Due to their merchants disguise, no one they met on the road, bothered them. The exception was the five thieves that tried to steal their packs at night. In the morning five bodies were found by the carrion birds. When the sun was high in the sky, Aulix slumped in the saddle, using his gift on a bird, to scout how far the next town was. When he returned he described what he'd seen.

"If we stick to riding along the coast of the Bay of Crabs, there doesn't seem to be any towns for miles."

"Yeah I think the next town would be Wickenden, but don't keep me to that. I've never been there. But they were allies for the Starks."

Aulix said, "at least it's in the right direction, since Kings Landing is south."

"It's the only place I remember to be inland. After that it's Saltpans. Even though I really want to find Gendry, if the opportunity comes to eliminate Walder Frey from my list, before heading south, I'll take it."

"Whatever. Is there anything fun in Wickenden?" Aulix asked, rotating a shoulder.

"Depends on what you define as fun… it's a town know for making scented candles. You might be able to get rid of some of the shit you picked up in Gulltown though." Arya tossed a look over her shoulder at the over loaded pack animal.

"That stuff, will get us food, drink and a bed, even on my worst day of bartering."

"Just make sure you lighten this load…. I'll see if I can find out anything to help my search," Arya sighed.

"And Saltpans?"

"It's a town in the river lands that sits on the Bay of Crabs. I don't remember what House is the seat. It's not much of a trading port, but ships do go there occasionally. It's got a small castle that overlooks the harbour and takes up most of the town."

Aulix gave her a side glance, "you remember a lot, considering you were a kid back then."

"One of my flaws… a great memory," she smirked. "Honestly though, Saltpans was where I bought passage on the Braavosi ship."

"So we can either head north towards the Twins and extract revenge or take a new ship and sail back out to Kings Landing. Unless you've had enough of sailing."

"Yeah, not fond of another ship trip. Unless it's a short trip up river to the Twins. More information can be extracted travelling by land."

"That is true. Alright towards Wickenden we ride and then on to Saltpans." Aulix mumbled. He hooked a leg over the saddle horn and leaned back against the pack on his horse. "Nap time."

She rolled her eyes, "you want me to hold on to a rein?"

"This horse won't stray. It's a pack animal and coward with your horse in a corner, when I picked them out. It won't leave your horse's side, unless spooked. In which case I'd expect a heads up shout from you."

Arya snorted, "whatever. Go nap then."

While her travelling companion slept, Arya thought about Gendry and then her kill list. Wishing she had the ability to relax like Aulix, a yawn escaped her lips. Even though her eyes grew weary, her other senses were still alert. A movement by the some drift wood and rocks, drew her attention.

"Aulix we have company," Arya warned.

"Anything in the sky?"

"Not that I can see… two men; one behind a huge rock… ahead and to the right."

He opened his eyes, but remained riding in a relaxed position. Scanning the area she'd described to him, he found no animals close by. "Sun just reflected back, so sword or dagger is drawn."

"Do we call out or act oblivious?"

Aulix flicked his hands. From far away it would look he was swatting at a bug. 'I'm going to make your horse stumble. We stop and you dismount, to check it's hoof. Give me time to find something, to take a closer look. They might just come out of hiding, if they think we can't run.'

Arya replied back, 'ready'.

The horse stumbled. Arya stopped and got off. Aulix sat up and acted like he was looking at her. When she glanced up from the hoof she held, his eyes were white. As he'd predicted, the men who waited in ambush, lost their patience and came forward. Arya took out a short dagger, making it look like she was working something out of the hoof.

Aulix returned and called out, "hello friend!"

"We ain't your friend," came the reply.

Both men stepped out of hiding, with blades drawn.

"Now let's just talk about this first. What's your name?"

"Joehan, don't answer him," said the shorter attacker.

The taller one hit him on the head, "you idiot, you just did."

Arya smirked and mumbled, "he's mine. You get the dumb one."

"Maybe I'll let the dumb one run and give you some target practice."

"Just don't spook the horses and pack mule."

"What do you want?" Aulix asked the men.

"Your horses and your woman," Stupid replied.

Aulix sighed, "wrong answer."

A silent arrow sailed through the air and protruded out from the head of Joehan, before Mr. Stupid reacted. He dropped his blade and ran. Arya shot him in the left thigh and right heal.

"Time for you to get off your horse and finish this," Arya smirked.

Aulix sighed, "you and your damn naming the dead man. It'll get you killed one day."

"Hasn't happened yet," she laughed.

He slit the downed man's throat. Wiped his blade, searched the pockets and returned to the horses. "Now I need to wash my hands, those two were disgusting."

After doing so, they rode on and he noticed Arya constantly yawning. But also knew it was futile to ask her if she wanted to sleep while riding. He tossed her an apple, which she caught easily, giving him a nod in thanks, before taking a bite. He nudged his horse into a trot and then a canter. They made Wickenden by sunset. It wasn't a big city, but sufficient all the same.

"I'm going to get some grain for the horses. When I get back, you sleep while they eat," Aulix advised.

Arya nodded and tried to suppress another yawn. She dismounted and loosened the girth on the saddle, but didn't remove it entirely. This gave the horse a breather too. Before continuing on their journey, Arya would tighten it again. She did the same for Aulix's horse & the pack animal too.

"Okay, I'll take care of you and the beasts. Sleep for a bit."

He listened to her chant, smiling because the list had become shorter. She slept, after taking long breaths to help relax. Aulix suspected that they would head towards The Twins and dispatch Walder Frey, before heading south to look for Gendry. A few hours later, his guess was confirmed. That was okay with Aulix, because they'd pass through Saltpans and Harroways Town, from what Arya had told him. She wanted to avoid Bolton territory, which was fine by him. In those towns he could sell the stuff on the pack mule.

"I have a plan of how we can get into the Twins without fuss." Aulix told Arya, as they rode out of Wickenden.

"Okay, so what is it?" Having to ask, because he waited too long to tell her his idea, made her sound sarcastic.

"Food merchants. A live boar, some chickens and cheese. The pack mule can tow the cart. We walk in," Aulix said.

"But what about the first guards? If there's already a good cook on site, they won't let anyone in…. I guess we could choke them unconscious."

"We'll handle them, when the time comes. Maybe have some samples to taste or something."

Arya nodded, "I like it. We can ditch the cart and ride out on the mule, if haste is required."

Aulix heard the pleasure in her voice. "Are you drooling with anticipation?"

"No," she snorted.

He smirked, but rode on in silence.

It took them a few days and nights, before coming to Harroways Town. The pack mule had become less burdened and the remainder was sold there. Aulix bought and bartered for a cart, a caged boar and some chickens. After much taste testing, he bought some very rich, fine cheese. They were ready to head to the Twins.

"What about our horses? Do we leave them here or take them on the boat ride up the river?" Arya asked.

"Take them, we might need a quick escape and paying for their board is too expensive," Aulix explained. He bought passage on a boat, using a few of the gems.