p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
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p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The Traitor and The bastard part 1./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"It is bright, too bright to be mid-winter morning. Yet the sun showed through the hazy clouds. It did nothing for the chill in the air. Nor did it melt the snow. Her foot sunk in two feet of accumulated snow by the city's walls. Arya had forgotten the chill, the freezing winds coming from over the wall. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"There are no seasons/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true", her father had once told her, /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"only degrees of cold./emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Today/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true", she thought, /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"is mildly freezing/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true". Her journey through the free lands had left her memory as hazy as the clouds./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Two of the Town Watch stood at attention at either side of the gate. They were having a jovial conversation when they saw her. Their reaction isn't one of recognition, but alarm. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"A stranger approaches/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true", she thinks to herself. But she isn't a stranger in a strange land, just a wayward child returning home. "Who are you," the guard to her left bellows. The wind carrying his words. The right guard remains mute./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The guard's voice draws the attention of several merchants behind her waiting to enter the city and the Town Watch above her on the walls. She counts the arrows aiming at her, in a heartbeat's breath./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm Arya," she says, with that bit of Stark charm returning./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Beg your pardon man, but Arya Starke has been dead many a season. Enough foolishness, halt and deliver." The guards assume a defensive posture and level their weapons. She raises her hands./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Bring word to Maester Luwin or Rodrik Cassel. They can speak of my identity." She constructs them dutifully./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Maester Luwin and Rodrik Cassel have been dead for an age." The guard informs her with a casual tone of discussing the weather, which only leads to her being annoyed at the guard. The casual disregard for her friend's death drove her blood cold. "How," she asks, words trapped and tangled inside. But her anger was on the forefront of her lips./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Maester Luwin died in the Burning of the Fell. Theon Greyjoy took Rodrik Cassel's head," the Guard says in hush whispers. "Bad business that lot, ill to speak about it." Another name for her book. Another voice in her head, whispering all around. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""What about Jon?" Surely he could vouch for her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Jon left half a season for the Wall." The guard informs her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Who holds the title Jarl of the fell?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The guard responds, "Lady Stark." The name brings recognition./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Inform her of my arrival, post haste." The guard on her left motions to the guard on the right, to go inside./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Let her pass," a familiar voice calls out. The name Bran floats to the surface of her thoughts. Her eyes brighten. Until she saw him bound to a chair. A large burly man is pushing him. As if reading her pain, he says, "I'm no longer bound by my burden."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""How did you know of my arrival?'' she asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I know a great many things about a great many people." Bran looks to the raven on his left. "Even things not yet past. People believe you are dead. But I saw you at the Crossroads." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He looks to the guards. "Take her to Lady Stark." With a voice like a cliff, she is falling into eternity and drowning in the meaning of those words. She awakens as if from a dream, not knowing how she got to the great hall. The burly man is beside her, pushing Bran up the stairs./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Her words were slurring as if by drug or drink. The world felt unfamiliar and much slower than usual. Her brother is acting strange, indeed. Once a boastful brave man, dutiful and tough-minded. He had always been awkward in social situations. But never would he shy away from his boastful nature. Quick with a joke or laugh. This man seems reserved and of a serious demeanor. "You're not Bran, are you?" She asks. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""My mortal form was cast down, raised unto wings of fire. I've got one foot in both worlds. Part of the Old Gods' epic play. Such as it is." The doors open displaying a rowdy party for depraved eyes./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You remember what our mother used to say?" He nods. They push past noble-born and commoners alike, trying to find a quiet place to speak./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"They in unison shout over the crowd, from memory. "You never know if it's a sparrow or Bran." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The poor Húskarls watching over you." Arya runs into a tall blond man and bounces off. She apologizes and keeps walking. "They would be freaking out after your disappearance, then trying to climb up after you." They take a seat at the far end of the hall, next to two old ladies gossiping about soldiers. The lady's eyes never leave their conversation./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You were always trying to chase after me, but you never could keep up. I remember the games of tag." Even as he spoke, memories became images in her mind's eye. An image so real that she felt stone and wood under her hands./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Hide and seek," she reminds him. More images dance in her mind's eye./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I haven't lost my adventurous spirit. But with the loss of my limbs, I felt trapped within my skin. But I've been given a second chance for an adventure of a lifetime. More than that, a destiny greater than myself."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You see vision now, like in the old stories?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Not like the stories, like memories. You've had dreams where you chase the images. It's like that." He corrects her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do I ever kill Cersei?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He seems to hesitate but reluctantly drifts into a trance. His eyes turn milky white. After a moment, he returns. But, whatever he did, the task seems to be exhausting. Bran struggles to speak but somehow forces the words out. "Not at your own behest."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Then who's?" She asks, owing no allegiance to any master or lord. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""At the behest of the wayward king, lost without a kingdom or crown."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""But who is the King, '' she says, feeling the frustration building over the situation. The constant riddles in his words. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You know it doesn't work like that. Dreams, Arya, like dreams."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Who wins the Iron throne?" Her voice is louder and more aggressive in her eagerness./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's not for me to say. Fate must be its own playwright." He instructs her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I don't understand. You've been given all of this knowledge. Why not use it to further your ends? At least, to help your family and the North. If you had this power, we could avoid the tragedies of our family." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Bran ponders the implication of her words. "In one possible outcome, I sit on the Iron Throne. But I'm not here to pretend to be a god or rule over the lives of men. Nor would I want to. Empires rise and fall in the blink of the eyes of the Old Gods. To concern yourself with the mundane trials of kings is foolhardy at best. But for your sake, I'll put your mind to ease. If I told you not to kill Cersei, would you listen?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No," she admits./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Peace doesn't come at the tip of a sword. If I told kings how to govern their petty courts, they would be insulted. Who am to know their kingdoms? They would submit to temptation and greed. Like most men would. I would be a means to someone else's end. I refuse to be a pawn in the game of kings and queens." She found herself empathetic to his plight./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He continues speaking. "The true ruler of the Iron Throne must be pure of heart. Their only interest must align with the people. Even you, Arya, heart has the burden of grief and vengeance. You're telling me, you could walk away?" She shook her head. "All the knowledge in the world can't unburden a heart." This prompts a question in her thoughts./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Will killing Cersei heal my heart?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""That is a wound that will never heal. But you will find peace after the final battle of the Traitor and the Bastard." She took this to mean Cersei and Jon. Though there are many traitors and many bastards. This Bran's, who is wearing her brother's skin like a disguise, veil words are cryptic and run in circles./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The Northern folks know how to throw a feast for the ages," Bran says changing the subject./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do you miss the old days?" She asks. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm quite past them. I suspect you are as well. You've suffered hardships on your journey, but your road doesn't end here. But behind these walls, put down your list."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The mention of her list broke her stoicism and for a brief second, she could be seen as her younger self once again. But in a blink, she is back to normal./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Oh, I know about it. Not everything lost is forgotten. I suspect you find my words cryptic. Don't trouble yourself with the meaning."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa sat at the far end of the great hall on a massive throne, dressed in regal furs. Paunchy noblemen fill the throne reception area and squabble over petty grievances. She approaches the throne room. Then she bows courtly. Sansa stands up, demanding, "Silence." Most of the overindulgent nobles ignore her. In response, the Húskarls began banging swords against shields. "I will have silence in my court."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya approaches the dais, asking, "Do I call you Lady Stark, now?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa firmly insists "Yes" - and then laughs. They smile and hug. "More honey mead," she decrees. "Bring wine from the cellar."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She protests, but Sansa shushes her. "Another Stark enters the fold. This is a call for celebration. I hope Jon would be back soon. He will be so happy to see you, Arya." The memory of that day came flooding back. She could see the look on Jon's face, despite her brother not being here in the flesh. She knew they would never be close like he and Sansa./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Her sister asks her to stay and enjoy the festivities at her behest. She takes a seat in an advisory seat next to the throne. For a time the court is lively with revelry. But the noblemen eventually regress into bickering amongst themselves, making her uncomfortable. Arya didn't feel like speaking with so many people around, so many prying eyes. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"One of those prying eyes is a skulking figure cloaked in shadows. Her eyes refused to focus on the figure, to part the darkness that hides him. But she recognizes the figure, recognizes the way the shadows cast upon his face. "Why is the lord of lies here?" She is surprised by speaking that out loud./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Littlefinger? Unfortunately, friends are in short supply. Besides," Sansa says. "He can help with this coming winter." She sends him a distrustful glance. Littlefinger fades into the background with a crooked smile. