travellers in the distance. To her right, she could spy the Kingsroad through trees and shrubbery. If her mind wasn't playing any tricks on her, the vegetation seemed to become sparser as well. Was she close to Bronzegate? Her spirits lightened at that prospect.
She got off her horse and started leading him closer to the road, ducking as she went. Soon, she realised it did not matter. Traders, farmers, children and many other sorts were all strolling southward, chatting and laughing among them as they went. Nobody even seemed to notice when she slipped out from behind a hedge and joined them on the road. She did not mount her horse again, but rather stayed close to his side to be more concealed. Curiously, she tried to listen in to the conversations around her.
"I'm gonna win that melee. All the knights and Sers are in Kings Landing, I'll show them who's the best," a young man, possibly younger than Sam, told his two companions not too far away from her. His friends laughed at his boisterous proclamation.
"You couldn't even win it if everyone else was drunk, Petyr!" one of them said and clapped him on the shoulder. Samaya's attention was at a peak now. She knew that the Lords of Bronzegate were faithful to Stannis Baratheon still, but she could not remember the name of the House. She listened a little more, but they were only talking about what they would do with the prize money. Samaya decided to take action.
"Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear – is there a tourney to take place?" she said loudly as she walked behind the three men. They turned around quickly, eyeing her up and down.
"Aye, Lord Buckler is hosting one for his nameday. That's where everybody's headed. Winner of the joust gets 100 Gold Dragons," one of them said after a short while.
"That's a handsome amount," Samaya replied, smiling. They were still looking at her awkwardly.
"And what's a young noble lady doing on the road alone?" the one they had called Petyr finally asked.
"Visiting distant relatives in the South. I come from a small House, barely noble," she added, still smiling. She dared not to let them see the panic that had taken a grip of her.
"And where's your guard? Don't say you're travelling alone… some men might get the wrong idea by seeing a beautiful woman on her own," he answered her, wriggling his brows suggestively.
"My brother's ridden ahead to find suitable lodgings. I fancied a walk," she explained in a careless manner. They were starting to make her feel uneasy.
"In fact, I might just join him now, walking's been a little tiring," she added and got on her horse. She wished them Seven Blessings and quickly rode off before more questions were thrown her way. They might have found her suspicious, but at least now she knew how she was going to earn some money. She just had to figure out the details…
"They will pay for what they did. All of them!" Cersei Lannister was screaming at her brother. He had come to tell her the news in person, and she was not taking it lightly. With a furious growl, she took a vase from a nearby table and threw it in his direction. He ducked out of the way.
"First that Tyrell bitch and now Tyrion! You have defended him your whole life and for what? So that he kills not only mother, but father as well!" she continued. Jaime looked at her pleadingly.
"I never believed he would do that…" he started talking, but she cut him off again.
"I want every able-bodied man to look for him! Set a price for his head, same for the Tyrell girl. As for her sister… that smirking little whore will marry Tommen over my dead body!"
Jaime sighed. He feared his sister had lost it. Carefully, he backed out of the room. There was no reasoning with her in such a state. Setting his brother free came from the goodness of his heart… and brought so much misery. Cersei had already been on edge since Samaya Tyrell had killed her favourite soldier and escaped, but now… now there was no end to her fury.
Absent-mindedly, he walked the corridors of the Red Keep, unsure of whom to speak to about this. His uncle Kevan was no great help, and Tommen was still trying to overcome the shock of his rapid ascension to the throne. Usually, he would have asked Tyrion's advice, or even Varys', but they were both gone. He leant against the cool stone, staring at the ceiling. What would this world become now without the mighty Tywin Lannister ruling it?
He was shaken out of his reverie when loud voices reached his ears. In the distance, he could hear a woman yelling. Quickly, he put his hand on his sword and rushed towards the commotion. It seemed to come from the Small Council chamber. Bursting through the door, he found Olenna Tyrell towering over his uncle Kevan and pointing a finger at his face.
