The Worth of Ash

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Game of Thrones or any related titles, plots, characters, settings, etc. These rights are the sole property of George R. R. Martin, HBO, and their various publishers and distributors. I own only the original elements of this story, the writing and publishing of which earn me no money.

Chapter Eleven

Kyren's breath came fast and faster, the sound muffled but harsh in the cloth sack that had been pushed roughly over her head. Internally, she cursed not only her kidnappers but herself. She knew better than to believe that she would be safe in the daylight.

She had only just departed Dyser's for the castle - long before any of the Dyser family had risen for the day and equally long before any of the Stark family would think to watch for her arrival. In short, no one would know to search for her until it was far too late. Kyren could depend only on herself, and her arms were firmly bound behind her torso. Sending up a silent prayer that her legs had retained their flexibility despite her lack of regular training, Kyren settled for biding her time until an opportunity presented itself.

Soon enough, she sensed movement in her surroundings and the sack was pulled from her head. To her horror, as her eyes adjusted to the sudden light pouring through a series of tall, narrow windows, she found Lord Petyr Baelish staring smugly down at her. Kyren braced as little as she could against the chair to which she was bound before lifting her leg and kicking Baelish square in the chest.

The look of pained shock he wore was one Kyren would treasure for the entirety of her life, however short it was to be now. The lord stumbled back, gasping for breath and clutching at the spot her foot had struck. While he did so, Kyren tugged sharply at her bonds, managing to free one wrist and began working at the other even as she eyed Baelish warily.

Someone grasped Kyren's throat from behind, squeezing until she could no longer prevent her free hand from flying to the obstruction. Baelish stalked closer, fire in his eyes. "You are fortunate that your presence here is not for my benefit. You would pay dearly for such impertinence."

Kyren would have asked what he meant, but her entire being was focused on the normally-simple process of breathing. He did not seem to despise her silence, however. He tugged a strand of her hair forward, caressing it over and over with nimble fingers. "You remind me so strongly of her. Do not believe it will save you from the consequences should you ever attempt such a thing again."

Baelish unbound her other hand before nodding sharply at the person behind Kyren. She was abruptly released, the enforcer withdrawing from the room while Kyren hunched over her recently-freed wrist and attempted to regain her breath. Baelish smiled at her, seeming for all the world as if the events of the last several minutes had never occurred. "I suspect I have a surprise for you, Kyren Asheworth."

Abruptly grateful for her loose hair, Kyren hid behind the red curtain as she fought not to react in a visible way. She was not stunned that the treacherous lord had managed to discover her identity, though she had hoped he would be stymied for a greater length of time. However, all mental trails of curiosity and dread came to an abrupt halt when the door opened once more.

A familiar, blue-eyed face watched Kyren from the depths of a hood, a hint of confusion painted across the visage. "Lady Stark?"

Lady Stark allowed the hood to droop back from her head, revealing flaming hair and a warm smile. "Have I surprised you?" she asked pleasantly.

"Yes, but only in the most wonderful way," Kyren effused, thinking back to the terrifying moment in which she realized that she had been taken by Lord Baelish. "But whatever are you doing in King's Landing?"

"I needed to speak with Lord Stark," Lady Stark explained, adopting a grave tone and expression. "My visit here must remain a secret. You have proven reliable - aside from a few recent instances - and I decided my presence here could be disclosed to you."

Kyren nodded, but remained silent, sensing that Lady Stark had more to say.

"I wished to discuss the incident at the Crossroads Inn. You swore an oath to protect my daughters and yet you were nowhere to be found. Your absence put Sansa in a terrible position, asked to speak against the prince or betray her own sister."

"I hardly see how my presence could have solved anything, my lady," Kyren argued as respectfully as possible. "My testimony would not have been considered and Sansa would have been left in much the same position."

Lady Stark sighed. "Do you truly believe that Prince Joffrey would have acted in such a way if there had been another to witness his cruelty? In any case, he is not known for his wisdom or his mercy. Arya or even Sansa could have been injured or killed had the situation unfolded only slightly differently."

"I apologize, my lady, but I was injured on the journey-"

"Yes, I have been well-informed of your injury," Lady Stark interrupted. "You swore to protect my daughters and yet you were elsewhere, more focused on furthering your relationship with a knight - a Lannister, no less - than guarding them."

"I promise you, Lady Stark, I sought only to gain skill, nothing less than moral," Kyren hastened to explain, a blush staining her cheeks.

"I never thought otherwise, Kyren, but you sought a relationship with Jaime Lannister. Regardless of whether it was untoward, your focus was on yourself rather than my daughters."

