Chapter 8

It was late at night when Nysa woke to the pounding sound on her door. She rubbed her eyes before looking about the room, realizing that the candle and fire had gone out sometime ago. There was just a soft red glow that remained.

"Nysa," the pounding continued. It was Jory.

"Come in," she shouted as he flew the door open and more than just her brother entered. It was then that she reached for her dress that was lying at the edge of the bed and slipped it on quickly. She still had on her nightgown. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Have you seen Arya," Jory asked as one of the guards went to stoke the fire.

"I saw her when we broke our fast," Nysa said slowly. "She was heading to her dancing lessons and was eating her meal quickly. I remember scolding her about it," she blinked her eyes as the fire lit the room. She looked around to see there were six other guards in there besides her brother. "What happened? Why such the large party? Did she truly stick her sword into Prince Joffrey this time?"

A few of the men chuckled but Jory stared at her with a reprimanding look.

"I did not mean it as a joke. You and I both know that Arya is intent on hurting the boy after what happened. The last time a large party like this," she gestured to the guards in the room, "looked for Arya was because she had attacked the Prince."

"She was missing at sup. Septa thought she was with you."

"I ate my sup with you," she replied.

"I know," Jory nodded before walking over to where he knew she kept the dagger he gave her, "but Lord Stark thought she might have been with us as well. He did not question it until he went to her room just now," he handed her the dagger. "I don't know what trouble the little lady is in but we best be prepared for whatever it is."

Nysa nodded before taking the dagger and slipping it under her dress, strapping it to her thigh. She then walked over to where her dresses were hanging and pulled out Torrhen's bow. She may have to use the dagger but she enjoyed having the bow. Nysa looked down at the bow, studying the wood and enjoying the smooth designs Torrhen had carved on it. Her thumb ran across a design that did not match the rest and when she moved her hand to look at it, she was immediately taken to a memory.

Flashback

"Alright, let us begin. Stance, notch, pull," Torrhen instructed Nysa. "Aim and..."

Before he could finish, Nysa released the arrow. It flew through the air and landed near the center. She did the same quickly and hit the second target which was farther away. That arrow landed near center as well. The third and final one, she notched and released quickly. A part of her was hoping that it would hit near center again. And it did.

Torrhen smiled proudly at her progress. She jumped excitedly before skipping to where Harrion Karstark, Lord Rickard's eldest son, sat. "I made it. As you see, I've been practicing."

"That you did," Harrion nodded as the others chuckled. "But the man is not dead."

"I don't understand," she looked confused. "I hit all three, near center. And I did it quick, too!"

"That barely wounded your victim if it did not hit the center," he gestured to the target. "And you went too quickly through that. You were overconfident. Sometimes that will cost you."

"How could..." Nysa was thrown from her feet. She landed with a hard thump on her back and looked up to see Eddard Karstark, the second son, smiling.

He nodded to one of their guards who threw a small pouch in the air. They had been making bets about who would be able to trip her up all day.

"Your Uncle said that you had grown quicker on your feet. And yet here you lay," Eddard teased as he reached into the pouch and threw some coins at his brother.

"Rude," Nysa whipped the bow around to hit Eddard's side as she stood. They only chuckled at her weak attempt. "And the two of you cheated!"

"How did we cheat," Harrion asked.

"You distracted me."

"Ah," Torrhen came to stand by her. "You see Nysa, sometimes you won't always have the quiet calm to help you focus," he smiled. "Sometimes you'll have to deal with inconsiderate soldiers," he nodded to the Karstark guards as they laughed and shook their heads. "Always remember to keep an eye out for anything and anyone around you," he gestured. "Feel it in here," he pointed her chest, "let the feeling take over. Hear things you are not supposed to hear, smell the air, taste your environment," he explained as Nysa did her best to follow his instructions.

She shut out everything else that was happening, the guards who were laughing and taking bets. Harrion who was singing some jolly song that she no doubt would have gotten caught up in. She even tried not to think of what happened at the Dreadfort. Focusing on the air, the ground, that sixth sense Torrhen was helping to describe made her feel like a huntress.

"You got it," Torrhen asked.

Nysa smiled, notched an arrow, turned around and let it fly. The arrow spun right pass two Karstark soldiers and hit the coin pouch that Eddard was throwing up in the air. There was a moment of silence as everyone looked to the stable where the arrow hit, holding the pouch. Nysa felt a small jolt of adrenaline rush through her. The two guards who were blocking the way turned around in surprise. Eddard stood and looked at the pouch, hanging on the stable wall with the arrow stuck to it. He glanced back at Nysa who gave him a small curtsy.

"I got it," she replied as the entire yard broke out into more laughter.

Eddard took the arrow out, walked over and handed her the leather pouch. "You're right. You've earned it," he smirked at her as she smiled. The guards began to cheer as Eddard went to grab a small piece of wood. "Now, get ready for this one," he told her as he threw it in the air.

Nysa notched the next arrow and took aim. She didn't stick the arrow. But she was able to tip the wood with her arrow. Torrhen wrapped her up in his arms and spun her around, cheering wildly.

"I knew you could do it," he set her on the ground and smiled down at her.

