(a/n: This took a little longer than expected but please enjoy!)
Part 8: In the Name of the King (2)
Arya contemplated her situation as she wandered aimlessly down the crowded Street of Flour with the pigeon she had just killed hanging limply in her hand. It had been a few days since her life unraveled at the seams.
She remembered that she was with Syrio Forel when a group of five red-cloaked Lannister guardsmen arrived with Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard leading them. He ordered that Arya come with them to go see her father.
Arya thought nothing of it and was about to follow the knight but Syrio stopped her. He asked why would her father send Lannister men and not his own.
It was then that her life was turned upside down.
Ser Meryn claimed that he could be trusted, since he was a member of the Kingsguard but Arya was beginning to see that something was terribly wrong.
Ser Meryn dispensed with the farce and ordered his men to grab her but Syrio intervened. Armed with only the practice sword, Syrio broke the fingers of one Lannister guardsman and fended off another. The young Stark was amazed at Syrio's speed and skill. As she watched him fight, Arya realized that the swordsman was far better than she imagined. Having killed or maimed the five guardsmen, Ser Meryn Trant joined the battle.
The Bravosi swordsman landed many blows but the wooden sword was useless against the knight's heavy plate armor. Having been entranced by Syrio's swordsmanship and blinded by the faint hope that her teacher could best the guardsmen and the knight, Arya was brought back to reality when Syrio order her to run and find her father.
Arya saw the wooden sword break and fear took hold, forcing her to flee like a frightened rabbit.
She tore through the kitchens, her heart hammering away and sweat starting to flow. The young Stark would've been completely out of her mind if she didn't focus on the words that Syrio hammered into her skull. "Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Quick as a snake and calm as still water…"
She also heeded his advice in being unpredictable. After working her way through the cellars and crawling out a window, Arya worked her way towards the Tower of the Hand. The door at the foot of the tower was reduced to splinters and one of her father's guards was lying dead nearby. Sounds of fighting could be heard nearby, so Arya went in the opposite direction.
The rest of her time in the Red Keep was like a nightmare that only got worse. She found a few more of her father's own men dead. One was still alive and his last words were telling her to warn her father.
When she tried to saddle her mare and escape, a stable boy tried to stop her but ended up with Needle in his belly.
Arya was still reeling from that encounter. She had killed someone. The young Stark tried to justify it by telling herself that it was either her life or his. But no matter how she tried to justify it, Arya still felt a twinge of guilt with the memory of the dying boy repeating in her mind over and over again.
Arya abandoned her efforts of saddling her horse, knowing that the gates will be shut by now. She slowly made her way across the yard toward the sept, hiding Needle in a cloak she put on. Successfully reaching the royal sept, Arya swiped some candles and, after swallowing her fears, fled into the tunnels. Arya successfully escaped the Red Keep and melted into the crowded streets of King's Landing.
So far she successfully avoided the gold cloaks and any other prying eyes but escaping from the city itself has thus far proven to be impossible. All seven gates were under tight guard, being opened only to allow people in. Lannister guardsmen carefully inspected anyone who wished to leave the capital. There was the river but the river's currents would be too much for her to swim in and she couldn't afford to hire someone to ferry her out of the city. The docks were also out of the question.
There was a ship moored there with a few men dressed like some of her father's men. However, remembering what happened up at the Red Keep and Syrio's teachings, Arya paused and carefully considered this seemingly perfect opportunity to escape. Arya didn't recognize any of those men and she knew the names and faces of the men that came down with her father and herself from the North. The young Stark decided to try her luck elsewhere just to be safe.
The capital was abuzz with rumors over what was happening in the Red Keep. Some of the smallfolk whisper that Lord Renly killed his brother and has fled, while others believe that the king died on a boar hunt or even died while eating a boar.
Regardless of the tale, one thing was certain: King Robert was dead.
With no money and nowhere to go, Arya found herself a quiet, though very filthy, alley and slept. Unfortunately it wasn't nearly as quiet as it appeared.
While she slept, Arya had been robbed. The unknown thieves took what little trinkets she had off of her and what little clothing she brought with her out of the castle. Fortunately, she still had Needle, which she slept on top of that evening, and her wooden practice sword.
During the day, as hunger started to settle in, she hunted rats and pigeons for food, which proved to be much easier than catching cats in the Red Keep.
She encountered other children on the streets, all of them of various ages and covered in equally various degrees of filth. Most of the children steered clear of her, as if she had a deadly illness. A few children ran away from her. Some older children tried to rob her but Arya drove them off with a few solid strikes from her wooden sword.
All in all, Arya wanted very badly to leave this wretched city but with each new day, the chances of escaping seemed to be shrinking.
Arya blinked, snapping out of her reverie and tried thinking of what she was going to do now. She tried trading this dead pigeon for some tarts a man was selling but he shooed her away. There was the option of stealing but the man nodded towards some gold cloaks nearby, which ended any thought of thievery.
Perhaps she could trade the dead pigeon for something tastier over at the pot shops in Flea Bottom. Arya passed by them once and immediately got the feeling that she should steer clear of the place. From the people hanging about outside and from the brief glimpse of the inside she caught, Arya felt that it would be just as dangerous as surrendering to the gold cloaks. On the other hand, she didn't have the means or the know how to cook this bird.
