Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. Everything here belongs to George R.R Martin.

Chapter XVI - Escape from Lions

Tower of the Hand

Alyssa bursted into laughter seeing Arya fighting with Syrio Forel. Though she knew Arya could fight better than her, it was really funny to see her little sister water dancing. Their father had agreed to bring Syrio to Winterfell with them, which made Arya delighted. Sansa wanted to speak to the Queen before she left, no doubt saying good bye to her. The servants have their belongings packed and Alyssa is wearing her travelling clothes, a simple blue dress and a leather vest.

She watched as Arya and Syrio bickered like married couples, though it sounds highly inappropriate, they argue a lot. Arya was accusing Syrio of lying to her while Syrio told her, 'My words lied. My eyes and arms did not.'

"I wish I could learn." Alyssa said wistfully.

"Yes, can you teach Alyssa?" Arya asked excitedly. "Or maybe I'll teach her-"

Before they can continue, the doors behind them flew open with a crash. Both Alyssa and Arya whirled around seeing a Kingsguard with five Lannister guardsmen behind him. They were all in full armour, and Alyssa recognized Ser Meryn Trant was under the helmet of the Kingsguard.

"Alyssa Stark. Arya Stark. Come with us, both of you." Meryn Trant said.

"Why? What do you want?" Alyssa demanded stepping in front of Arya. She knew something was wrong already.

"Your father wants to see you." Meryn Trant said.

"Alright." Arya said and Alyssa took her hand and they began to walk forward only for Syrio to stop them.

"And why is it that Lord Eddard is sending Lannister men in the place of his own? I am wondering." Syrio said in a thick accent.

"Mind your place, dancing master," Ser Meryn said. "This is no concern of yours."

"My father wouldn't send you," Arya said. She snatched up her stick sword. The Lannisters laughed.

"Put down the stick, girl," Ser Meryn told her. "I am a Sworn Brother of the Kingsguard, the White Swords." "So was the Kingslayer when he killed the old king," Arya said. "I don't have to go with you if I don't want."

"So was the Kingslayer when he killed the old King." Alyssa said as she took Arya's hand and they took a step back. "We don't have to go with you and we don't want to."

Ser Meryn Trant ran out of patience. "Take them," he said to his men. He lowered the visor of his helm.

Three of the guards went forward and Alyssa grabbed Arya as they took a step back. She watched in horror, she knew the Lannister guards would defeat Syrio. Syrio, though talented, is only carrying a wooden sword while the Lannisters were carrying live steel. Syrio Forel stepped between them, tapping his wooden sword lightly against his boot. "You will be stopping there. Are you men or dogs that you would threaten a child?"

"Out of the way, old man," one of the red cloaks said.

Syrio's stick came whistling up and rang against his helm. "I am Syrio Forel, and you will now be speaking to me with more respect."

"Bald bastard." The man yanked free his longsword. The stick moved again, blindingly fast. Alyssa heard a loud crack as the sword went clattering to the stone floor.

"My hand," the guardsman yelped, cradling his broken fingers. Alyssa had to laugh at that.

"You are quick, for a dancing master," said Ser Meryn.

"You are slow, for a knight," Syrio replied.

"Kill the Braavosi and bring me the girls," the knight in the white armor commanded. Four Lannister guardsmen unsheathed their swords. The fifth, with the broken fingers, spat and pulled free a dagger with his left hand. Syrio Forel clicked his teeth together, sliding into his water dancer's stance, presenting only his side to the foe. "

"Arya, we're done for the lessons today." Syrio said. "Alyssa, take your sister and go to your father now."

They didn't want to leave, and so they watched fearfully as the battle continued. Only then, Syrio managed to defeat the four Lannister guards. Meryn Trant sneered, "Bloody oafs." Ser Meryn drew out his longsword from his scabbard.

"Remember what do we say to the god of death?" Syrio asked Arya.

"Not today." Arya whispered. They watched as Syrio and Meryn fought each other and Meryn's longsword slashed Syrio's wooden sword.

"Run Syrio!" Alyssa immediately shouted.

"The First Sword of Braavos never runs." Syrio said. "You two run now."

Sobbing, Alyssa and Arya immediately held their hands and ran down the stairs. They couldn't go back, they have to escape, especially with the swords fighting against each other. They could hear Stark men being killed by Lannisters. Alyssa wanted to save her father and Sansa along with Jeyne Poole, Septa Mordane, however she knew she was no match for Lannister guards.

They managed to get out to the castle where they saw their belongings scattered and their trunks being opened. Alyssa quickly gather some of the things up, some things that might be necessary, such as her sewing kit to make clothes for herself, along with warm clothes. She spotted her wolf pendant necklace in the trunks that was forcibly oulled out. Alyssa immediately took it and put it on herself.

Arya meanwhile took out Needle, a sword that was gifted from Jon to her.

"There they are." A boy hissed behind them. Startled, Alyssa and Arya whirled around and said, "Who are you?"

"You don't know me." The stableboy hissed. "But I do. Both of you."

"Help us saddle two horses." Alyssa pleaded. "Our father is Hand to the King, he'll reward you."

The boy shuffled forward and yelled, "It's the Queen who will reward me-"

"Stay away!" Arya yelled and suddenly thrusted Needle into the stableboy who gasped. Alyssa also gasped, never seeing her sister take someone elses life, Arya immediately withdrew his sword. She turned to Alyssa wanting to apologize, but Alyssa said, "It's necessary, he was going to kill us, we have to leave now."

Alyssa grabbed Arya's hand and they immediately ran to Flea's Bottom, alway from the Red Keep. Alyssa had tears in her eyes, she remembered her father once told her that Starks do not do well in King's Landing. Her grandfather Lord Rickard Stark and her uncle Brandon was burnt by the Mad King. Now, history repeats herself, and her father and Sansa are in the Lannister clutches.