"See," Nysa smiled at Torrhen, "you were able to teach me. That means you can instruct the men of Karhold one day," her hands came to rest on his chest. "You may not become Karhold's Lord like Harrion or command the men like Eddard but you can still bring pride to your father and House Karstark," she whispered about a fear he had confided in her when they first met.

Her eyes stared back up at him. Torrhen's arms were still around Nysa's waist, holding her body close. And before she knew it, Torrhen leaned his head down to rest in the crook of her neck. Nysa's sharp intake of breath was mixed with a slight purr and she wondered why she suddenly felt so out of control.

"I'm truly glad Lord Stark sent you to Karhold those years ago," he whispered against her flesh.

When he finally pulled back, still holding on to her, she heard no one talking in the yard. The only thing she could hear - and feel - was her heart hammering in her chest. He looked happy just to be there with her. He ran his fingertips along her face.

"May we practice tomorrow, before I leave," she blurted out.

"Anything you wish," he told her before daring to press a kiss to her forehead.

Nysa's eyes fluttered closed and she sighed. She did not know what it was that she was feeling right now. She enjoyed Torrhen's company. She feared that she was becoming like the maids she heard Septa Mordane talk about - the ones who would forget their chasteness and allow desire to fill them. Was this what she felt - desire? She knew not, only that she did not want it to end.

"Is that a bear," someone shouted.

"Where," Torrhen began to take out his sword only to have Harrion come by and slap his youngest brother's back. "You damn oaf!"

Harrion pushed him back lightly before turning towards Nysa. "You best get inside and help my mother get Alys ready for sup."

"Of course," Nysa blushed and hurried out of the yard.

She was thirteen then - the same age as Sansa. That was one of the happier visits she had at Karhold. She looked down at the bow again to see that Torrhen had carved her name inside at the top. You'd truly have to know the bow to know that it was something he had added. The wood had been died there, the color of amber - a yellowish-brown that stood in contrast to the dark reddish wood.

"You still remember what I taught you?"

"Of course."

"Take this with you, use it if you have to. It will be as though a part of me were with you."

"Whose bow is that, my lady," asked Wyl.

"Torrhen Karstark's," Nysa answered before slinging it over her shoulder. Jory looked at her. "I know. You want me to carry the dagger. And I will, but I will also carry Torrhen's bow with me."

"The Queen might not like that," her brother told her.

"If I did everything that the Queen wanted me to do then I wouldn't be here now, would I," Nysa said as she walked out of her room. Jory ordered a few guards to follow her. A few guards turned into a dozen. "I think we should talk to the Kingsguard," she announced as they went towards the Keep.

"They may think we are there for other reasons," Desmond told her.

"No, they won't," she shook her head.

A few of the guards directed her towards Ser Barristan. She noticed how there were only four Kingsguards present. Usually there were seven of them, she noted. Ser Jamie was among those who was missing. Come to think about it, she rarely saw him guarding the King.

"What can I do for you, my lady," Ser Barristan asked.

"I have come to ask permission for Lord Stark's guards and I to search for his daughter," Nysa stated.

"Search," the knight questioned.

"You do the task so heavily guarded," Ser Boros nodded towards the men behind her, "and with so many weapons," he reached out his hand and touched her bow.

Nysa flinched back and looked at Ser Barristan. "Lord Stark's daughter Arya is missing, has been since yesterday morning. That was the last time anyone saw her. Now, this happened on the kingsroad. She had run away because she did something terrible to Prince Joffrey," Nysa began spinning her tale, "she was frightened. Any child who breaks the rules would not want to face their parents. I'm not saying that the same as happened now..."

"It hasn't," Ser Preston spoke up. "The Prince is with his mother right now and looks perfectly well."

She nodded and smiled. "Thank the Gods he is safe from her, then." It got a few chuckles from Ser Barristan and Ser Preston but Nysa noticed that Ser Meryn and Ser Boros did not laugh at all. "With your permission, Lord Commander, do the men and I have leave to search the Keep for her?"

"Aye," Ser Barristan granted it, "without our interference of course," he gestured for Ser Meryn to step back from Nysa.

"Thank you, Ser Barristan. And if you should hear of Arya's presence..."

"Then we will inform you," Ser Preston answered instead.

They searched the entire Keep, looking for Arya, but came up empty-handed. There was talk of asking the Queen and the Prince to search their rooms but Porther told Nysa that would be unwise. Lord Varys spotted them and inquired as to why there was some sort of military presence on the grounds. A few of the men appeared uncomfortable with his presence so Nysa answered him the best that she could without giving too much away. To her surprise, he already knew what they were looking for and suggested that perhaps she left the castle's walls.

She wanted to do exactly that. When she returned to the Hand's tower to inform Lord Stark, he sent Wyl outside instead, instructing him to look over every street and alley. Jory was ordered by Lord Stark to rest and Nysa was forbidden to venture out, despite protesting that she could handle it. She sat in one of the gardens, pouting now.

"Lady Nysa."

Nysa turned as Ser Preston approached her. She stood and gave him a small smile and curtsy. "Ser Preston, to what do I owe this honor?"

He smiled and held his arm out for her. "I understand that Lord Stark's daughter still has not been found."

"No," Nysa sighed, "she has not and I have been relieved of my services in searching for her," she said causing him to chuckle.

"I think it possible that she may have made it outside the castle."