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Better to be alone," she says, cloaking the words under her breath. Arya couldn't settle into the celebration. Nothing could alleviate her unease around crowds, having never been one to drink. Seeing her sister's discomfort, Sansa invites her back to the private study. She stops halfway down the hallway, looking into her parents' room. It hadn't changed much. Sansa comes up behind her, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Who's been living here?" Arya asks her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No one," Sansa says. "But, I've been keeping up with it. does it Remind you of your youth?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya takes a step inside. "It's like walking into a memory," she says, choking on her emotions. Santa takes a step inside and embraces her. Then she takes a seat on their parent's bed./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Where have the winds taken you?" she asks, /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I've seen much, but nothing worthy of singing about in the mead halls. Arya wasn't paying much attention to the conversation. Her gaze is transfixed on the various tapestries of their family. For a time the room fell silent. Then at length, she reflects on life. "The eyes of an adult see things differently than the eyes of a child. I've not found much hope, beyond an early grave."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You're no fun, being all secretive," Sansa says with a joyful cadence. "You must tell me, you simply must." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Something about her infectious happy attitude made her open up, but she kept the details vague. "I'm a mercenary by trade. I ended up in a caravan with Jaqen, headed for Harrenhal. He owed me a life debt, of sorts, which is how I ended up in Braavos. But it didn't work out." She rubs her hand against the rough wood of the ornate dresser./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Braavos must've been nice. Sunshine, warm beaches, and saltwater breezes caressing your skin." Santa says hugging herself/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Memories of the dreadful place began to resurface. Arya remembers the mental picture of the wet, drab, windswept place. "The weather wasn't nice," The thunderstorms are frequent and nothing like the ones in Winterfell./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The accommodations were terrible."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I would say you always want to be a knight. But Ned wanted to keep your hands soft. What happened to that dream?" Sansa asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I woke up," she replies. "Listen, I know my father didn't approve, but I would give anything to be a knight. It's been my dream since I was a little girl. But I vowed to kill Cersei./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Is your carnal blood more important than family?" Her sister points out. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""She robbed us of our family," Arya screams at her. Our father is dead because of her. I came here to say goodbye."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Brienne of Tarth is a knight. You could be her squire." Sansa tries to reason with her. Without a reply, Sansa adds, "There have been mercenary knightly orders. Would you prefer that?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm sorry, Sansa. But this is something I have to do."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""A war is coming, Arya. We will have to face Cersei eventually. Wouldn't you prefer to face her under your father's banner?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya drifts into great battles won and lost, preserved in tapestry. Then cold reality drags her back glassy-eyed. "We won't win standing against her in a military engagement."./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You don't understand, the breaker-of-chains is on our side." Sansa sounds so hopeful and full of confidence./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No," Arya screams. "I won't let someone else take this from me. She will be dead by my hand. I want to see the life drain from her eyes, knowing I was the one who killed her." Her pure emotional rage brought silence between them. She hopes changing the topic would restore balance. "You've always wanted to be Queen, since playing princess with our mom. This life, it seems, is all you ever wanted. Is it what you imagined?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I've traveled from one suffering to another. Sometimes, I wonder if I have my own feet. I've suffered many indignities at the hands of the Kings and Princes of these lands. How do I separate myself from the injustice of these men? I want to break the wheel. No more women will suffer insults from piggish-headed men." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Men are not the suffrage of these lands. Cersei is a viperous whore mother, who men behest." It looks like her sister understands her, but is beholden to her plights. Whether embarrassed or lost in thought, remains to be seen. Sansa didn't respond right away./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I know pain, regret. I see no reason to keep vigilance on the past, better keep vigilance on the future. Maybe, someday, you'll leave your story for the scholars and historians." These words were too eloquent to be hers. But they were spoken for her benefit. For her, the past is cancer eating away at the present, a death sentence for the future. You can't hide the tragedy by turning the page. A servant enters the room, handing her sister a mead. She waves the servant away./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Hopefully, that day will come soon," Sansa adds, trying to be hopeful. But delivering a false smile./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"After a long, quiet moment, Sansa looks into her eyes for compassion. But find herself wanting. Then says, "I fear the Bannermen don't respect me. I've been in the company of vipers for far too long. They want Jon to return to the North. While I'm stuck behind babysitting the fragile peace in his absence." Her sister lets out a sigh of frustration and slumps her head./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""If they won't respect you, then they will fear you." Sansa looks up at her in surprise, as if Arya had suddenly become something dark and foreboding. "Don't look at me like that. Fear of the crown is the only thing that maintains the Seven Kingdoms. The North is no different."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I will not," Sansa tells her. "I want to be their betters. Not to become part of some sickness plaguing these lands."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Too much has happened, Sansa. These people don't deserve your compassion. Burn the North, if that's what it takes. Only iron can break iron."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Don't think of such ill will. We're alive. That is more than you can say about our loved ones." She is given to a look of pity and sadness./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I speak with truth," Arya tells her. Then sighs to herself, sitting beside her sister and closing her eyes./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Did you come here to suffer memories or a grander fate?" She ponders on the question. Why does her loss feel like a welcome home? The tears are gone; the well is dry./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I miss home," she says, telling a half-truth. She deeply misses her home. But she didn't come here to return home. Could she ever be idle, settle down and have a family? The past is alive in her world. She would have to kill it, like the hero slaying the monster in the stories of her youth. But the reality is much more horrid. The only real monsters are people./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You sought vengeance in another time. You were driven by carnal blood." She gave an affirming nod./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Dissolution of youth," she replies, trying to shroud her true purpose in a cloak of deception. "Are the rumors of Joffrey's death true?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I wished that I had been the one to kill him, to look him in the eye. But alas not me."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya remarks, "He was always at the top of my list." This confuses Sansa. Arya explains, "I've been keeping a list of everyone I'm going to kill." Sansa gives a hearty chuckle. "Where is Rickon?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Alas poor Rickon," Sansa says solemnly. The joy is fleeting from her voice. "The butcher of Winterfell, Ramsay, slew him. It's one of the catalysts to the Burning of the Fell." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why is our land seeded with the blood of the innocent?" Sansa could give no answer. This leads to a quiet, solemn moment. "I will not allow my people to suffer."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""We have little choice in fate, little Arya. At least the butcher is dead." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""But so too is our house." She adds./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Ramsay is a monster, a devil. But his death can't bring back those lost beyond the veil. Where there is a chance, there is hope, young Sister. Let's return to the hall." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The festivities were in full bloom. Ancient Bannermen songs were on every man's lips. The saga of Eddard is sung by half a dozen bards. "Join in," Sansa bellows, stepping into the room, to the guest. Even Arya joins in. But falls silent at the final verse, at his death. Though it had a bittersweet, poetic end. When the song ends and the crowds of rowdy guests turn to other tales of men larger than life, doing extraordinary deeds; she joins Bran in a solitary corner./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Something in his lap is gleaming in the dark. "What is that," she remarks. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's a Valyrian steel dagger. A weapon I'm sure you recognize. Littlefinger gave it to me, thinking I'd want it. Despite it being such a horrible keepsake that nearly brought my house and parentage to ruin."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It seems to be glowing, even in the gloom of the tavern." She explains. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You think it glows brightly in the dark, but it shines even brighter for me. It's the second thing in this room that stands between worlds, in the veil of shadows."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Shadows?" Arya asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Between light and dark, between fire and ice, exist the Veil. In the ageless past, the fare-folk, the children of the forest, within an ageless place where mortals dare not tread, brought the others from the veil. Some things can move between the worlds, into deepening darkness where R'hllor's light can't reach."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Can you see into that place?" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yes," he says hesitantly. "When I stare into the Veil, something stares back. It also attracts the unwanted attention of the No-Life King beyond the wall."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""That's a Bannerman's ghost tale," she points out./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No, he is real. In his anger, he cast down the fare-folk and banished his people to the world. Only the power of the Three-Eyed Raven can free him."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Isn't that you?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He gave a devilish smile. "Yes, someday, he will kill me, destroying the world and freeing his people."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You aren't worried?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's fate," he says. "I can no more stand against fate, than stand against the setting of the sun." A chill ran down her spine./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The previous conversation had almost been forgotten, but the topic slowly drifts into her conscious mind. "Why did a common cutthroat have a rare, priceless blade of Valyrian steel?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Bran matter-of-factly says, "This dagger is special. Littlefinger incorrectly believes it was his choice to give me the blade. But the dagger tends to choose its owner. " /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's just a piece of metal," she refutes./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Oh, no. It's alive, in a sense, such are those artifacts of such rich history. The souls of those that this blade has killed, stain the weapon. It has become part of the Veil. Thus they are connected." Bran hands her the dagger, saying, "This dagger has chosen you. Besides, it's wasted on a cripple."