"This is the last time I will ever listen to your silly accusations, you incompetent fool! Nobody told my granddaughter to act as she did, and House Tyrell does not conspire against the crown! If you would use your head every once in a while, you would understand that there are bad seeds in every family, even you bloody Lannisters!" she screamed before taking a step back and looking at Jaime.
"Ah, Ser Jaime. Do you want to add your accusations against my family while we're at it?" she asked, fury still present in her voice.
"Forgive me, I thought someone might be in danger…," he could only answer as he started to relax.
"Oh, someone will be if they do not shut their incapable mouth!" Olenna growled, sitting back down in her chair while giving his uncle a menacing look. Grand Maester Pycelle seemed troubled withholding his laughter, Mace Tyrell had turned white at as sheet, and his uncle… well, he looked like he had just shat his pants. Jaime couldn't blame him if he did. That woman was scary if she wanted to be.
"Now, if all of that is clear once and for all, I would like to discuss the wedding between Margaery and King Tommen. Ser Jaime, would you care to join us? It seems there are some free seats on this council as of late…" the old woman continued and Jaime could not help but sit down and listen quietly while the upcoming ceremony was being planned as if nothing had happened. He really had to learn how to stand up to angry women. All of them.
Lord Ralph Buckler watched with little interest as the tourney unravelled before his eyes. He had organised it as an excuse to get drunk, not to enjoy men fighting. Sipping on the sour wine he liked so much, he hiccupped just as an arrow found its mark with a loud thud. The crowd cheered loudly and he observed as one of the competitors walked away from a target filled with bullseyes.
"I do not know who that fella is, but he is good," his cousin Brus commented from his right.
"Archery is nothing but sheer luck," Ralph returned, having himself never been very gifted at it.
"No, not like this. And I've never seen a bow like his before either. I'm going to go recruit him," Brus said before he left hastily. He quickly descended down the steps of the platform he had been watching from and pushed through people to find the archer. He could see the back of him through the crowd, but everyone was already very drunk or plain stupid, as they seemed to fall into his path. Finally, his target rounded a corner and disappeared from the crowd. Brus followed and found himself in a quiet spot behind one of the stables. The archer was standing next to a beautiful, proud horse, patting it softly while dropping his bow and arrows to the ground.
"Where did you learn to shoot like that, boy?" Brus said after coming closer. He must have gone unnoticed as the boy jumped lightly. Slowly, he turned around, keeping his gaze on the ground.
"My father taught me, my Lord," he mumbled. Brus took a closer look at him. He had short, pitch black hair, and a slender figure. His voice sounded a little strange, and the whole stance seemed off. He came closer and took the boy by the chin, tilting up his head. He let out a gasp as he looked into very beautiful, very green, very feminine eyes.
"Seven Hells… you're a girl!" he exclaimed as she took a step back from his grasp. Quickly, she picked up her weapon and wanted to jump on the horse. Brus shook off his bewilderment and acted quickly.
"No, don't run! I mean you no harm!" he said and she stopped. Slowly, she turned around. There was a dagger in her hand now, a very expensive one by the looks of it.
"I am just hoping to win some money, my Lord. I got separated from my family and have to find a way back," she said, in a normal voice now. Clearly, she had tried to sound like a man before.
"And rather than to earn it on your back, you go and compete in a tourney? That is impressive. Who are you really?" he asked, more than curious.
"I belong to a small house in the Reach, my Lord. Not a name you would know," she explained, dagger still at the ready. He could tell she was very cautious of him.
"All right, I will believe that for now. I have a proposition. I will not say a word and you can compete further. With your skill, I am sure you will win. But I will ask something in return," he said after some contemplation. Her eyes widened. Clearly, she thought he wanted to bed her.
"And what would that be, my Lord?" she asked carefully.
"Your bow. I have never seen one like it. Do not fear, I will trade it with a fine one from our armoury, but I want yours. Do you accept?" Brus finished and waited for her response. She seemed to tense up a little more, looking at the weapon slung over her saddle.