"I think so too but Lord Stark sent the guards without me," she groaned slightly in displeasure. "I have Torrhen's bow and my brother's dagger. I know how to use them. I don't know why I'm still being held back."

Ser Preston stopped then and turned to look at her. "Who is Torrhen? Is he one of the guards from House Stark?"

She shook her head. "He is from House Karstark in the North," she smiled.

"Your betrothed?"

Nysa blushed and looked down. "He wrote a letter to my brother asking for my hand but I have to get permission from my Lord Uncle," she answered.

"Why not your brother answer for you," he questioned.

"He does but my mother's brother has the final say. It seems weird but I think that my mother is all that my Uncle had left, therefore making me all that he has left. Jon - Lord Stark's son - thinks that my Uncle has no children and might want me to inherit his lands."

"From Dorne," he looked intently at her, taking a step forward.

She shrugged her shoulders. "No one will tell me which House. My father met my mother during the war and," she paused and let her face drop into a frown, "when our father passed, my brother said he wanted to take me back home. He did not care that I was his half-sister. I was told that my mother was a Lady," she smiled then and looked at Ser Preston, "and apparently, my Lord Uncle - whom I've never met - has a say in the matters of my future. That is a special circumstance if you ask me. I came with Lord Stark to meet him and gain his approval."

The knight tilted his head at her and reached out to touch her cheek. "Well, I hope you meet your Uncle soon."

"Thank you," she smiled.

He continued leading them towards the stables and Nysa wondered why that was. He called for a young stable-hand to bring out a young mare. "Take her with you," Ser Preston instructed.

"Fine knight," Nysa began but he waved her off.

"You can look for the young lady better this way," he placed his hands low so she could climb up. Nysa did as was suggested and mounted the horse with the help of Ser Preston. "Keep the mare until you find the girl," he ran his hand down the horse's neck. "When I hear that you've found her, I'll go to the tower to bring her back. You may not be able to leave the castle's walls but this will be safer."

"Thank you, fine knight," she nodded before he led the horse out for her and hit the backside of it, sending her on her way.

The sun was high up in the sky when Nysa had taken her second ride around the grounds. She stayed by a couple gates that exited into the City before venturing off. She covered ground faster than usual since she was on a horse. The mare was beautiful and obedient as well. Nysa felt like a Lady then as she rode around on one of the royal horses.

When she was just about to retreat to the Tower, she heard some shouting at the gate that she had just left. She paused and kicked her horse to where she heard the commotion and sure enough, there stood Arya Stark demanding to be let in.

"My father is Hand of the King," she stated. "I'm not a boy. I'm Arya Stark of Winterfell." Nysa hid her smile as she rode closer towards them. "If you lay a hand on me my father will have both of your heads on a spike. Now are you going to let me by or do I have to smack you on the ears to help you with your hearing?"

Nysa's horse trotted nearer then. "There will be no need for that, Arya."

"Nysa," Arya exclaimed with a bright smile, "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Don't look too happy," she shook her head as Arya's smile dropped. "My brother just came back this morning and said he could not find you. Wyl and Harwin led another dozen guards out into the City. Last I heard, they were going to Flea Bottom to look for you."

"I know but..."

Nysa shook her head as she stopped her horse by Arya. "You best save it for your father," she reached out her hand for Arya.

"Let me help you, my..."

Arya turned to the guard. "Now you want to help me," she scolded him. "Never mind! You just stay right there!"

"Arya," Nysa reprimanded her.

"They called me a boy," she turned to Nysa. "They said they were going to smack my ears!"

Nysa looked to see that one of them looked visibly afraid while the other appeared to be slightly embarrassed. "I'm sure that the guards meant no harm, especially towards the daughter of Lord Stark," she gestured to Arya and they both agreed. "Thank you, brave guardsmen. Could you please inform Ser Preston that I have found Lady Arya should he come this way," she asked of them as Arya climbed onto the horse in the back of Nysa.

"Father had the Kingsguard looking for me, too," Arya groaned.

"You were missing since yesterday morning. That was something I had done." She pulled the horse slowly away before whispering, "I wasn't sure if you had harmed Prince Joffrey again."

"I don't have my sword with me," Arya smiled.

Nysa urged the horse to hurry back then. She chastised Arya one more time when they arrived at the Hand's tower. Arya's clothes were dusty and Nysa was sure that she had not ate any food the previous night. A bath and then perhaps a light meal would do her some good before she sent Arya to Lord Stark's solar.

"I do not need a bath."

"Arya, you're dirty."

"But I must speak to my father, it's important," Arya insisted.

"He is really upset that you were lost yesterday couldn't you..."

Jory appeared in front of them in that moment and turned to look Arya over. "What are you two discussing?"

"Nysa wants me to take a bath."

"You're dirty."

"But surely I could speak to my father first."

"Where were you," Jory questioned.

"She was at the gate trying to get back in. Two guards were giving her a hard time," Nysa answered. "She keeps saying that she heard something important in the dungeons, about her father."

Jory nodded before looking towards the opposite end of the hall. "Something is happening or something did happen," he noted. "I can feel it and somehow Lord Stark has walked right into the middle of it." He glanced at Arya again. "A bath can wait. Go and speak to your father."

Arya tried to bite back the smile at having got her way. But when she entered the room, it quickly disappeared. Nysa heard Lord Stark scold Arya before the door finally closed. She sighed and opened her mouth to tell her brother something.