The young Stark girl considered her options carefully. Her eyes flicked about and noticed an increasing presence of gold cloaks. Arya kept her head low and averted her eyes. She considered making her way down the street to her right, away from the gold cloaks and the crowd but the young girl came to an abrupt halt, almost tripping up the people trudging closely behind her.
Up ahead, standing a head taller than most of the crowd, Arya saw the sellsword she met at the Red Keep, Slade.
The sellsword had emerged from a building on that street, dressed in his black wool and leather. His grey cloak was draped on his shoulders. Arya easily recognized him from the odd black and orange helm he was wearing, which made him stick out like a drunk in a sept.
The large sellsword looked about him, his lone blue eye roved about the crowded street carefully like a predatory bird searching for its prey. The young Stark felt her heart thud slowly. Was he looking for her as well? If he saw her, will he kill her right on the spot or take her back to the Red Keep? A hundred different thoughts raced through her mind like lightning until Arya decided that no matter what, she should avoid Slade.
The young girl continued on at a slow pace, carefully trying to hide her face and use the flow of the crowded street to shield her from the sellsword's view.
Once she was certain that Slade was no longer in view, Arya ducked down a side street and picked up the pace.
Looks like she was going to Flea Bottom after all.
The pot shops were on a narrow muddy lane.
It was considerably less crowded and a little quieter in this part of King's Landing, though the smells made Arya gag. She passed a tanner's shed and a few winesinks. There was a whorehouse down an adjacent lane to her left where it was buzzing with activity like a beehive.
Arya paused for a moment to consider where she was going. The young Stark had been down this way only once before and rather briefly.
King's Landing was not a very hospitable place, but from her brief exploration into Flea Bottom a few days before, Arya could honestly say that Flea Bottom was even less welcoming. From the unpaved, maze like streets to the rather unsavory looking people, Arya felt even less safe than she did when she was escaping the Red Keep.
After a few mistaken turns, Arya accidentally found what she was looking for.
The pot shop was wedged between two shabby looking buildings with smoke and sound spilling out from its chimney and windows. She took deep breath and plunged into the dark and noisy din of the pot shop with a hand on the hilt of Needle under her cloak and her mind focused on the dangers that possibly waited in front.
The inside of the pot shop was loud, dim and unbearably hot. Crammed within an old building of sun-bleached bricks, were a dozen tables that were packed tight with raggedy looking patrons. Huge tubs of steaming, bubbling brown liquid were off to one end of the shop with a few cooks tending to it, dumping in spices and other ingredients and stoking the flames that kept the liquid warm. Thin fingers of sunlight poked through some holes in the ceiling above, aiding the faint candlelight and windows in illuminating the interior.
Arya stood stock still, drinking in the interior of the shop. It wasn't a very pleasant looking place but if it helps her hide from Slade and the gold cloaks, then it will have to do.
Several newcomers rudely shoved past her as they entered the shop. They ignored her complaints and made a beeline for the huge tubs of boiling liquid. Arya followed and she saw them offering some ingredients like some old looking vegetables and a small fish. The young Stark girl blinked in surprise as a man brush past her and offered a pair of large dead rats.
The cooks accepted them without question and rewarded them with bowls of the brown liquid which, according to one of the recipient, was aptly called bowl o' brown.
Arya did as they did and she received a steaming bowl o' brown herself.
The young Stark carefully selected a place at a table close to the door, not too close just in case any gold cloaks came barging in. She sat next to a large, hairy man who was talking rather loudly to the man sitting across from him. Arya stared at her bowl for a long while. The bowl of stew looked rather unappealing, what with the smell, the color and the thin layer of grease on it. Small lumps floated on the surface of the broth, which she poked lightly with her spoon in an attempt to sort out what could be a descent bit of fish or a lump of rat meat.
Though she yearned for the food of the Red Keep and Winterfell, Arya's hunger won out and she gulped down a spoonful. The taste caused her face to twist a little. It wasn't bad but it was far from being delicious. She could taste some onion, carrot and a bit of turnip. With some salt and something to wash it down, Arya's meal would've been a little more tolerable.
As she ate, Arya couldn't help but shake this eerie feeling that she was being watched. The young Stark looked about her.
The pot shop was still packed to the brim with the poor and unsavory of King's Landing. There were some eyes upon her but they didn't linger for very long. Most seemed to take one look at her and moved on, however there were some who were staring at her for longer than she was comfortable with.
The young Stark girl gulped down the last of her stew and left.
Outside, Arya walked briskly away from the pot shop and tried making her way back to the more crowded and less dangerous parts of King's Landing. Unfortunately, the young Stark got turned around and wound up facing a dead end.
Arya turned to double back but wound up staring down a tall, lanky man with a rat like face. A pair of unnaturally skinny boys flanked the man.
They both looked about Robb's age but it was hard to tell due to the patches of facial hair and grime on their faces. The young Stark's hand retreated under her cloak and touched Needle's hilt, her heart thumped at an accelerated rate.
The rat-faced man gave her a crooked smile. "You lost, girl?" asked the man, his voice high and reedy.
"N-no" Arya replied, trying to hide her anxiety "I'm just looking for someone."
The man tilted his head "Really? Perhaps we can help. I make it my business to know everyone in Flea Bottom."