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"After the festivities. Sansa finds her a room next to Bran. But She couldn't sleep, feeling listless and disinterested. She moves into the courtyard to quell her raging thoughts./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She found it surprising that the courtyard wasn't empty. A recognizable face is practicing. His wide plumb face is hidden behind the night and cast in shadows. She steps into the courtyard and recognizes him as Podrick. The man stops mid-strike, lowering the practice blade. "Arya," he says. "You can't sleep either?" She drew a practice sword and put a practice dagger in her boot. She didn't need the dagger, but her training dictates it./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah, too many racing thoughts. Plus, I can't escape the night terrors. Your training to be a knight?" Arya steps into the courtyard, taking a defensive posture and keeps her sword between them./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I want to be like Lady Tarth. She teaches me when we're not busy. " He takes an aggressive posture, twirling his sword to check the balance./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I can teach you," Arya explains./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Really," he says surprised. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Show me," she says. "Have a few swings at me." Podrick took a few furies of blows against her. They were clumsy and overly exposing his defense. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She closes the distance, using none of her training, relying on reflexes to deflect his strikes. Then she began instructing him on her moves./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Everything you're doing is wrong. Focus on your defensive stance. Keep your blade between us. Don't attack, react. Study my movements. She unleashes a flurry of clumsy training swings, learned when barely capable of holding a sword. Then once he gets comfortable, she reveals her true blade work. A masterwork stroke that not but the heartiest defense could withstand. The blow came imperceptibly quick, catching his blade and sending it tumbling away. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"That's when she had the feeling of being stalked, like a predator in the underbrush. But something isn't hunting her, merely observing the battle. One is her sister, probably checking on her wayward position. The other skulking figure is that of a predator, Littlefinger. The last hulking form did little to conceal her movement. It reminds her of an apex predator in the jungle. Whoever it is, they didn't fear her. Yet this person's movements were subtle. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The children are playing," Brienne calls down in a booming voice that shakes the rafters./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm not a child," she calls up at her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Then prove it," Brienne says, jumping from the railing and landing on the practice field. Brienne's massive hulking frame looms over her. Arya takes a few testing swings. They easily got through Brienne's defense stance. It seems too easy. That's when the realization dawns on her. Brienne is toying with her, everything about that woman is deception. The woman may be a massive target, but woman's movements are subtle and graceful, easily bringing her bulk into massive swings at seemingly impossible angles./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya takes to her water dance training, received from Syrio Forel, augmented by her training with the Faceless Men. She pretends to leave herself exposed to draw her in. When the moment is right, she reverses it and moves in for the killing blow, if she attends it. Surprised by her skill, Brienne stops holding back./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Brienne manages to knock the practice sword out of her hand, but she simply switches to the concealed dagger in her boot. The action is carried out in one swift motion. The kill became all she could think about. She starts to suffer tunnel vision, focusing on bringing the dagger up. She misses Brienne bringing her brute strength to bear against her. The kick impacts her chest, sending her sprawling. At that moment, she realizes that her ribs could have been easily broken, even with armor. It's a costly lesson in humility. Her mind turns on itself, recalling her training. She can see one last opportunity to finish the fight, to survive./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Brienne's sympathy is a weapon; she could use it against her. The knight had felt sorry for her and didn't press the attack, to finish her when the woman had the chance. In the fleeting seconds, she brought the dagger to the woman's throat. But then feels something cold against her skin. Brienne's blade is hovering mere inches from her own throat. Had this been a real fight, that move would have ended her story with a tragic fate, with her vitae leaking onto the ground. That realization made her shiver worse than the cold. They both toss their weapons aside and bow./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She gazes up at her sister. Sansa is looking down, baffled by her deadly skill level. Her gaze shifts to the battlements, at the skulking Littlefinger, giving him an untrustworthy stare until he disappears into the shadows./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She returns to her quarters, to a fitful sleep, where she dreams of lunging at a white shadow, towering over Bran. She leaps, impaling the Valyrian steel dagger up to the hilt. The figure explodes into icy mist and the army of the dead returns to dust. She is the hero of her story, awakening to the early morning light and still able to recall her dream. The same dream from her youth. She ponders on it. But no higher insight could be gained. The dream remains a mystery./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya steps into the great hall. Jarl Glover sits at the mead table loudly griping to his house bannermen. his kinfolk encircle him like moths to a flame. A mead in their hands and various topics on their lips. Glover tells his kinfolk, "I don't trust Jon. He is not a High King. Fornicating with wildlings. Now he is off chasing ghosts in the north." Many of the men didn't share his grievance and remained quiet. Others were unwilling to speak out about the High King in Lady Stark's presence./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Stands up and walks over, "We should have made Sansa, High Queen of the Northern realms. She governs well in his stead. Where the hell is Jon?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's indeed our indiscretion that we didn't choose Sansa." Glover agrees. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The King in the North should stay in the North. I heard he has a girl out there. The Wildling blood is a poison to Eddard's line. Every time some fool leaves, someone like Bolton invades."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"In a fit of frightful anger, Sansa lifts herself from her throne. "The King of the North has to leave the North to deal with external threats. He can't be hunkering down at Deepwood Motte."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Glover grumbles. "What threats? The threats are to the south. Only children are frightened of ghost tales." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Glover, your opinions are like poison seeping into the hearts and minds. You would do well to keep your idle gossip to yourself, else I remove your tongue." She addresses everyone in the great hall."The North is weak and fractured. We stand at the edge of a knife, stray but a little, and all will be ruined." Sansa left the room and Arya followed after her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"They met again within their late mother and father's chambers. "Why did you choose this place?" Arya asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I wish to reflect on our heritage. We are careless with greatness." Sansa replies./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"It's strange, this place is like a memory." She reflects on her words, then decides to change them. "Memories fade, yet the room remains the same."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""A ship is nothing, without a captain to sail it. This room needs someone to master it. It's unbefitting of me."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why did you let them get away with soiling Jon's name, our family?" She demands./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Because heavy hands don't make good leaders. Our parents didn't have heavy hands, Arya." Sansa explains./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""People abused them. A firm hand prevents the knife. You should've taken their heads for defying Jon's rule."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""That would likely lose the support of both House Glover and the Vale. Without their support, we could never have taken Winterfell. We need to work together to survive."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The North is ours. These people follow you, not them. House Glover would take the knee. The question is if they would ever rise again." Sansa seems so distant from her memories of youth. She never took her as being weak, but she had seemed like such a frail tween, unable to make the hard choices. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Death is the choice of fools. Kings find other ways."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The only fool is you, tolerating serpents in the nest, lest venom takes the vein." She had taken to standing and pointing at her accusingly. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Your opinion to me is Sacrosanct, but this madness is folly." The softness of her sister's words didn't persuade her. "Why have you become bitter, rotting on the vine?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I've learned, have you?" She spat. "You don't deserve to be the ruler."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""If I kill either leader, the Bannermen will not follow, leaving us vulnerable."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The Vale road with you before." She is quick to point out. "You could rally them against House Glover. Put down his rebellion."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The cost would bury the North, surely as Cersei." Sansa's voice is a mournful tale./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The mention of Cersei further sours her mood. "We will recover stronger. But not with traitors, every one of them, with daggers pointing at our heart."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I won't hear more unless you want to be banished from this great hall." /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"That's the last straw, ungrateful sow. /emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She thought. Her sister deserves the cruel treatment life gives her. She had proven too weak to stand up to anyone. This is her opinion and her opinion alone. Silence descends like the night in their parent's room. For a long time, it's quiet. She could hear the bustle of activity outside the Great Hall. She decides to not discuss her rule, but inquire more about Littlefinger"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I know I've asked before, but why is the king of serpents in your midst?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Because little men crave big positions. He has always had an obsession with our family, but his motivation beyond that is a mystery, known only to himself."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You know nothing of him, then?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa shakes her head. Then Sansa hears a commotion outside and excuses herself. "I fear my duties require my attention." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"In another part of Winterfell's keep. Theon is alone in private quarters assigned to him by Sansa. He had little to occupy his time but worried about the fate of Yara and his people. There is a knock on his open door. He expects Sansa, but what he got is Bran./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do you have a moment?" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I guess. He beckons him into the unkempt room. "Not much."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You can't stay." Bran abruptly tells him. Theon Greyjoy looks incredulous./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""What, why?" He asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Your people need you. If you don't leave now, not only will Yara die, but you as well. This is not your time to die."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I just don't understand." He says standing up/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I promise Sansa I would support her in the upcoming fight."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""She will need you in the future. You can't help her if you're dead."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Are you saying we're going to lose the battle?" Rheon gave him a queer look./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I have offered you something greater than any man before me, a warning. Furthermore, a glimpse into the Drowned God's plan."