Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Ice and Fire Novels, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon TV shows. However, I decided to have a little play around with the characters. I do not earn any money from writing these stories, it is for my entertainment and is something I like to share.

Davos I

Being offered the post of Master of Ships had been a great honour which was bestowed on him by King Bran, and Davos had been very proud to accept the role. His main job had been to build a new fleet back up with what little money was available, and try and train a bunch of misfits into sailors. Unless there was a war, he didn't need to worry about politics, he could keep his nose out of it and just build a better fleet, which in all likelihood was only going to be threatened by the Ironborn who were massively depleted anyway. He hadn't realised how skint the Kingdom was until he was given his budget of one hundred thousand gold dragons to build a fleet. He'd argued his case, but it turned out the Lannister's weren't quite as flush with gold as they had made out and between them and Robert Baratheon, they'd plunged the country into what eventually turned out to be a debt of five million gold dragons owed to the Iron Bank, and they were getting itchy about it being paid back. That was why Davos was happy to be away from the politics of Kings Landing, he got his budget, and got set to work. Taking men from the streets and training them up into sailors had kept him busy over the past two years.

Ideally Davos would've liked to retire, his old bones were getting a bit creaky and running around on the ship wasn't as easy as it once was. Also he wanted to spend more time with his wife Marta, whom he'd neglected over the time of their marriage, but she knew what she'd gotten herself into by marrying a man like him. However, Davos wasn't sure the realm was fully at peace, despite the calm appearance of getting back to normal. King Bran seemed like a good and just King, he wasn't an absolute tyrant to his people, which was an improvement on all of the kings he'd known in his lifetime, well all except the two who were never crowned, although he now had doubts about Stannis. The one who he would've been able to depend on was Jon Snow, a man who had been made King in the North, and if rumours were true, he should have been sat on the Iron Throne many years ago, but as luck would have it, he he'd been serving the Night's Watch and managed to help save the realm instead. Not that Jon would've wanted it, he never wanted to be Lord Commander and he didn't wasn't to be King in the North, which in Davos opinion were usually good traits for men to become Kings, especially those who were natural born leaders.

Up until recently, despite the financial issues engulfing Westeros, Davos had thought the country was on its way to recovery and Bran was doing well as a King, despite his lack of experience. However, since Drogon had flown north, his opinion had changed somewhat. The people Bran surrounded himself with had all been sent away. Bronn and Sam had gone to Storm's End on what appeared to be a pointless mission, Tyrion and Pod had been sent north, Arya had been given shocked into staying away and Davos himself was told to watch Dragonstone. The small council had all but disappeared and the only person left who Davos trusted around Bran was Ser Brienne of Tarth who was Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

To make matters worse, Davos had heard rumours among the smallfolk in Sharp's Point about a dragon King who would keep them safe. There were ridiculous stories being told, he was Azor Ahai, the Prince that was Promised and even Aegon the Conqueror reborn himself. Davos knew they were talking about Jon, but how they knew baffled him. The secret was supposed to be among only a select few, even he wasn't initially told of Jon's true identity. Rumours of this nature were dangerous, especially among smallfolk who were unhappy with higher taxes, although even if Jon did re-take the throne, the taxes wouldn't be any lower. It was true that the area around Sharp's Point was still a Targaryen stronghold, therefore it shouldn't have been any surprise the people would want a dragon over a wolf, but none of them knew for certain that Jon was indeed a Targaryen, even if he had rode Rhaegal who may or may not have been under the control of the Dragon Queen. Up until Drogon leaving Dragonstone, it had all been chatter, however Davos knew excitement was stirring among the masses, which would have perplexed him if it hadn't been for one nugget of information Davos had discovered one night in the Rowers Rest while listening in on a nearby conversation. As always, Davos had his head covered, so nobody knew who he was.

Two men had been sat talking at the table behind him. He couldn't see their faces, but his hearing was still good and one of them was close enough to be clear enough for him to hear.

"Greyworm is in the north. That was where the dragon was heading." the first man said.

"To kill the bastard?" the second man asked.

"He's not a bastard, I hear he's Rhaegar's trueborn. A dragonrider too." the first man replied.

"Even more reason to head north." the second man sighed.

"Greyworm has raised money for ships and more men. They are sailing from Braavos towards White Harbour." the first man said.

"Winterfell?" the second man asked.

"Mmm." the first man replied at the same time before taking a swig of his ale. "I also hear the Lady of Lys is on her way to Kings Landing to take the role of Mistress of Whisperers."

