Once the ship left the bay, Arya went down into the hold to see Nymeria and the pack. They were all sleeping, but Nymeria stood up to greet her friend. The wolf whined and licked the hand that then scratched behind her ears.
"I wonder if I should've sent you to protect Jon. He said Ghost is with Sansa at Winterfell."
Taron put his arm around Arya's shoulders. "Her and the pack belong with you."
Turning around she hugged him. "Will Gendry be alive when we return? Did you see anything?"
"He's better off there, then coming with us. Your drills with Aulix will begin as soon as we are on dry land. So enjoy the peace now."
Taron kissed her forehead and she pulled his head down, lips seeking him. But his mouth didn't open and he moved out of reach. "Now's not the time. When Cersie and the Mountain are dead, then you can have Aulix and I."
"Promise," Arya was not teasing.
Aulix answered from behind Taron, "we promise."
"Fine…. So what kind of drills are you having me do?"
"Everything you've learned using your warg abilities and then weapons. The rest has become second nature, so no need to drill you on how to kill. When the time comes, you'll know what to do."
They returned to the deck and discussed what would happen when arriving on the mainland. Tam and Byt would go through the River Gate, into King's Landing, instead of Old Gate. Arya, Aulix and Taron planned to enter via the Iron Gate. Gendry had given Arya information of who would assist them in Flea Bottom. Byt was going to see what and who was left in the Alchemist Guild. From there they would determine who supported the False Queen. If no one was on their side, she'd make the potions Aulix had requested, with Tam helping to get the ingredients. By the time the other three got close to the throne, they'd be ready to launch their assault too.
The ship docked, the horses for Aulix, Taron and Arya, with the wolves, came off, to the relief of the crew. The sailors wondered who these five people were, but duty prevented them from learning more. Mounting the horses, the wolf pack lead the way from the small port, towards Rosby Road, which lead to the Iron Gate. They would go into the settlement outside the Gate first, to find out any gossip. Tam and Byt would stay on the ship until it docked at the Fish Market and then go through the River Gate. From there they'd continue up the street of Muddy Way, until reaching the Alchemist Guild, located at the bottom of the hill from the Great Sept of Baelor.
Since the wolf pack was so noticeable and drew too much attention, Arya sent them to stay outside the town. Nymeria didn't want to leave, so Aulix re-enforced her command. The wolf gave a snort and then ran to catch up with the rest of the pack. Taron rode in the front, Arya was between him and Aulix. The town of Rosby had it's own castle and was the main source of food for King's Landing. Rosby's counselor, healer and tutor was Masester Melwys, also a bastard son of Lord Walder Frey and Arya planned to kill him. However that death would have to wait until she was leaving King's Landing, after killing Cersei Lannister. The castle stood at the centre of the town. The town was mostly wattle huts. Rich farms lay surrounding the town and that's where the wolf pack would patrol, until Nymeria was informed otherwise by either Arya or Aulix.
The crow that had taken perch on Aulix's shoulder went airborne and soon provided an aerial view of Rosby. Arya had a partial link to Nymeria and a cat, as they rode towards a livery stable, which also was a smithy. Taron paid for the stabling of the horses and one night at the local tavern. Arya stayed in the room, using the cat to check out the town. Taron and Aulix got a few guys and girls at the brothel, to find out the gossip. Taron was face deep between a whore's legs, when he learned about the wildfire explosion that demolished the Great Sept of Baelor and surrounding district, including the Alchemists Guild. Aulix was the first to hear about King Tommen committing suicide and the changes of power. Both reported back to Arya in the early morning hours.
"To help us gain entry through the Iron Gate, I picked up three pack animals, carrying wheat. We'll each lead one," Aulix explained as they saddled their horses.
'We can't take the wolves into King's Landing, where should I send them?' Arya's hands twitched.
Taron replied, 'have them pick off the Lannister Red Cloaks around the wall of the King's Landing. Once we're done, whatever Gate we see them near, that's where we'll leave through.'
Aulix agreed. Once Arya finished making contact with Nymeria, they rode out of Rosby and headed towards the Iron Gate. On arrival, it was pretty smooth entry, except a guard got angry when Arya didn't raise her head to look at him.
Taron explained, "that one is a shy mute from Flea Bottom, that works in the fields from Rosby. You know how inbred those slums are."
The guard laughed, "aye but they do have some good cheap whores."
Aulix saw Arya's hand that held the pack animal's reins, clench so tightly her knuckles turned white. "We're unloading by a bakery on the Street of Flour, but might stop for some ale there after. What's the name of the whore you like best?"
"Don't know 'er name, but she has huge tits and straight black hair. The only one without teeth," the guard laughed dirtily.
They could still hear him chuckling, as they rode into the city. Taron grinned when Arya's hands seemed to flick angrily at a fly. Her words were harshly describing how she wished to kill that guard, if only they'd got the name of him. Meanwhile, Tam and Byt had already passed through the River Gate and were selling fish in the Fish Mongers Square. That's where they too learned of the Sept and Alchemist's Guild destruction. Byt was shocked to hear that much of the surrounding district had been obliterated by the explosion. All hopes of finding out more from the Guild was gone. Tam knew that it might still be to their advantage since many innocent lives had been snuffed out too. That meant less supporters of the False Queen in that area. He was sure there would be some kind of rebellion brewing, which could work towards their advantage.
Earlier they'd agreed that after initial entry into King's Landing, they'd take a few days to develop their individual plans of attack and just gather information. However everyone knew there was a press for time, due to what was happening in the north.