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

Chapter XXXIV - The Trail by Combat

Alyssa POV

They quickly left the inn after the Hound was brought in and revealed that they were alive. Alyssa was worried that with her father being revealed alive, the Lannisters would want to hunt them down. However, her father assured them that no one would ever take words of drunk people seriously and drunk people would always go into an inn to drink.

"If I could find a proper forge, I could make it look good." Gendry said as they watched him help Thoros into his armour.

"It doesn't have to look pretty." Thoros said. "It just has to keep the arrows out of my heart."

"Why are you helping him?" Alyssa demanded. She didn't like the Brotherhood, first of all, she was tortured because of what the Brotherhood did. She remembered how close the rats came nibbling on her. "We're his prisoners."

"We're not prisoners Alyssa." Ned said. "The Brotherhood will take us to Robb."

"For gold." Alyssa noted.

"Aye, for gold." Ned said, surprising Alyssa. After all, her father was all about honour.

"You're not prisoner Lady Alyssa, but a battle is no place for girls." Thoros said.

"I'm not a girl, I'm a woman." Alyssa spat at the drunk Priest who merely smiled at her. Alyssa looked around, trying to find for Arya, who was walking towards the...Hound.

"Arya." Alyssa said harshly but Arya ignored her, walking towards the Hound instead, who was criticizing about peasants holding weapons. The Hound was bounded tightly with ropes around him and Anguy the Archer kept mocking him.

"You remember the last time you were here?" Arya demanded, and Alyssa realized it was the same place where Lady and Mycah, the Butcher Boy's son, died, where they freed Rhae and Nymeria. Oh how she would love to see Rhae again, but Rhae is probably on a run, or being hunted. The thought made Alyssa sick.

The Hound looked around carelessly and spat, "Seems like all the other shits-"

"Out." One of the Brotherhood nudged her aside and Alyssa took Arya's hand and said, "We have to stay together, don't go running off."

"He killed-"

"Yes, he did." Alyssa said. "And like father said, Mycah would have his justice, and the Hound would die one day."

They watched in satisfaction seeing Anguy the Archer placing a hood on the Hound, hauling him up into a cage, while commenting on his features. They heard footsteps behind them and saw Hot Pie carrying two packages.

"What are you doing?" Arya asked. "We're about to leave."

"I'm staying." Hot Pie said surprising Alyssa. Gendry looked up surprised and said, "You're what?"

"He's staying." Alyssa said, she has expected this. Hot Pie gets scared easily, however he is a talented cook.

"I baked some brown bread for the inn keeper, and she said she never had better." Hot Pie said. "So she's taking this as a payment for all the free meal she will give me. Anyway, it's not me who the Brotherhood wants, my brother aint no King, I'm not Stark of Winterhell-"

"Winterfell." Alyssa corrected with amusement. Winterhell, people would start calling us that.

"You sure?" Hot Pie asked confused.

"You think I don't know my own home?" Alyssa asked amused.

"Oh." Hot Pie said. "I made you two girls something." He handed them two loaves of bread, shaped like...a- Alyssa doesn't know what it is.

"What is it?" Arya asked looking at the shape of the bread.

"It's wolf." Hot Pie said. Alyssa looked confused, how does this look like a wolf, sure it has a head, four legs and probably a short tail.

"Yes it is." Gendry said smiling.

"That's the tail." Arya said moving to the end of the bread. "And that's the head."

"Be safe." Gendry told Hot Pie as Alyssa gave Hot Pie a hug, surprising them, which Hot Pie reciprocated. They walked away with two other horses coming in. Ned and Arya rode on a horse, while Alyssa had to ride with Thoros', so that they don't try anything funny. Gendry on the otherhand had to walk, since he was no lord, nor was he a warrior or a member of the Brotherhood.

"Hot Pie!" Alyssa yelled as she tasted the bread. Hot Pie looked behind and Alyssa said, "This tastes good."

oOoOo

Alyssa didn't know how long they have been travelling with the Brotherhhod without Banners due to the bag on her head. The bag stinks, and the air inside was so hot. Alyssa didn't understand why she had to wear this bag, only for Thoros of Myr telling her that they don't want anyone to recognize two girls travelling with the Brotherhood. When Alyssa asked why her father doesn't have to wear it, Thoros said that a man can pass of as anything in the Brotherhood, but a girl in the Brotherhood would cause people to suspcious.

"Can I take this hood off now?" Arya asked. Alyssa lost count of how many times Arya had ask this question.

"No." Ned said. "It's not safe."

"And it's better you do not see where we are going." Thoros said. No doubt, if they were tortured for information again, like she did in Harrenhal. Suddenly, Alyssa heard a loud shout of Halt, and the horses all stopped. The, Thoros lifted off part of her hood, which only showed her nose and mouth. Thoros took out his waterskin and let Alyssa smell it.

"What is it?" Alyssa asked, her nose wrinkling at the smell.