"Another foreigner taking that job. I wonder how she got that?" the second asked. "Big tits?"

"I hear the King wouldn't know what a tit looked like if one smacked him in the face. I mean, look who he got as Master of Coin." the first man said as both men burst into laughter.

"Did you get this from your sister?" the second man asked. "She still scrubbing the floors at the Iron Bank?"

"Aye." the first man replied. "She didn't say who was funding all of this, but the Lady of Lys was the one who vouched for Greyworm."

"Why would the King attack his sister using a depleted foreign army." the second man asked.

"Most of the northerners were wiped out. King needs an heir and Ice Queen Frigid isn't opening her legs anytime soon." the first man laughed.

"Who'd want to? Not me. My cock'd freeze off and get stuck up there." the second man laughed at his own joke.

Davos had heard enough about Sansa and what Greyworm had planned. He had managed to get out of the pub unnoticed before rowing back out to his ship. That was when he'd been given the message to collect Arya from Tarth and to take her to Storm's End.

His time Arya had been somewhat interesting, she seemed convinced Bran wasn't himself and wanted to know if Davos was prepared to fight for Jon instead. Despite what he told Arya, he would have fought for the man at the drop of a hat. However he no longer knew who he could trust. He didn't know who the Lady of Lys was and why would Arya want to pitch one brother against the other? He'd done well in pretending to stay as neutral as possible with her. If she was loyal to Bran, she might have been trying to test him, if she truly wanted to put Jon on the throne, then he had said enough to sound slightly interested if given just cause, but not enough to be classed as a traitor. He hadn't been forthcoming with his knowledge surrounding Greyworm to Arya because he didn't know whether it was true. Davos had known for some time that the Unsullied never did go to Naath like they planned, instead they'd travelled to Essos, staying near Braavos and apparently being hired a sellswords for the Iron Bank. He knew they were plotting to avenge the Dragon Queen and wanted Jon dead, they just needed a reason to enact it. That reason had come when Drogon flew north to either kill or Jon or bond with him. Davos feared it was the former, and if it was, then as far as he knew the Unsullied shouldn't be touching the shores of Westeros, let alone troubling Queen Sansa. However, deep down he knew what was going to happen, Drogon would return to Dragonstone with Jon and Greyworm would attack the north, either drawing Jon out to help or forcing her to marry whoever Bran wanted her to marry so that she could get help from another house in Westeros, where she would eventually lose her crown.

Davos mind was completely made up when he sailed back to Dragonstone from Tarth. All along the route he could see ships lining up, armed with scorpions, ready to take Drogon down should he fly their way. The dragon was going to be forced to fly back north right into a trap. That was when he realised Arya had been right and something was wrong with Bran. Whoever that man was who was running the Kingdom, it wasn't Jon's, Arya's or Sansa's brother. That person would have cared enough not to deceive them or set up their death, which is exactly what Bran was doing. The only thing he could do was wait to see if Jon returned with the dragon and then he would decide what to do next.

The ship had only been back for a day before reports were coming in about a dark shape entering Dragonstone from the north in the early hours of the morning, although nobody had been able to verify whether there was a rider on his back or not. The day proceeded quietly, however the ships which were loaded with scorpions had ventured further north and were closing in on Davos fleet, as if they were not only ready to take down the dragon, but they looked prepared to take down anyone who interfered with their mission. Davos told the other ships in his fleet to hold station while he sailed as far south as he could while allowing him to see what was happening on Dragonstone and yet giving him a good enough head start to reach Arya. His ship was anchored south east of Driftmark, and with his spyglass, he could clearly see what was happening even from this distance on Dragonstone.

Upon his return to his ship, Davos had hatched a plan should everything turn to shit to get him and Arya north, it was a risky one, but considering their lack of money, it was the only one he could think of. As soon as Drogon appeared next, Davos was going to find Arya and get them out with the help of an old friend who Davos believed owed him a favour. He waited the entire day, although he not expect the beast to appear until after dark. However just as the sun was starting to lower in the sky he heard cries on deck. Running up he opened his spyglass and looked up at the beast which was starting to fly south-east.

"Don't you do it you idiot." Davos mumbled to himself, noticing the dragon had a figure on his back which was clearly Jon, bringing a smile to the old man's face. Suddenly the dragon turned circled around Dragonstone and flew north west.

"What do you want us to do Lord Seaworth?" Davos first mate asked.