Kyren had to swallow a reflexive retort. Lady Stark was correct, and there was nothing to be done for it. "I can but apologize once more, my lady. I assure you, from this moment forward, Sansa and Arya will be the sole focus of my attention."

"And you intend to guard them from this distance? Even walking with purpose, we are a fair distance from the Red Keep," Lady Stark noted pointedly.

She wanted to tell the noblewoman about her near-constant treks to the Red Keep, of all the instances in which she had foregone sleep in order to retain both her accommodations and the safety of the Starks, but Kyren knew it would be of little use. She aspired to a life in which she would be required to set aside her own comfort and desires in order to fulfill a task, and she had promised to fulfill this one. "I was informed that I am not welcome to stay in the Red Keep proper," she said carefully.

Lady Stark lifted a brow. "Yes, I heard of your spat with the castle steward. I also was informed that you were offered quarters by Jaime Lannister himself."

Privately, Kyren decided that she would be sick if she heard Jaime Lannister's name once more. "I was told I could find a place in the cellars, along with the maids and whores of the Keep."

"And you, a Northern orphan without family or fortune, believed yourself too important to stay in such a place?" Kyren dropped her gaze, blushing hotly. Lady Stark softened her voice as she continued with, "I understand it is jarring to move from a place of relative comfort to one in which you are regarded as unfortunate at best, but you must resign yourself to worse if you hope for eventual knighthood."

It was unsettling to hear such harshly truthful words from Lady Stark, but it was far worse for Kyren to look past the stern, red-headed woman and see Lord Baelish smirking behind her. Determined to ignore the man, Kyren nodded obediently.

"I will create an excuse to move back into the Red Keep as soon as I am able, today if I can manage it," she promised.

Lady Stark nodded, gesturing to Baelish. "My friend Petyr has used his connections to secure accommodations inside the Red Keep. He will explain them to you. I must ready Ser Rodrik for our departure. Go well, Kyren Asheworth, and remember your oath."

Then she was gone, leaving Kyren with Lord Petyr Baelish. "You are familiar with Lady Stark, then?" Kyren asked in an attempt to fill the ringing silence.

Baelish nodded. "I fostered at Riverrun with the Tullys when I was a boy."

"I see," Kyren said slowly. "And have you loved her for an equal length of time?"

He retained his smirking expression, but Kyren watched as the ever-present smug humor faded from his grey-green eyes. "Who told you such a thing?"

"No one told me. It is as plain to see as your revolting moustache."

"Do you truly deem it wise to say such things to me?" Baelish asked with a smile under said moustache.

Kyren shrugged. "We are both well aware of our mutual enmity. It seems rather pointless to feign a sudden respect and admiration."

His eyes gleamed sharply at her. "I must warn you: I am a rather dangerous enemy."

"I fear you would be an equally dangerous ally," Kyren countered, reluctantly adding, "However, if for no reason other than the safety of House Stark, we must attempt to work together."

Baelish inclined his head, stepping to one of the narrow windows lining the exterior wall. "Wise," he remarked blandly, gazing down at the street outside. "My contact will meet you in the cellars of the Red Keep. It would be prudent for you to give as few details about the acquisition of the room as possible. We would not want too many questions."

Kyren agreed without protests, pushing back a shiver at the sort of suppositions likely to be made if it was discovered that Lord Baelish had reserved her private quarters.

It was with a deep sense of dread that Kyren returned to Dyser's. It may not have been the sort of life anyone would have approved for her, but Kyren had eked out this little existence on her own and had strongly envisioned herself continuing in her new-found routines. Saying goodbye to the Dyser family and the life she had started in their tavern was sure to be one of the least pleasant experiences of Kyren's life thus far.

Despite the somewhat early hour, she found all three members of the Dyser family standing in the middle of the empty tavern, breaking off their conversation to watch her entrance. Seeing Bracks in the tavern was an odd sight, but then, an empty Dyser's was a shock to Kyren's senses as well.

Tarik was the first to react to Kyren's presence, tossing her a clumsily-wrapped hunk of bread smeared with soft cheese. Kyren caught it easily, but favored fiddling with the paper rather than begin eating. "I apologize for the interruption, but I must tender my resignation, effective immediately."

Shana surveyed her with coolly-amused eyes. "Your timing is convenient, no? Bracks has just told me he is ready to return to nightly duties. Better you quit than be forced out."

Kyren nodded, but made no other reply. Retreating to her small quarters, she began gathering her few belongings. It was only when she heard his voice from the doorway that Kyren realized Tarik had followed her.

