DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES THEY BELONG TO BOTH GEORGE R. MARTIN AND HBO I ONLY OWN MY OC THE IMMORTAL KNOWN AS THE SEPTA AND THE PLOT OF THIS FANFIC.
a/n: Oh wow I am back folks and I thank you all for reviewing my last entry into my story. For those of you who were wondering no I have not abandoned this story not by a long shot. The only reason why it has slowed down a lot more is because of my work schedule and rewriting my Mass Effect stories. I wanted to do that for a while so that is why it was hard for me to work on this story. But anyhow I digress I have this chapter up for you all to read it was something that I wanted to do for a while. Plus this portion of the story has a lot of action sequences so be prepared for that...ok maybe not THAT many action sequences but you know my drift.
Anyhow enough of my ramblings and on with the story!
THE WARRIORS OF WINTERFELL
Chapter 16: A Wolf in King's Landing
THE GOLD ROAD 103 LEAGUES FROM KING'S LANDING
The sudden stop from the wagon was what finally woke Sansa from her long sleep. She had been mostly drugged throughout the journey from the North. But here her captors had run out of the drug that has kept her under. Trying to stretch it out only meant that they had gotten dangerously sloppy in their work. And that is what Sansa was counting on when she finally makes her escape from this hell hole. The only thing that plagued her from the entire trip was how in all the known world has she been kidnapped?
She thought about it the entire time she was in that trunk and the only conclusion she could think of was that the Slavers had an inside source. Someone on the inside to inform them of the comings and goings of the Northern Houses. But the only one she could think of was the former Lady Mormont. The lady had been kicked out of Bear Island when she had proven to be a prune and paid the price for it.
But something doesn't add up?
Sansa had to think about it the entire trip and her conclusion was that whoever paid for these men to attack the North paid a good deal of money. And that was something that no one nation can afford...or can they? House Lannister might be one of them but for what purpose? They and the Starks have nothing on each other to start a war. Granted they never liked each other, but still Tywin Lannister would never dare attack the Starks. Besides to the South, the North has nothing to offer such nations, not even the Lannisters would want a piece of the North. There was nothing but timber and wastelands to them.
And that is how the Starks wish to keep it.
Still it does not make sense to attack the North and make off with one of its Ladies. That part did not make sense unless Sansa was to be used as a bargaining chip to whichever house dared to take a daughter of Lord Stark. Still they are in for a surprise when they realized that you can't tame a wolf no matter how much food you give it.
Still as they headed further to the east Sansa kept her eye on the rise and fall of the sun. Through the cracks in the trunk she could make out the sun's position and the position of the stars and moon at night. For several moons now she was kept locked in that trunk and if not for her training she would have died by now.
"Whoa!" the sound of the wagon stopping had Sansa suddenly alert as the men quickly gotten off. Straining to listen the young warrior waited to see what the men who kidnapped her would do. From the sound of the voices Sansa could make out the sounds of men on horses meaning they were either a passing caravan of people or a group of highway patrol guards. Still she could see that she was well in the south because from the sounds of the voices they didn't sound Northern. That and the temperature here in the more southern reaches is far warmer then the North.
As she listened she could barely make out the accent of the men her captors were speaking to. They were both Westerlanders from what she could tell meaning she is somewhere on the Gold Road either in the Westerlands or in the Crownlands. Either way she was no longer in the North and she wondered how far south she actually was.
"Alright thank you sir!" said her captor and Sansa could feel the wagon as it began its journey once again. She felt the familiar bump of the wagon as it was being pulled by the tired horses up front. The passing of the sun and then the eventual sound of birds gave Sansa a sense of where they were going.
South East she thought as they continued on their journey.
As the day progressed and at the third stop the wagon eventually gave way to a different sound. The sound of sea gulls and birds and the noise of the ocean. Sansa was surprised when shadows came over her head as she entered the gates. She knew that she was in a very large city by the sounds of the people around her. There was only one of two places and Lannisport was not one of them.
This can't be Old Town for I am too far east for that. Neither am I in Lannisport for the sound of the ocean is on the wrong side so that means….no!