"Jory!"

Both their heads turned to see that Wyl had appeared with Heward, Desmond, Cayn and Harwin. Behind them stood a member of the Night's Watch. Immediately Nysa stood straight, thinking that he was bringing news of Jon. Did something happen to him? Or maybe there was news of Benjen? The last she heard from Jon was that his Uncle Benjen had left to go ranging and he was helping to train the other recruits that were there.

"Jory, this is Yoren from the Night's Watch," announced Heward.

"A member of the Night's Watch is always welcomed by House Stark," Jory nodded to him. "But what brings you so far South?"

"Is it Jon," Nysa took a step forward, shouting, "is he hurt?"

The man looked at her before turning to Jory and lifting an eyebrow at him. "My sister," Jory nodded, "Lady Nysa. She grew up with Lord Stark's children and is close friends with his sons, Robb and Jon. Jon recently took up the black."

"Ah, I believe I've seen the lad, the bastard of Winterfell," the Night's Watchmen said as Nysa narrowed her eyes at him. "Good fighter that one," he said before snorting, "the others, sorry for my language," he nodded to Nysa. "A lot of shit they're good for. Pathetic, the fucking lot of 'um. I've come here to get more men, what with Winter coming - as those Starks say - the Wall needs 'um."

Nysa smiled. "Jon wrote about that," she nodded.

The man smiled crookedly before turning back to her brother. "I've come to ask for more men and to," he cleared his throat, "speak of a rather disturbing matter to Lord Stark."

"He's speaking to his daughter right now," Jory replied.

"It's rather important."

Why did everyone have something important to say to Lord Stark? There was a sense of dread that came down on Nysa. Maybe it was about Lord Stark's brother. She wanted to ask but didn't get a chance to. Her brother nodded before knocking on the door and then opening it.

"Pardon my Lord," Jory walked in. "There's a Night's Watchmen here, begging a word. He said it's urgent."

Nysa bit her lip and looked down. The watchmen stepped towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "The boy is alright. What I say is important to the rest of House Stark." She nodded and watched as he walked in the room after Jory.

She strained her ears to listen in and laughed when she heard Arya shout: "I'm a girl."

"Wouldn't be the first time today," she smiled.

"You know better than to listen," Heward chuckled and shook his head.

She smiled at all of them before they left to either rest or get something to eat. They had been searching for Arya all morning, she could only guess that must have worked up an appetite. Turning back towards the room, she heard the same thing that the watchmen said earlier about looking for new recruits. Then when she heard Benjen's name she took a step closer to the door.

"The whole City will know by tomorrow," he said.

"Know what," Lord Stark asked.

The watchmen turned and looked to see Nysa peering through the door. "Best said in private, my Lord."

Lord Stark nodded before saying something to Arya and then he looked up at her. "Nysa, take care of Arya. See that she's fed and cleaned." Nysa nodded. "And Jory, make sure they don't leave the Tower."

Nysa looked towards her brother and he had a serious expression on. Jory was right. Something did happen and Lord Stark was now in the middle of it. She held her hand out for Arya and began leading her towards her room. Arya looked back one last time at the watchmen before following the two siblings.

"How many guards does my father have," Arya asked.

"Here in King's Landing," Jory began, "fifty."

"You wouldn't let anyone kill him, would you," she questioned.

Jory smiled. "No, I wouldn't. And neither will my sister," he pointed to her, "she's even taken to carrying around a bow."

"Torrhen Karstark has taught me well and I remember teaching you," Nysa added, "we'll be safe, Arya. Whatever it is that has you frightened, we'll get through it." Arya nodded. "Now, I believe Harwin said something about there being lemon cakes in the kitchen." Arya brightened.

"Lord Stark said..."

Nysa looked at her brother. "Lord Stark said to stay in the tower. We will be in the tower, just down at the kitchen."

"Nysa," Jory scolded as she took Arya's hand and they began running away from him.

It was the best way to distract Arya right now. In a lot ways, she was just like Jon. The best thing to get Jon's mind off troublesome thoughts was to go outside the walls of Winterfell. Arya was the same. She didn't like the confines of walls. No, she wanted to be free.

"Is it because I'm fat? I like girls just as much as you do," Sam told Jon. "They might not like me as much but," Sam paused and then uncomfortably admitted, "I've never been with one."

Jon still washing his table looked over at Sam. They were talking about the other brothers who were rumored to go to Mole's Town and visit the brothel there.

"You've probably had hundreds," Sam added.

He sighed and for some reason thought of Nysa then. "No," he answered.

"No," the shock registered on Sam's face.

"The same as you," Jon stopped.

Sam chuckled. "I find that very hard to believe."

He furrowed his brow and remembered the time they had all gone to the brothel close to Winterfell. Theon had insisted that he take Robb there for his name-day. It would help cure whatever was ailing him when he thought of Nysa. Robb insisted that Jon come along with them.

"I came very close once," he recalled that night. "I was alone in the room with a naked girl."

"Didn't know where to put it," Sam teased.

"I know where to put it," Jon bit back, remembering Theon had told him the same thing.

"Was she old and ugly?"

"Young and gorgeous," he sat down, "a whore named Ros."

"What color hair?"