"Wait, please." He stepped into the room after she gave an approving nod, and rushed to take her hand in his own. "Kyren, did someone tell you about Bracks's return? If you are truly leaving because you believe you have no place here, put that aside. I believe Mother was nearly convinced to keep you on as extra help for the tavern…"

"As grateful as I am for that, Tarik, I am afraid I have no choice but to leave," Kyren said gently, apologetically withdrawing her hand from his. "I have commitments elsewhere - as I have been recently reminded - and I have shirked them for far too long."

"Hang your commitments," he argued, normally-wicked blue eyes pleading. "You are happy here, despite the weariness brought on by your late hours. I would wager your 'commitments' do not create happiness and that is the very reason you shirk them. Can you truly argue otherwise, love?"

Kyren sighed. "It is not my happiness that decides where I must go. I vowed to perform a task and I have no choice but to do so. I am sorry, Tarik. Would that I could remain here…" she trailed off, shaking her head regretfully.

"I understand," Tarik said stiffly. "Go honor your vows, then. I hope the satisfaction of fulfilling your promises is enough to dispel the emptiness inside of you one day."

Wincing at the harsh tone from one she had regarded as a friend, Kyren retrieved the last of her belongings and left. Tarik did not follow as she descended the narrow staircase, but Shana and Bracks still stood in the empty expanse of Dyser's front room. Kyren would have moved through the tavern without another word, but Bracks planted his large frame in her path and stared down at her until she lifted her gaze to meet his.

"I thank you for protecting my family while I was unable to do so. It will not be forgotten."

Kyren nodded, silently accepting his promise and he nodded in return, striding away and into the kitchen. The room fell into an echoing stillness after his departure, but Shana spoke before Kyren could make another attempt at leaving.

"I am not pleased to see you leave, but I am grateful we had you protecting us these few weeks. I know of all that you do here, things I have never asked, but they needed done and you met those needs. I would pay you if I could, but I cannot. Instead, I offer you this: if your situation at that castle ever becomes dire, you may shelter here." Kyren had to fight to keep the shock from her face, but something must have shown through as Shana laughed. "Yes, I know where you venture every day, and I know where you plan to go now. I also know the sort of people you will discover there, and hope you will remember my offer should you need it."

"Thank you, Shana," Kyren said sincerely. "I will be on guard for treachery."

"And I will alert you if I hear a single murmur of something amiss," Shana agreed.

"How will you hear something before I do?" the young warrior asked, her tone holding far less challenge than her words.

"Have you yet been told of Lord Varys and his 'little birds'?"

Kyren frowned. "I have met Lord Varys, but I know little about him."

Shana motioned for her to sit on one of the battered benches lining a rough-hewn table. "Lord Varys is responsible for discovering information for the king. He does this through a system of his 'little birds', a collection of street children he has recruited for the cause. When I first opened my tavern, Varys recruited Tarik as one of his birds."

"Tarik?" Kyren asked, disbelievingly. The boy was so loud, so exuberant, that recruiting him to discover and report sensitive information seemed unwise in the extreme.

Humming in confirmation, Shana soon sent a grin in Kyren's direction. "Naturally, with Tarik so lacking in subtlety, I soon discovered what was happening and took action."

Kyren laughed. "And what was Lord Varys's reaction to losing one of his birds?"

"Oh, he lost nothing," Shana said. "I simply searched out the other little birds, found out how Varys was compensating them, and promised them the same for information I wanted. I care little for the events of court, but I did ask for anything they heard about Flea Bottom or Dyser's in particular. When one of them heard something, they would report to me and receive two sweets: one for the information and one for keeping our deal from Varys."

"Clever of you," Kyren remarked admiringly.

"My dear girl, one does not own a tavern in Flea Bottom without as much assistance as possible." She tucked a strand of dark hair behind an ear and continued, "I keep the connection even today and will add your name to the list of subjects I wish to remain informed about."

"Thank you, Shana," was Kyren's grateful response, followed shortly by a sheepish, "I was under the impression that you did not care for me."

Shana scoffed. "I would never have hired you on if I did not believe you were worthy of both the task and my attention." She shifted restlessly on the bench. "In the vein of your continued safety, I must warn you that Lord Eddard Stark has been asking many uncomfortable questions of King's Landing. He is making quite the name for doing so and it could lead to trouble."

Kyren nodded gravely and Shana mirrored the gesture. "Take care, tread lightly, and remember that you may always return to safety here."

With a sad smile, Kyren admitted, "I find myself sad to leave. Dyser's has been good to me."