Without a doubt Sansa realized in an instant where she was...King's Landing the capital of Westeros and seat of King Robert Baratheon, or former seat of King Robert Baratheon. From the news she had heard the King had died just before she was kidnapped. That in itself is a mystery. But she had no doubt that he was probably murdered by some wretch somewhere, probably the queen for his adultery. Either way of they are in the capital then that means whoever is behind her kidnapping would want to cross the Narrow Sea.
She needs to escape sooner rather then later. She must not be allowed to disappear to the East. Sansa needed to wait till her captors stop before making her escape. She waited till the cart was stopped before the gates to allow the guards to inspect the cargo before moving on. She remembered when she was taken in the dead of night and thrown into a wagon and stuffed into a trunk. She couldn't move because they injected her with something. She didn't know what it was but it prevented her from moving. Even now the poison in her system is starting to wear out and she could feel her hands and feet again. Sansa had no doubt that if they wanted to they could have killed her. But instead they must have had plans for her.
As they entered the city she could hear the cries of the birds above her and the voices of the people around her. People come and go in the capital and the smell that permeated from the streets is enough to make her want to gag.
Asha was right the streets do smell like shit she thought.
The smell was horrid along with the smell of fish and the sea. Sansa could hear the clattering of the horses as they trotted through the streets towards their destination. She waited still watching through the cracks of the chest she was in until the buildings stopped moving. When they did she could hear voices as people quickly went to move the cargo from her captors carriage.
It was here at last that they finally removed her trunk from the carriage. She could feel the hands lifting her up from where she was near the base of the carriage seat.
"Careful with that cargo it is very fragile and very valuable!" shouted a voice and Sansa knew it was one of her captors. The other must have gone somewhere when they hauled it carefully to the ground.
"Take it upstairs to our room, but be careful with it!" her captor said.
She could feel herself being lifted and carried into someplace dark. The sunlight that filtered through the cracks of her chest suddenly disappeared leaving it very dark for her to see outside. She could not see where she was going but when she gotten up towards the top of the stairs she could feel her prison even out and placed on the ground about five minutes later. The door to the room was shut that much she could tell but the sound and the smell of King's Landing was still permeated even in here. Sansa remained still when the trunk was opened and she could see that she was in a dark room. She was then placed on the bed and felt the familiar feel of the needle enter her skin once again keeping her paralyzed from harm. Her anger grew as she was once again unable to move. She glared at the man as her eyes began to close once more.
It was many hours later in the quiet of the night that Sansa woke from her slumber. Her mind was a fog at first until the images of her arrival in the capital fueled her. She struggled with her ropes, but found that she was still too weak to move. The door opened softly and she remained still as she heard quiet footsteps enter. She didn't recognize the boots that came into the room. But she could smell the perfume that came from the person who entered.
A whore? She asked herself.
"Ah you finally arrived!" said one of her captors.
"It is about time you got here! Do you know how hard it was to break away from Lord Baelish's establishment to come here!" said a voice on the other end. It was a woman's voice that much Sansa knew.
Could this be Lynesse Hightower? Sansa thought to herself.
"It took us a while to get here because we had to avoid Lord Stark's men. The raid on the West Coast had people up in arms. Many of them south of the Neck are blaming the Ironborn. But them Northerners and those of the Westerlands know better," said one of the men.
"No matter did you find it?" the woman asked.
"Yeah we found it and a prize to boot," he said and Sansa saw the torch light over her head.
"Who is this?" the woman said.
"We don't know, some woman that we took from one of the rooms. The bitch looks good enough to sell in Pentos once we get off this rock," the man said.
"Pentos? I much rather sell her in Tyos away from these bastards or Slaver's Bay where we are out of reach of them crazy Northerners!" said his companion.
"You dare bring this bitch here! If she so much as spill her guts out to someone of influence then we are all in deep shit you hear me you idiot!" the woman said.
"Relax we got her paralyzed with Gorgon's tears she will be fine," said one of her captors sounding smug.
"Gorgon's tears?" the woman said.
