CHAPTER #20

All week long Arya was busy as a courier, then the week after she alternated between street performer and pick pocket. No matter what job she was assigned by Taron, she excelled at it. Everyone wanted to work with her and she wondered why. Kit explained that it was because she never complained and always tried her best, even when Taron wasn't around. Lately he'd only been seen by the gang late at night. Byt and Sarra told her that he was in a bad mood and was stressing about something. It wasn't until he told Sarra that he was going to see Aulix, that the gang really knew there was serious going on.

"Who's Aulix?" Arya asked.

Byt replied, "he's Taron's best friend, he was co-leader of the gang and he's a warg. My guess is that his ability to enter the minds of animals and see the world through their senses and control their actions, is the reason Taron's visiting him."

"Why isn't Aulix here with us?"

"It's a long story, that Taron should tell, but another reason is that Aulix gets agitated when around too many people. He prefers to be a loner," Sarra explained.

"He sounds like a cool person all the same, I hope I get to meet him one day."

"Ari, if you're with us for a while, then you will," Byt added.

Sarra shivered, "I have a bad feeling… what ever Taron is looking into, it'll effect all of us. My bet is you'll get to meet Aulix sooner than later."

Her words were prophetic. Two days later, Aulix and Taron returned. Aulix noticed the new girl first, "what's her name?"

"Ari. Want me to introduce you?" Taron asked.

"I'm sure our paths will cross soon enough," Aulix replied. Then his conversation continued, but without words. 'She's Arya Stark if I'm not mistaken.'

Taron replied, also using their secret hand gestures, 'yes she is. But she goes by Ari. I've left it up to her to choose when to tell the others her true identity.'

'Everyone thinks she's dead, so you won't have any problems there. After the Red Wedding and King Joffery's poisoning, word is that only Sansa Stark is alive. No one knows where she is though.'

'So it's best that Arya Stark remains dead for now. Anyway, any further word about the WALL and the Whitewalkers?' Taron asked, having learned through the spy network of a rumour that Castle Black had been breached.

'I intercepted a crow that was dispatched from Castle Black, it's true. We're far enough away for now, that even as the long winter comes, threat of the whitewalkers reaching us is low.' Aulix took a drink from his mug. Then continued, 'What has you so worried?'

'One of the letters I reviewed before I sent it with the courier, said that the wildlings will come first and then the whitewalkers. Arya mentioned that her brother Jon Snow was stationed on the wall. She'll leave if she knows he's in danger.'

Aulix caulked his head to one side, studying his friend. 'Royalty has never made you act like this, so why the intense interest in this girl?'

'She's going to do great things, be a fantastic spy and assassin. But not if she goes back. Her life needs to grow here first.' Taron said, with a far away look on his face.

'Did you foresee this?'

Taron shook his head, 'not by dream, it's just a strong feeling right now.'

Aulix changed the subject, "I'll stay a few days." Then he added, 'the rumours about dragons are real. I wonder if I could connect to one?'

'Knowing you, you'd die trying. Let's hope that day never comes that you'll have to try- brother.' Taron clasped his friend's arm. "Let's go and cause some shit."

Arya had watched the exchange and was curious about the little hand gestures. She wanted to ask Taron about it, so she followed them. She picked pockets as she went, but only from people she thought deserved to loose some money. A cat suddenly leaped in front of her, a string of sausages in it's mouth.

"Stop that mangy animal!" Shouted a store keeper.

She laughed, scooped up the cat and the sausages, leaping up some crates and onto a ship. She ran along the railing, dodging ship hands, then using a mooring line, ran back down to the wharf. "There you go cat, you're safe now. I'll take one for escape assistance payment." Still chuckling Arya took one sausage off the group of four and gave the rest back to the cat. "Ambitious kitty, bet you've got a family to feed."

Aulix stepped forward then, "nope, I just like sausage."

Taron smirked and nodded at Arya. "This is Aulix," he introduced.

"Ari. So the cat was controlled by you?"

"For the most part," Aulix replied. He bit off a piece of the meat and fed it to the cat.

"Those gestures with your hands, that's a language right?" Arya directed her question to Taron.

"Sharp eyes. Yes it's a language we developed. Few see it for what it is," Aulix answered for him.

Arya looked at the two guys in front of her. "Is it hard to learn?"

Taron chuckled, "I'm too busy, but if Aulix wants to take the time to teach you…."

Aulix shrugged, looking her over from head to toe. "Maybe."

She looked at him and then smiled. He had long dark hair and crystal clear blue eyes, that seemed to pierce right through you. Arya could tell he was agile and fit. The cutoff shirt and pants he wore, barely concealed that he was very muscular, even though he was slim. His ability as a warg, obviously wasn't his only skill. She was curious, but not attracted like she was to Taron. Aulix had an air of danger, that made her careful around him.

"Come with us Ari, see two pros at work," Taron invited.

Arya watched them pick pockets, flirt with both women and men, then finally do a street performance. With belles full, carrying jugs of ale and cider, the two friends finally returned to the gang's hideout. She had noticed them talking with their hands again and wondered what they discussed. As the gang returned from their tasks, those who'd been there a while, warmly greeted Aulix. Byt and Sarra were very attentive to Aulix. Arya hadn't seen Byt take interest in any guy since she had joined the gang. But Aulix had her giggling and blushing, it was nice to see.

"You're starring at him," Taron teased.

"I like that he makes Byt laugh like a little girl," Arya replied.

"Aulix can charm anyone."

Arya gave Taron a glance, "even you?"

He smiled. "Why does that matter?"

"You like answering a question with a question," Arya observed. They stood side by side and then she said, "I'm going for a walk, have fun with your reunion."

Aulix had seen the exchange and asked Taron from across the room, 'what was that about?'

'You and me. Don't worry nothing important, have fun.'

'I am and so should you. I'll check on Arya later,' Aulix tapped his temple.

'Bring Byt and Sarra, let's go to the pub and work our magic from some more free ale!' Taron replied.

While Aulix, Taron, Byt and Sarra were laughing it up at the pub, Arya was sitting on a roof gazing out at the water. Taron had been in good spirits today and much more relaxed with Aulix around. But what had bothered him the last few days? Why had he felt the need to have his friend the warg come? This gang were her family now and she wanted to protect them too. How could Taron relax, if something threatened them? How cool would it be to have the ability to see through an animal's eyes?