"Drop anchor just off Sharp's Point, I'm going to go into town and send a raven to the King. Them I'll wait for his instructions. I might be gone a few days." he added, knowing he needed time to find Arya and get far enough away before anyone spotted his escape.

Within four hours he was waiting in the Rowers Rest looking around for Arya or sight of his friend whose ship he'd notice was also anchored. Pirates, cut-throats and thieves were an odd bunch. Loyal among themselves, but not so much to their kings and queens. This particular pirate had abandoned Stannis when they went north, which was why his army was depleted and he lacked food during the battle which took his life. Salladhor Saan was the worst kind, but he was Davos and Arya's only hope of escaping his own fleet.

A distinctive peel of laughter alerted Davos to the man he was searching for. He turned around to see Salladhor sat in a far off corner talking to some men. As soon as the pirate laid eyes of Davos his laughter stopped and his eyes hardened. Davos pulled up a chair and Salladhor gestured to the other men to leave him and Davos alone.

"What do you want old friend? I hear your King wasn't lucky in his endeavours." he smiled though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I hear you serve another King now."

"No he didn't, but that's besides the point. I do serve another King, and I need yer help. You owe me." he said.

"I owe you?" Salladhor raised an eyebrow. "It was your King who paid me, not you."

"On my stupid advice." Davos gritted his teeth. "This job is a little easier."

Salladhor took a deep breath. "Go on old friend." he sighed.

"I need you to take me and my companion north." Davos told him.

"Where north?" Salladhor asked.

"White harbour?" Davos asked but Salladhor shook his head.

"No can do. Rumours are that the Unsullied are heading there, probably going to Winterfell, which is where I'm guessing you are also heading. You need another route." Salladhor told him.

"How do you know?" Davos frowned.

"I'm a pirate, it's my job to know these things." Salladhor frowned. "If you are intent on following them, I can take you as far as the Ramsgate. Take a small rowing boat up the Broken Branch and it should bring you out at the Hornwood. If the Unsullied are going in by the south east, then you can try from the north." he suggested. "Why not take your own ship?" he asked as Davos looked down at his fingerless hand. "Oh, the King hasn't asked you to do this. You are going to try and protect the Queen. I hate to tell you, but you're a shit fighter. The Unsullied would carve you into pieces before you could say valar morghūlis." he grinned.

"I am fully aware of that." Davos nodded. "I might have a few tricks up my sleeve in that regards." he sighed, looking around the room to see if he could see Arya.

"Who is your companion?" Salladhor asked.

"I can't tell you her name." Davos shook his head.

"Not another red woman?" Salladhor raised an eyebrow, Davos shook his head. "Is she beautiful?" he asked as Davos thought for a moment. "I don't see her in that way, she's like a daughter to me." he lied.

"Would she let me fuck her?" Salladhor laughed.

"She'll kill you in yer sleep." a woman's voice came from behind Davos before he even had chance to speak, causing him to stifle a laugh. Arya sat down next to Davos and looked at Salladhor. "I'm no one." she said with the cold expression on her face she sometimes wore.

Salladhor eyed her up and down. "Valar morghūlis." a joke he often said to strangers, one which Davos found strange.

"Valar dohaeris." Arya replied, her face still deadpan, a comment which completely wiped the smiled of Salladhor's face and he suddenly became nervous. "You're not Braavosi though." Arya eyed him up.

"I worked on Braavosi merchant ships as a young boy." Salladhor said.

"How much?" Davos asked Salladhor.

"No cost." Salladhor replied, his eyes never leaving Arya. "I like living too much."

Arya smiled. "Clever man. When do we go?" she asked.

"Whenever you're ready." Salladhor said, his behaviour completely confusing Davos. He'd never seen him so scared as he was around Arya, he didn't even know her name.

"I need to collect some things..." Davos started.

"I think it would be wise we leave now." Salladhor told him. "The Unsullied have already set sail for White Harbour. They will arrive at Winterfell before you do. My ship is going to be at least four days behind them. But if you can get horses, you might overtake them as you are only two people while they are a whole army and armies march much more slowly than you two would."

"He's right." Arya stood up. "We need to go now."

"Anything the little Lady says." Salladhor smiled and stood up as Davos winced, he knew what was coming.

"For starters, don't call me a Lady." she said.

"What can I call you?" Salladhor asked.

"Mercy." she smiled.

Davos got up. "After you." he said, concerned with how easily it had been to persuade his old friend.