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Now you speak for him." He says, with a creeping edge of annoyance./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Take it or leave it." Bran gave him no opportunity to reply. The Raven King motions for Hodor to wheel him out. In Bran's absence, Theon Greyjoy is left to ponder. To ignore the Drowned God, real or imaginary, is a bad omen. He utters a sea shanty curse. He packs his sparse belongings and goes to see Sansa./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa is attending her garden. He walks up behind her. She gave him a warm smile./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""What is it?" She asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I need to leave." He says bluntly./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why, you seem pretty adamant about staying and fighting."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Ask Bran. He says /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"the Drowned God demands it/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" and it's a bad omen if I refuse. if I stay, I'll anger the drowned god and he'll curse our efforts. I can't risk it."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I hope you'll change your mind." she pats his hand. Then kneels next to a peculiar flower. The bush is in full bloom, despite the frigid temperatures. Its delicate snowflake shape flowers are smaller towards the bottom. But became larger towards the top. She notices him staring curiously at the flower. "It's called the Snowdrop Rose. My mother used to grow them."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He looks at the flower's delicate magenta-colored petals. "I wasn't aware of any flowers that could survive in the North."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Snowdrops are one of the three flowers that bloom in the North. They only bloom in the early winter months. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""We're late into the winter month," he says./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Peculiar, isn't it?" She plucks a rose and hands it to him. "Something to remember me by." They embrace. "Have a safe journey. Don't forget to write." She tells him. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa watches Theon mount his horse, ride through the southern gate, and chase the sun into the horizon. Then she walks towards Godswood. She's happy to see Bran hasn't left./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why did you send Theon Greyjoy away?" She asks. Bran is slow to answer./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I did no such thing," he states adamantly./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You told him to leave."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I didn't, the Drowned God did." He states matter-of-factly/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You're telling me the Drowned God exists?" She asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""If it wants you to believe in it, it would send you a sign."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""But he does exist," she presses./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It doesn't matter if it's real, it only matters if Theon believes it."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She glares at him, then takes a deep breath to prevent herself from screaming at him. "Is the truth difficult for you?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The Drowned God has no ties to the north or its people. Theon needs to live. If he dies, we lose any hope."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why is he so important?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I understand your frustration, but you can't possibly understand his importance. You'll need his help in the end. That end isn't here."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She sighs to herself. "I don't like this. This sounds like a warning."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Unfortunately, yes. Things have been set in motion that can't be undone. You can't avoid fate because it's inconvenient. You will see Theon again."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She nods, reluctant to trust in Bran's foresight. She turns to leave/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya is alone in her parents' chambers, trying to find some of Ned's belongings. She had it in her mind to leave soon. She had the chance to see her home and family one last time. Something catches her eye. The sunlight is glinting off of something hidden in her parent's mattress. If not for the fate of being here at this hour, it would have gone on being hidden. She opens the scroll and begins to read it. Then abruptly drops it. It could be a forgery. The handwriting looks similar to Sansa's. But she had to be certain. She rummages around the room, but can't find a document written by Sansa. So she peeks out the door making sure the hall is empty. Then creeps out and down the hall toward Sansa's room. It's locked. She picks the lock and creeps inside. It didn't take long to find a document and compare the handwriting. They were a match. Her suspicions were so wrong. Sansa isn't just a terrible ruler; she is actively trying to destroy the North. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Then something happens that seems impossible, as it's improbable. She adds her sister to the list. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"My father died for this, for sniveling swine to cohort with vipers. I swear Sansa will die, and be buried in unconsecrated ground./em/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Leaving her parent's room, she heads upstairs and steps onto the balcony overlooking the castle's courtyard. Winter's air greets her senses and soothes her skin. She had a choice to make: Stay and deal with Sansa or leave for King's Landing. As much as she detests Cersei with every ounce of her will, she couldn't forgive Sansa. Underneath her skin is a seething volcano of hatred and embittering rage. The balcony creeks with footsteps. Training tenses her muscles. Instincts clutch her blade. But Sansa's voice relaxes her. Though she noticed they were being watched. But her mind focuses on Sansa. Eyes on the prey, not the horizon./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Father used to stand here and watch our brothers train." She claims bitterly, "You wouldn't remember. You were usually inside the castle knitting with the handmaidens. One particular day, well, after our brothers had finished their training for the day, I snuck out and began practicing with Bran's discarded bow. I didn't know my father's eyes were upon me. He told me later /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"how proud he was/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true". But he didn't want me to live by the sword. I was supposed to follow you."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I didn't know … " Sansa is struck speechless by her words./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The words had a mind of their own. Arya then resentfully states, "You killed our father. Yet, you now hold the throne."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""How can you say such hateful, mongrel words? Do you hate me, so?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Has everything you told me been a lie?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Once again, Sansa is going to rebuke her. But she shoves the letter into her hand. Sansa seems to have no idea what she is being excused of. But the look of self-reflection on her sister's face, the fact that she refuses to finish reading the letter, is all the proof she needs. She starts walking away, the matter closed./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do you blame me for my youth? Do you blame me for the lies of others?" Sansa calls to her, tears in her eyes, falling like rain. "I was, but a naïve child, forced to write it. I was led to believe that it would save our family."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You were only interested in saving yourself." She says accusingly. "No better than Littlefinger." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya is adamant to point out. "I would have died before betraying our family. You sacrificed our family on your altar. You were stupid for believing in the Lannisters' lies. But I guess it didn't matter, you ended up Jarl of the fell." She took a deep breath./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I was there that day at the statue of Baelor. I watched my father's head roll into the basket. Joffrey laughing and snickering at our misfortune like a devilish child of the forest. I cold-heartedly wept. That's where my innocence died. Can you say the same?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You were a child, Arya. You understand grief, not the duty to the realm."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You know not to honor thy family. You burn by your betrayal. Kings and queens weep for you. Know this, I will see your head." She storms off, more frigid than the cold of the northern mountains./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya disappears into the northern wilderness for a time. Rationality fled from her. The only peace could be found in the desolate waste. But her grief followed her like a howling angry spirit. She returns in the shadow of nightfall, chasing ghosts of her past. So she wasn't expecting to see Sansa looking through her bag, which is full of her faces from Braavos. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why do you have a trunk full of skinned faces? What depravity is this?" Sansa demands. The arches of her brow are like the northern peaks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Hoaxers change their faces with artifice and sorcerers use glamors. But what I do goes deeper than blood. These faces allow me to become anyone. I speak in their voice, live within their skin. I could become you, rule over the fell. I could kill Cersei and sit on the Iron Throne."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""This is deeply wrong. The way you've been speaking, this darkness that has taken root in your soul. What has become of you? What has led you astray? If this madness has taken hold, then the city must be taken to the torch, because only evil this way lies."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The only evil here is sycophants like you. Let's play the game of faces." The abrupt change of the subject catches her sister off guard. Sansa's face gnarls into a scowl./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Is it the same horrid place that birthed these masks?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It doesn't matter." She says dismissively. "What matters is the truth. The truth of your character. How do you feel about Jon being High King?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I don't care to discuss someone who's not here to defend themselves. Sansa's evasiveness only emphasizes her growing suspicion. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Is there someone else who should be ruling? We both wanted to be other people when we were younger."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why does it matter," her sister says, slowly revealing her annoyance through her voice and body language. "You're avoiding the issue of these masks."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You always wanted to be a queen, sitting next to a handsome young king on the Iron Throne." She says, ignoring Sansa and hammering home the point. "Attending ballroom dances and galas with nobility. You wanted to wear those pretty dresses. Now you get to live that fantasy thanks to Cersei."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa struck her. "This is no game. This is treason. You come here, desecrating our entire family and accusing me of treason? There are enough monsters beyond the wall. If Ned only knew what a monster his little girl had become. He would haunt these halls. For his sake, I should banish you, so he can rest in peace."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"These words were the last straw. She would not suffer someone besmirching Eddard's good name. Arya made a subtle motion, quicker than the perception of the human eye. With the dagger drawn, she lunges for Sansa's throat. But Brienne is faster, lifting Arya by the collar with one hand and throwing her over the railing./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa couldn't believe what had happened. Her sister assuredly seems complete. "Should I pursue?" Brienne asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She shook her head. "It seems Littlefinger is right. Though how did she get a letter from many ages ago? I don't trust this. But that person is no longer my sister. I can only hope that reason returns to her."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Did you write that?" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She gives Brienne a sorrowful look and closes her eyes. "We stood at the edge of the knife. The entire house could have been implicated in Eddard's trial. Most of his staff was massacred, along with anyone that supported him. I had to protect house Starke, no matter the cost. Cersei is a storm, her time is finite. We have to weather such things, such as Starke ought to do. I would have gladly stood against her if that was an option. But it wasn't. King Joffrey laughed at my father's suffering. Any excuse would have led to an appointment with the headsman's gallows."