Arya shook her head "No, thank you but I can find my way, so if you could please step aside…" She moved to walk past but none of the three strangers moved.
The young girl scowled at the man and his companions "I really can't stay, please…stand aside" she said, her voice carried an edge but the three strangers didn't seem to be intimidated.
"Please?" cooed one of the rat-faced man's companions "Really polite this one"
"Indeed" agreed the other.
"What's your hurry?" asked the rat man in a honeyed voice "Got places to be?"
"Yes!" said Arya, again attempting to bypass the three but again was blocked.
"Now see, I don't believe you" the rat man said, looming over the young Stark eerily "From the looks of you and the sound of your speech, I say that you're not from here. I say that you're a long way from home, Northerner."
Arya felt her mouth go dry and she stepped backwards. The three advanced slowly, a step at a time.
"I would also say that from your attire, you're someone of great importance" the rat man explained "And it just so happens that, according to a good friend of mine in the castle, the wife of our dear king is looking for a northern girl who may or may not still be in the city."
Arya's eyes narrowed. So the Lannisters were looking for her and instead of Slade, she has to deal with this creepy rat looking man and his two cohorts. She didn't know who would be worse but judging the expressions of the rat man's friends, Arya was starting to wish that Slade discovered her first.
"Imagine the queen's surprise when she sees you again" said the man, grinning eerily "Unfortunately, she didn't specify what condition you needed to be in." The rat man's companions leered at her, which sent a shudder of disgust running through Arya.
"So which brings us to this juncture" said the man with a flourish of his hand "Will you be a good little girl and come along quietly. We promise that we won't hurt you…much. Or shall we drag what's left of you to the Red Keep in a sack."
Arya was certainly not going to go quietly. She said nothing and merely took a step back in an attempt to put distance between them but quickly ended up bumping into solid wall.
The rat man snickered "Hard way it is then". He nodded and his two companions stepped forward. Arya's hand tightened around Needle.
Before she could draw her weapon, there was a loud crack, followed by a thud that was muffled by the wet squish of mud. The lanky teenagers stopped and looked back. Arya looked and they saw the rat man lying face down in the mud with a mud-spattered boy standing over him, wielding a heavy looking chunk of wood.
The boy looked to be a year or so older than Arya and a few inches taller. His blue eyes were narrowed threateningly. The boy leveled his crude weapon at the two "Back away from the girl"
"Piss off, we saw 'er first" growled one of the teenagers.
The boy shook his head "I can't do that. I'm going to have to ask you to hand her over and go on your merry way."
"You're going to what?" sneered the other teen
"What's it to you?" asked the first.
The boy nodded at Arya "She's with me." The two gave him and Arya strange looks.
"How so?" asked the first teen.
"She's my sister," explained the boy, speaking in a casual manner "My poor, naïve, simple sister Mary." Arya scowled at the boy and wanted to tell him to shut his face but he gave her a look that told her to keep quiet, so she bit her tongue and kept quiet.
He continued, "You see, we caught wind of this missing northern girl business from a friend over on the Street of Seeds. Some gold cloaks came looking and asking questions. We decided to jump at the chance for some gold. We searched and searched and all we found was some boots and noble's clothes near Eel Alley."
The boy shook his head "The northern girl must've changed clothes and must be hiding somewhere in the city. Although we didn't find the girl, her belongings were just laying there, so Mary decided to help herself and go off on her own. Why? I have no idea, probably with some foolish scheme in mind that would've gotten her killed. Fortunately you two found her before she did something she would've regretted."
The two teens stared at the boy for a few moments, absorbing his explanation.
Finally, one of the boys asked "Even if we believe you, what's to stop us from killing you and turning the girl in for the gold?"
"Nothing's stopping you," admitted the young boy "But I don't think the queen will believe that my simple minded sister is this…nobleman's daughter that she is looking for."
One of the boys looked at Arya then back to the boy "She kinda looks like a northerner…speaks like one too"
The boy waved a hand "Bah! People keep saying that I look like a Baratheon but I'm as lowborn as mud. I know a dozen people who look more like a northerner than her. Besides, anyone can talk like a northerner, watch." He cleared his throat and spoke in an exaggerated northern accent "Good day your majesty, I'm Lord Stark of Winterfell and I'm a bloody traitor. Would you like to go to bed with me?"
The two teenagers chuckled while Arya glared daggers at the boy who was making a mockery of her father and of the north.
"That is pretty good" admitted the second teen.
The boy shrugged "What can I say? I learned from the best. My sister learned a little from me but she's just an amateur. Besides, the girl you're looking for is a nobleman's daughter. A nobleman's daughter is supposed to be beautiful and not like some horse-faced runt."
Arya's grip on Needle's hilt grew tighter and her desire to cut this boy's throat rose.
The boy glanced back and then back to the two teens "Look, my mother is worried sick about her. How 'bout I take her home. I can get her cleaned up and we can sell the clothes, split the money between us and forget all about this mess. What do you say?"
The two teens looked at each other then to their fallen leader, the rat faced man, who was still lying on the cold, muddy ground.
The first teen frowned at the boy "I don't know Billy, we might forget about this, but what about him?" he nodded to the rat man.