"You cannot go yet!" Mellina proclaimed loudly, bustling out of the kitchen with a rough-formed bowl covered by a cloth. "Not without this, anyway. Here, take it with you."

Kyren peeked under the cloth, frowning as a thick, sweet smell filled the still air inside the tavern. "What is it?"

"Rum cake," both women answered simultaneously, Mellina's voice filled with glee while Shana sounded wryly amused.

"Apologies, Mellina, but I never much cared for rum," Kyren said politely.

"Ain't for you, girl! Take it to the Kingslayer. One taste and he will decide he's got no choice but to find me!" she stomped away cackling, but turned back to address Kyren directly. "Take care o' yerself, girl. The people at that castle ain't nice like us Flea Bottom folk."

"I should hope not," Kyren said under her breath, earning a smile from Shana.

Mellina waved a bony finger at her. "Now, we may slit your throat, true enough, but them lovely lords 'n' ladies at the Red Keep will do the same and smile through it all. And you have too much damnedable honor."

As the old woman retreated back to the warmth of her kitchen, Shana eyed Kyren, watching the younger girl gathering her belongings. "She is right, you know. Your honor is not worth your life. Be careful and protect yourself in any way necessary."

"Thank you, Shana," Kyren said a final time. "For everything."

With that, she departed from the same doorway through which she had escorted unnumbered patrons, gaze set firmly on the imposing walls of the Red Keep.

"Tired of the slums?" one guard mocked lightly, catching Jaime's ear. Whoever was at the gates, it was inappropriate for any guard to behave in such a manner. He would have thought they would avoid doing any similar thing considering the way he had reprimanded them after witnessing Kyren's visit.

"Or were you asked to leave where you were staying?" another guard joined in as Jaime fought not to roll his eyes. Such an action was beneath his level of breeding, as he had been informed many times - even if the irritatingly-casual guards seemed to warrant the behavior.

"Maybe she is only tired," a third guard interjected. "She always keeps the strangest hours."

"In truth, I am tired," an oddly-familiar voice confirmed. "This has been an extremely long day and I would very much like to enter…"

"I am not certain you are allowed," the second man teased. "You have been so long in the company of commoners, you are beginning to look like one."

"I am a commoner, Elras," she replied, and Jaime was close enough now to appreciate the bite in her voice. "And yet I am most certainly allowed inside. Now, may I pass or shall I call Eyan? I know he would have much to add to this conversation."

"Go on in, then, but be careful," Elras warned, opening the gate slowly. "If you unleash that tongue of yours on any unsuspecting royals, we will have to remove you."

Kyren laughed sarcastically, rounding the corner and bumping quite literally into Jaime. She paused, glancing up at him before her eyes widened and she jumped backward as if she had been burned by the contact. "Ser Jaime! I am sorry, my eyes were not on my path."

"Quite all right," he dismissed. "Did I hear correctly that you have returned to the Red Keep for a more permanent stay?"

Her fair cheeks flamed, the slight tan she had gained over her stay in the capital city proving insufficient in disguising her blush. "Yes, I believe you have heard correctly. Assuming, of course, that none object?"

She glanced around the halls with only a hint of exaggeration. The girl seemed almost hopeful that someone - likely Hayard - would appear and order her back through the gates. Not that Jaime would allow any such thing. Suddenly irked by her reluctance to live in the most opulent dwelling in King's Landing, Jaime grasped her elbow and began moving down the main hall as he spoke.

"I presume you still refuse to disclose the exact location of your stay these past weeks?" Jaime asked, though his tone made it less of a query and more of a resigned supposition. Kyren simply continued staring straight ahead, witch's eyes studying the corridor in far greater detail than was necessary. Question answered, Jaime sighed and offered, "Regardless, I am pleased to see you in safe society once more."

She scoffed softly, but her gaze sharpened as she stopped to offer him a bowl. Jaime accepted the ill-formed pottery without much thought, but found himself staring down at it in silent confusion.

"It is a gift," the girl told him.

He lifted the cloth covering the bowl's mouth and frowned at what he found inside. "You… baked cakes for me?"

"I beg your- No! They are an offering from an admirer outside the walls."

"I see." Lips twitching at the offense in her voice, Jaime gave a grave nod and stopped a servant passing in the opposite direction. "Dispose of this, would you? However you like."

"You cannot! Mell- They were made special for you as a gift!"

Jaime eyed the girl curiously. Her round face seemed sincere, but there were risks… "And how am I to be sure they were not poisoned?"