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The Traitor and The bastard part 1./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"It is bright, too bright to be mid-winter morning. Yet the sun showed through the hazy clouds. It did nothing for the chill in the air. Nor did it melt the snow. Her foot sunk in two feet of accumulated snow by the city's walls. Arya had forgotten the chill, the freezing winds coming from over the wall. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"There are no seasons/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true", her father had once told her, /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"only degrees of cold./emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Today/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true", she thought, /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"is mildly freezing/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true". Her journey through the free lands had left her memory as hazy as the clouds./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Two of the Town Watch stood at attention at either side of the gate. They were having a jovial conversation when they saw her. Their reaction isn't one of recognition, but alarm. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"A stranger approaches/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true", she thinks to herself. But she isn't a stranger in a strange land, just a wayward child returning home. "Who are you," the guard to her left bellows. The wind carrying his words. The right guard remains mute./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The guard's voice draws the attention of several merchants behind her waiting to enter the city and the Town Watch above her on the walls. She counts the arrows aiming at her, in a heartbeat's breath./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm Arya," she says, with that bit of Stark charm returning./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Beg your pardon man, but Arya Starke has been dead many a season. Enough foolishness, halt and deliver." The guards assume a defensive posture and level their weapons. She raises her hands./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Bring word to Maester Luwin or Rodrik Cassel. They can speak of my identity." She constructs them dutifully./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Maester Luwin and Rodrik Cassel have been dead for an age." The guard informs her with a casual tone of discussing the weather, which only leads to her being annoyed at the guard. The casual disregard for her friend's death drove her blood cold. "How," she asks, words trapped and tangled inside. But her anger was on the forefront of her lips./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Maester Luwin died in the Burning of the Fell. Theon Greyjoy took Rodrik Cassel's head," the Guard says in hush whispers. "Bad business that lot, ill to speak about it." Another name for her book. Another voice in her head, whispering all around. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""What about Jon?" Surely he could vouch for her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Jon left half a season for the Wall." The guard informs her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Who holds the title Jarl of the fell?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The guard responds, "Lady Stark." The name brings recognition./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Inform her of my arrival, post haste." The guard on her left motions to the guard on the right, to go inside./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Let her pass," a familiar voice calls out. The name Bran floats to the surface of her thoughts. Her eyes brighten. Until she saw him bound to a chair. A large burly man is pushing him. As if reading her pain, he says, "I'm no longer bound by my burden."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""How did you know of my arrival?'' she asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I know a great many things about a great many people." Bran looks to the raven on his left. "Even things not yet past. People believe you are dead. But I saw you at the Crossroads." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He looks to the guards. "Take her to Lady Stark." With a voice like a cliff, she is falling into eternity and drowning in the meaning of those words. She awakens as if from a dream, not knowing how she got to the great hall. The burly man is beside her, pushing Bran up the stairs./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Her words were slurring as if by drug or drink. The world felt unfamiliar and much slower than usual. Her brother is acting strange, indeed. Once a boastful brave man, dutiful and tough-minded. He had always been awkward in social situations. But never would he shy away from his boastful nature. Quick with a joke or laugh. This man seems reserved and of a serious demeanor. "You're not Bran, are you?" She asks. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""My mortal form was cast down, raised unto wings of fire. I've got one foot in both worlds. Part of the Old Gods' epic play. Such as it is." The doors open displaying a rowdy party for depraved eyes./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You remember what our mother used to say?" He nods. They push past noble-born and commoners alike, trying to find a quiet place to speak./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"They in unison shout over the crowd, from memory. "You never know if it's a sparrow or Bran." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The poor Húskarls watching over you." Arya runs into a tall blond man and bounces off. She apologizes and keeps walking. "They would be freaking out after your disappearance, then trying to climb up after you." They take a seat at the far end of the hall, next to two old ladies gossiping about soldiers. The lady's eyes never leave their conversation./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You were always trying to chase after me, but you never could keep up. I remember the games of tag." Even as he spoke, memories became images in her mind's eye. An image so real that she felt stone and wood under her hands./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Hide and seek," she reminds him. More images dance in her mind's eye./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I haven't lost my adventurous spirit. But with the loss of my limbs, I felt trapped within my skin. But I've been given a second chance for an adventure of a lifetime. More than that, a destiny greater than myself."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You see vision now, like in the old stories?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Not like the stories, like memories. You've had dreams where you chase the images. It's like that." He corrects her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do I ever kill Cersei?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He seems to hesitate but reluctantly drifts into a trance. His eyes turn milky white. After a moment, he returns. But, whatever he did, the task seems to be exhausting. Bran struggles to speak but somehow forces the words out. "Not at your own behest."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Then who's?" She asks, owing no allegiance to any master or lord. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""At the behest of the wayward king, lost without a kingdom or crown."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""But who is the King, '' she says, feeling the frustration building over the situation. The constant riddles in his words. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You know it doesn't work like that. Dreams, Arya, like dreams."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Who wins the Iron throne?" Her voice is louder and more aggressive in her eagerness./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's not for me to say. Fate must be its own playwright." He instructs her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I don't understand. You've been given all of this knowledge. Why not use it to further your ends? At least, to help your family and the North. If you had this power, we could avoid the tragedies of our family." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Bran ponders the implication of her words. "In one possible outcome, I sit on the Iron Throne. But I'm not here to pretend to be a god or rule over the lives of men. Nor would I want to. Empires rise and fall in the blink of the eyes of the Old Gods. To concern yourself with the mundane trials of kings is foolhardy at best. But for your sake, I'll put your mind to ease. If I told you not to kill Cersei, would you listen?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No," she admits./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Peace doesn't come at the tip of a sword. If I told kings how to govern their petty courts, they would be insulted. Who am to know their kingdoms? They would submit to temptation and greed. Like most men would. I would be a means to someone else's end. I refuse to be a pawn in the game of kings and queens." She found herself empathetic to his plight./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He continues speaking. "The true ruler of the Iron Throne must be pure of heart. Their only interest must align with the people. Even you, Arya, heart has the burden of grief and vengeance. You're telling me, you could walk away?" She shook her head. "All the knowledge in the world can't unburden a heart." This prompts a question in her thoughts./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Will killing Cersei heal my heart?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""That is a wound that will never heal. But you will find peace after the final battle of the Traitor and the Bastard." She took this to mean Cersei and Jon. Though there are many traitors and many bastards. This Bran's, who is wearing her brother's skin like a disguise, veil words are cryptic and run in circles./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The Northern folks know how to throw a feast for the ages," Bran says changing the subject./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do you miss the old days?" She asks. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm quite past them. I suspect you are as well. You've suffered hardships on your journey, but your road doesn't end here. But behind these walls, put down your list."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The mention of her list broke her stoicism and for a brief second, she could be seen as her younger self once again. But in a blink, she is back to normal./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Oh, I know about it. Not everything lost is forgotten. I suspect you find my words cryptic. Don't trouble yourself with the meaning."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa sat at the far end of the great hall on a massive throne, dressed in regal furs. Paunchy noblemen fill the throne reception area and squabble over petty grievances. She approaches the throne room. Then she bows courtly. Sansa stands up, demanding, "Silence." Most of the overindulgent nobles ignore her. In response, the Húskarls began banging swords against shields. "I will have silence in my court."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya approaches the dais, asking, "Do I call you Lady Stark, now?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa firmly insists "Yes" - and then laughs. They smile and hug. "More honey mead," she decrees. "Bring wine from the cellar."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She protests, but Sansa shushes her. "Another Stark enters the fold. This is a call for celebration. I hope Jon would be back soon. He will be so happy to see you, Arya." The memory of that day came flooding back. She could see the look on Jon's face, despite her brother not being here in the flesh. She knew they would never be close like he and Sansa./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Her sister asks her to stay and enjoy the festivities at her behest. She takes a seat in an advisory seat next to the throne. For a time the court is lively with revelry. But the noblemen eventually regress into bickering amongst themselves, making her uncomfortable. Arya didn't feel like speaking with so many people around, so many prying eyes. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"One of those prying eyes is a skulking figure cloaked in shadows. Her eyes refused to focus on the figure, to part the darkness that hides him. But she recognizes the figure, recognizes the way the shadows cast upon his face. "Why is the lord of lies here?" She is surprised by speaking that out loud./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Littlefinger? Unfortunately, friends are in short supply. Besides," Sansa says. "He can help with this coming winter." She sends him a distrustful glance. Littlefinger fades into the background with a crooked smile. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Better to be alone," she says, cloaking the words under her breath. Arya couldn't settle into the celebration. Nothing could alleviate her unease around crowds, having never been one to drink. Seeing her sister's discomfort, Sansa invites her back to the private study. She stops halfway down the hallway, looking into her parents' room. It hadn't changed much. Sansa comes up behind her, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Who's been living here?" Arya asks her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No one," Sansa says. "But, I've been keeping up with it. does it Remind you of your youth?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya takes a step inside. "It's like walking into a memory," she says, choking on her emotions. Santa takes a step inside and embraces her. Then she takes a seat on their parent's bed./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Where have the winds taken you?" she asks, /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I've seen much, but nothing worthy of singing about in the mead halls. Arya wasn't paying much attention to the conversation. Her gaze is transfixed on the various tapestries of their family. For a time the room fell silent. Then at length, she reflects on life. "The eyes of an adult see things differently than the eyes of a child. I've not found much hope, beyond an early grave."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You're no fun, being all secretive," Sansa says with a joyful cadence. "You must tell me, you simply must." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Something about her infectious happy attitude made her open up, but she kept the details vague. "I'm a mercenary by trade. I ended up in a caravan with Jaqen, headed for Harrenhal. He owed me a life debt, of sorts, which is how I ended up in Braavos. But it didn't work out." She rubs her hand against the rough wood of the ornate dresser./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Braavos must've been nice. Sunshine, warm beaches, and saltwater breezes caressing your skin." Santa says hugging herself/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Memories of the dreadful place began to resurface. Arya remembers the mental picture of the wet, drab, windswept place. "The weather wasn't nice," The thunderstorms are frequent and nothing like the ones in Winterfell./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The accommodations were terrible."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I would say you always want to be a knight. But Ned wanted to keep your hands soft. What happened to that dream?" Sansa asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I woke up," she replies. "Listen, I know my father didn't approve, but I would give anything to be a knight. It's been my dream since I was a little girl. But I vowed to kill Cersei./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Is your carnal blood more important than family?" Her sister points out. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""She robbed us of our family," Arya screams at her. Our father is dead because of her. I came here to say goodbye."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Brienne of Tarth is a knight. You could be her squire." Sansa tries to reason with her. Without a reply, Sansa adds, "There have been mercenary knightly orders. Would you prefer that?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm sorry, Sansa. But this is something I have to do."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""A war is coming, Arya. We will have to face Cersei eventually. Wouldn't you prefer to face her under your father's banner?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya drifts into great battles won and lost, preserved in tapestry. Then cold reality drags her back glassy-eyed. "We won't win standing against her in a military engagement."./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You don't understand, the breaker-of-chains is on our side." Sansa sounds so hopeful and full of confidence./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No," Arya screams. "I won't let someone else take this from me. She will be dead by my hand. I want to see the life drain from her eyes, knowing I was the one who killed her." Her pure emotional rage brought silence between them. She hopes changing the topic would restore balance. "You've always wanted to be Queen, since playing princess with our mom. This life, it seems, is all you ever wanted. Is it what you imagined?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I've traveled from one suffering to another. Sometimes, I wonder if I have my own feet. I've suffered many indignities at the hands of the Kings and Princes of these lands. How do I separate myself from the injustice of these men? I want to break the wheel. No more women will suffer insults from piggish-headed men." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Men are not the suffrage of these lands. Cersei is a viperous whore mother, who men behest." It looks like her sister understands her, but is beholden to her plights. Whether embarrassed or lost in thought, remains to be seen. Sansa didn't respond right away./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I know pain, regret. I see no reason to keep vigilance on the past, better keep vigilance on the future. Maybe, someday, you'll leave your story for the scholars and historians." These words were too eloquent to be hers. But they were spoken for her benefit. For her, the past is cancer eating away at the present, a death sentence for the future. You can't hide the tragedy by turning the page. A servant enters the room, handing her sister a mead. She waves the servant away./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Hopefully, that day will come soon," Sansa adds, trying to be hopeful. But delivering a false smile./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"After a long, quiet moment, Sansa looks into her eyes for compassion. But find herself wanting. Then says, "I fear the Bannermen don't respect me. I've been in the company of vipers for far too long. They want Jon to return to the North. While I'm stuck behind babysitting the fragile peace in his absence." Her sister lets out a sigh of frustration and slumps her head./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""If they won't respect you, then they will fear you." Sansa looks up at her in surprise, as if Arya had suddenly become something dark and foreboding. "Don't look at me like that. Fear of the crown is the only thing that maintains the Seven Kingdoms. The North is no different."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I will not," Sansa tells her. "I want to be their betters. Not to become part of some sickness plaguing these lands."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Too much has happened, Sansa. These people don't deserve your compassion. Burn the North, if that's what it takes. Only iron can break iron."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Don't think of such ill will. We're alive. That is more than you can say about our loved ones." She is given to a look of pity and sadness./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I speak with truth," Arya tells her. Then sighs to herself, sitting beside her sister and closing her eyes./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Did you come here to suffer memories or a grander fate?" She ponders on the question. Why does her loss feel like a welcome home? The tears are gone; the well is dry./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I miss home," she says, telling a half-truth. She deeply misses her home. But she didn't come here to return home. Could she ever be idle, settle down and have a family? The past is alive in her world. She would have to kill it, like the hero slaying the monster in the stories of her youth. But the reality is much more horrid. The only real monsters are people./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You sought vengeance in another time. You were driven by carnal blood." She gave an affirming nod./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Dissolution of youth," she replies, trying to shroud her true purpose in a cloak of deception. "Are the rumors of Joffrey's death true?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I wished that I had been the one to kill him, to look him in the eye. But alas not me."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya remarks, "He was always at the top of my list." This confuses Sansa. Arya explains, "I've been keeping a list of everyone I'm going to kill." Sansa gives a hearty chuckle. "Where is Rickon?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Alas poor Rickon," Sansa says solemnly. The joy is fleeting from her voice. "The butcher of Winterfell, Ramsay, slew him. It's one of the catalysts to the Burning of the Fell." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why is our land seeded with the blood of the innocent?" Sansa could give no answer. This leads to a quiet, solemn moment. "I will not allow my people to suffer."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""We have little choice in fate, little Arya. At least the butcher is dead." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""But so too is our house." She adds./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Ramsay is a monster, a devil. But his death can't bring back those lost beyond the veil. Where there is a chance, there is hope, young Sister. Let's return to the hall." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The festivities were in full bloom. Ancient Bannermen songs were on every man's lips. The saga of Eddard is sung by half a dozen bards. "Join in," Sansa bellows, stepping into the room, to the guest. Even Arya joins in. But falls silent at the final verse, at his death. Though it had a bittersweet, poetic end. When the song ends and the crowds of rowdy guests turn to other tales of men larger than life, doing extraordinary deeds; she joins Bran in a solitary corner./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Something in his lap is gleaming in the dark. "What is that," she remarks. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's a Valyrian steel dagger. A weapon I'm sure you recognize. Littlefinger gave it to me, thinking I'd want it. Despite it being such a horrible keepsake that nearly brought my house and parentage to ruin."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It seems to be glowing, even in the gloom of the tavern." She explains. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You think it glows brightly in the dark, but it shines even brighter for me. It's the second thing in this room that stands between worlds, in the veil of shadows."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Shadows?" Arya asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Between light and dark, between fire and ice, exist the Veil. In the ageless past, the fare-folk, the children of the forest, within an ageless place where mortals dare not tread, brought the others from the veil. Some things can move between the worlds, into deepening darkness where R'hllor's light can't reach."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Can you see into that place?" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yes," he says hesitantly. "When I stare into the Veil, something stares back. It also attracts the unwanted attention of the No-Life King beyond the wall."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""That's a Bannerman's ghost tale," she points out./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""No, he is real. In his anger, he cast down the fare-folk and banished his people to the world. Only the power of the Three-Eyed Raven can free him."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Isn't that you?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He gave a devilish smile. "Yes, someday, he will kill me, destroying the world and freeing his people."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You aren't worried?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's fate," he says. "I can no more stand against fate, than stand against the setting of the sun." A chill ran down her spine./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The previous conversation had almost been forgotten, but the topic slowly drifts into her conscious mind. "Why did a common cutthroat have a rare, priceless blade of Valyrian steel?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Bran matter-of-factly says, "This dagger is special. Littlefinger incorrectly believes it was his choice to give me the blade. But the dagger tends to choose its owner. " /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's just a piece of metal," she refutes./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Oh, no. It's alive, in a sense, such are those artifacts of such rich history. The souls of those that this blade has killed, stain the weapon. It has become part of the Veil. Thus they are connected." Bran hands her the dagger, saying, "This dagger has chosen you. Besides, it's wasted on a cripple."