The young boy, named Billy, sighed deeply and nodded. He reached up and untied a bit of string that hung around his neck and pulled out small leather pouch that was hidden in the boy's rough spun shirt. He jiggled it in front of them, provoking a soft jingle of coins that made the two taller boys perk up.
"A little silver and some blame leveled at Spits can help him forget," said Billy. He proffered it as if he were offering a tasty treat to a starving dog.
Before the teenager could grab the pouch, Billy pulled it away. "First, my sister" said the boy, nodding to Arya.
The two teens shared a look then stepped aside. Billy gestured her to join him but Arya remained stock-still. The boy sighed deeply and stomped over to her, roughly grabbed her wrist and dragged her past the two teens. He stopped and looked at the two teens "Stubborn as a donkey" he said.
The teens stared at the two oddly but they seemed to believe the boy's lie. Billy tossed the pouch of coins to the first teen and bid them goodbye. Arya struggled against the boy's grip but he tugged her along gruffly and away from the two teens who helped their unconscious leader off of the muddy ground.
The boy led her through the winding alleys and roads of Flea Bottom. She asked where he was taking her, and he merely replied "away."
After a length of time and after she was certain that there was no one nearby, Arya pulled herself free from Billy's grasp and drew Needle from its hiding place.
Billy, looking surprised, raised his hands in surrender.
"I'm sorry for what I said" apologized the boy "I did what I had to do"
"I don't care" snarled Arya "I'm not going back to the Red Keep"
"Fair enough" said Billy with a shrug "You're free to go."
Arya scowled at the boy "What?"
"I said you're free to go."
The young girl stood there looking dumbfounded.
"What? You wanted your freedom and now you have it," said Billy. He waved his hand "Go…run along now."
Arya glared at the boy. Was this part of some trick? Was this all apart of some elaborate scheme to capture her and take her back to the Red Keep? Keeping Needle aimed at the dirty boy's throat, Arya stepped away from him cautiously. Billy remained still, holding his hands up. A few more steps later and Arya looked about her, searching for any sign of gold cloaks or Lannister guards.
"You don't have to worry" Billy assured her "Nobody followed us and I'm certain those two thugs took the money and are planning on pissing it away at some winesink. As I said before, you're free to go…my lady."
Arya froze. She looked at Billy. Trying to mask her surprise, Arya sniffed "I don't know what you are talking about"
"Come off it" said Billy, rolling his eyes "You're the girl they were looking for, aren't you?"
"And what of it? Are you going to try to turn me in?"
"No. While the gold is tempting, I would not do something as awful as turning someone over to the gold cloaks."
Arya gave Billy a funny look.
Billy sighed and lowered his hands "I'm not your enemy. If you want to leave then leave but please be careful. King's Landing is a dangerous place filled with people who are not as friendly as my good self."
Arya rolled her eyes, "Thank you for your help but I can take care of myself"
"Is that what that was?" Billy remarked, "From what I saw, you were cornered by the Rat King and his boys, who were ready to do their nasty work on you."
"The who?"
"The Rat King, that funny looking man I just saved you from. He rules Flea Bottom and the sewers. Some say he's in league with the spider, Lord Varys. He snatches up orphans and fatherless girls and drags them down to the sewers and does Gods know what to them."
Arya saw Billy shiver and couldn't help but feel a chill crawl down her spine. The young Stark kept her weapon leveled at the mud spattered boy but she could feel that he was telling the truth. Flea Bottom was dangerous and it was a very foolish mistake to have ventured into this part of the city. That foolish decision had almost gotten her captured, or worse. She considered Billy's words carefully and slowly lowered Needle.
"You…you'll let me go?" asked Arya.
Billy nodded "I will, though it'd be better if you didn't go. King's Landing is even more dangerous now that the queen looking for you."
"What should I do then?" Billy smiled "You can come with me"
"Go with you?"
"To my home…we'll be safe there. A lot of children without families stay there and no one will notice you."
Arya gave the boy an odd look. She lifted Needle "If this is a trick or a trap, I swear I'll-"
"It isn't, I promise" Billy said solemnly "I give you my word."
Arya wanted to believe him but she still had a nagging sense of doubt in the back of her mind. Unfortunately, the young Stark girl didn't have any better options, which involved living in the gutter and possibly getting captured or killed. With some reluctance, Arya returned Needle to its place and accepted Billy's offer.
Some time after leaving Flea Bottom, Arya and Billy trudged up a narrow lane.
After hours of crisscrossing the city and ducking in and out of various alleys and side streets, Arya was considering abandoning Billy and strike out on her own. However, despite her complaints, the young Stark continued following the boy. They carefully avoided gold cloak patrols and any shifty looking characters that may be in the service of the crown.
The sun slowly descended, causing the sky to turn a peach color then a shade of pink. As they carried on up the lane, Arya blinked in surprise at some of the establishments they passed, which included some taverns and brothels.
Some of them appeared to be modest homes or humble buildings, however it was clear as to what they truly were. The brothels had ornate scarlet lamps hanging over the doors while the taverns had signs with strange names hanging over heir doors. As they walked past some of the busier ones, a combination of exotic spices, ale and music struck Arya as people entered and departed the various establishments. These places looked more expensive than the busy dens in Flea Bottom.
From a window of the second story of one of the brothels, a pretty woman with chestnut hair and brown eyes greeted Billy.