"Red," Jon answered with a deep frown on his face. He did not know why but he had liked the red hair. He liked that it looked like fire. It stood out in contrast to everything else in the North - which was white like Snow.

"I like red hair," Sam commented before moving his hands, "and her," he smiled.

Jon smiled too. "You don't want to know."

"Oh," Sam chuckled. "So why did you not, you know, make love to Ros with the perfect," he moved his hands towards his chest again.

"What's my name?"

"Jon Snow."

"And why is my surname Snow?"

"Because you're a bastard from the North," Sam answered.

"I've never met my mother. My father wouldn't even tell me her name. I don't know if she's living or dead. I don't know if she's a noble woman or fishermen's wife," he paused and turned to Sam, "or a whore." He sighed and remembered Nysa again. "So, I was up there in the brothel as Ros took off her clothes. But I couldn't do it because all I could think was, what if I got her pregnant. If she had a child, another bastard name 'Snow'," he turned to Sam, "it's not a good life for a child."

Jon went back to scrubbing the table.

"So, you didn't know where to put it," Sam said before smiling.

Jon threw the scrubber at Sam before running around the table to dunk the pale over him. Sam and Jon were laughing before they finally decided to go back to work.

"So, that girl who sends you letters," Sam began as they put away their buckets, "you've never thought of her like that?"

Jon snorted. "She's a 'Snow', the same as me. She is like my sister. She'd always say that we are the same, her and I. We both don't know who our mothers are. Though, her mother is from the South and she has a Lord Uncle who sends her gifts. Even among bastards, there's a difference. My brother loves her."

Sam looked intrigued.

"But he can't wed her because she's a bastard and he's heir to Winterfell."

"But you could have wed her," Sam pressed.

"What are you trying to say, Sam?"

"The both of you are bastards," Sam answered.

"Aye but as I said earlier, it isn't right for a child to grow up as a bastard," Jon remarked. "Even if we were to wed, the child we'd have would still be a bastard. And," he pushed Sam lightly, "my brother loves her and though she doesn't admit it, a part of her loves him too."

"She made you small-clothes," he chuckled.

"Will everyone leave me alone about that," Jon groaned.

"So, that means you were naked for her," Sam asked.

"What is it with you wanting to know about my naked stories," Jon questioned. Sam smiled and egged him on. "I didn't fully undress for her. It was awkward, since my brother was also in the room. The last time I had done that it was just Nysa and I and..."

"Wait, so you've seen two girls who are naked," Sam's smile widened.

"That's why you want to talk to me about it, is it? You just want to hear about naked girls," Jon shook his head.

"Come on, the men are at a brothel," Sam elbowed him. "It is truly unfair that we can't indulge as well. At least give me a mental image?"

"Of a girl who I view as my sister," Jon looked at him with a furious look. "No," he chuckled then, "and besides she wasn't completely naked."

"Ah but you must have felt her?"

"Who has Jon felt," asked Pyp as he walked in the hall with Grenn.

"The girl who sends him letters," Sam answered as he made kissing noises.

"Gods, she's like my sister," Jon groaned as they sat him down.

"But, you've felt her," Grenn asked, "as in," gesturing towards his chest too. Jon shook his head and look away.

"I was telling him that it is most unfair the men go to the brothel in Mole's Town while we're stuck here."

"It's been a couple months since I've seen a girl," Pyp commented.

"Same here," Grenn nodded. "Sam is right. At least tell us how this mystery girl looks."

"No mystery," Jon answered. "She's..."

"I know, I know," Grenn replied, "she's like your sister. But you're here at the Wall. I'm sure you could tell us something juicy. I've heard from the girls in the North are just as warm as the ones from the South."

"I've heard that they can melt you down," Pyp suggested.

"What does that mean," asked Sam.

"You're a bunch of horny bastards that's what that means," Jon stood up as his friends continued to tease him. It was then that he paused at the door and thought to himself that it was nice to have friends.

She went into the door Ser Barristan held open for her. She had come through here many times before when accompanying Lord Stark. He had told her this morning that he would not be needing her assistance today. Now she was surprised to find herself entering the room of the small council.

"I understand your misgivings," Lord Varys began talking as Nysa walked in, "truly I do. It is a terrible thing we must consider. A vile thing," he stated. "Yet we who presume to rule must do vile things for the good of the Realm."

Nysa continued until she was right next to Lord Stark. He turned to look at her then. "Your Grace," she curtsied, "my Lords," she nodded to them, "Grand Maester."

"How old is this Daenerys," Lord Stark asked.

"She was born at the end of the Rebellion, at Dragon Stone," Lord Varys answered.

"Nysa," he took her hand and pulled her to stand in front of the table, "And how old are you?"

She looked over her shoulder at him before facing forward. "I am approaching my seventeenth name-day, my Lord."

"Sixteen," Lord Stark growled, "would you run her through with a sword, your Grace? What about you Lord Varys? Or you Grand Maester," he questioned. Nysa winced at Lord Stark's questioning and the tone of his voice. "No, you would not! And Daenerys is even younger than her. You are talking about murdering a child. I should have called Sansa in here. Would you treat her with such violence?"

"We bear the girl no ill-will," Grand Maester answered, "but how many innocents will die? How many towns will burn if we allow the Dothraki to invade? Is it not wise, kinder even, that the Targaryen girl should die now so that tens of thousands should live?"

