"You think you're good with that bow, you little twat?" Sandor growled to Anguy, as he was pushed along.
"Better than anyone you've ever met," Anguy smirked.
"A coward's weapon. I like to fight up close. I like to see a man's face when I put the steel in him," Sandor responded, trying to goad him.
"Why? So you can kiss him?"
Before Sandor could respond, the little Stark girl barrelled up to him. "You remember the last time you were here?"
He looked around, then shrugged as much as he could within his bindings. "Looks like every other shit inn on the road."
Further conversation was stopped by Anguy shoving a hood over Sandor's head.
"Now, apologies, but you're one ugly fucker and I'd rather not see you no more," Anguy said as the large man was shoved into a cart.
Fuck, Sandor thought as the cart began to move. Where the fuck is Maud?
Maud had half expected Sandor to be there when she woke up in the morning, but his half of the bed was empty and cold.
She lay awake for several minutes working out what to do next. If he had left for good, decided that he'd had enough of her, then there was no good in her waiting around like a maiden in a fairytale. But what if he'd just got really drunk and was just sleeping it off somewhere?
After washing and dressing, she made her way downstairs to a surprisingly full inn.
"Prayer day," the innkeeper's wife said, as she waltzed past with two full plates. "We're always busiest on prayer days."
"I can help?" Maud offered. "Taking out plates or cooking or something?" Anything to take her mind of what she should do.
The woman eyed her suspiciously. "And in return?"
"Cheaper rate for the room for the next few days?" Maud offered.
The innkeeper's wife nodded an agreement. "Go to the kitchen and give Fred a hand. Do good, and the room's yours for the next three days. Still need to pay for food and drink, mind!"
Maud smiled. "Deal."
"You stand accused of murder," Beric Dondarrion said gravely, "But no one here knows the truth of the charge, so it is not for us to judge you. Only the Lord of Light may do that now. I sentence you to trial by combat."
Sandor snorted. Trial by combat gave him good bloody odds. "So, who will it be? Should we find out if your fire god really loves you, priest? Or you, archer? What are you worth with a sword in your hand? Or is the little girl the bravest one here?" He cast a glance to the angry Stark girl.
"Aye. She might be. But it's me you'll fight," Dondarrion said.
The ginger ponce looked into the fire. "Lord, cast your light upon us," he intoned. Oh great, Sandor thought. Prayers.
Anguy untied the ropes around Sandor and he pushed his shoulders back, limbering up. Dondarrion was a damn good fighter, even if he was down to just one eye - no point being cocky.
"Show us the truth. Strike this man down if he is guilty. Give strength to his sword if he is true. Lord of Light, give us wisdom. For the night is dark and full of terrors," Thoros continued, as the other men bleeted back lines.
Sandor gladly took his sword while Dondarrion knelt before Thoros and let the priest cut his hand open before taking his own sword. The one eyed knight slid the blade across the open wound and the weapon erupted in flame.
What the fuck? He knew Thoros used to have a sword he coated in wildfire - fucking wildfire! - but Dondarrion's sword lit as if by magic. Bastarding fire.
Sandor and Dondarrion both picked up their shields and circled each other, ready for battle. The knight had the first advantage, with the flames putting fear in the eyes of Sandor, but the taller man found his rhythm and the battle became more even, swords clanging as the brothers in the cave shouted.
Dondarrion dodged a blow, shouldering Sandor away in a move that made the man stumble into a fire, sparks erupting. Fucking fire! Sandor roared, charging, but loose ground made him fall to his knees. With a grunt he regained his footing and attacked harder, shattering the knight's shield. Dondarrion stumbled, but had enough sense not to let that stop his attack. With no shield, he grabbed his sword with both hands, using wider swings that pushed Sandor back and set his shield ablaze. No!
"Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty!" The Brotherhood's chant riles Sandor as he counter attacks, trying to douse his shield. He can hear the little Stark girl baying for his blood. Not today, little wolf, he thinks sourly, elbowing Dondarrion in the gut. The knight stumbles backwards.
With all of his might, Sandor unleashes an overhead swing. The knight attempts to block the move with his flaming sword, but the blow breaks the fiery blade and cleaves deeply into the man's shoulder and torso.
Sandor allows himself a moment's relief as the knight rolls onto the floor, dead, waiting to see if anyone would rush at him.
"Lord, cast your light upon this man, your servant. Bring him back from death and darkness. His flame has been extinguished. Restore it," Thoros entoned, dropping to his knees in front of the dead knight.
Sandor fell to the ground, smashing his shield to the ground, trying to stop the flames. He breathed deep. He'd survived. Out the corner of his eye he saw the little girl run at him, knife in hand, and prepared to add another to his list of the dead. Thankfully for both of them, the dark haired boy stopped her.
"Looks like their god likes me more than your butcher's boy," Sandor taunted.
"Burn in hell!" She screamed.
"He will. But not today." Came the voice of Beric Dondarrion.
Sandor turned in shock to see the knight alive, sitting by the fire with a bitter look on his face. Shit.
"I want my gold," Sandor snarled.
