The smith waited while the completed order was inspected. A sliced finger dripped blood, which cause a thin smile and nod of satisfaction. "Now I see why you have such a respected reputation." Payment was given.

"Do you want the rest back?"

"Throw it out, keep it, we don't care. This is what we wanted."

Gendry gave a nod. He needed as much money as possible, because knowledge was expensive. His search for her hadn't ended, even when the trail went cold. And if he couldn't find Arya, he'd find everything there was to know about the Stark family. One traveller had recommended that he buy a spy from Braavos, since they were the best to hire. Answers are what he sought. The plan to go to Winterfell was gone, he'd heard it had been burt down. The Wall would be too dangerous for a woman and they wouldn't be able to hid the fact that she was one. Where was she? His heart told him she was alive; but whether as a slave or free, that information had to be bought.

His forge needed the billows worked, to get the flame to the right colour. Satisfied, Gendry worked a piece of steel that had been left over from the order he'd completed earlier. He was just enjoying the feel of the hammer as it met the red hot metal. It would tell him whether he was making a horse shoe, a kitchen or farm tool, or a blade. As this one took shape, his mind went to Arya again. He wonder if she was still alive, then smiled, cause she was too smart to die. She'd proven that to him, over and over, before the Red Witch had taken him. Even though he had been older, they'd both still been kids. Thinking they knew everything, yet knowing nothing. Something all young people seemed to be like. Another smile, played on his lips, because his age and life experiences had deemed him an adult…. but was he?

The quality of the steel, could be deemed close to castle forged weaponry. He could tell it was good, because of the sparks that separated off into several branches. The song it sang as it was worked, the same as when he'd created his bullhead helm. It felt good. His hammer ringing with each blow, that rained down on the steel and anvil. Back into the forge it went. It had to be made long, without becoming too wide. He was stretching out the blade by compressing the width and decreasing the thickness that resulted. He hit both the side and the flat of the blade, shaping it into a sword. Once it reached the proper width, length and thickness, then he could start to square up the piece as a whole. Gendry needed to get the sides parallel, match the curves of the tip and achieve a uniform thickness of the blade. At last the blade had it's proper profile.

He worked on it for a long time, muscles use to the power needed to make a good blade. The groove was what they called a blood groove. It was lighter in weight, without sacrificing strength. Where the mastery and skill of the blacksmith was tested, happened in the heat treatment. The most crucial step of making a brilliant weapon. Quenching in water, could crack certain steels, because it hardens, with the rapid cooling. Then came tempering, which brings back the toughness of the metal. It was a long process that required patience and he had all the time in the world. This blade was for her. Not the girl he left behind, but the woman he hoped to find in the future.

Needle had been the first sword given to her out of love, brotherly love. But that wouldn't have the balance or power she'd need as an adult. From his research, Gendry knew that some of the names on her list, had already met death. However, knowing her, she probably had added a few more. He understood the need for revenge. In the past he tried to avoid confrontation, unless it got in his face. The last few years, he'd had to fight to survive, including killing a few men. The power in his hands, could squeeze the life out of someone, disturbingly easily.

"Hey are you coming with us to eat tonight?" Kika asked.

"Yeah. I should be done by the time you're ready," Gendry told the raven haired woman.

"Did the sale go well?" She watched him work the metal, feeling that inner heat, that had nothing to do with the forge fire. His muscles rippled as the hammer landed it's blows.

"He'll come again too, I've seen him around."

"Don't we all? It's your irresistible charm," teasing was familiar between them. Kika knew his heart belonged to some phantom woman, but at least he joined her in bed whenever she asked.

They'd been friends for at least a year. He'd rescued her, from being beaten by a drunk soldier. Through the eye that hadn't been swollen shut, she watched as his fists pounded the man unconscious. He was fast on his feet and easily avoided the knife the man had tried to use on him. Gendry hadn't enjoyed what he did to the other man, she could tell that. But what had surprised her even more, is that he didn't treat her like the whore she was. Instead he was gentle and had picked her up, like she was a feather. A few coins and she was doctored enough to return to work a few days later. After that, their friendship grew. He respected her more than most people, let alone men. Kika noticed that even though this smith kept mostly to himself, he had a few good friends. If he ever found the woman he searched for, she'd make sure that the woman was worthy of his love.

Gendry chuckled, "come by when you need your escort to get food tonight."

"I need my friend, not an escort… this blade I hide on my thigh, ensures that… thanks to you." Kika lifted up her dress and showed off her smooth white leg.

He whistled, "deadly in all ways."

They teased each other back and forth. Then she waved saucily and left. Gendry looked down the blade, making sure it was straight. His mind returned to the task of making a beautiful sword. Then the hilt would be attached. He was focused and was just finishing, when Kika came back.

"I need to clean up first, want me to meet you there?" Gendry asked.

"Want someone to scrub your back?"

"I'm too hungry to wait for a bath." He went to the back of the room and washed up, the cloth turned black immediately after one swipe down his arm. After his skin was it's natural colour, he threw on a shirt and took off the smith's leather apron. "All set, let's go."

At the local pub, Kika got them a pitcher of beer to start. Once more she probed him, trying to dig out information on the woman who's name he never spoke. But just like in the past, he changed the subject, ending all questions about his past.

