Tam, Aulix and Rian carried the sleeping Taron onto the waiting ship. Arya fussed beside him, until it annoyed Aulix. Before he said anything Byt distracted her with introductions.
"These three are the best minds that Alchemy has left, other than myself, Taron and Aulix of course. Their parents were Alchemy Guild members. This one is Mera Terg, and the two boys are Rian Gar and Aenys Sova."
"Glad to have you with us, wish it was under better circumstances," Arya greeted them.
"You're the one who killed the False Queen?" Rian asked.
"Yes. Aulix and Taron annihilated the Mountain."
"Who are you?" Rian asked with a little distrust. He shielded Mera and Aenys, with his own body.
Arya could tell he was a born protector and approved of his loyalty to his friends. "I am Arya Stark."
"She's Royalty from the North and an expert assassin. Don't piss her off, she now knows your names." Tam teased with a wink to the woman in question.
"What does knowing our name have anything to do with death?" Mera questioned.
Byt answered, "she only kills if she knows your name. But when Arya doesn't know your name, the wounds she inflicts, well you'd wish you were dead."
Arya laughed, "you guys are making me way too mysterious."
Aenys finally joined the conversation, his hand resting on Rian. "What do you know about the death King from beyond the wall?"
"Same as everyone else. But dragonglass can kill him and his army. He has a dragon under his power, but Queen Daenerys Targaryon is the mother of two dragons."
Aenys grinned, "I still like those odds."
"Do you three run with a gang?" Arya asked.
"No, but we had friends in some of the gangs. Why to you ask?"
"Our street guild in Braavos is where Byt lives. Will you be joining us?"
Aenys spoke for the other two junior alchemists. "We follow Byt. If she is part of your street guild, then we'd like to join too."
Aulix nodded in approval. "Enough chatter, the horses and wolves need to be taken care of. Aenys you watch over Taron, since you're both injured. The rest of us should check our weapons. On landing at Dragonstone we might have to head to war immediately."
The group dispersed. Arya went to see Taron, before going to Nymeria. She saw Aulix meditating beside him. Aenys gave her a nod and moved so she had a little privacy. Reaching out her hand, Arya brushed some of Taron's hair from his face. The look of loving affection in her eyes, was seen by him, as he woke. He tried to sit up.
"If you move Taron, I'll beat you into the ground," Aulix warned, not even opening his eyes.
Taron smiled, but remained lying down. "I'm fine thanks to you. Don't be so overbearing."
Arya handed him a cup. "Byt said you need to drink this tea."
"It's not gross tasting is it?" Taron sighed.
"It's not for me, so just shut up and drink it!" Arya laughed.
"Yeah yeah, I will…. So the bitch is dead. How's it feel to have finished your list?" Taron asked, then drank down the tea.
"I feel nothing now, but even though I had to be quick with the kill, it was almost joyous to be the one to end Cersei's life. It hasn't concluded much, since we are about to join the only war that matters."
Taron's eyes suddenly went white. As if he was warging. It surprised Arya and she called out, "Aulix what's wrong with Taron?!"
Aulix opened one eye and then closed it, "nothing. He's greenseeing."
"But he isn't asleep!" Aenys exclaimed.
"He doesn't have to be anymore." Aulix replied and offered nothing more.
Arya waited until Taron's eyes returned to normal. She had a feeling that whatever Aulix had done to keep Taron from dying, had changed him somehow. "What did you see?"
Taron looked over at Aulix, who didn't open his eyes. "Your home castle has fallen to the Night King. Benn died and is now a white walker."
"Oh no, not Benn!" Arya exclaimed in anguish, before realizing what more this news held. "Wait, did you just say that Winterfell is now under the Night King? Then Castle Black must be gone too…. SANSA!"
"I didn't see your sister or brother Jon."
"Jon Snow? He's your brother?" Aenys asked in awe.
Arya got distracted, turning to him, "yes. Why?"
"We heard he's King of the North!"
"He is. You might meet him once we reach Dragonstone. You'll also probably meet others that were important players during the game of thrones."
"You're right, M'Lady!" Aenys confirmed with a bow.
"Stop that shit. I'm not your Lady and definitely not royalty." Her annoyance noticeable in her tone of voice.
"Will you both shut up! Taron, did you see the dragon with the Night King?" Aulix demanded.
"Yes, the Night King rides it." How did he know, why Aulix had asked, even though he already was aware of the answer?
"Shit. I hope Gendry has had a chance to build that dragon killing machine we sent the drawings for." Arya said, pacing back and forth like a caged animal.
Tam came from speaking to the ship's captain. "The wind has been good, we'll be arriving at Dragonstone soon."
Aulix knew Taron had questions for him, that required privacy. "Everyone you've got things to do, before we come into port. Arya, your wolves are covered in blood, some of which they can't clean themselves. They're making the horses and crew uneasy, either you take care of it, or I'll make the wolves swim to shore. If you don't have a task, go see Byt." Once they were gone, Aulix moved to Taron's side, helping him sit up.
'How… I mean I know how… now… but I still don't understand it.'
Aulix replied, 'stop trying to see with your normal senses. Reach deep.'
'It feels like I am at the centre of a spider's web, that's connected to many more. I know things now, that I shouldn't. And not from the past, but now and future. But I still can't send my mind to animals like you. So that means you don't have greensight.'
A smirk danced on Aulix's lips as he waited for Taron to realize all the whys. He gave him a hint. 'As you feel it now, my blood has a connection to the old magic, before the Children of The Forest.'
'That's why the dragons acted as they did, because they knew, they could smell and feel it!' Suddenly Taron's eyes widened. 'I'm talking to you without my hands or voice… our minds… are we one and the same?'
Aulix laughed and said out loud, "finally you noticed… and no… I am me, you are you. We're just connected now by blood. Blood gives life, which is also magic. Think of it like a string, tied to you and me and everything."
"Can you die?" A snort and rolling of eyes, was the reply. Then Taron answered himself. "Yes we can, to continue the cycle there must be death. As with everything and nothing, there must always be balance."
"You're getting it. All the whys and hows of me and you. It's also a responsibility. Just like your greensight, you won't share all that you see."
They stopped talking, both sensing the others were returning. It was weird, because now Taron knew what Aulix was thinking and about to say. He also understood the love between them and it meant there was nothing left for anyone else. The awareness of why Aulix had always teased Arya, but had never given into her wants and needs, was so obvious now. Arya would be disappointed, but she had Gendry, and that in itself was and is as it should be.