"The Honored Guest" Chapter 37 Traveling by Land and by Sea III
The ship transporting the Dornish party rounded Crackclaw Point and set the sails for the long journey south. After a few days, the child of Winter began complaining vigorously about the excessive heat, as the weather appeared to her. Lady Nym smirked and told Arya, "If you think it is too warm here, you will positively melt in Dorne. Now you know why we wear light silk robes in Dorne instead of woolen clothing."
Nevertheless, the wolf girl of the North decided that her clothing was not adapted to the climate and removed the sleeves and the midsection from her tunic, and cut the leggings from her breeches to the top of her thighs. Approaching her ten and second nameday, Arya's athletic legs were almost as shapely as those of a woman grown, and the sailors obviously noticed this fact as those who were off duty leaned against the rail and watched her practice her water dancing. One smirked and told her that she could walk around in her smallclothes if she was so inclined. Nym was alarmed at the amount of pale flesh that had been exposed to the sun for the first time, and slathered ointments on Arya's skin regularly until she had acquired a good tan. Arya always fussed when Nym insisted that she needed more ointment, and the Sand Snake reflected, Gods! I'm ready to slap this brat! I would make a terrible mother!
Nym was also concerned about the predatory glances the sailors cast at Arya's bare legs, so she fashioned a short skirt out of thin silk that would cover the young girl's thighs almost to the knees, and handed it to her. "Here, put this over your breeches. It won't impede your movement, but it will prevent you from distracting the sailors at work. If the captain notices that you are interfering with the operation of his ship, he will confine you below decks for the remainder of the voyage."
On principle Arya hated dresses, so her eyes narrowed and she scowled, but she took the skirt and stepped into it, tightening the laces at the waist. She faced Lady Nym and replied unpleasantly, "There! Are you happy now?! Humph!" and she flounced away, swinging her little sword.
The young woman rolled her eyes and sighed, Lady Ashara was right! She will be a terror when she flowers! I never had such problems with Cousin Sarra at that age!
Lady Nym still continued to have all the warrior women sparring frequently to keep their skills sharp. The sailors were quite aware of how dangerous they really were and rarely made any unwanted advances towards them. That was part of the reason why the Sand Snake kept her companions at their swordplay in public.
Arya was amused by her observation that the sailors were experts with needle and thread and sewed most of their own clothing, as well as the ship's sails. They would also repair the rents in the wild and careless girl's garments, working as carefully as septas. I wish I could tell Sansa about this! she thought.
The sailors loved music and several could play the flute and lute, as well as the tambourine. On pleasant evenings the off-duty watch would start playing songs and others would start dancing. The Dornish ladies all loved to dance, and once invited, they did not hesitate to join in the merriment. Arya even wore silk robes on the nights that they all danced. The advantage for the ladies was that dancing on deck was a group activity, all participants moving about in lines and circles, and they did not have to worry about sailors' wayward hands groping their bodies. It was all good, clean fun.
Arya was curious about something that she noticed during her emotional parting from Aegon at the dock. Besides her own unhappiness, she seemed to also sense her direwolf's dismay. Nymeria was very fond of Aegon, and Arya was convinced that she 'felt' the animal's pain at the leave-taking. She decided to test her theory. Without looking directly at the wolf, Arya held the image of Nymeria coming to her in her mind, and reached out mentally to 'touch' her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nymeria's head spin around and look at her with a puzzled expression. Then the direwolf trotted over to her and pressed the top of her head against her hand. Arya said, "Good wolf!" and thought, Sit! Nymeria promptly sat down. The wolf girl became excited and wondered how much control she had. She saw a fid that a sailor had left upon a coil of rope and formed the mental image of Nymeria bringing it to her. Nymeria walked across the deck, gently picked up the tool with her teeth and brought it to her mistress. Arya took it, patted the direwolf on the head and praised her extravagantly.
The girl rushed to find her mentor, and enthusiastically described what had just happened. Lady Nym's eyes widened and she said, "Arya, you are a warg! Do you know what that means?"
"I think so. Old Nan would use that word when she told us stories about special people who could share an animal's skin and experiences. She also called them 'skinchangers'. I thought that the stories were just meant to scare us, but Old Nan said that many Starks in the past were wargs, especially those that had direwolves as companions." She studied Nymeria thoughtfully as she spoke.
"Just so," Nym responded, "They are also known as shapechangers and beastlings, and many people hate and fear them because they are different. Some wargs are so skilled that they can bond with an eagle and soar high in the air, examining the world below. Arya, have you dreamt of being a wolf at night?"
Arya was slow to answer. "Aye, when Nymeria was lost and hungry, I dreamt of her in the woods as she tracked rabbits for food. I thought I had the dreams because I was so worried about her, but they felt so real!"