"My Lord, this is a family heirloom. I cannot, in all right sense, part with it," she answered him in a strong voice. Brus smiled. He wanted that bow, and he was going to get it one way or another.
"You know we've heard an interesting story from the capital today. Apparently, one of the Tyrell sisters killed the Mountain and fled the city. You would not happen to know anything about that, do you?" he told her casually, leaning one shoulder against the stable wall. The girl inhaled deeply and her eyes narrowed. He had her.
"No, my Lord, I have come to Bronzegate from the South, not the North," she answered him, but he could tell she was lying.
"If you want to survive alone in this world, I suggest you learn how to lie, my Lady Tyrell," Brus just answered with a grin on his face. She sighed and rolled her eyes at him.
"What security do I have that you will not arrest me as soon as you have my bow?" she finally asked.
"My word. And my allegiance. We favoured Stannis Baratheon, the last thing I want to do is deliver you to those bloody Lannisters," he answered without wasting a moment. She looked at him sharply, contemplating her options.
"Fine. But you will only get my bow if I win," she said.
"Oh, I've seen you shoot. There is no doubt in that," Brus answered before walking away with a satisfied smirk on his face.
Samaya was gritting her teeth as she waited for her last turn in the archery competition. She had thought it a clever plan to disguise herself as a boy and compete, but now she had been made out. After arriving in Bronzegate, she traded her necklace for some gold and bought hair dye from an herb lady. It was a great relief to be rid of the headscarf, but she had hated cutting off her hair. She felt so bare now, so shield-less.
Her opponent was good, she had to give him that, but still, some of his arrows missed the centre of the target. She quickly walked up when it was her turn and shot the five arrows in rapid succession, every one of them finding its perfect mark. The crowd started cheering, and the referee raised her hand to proclaim her the winner.
Samaya kept her face stern as to not show her feminine features and watched as the two Lords came down from their platform. Lord Ralph shook her hand and gave her a small bag of coins, while Brus grinned from ear to ear as he approached with a normal bow in his hand. She quickly realised it was a fine bow, by no means simple, but still, she was never going to give up hers. Samaya looked at him with a blank expression and a fake smile as she shook his hand.
"Well done...boy. Now, as promised?" he said while holding out the bow. Samaya grinned as she took a step closer. She motioned to hand over hers, but quick as a fox, grabbed his greedy hand and wrangled it behind his back. In a move that Oberyn had taught her, she twisted it so that he crashed to the floor with a scream of agony. Holding tight to her gold and her bow, she darted away from the scene, pushing onlookers out of the way harshly.
Chaos erupted around her, but she knew exactly where she had to go. Shadowfoot was tied up at the edge of the tourney grounds, and as she reached and mounted him, she urged him to gallop as fast as he could. While she was once again fleeing from people, she looked over her shoulder only to see a few of the guards in the distance, cursing after her. She did not know whether they would chase after her or not… after all, she had not stolen anything, the gold was fairly won.
Her only concern would be Brus telling them who she was, but as soon as he had found out, she had been sure word would reach King's Landing. She had nothing to lose, really. After a good amount of time had passed, she slowed her horse and led him into the bushes off the Kingsroad. She walked for a while and then stopped to tie him to a tree. He was still on edge, she could tell, but she hoped they were safe now.
Quietly, she made her way back to the road, crawling in places to stay hidden. Crouching behind a bush a safe distance away, she waited. It did not take long for the sound of galloping horses to reach her ears. Five riders appeared soon after, Brus at their head. Samaya had to chuckle as they rode past her hiding spot in a hurry. They would assume that she was riding to Storm's End as fast as she could, but she had a different plan. She had taken enough supplies with her to last at least a week. Once enough time had passed, she would make her way to Storm's End to buy passage on a ship. The only thing she was uncertain about was where to…
Tadaaa... please leave a review if you enjoyed it! Also let me know where you think she will head to next ;)