"There is still the Rhaeger's daughter," Lord Varys held up his hand, "remember that she could not be found."

"She was presumed to be dead when the Lannisters sacked the Capital," Lord Stark responded, "they murdered innocents that day as well."

"Presumed," Lord Baelish said, "but never confirmed."

"We should have had the two Targaryen Princesses killed years ago," Renly mentioned as Nysa turned her head towards him.

"When they were nothing but babes, my Lord," Nysa questioned out loud.

Lord Baelish smiled and leaned forward. "It is never good to prolong the inevitable. Like being in bed with an ugly woman, best to just close your eyes and finish quickly." Nysa grimaced as Lord Baelish's smile widened, "Cut the young dragon's throat and be done with it."

"Who says that she will even come here and attack King's Landing, my Lords," Nysa questioned.

King Robert chuckled then and stood, pushing his seat back. "You were raised your entire life in the North but what would happen if you found out that your Lord Uncle, the one who sends you gifts every name-day was murdered and another sits in his place? You'd ride there with haste and bring the Seven hells with you if you could! That little whore in Essos will show us no mercy for what we did to her family."

"Then perhaps one should have thought of that before committing such crimes against her family, your Grace," she replied.

"Watch that girl's mouth, Ned," the King threatened. Nysa felt Lord Stark's hands on her shoulders. "She knows nothing of what happened..."

Lord Stark spoke up. "I have told her enough. And remember," he left Nysa's side and walked forward, "her father gave his life during your war. I myself followed you into war, twice, without doubts, without second thoughts," Lord Stark leaned against the table, "my men, loyal to me, like Ser Martyn Cassel," he gestured to Nysa, "followed you to war. They did so for an honorable cause. But we," he cleared his throat, "I will not do so now. The Robert I grew up with did not tremble at the shadow of an unborn child."

"She dies," the King proclaimed.

"I will have no part in it."

"You are the King's hand, Lord Stark. You will do as I command or I'll find me a hand who will."

Nysa shook her head slightly and looked towards Renly who sadly looked away from her and back towards Lord Stark. Lord Baelish caught her gaze then as he lifted his hand and shook his head as well, telling her that it was not a good time to speak up. She bit her bottom lip and looked down at her feet. A clanking noise indicated that something hit the small council's table.

"And good luck to him," Lord Stark said. "I thought you were a better man."

"No," she whispered looking back up.

"Out! Get out! I'm done with you," the King began. "Go! Run back to Winterfell," he said as Lord Stark turned around. He lifted his arm up for Nysa who took it quickly as they both headed towards the door. "I'll have your head on a spike, Ned! You hear me?"

Nysa felt her heart beating quickly as they exited the chambers. Lord Stark kept his head up and continued to keep walking with her by his side. Jory looked intently at her but she shook her head. She remembered Arya, Lord Stark, Renly as well as Lord Baelish's words about there always being someone listening to conversations.

"Do you remember the people in there," Lord Stark asked her.

"Of course, my Lord."

"Do you remember what they said, what they spoke of?" Nysa nodded as they hurried back towards the tower. "War is coming, Nysa."

"Between the Crown and Daenerys Targaryen," she asked.

"No," he shook his head, "another one. One that could cost my family's life."

"I will protect your daughters, my Lord."

"Good," he nodded before ushering her inside, "get your things ready and then help the girls put their things together as well."

She did as she was told, hurrying towards her room and grabbing everything that lay about it. She would worry about folding them neatly later, when they were far and well away from King's Landing. She had only thrown half of her things into the trunk when she saw Torrhen's bow hanging over the chair in her room. Walking over towards it, another memory entered her mind.

Flashback

"You should learn the sword," Harrion Karstark told her.

Nysa shook her head. "Lady Catelyn would never allow it. But," she paused and looked over towards where Torrhen had begun another task. "That looks practical."

Harrion walked her over to Torrhen. At the end of the week, she had learned to shoot a bow properly. She missed the center a lot. But she'd hit the outer rim many times and that was something - considering her age and the fact that she had no formal training.

"Now you can protect yourself against the seals," Torrhen teased.

"Seals," Harrion gave her a confused expression.

Nysa nodded. "Theon said they sacrifice bastard children to seals on the Iron Islands so that the drowned Gods will forgive them for their sins. And if I remember correctly, there are seals off the coast of Karhold," she whispered loudly. "I don't want to be fed to the seals if your father and mother are displeased with me!"

Harrion broke out into laughter then. He laid a hand against his chest as his body wracked with laughter. It was loud and made Nysa feel embarrassed. She was scared being here in Karhold. She had seen only seven name-days.

"We do not feed anything to the seals here," Harrion said as he calmed down. "If anything, we hunt them," he knelt to her level. "You continue to learn that bow, little lady. And in time you can hunt anything you need to, in order to survive."

"Even a seal," she asked with a smile.

"Even a seal, maybe a bear or wolf," Harrion stood tall, "maybe even a lion."

"A lion," Nysa whispered as she realized what Lord Stark's words meant about a war coming soon. She slung the bow around her shoulder and attached the holder to her back. She moved to get Jory's dagger under her dress quickly. She would not leave her room without them until she was far away from King's Landing and the Lannisters. Nysa remembered her brother's warning and hurried to find him. "Jory!"