"Hello Rila!" Billy replied with a wave.
"Where've you been? Selina's has been worried sick"
"I-I was running an errand for Zucco down over on Eel Alley."
The woman quirked an eyebrow "Really? Now why would a nice boy like you be running errands for a dirty thief like Zucco?"
Billy chuckled nervously "I kinda owe him…he saved me from a nasty situation. He also promised me some silver."
The woman nodded slowly. Her eyes flicked to Arya and a small smile appeared on her face. "Who's your friend?"
"This is…Mary, she's a friend and only a friend." The woman nodded though it looked like she didn't believe Billy.
"She doesn't have a family or a place to stay" the boy continued "and the Rat King almost got her."
"Oh my!" Rila's eyes widened in shock, she looked at Arya "Well…the Seven must be looking after you if you encountered the Rat King and lived."
Arya smiled awkwardly "I-I suppose so."
The woman shook her head in disgust "Makes me sick. It's a damn shame the gold cloaks don't do anything about that wretched creature. It's a good thing that Billy found you. You don't need to worry about him, the boy is about as honest as Baelor the Blessed."
Arya noticed Billy's cheeks turn pink. Rila back over her shoulder and sighed, "I have to go now. Tell Selina thank you for me, about that gift she sent me"
"I will" said Billy.
The woman's head retreated into the house and Billy and Arya continued on their way.
The two children stopped outside a small house. The young Stark could hear the sound of voices and she could smell something delicious wafting out one of the windows. Arya was nervous and still felt that this was a trap but hunger and exhaustion won out.
Inside the house, Arya was surprised to find not a bunch of gold cloaks or Slade, but a warm and cozy home.
Off to her right, a group of almost a dozen children were sitting around a wooden table chattering and squirming on their stools. They were all dressed in ragged peasant clothing that looked patched up and had endured some hard times, but they all looked healthier and cleaner than the children the young Stark had encountered on the street in the last day or so.
The eldest among them was a boy near Sansa's age and the youngest was a girl who was barely older than Rickon.
To her left, Arya saw a tall, slender woman with dark hair tending to a plump chicken that hung over a small cooking fire. The young girl assumed that this must be the woman Billy and Rila mentioned, Selina.
The dark haired woman looked their way and Arya saw a mixture of relief and exasperation enter her surprisingly flawless features.
"Billy!" cried a voice.
A young dark haired girl ran over and embraced the mud-spattered boy. "Lyra" Billy said in greeting.
"Where have you been?" asked the woman, wiping her hands off on the front of her dress.
"N-nowhere, Selina…" mumbled the mud-spattered boy.
Selina quirked an eyebrow "Really?" she placed her hands on her hips "Then why are you covered in mud? And why did Dravor tell me that you didn't arrive to help him at the Street of Flour as we discussed?"
Silence fell on the entire household.
Arya watched as Billy, for the first time that day, fail to give an answer.
The woman's expression hardened "I looked everywhere for you. When I heard from Spits, of all people, that you were with Zucco, I was out of my mind with worry! Gods be good, you could've died or worse and there would've been nothing I could do to help you."
Billy stammered for an answer but failed. Arya remained silent, not wanting to get in the middle of what was going on.
The woman's anger seemed to cool and she adopted a more tender expression. Selina sighed "Billy…do you know how lucky you are to be taken on as an apprentice?"
"I know," mumbled the boy, looking down at his feet.
"I warned you countless times to stay away from scum like Zucco and Spits"
"I know but Zucco offered twice what Dravor would've paid me and all I had to do was carry a message for him."
The woman shook her head "I don't care if he offered you the bloody Iron Throne, you stay away from him. He's a liar, a thief and perhaps one of the most dangerous criminals in King's Landing. The kind of things he gets mixed up in is dangerous." Billy nodded again, mutely.
The woman went over to Billy, knelt down and looked him in the eye. "I'm not angry with you, but try to understand" Selina explained gently "I care about you and I don't want to have to watch you get hanged or imprisoned or be shipped off to the Wall for stealing bread or for running an errand for Zucco."
"I'm sorry," said Billy. Selina, smiled a little and she pulled him into an embrace. Billy hugged her back but when he noticed Arya staring at the two, he quickly disengaged, blushing furiously.
Selina looked at the young Stark. She sighed again and asked aloud "And what have you brought into my home this time, little kitten?"
"Selina!" Billy complained, while the children at the table giggled at his expense.
Billy explained what happened. He began after running his errand for this Zucco person and explained how he rescued her from the rat faced man and his two companions. Fortunately Billy omitted Arya's name, although he did let slip that there are people searching for her.
"She needs a place to stay for the night and some food" Billy said, concluding his epic tale.
Selina studied the young girl silently with her blue eyes sharp and emotionless, like a merchant studying a suspicious looking coin. Arya was certain that she was going to be back out on the street and was ready to apologize and see herself out. After a long moment of silence, the opposite happened.
Selina smiled and said, "I believe we can accommodate your friend, Billy."
Billy grinned and Arya felt a sense of relief wash through her. "You two arrived at the right time. Dinner is about ready."
Selina and the children were all crammed together around the table, eating feasting on a modest dinner of a fat, well-cooked and seasoned chicken, vegetables, cheese, bacon and warm bread. The children dug right in but Arya hesitated.