"Black strap rum." Thoros said about to give Alyssa a taste, which she shuddered in disgust, earning the laughter of the Brotherhood, and possibly her own father. Alyssa was carried off from her horse and she was pretty sure Arya too. Then, their hoods were removed and Alyssa found her father who was standing next to her. She looked around, it was a cave, but rather a clever one, with a spring of water outside and the cave seemed warm, especially with the campfire.

"What is this place?" Gendry asked.

"Somewhere no wolves nor lions would come prowl." Thoros said.

"Wolves?" Ned asked confused, after all wolves are the sigil of House Stark, but no one answered him. Anguy the Archer removed the hood on the Hound who immediately stepped back from the campfire.

The Hound let out a small taunting smile and said, "You all look like a bunch of swine herds."

"Some of us were swine herds." Anguy the Archer said. "Some of us were tanners, and masons, and that was before."

"You're still swine herds, and tanners and masons." The Hound said in a low voice. "You think carrying a crooked spear makes you a soldier?"

"No." Another voice said and by the looks on her father's face, he did recognize the voice. The Brotherhood parted, revealing a man with an eye patch and scars around his face. Alyssa's eyes widened as no man could survive an injury that much. "Fighting a war makes you a soldier."

"Beric Dondarrion." The Hound said recognizing him. "You've seen better days."

"And I won't see them again." Beric Dondarrion said.

"Stark deserters." The Hound said in disgust and Alyssa, Ned and Arya looked around to see some familiar faces. "Baratheon deserters. You all aren't fighting for a war, you're all running from it."

"Last I heard you were King Joffrey's guard-dog." Beric said.

"He's no King." Alyssa said and the Brotherhood laugh. Alyssa wasn't sure if it was an approval laughter or a taunting one.

"But here you are a thousand miles from home." Beric said to the Hound as the flames around him flickered. "Which of us is running-"

"Untie these ropes and we'll find out." The Hound said dangerously. "What are you doing? Leading a mob of peasants."

"Lord Stark." Beric said gesturing at Ned. "Ordered me to execute your brother, in King Robert's name."

"King Robert is dead. Ned Stark is thought to be dead." The Hound sneered. "My brother is alive." The Hound then spat at the ground. "You're fighting for ghosts."

"That's what we are." Beric smiled. "Ghosts waiting for you in the dark. You can't see us, but we see you. No matter who's cloak you wear. Lannister, Stark, Baratheon, you prey in the weak. The Brotherhood without Banners will hunt you down."

"You found god." The Hound sneered. "Is that it?"

"Aye." Beric confirmed surprising them. "I've been reborn in the light of one true god, as have we all."

"Alright, he has gone mad." Alyssa whispered to her father. Arya let out a small laugh.

"Alyssa." Her father said worriedly, hoping that no one would take offence, but fortunately for them, everyone was much more focused on the Hound.

"If you mean to murder me, then bloody well get on with it." The Hound spat.

"You'll die soon enough." Thoros said walking around. "Dog." He added tauntingly. "But it won't be murder. Only justice."

Alyssa stood straight at that, knowing that Mycah would be avenged. Arya smiled at that too.

"A kinder fate then you deserve." Anguy the Archer said. "Lions you call yourself. At the Mummer's Ford, girls of seven years were raped. And babes, still on the breast were cut into two, while their mothers watch-"

"I wasn't at the Mummer's Ford." The Hound said and Alyssa was glad that he had interrupted him. The thought of hearing rape and babies dying will make her sick. "Dump your children's death at some other dog-"

"House Clegane was built upon dead children and woman." Ned Stark spat, standing up, surprising Alyssa and Arya. They never heard their father spoke in such loathing before. "I saw them lay Prince Aegon, Princess Rhaenys and Princess Elia before the Iron Throne. Wrapped up in Lannister cloak, but anyone could see how brutal it was."

"Do you take me for my brother Lord Stark?" The Hound demanded. "Is being born a Clegane a crime?"

"Murder is a crime-" Anguy spat.

"I never touched the Targaryens babes. I never saw them. Never smell them. Never heard them bawling, you want to cut my throat? Get on with it." The Hound spat. "But don't call me murderer, and pretend you're not."

"You killed Mycah." Alyssa spat.

"Who?" The Hound asked, making Alyssa furious.

"The Butcher's boy." Arya clarified angrily. "He was my friend and he was twelve years old. He was unarmed."

"You slung him over your horse like he was some deer." Alyssa added with disgust.

"Aye." The Hound said.

"You don't deny killing this boy?" Beric asked.

"I was Joffrey's sworn shield, the boy attacked the Prince-"

"That's a lie!" Alyssa and Arya said together.

"I hit Joffrey." Arya said and Ned's eyes widened at that. He didn't know this part, but regardless, Arya will not be punished, as Joffrey is not of royal bloodline. "Mycah just ran away."

