She was ready to go, having said some private good-byes. Her new scabbard had her quiver and bow attached and hung from her back. In another bag, slung over her head and shoulder, carried useful gifts from Byt and a few of the others. Tied to various places of her body and secret compartments of her clothing, were money and weapons. Arya stood on a roof top, with just Taron.

"Thank you for everything… for teaching me and guiding me to whom I am now."

"We're here for you always. If you need the guild, just send word and we'll be at your side."

She stood on the balls of her feet, pulling his head down into a kiss that said so much more. "You'll always be in my heart…. Valar Morghulis."

"Valar Dohaeris."

Taron watched her jump down off the roof, with silent feet and jog down the street. He wanted so badly to go after her, but he stood still. Looking up into the sky, he saw a bird circle twice, before following Arya. At least he knew that Aulix would be with her for part of the journey. He smiled as he imagined her reaction when she found out about his friend. Arya would be trying to buy passage onto a ship or would sneak on board. As soon as Aulix identified the ship she'd be on, then he'd buy his own passage and reveal himself when they were on the water.

Being absorbed in getting onto a ship, Arya didn't feel that anyone was following her. Had it been a threatening presence, then her instinct would have given warning. Once on board the ship and waiting for the cargo loading to be completed, she checked out the boat. Nothing missed her keen eye and she quickly took note of all the hands and passengers too. There were a few men, whom she would keep away from unless provoked. She found a perch, out of the way, on a barrel of unknown contents. Slowly the ship moved out of the harbour, under the shouted orders and scurrying of shipmates. It wasn't until the land was a thin line on the horizon, that Arya could feel she was being watched. She kicked herself for not noticing sooner. Even going below deck, the awareness remained.

Since no one was below with her, she spoke, "show yourself."

"Take you're hand off that dagger and maybe I will."

Arya rolled her eyes, recognizing the voice. "Aulix… stop playing games."

"No game, just wasn't sure if you'd throw me overboard or not."

She sighed, "did Taron send you?"

"Naw, I'm bored and curious about this new adventure of yours." He appeared beside her and nodded for them to go above deck, "I bought passage, let's go drink this cider."

"Not if you stole it from the galley."

"I wouldn't do such a thing," Aulix teased with a smirk. "Bought it, before I came on to the ship. Relax."

"Alright, come on. With you being here at least I have someone to talk to and keep me entertained."

"Damn straight…. And you can watch my back, when I take a look around." Aulix gave her a wink.

As they passed the cider bottle back and forth, Arya asked, "have you ever been to Westeros?"

"A long time ago. I've been all over. I've been to places you've never heard of and the names of which I can't remember."

"Why did you stay in Braavos?"

Aulix gave her a look of disbelief, "do you really need to ask?"

"You stayed because of Taron? But your not his brother by blood."

"Is the one you seek, a brother?"

"No…. I get it; somethings… some people are more important than anything else."

"Gendry has your heart." It wasn't a question, but a fact, a statement of truth.

"Maybe…. Does Taron have yours?" Arya asked, not expecting a straight answer.

"Yes… always."

Instead of asking why, she chose to pursue a different answer. "Do I have his?"

"We both do."

Wisely she contemplated. "That's a gift and a burden, isn't it?"

Aulix took another gulp of cider before replying, "perhaps… as it is with anyone you love."

"But your love for him is deeper than mine."

"Maybe just longer. You've saved his life with your own in the past, just as I have and Taron has saved ours. He understands us, better than we understand ourselves."

"Do we deserve his loyalty?"

"Ari, it's not so much about deserving it as it is earning and cherishing that honour… continuously."

"Thanks to him, to all of you, I know my place in this world."

Aulix snorted, coughing as the cider went down wrong. "You've always known that you'll take the path less travelled. We didn't help you find your place, we gave you the tools to live your life confidently."

She smiled, "and yet you still tag along…."

"Maybe… we'll see what happens when we make port."

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the sea breeze. Then Arya asked, "if a dragon crossed your path, do you think you could control it with your gift?"

"I don't know. The mind of a dragon is much more complex than the average beast, from what I've heard. Some believe it has a soul that is more connected to the universe than ours. Others say that their will, is their own and shouldn't be tampered with."

"Would you try if given the chance?"

"I'd ask you the same," he chuckled.

"I might not try to see through a dragon's eyes, but I would love for it to trust me enough to take me for a ride."

He laughed heartily. "How you can still have such a chimerical view of life, amazes me."

"The guild taught me that although others may see things as unrealistic…unachievable, for us anything is possible."

"I'll drink to that," Aulix relented.

She took the cider for herself, "me first… you've been hogging it."

Looking down into the water, they could see something riding the waves of the ship's bow. Aulix sat down and from his eyes, Arya could tell he was pushing his mind out to the creature. He wasn't gone long.

"I don't know what that beast is, but I felt it's mind reaching out to me too. It can swim like nothing I've ever come across."

"Does it want to harm the ship… us?"

"No… it's just playin' in the waves."

She scanned the sky, but no bird flew. "What about fish? Maybe if we catch a nice one, the cook will give us some more cider."

"Now you're thinking… we'll see. I brought some cheese and bread if you're hungry."

"I've got food too… I'm good for now." Arya sat down beside Aulix and they leaned against each other, watching the deck hands.

Aulix took a nap, but it wasn't a deep rest. When he felt movement close to them, an eye popped open. He glanced at the man approaching, then at Arya. He closed his eye again, body remaining relaxed.

"Hey girly…," the man said.

"Step off, unless you want to go overboard," Arya said coldly.

The man backed off, mumbling under his breath, "bitch…. I'll get you in your sleep."

Aulix sighed, "making friends already?"

"It'll give me a chance to try out the new sword Taron gave me…. First blood."

"Don't ask for trouble, or we'll have to swim for land."

She laughed, "wouldn't dream of it…. but I ain't letting that fat man lay a finger on me."

"He's still watching you," Aulix warned.

"I know… not for long." Arya took hold of Aulix's chin and turned his face to hers. Then gave him a kiss, that said she was with him and no one else had a chance in hell. Opening an eye and looking through her lashes, confirmed that her admirer got the point.

"This trip is turning out to be better already," Aulix teased once released.

"Shut up," Arya smirked.