"Well, you are certainly a warg, and you must learn how to use and develop your powers. Do not mention this to anyone you do not trust. When we get to Dorne we will find someone who can help you."
My brothers have direwolves. I wonder if they are wargs, too, Arya reflected, I wish I could talk to Jon!
Meanwhile, as they traveled through the Narrow Sea, Arya continued her education concerning shipboard life. Mayhaps Aegon and I will travel to Essos someday, and this knowledge will be useful, she thought.
Father had often told her, "Every person, regardless of their station, has a tale to tell. It is most important that you study your letters and sums with Maester Luwin, but you can learn much by listening to the stories of the people that you meet. Pay attention and listen closely. You may come to realize that some of the stories, and their tellers, are stupid and self-important, but others are as valuable as gold."
Arya had a lively curiosity and took her father's words to heart, exploring all of Winterfell and riding to the local villages with him, listening and learning about life in the North. She had also done much the same when in the Targaryen camp. Mayhaps that was why she was so popular among the smallfolk, and had made many friends everywhere she traveled.
The young sailor who had tried to steal a kiss in the crow's nest was named Nestor. He was an apprentice seaman and one day would rise to captain a ship himself. Nestor had as many namedays as Gendry and Aegon, but try as he may, his facial hair only grew in wispy patches. Arya thought, He will never have as fine a beard as Gendry. Once Nestor realized that the wolf wench had a sharp mind behind the pretty face that had captured his attention, and that she was genuinely interested in everything he recounted to her, he spent much time explaining the workings of the ship.
It had started when they were on lookout duty together in the crow's nest, as he described the different types of ships they passed, relating their origins and probable destinations and cargo carried. Arya had worked with the crew setting, or 'trimming', the sails on the deck by adjusting the ropes of the 'running rigging', and Nestor explained how arranging the relative angles of the smaller triangular foresail and the large square mainsail allowed for the most effective harnessing of the power of the wind. There was a real science to the procedure, and clever Arya grasped the concepts immediately, calculating how to make the ship travel as fast as possible. I wager that I can cause a ship to gallop over the ocean like a horse on land, she chuckled to herself. Nestor explained how the shape of the hull and the size and weight of the keel of the ship were also important for determining the most efficient points of sailing.
The next time Arya stood a watch at the wheel for steering the ship, and took the helm from the captain, she made note of the direction of the prevailing wind, and started shouting instructions to the first mate for the ideal arrangement of the sails. The captain was startled, and addressed her, "Wolf wench, I believe that after only a few weeks at sea you already have the skills of a capable apprentice seaman. Ah, if you were a lad I would ask you to remain aboard."
Arya grinned and then smirked at him. "Thank you for the praise, captain, as I am truly enjoying this voyage, but I am afraid that I have obligations that require me to become a landlubber again when we reach Dorne."
The captain nodded, "Aye, I understand obligations, but it will be our loss when you depart." He smiled slyly and continued, "Young Nestor will be loath to see you leave, also."
Nestor also taught her how to predict weather from the clouds and wind, and how to navigate with the stars. One beautiful night when the light of the full moon reflected off the ocean as it rose above the horizon, they studied the night sky, and the youth dared to put his arm around her shoulder. Arya decided to allow the intimacy, and leaned into him, realizing how much she missed Aegon making the same affectionate gesture. But she murmured a warning, "Don't get any ideas. Try anything and I will geld you as quick as a snake."
"Even if I tell you that I think that I am in love with you and desperately want to kiss you?" he replied in a husky voice, turning his head and nuzzling his face in her soft chestnut hair.
"Ha! I am not some gullible maid who swoons when she hears the word 'love'! Besides, I am betrothed, and will marry my intended when we meet again."
"Ah, but he is far away, and won't know what we do," Nestor whispered into her ear, as his hand now rested lightly on her thigh.
Arya abruptly moved away. "But I will know, and that is enough. Save your words of love and greedy hands for a more receptive lass. All I want is your friendship, Nestor."
Crushed, the young sailor sighed, "Ah, my heart is broken. I will mourn forever."
The wolf wench smirked, "You will mourn only until we reach a seaport, and then you will find a brothel and forget all about me. Now what were you saying about the movement of the constellations with the seasons?"
One morning Arya awakened to a strange silence, and as she climbed the companionway to the deck, she realized that the wind had died. Looking over the nearest rail, she was amazed to observe that the ship was motionless and the ocean, as far as one could see, was as smooth as glass. The captain approached her and said, "Aye, girl, we are in the doldrums, and I wouldn't expect the wind to pick up until this evening."
The wolf girl was a strong swimmer and loved playing in the ponds at home, and now the ocean appeared to be the biggest pond that she had ever seen. Impulsively, she asked, "Captain, may I go swimming?"