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"After the festivities. Sansa finds her a room next to Bran. But She couldn't sleep, feeling listless and disinterested. She moves into the courtyard to quell her raging thoughts./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She found it surprising that the courtyard wasn't empty. A recognizable face is practicing. His wide plumb face is hidden behind the night and cast in shadows. She steps into the courtyard and recognizes him as Podrick. The man stops mid-strike, lowering the practice blade. "Arya," he says. "You can't sleep either?" She drew a practice sword and put a practice dagger in her boot. She didn't need the dagger, but her training dictates it./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Yeah, too many racing thoughts. Plus, I can't escape the night terrors. Your training to be a knight?" Arya steps into the courtyard, taking a defensive posture and keeps her sword between them./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I want to be like Lady Tarth. She teaches me when we're not busy. " He takes an aggressive posture, twirling his sword to check the balance./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I can teach you," Arya explains./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Really," he says surprised. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Show me," she says. "Have a few swings at me." Podrick took a few furies of blows against her. They were clumsy and overly exposing his defense. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She closes the distance, using none of her training, relying on reflexes to deflect his strikes. Then she began instructing him on her moves./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Everything you're doing is wrong. Focus on your defensive stance. Keep your blade between us. Don't attack, react. Study my movements. She unleashes a flurry of clumsy training swings, learned when barely capable of holding a sword. Then once he gets comfortable, she reveals her true blade work. A masterwork stroke that not but the heartiest defense could withstand. The blow came imperceptibly quick, catching his blade and sending it tumbling away. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"That's when she had the feeling of being stalked, like a predator in the underbrush. But something isn't hunting her, merely observing the battle. One is her sister, probably checking on her wayward position. The other skulking figure is that of a predator, Littlefinger. The last hulking form did little to conceal her movement. It reminds her of an apex predator in the jungle. Whoever it is, they didn't fear her. Yet this person's movements were subtle. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The children are playing," Brienne calls down in a booming voice that shakes the rafters./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I'm not a child," she calls up at her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Then prove it," Brienne says, jumping from the railing and landing on the practice field. Brienne's massive hulking frame looms over her. Arya takes a few testing swings. They easily got through Brienne's defense stance. It seems too easy. That's when the realization dawns on her. Brienne is toying with her, everything about that woman is deception. The woman may be a massive target, but woman's movements are subtle and graceful, easily bringing her bulk into massive swings at seemingly impossible angles./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya takes to her water dance training, received from Syrio Forel, augmented by her training with the Faceless Men. She pretends to leave herself exposed to draw her in. When the moment is right, she reverses it and moves in for the killing blow, if she attends it. Surprised by her skill, Brienne stops holding back./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Brienne manages to knock the practice sword out of her hand, but she simply switches to the concealed dagger in her boot. The action is carried out in one swift motion. The kill became all she could think about. She starts to suffer tunnel vision, focusing on bringing the dagger up. She misses Brienne bringing her brute strength to bear against her. The kick impacts her chest, sending her sprawling. At that moment, she realizes that her ribs could have been easily broken, even with armor. It's a costly lesson in humility. Her mind turns on itself, recalling her training. She can see one last opportunity to finish the fight, to survive./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Brienne's sympathy is a weapon; she could use it against her. The knight had felt sorry for her and didn't press the attack, to finish her when the woman had the chance. In the fleeting seconds, she brought the dagger to the woman's throat. But then feels something cold against her skin. Brienne's blade is hovering mere inches from her own throat. Had this been a real fight, that move would have ended her story with a tragic fate, with her vitae leaking onto the ground. That realization made her shiver worse than the cold. They both toss their weapons aside and bow./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She gazes up at her sister. Sansa is looking down, baffled by her deadly skill level. Her gaze shifts to the battlements, at the skulking Littlefinger, giving him an untrustworthy stare until he disappears into the shadows./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She returns to her quarters, to a fitful sleep, where she dreams of lunging at a white shadow, towering over Bran. She leaps, impaling the Valyrian steel dagger up to the hilt. The figure explodes into icy mist and the army of the dead returns to dust. She is the hero of her story, awakening to the early morning light and still able to recall her dream. The same dream from her youth. She ponders on it. But no higher insight could be gained. The dream remains a mystery./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya steps into the great hall. Jarl Glover sits at the mead table loudly griping to his house bannermen. his kinfolk encircle him like moths to a flame. A mead in their hands and various topics on their lips. Glover tells his kinfolk, "I don't trust Jon. He is not a High King. Fornicating with wildlings. Now he is off chasing ghosts in the north." Many of the men didn't share his grievance and remained quiet. Others were unwilling to speak out about the High King in Lady Stark's presence./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Stands up and walks over, "We should have made Sansa, High Queen of the Northern realms. She governs well in his stead. Where the hell is Jon?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It's indeed our indiscretion that we didn't choose Sansa." Glover agrees. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The King in the North should stay in the North. I heard he has a girl out there. The Wildling blood is a poison to Eddard's line. Every time some fool leaves, someone like Bolton invades."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"In a fit of frightful anger, Sansa lifts herself from her throne. "The King of the North has to leave the North to deal with external threats. He can't be hunkering down at Deepwood Motte."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Glover grumbles. "What threats? The threats are to the south. Only children are frightened of ghost tales." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Glover, your opinions are like poison seeping into the hearts and minds. You would do well to keep your idle gossip to yourself, else I remove your tongue." She addresses everyone in the great hall."The North is weak and fractured. We stand at the edge of a knife, stray but a little, and all will be ruined." Sansa left the room and Arya followed after her./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"They met again within their late mother and father's chambers. "Why did you choose this place?" Arya asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I wish to reflect on our heritage. We are careless with greatness." Sansa replies./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"It's strange, this place is like a memory." She reflects on her words, then decides to change them. "Memories fade, yet the room remains the same."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""A ship is nothing, without a captain to sail it. This room needs someone to master it. It's unbefitting of me."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why did you let them get away with soiling Jon's name, our family?" She demands./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Because heavy hands don't make good leaders. Our parents didn't have heavy hands, Arya." Sansa explains./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""People abused them. A firm hand prevents the knife. You should've taken their heads for defying Jon's rule."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""That would likely lose the support of both House Glover and the Vale. Without their support, we could never have taken Winterfell. We need to work together to survive."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The North is ours. These people follow you, not them. House Glover would take the knee. The question is if they would ever rise again." Sansa seems so distant from her memories of youth. She never took her as being weak, but she had seemed like such a frail tween, unable to make the hard choices. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Death is the choice of fools. Kings find other ways."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The only fool is you, tolerating serpents in the nest, lest venom takes the vein." She had taken to standing and pointing at her accusingly. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Your opinion to me is Sacrosanct, but this madness is folly." The softness of her sister's words didn't persuade her. "Why have you become bitter, rotting on the vine?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I've learned, have you?" She spat. "You don't deserve to be the ruler."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""If I kill either leader, the Bannermen will not follow, leaving us vulnerable."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The Vale road with you before." She is quick to point out. "You could rally them against House Glover. Put down his rebellion."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The cost would bury the North, surely as Cersei." Sansa's voice is a mournful tale./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The mention of Cersei further sours her mood. "We will recover stronger. But not with traitors, every one of them, with daggers pointing at our heart."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I won't hear more unless you want to be banished from this great hall." /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"That's the last straw, ungrateful sow. /emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She thought. Her sister deserves the cruel treatment life gives her. She had proven too weak to stand up to anyone. This is her opinion and her opinion alone. Silence descends like the night in their parent's room. For a long time, it's quiet. She could hear the bustle of activity outside the Great Hall. She decides to not discuss her rule, but inquire more about Littlefinger"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I know I've asked before, but why is the king of serpents in your midst?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Because little men crave big positions. He has always had an obsession with our family, but his motivation beyond that is a mystery, known only to himself."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You know nothing of him, then?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa shakes her head. Then Sansa hears a commotion outside and excuses herself. "I fear my duties require my attention." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"In another part of Winterfell's keep. Theon is alone in private quarters assigned to him by Sansa. He had little to occupy his time but worried about the fate of Yara and his people. There is a knock on his open door. He expects Sansa, but what he got is Bran./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do you have a moment?" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I guess. He beckons him into the unkempt room. "Not much."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You can't stay." Bran abruptly tells him. Theon Greyjoy looks incredulous./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""What, why?" He asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Your people need you. If you don't leave now, not only will Yara die, but you as well. This is not your time to die."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I just don't understand." He says standing up/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I promise Sansa I would support her in the upcoming fight."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""She will need you in the future. You can't help her if you're dead."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Are you saying we're going to lose the battle?" Rheon gave him a queer look./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I have offered you something greater than any man before me, a warning. Furthermore, a glimpse into the Drowned God's plan."