It took a few days to get everything ready for their departure. The weapons list was completed, horses and pack animals were well fed and shoed. The wolf pack was impatient to leave and so were the people. There was one important thing left for Arya to decide and that discussion took place between her, Taron and Aulix.
"On his way back from the North, Aulix intercepted a raven. Jon Snow, your half brother, has become King of the North. Daenerys Targaryen, her three dragons and avenging warriors are all in Westeros now, at Dragon Stone. She has requested Jon Snow to come to her and take his knee, accepting her as his Queen. You must decide if we should ride north to meet with Jon Snow, or to Dragon Stone and await his arrival, or continue on towards King's Landing. Take some time to decide. If you need to talk to Aulix or I, we'll be waiting in the tavern."
Since Taron was his usual self, his nature to lead came forth. That allowed Aulix more independent time, which he preferred. He wanted to go to King's Landing to investigate the remaining Lannisters and their united army. Alternately he also made plans if Arya chose to go to Dragon Stone. If she went north, then at least he would not go with her. Taron would probably choose to go with him, but the others might decide otherwise. Unlike the rest, meeting the Mother of Dragons wasn't something he needed to do, but he did wonder if the dragons would connect to his mind, like the Nagga had. If they did, would they know who he was. Aulix was glad that Taron was no longer depressed about Arya. He needed his friend to be in full control, once they went to King's Landing.
"Real dragons… like the ones that fly in the sky?" Arya asked with wonder, having gone with Gendry to the tavern.
"Yes."
"You said Jon is in the north. Aulix, do you think he will go to Dragon Stone?" Gendry wanted to know.
"It's highly likely. But I doubt he would take his knee for Daenerys Targaryen."
"Why else go?"
Taron could answer this. "You know it's the long winter in the north. The White Walkers might breach the wall, there are not enough men at Castle Black to keep fighting them. Your brother is probably requesting her assistance."
"Not only that," Aulix added, "but he wants what the castle sits on."
"Dragonglass?" Arya questioned.
"It is one of the few things that can kill a White Walker," Aulix explained.
"The other is Valerian steel and maybe dragon fire," Taron finished.
Arya sighed, "I remember the stories about the walking dead of the North, as a child they terrified me. Even as an adult, I don't think I want to meet one. Let's go towards Dragon Stone. If Jon needs me, I'll be going with him. Should he not need or want my help, then I will continue on to King's Landing to finish my list."
Taron and Gendry went to tell the others, Arya wanted answers from Aulix. "Have I hurt Taron?"
"Why do you ask?"
"He's like, before I became his lover. And then the way he's been with you, not like in the past. Does he hate me?"
"No. Taron is the way he needs to be. And you must focus on your own path, your own future and the now."
"You sound angry with me."
Aulix sighed, "I'm not angry with you or anyone. Stop doubting yourself and the choices you've made."
She nodded, then set her shoulders back. "Right. I'm so close to finishing the list and returning to being just a Stark." Arya left the tavern to get her pack and go to the ship.
What Aulix hadn't said, was that she'd never return to being 'just a Stark'. That was something Arya would discover once her list was done. Seeing Taron by the dock, he called over, "we all loaded up?"
"Yes, we're set to go."
Aulix walked up the plank to the ship that would take them to Maiden Pool. It would only take half a day. Looking at their crew, he smiled. Arya stood between Taron and Gendry, holding their hands. Aulix put a hand on Taron's other shoulder. The ship pulled away from land. Moving so they were not in the way of the ship's men, everyone gathered around Aulix.
"Once we land in Maidenpool we'll ride to Rooks Rest, which will be the rest of today. If night falls, I'll take lead. We'll stay with our horses and packs at Rooks Rest for the night. At dawn we'll sail to Dragon Stone."
Taron added, "when we land at Dragon Stone Tam and Benn will stay with the horses on ship. That ship will also take us later to King's Landing."
Byt asked, "are we all going to King's Landing?"
Arya shrugged, "I guess that'll be something to discuss once we're at Dragon Stone."
Gendry agreed, "I think this next day or so will be the last rest we get for a long time."
Benn frowned, "why do we need horses, if the ship is taking us straight to King's Landing?"
Arya answered. "We won't go to the Mud Gate. There are a few ports along Black Water Bay. We'll land at one of those and ride to Old Gate."
"I think it's best to split up. Some of us may go through the Iron Gate and others through Old Gate. Six riders will be noticed, but two or three won't." Taron pointed out.
"Exactly, Tam and Byt will go to the Alchemy Guild once we're inside the walls. This is a full operation. Short cuts will get us all killed. This is a discussion to have later, not here." Aulix reminded them all.
Benn apologized for bring it up. "I'm just excited to be part of whatever this is."
Taron took the bite out of Aulix's words. "Sure it'll be interesting, maybe even fun at times. Our lives up until now have trained us for this. Just like back at the guild, I'll give you guys instructions and since both Aulix and Ari are with us, bird communication is easy. Same way we did it at home, is how it will be done there. Be careful and smart for everything you do."
Aulix had seen a gull and linked fully to it. His body slumped against Taron. He flew out of range of the ship, scanning water and the landscape in the distance. Nothing unexpected lay ahead and so he returned his mind. Rubbing a hand through his hair, he continued to lean on Taron and let his hands speak.
'Nothing out of the norm ahead.'
'The wolves are sleeping. Horses are being fed and as soon as we hit land, they'll be ready to go at a fast clip.'
"I'm going to sit down over there and take a nap," Aulix announced.
Taron went too, but to watch over him and not sleep. He observed Tam and Byt for a while. Then his gaze fell on Arya, Gendry and Benn. He smiled at how Benn was practically grilling Gendry and Arya for information on Westeros. If Jon Snow was at Dragon Stone, Arya would be torn in what to do; join her brother against the White Walkers or go to King's Landing to complete her revenge. And then there was Gendry. She still couldn't separate herself from wanting to protect him. He was sure Gendry knew that too. The man in question came and sat beside Taron.
"What do you know about the dragonglass?"
Aulix kept his eyes closed, but listened to their conversation.
"Not much. It's obsidian, a form of volcanic glass. When broken it has super sharp edges."
Gendry asked, "does it have iron in it?"
Taron shrugged, but Aulix answered, "yes if it's not pure. But you can't work it like metal. Have you heard about Knapping?"
"Sure. So dragonglass has stone properties?"
"If it's snapped precisely it can make the sharpest knives, daggers, throwing stars and arrowheads. It can be polished too. It's hard but brittle at the same time. More like glass than stone, hence it's name." Aulix then stated, "you're thinking of staying at Dragon Stone to mine the dragonglass and make weapons."
"Yes. I'll be more of a burden than help at King's Landing. I'll give you some names in Flee Bottom that will help."
"Does Ari know yet?" Taron asked.
"No. I'll decide once we get to Dragon Stone. Then I'll tell her."
Aulix sat up. "She'll probably agree, because you'll be helping her brother. But you know it might be a long time before you two meet up again."
Gendry laughed, "time nor distance have ever stopped us from uniting and it won't in the future either."