"A poison that was concocted in Yunkai used by slavers to transport slaves back to their masters. Made for runaways and escapees for easy recapture. She wont get away so easily," said the other man with them. He was the other companion to her main captor.
"So how did you capture her then?" said the woman as she came closer.
"Girl was drunk as shit from a wedding party in a castle they called Ironrath. She tripped over herself in one of the highborn's rooms and fell asleep inside. Glad we got her before one of them nobles did or else we would have been in shit creek," said the first man.
The woman's footsteps could be seen coming closer so Sansa quickly closed her eyes feigning sleep. The woman felt along her head she could feel her fingers caress her red locks. And then feel along her skin caressing her face. She then felt along her arms and her legs. Even her breasts and her womanhood was felt by this woman. Sansa had never felt so violated in her days.
"Sell her to one of the pleasure houses in Yunkai you will make a fortune with her," she said feeling her up.
"What do you say she is worth?" asked the second man.
"Pleasure houses in Yunkai pay a very hefty sum for a virgin such as this one. She would make a great bed slave," the woman said.
"Don't red priests have red hair?" asked the first man.
"I heard that Wildlings also have red hair for it is a rarity. Have fun boys and remember to keep her untouched for the price will be higher if she is kept intact," she said before heading towards the door. Sansa could hear the sound of something clinking as her many trinkets gave a soft chink as she exited the room.
Gorgons tears! I did a research paper on the poison a while back when I was in lessons! I remember this! Sansa thought as the men quickly started speaking to each other.
"Yunkai? Well that is a good suggestion. The whores there make these ones in King's Landing look like nothing more then brood mares," said the first man.
"Well I heard the ones in Lord Baelish's establishment are quite reputable. Some say that they have an instructor from Yunkai and a few other cities in Essos that specialize in the arts of pleasure," said the second.
"Well if we can sell this bitch off in Yunkai or Lys then chances are we have ourselves a fortune," he said.
"I just wish I could do this bitch now though," said the first.
"No, leave her be for the moment, like the broad said if she is still pure then she will get us a higher price." the second said.
"Very well what should we do with her in the meantime?" asked the first.
"Well we could leave her here, but then she would starve. Maybe we should feed her first?" asked the second.
"And let her escape are you stupid?" ask the first sounding irritated.
"Look the girl is obviously not going anywhere so what is the point?" the second said to him.
"The girl is obviously going to escape because we were dumb enough to let her go so she could eat. Bad enough we have to let her pee and shit but to eat? Everyone has to eat but we can't cut her loose!" said the first.
"Hello dumb ass we are only going to feed her not cut the ropes around her we need her alive and alive means she has to eat!" said the second.
"No and no!" said the first.
Sansa listened to them argue the entire time fighting amongst themselves even when the Innkeeper came to silence them. She was staring at the wall her mind going into a frenzy trying to remember what she knew about the poison in her system.
As I remember Gorgon's tears is a poison that is non-lethal meaning it is not going to kill me. But I have break free of it somehow. The effects can last for days on end. Their must be a way for me to flush it out of my system if only I can remember! She thought to herself as she fought the hold of the poison. Her mind was foggy as she thought to herself.
It was then that she heard the sounds of rain and wind. The sound of thunder and the darkening of the sky came over the skies of the capital. It was slow at first but with each passing moment it grew louder and louder. The arguing of the men still going on behind her, but Sansa began to remember what it was she was trying to see.
Of course! Gorgon's tears are flushed out with water! I need water and what was the other ingredient….I need to pee! That was it I need to drink enough water to pee it out! Gorgon's tears is good for paralyzing the muscles in the body. but it can only last as long as the person doesn't drink enough water! That is why slavers only give enough water to keep them alive but not enough to counter the effects of the poison! That's it! Sansa said and she needed to figure out a way to get the water to her.
Luckily for her the roof of the inn she is currently in had a leak. The storm was blowing through the window causing the two men to stop arguing and to try and stop the rain from coming in. The first one quickly went to the window to try and close the shutters. The second was rushing to the other window. She could hear them quickly shut the windows allowing them to have the torch light to keep the room lit. Sansa could feel tears form from her eyes as her eyes dried out once again. This time she waited unable to move as the water started to seep through the cracks of the shutters. The rain was coming down in torrents now and all she had to do was wait.