The captain nodded and said, "If you can swim, the water will be perfect. The only problem would be the sea-tigers, with their mouths filled with nasty razor-sharp teeth. However, sea-tigers advertise their presence with a singular dorsal fin that sticks up out of the water. The lookout announced earlier that the water is clear down to three fathoms, and he has not seen any signs of those dangerous fish all morning."
Arya quickly pulled her tunic over her head and stepped out of her butchered breeches, and jumped over the railing into the water below. She reckoned that swimming in her smallclothes and undershirt would not be too immodest as long as she kept her body below the surface. She shrieked with delight when she first hit the water, and splashed and swam around for a while, having a wonderful time. Arya called up to the deck, "Captain, why is no one else enjoying this wonderful water? The temperature is perfect!"
The captain smiled down at her, "Wolf wench, although sailors spend most of their lives at sea, not all know how to swim. Some even decline learning how."
Arya was amazed that so many sailors and cabin boys didn't know how to swim. She volunteered to teach anyone who would join her in the water. Sarra was also an experienced swimmer, as she had spent her early years at Dorne's famous Water Gardens, and offered to help. Inspired by the enthusiastic girls, several men and boys responded favorably. A few ingenious sailors fashioned inflated pig bladders and threw them overboard to be used as floats. The crowd in the water became so large and noisy that the captain sent a second lookout into the crow's nest, because of all the distraction below.
While she was playing in the water, suddenly Arya felt strong hands on her waist, and found herself being spun round and around. Just before she became dizzy, she reached out with her hand and smacked something solid. She heard a voice say, "Ouch!" and found herself staring at Nestor, who was grinning at her but rubbing his eye. "You hurt me!" he told her.
"Serves you right, idiot!" Arya retorted, and directed a huge splash at his face with cupped hands. He splashed her back, and as she turned her head, he dove below the surface and grabbed her ankle, dragging her down. She tugged herself loose and swung a fist at him. In response, Nestor seized her with both hands and pulled her into his body, his hands firmly on her back. They were entangled underwater and she could not break free. He used the opportunity to plant a kiss on her mouth, brazenly running his tongue over her lips.
Arya was furious with his impertinence and brought her knee up sharply right between his legs. Nestor gurgled, "Oooff!", released the girl, and shot to the surface, streaming bubbles out of his mouth.
She followed him up, and pushing hair out of her eyes, scowled at him, "How dare you!"
Nestor was hunched over, trying to hold his abused privates and tread water at the same time. For all his pain, he was grinning, "At least I got that kiss I have wanted so badly! Has anyone told you that you are particularly attractive when you are angry? Your eyes flash like lightning!"
At that, the wolf girl had to laugh, her anger dissipating, "Aye, I have been told that before. You are not the first to comment on my eyes."
"Mayhaps that is why boys tease you with the intent to make you lose your temper. Am I correct in that assumption?"
Arya could not help but smile, "Mayhaps you are right," thinking back on her quarrels with Aegon, and reflecting on how much she missed the prince. She decided to stay with her memories and swam away from the young sailor, who was recovering his self-control.
A shout from the crow's next announced the arrival of a pod of sea-jesters, man-sized animals named for their playful nature and the mouth fixed in a permanent grin that appeared to be constantly making a jape. They looked similar to sea-tigers, but were intelligent and friendly, and liked to frolic in the bow wave of a fast-moving ship. The sailors told Arya that sea-jesters were not fish, but birthed live babes and suckled their young like land animals. As they swam among the humans in the water, curious as to all the activity, Arya had an idea. I wonder if I can warg into a sea-jester? she thought. Focusing on the nearest one, she formed an image of herself riding on its back while grasping the dorsal fin. The animal turned and looked at her, and immediately swam up and prodded her with its long snout. The girl climbed aboard and immediately the sea-jester started swimming rapidly along the surface away from the crowd. Arya was delighted and enjoying her ride until a distant shout from the crow's nest caught her attention. She realized the animal had carried her quite far from the ship. She formed the image of the ship in her mind and the sea-jester turned around and swam back, stopping besides the rope ladder that had been lowered over the hull to assist the swimmers for climbing back to the deck. Arya dismounted, put a hand on its jaw, and said "Thank you," directing the thought of her face grinning widely at the creature, which bobbed its head up and down twice and swam gracefully away to rejoin the pod. The captain, Lady Nym, Nestor, and a few others were looking down from the deck in amazement.
Nym called down, "Arya, was that your doing?"
"Aye, I requested a ride from the sea-jester, and it was agreeable."
The captain's jaw dropped, "I have never seen anything like that! The wolf wench has power over the beasts! She is surely a special girl!" He looked at her with admiration, as did Nestor and the others. Arya was very pleased with herself and thought, I can't wait to write Aegon about my adventures! Mayhaps I can send a raven to Jon, too!