She sat there staring at the food. It was enough to feed Selina and the children but it looked meager in comparison to what Arya was used to. She felt rather guilty that she was intruding on their home and eating their food and even more guilty in that they could get swept up in her troubles with the gold cloaks and the Lannisters.
Selina must have known about this if the Rat King knew about her situation.
Despite this, Selina urged her to eat. "If you don't eat, you go hungry" said the woman "That's the way of things in this house."
Arya blinked and noticed the growing scarcity of food on the table. The young Stark quickly joined in and managed to save herself some chicken and bread. She devoured her dinner slowly, savoring each bite and thanked the Gods for this meal.
As Selina and the children ate, a figure observed them through the window from a hidden vantage point.
The man wrapped his cloak around his body tightly, shivering as the warmth of the day is slowly sapped away by the chill of night. Although there was still a considerable amount of warmth and summer left in Westeros, the man felt cold. The man always felt cold. He was never was truly comfortable in this country, or any country for that matter.
He could feel the slow, sinister march of winter approaching. With the cold comes the dark and with the dark comes all sorts of horror.
The man can sense that the winds are changing and that great and terrible forces are at work that are going to change the face of this land and the rest of the world very soon.
Which is why he was here.
The man had a mission to observe and report back to his superiors on the status of the people and situation in the west. He had already seen the smuggler and his son and he was there in that cavernous Great Hall and saw Stark's downfall. Things were certainly escalating at a quicker pace than the seer anticipated.
He was going to observe the northmen marshaling their forces in the north and then make his way towards Storm's End to observe what was occurring there but the Stark girl and the boy sidetracked him.
He silently observed the boy risking his life to save the girl and followed them back to their home. The girl was unimpressive looking, though she had potential for more.
If he was correct, then the boy had an even more marvelous fate waiting for him.
The man paused and noticed that someone else had taken an interest in the home and its occupants. Judging from his shape and smell, it was a man and was in his prime. This newcomer looked rather muscular and there was a chance that he was armed.
The man narrowed his eyes at this interloper. It would appear that one the queen's agents have found the girl but upon second glance, the man seemed more focused on the woman, the boy and the youngest of the children.
Some time passed and the second observer left his hiding place and disappeared from the view of the first.
The man felt uneasiness creep into his heart. This new development might be a problem. Using the special quill that his friends at the House gave him, the man hastily scribbled down what he had seen in the small tome that he carried in his sack.
After watching the children being shepherded to bed, the man pulled the hood up on his cloak. His business in the capital was over and he needed to leave.
Before vanishing into the night, the man took one last look at the house. He felt a pang of sympathy for the children and the woman but he couldn't do anything…yet.
For now had to hurry, there was still much to do before the tempest of blood and blade begins.
Bruce was relieved to see that they weren't too late.
Moat Cailin, the old fortress created by the First Men, rose ahead of them like an old gnarled hand. In the distance, he could see a sea of tents and pavilions of various sizes surrounding the fortress. Each of these tents gathered together under the banners of their respective houses.
A cold damp wind swept down from the north, causing Lord Wayne and his men to shiver.
"Feeling a bit cold, Lord Wayne?" japed Lady Catelyn as her horse came to halt beside his.
Bruce grinned at his liege Lord's wife "A little. But contrary to popular belief, it will take more than a little cold to stop me."
Catelyn smiled "I certainly hope so."
When they got closer, the two nobles got a better look at the over the vast, muddy field that surrounded Moat Cailin.
Most of Moat Cailin had long since rotted away with only three of the twenty towers still standing. Despite its ragged appearance, the fortress was still a formidable asset for the Starks and the north.
Lord Wayne had been spending time at home preparing for his hunt for the Laughing Prince but all that changed when he received a raven from Winterfell, summoning him to war.
Bruce had received news of what happened to Eddard Stark and was planning on paying a visit to King's Landing during his hunt, but it would seem fate has other things in mind. The countryside was on fire and people were being put to the sword. They needed the Dark Knight. While he could send his sons and his ward to go fight in the war, Bruce knew that the lords of the north needed him as Lord Wayne and not as the bat.
In the end, Lord Wayne did what was asked of him and readied himself and his entire House for war.
Battle never concerned Bruce. He had been in his fair share of skirmishes as the Dark Knight but what truly concerned him was the possibility of war. Although he had been a boy at the time of Robert's Rebellion, Bruce remembered all too well of the damage, the deaths and the heartache it wrought upon the Seven Kingdoms.
His father had fought on the side of Lord Stark and King Robert and had shared some of his experiences in the war. It wasn't until he was a man grown that Bruce knew the truth of what war and combat was truly like. After having some of his own experience in combat, Bruce could see why his father was reluctant and glum whenever people demanded that he tell the stories of how he fought alongside Ned Stark at the Battle of the Bells or some other engagement.
Although he was willing to ride to war along side his lord and fulfill his oath, Bruce was reluctant to get involved in a war that could grow to be far more devastating than Robert's Rebellion.
Despite his reluctance, Bruce was set on going and helping in whatever capacity, whether as a nobleman or as the rogue black knight. Hopefully Bruce could find an opportunity to done his dark armor and truly be of help.