A FEW HOURS LATER
Sansa kept drinking the water that seeped down from the window towards her bed. It pooled near her head for the men didn't know that the water was coming onto her bed from the shutters. She could feel herself letting out her pee as a warm wet feeling was going once again between her legs. She relaxed herself to allow her to go. Each time she drank now more and more she urinated all over herself. The two men didn't know what was going on as they had long since drunk themselves into a stupor and had fallen asleep.
Sansa worked hard to get the urine out. She feel drained by the time she could not go anymore and still there was more water coming into the room. She had to work fast on breaking free of the poison's bonds and get out of his room. She then looked down at her toes knowing her training as a fighter and a warrior. She then calmed herself and allowed herself to relax. Then she listened to the sounds in the room. The only sounds other then the storm outside was the two men sleeping just beside her in the only other bed in the room.
Praying to the gods for strength she then willed her feet to move. Taking a deep breath each time she did so she willed her big toe to twitch. It took a lot of effort but after about ten minutes her toe started to move. The feeling in her toes started to return with each passing minute. As she did so the feeling in the rest of her legs started to return as well.
THREE HOURS LATER
Sansa could finally move her body around as her legs finally had feeling return to them. After so long it was hard to get used to being able to feel her hands and feet again. Even with the pain of the ropes around her ankles and writs she knew she now has a chance of getting out. All she needs now is a way to cut the rope. She slowly turned herself over so that she can look at the people on the other bed in the room. She found that one of the men was passed out on the floor. While the other was sleeping on the bed.
She slowly inched her way down from her bed towards the first man. Using her elbows and knees as a way to propel herself across the floor. Sansa slowly approached him using the faint light from the nearby lamps to guide her. When she got near the man she could see that he clearly was a sell sword slaver. His leather armor and ornate knives are a dead giveaway.
Seeing one of the knives Sansa slowly used her toes to reach for the knife. Taking one out with the silence of a cat she then slowly and quietly moved away from the first man towards the window and her bed. Getting back onto the bed she then used the knife to cut the ropes from her limbs. And once she was free used her newfound freedom to head towards the door.
The noise of the storm outside masked her departure from the room. Her bare feet were silent as they avoided the creaking in the wood and the shuffling of the dirt in the stone. Once she reached the stairs she listened in for anyone in the building. Hearing nothing she crept down the stairs barely keeping upwards due to the lack of feeling in her legs. But once the blood returned she nearly fell over from the pins and needles that came with it.
Moving around she managed to get just enough feeling back into her feet before she made her way into the street. The innkeeper ignored her thinking her some sort of whore and not paying her any sort of mind. This allowed Sansa to move about freely as she entered the stormy streets of King's Landing and disappeared into the shadows.
HOURS LATER
The cold rains kept falling and the wind howled throughout the night. Sansa rushed from shelter to shelter trying to get away from the inn where the men where staying. As she ran she noticed after about two hours that someone started to follow her. Instantly she took to the shadows searching for a place to hide. When she couldn't find none she found herself trapped.
Then at the strike of lightning a figure emerged two in fact.
"Well, well look what we have here! Looks like our quarry has finally woken up!" said a familiar voice.
Sansa cursed when the first slaver appeared. He was soaked and angry at the girl before him. Sansa glared at them both when they both appeared in the alley that she ran into. With nothing else to lose she got into a fighting stance.
"Oh what is this? Little girl wants to fight? Look she can fight," said the second slaver as he came into the alley to join his companion.
Sansa was ready this time with her head clear. She waited till they came closer with knives in hand before she struck.
The first man came first his knife was flashing before the lighting lit the sky. But not before Sansa struck his wrist in a firm grip before striking a blow to his elbow which shattered it. Screaming in agony the first man went down when the second man came with his own sword towards Sansa. Sansa's reflexes were slower due to her extended time tied up but they were still fast enough to avoid losing her head. Leaning back she avoided the blade the man wielded. Bringing her leg up she smashed her foot into the man's chin causing him to drop the sword.