Kyren huffed impatiently. "Why in the name of the Seven would a commoner wish to poison you? I would have you know that the woman who made those cakes finds you to be quite an attractive man. That is her sole reasoning and I was asked to deliver them to you. She would be heartbroken to learn that you had disposed of them without even a thought!"

"Fine," Jaime agreed, accepting the bowl from the servant once more. "You shall try them first. I will not be poisoned because some urchin took advantage of your soft heart."

With that, he had reached into the bowl, pinched off a section of a cake, and held it toward her. Kyren took a step backward, hands raised to ward him off. "Truly, Ser Jaime, I do not enjoy rum-"

"If you do not taste it, I shall be forced to dispose of it after all," he threatened.

The acquiescence filled her eyes before she could begin to speak, though she agreed regardless. "Very well, I-"

In a meanly childish trick, Jaime took advantage of her open mouth to push the cake past her lips. Those odd eyes widened in shock and her mouth closed reflexively, her lips brushing his fingertips. As Jaime pulled away, she chewed exaggeratedly and swallowed the morsel of cake.

"Are you satisfied? There is no poison."

Her sharp words brought Jaime back to himself, realizing with a start that he had been staring at her mouth with open fascination. And then to hear those lips speaking of satisfaction… He wanted her, Jaime realized with a start. He wanted her badly, the feeling as strong as it was abrupt. But was it truly so sudden an impulse? With a growing sense of unease, Jaime mused over the last months he had known her, puzzling at the growing warmth of his regard for her.

"Ser Jaime?" Kyren asked hesitantly.

Jaime focused his mind on ending the interaction with the girl, forcing a smile. "Of course there is no poison. I was merely attempting to force your admittance that you do indeed enjoy rum."

She gave a reluctant smile. "I will freely admit that the taste was not as off-putting as I had feared. I almost enjoyed it."

The inadvertent double-entendre landed like a blow to Jaime's stomach… and awakened lower things. Get ahold of yourself, man, he ordered internally. You are a chain and a set of hideous robes away from becoming Paecelle.

The girl was of marrying age - past it by several years, in fact - but she was so young, so unknowing of the ways of the world. Gods, she likely even believed that Jaime himself was worthy of trust and admiration! He rightly should say something off-color, if only to be sure she did not lower her guard overly much, but Jaime found himself giving her a warm smile.

"Thank you for your brave service, my noble taster," he said with a shallow bow. "I may now be secure in the knowledge that these… er, rum cakes are indeed safe for my consumption."

Kyren watched him with confused curiosity as he tucked the bowl more securely under his arm. "Pleased to hear so, Ser," she said eventually. "If you enjoy them, I am certain I could get word to the baker. She would be pleased to hear that they were faithfully delivered."

"Hmm… Perhaps a conversation for a later date," Jaime returned, seeking any opportunity to leave. There were certain questions he needed to answer and it would be far easier to do so without the distraction of her presence.

"As you will," she agreed with a bow of her own.

Rather than fixate on the grace of the gesture, Jaime turned and began marching rapidly in the opposite direction. He required nothing from that particular section of the Keep, but it offered the solitude he so craved. "Do find me if you run into any issues," he ordered over his shoulder. "Hayard lurks about still."

If she made a response, it was lost to the echoes of the hall. Idly, Jaime pinched off a section of cake and ate it. Rather good after all. To think I'd never truly cared for rum…

Author's Note - And we're back! I've missed you guys and I owe big thanks to everyone who continued to read, follow, and favorite The Worth of Ash while I was gone. It was a lovely trip, but I'm ready to get back into the swing of things.

First order of business, thank you to my two reviewers! QuirkyMurderSubject, sorry this update is coming later than you hoped (and I estimated)! And WickedGreene13... You beautiful human being. You review every single chapter, say all these nice things, but don't have your PM feature turned on so I can thank you in person?! It's been killing me! Thank you for so many kind words!

Secondly, let me start off by saying that I don't like to reveal too much of my personal life on this site, but I think this is necessary. I recently got moved from part-time to full-time employment and I don't have much time to write anymore. I love writing - it's my passion! - but I don't have enough time to keep posting a chapter every week without the quality declining. I would like to propose a change in updating, and it comes with a choice for all of you: Would you prefer to have me post five chapters, (one every week for five weeks) with a two-week gap in the middle; or ten chapters (one every week for ten weeks) with a month-long gap in the middle? Ideally, I would keep posting blocks like that until the story is complete. Up to you guys! I won't ask you to leave your answer in reviews, so I'm opening a poll on my profile and I'll leave it open for a week or two. Let me know what you think!

That should be it for today, so thank you for reading! Leave a review if you can, have a wonderful day, and I'll see you next week!