"What is it," he caught her in the hall way.

"It all makes sense, now," she grabbed onto his shoulders.

"What does?"

"Forgive me for intruding," a voice broke them apart.

"Lord Baelish," Nysa frowned at his presence.

"I need to speak to Lord Stark."

"You've come at a most inopportune time," Jory said, standing in front of his sister.

"This is a matter of great importance."

"Why is it that everything is a matter of great importance," Nysa huffed as Jory turned to look at her.

The situation wasn't that much of an importance, Nysa thought as she watched a scantily clad woman smile at her brother. She wasn't the first one to approach them as they waited inside Lord Baelish's brothel. yes, the man owned a brothel. Of all the things that a Lord could own, she shook her head as yet another woman ran her hands across Porther's face. She whispered in his ear as he reached his hand down and smacked her bottom. She giggled before walking away.

"I'm assuming you've been here before," Nysa commented.

"And is it unlawful to indulge oneself the pleasurable company of a woman," Lord Baelish asked as he stepped towards them.

"Where's Lord Stark," she narrowed her eyes at him.

"With one of the girls here," he answered with that smile that made her uneasy. "Most of the girls here are just like you," he nodded to her. "If not for your brother's kindness where do you think you would be?"

"That's enough, my Lord," Jory snarled. Nysa looked over towards him before turning back to Lord Baelish.

"If you didn't have your Lord Uncle in the South or if Lord Stark hadn't help raise you," Lord Baelish continued, "you'd be left with nothing but not your body. And a beautiful body can help a girl make a living. When girls don't have families, they come here," he smiled again and held up his hand. Two girls appeared then with nothing covering their breasts as they walked towards her, touching her hair and smiling at her.

Nysa took a step back and looked to Lord Baelish. "There's more to a woman than her body," she replied sharply before adding, "and that comment you made earlier during the small council meeting was vile and..."

"Let's go," Lord Stark said then as he walked over.

"Did you find everything satisfying, Lord Stark," Lord Baelish asked of him as Lord Stark gave him a menacingly look.

"Nysa come," he called to her, "this is no place for a Lady." She hurried past the two women near her and followed Lord Stark. "If you must know," he said as they went to the exit. "I'm following Jon Arryn's trail. And that trail is towards all the children that Robert has fathered." Lord Stark stopped and turned to look at Nysa. "Why do you think Lord Arryn was looking for these children?"

"Maybe King Robert wants to take care of them now," she shrugged.

Lord Stark chuckled. "I doubt it. Robert is not the type of man to be a good father. These children," he shook his head, "they look just like him too." He commented before walking out.

Nysa looked for her brother and watched as he slowly turned away from the women who Lord Baelish had brought towards her.

"If you wish to have some entertainment..."

"No," he stopped her. "It's just," he looked back as the girls went into the brothel. "It's just been a long time since I've bedded a woman." Nysa bit her lip and looked down. "Not that I needed to share that information with my sister."

"Of course not," she laughed before taking his hand and walking out.

They exited to see the entire courtyard had filled with guards. And not just any guards, these were the Lannister's men.

"Such a small pack of wolves," Ser Jamie strode up towards them then and dismounted from his horse.

"Stay back, Ser. This is the Hand of the King," Jory proclaimed.

"Was," Ser Jamie replied. "Now, I'm not sure what he is."

"We know what you are," Nysa shouted.

"What's the meaning of this," Lord Baelish came out.

"Get back inside, where it's safe," Ser Jamie told him.

"Nysa, go with Lord Baelish," Lord Stark instructed her.

"No," she shook her head.

"You best listen to him and go inside, girl," Ser Jamie told her as Lord Baelish went to grab her arm. She pulled it away and continued to look at him. "You see I'm looking for my brother," he turned to face Lord Stark. "You remember my brother, don't you? Blonde hair, sharp tongue, short man," Ser Jamie described Tyrion Lannister.

"I remember him well," Lord Stark nodded.

"He came onto some trouble on the road. You wouldn't know what happened to him now, would you?"

"He was taken at my command to answer for his crimes against..."

It was then that Ser Jamie drew out his sword. Lord Baelish grabbed Nysa's arm again. "Come with me, Lady Snowflake. It'll be safer inside." He turned to Ser Jamie. "My Lords, I'll bring the City Watch."

"Come, Lord Stark..."

Jory stepped forward. "If you threaten my Lord..."

"Threaten," Ser Jamie snorted. "I will open him from balls to brain and see what Starks are made of."

She didn't like this. She didn't like it at all. There were only half a dozen guards here with Lord Stark.

"You kill me, your brother is a dead man," Lord Stark reminded Ser Jamie.

"Right," he replied before nodding to the other guards. A few of them stepped forward. He turned back and looked at Nysa. "You should have gone inside when you had the chance, girl. Take his men and the girl."

It was then that a spear flew and hit Mort - a guard who had often been sent out to look for her and Jon whenever they snuck out of Winterfell's walls. She stared in horror before anger filled her entire body. She did just as Torrhen taught her, notching the arrow in the bow and aiming it at the soldier. The arrow spun past Ser Jamie's head and landed in the guard's chest. The guard was flown back. Quickly she grabbed a second arrow and aimed it towards the second guard who was preparing to throw a spear. Lord Stark and Jory had already drawn their swords.