"It says it clearly right there on that note you'll be repaid in full when the war is over," Thoros said, as if speaking to a child.
"Piss on that! You're nothing but thieves." He threw down the note.
"We're outlaws. Outlaws steal. You're lucky we didn't kill you," the archer piped up.
"Come try it, archer. I'll shove those arrows up your ass," Sandor retorted, making to walk towards the other man.
"Go in peace, Sandor Clegane. The Lord of Light isn't done with you yet." Dondarrion said, over the indignant cries of the Stark girl.
A man placed a hood over Sandor's head and lead him out of the cave.
Sandor was delighted to see Stranger tied up outside, not looking any worse for wear. "At least they didn't take you," he said to the horse, giving him a pat.
"We would've, but he bites," a voice called. That bloody archer again.
"Fuck off," Sandor growled, hand moving automatically to his sword.
Anguy put his hands up in the air in an innocent gesture, but the smug look on his face said something very different. "Happy travels, Clegane. And tell Maud thank you for helping us capture you."
"The fuck did you say?"
"What? You thought we just happened to come across you? Your lovely travelling companion helped us."
"Bullshit."
"If it's not true, how'd I know her name? Who do you think taught her how to use a bow? I taught her everything she knows."
"That explains why she is such a shite shot then," Sandor grumbled, pulling himself up upon Stranger and riding away without a backward glance.
Was it true? He didn't want to think Maud had something to do with his capture but how else would Anguy know they were travelling together? He swore to himself. This is what happens when you let a girl close.
It had been three days and Sandor hadn't shown up at the inn. Maud wasn't sure if she should be worried or angry. If he had been caught by the Brotherhood, should she go after them? Anguy had said where they would be. But what if he had just decided to leave? If she walked into their lair demanding Sandor back, only to find out he had not been taken and had actually just left her, she could end up causing a hunt on his tail.
But enough was enough. Maud refused to sit around waiting for Sandor to show up. That's why she was now marching through the Riverlands woods towards the Crossroads Inn.
Part of her was disappointed when she saw neither Sandor or Anguy when she arrived at the inn seven hours later, her satchel stuffed with berries and dead birds she had hunted on the way.
She ordered a drink, then realised she recognised the fat boy bringing out food to a nearby table.
"You!" Maud called. "You're with the Brotherhood without Banners?"
"Well, I was. Sort of. See, they met me and my friends and they offered us food so we went with them. My friends are still with them but I stayed here."
More information than I expected, Maud thought. "So, they're not here any more?"
The fat boy shrugged. "Some of them will be back. They don't stay too far away, I don't think. Some of them are here quite often. My cooking helps," he bragged. His face suddenly dropped. "Why are you asking?"
"My friend said I could meet him here. Brown hair, bit of a beard...archer? Name of Anguy?"
The fat boy smiled. "I know him. Give him a few hours, he'll be here. D'you want some pie while you wait?"
Arya ran through the woods. Bloody Brotherhood, she swore as crouched to hide, looking back at the Brotherhood's torches. With a last look backwards, she stood to run again, not seeing Sandor until his arms had grabbed her tightly. Furious, she lashed out with her legs.
"Kick all you like, wolf girl. Won't do you no good."
He carried her off into the darkness. Time to make a pretty coin ransoming her to her brother.
Anguy's face was stormy as he walked into the Crossroads Inn. There was no sign of the Stark girl, which meant they'd lost out on a goodly ransom. At least they still had the money that Red Priestess had given them for the boy. It had been a shame to lose a blacksmith but the coin made up for it.
"Anguy!"
He was surprised to see Maud waiting for him. "You changed your mind," he smiled.
She nodded. "I was travelling with someone and they, well, I'm by myself now so I thought I'd check if you're still here."
"Good timing, we're heading south - spotted a raiding party and we're off to say hello. You're more than welcome to join, shoot a few arrows into a few Lannisters," he offered.
"Tempting," Maud responded, mind racing. "I'm just - I'm not sure whether I should wait for my travelling companion."
Anguy balled his fists behind his back. Why was she covering for him? What was going on between the pair? When he'd taunted the Hound earlier the man had seemed almost hurt when Anguy claimed Maud was the one who'd turned him in.
"The Hound?" He said, narrowing his eyes at her face as she flushed with shock. "We met up with him the other day - took some of his coin for our cause."
"I'd wager he had some things to say about that," Maud replied. "How - how did you know we were travelling together?"
"It was obvious when we met," Anguy shrugged.
"Oh. And, eh, when did he leave?" Maybe it was just today. Maybe he was on his way back to the other inn now.
"Days ago. He was only with us an hour or so. Then we took his money and he said he was off to get more. Something about going to Essos?" Anguy lied.
Essos. Home of the Second Sons. It made sense - but Maud wished Sandor had come to tell her first. Not that they were friends, but a little common courtesy would have been nice.
"So, will you join the Brotherhood?"
Maud looked up at her childhood friend. Sandor had technically been her captor. It was time to move on. "Yes. I'll come with you. I'll join the Brotherhood."