Chapter 2. Bloodied
The Lannisters controlled all of Westeros through Joffrey. His sister's marraige to Trytsane Martell ensures the loyalty of the House Martell. Cersi's marraige to Loras Lannister deflates the rumors about Cersi being in an insestuous relationship with her twin brother. Joffrey is also married to a Tyrell Margaery who became his queen. With south secure Tywin secured the loyalty of the North by buying off Walder Frey and Robb's own bannerman Roose Bolton. To keep the peace between the Greyjoy's of the Iron Isles and the Boltons Tywin paid the Greyjoys to marry into the Frey's in order to keep the Boltons in line, so Yara married Walder Frey's nephew Joran Frey. Then their first born child was promised to Joffrey and Margaery's second born child thus securing the North from rising up against the south and making sure the Bultons didn't rebel.
"See those men?" Sandor asked from a hill overlooking the King's road from the mountain pass to the road that lead north and south. "They are Lannister men! Kill them and prove yourself the warrior!"
"Gladly!" Arya whispered.
"Halt! Identify yourself!" The guard demanded to a yooung women riding up the road.
"I'm a bounty hunter!" Arya said causing the men to laugh.
"Yeah doll who ya hunting?"
She urged her horse forward, "I'm hunting Lannisters!" She kicked the captain in the face breaking his jaw, busting his lip, and breaking some teeth. She screamed leaping off her horse drawing her swords. As she came down, Arya stabbed the captain in the chest with both blades.
"You Nothern Bitch!" The second man screamed.
He raised his sword in a chopping motion, but Arya rolled to the side and onto her back as his sword went into the chest of the captain. She leaned back over swinging her right balde severing the man's hand. She then rolled backwardsand stabbed over her left and right shoulder killing two men at the same time.
"Little bitch!"
The man screamed as he rushed forward, but Arya blocked left then she she slashed forward slitting the man's throat as another man tried to flank her. She blocked with both swords and spun around him laying open his back. All six men lay dead on the road and Arya stood over them breathing heavy.
"Well done-Now we need to get out of here." Sandor said riding up, "There are definately more patrols on this road. She ignored him as she bent down over the captain and removed his mail and shirt, exposing his chest. "What are you doing?"
"Leaving a message!" She coldly replied pulling out her dagger. She carved the following into his chest...
The North Never Forgets-Nor Do We forgive
As they camped Sandor looked at Arya-that little girl who played tricks on the King's Guard in King's Landing was gone. A cold blooded killer sat across from him and he wondered if it was wise to teach her the sword. But he felt he owed her especially after all the things he allowed that bastard Joffrey to do to Sansa. He wondered how she was and if she was okay-If Arya had come with him then she and her sister would be together now. "So your training is complete-Now what? Return to the North and claim your brother's throne-build and army and start another war?"
She took out the coin, stared at it for a few minutes and then threw it to Sandor, "A man na..." She hesitated. "...gave me that coin and told me that when I was ready seek out someone from Braavos and say to him-Valor Morghulis! So I am going to Braavos to seek the Faceless Men."
Sandor just stared at her in disbelief-he had heard of the Faceless Men-The deadliest assassins in the world. Only the really rich and powerful could afford to hire them. It was said of the Faceless men that it would be cheeper to hire an army than hire an asssassin of the faceless men. If Arya learned from them she would be very dangerous. "I'm coming with you!"
She looked at him as he tossed the coin back to her, "Why?"
"To keep you safe! For one."
"I can take care of myself now thanks to your training."
"Even I can't fight a hundred men-and every Lannister, assassin, and bounty hunter would be looking for you-You need my help whether you want to admit it or not-Besides I feel I owe you a debt." He stood up and knelt before her. From now on I am your vassal-your bodyguard-I will even be your council if you need it."
She sighed, "I accept!"