Sansa quickly caught the sword and spun in midair before extending the blade and cleaving the man's head off. The first man came back at her hoping to catch her off guard but her kick to his face stopped him. She then dropped into a splits before stabbing the man through his gut with the second man's sword. Then twisting the blade she cleaved upwards causing blood and gore to spill into the streets. The heavy rain draining the redness into the darkness.
Lighting flashed again and the two men were gone leaving Sansa alone with a sword in her hand. Dropping the blade she then disappeared into the night before the city watch could find her.
In the early morning hours Sansa found herself looking for a place to rest. She was cold and hungry and without anything to wear other then her sleeping clothes. Cursing herself for not having her battle clothes on her she looked around for something to wear. The only things that were available were hanging from rope lines high above her head.
Going into stretches Sansa prepared herself for the climb upwards towards the clothes lines. Then taking a running leap she launched herself into the wall and leaped to the opposite wall of the alley. Bouncing from one side to the other Sansa was glad that the buildings in the capital were so close together. Then reaching the top where the lines were dangling she vaulted herself onto the top of a window. There she carefully removed some garments which she saw hanging from the line. Satisfied for what sort of garments she was wearing Sansa quickly ran across the rooftops to find a safe place to change.
SOMETIME LATER
The sun is showing in the early morning and already people are starting their day. Sansa now dressed in the attire that she had stolen walked down through the smelly streets of King's Landing.
Asha was right it does smell like shit! Sansa thought as she held her nose to the nasty sight of a boy defecating on the side of the street.
I must be in Flea Bottom the poorest part of the city she observed as no one was wearing fancy clothes save for the few merchants who sell their craft there. Sansa remained vigilant as she walked through the streets, avoiding the many thieves and cutthroats that roam the alleys in the early morning.
As she walked her stomach began to growl and protest to her dismay. She realized that she hadn't had a proper meal in weeks and the only thing she had to eat was the small portions those goons give her to keep her alive. Sansa then started to look for food stalls. Places where people buy their wares from. Using her stealth skills she weaved through the streets stealing trinkets here and there from random folks who looked like they got a bit of money. She then went on to buy herself a meal from a vendor on the opposite side of Flea Bottom.
Keeping her face hidden she ate her fill before moving on. She walked around seeing people randomly selling their goods and trying to fool the slightest person into giving up their random coin. Sansa had to laugh at such random acts of stupidity. But then again she had to humble herself because her father once told her that the common people of the Southern Kingdoms don't know how to read.
It is a common thing in the North for the small folk to learn how to read. Educators from all over the region go to villages and teach children how to read and write. It was the law there. I had forgotten that the Commoners of the Southern Kingdoms don't know what it means to read a book or to see the world differently through words. It must be a very simple life not to be able to read, Sansa thought as she watched the merchants on one busy street sell nearly rotten food to a peddler.
Where is the king? Shouldn't he be helping those in need with his leftovers? I mean a king can't eat that much food can he? Sansa thought as she went down one alley and began to climb up a wall.
When she got to the top she could see the distant peaks of the Red Keep from where she was at the bottom. The ocean breeze blew across her hair and the sound of the sea gulls called above her head. The crows were especially loud as they screeched their next meal. The smell of death and decay littered the streets as well as the lingering smell of rotting fish and defecation, and all Sansa could see was the red palace overlooking the smelly streets of Flea Bottom and the rest of the capital.
After what seemed like hours, but was only a short amount of time she climbed down from where she was on the rooftops. Coming back to street level Sansa walked further down the filthy streets. Her mind was busy with possibilities.
First things first I have to remember what Septa said. When in a situation when I don't have my companions to help me I need to think on my feet. I need food, shelter, water, and money. I can't rely on thievery for long, the City Watch would take notice. So that means I need a job to sustain myself. Second I need a place to sleep, shelter to rest my head and collect my thoughts. So that is priority. Third I need weapons.