"Then I should've killed you, not my place to question princes-"

"He was no Prince." Alyssa said. "He is a bastard born from incest and wedlock-"

"Even if you did not want to kill him, you are the one who laid your sword upon him. You told me that he didn't run that fast." Ned added.

"You stand accuse of murder, but no one hear knows the truth-"

"Excuse me?" Alyssa asked. "We just said-"

"We cannot rest this case on the account of two girls and her father." Beric said. Arya was about to argue but Ned held her arm tightly and whispered, "Lord Dondarrion is right."

"Only the Lord of Light knows the truth." Beric continued as if Ned didn't say anything. "Which is why I, Beric of House Dondarrion. Lord of Blackhave, sentence you to a trail by combat."

"So, who will it be?" The Hound taunted, he faced to Thoros and said, "Should we find out if your fire god really loves you priest? Or perhaps you Archer, or are you worse then a sword then your hand. Or is these little girls the bravest ones here-"

"My daughters will not be fighting, Clegane." Ned Stark said holding his daughters hands, by the expression on Alyssa and Arya's face, they would gladly fight the Hound.

"They might be the bravest ones here." Beric said. "But it's me you'll fight."

Judging by the Hound's face who's smirk has faltered, Alyssa felt hopeful that Beric was a warrior who could fight better then anyone.

oOoOo

Few Minutes Later

"Lord, cast your light upon us." Thoros of Myr said.

"Lord of Light defend us." The Brotherhood chanted. Alyssa, Arya and Gendry looked at Ned bewildered, who he himself was bewildered. In Westeros, there are only three main religion. Faith of the Sevens, which is followed by those from the Riverlands to Dorne. The Old Gods, which are usually followed by those in the North and also the Drowned Gods which were followed by Iron Borns. Lord of Light must be a religion from the Free Cities or somewhere in the middle of Essos.

Anguy the Archer cut of the ropes that tied the Hound, the Hound began to attack Archer, but Anguy the Archer moved away. Thoros of My stood up and his eyes stared at the flickering flames at the campfire. "Lord of Light, show us the truth. Strike this man down if he is guilty, give strength to his sword if he is true."

Alyssa let out a snort at that, but if the Hound dies, she is willing to convert to the Lord of Light today. Today, justice would be shown for Mycah, Lady and those who died on the Hound's sword.

"Lord of Light, give us widsom." Thoros of Myr spoke. Arya looked at Ned and Alyssa, who's attention was focused on the Trail more. "The night is dark and full of terrors."

"For the Night is dark and fool of terrors." The Brotherhood chanted. The Hound took a sword and swung at it, Thoros walked towards Beric Dondarrion who sliced his hand, letting blood flow. Alyssa, Arya and Gendry watched wide eyed as Beric suddenly moved his hand towards the blade and fire appeared. Ned meanwhile was also surprised, though he has seen Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion fighting in Greyjoy Rebellion with a flaming sword, the sight still surprises him.

The Hound stood back a bit, no doubt he feared fire. That alone gave Alyssa and Arya some happiness, hoping that the Hound would run away and Beric will stab him with the fire sword. However, the Hound then stood up bravely and grabbed a shield that was handed towards him. The Hound let out a yell and used his sword to hit Beric who dodged, but the Hound turned around and they watched as swords clashed around each other. The Hound was dodging the fire sword of Beric's, and Ned quickly pulled his daughters aside as the Hound stepped towards them and ducked as Beric slashed his sword.

They watched with awe as Beric managed to hit the Hound, but the Hound was not fazed and instead kicked Beric's shield who fell behind. While the Trail continued, Ned, Alyssa and Arya moved aside, to stay safe away from the sword. The Brotherhood started to chant as Beric was forced into a kneeling position, he raised his sword up, no doubt thinking the Hound will try to slash him, but instead the Hound stabbed his chest and let go. Alyssa watched horrified as Beric fell onto the ground.

Thoros immediately rushed to Beric and whispered quickly, "Lord, cast your light upon us, bring him back from darkness. His flames may be extinguished, but-"

As the Hound laid on the ground and extinguished the flames on Beric's sword, Arya immediately grabbed a dagger.

"ARYA!" Ned and Alyssa yelled as they kept a firm hold on Arya who was no doubt going to kill the Hound.

"Let me go!" Arya screamt. Alyssa wished that they could kill the Hound, but it is without a doubt that the Hound is a better fighter than Arya. The Hound may be injured or tired from the Battle, but they knew that he could fight better.

"No!" Ned said.

"Looks like the God likes me more than your butcher boy." The Hound taunted.

"Burn in hell!" Arya screamt with tears in her eyes.

"He will." Another voice said, and they watched jaws dropped seeing Beric suddenly standing up. All alive, Alyssa looked eyes widen, she saw him got stabbed. She turned to her father who stopped holding Arya, looking shocked too. Arya, who's attention wasn't on the Hound, but on Beric who was alive. "But not today."