During the course of preparations, a thought occurred to the nobleman. With Bruce, Richard and Jason gone, the only men of House Wayne that remained were Timothy and Damien. The two were of the were intelligent boys and with Alfred and Maester Arkham there to advise them, Bruce was confident that they would be fine in day to day matters but they needed an experienced warrior to mind the defenses of the Giant's Tooth. It was then that Lord Wayne made Ser Dent castellan and gave him command over five hundred men to guard the keep and their lands from possible Lannister raids.
The straw haired knight was eager to do his best and fulfill his duty to his lord and Bruce knew that he was fully capable. Bruce kissed his daughters farewell and gave his son words of encouragement then rode off to answer his liege's call.
Richard his ward, Jason his eldest as well as a host of six hundred men, including two hundred mounted and four hundred on foot, accompanied him.
On the road to Moat Cailin, Bruce and his men encountered Lady Catelyn, who was accompanied by Ser Brynden Tully, Ser Wylis and Wendel Manderly along with fifteen hundred men from White Harbor. Catelyn looked tired but was glad to see Lord Wayne and his host. The two decided to journey together to Moat Cailin and managed to reach the ancient fortress with excellent timing.
Lord Wayne ordered his sons and his men to set up camp near the fortress. Lady Catelyn did like wise and the two, along with Ser Brynden and the Manderlys, rode off to meet Robb, who was currently holding court with the other bannermen of House Stark in the Gatehouse tower.
Bruce drew his cloak about him as he and Catelyn entered the drafty hall.
The fortress seemed to moan as a damp wind tumbled through the gaping holes in the roof and walls, making it seem as if Moat Cailin was home to a horde of angry ghosts. The five found Robb sitting at the end of the hall, surrounded by those sworn to House Stark.
Bruce recognized them all from various feasts, tourneys and other encounters from over the years, Karstark, Umber, Bolton, Mormont and a few others. They were all gathered together, discussing strategy and other important things, not noticing Bruce and Catelyn arrival, unlike the large wolf.
Bruce was surprised to see the wolf and how it acted around the lordling. He had seen many things in his life but there always seems to be something new to surprise him.
Soon enough, Robb noticed their presence and the hall falls silent. The gathered lords noticed as well and they each paid their respects to Lady Catelyn, who in turn introduced her uncle, the Manderly brothers and Bruce.
"Glad to see that we were able to tear you away from that cozy little keep of yours" Greatjon Umber japed.
Bruce shrugged "I failed come up with a good enough excuse this time. However, now that I am here, you can all rest easy now."
Some of the other lords snorted or chuckled at his remark.
With pleasantries and formalities out of the way, the assembled lords, knights and lady, shifted their focus on to more pressing matters. Bruce listened as Catelyn admitted that she did indeed have the dwarf Tyrion Lannister captive but the Gods saw it fit to set him free with some help from Lady Lysa.
As the conversation carried on, Catelyn dismissed the bannermen and knights that were assembled, wishing to speak to her son alone.
As they filed out, Bruce spoke with Galbart Glover.
"Did I miss anything of great import?"
The older nobleman shook his head "Nothing that you probably have heard already." He explained Eddard Stark's downfall and imprisonment and the Lannister's holding his daughter's hostage. A letter from Sansa had reached Robb but it seemed to have been crafted by Cersei and is using the girl as a hostage. He also mentioned that they hoped the knights of the Vale would join their cause but Bruce deflated that hope.
The younger lord was still in contact with some of his mother's relatives in the Vale and from their letters, it seemed that Lady Lysa could care less about what happened beyond her domain.
Galbart shook his head in dismay. "The Riverlands aren't doing much better though," sighed the older lord.
"Is it that bad?" Bruce asked.
"Aye, Word is Ser Jaime Lannister had just smashed a force led by Lords Vance and Piper and is now advancing on Riverrun. Lord Tywin has amassed even greater force and is now marching to Harrenhal, burning everything as he goes."
Bruce murmured a curse. Things were worse than he had supposed. He had heard of Lannisters raiding and causing trouble, but it would seem that the war had already begun and the Lannisters were gaining ground by the day. Bruce was certain that he should've ignored the summons and rode off on his own to take care of things.
"Though, there have been some good news" said Galbart.
"Good?" said Bruce, giving him a curious look.
"Apparently the Laughing Prince, that outlaw who insulted King Robert at the Tourney of the Hand, is causing a bit trouble for the Lannisters in the Riverlands."
Bruce's eyebrows rose "Oh?"
"Indeed. There have been reports that he and a band of other outlaws have been raiding Lannister supply trains and even ambushed some of Tywin's forces. Not only that, but he has also garnered quite a following among the smallfolk."
Bruce blinked in surprise. The younger lord was genuinely surprised. The two have encountered each other on several occasions, in which they both got the measure of one another. From their last few encounters, Bruce knew that the man didn't give a damn about anyone, not even himself. The man finds death and misery funny and plays cruel, taunting pranks on his victims before ending their lives. A monster like that was usually like a lonesome wolf, or would at least attract souls that seem akin to him.
What was he getting at? Perhaps he was building an army of his own. But an army composed of frightened and ill-equipped peasants in the middle of a war? The Laughing Prince is certainly one who delights in bloodshed and chaos. But what was his end goal?
Bruce didn't know and he didn't like the sound of this. The thought of having to look over his shoulder for an ambush lying in wait or having to worry about Jason or Richard having to go up against him in battle made Bruce feel very uneasy.