That last comment came after Sansa witnessed a man get beaten for having a loaf of bread. Several other men came to him and demanded his food. When the man refused he was beaten nearly to death and the thugs made off with his bread. Sansa had witnessed the entire thing and knew that helping the man would not be in her favor. After all if she wants to blend in she had to learn the streets of this city. Forced to leave the man behind she walked away down into the corners of the alleys. There she remained in the shadows looking towards the crowded buildings and hovels for homes. Though she was raised in privileged Lord Stark made them stay with the small folk as a means of teaching his children what it means to be among the common people. So Sansa was used to such conditions. It was part of her training as a Warrior of Winterfell.
As she came down the street she noticed a small shop off to the side. The smell of metal burning and the amount of weapons on the front meant that it was in fact a blacksmith shop.
Perfect Sansa thought as she walked towards the shop.
She walked over to the stall and noticed an older man there selling his wares. From the soot on his face and the dirt on his skin. Sansa could tell that this was the master of the shop. The other much younger man who was heavily muscled from years of pounding metal was probably his apprentice.
"Well young man what can I do for ya?" the blacksmith asked Sansa as she approached.
"I was just looking at your wares sir," Sansa replied.
"Oh I am sorry ma'am I didn't recognize ya! You must excuse me for my eyes are not what they used to be," the man said. Sansa could see the blackened teeth of this man from not having proper dental care. His breath added to it as bits of rot and poor hygiene probably aided in his poor health.
"Oh I don't mind I just wanted to see what sort of wares you have," Sansa replied as she picked up a knife and examined it. Though the materials are what you expect from a southern knife the craftsmanship is extraordinary.
"You have such fine skill sir, tell me is this for a lord?" Sansa asked.
"Ah you must have noticed the quality of that knife ma'am. No that knife is for sale and forged by my apprentice in the back. Gendry here is good with a hammer and has learned quickly in the years that has been with me. Though it is without a doubt that one day he will take my place as Master Blacksmith," the man said to her.
"Tell me are you from here? From your clothes you don't seem to be the type of man to come from someplace such as this?" Sansa asked.
"Ah the young lady has a good eye. Unfortunately no I don't come from Westeros I came from Qohor in Essos. I learned many things there including how to forge Valyrian Steel," he said.
"Valyrian Steel? isn't that the kind of weapons that the Lords have. My mother told me of such things when I was younger. She was a servant to a lord once before moving away to be with my father," Sansa elaborated the story of how her parents met.
"Ah so you know a bit about steel? Tell me how is it that such a fine young lady knows about steel. Your mother surely doesn't know a thing about steel. Who taught you about steel?" he said.
"My father, he said that if a man knew the secrets of the earth and the riddle of steel then any sword or armor he forges can protect armies," Sansa replied.
The man smiled, "Ah the story of Crom, I heard that when I came here to King's Landing. The man who figures out the secrets of steel and earn its mysteries can forge the strongest blades anyone can see. I like you, young lady and to answer your earlier question yes I do cater to lords and help them with weapons. But don't actually forge Valyrian steel from scratch. I remake them and repurposed them. You see the magic that creates them also protects them from harm. So in order to create new swords I have to break down the spells that forged them in the first place and mold them into new swords," with that he pulled out a very fancy knife.
Sansa stared at the knife as he handed it to her. She held the knife in her hands. She could feel the magic that was in the steel thanks to her training. As she felt the pulse of the sword she missed her own. The one she forged from the blacksmith in Winterfell. She slowly handed the knife back to the smith in front of her.
"This knife has it been reforged as well?" asked Sansa.
"From little bits and pieces of broken weapons that I get from traders. They tend to throw them out because they can't be sold. However when forged right it can be a useful weapon." the Smith replied.
"Does it have a scabbard?" asked Sansa.
"No, that is one skill I don't know how to do. The person I normally send this to the get a fitting has been dead for sometime. He died of fever last year," the Smith replied.
"You know if I can help I could make a scabbard for you. It is the least I can do," Sansa replied.
"If you can do that the weapon is yours," the Smith replied.
"Really you would depart this knife for someone who doesn't have any coin to her?" Sansa asked.
"Well normally no, but you have a good head on your shoulders when it comes to steel and weapons. Perhaps you can help me with making the scabbards for my swords," he said.