They left the tavern and headed towards Salladhor's ship called the Mad Prendos, in the dead of night, constantly checking nobody was watching them. Davos was becoming more and more concerned with his old friend's behaviour, this was not like him one bit. Salladhor was never this accommodating. He tapped Arya on the shoulder.

"I don't trust him." he whispered to her. "He's a little too eager."

"Neither do I." she replied. "He's scared, and so he should be. How many people are needed to take his ship north?" she asked quietly.

"Why?" Davos asked.

"Because the less people on board, the less people there are to tell those who want us dead. Or the less for me to kill." she shrugged.

"Why would you do that?" Davos frowned.

"Because we need to live. Jon needs to live. We need to get there before the Unsullied, Jon doesn't know he's walking into a trap. Your friend was expecting you." she said.

"How do you know?" Davos asked.

"I've been here a few days, listening to the whispers on the ground. He's planning to take you to Kings Landing." she shrugged.

"So why are we following him?" Davos asked. "Maybe we can find another ship." he shrugged.

"We don't have time." Arya whispered. "How many men?" she asked as Davos tried to mentally calculate the least amount of men to man the small ship. "And are any of your men loyal to you, not the King?" she asked.

"Some, aye." Davos nodded, as they turned down an empty street. "It would take fifty men to pull the ship, even without those on deck. Unless the winds are favourable to sail north." he replied.

"And would they be favourable at this time of year?" Arya asked.

Davos nodded. "Most of the way, but you'd still need at least fifty men to row and twenty men on deck."

"Thank you." Arya smiled before quickly running ahead towards Salladhor, her footsteps were silent on the cobbles. Before Davos could say anything, Arya had removed her dagger from its sheath and slit the pirates throat, the gurgling sound of blood hinting at his old friend taking his last breaths.

Arya looked over to Davos. "Help me get him off the street." she whispered to Davos, who ran over and helped to pull the dead body of Salladhor Saan into a back passageway. "You keep watch." she whispered.

"Why? What are you going to do?" Davos frowned.

"I'm going to make sure Salladhor Saan escorts you to his ship and the men you want to take with you will be the ones who are loyal." she replied. "You keep watch while I do my part." she insisted.

Davos did as he was told. Fortunately the streets were empty and it had started to rain, washing away any blood on the cobbles which had been left by Salladhor's bloody death. Part of him was sad as he'd liked the man, sometimes. But he knew Arya had just possibly saved his own life and he couldn't argue with that. He just knew he needed to stay on Arya's good side because she was the most lethal killer he had ever met.

"Almost done." Arya said after a lot of grunting and groaning.

"Whenever you're ready." Davos sighed.

"I'm ready." came the voice of Salladhor Saan from behind him. Davos turned around and looked at the man in terror. "Don't worry, it's me, Arya." Salladhor said.

Davos frowned in confusion. "I'm confused." he said.

"Don't worry. Salladhor is dead, I'm simply wearing his face, think of it as a mask. Now I don't know much about sailing, not compared to a pirate or smuggler, but I have been listening in." she said. "I'm to take you to the ship where we are going to pretend to welcome you. The ship needs to sail to your ship and take your loyal crew only. I will get rid of the original crew until we are left with only those you want to take us." Arya told him in Salladhor's voice, which unnerved Davos because he could still tell it was Arya, even with the different face, voice and clothes.

"How are you going to do that?" Davos raised an eyebrow. "Actually, forget I asked." he shook his head.

"Once we've gotten past Braavos, I'll become Arya again. Were not going to Ramsgate, although he did have the right idea. We're going to the Dreadfort. That was is quicker and I doubt we'll find much to stop us, in fact we might get help. We'll be coming in from the north east and although it will take an extra day of sailing, it will knock off two days of getting to Winterfell. We should overtake the Unsullied by a couple of days. Hopefully Jon and Drogon will already be there." she said.

"You've been planning this?" Davos felt nervous.

"I got here three days ago, as soon as I heard him talking about you I took interest. I listened to their plans and decided to improvise." she smiled. "Let's go." she added as they headed towards the ship.

There seems to be some confusion as to the changes a faceless man can make in appearance. In the show the waif changes into Jaqen H'ghar and there is a massive physical difference, so as this is based mainly on the show, I'm taking licence to suggest that now Arya is more practised she can turn into anyone with any physique.

If you like this story, please like, follow and/or review. It helps motivate me to get the chapters written and published quicker.

Mandzipop.