[MATURE CONTENT CHAPTER]

Arya had finally connected to the crow. She understood what Aulix had been trying to tell her all along. However Arya was unable to connect to the third-eye. She was disappointed, but hadn't expected to match his ability anyway. He taught her to plant his image from her mind to the crow's. They tested to see if the crow could find him and if it's memory would reflect her face to Aulix. Once this was successful, he explained how to read some of the images the bird showed her.

"As you know, visions can sometimes be left up to you to decide what they mean. The same applies to the memories of a crow. The face thing, you should only use to call me, if the situation is desperate. Keep in mind however it may take me days to arrive, since I can't fly."

"How could she know that far enough in advance to allow for that kind of travel time?" Gendry asked.

"I know how to read a situation and gauge the possible outcomes many moves in advance. It's something I was taught how to do, when I first came into the street guild," Arya explained for herself.

"Okay," Gendry replied.

"If you find out where the Red Witch is, will you let me know through the crow too?" She asked.

Aulix nodded, "one way or another I'll let you know."

"There's nothing I can say to stop you from going," Gendry began, "but will we meet again?"

He shrugged. "Right now that can't be answered."

"Are you leaving right now?"

"Shortly yes. I have a long way to go and need to start before the day gets too late."

"Let me sharpen your daggers, it won't take long." Gendry held out his hands for Aulix's weapons. Then he went to the river and using a sharpening stone, got to work.

Aulix wrapped some of the smoked meat from the piglet they had saved. Then checked his pack and his horse.

While testing the sharpness of one of the daggers, Gendry sliced his finger. A bead of blood came out on to it. Aulix took notice only because of the wolves' reaction. All of them, including Nymeria raised their heads and looked at the smith. But Gendry had made no sound. Walking over, Aulix took the hand of the wounded finger into his and then licked off the blood. Completely surprised by the action, Gendry yanked his hand back and swore. He noticed that Aulix had white eyes.

"Arya what's going on?"

She stood beside him and looked. "He's connecting completely to the crow, maybe even the third eye."

"He does know I'm not into guys right?"

She grinned, but said nothing. Around her friend, stranger things had happened back in Braavos.

Aulix's eyes returned to normal, for the moment he ignored Gendry. Turning to Arya, he said, "Valar Morghulis."

Her reply was, "Valar Dohaeris." But she grabbed him and gave him a kiss that was intimate. It was to encourage him to reunite with her.

Gendry was about to get jealous, when they pulled apart. He gave back the daggers. Aulix stepped up to him and clasped his arm, "remember she won't kill without a name. It's up to you to keep her safe."

The arm embrace was returned. "I will, you stay safe too. Good-bye my friend."

Aulix gave a nod, then gave a pat to Nymeria. "I know you will protect her always. Until we meet again, friend."

He mounted the horse and without a backward glance rode away. The wolves all stood watching, ears following the sounds of his departure. Once eyes, and nose could no longer find him, Nymeria sent off a howl, that all of the pack copied. They waited to hear a reply. Only the wolves heard Aulix return the howl. Satisfied Nymeria lay back down.

Gendry waited until Aulix was gone. "I'm not into guys and him licking my finger freaked me out. But, when he was saying good bye to me, after that kiss with you, his eyes… made me doubt myself."

"You're not the first man to say that and you won't be the last."

Meanwhile as Aulix rode away, he was mentally connected to the crow's third-eye. Gendry's blood was touched with magic and not just because of who his father had been. The crow showed him the past, where the Red Witch used that same blood to summon visions from the God of Light. The wolves had smelled the difference and so had he. The taste of the blood had confirmed it. There was a deeper reason for why Gendry understood fire and was so skilled when working with it. But, that mystery had to wait. For now, Aulix found two more crows. To both they were given messages to carry. One was to Saya a girl from the Saltpans brothel. It had instructions to travel to Braavos and tell Taron to come to Westeros. He'd told her what she needed to do, prior to leaving and had given Saya money to complete his request. The other crow had a message for Gendry's apprentice, who was now the smith in Saltpans. He'd be making specific weapons for Taron and Aulix. Instructions were included. From what he had been shown, Arya would need them to kill Cersei Lannister and The Mountain. On returning from the north, it would be enough time for Taron to get to Saltpans and for Aulix to unite with him. If he could locate the Red Witch and set Arya after her, before going after Cersei, then everything would be set for that battle. For him, helping Arya finish her kill list, just it might be a test to get him ready for the ultimate war.

He had an idea where the Red Witch might be and since it was on the way to the north, Aulix could confirm, before sending Arya after Melissandre. Because information from the crows could be so vague, he had to check for himself, before action could be taken. Also it would give Gendry the desired alone time with Arya, and the latter to strengthen the bond with Nymeria. Honing the skill of the mind bridge with her wolf, gave Arya an advantage that she had yet to truly exploit.

As predicted by Aulix, Arya and Gendry were indeed getting intimate with each other. The wolf pack stood guard, to prevent interruptions from intruders. They first took a bath of sorts in the stream, then once clean Gendry picked her up, carrying Arya to a blanket near the fire. When he put her on the ground, she moved under him to get comfortable. They spoke no more words, but with their bodies. Her hands thought they knew every cord of muscle on Gendry's arms and then he flexed, holding himself over her. Skin barely touching, but an almost visible electric charge ran head to toe, connecting them on the most primal neurochemical level. When his body finally completely made contact, her body rose to meet him half way. Gendry's lips nibbled and dragged along Arya's jugular vein. A delightful shiver followed his path. Hands cradled her head tenderly, careful not to pull her hair. She rolled them, grinding her hips, so he felt how ready she was to take him into her. His strength brought her body down to his, so his mouth could dance on her skin and flick both raspberry peaks. Then both sought each other's mouth and as tongues met, she got his manliness inside her. As he met her down thrust, Gendry drove home his desire to make her shiver on the inside and out. Unable to hold on to her control a second longer, Arya became vocal as climax was reached.

"Arya… my lady… just a little more."

He rolled her and eyes shone with love, as she pulled him in. "Come home to me Gendry…. harder… yes…more!"

When she came again, yet still he could not. Her mouth encouraged him to let go of his seed and yelled her name, before collapsing exhausted beside her.

"Thank you my love," he huskily said.

Arya winked, then noticed that all the wolves had turned to watch them. It was one time she didn't do the mind link with Nymeria. The almost dog like grins on the wolves' faces, told her all she needed to know. A smile played on her lips, because Gendry had not noticed their audience. As they lay relaxing in each other's arms, her mind was open and the crow circling in the sky sent an image of a woman in a red cloak riding on the King's Road.

"I see the Red Witch, we need to head north on the King's Road. King's Landing must wait." Arya sighed in resignation.

"Let's eat first and then pack and go. We'll be ready," Gendry promised.