"I can do better then that I can help you forge some of your weapons. For it seems you have a bit of them behind you," Sansa asked.
"Young lady don't joke! A woman like you doesn't know how to wield a hammer," he said trying to be polite.
Sansa smiled, "I know a thing or two about hammering steel. My father taught me since we had to make ends meet up North. If you would allow me to help maybe we can work something out?"
The old smith looked at her up and down his eyes taking note of Sansa's torn clothes and her youthful face, "You look awfully young to be by yourself young lady. Tell me where is your father?" he asked.
"It is a long story one I will tell after I help," Sansa insist.
He took a good look at her, "If you can help Gendry for one hour then I will decide if you can stay or not," the old Smith said.
Sansa smiled and walked right in.
FOUR HOURS LATER
Tobho Mott the old master smith of Steel Street stared at the young lady currently helping Gendry with as much shock as one would at his age. The old man could not believe that the young woman who had mysteriously appeared out of nowhere looking for work has helped fill his orders in record time. The young girl looks no older then thirteen, but she could wield a hammer like she was a man in his twenties. Gendry was just as shocked as he witnessed first hand the woman lifting the heavy hammer and striking the steel down. When she had taken off her cloak the first thing that blew Tobho's mind was her red hair.
She had fiery red hair like the embers of a hearth. But at the same time the well scarred and muscled arms she wielded were tell tale signs of someone who knew work. He thought of her as nothing more then a farmer's daughter, or that of a fisherman but never in his life had he known that this girl had the skills of a journeymen smith! In fact she is about the same level as Gendry!
As for the young man himself he was just as surprised as he at the girl's skill. She not only helped him with sharpening the swords, but she also helped with reforging some broken blades, making armor and creating the much needed scabbards for many of their swords. She was well versed with a hammer and knew her way around the smithy. Gendry knew that she just might be the answer they needed to help with the orders that are coming in.
MEANWHILE
Sansa could not have been more thrilled to be behind a forge again. Sewing, knitting, carving, and forging were things she enjoyed doing. Just doing things with her hands in general was a relaxing and thrilling thing for her. Not only was she having fun, but she was also making coin for doing so. The Master Smith was bringing in a fair share of coin from the various nobles that live here in the capital. Not only that but her skill in carving has helped the old man with finishing some of his finer blades for his lords to use.
"Hey old man!" yelled a voice from outside the stall.
"Yes, what is it?" called Tobho.
"Where is that order I placed days ago! You said you would have it done by now!" he shouted.
Sansa looked up from her work on one of the scabbards. She peered out of the stall at a rather pompous looking lord standing just outside of her stall. The man was large as his gut was protruding from his belt. His neck was just as large with his face just nestled in the round folds of fat and skin. His clothes were highly ornamented with gold threads and jewels. His large fat fingers were also ornamented with many rings. Each with large jewels on them as well. Some of them had sigils and markings meaning that he is some kind of nobility. Sansa put up a disgusted look on her face.
"Best not have the customer see that," said a soft voice.
Sansa turned her head. Gendry smiled from his spot in front of her. His hands moving as he was forging a new sword. The molds they used to create these swords makes Sansa's eyes roll at the cheap and degrading method they use to make such weapons.
If only he knew how to make a proper sword from proper methods, she thought.
"Why?" she asked him.
"Because those they see as inferior who make such faces at them are punished for such disrespect," Gendry said to her.
"Just because I show my dislike doesn't count for such harsh treatments," Sansa replied.
"I don't know how it is where you come from, but here in the capital one does not show such disgust without fear of being punished. The Mad King is a good example of such behavior and King Robert's goons do the same." Gendry replied to her and Sansa quickly averted her gaze from such a man.
If only he knew who I really was then he would cower before me, Sansa thought as she put the finishing touches on another scabbard.
Then she put the scabbard on the side to dry the stains before grabbing another sword for measuring.
"Girl!" Tobho yelled from the front.
"Yes sir!" Sansa said standing up.