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Now you speak for him." He says, with a creeping edge of annoyance./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Take it or leave it." Bran gave him no opportunity to reply. The Raven King motions for Hodor to wheel him out. In Bran's absence, Theon Greyjoy is left to ponder. To ignore the Drowned God, real or imaginary, is a bad omen. He utters a sea shanty curse. He packs his sparse belongings and goes to see Sansa./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa is attending her garden. He walks up behind her. She gave him a warm smile./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""What is it?" She asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I need to leave." He says bluntly./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why, you seem pretty adamant about staying and fighting."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Ask Bran. He says /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"the Drowned God demands it/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" and it's a bad omen if I refuse. if I stay, I'll anger the drowned god and he'll curse our efforts. I can't risk it."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I hope you'll change your mind." she pats his hand. Then kneels next to a peculiar flower. The bush is in full bloom, despite the frigid temperatures. Its delicate snowflake shape flowers are smaller towards the bottom. But became larger towards the top. She notices him staring curiously at the flower. "It's called the Snowdrop Rose. My mother used to grow them."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"He looks at the flower's delicate magenta-colored petals. "I wasn't aware of any flowers that could survive in the North."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Snowdrops are one of the three flowers that bloom in the North. They only bloom in the early winter months. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""We're late into the winter month," he says./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Peculiar, isn't it?" She plucks a rose and hands it to him. "Something to remember me by." They embrace. "Have a safe journey. Don't forget to write." She tells him. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa watches Theon mount his horse, ride through the southern gate, and chase the sun into the horizon. Then she walks towards Godswood. She's happy to see Bran hasn't left./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why did you send Theon Greyjoy away?" She asks. Bran is slow to answer./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I did no such thing," he states adamantly./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You told him to leave."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I didn't, the Drowned God did." He states matter-of-factly/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You're telling me the Drowned God exists?" She asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""If it wants you to believe in it, it would send you a sign."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""But he does exist," she presses./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It doesn't matter if it's real, it only matters if Theon believes it."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She glares at him, then takes a deep breath to prevent herself from screaming at him. "Is the truth difficult for you?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The Drowned God has no ties to the north or its people. Theon needs to live. If he dies, we lose any hope."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why is he so important?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I understand your frustration, but you can't possibly understand his importance. You'll need his help in the end. That end isn't here."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She sighs to herself. "I don't like this. This sounds like a warning."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Unfortunately, yes. Things have been set in motion that can't be undone. You can't avoid fate because it's inconvenient. You will see Theon again."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She nods, reluctant to trust in Bran's foresight. She turns to leave/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya is alone in her parents' chambers, trying to find some of Ned's belongings. She had it in her mind to leave soon. She had the chance to see her home and family one last time. Something catches her eye. The sunlight is glinting off of something hidden in her parent's mattress. If not for the fate of being here at this hour, it would have gone on being hidden. She opens the scroll and begins to read it. Then abruptly drops it. It could be a forgery. The handwriting looks similar to Sansa's. But she had to be certain. She rummages around the room, but can't find a document written by Sansa. So she peeks out the door making sure the hall is empty. Then creeps out and down the hall toward Sansa's room. It's locked. She picks the lock and creeps inside. It didn't take long to find a document and compare the handwriting. They were a match. Her suspicions were so wrong. Sansa isn't just a terrible ruler; she is actively trying to destroy the North. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Then something happens that seems impossible, as it's improbable. She adds her sister to the list. /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"My father died for this, for sniveling swine to cohort with vipers. I swear Sansa will die, and be buried in unconsecrated ground./em/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Leaving her parent's room, she heads upstairs and steps onto the balcony overlooking the castle's courtyard. Winter's air greets her senses and soothes her skin. She had a choice to make: Stay and deal with Sansa or leave for King's Landing. As much as she detests Cersei with every ounce of her will, she couldn't forgive Sansa. Underneath her skin is a seething volcano of hatred and embittering rage. The balcony creeks with footsteps. Training tenses her muscles. Instincts clutch her blade. But Sansa's voice relaxes her. Though she noticed they were being watched. But her mind focuses on Sansa. Eyes on the prey, not the horizon./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Father used to stand here and watch our brothers train." She claims bitterly, "You wouldn't remember. You were usually inside the castle knitting with the handmaidens. One particular day, well, after our brothers had finished their training for the day, I snuck out and began practicing with Bran's discarded bow. I didn't know my father's eyes were upon me. He told me later /spanem style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"how proud he was/emspan style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true". But he didn't want me to live by the sword. I was supposed to follow you."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I didn't know … " Sansa is struck speechless by her words./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"The words had a mind of their own. Arya then resentfully states, "You killed our father. Yet, you now hold the throne."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""How can you say such hateful, mongrel words? Do you hate me, so?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Has everything you told me been a lie?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Once again, Sansa is going to rebuke her. But she shoves the letter into her hand. Sansa seems to have no idea what she is being excused of. But the look of self-reflection on her sister's face, the fact that she refuses to finish reading the letter, is all the proof she needs. She starts walking away, the matter closed./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Do you blame me for my youth? Do you blame me for the lies of others?" Sansa calls to her, tears in her eyes, falling like rain. "I was, but a naïve child, forced to write it. I was led to believe that it would save our family."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You were only interested in saving yourself." She says accusingly. "No better than Littlefinger." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya is adamant to point out. "I would have died before betraying our family. You sacrificed our family on your altar. You were stupid for believing in the Lannisters' lies. But I guess it didn't matter, you ended up Jarl of the fell." She took a deep breath./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I was there that day at the statue of Baelor. I watched my father's head roll into the basket. Joffrey laughing and snickering at our misfortune like a devilish child of the forest. I cold-heartedly wept. That's where my innocence died. Can you say the same?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You were a child, Arya. You understand grief, not the duty to the realm."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You know not to honor thy family. You burn by your betrayal. Kings and queens weep for you. Know this, I will see your head." She storms off, more frigid than the cold of the northern mountains./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Arya disappears into the northern wilderness for a time. Rationality fled from her. The only peace could be found in the desolate waste. But her grief followed her like a howling angry spirit. She returns in the shadow of nightfall, chasing ghosts of her past. So she wasn't expecting to see Sansa looking through her bag, which is full of her faces from Braavos. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why do you have a trunk full of skinned faces? What depravity is this?" Sansa demands. The arches of her brow are like the northern peaks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Hoaxers change their faces with artifice and sorcerers use glamors. But what I do goes deeper than blood. These faces allow me to become anyone. I speak in their voice, live within their skin. I could become you, rule over the fell. I could kill Cersei and sit on the Iron Throne."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""This is deeply wrong. The way you've been speaking, this darkness that has taken root in your soul. What has become of you? What has led you astray? If this madness has taken hold, then the city must be taken to the torch, because only evil this way lies."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""The only evil here is sycophants like you. Let's play the game of faces." The abrupt change of the subject catches her sister off guard. Sansa's face gnarls into a scowl./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Is it the same horrid place that birthed these masks?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""It doesn't matter." She says dismissively. "What matters is the truth. The truth of your character. How do you feel about Jon being High King?"/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""I don't care to discuss someone who's not here to defend themselves. Sansa's evasiveness only emphasizes her growing suspicion. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Is there someone else who should be ruling? We both wanted to be other people when we were younger."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Why does it matter," her sister says, slowly revealing her annoyance through her voice and body language. "You're avoiding the issue of these masks."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""You always wanted to be a queen, sitting next to a handsome young king on the Iron Throne." She says, ignoring Sansa and hammering home the point. "Attending ballroom dances and galas with nobility. You wanted to wear those pretty dresses. Now you get to live that fantasy thanks to Cersei."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa struck her. "This is no game. This is treason. You come here, desecrating our entire family and accusing me of treason? There are enough monsters beyond the wall. If Ned only knew what a monster his little girl had become. He would haunt these halls. For his sake, I should banish you, so he can rest in peace."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"These words were the last straw. She would not suffer someone besmirching Eddard's good name. Arya made a subtle motion, quicker than the perception of the human eye. With the dagger drawn, she lunges for Sansa's throat. But Brienne is faster, lifting Arya by the collar with one hand and throwing her over the railing./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Sansa couldn't believe what had happened. Her sister assuredly seems complete. "Should I pursue?" Brienne asks./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She shook her head. "It seems Littlefinger is right. Though how did she get a letter from many ages ago? I don't trust this. But that person is no longer my sister. I can only hope that reason returns to her."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Did you write that?" /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"She gives Brienne a sorrowful look and closes her eyes. "We stood at the edge of the knife. The entire house could have been implicated in Eddard's trial. Most of his staff was massacred, along with anyone that supported him. I had to protect house Starke, no matter the cost. Cersei is a storm, her time is finite. We have to weather such things, such as Starke ought to do. I would have gladly stood against her if that was an option. But it wasn't. King Joffrey laughed at my father's suffering. Any excuse would have led to an appointment with the headsman's gallows."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
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