Meanwhile, the person who's name Kika sought, nursed a jug of cider. She was annoyed with the Nagga and deciding if she still liked dragons. Arya ate some cheese and bread with Aulix, as they watched the moon light up the evening sky. There was a decent wind, but nothing too strong, keeping them sailing at a nice clip. Earlier in the day, Aulix had connected with a sea bird. Their trip would soon be over, within the next three days they'd see land. For Arya soon, wasn't quick enough.

A loud thump on underside of the ship, rose alarm an hour or so later. The Captain came out of his cabin and asked what the hell had happened. "There's no way we hit land, we're still too far from shore and on course as per the navigation maps. What did we hit?"

Sailors called to each other, but no one had an answer. So the Captain sent a sailor below to check for leaks or damage. The report came back, that there were no leaks. Still he was not satisfied. They were advised to look overboard, at the sides of the ship.

"There is some debris, looks like wood, floating out behind us!" One sailor reported.

The boatswain was almost hanging completely over the side. "Shine some light over here!" Once the light came to where he was pointing, he called out, "Captain we have damage, just above the current water line."

The Captain swore with profanity so colourful, Arya smirked and Aulix grinned. "Does it look like we have to fix it now, or can it wait until there is more daylight?"

"Lower me down and I'll check it," the boatswain demanded. A line was attached to his waist, then he was lowered overboard, with a lantern. "It can wait as long as the water doesn't get rougher!"

He was pulled back on board and the Captain decided, they would wait until first light. So a while later, as the sun began to light the sky as it crested the horizon, the sailors got ready to do the repair. Aulix and Arya watched the whole process with mild interest. First a man was lowered overboard, then a bucket with wood and nails for the repair. It was more a patch, than a fix, but it would do until they arrived in port. Once the man was done, the bucket was sent back up. He was about to begin his climb back up, when a ship hit something again. This time the thump created by the collision, made the whole ship vibrate.

"What the hell was that?" The man shouted to his mates.

No one had an answer. He looked around, when suddenly something big hit him, swinging him wildly on the rope. Everyone could see a dark shape in the water. Alarm grew, when they saw it move, with speed that was not like a fish.

"Pull me up fast!" The sailor's voice rose an octave in fear.

Arya and Aulix exchanged a look and immediately went to look overboard.

A wall of water was splashed at the dangling man, created by the creature's tail. Almost like it was playing, perhaps like a cat plays with a mouse. The sailor gasped for air, once the water receded. But the thing came back, bumping into the man.

"They better get him up soon, the rope he's attached to is getting frayed," Arya observed with her keen sight.

"Look's like our friend is back," Aulix added.

Her eyes widened, "wait… what? Is it the Nagga?" She almost whispered and received a short nod of confirmation.

Some how the beast, was able to hide in plain sight. Mostly because it wasn't a clear day and the light was filtered through clouds. They couldn't see what direction it came from. It continued to batter the man and his screaming cut through the shouting of the other sailors.

"Try to swing to the anchor and climb up!"

The suggestion came too late, as the rope broke and the man fell into the water. He turned around, trying to catch sight of the beast, with no luck. He tried to swim towards the anchor, but the ship was still travelling forward. His hand reached out for the rope ladder, desperately seeking rescue. All anyone saw were the sharp rows of teeth, that clamped down on the man. His legs were in it's mouth and he was completely lifted from the water, seconds before being dragged under. The man reappeared in a pool of blood, flailing his arms. How he was able to scream one last time, amazed Arya.

The Nagga slammed into the side of the ship, knocking a sailor off the rigging and into the water. This man didn't panic, when the beast came at him, he fought it with all he had. He was pulled under and resurfaced four times. How he broke free, was something only the Gods knew. Flesh hung loosely off his arm and blood tainted the water. He wasn't free long, a fin and part of the Nagga's body surfaced momentarily at a high rate of speed, before disappearing into the water again. Then it's tail slammed down on the man's body and he was driven down by the force. It seemed like an eternity, as they waited for the beast to surface again. But only the sailor's foot bobbed to the surface.

"Get us out of here! Let loose all the sails!" The Captain yelled. "If that thing hits us again, we might take on water!"

"Should we try to connect with it?" Arya asked, not really wanting an answer.

Aulix shook his head, "no way. It's mad or really hungry, I'm not messing with it now. It could be provoked or get frustrated with us and break apart the ship to attack. We don't know enough and it's too unpredictable."

"I hope those two men satisfied it's hunger. I don't want to be shipwrecked so close to our destination," Arya added.

"Yeah, today is not a good day to die. I'm sure as hell not going to be its meal."

Just as quickly as it had come, so did it disappear. Everyone continued to watch the water, senses hyper alert to any movement. They did see it breach the water, far ahead and to the right of the ship. After that, nothing. When it was afternoon, Aulix finally reached out with his mind. He returned shortly after, relief all over his face.

"It's gone."

"Yeah but for how long? Will it come back once we see land, just to screw with us?" Arya asked out loud.

The Boatswain overheard and answered, "it might. I've never seen that kind of beast, my entire life sailing. That was the scariest shit I've ever been part of!"

Aulix nodded. "Just glad the ship made it out in one piece. Can't wait to get into port."

"Yeah the whole crew is going to want off the ship for a while, and I'm gonna drink this into the past with them!"