The conversation lasted a little while longer then ended on a lighter note and the two nobles parted ways.
Bruce's brows furrowed and he began puzzling a way for him to go out and confront the Laughing Prince before things get worse.
A deep, dark night swallowed up all the remaining daylight from the sky and all seemed to be calm in the Red Keep. Cersei retired to her chambers with a nagging feeling of unease. Still fully dressed in her emerald gown, Cersei sat in a chair by the fire, nursing a cup of wine.
Although Eddard Stark was locked away in the black cells and Sansa Stark in the Red Keep, the queen regent still had a mountain of troubles.
Arya Stark is still lost and despite having the City Watch and her own Household guard searching for the girl, she has yet to be found. Although they maintain the illusion of having both Stark children but that fragile illusion could easily shatter if push came to shove.
With her brother ravaging the Riverlands and her father marching on Harrenhal, Cersei knew that Stark wasn't the only problem they had to deal with.
Stannis and Renly both recently laid claim to the throne and were marshaling their own forces to challenge them. Needing every sword they can get, Cersei paid the sellsword Slade a hefty sum of gold in order for him to remain in King's Landing and lend his assistance in searching for the Stark girl.
Despite accepting the gold, the large sellsword seemed resentful towards her, or at least someone within the Red Keep.
There was also the matter of Robert's bastards. Her oafish husband had laid with so many women and sired so many bastards that Cersei was almost uncertain as to how many there were. She was uncertain if Robert knew either. What fed into this uncertainty were the rumors that were whispered around the Red Keep and in the capital at large.
According to the whispers, the king had a secret lover.
Of course Robert had many lovers but this one was different. This woman seemed to have truly captured his heart.
According to Littlefinger, after one of the king's secretive visits to his brothel, the master of coin did notice that the king seemed unusually cheerful. He inquired of his girls at the brothel at that time to see what it was that cheered him up so. Surprisingly, the king didn't pay a visit that evening. He questioned them the best he could but they were all clueless as to who or what could be having such an effect on the king.
Cersei knew it was a woman. Considering the state of their marriage, Cersei could care less about who Robert laid with or had feelings for. However, hearing that Robert was so infatuated with some unknown peasant woman while supposedly being happily married to her, infuriated the queen regent.
Now that Robert was gone and Joffrey now inheriting the throne, Cersei wanted to be sure that there was nothing in the way of her son's birthright. She had tasked Varys to seek out this woman and to see if Robert sired any more bastards and to eliminate them. She also assigned one of her more trusted agents to the task for added measure.
It was only a matter of time until the identity of this woman and the location of Arya Stark were revealed.
A soft knock at her chamber door snapped Cersei out of her thoughts. "Enter" she called out.
A handsome man in rough spun clothes entered and Cersei felt her heart flutter. It was one of her agents and it would appear that he had good news.
"My queen" the man greeted with a bow. His voice was silky smooth and was like music to her ears. Despite the differences in social standing, the queen regent couldn't help but admire the man's features. Although he wore loose, dirty clothes, Cersei could make out his lean, muscular body. His hair was a muddy brown and his eyes were like obsidian.
"What did you find?" asked Cersei.
"I believe I found the woman," answered the man.
There was a brief pause, almost as if the man were waiting for her to ask or was making a dramatic pause.
Cersei snapped "And?"
"She is lowborn and lives down near the Street of Silk"
"Is she a whore?"
"No, she seems to be taking care of orphans and children without homes."
"Orphans?" Cersei repeated slowly.
"Yes, however there are two that she is greatly fond of, a boy and a girl."
Cersei frowned a little "What about these two?"
"I believe that they may be the king's own offspring" the spy replied.
"How so?"
"According to some people I spoke with, children are free to come and go at that place. Most simply have a meal and leave or spend only an evening in her home. However the two I mention, seem to live longer than the others and have been for a while. The two bear a rather strong resemblance to the woman and it is believed that these two are indeed her own flesh and blood, though she denies it. If it were true, no one knows who may be the father."
Cersei quirked an eyebrow.
The man smiled "I believe this part will interest you the most. These two children both have black hair and blue eyes."
Cersei's eyebrows shot up "That is certainly interesting. But how are you so certain that these are indeed the bastard offspring of my dear husband?"
"As I have stated before, no one knows who fathered those children and, apparently, she had a frequent visitor. An admirer, who gave her splendid gifts and visited those two children often."
Cersei's grip tightened on her cup of wine. It would seem that Robert truly did have a few other bastards hidden away and not only that; he was in contact with them, which was something he hardly did for any of his other offspring.
The queen regent allowed a smile to form on her face. Another obstacle was about to be removed from her path.
She rose to her feet and she poured some wine into another cup. Cersei offered it to her spy and he accepted it readily.
"Tell me more" said the queen regent, her voice like honey.
The spy, named Maxwell, sipped his wine and began weaving together a tapestry of words, forming a clearer picture of the woman whom Cersei was going to take great pleasure in destroying.
End of Chapter
(a/n: What do you think? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please Review. New DC characters appearing in this chapter: Billy Batson, Ratcatcher, Maxwell Lord, Tony Zucco and Harvey Dent. Until next time, see ya!)