Eventually the swimmers grew tired and started returning to the ship, many as happy as children after splashing around for hours. Sarra climbed up the rope ladder and crawled over the rail. As she stood on the deck, water streaming off of her body, the observing crew members let out an involuntary collective gasp. Sarra had fashioned a silk robe into a swimming outfit, and now the delicate soaking wet material was clinging to her like a second skin. Sarra was a smaller version of her cousin, Lady Nym, and her proportions were just as flawless. The shape of her perfectly round breasts was revealed by the thin cloth, and it was obvious that her teats were hard and pointed. Looking down, Sarra realized that even the outline of her mound, covered in soft curls, was visible. One sailor turned to his mate and said, "By the Gods, it's the Maiden herself in the flesh! I'm not going to sleep well tonight with that vision in my mind."
"Aye," replied the second sailor, "All the blood has rushed to my cock, and my brain has shut down. I'm glad that I am not on duty."
The Dornish girl became aware of her rapt audience, and blushing furiously, rushed down the companionway to her cabin to dry herself and change into less revealing clothing. I like when men admire me, but that was far too much attention for comfort! the maiden thought.
Arya had her head over the rail and had witnessed what had just passed, so she climbed over and quickly pulled on her tunic, breeches, and skirt, as her smallclothes were also totally soaked and revealing. When she looked up, she saw that the men were still gazing at the companionway through which Sarra had passed, and no one had noticed her. The wolf girl didn't know whether to be relieved or insulted. Idiot! she thought, you don't really want those coarse sailors lusting for you, do you? Upon reflection, she had to admit that she was not sure if she did or not.
That evening the wind returned and the ship began making way southward on the Narrow Sea again. They steered clear of the island of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon's seat, awarded to him by his brother Robert after the Rebellion. As they passed, Arya thought, That castle rightly belongs to Aegon. When he becomes king, we should demand that Stannis vacate and return to Storm's End. The ship sailed past the Gullet, which was the entrance to Blackwater Bay and the route to King's Landing, and instead, upon seeing the great fire of the watchtower on Sharp Point at the end of the peninsula of Massey's Hook, sailed to the small port of Stonedance to unload cargo and restock provisions. The sailors were eager to land, and those who were the first to be granted shore leave raced for the street of brothels. Having been trapped for a month aboard a ship with a passenger list filled with incredibly desirable, but off-limits women, the men were eager to replace their calloused palms with the real thing. Arya overheard Nestor trading japes with a shipmate, saying that he was most interested in finding a thin, young, dark-haired whore. "I have a lot of frustration to work out," he grinned, and the girl turned away in embarrassment.
As the sailors ran down the quay after disembarking, the captain turned to Lady Nym and smirked, "My lady, your party has certainly made an impression on my crew. I hope that they clear their heads so they can concentrate on work when they return."
Nym returned his smirk, "Oh, it's not their heads that they are concerned with, captain, but I agree. I hope they return satisfied and don't cast their hungry eyes at us, but I doubt that they will be comfortable for long. We have had a pleasant voyage so far, and I regret that we can be such a distraction to your crew, but that is not something we can control. I am sure that when we arrive at Sunspear you will be relieved."
"That may be true, my lady," replied the captain, "but I must say that it has been interesting traveling with you, especially that little she wolf. You have been closed-mouth about her identity, but it is obvious that she is a member of a noble family and has had a good education. She is as clever as the best apprentice seaman I have fostered, and has been a quick study with any subject presented to her. She also seems comfortable taking command. If she were a lad, I could see her acquiring a captaincy by the time she attains ten and eight namedays. My apprentice, Nestor, is on that path, and has pointed out how capable she is."
"Aye, captain, that is an astute observation," Nym responded, "Her other mentors have suggested that if she were male, she could be groomed as a grand maester, or even the Hand of the king of Westeros."
The captain's eyes became very wide. "That is amazing! Now I am intrigued, and for the rest of our voyage, I am going to see how much seamanship she can absorb. It will be enjoyable having such a talented student."
The Sand Snake laughed, "Don't be surprised if she surpasses your expectations, captain. I understand that even as a young child she bested her siblings and companions at letters, sums, history, and cyvasse. And that was before her sweet features proved to be a distraction to the boys. The wolf girl has been my apprentice for almost six moons, and she has often been a real challenge for me."
"Ah, then my apprentice, Nestor, will really be in trouble," the captain chuckled, "I know he is infatuated with Arya, even though she is too young for him, and he will certainly be distracted during shared lessons. That may be a good thing, though, as he needs to learn to focus his mind if he is to captain a ship when he is of age."
Nym smiled, "Well then, I think that the remainder of our voyage home will prove to be very interesting. Good day to you, captain, it is the sparring hour for my ladies, and we like to keep our skills sharp."
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Notes: Next, back to Ned Stark and his journey home.