Hunger is what finally drove them to get dressed and stop their love making. They saw Aulix in the tavern, but no Kika.
"She have to go back to work?" Gendry asked.
"No, her legs are like rubber, same with half of the girls here…. You two aren't the only ones having fun," Aulix winked.
"Did you use up all the gems?" Arya tried to pick his pockets, not expecting any success.
"No… you know how good I'm at bargaining. The owner of the brothel, also won't be available for a few hours."
Gendry asked in Arya's ear, "is he serious?"
"Yes. He does this to get information from the women he beds. The secrets he can get them to tell… let's just say he's very skilled."
"It's just business?" Gendry not sure he was happy that Kika was part of that group.
"Not always." Aulix admitted. "A very select few, get my full attention. Since you gave my friend happiness, I made sure Kika received equal pleasure." He winked at them both.
Gendry didn't know what to make of him, but he did acknowledge Aulix's skill with women. "You have my respect friend."
"Seeing how genuinely happy Arya is now, you too have mine."
"I'm starving." Arya announced.
"We all are. Give me a moment and a feast for us all will arrive," Aulix declared and then left to haggle with the Tavern owner.
"His eyes, kind of freak me out. It's like he can see straight into my soul," Gendry whispered to Arya.
"I know, his stare alone has made many people fearful of him. It also makes it hard to read him. Like you said before, he's unpredictable."
They didn't have to wait long for drinks and food to be delivered to their table. Gendry noticed another tray being taken out the door. "Sending some to your room for a snack later?"
Aulix smiled, "no, my friend, that is for the ladies at the brothel. When they can move, they'll all be hungry too."
"You're not like anyone I've ever met." Gendry admitted.
"I know," Aulix winked at him, a smirk on his lips. Then to Arya he signed, 'how many days do you plan on spending making love?'
'Didn't really think about it. Why, are you getting impatient to move on?'
'Yes, but that doesn't concern you. Just wondering if Gendry has made you change your mind about your death list.'
Arya wanted to shake her head negatively, but didn't. 'No. As much as I could loose myself in his bed, nothing can stop me from going south to finish that.'
'If you want to continue to travel with me, I leave tomorrow morning at dawn. Today I will trade the mule for a suitable horse for Gendry.'
Arya announced, "I'm heading south tomorrow at dawn. I'd like you to come Gendry, but understand if you want to wait until I return and head north in search of my family."
"Like I said before, I'm never leaving your side again. If you go. I go…. I've got an apprentice, he can have my forge and hammer out his own life. I made a sword for you, but it might not be balanced right. I had to guess that," Gendry explained.
"I'd like to see it too," Aulix added.
Gendry nodded, then got up and lead the way to his place. He reached up above a cabinet and brought down the weapon, wrapped in a cloth. "Go ahead," he invited Arya.
She removed the cloth and picked up the sword, moving it through some patterns. "It's perfectly balanced… I always knew you were a master."
"May I?" Aulix asked, waiting for Gendry's nod and Arya to give him the blade.
He stood in a shaft of sunlight, looking down the blade and then at the etching on the side. The hilt and handle were beautifully made; a marriage between bull and dire wolf. Aulix too used the sword. "Arya get me the blade from Taron, please."
She ran off to get the sword requested. While gone he asked, "is there somewhere I can really test the blades, without drawing too much attention?"
Gendry answered, "yes…. So he gave her a blade too?"
"It was a parting gift, but it's not made with the quality of material like yours. It's well made, but like she said, you're obviously a master at what you do."
Arya returned, "here it is."
"Bring it. Gendry if you could lead the way…." Aulix requested.
The three of them went for a walk out of town. "Here's fine."
Aulix took both swords, one in each hand. Arya had never seen him use two at once and could tell immediately he was skilled. When he was done, he gave them both back to her. "The one Gendry made is better. Take a look at the one you didn't make. Tell me what you think."
Gendry took the blade given by Taron. He sighted down the blade, then hit the blade and listened to the vibration. "The tip might break off if jabbed into a body or against armour. The handle was a bit rushed, but other than that it's a nice sword."
Arya sighed, "the difference between a blade bought in love and one made by love." Then to Aulix she asked, "teach me how to fight with two swords?"
"If we have time," Aulix agreed. "You don't need to though, you prefer to use everything else and sword last, when fighting and killing anyway."
"I like to be good using all weaponry, you know that."
Gendry scolded gently, "pride can get you in trouble, even with all your skill, remember to remain humble."
She gave him a nod of acceptance. "Truly spoken."
"So tomorrow we leave, continue south, right?" Gendry asked.
"Right. Aulix what should he bring?"
"Nothing too heavy. We'll meet at your forge, tomorrow."
Gendry gave Aulix a nod that he heard. "Don't worry I remember how to travel light." He winked at Arya and they shared a smile.
The three of them returned to town, Arya leaving Gendry at his forge, so she could pack up stuff. She knew they wouldn't see Aulix until it was time to mount up in the morning. Gendry checked the shoes on their horses and the horse that Aulix returned with late afternoon. The mount that would be Gendry's needed a new horse shoe and he fixed that issue. Before meeting Arya for dinner, he spent some time with Kika. She'd be staying in town and not travelling with them. She'd been his friend for many years and deserved his undivided attention for a few hours.
"Are you sure you'll be okay without me around?" Gendry teased his friend.
"Of course, but I will miss you. Promise to visit me, if you ever pass through here again?" Kika asked.
"That's a stupid question. I will for sure. If I ever make a home for myself, I'll send for you to come live with us."
"Us; being your girl Ari?"
"Yes."
Kika tried to get Gendry to respond to her sexual overtures, but he seemed to be immune overnight. She knew then that the woman Ari, was his true love. Once finally accepting this truth, Kika enjoyed the good-bye gift from Gendry and that he gave her some money to take care of herself. She doubted ever crossing his path again in the future, but that hope would remain.
After that visit completed, he packed his things and a sleeping pad. The only thing he took with him was his hammer, since his apprentice had another that could be used. As an after thought, Gendry wrapped up some food that would travel well. Then Arya came to get him for a dinner in the tavern.
"Ready to eat?" She couldn't help gliding her hand over his muscular arm.
"Yeah," Gendry gave her a kiss, that lingered a few minutes. "I'll have you for desert later."
"Deal. Come on, I'm hungry."
He offered his arm and she took it, even though it was unnecessary. Just being that close to him, made her happy. The reason she'd chosen to continue her journey on Aulix's schedule, instead of on her own, was because of that happiness. Being with Gendry, might blind her to potential threats, Aulix would keep her head in the game. He also would always have her back and that gave a sense of security. Since both he and Gendry got along, travelling together had no disadvantages.