"Go fetch the sword over by the far wall the one with the bird symbol on it," he said and Sansa quickly went towards the back to retrieve the sword. Walking over to the Master Smith the man nodded his thanks before showing the blade to the noble man in front of him. The man's kholed eyes it up as he retrieved the sword and looked it over. Thanking the man he paid the amount that was due and walked off.
It was only as he was walking off did Sansa noticed the four guards with him dressed in colored armor. They walked through the streets with their hands on their swords while their lord walked around like an overgrown walrus. Sansa snorted as she watched him go. Such a man is not worth her time even if he knew her true identity.
"Bastard!" she cursed at him before turning back towards the forge.
"Careful girl there are ears everywhere. Here in King's Landing no secret is kept for there are ears that are within these walls," said Tobho.
"They don't know enough," Sansa replied as she got up and went back to her table. There was a scabbard that she was making there for one of the swords that seemed to be by itself. Picking it up she began to mold the leather to her liking.
"Tell me what is this?" Tobho asked as he gently picked up the scabbard that she was making the leather casing for.
"I noticed the sword there in the corner and thought I could make one last scabbard here. The sun is nearly setting and my job is done," she said.
The Master Smith gently picked up the newly finished scabbard. The rivets along the outer edge and the markings on the scabbard give it a feel for someone of fine standing. Slowly he walked over to where the sword was and picked up from where it was sitting. Sansa noticed for the first time that the sword was a bit rusted and worn out. Setting it down the smith looked at the girl.
"Alright girl since it is obvious you know your way around the forge why don't you tell me a bit about this sword?" he asked.
Picking up the sword from where it was Sansa ran her hand over the now rusted blade. The dent marks and the old blood stains marked it as a sword from a battle long fought. She looked at the steel and saw for herself how dented and beat up the metal actually was. Up upon closer inspection something caught her eye.
A single ruby shown on the hilt of the sword itself. What was once a dragon's head had since been shattered and broken with the hilt long since torn off. As if something massive had impacted the sword and destroyed the hilt. Looking at it in the light Sansa's eyes lit up at the familiar lines that went down into the blade.
"Valyrian steel!" she said.
"Aye, that is Valyrian Steel but it has since lost its magic when it's owner was killed in battle many years ago. A passing peddler found the sword and traded it for gold. He thought it was castle forged steel the next best thing. However I had worked with Valyrian steel for many years and know what it is truly worth. But it is even rarer to see one so degraded as this." Tobho said to her.
"My father shown me Valyrian Steel once when he worked on a sword for one of the lords up North. The sword needed to be polished and he knew it was Valyrian Steel when he saw it. It was light as a feather and harder then anything ever forged. It even remained sharp, you said it lost its magic? How could it have done so?" asked Sansa.
"Well I know you already know the answer, but I will tell you for Gendry's sake. He is learning how to work Valyrian Steel so he will need to know this when I pass from this world." Tobho said as he sat down near the stall. The sun had just set behind the western wall and the lamps had started to come out for the night.
"It is about time we head on home, tell me young lady do you have a place to rest?" Tobho asked her.
"No, I don't, I just recently got here without my consent," Sansa replied.
The Smith looked at her with curiosity, "My, my young lady do you have a tale to tell. While we go over today's earnings why don't we all have dinner at my place. There you can tell us all about your story and how you got here….um I'm sorry I didn't get your name?" he said.
"I am…" Now Sansa had to think of her reply for she can't lie to this stranger. Tobho and Gendry are risking their lives for someone like her. And since she can be useful around the shop she might as well earn her keep. Septa always said that when you enter a man's home be him friend or stranger you must be honest with him. Your name for starters is a first. If he is a man to be trusted then your real name you must risk. Be him an enemy then his throat you must slit.
"I am Sansa Stark of Winterfell,"
TBC
a/n Whew that was a long one just several more days till the last and final season starts….SQUEAL! I am such a girl! Ok, ok I was trying my best after work to get at least this chapter up before the new season starts. I told you all that I would be doing Sansa's story next. So what do you think? And remember to leave a Review but no BASHINGS, LORE MONGERS OR FLAMES PLEASE! Thank you!
P.S. the whole 'Story of Crom,' thing was from the movie Conan the Barbarian with Arnold Schwarzenegger.