"A man for a man," Nysa said as Ser Jamie stared at her. "Tell your men to stand down," she shouted as the second guard lowered his spear. "Stand down, Ser!"

Ser Jamie shook his head. "You see the thing is, a Lannister guard is worth more than three northmen," he looked to the second guard, "and you follow my commands! Take them!"

Before the second guard could release his spear, Nysa released her bow. She felt a strange sense of anger, pain, frustration and guilt all mixed into one as the arrow landed in the man's chest. She had hunted a few animals with her brother and the guards, had even gone out with Lord Stark when he took Robb and Jon with him. But this was different. She just took someone's life. That someone could have been a father, a brother, a husband.

"Nysa!"

She turned to see a Lannister guard charging after her. Wyl came to stand in front of her and held to take him down. She looked over at her brother and saw him handling his own. Two guards were fighting Lord Stark so she decided to even the odds for him. She notched another arrow and flew it past him, shooting the second guard down. Lord Stark turned around and nodded his thanks to her. If one of the guards were in trouble, she helped them out. She shot a fourth and fifth guard down. She had just notched her sixth arrow when she dropped her bow.

Ser Jamie threw a dagger into Heward's face before pulling it out, smirking at Nysa. "You monster," she charged towards him only to have Lord Stark grab her and pull her back. He kept a grip on her as she flung her arms out at him.

"You should have stayed inside, girl," he forced her back towards three guards who held her back, one of them started twisting her arm.

The men touched her hair and whispered things in her ear about being pretty and how nice she smelled. They asked if she tasted just as good. It was disgusting and made her feel violated. She kicked out her legs and tried her best to pull her arms free. She was finally able to kick one of them in the gut and had just reached for her dagger when one of them slapped her, throwing her down to the ground.

"Let her go!" Everyone seemed to freeze in the yard. "You wanted me, Kingslayer," Lord Stark said holding up his sword.

Ser Jamie didn't even look her way but grabbed Nysa by her arm and flew her towards her brother.

"Lord Stark," Nysa shook her head but Jory pushed her back.

She watched as Lord Stark and Ser Jamie beat their swords at one another. She shook her head and was just about to call out a weakness that she saw in Ser Jamie when Lord Stark took advantage of whatever it was that she saw. She cheered then at Ser Jamie's shock that Lord Stark was keeping up with him. At one point, it even looked as though Lord Stark was about to get the best of him. Nysa was not the only one who noticed.

A Lannister guard walked up to Lord Stark, stabbing him in his leg. "No," she shouted.

Lord Stark fell to his knees. Nysa ran towards where she dropped her bow, quickly notching an arrow and letting it fly. This time she missed but the look on her target's face was well worth. Ser Jamie turned to look at her before looking down at his hand to see the scratch from Nysa's arrow.

Nysa was thrown from her position. A knee was in her back before she could move. Several hands gripped her as she felt boots dig into her side. Her head was pressed further into the dirt on the street, drowning out Jory's pleas for mercy.

"Shall we punish her, Ser," one of them lifted Nysa's head up to see Ser Jamie walking over to her. A knife was placed at her cheek.

Ser Jamie put hit boot to her other cheek and smiled wickedly. "I think I shall."

"No," Jory shouted.

"Go ahead," Nysa narrowed her eyes. "It's what you Lannister men do best is it not," she taunted as Ser Jamie's smile dropped. "Kill me as your men killed Prince Aegon," she shouted causing Jamie to falter. "Have your guards rape me then kill me as they did Princess Elia," her voice echoed loudly.

Jamie looked up as he noticed that a few of the smallfolk who did not leave the streets were now whispering to one another. He saw all the eyes on him as the young women continued to shout about everything that happened that night - the guards murdering Prince Viserys, the hunt for Queen Rhaella and her unborn child, the murder of King Aerys, the sacking of King's Landing, the hundreds of innocents in the Crownlands who didn't survive.

"Do the honor, you backstabbing traitor," Nysa shouted. "Cut me down, break your oath to protect those who are innocent! Do it!"

Protect my family. He had forgotten about that voice. He had forgotten about it. It had been so long since that voice had commanded him to do his duty, uphold his responsibility to honor the oath he had taken. He felt like the air had been taken out of his lungs as this bastard girl continued to shout.

"You Lannisters have no honor, none! You will harm a young woman for defending the honor of her Lord then so be it, Kingslayer!"

Jamie looked back at the determination in her eyes. Instead of seeing fear he saw fire. He shook his head at a sudden image that came to his mind and took a step back. Amie. He looked at the girl again before one of his guards asked him for permission to end her life.

"No! Get off from her," Ser Jamie pushed a guard away from Nysa. "I said get off," he gripped the collar of a second guard before pushing him back.

The third guard stepped back. Jamie went to help Nysa up only to have her spit in his face. "You're a coward, a cowardly lion," she said.

Jamie took a step away from her, glanced at her one last time before calling for his horse. The Lannister guards emptied the courtyard as quickly as he did. Nysa hurried over towards Lord Stark. Jory called for her horse and asked if she could carry Lord Stark with her on it. She mounted first and then the guards placed Lord Stark behind her. She looked around to see Mort, Hyle, Haryn and Heward had been killed today. Heward, she sighed as she saw Wyl pull his body onto his horse.

"Ride for the tower, Nysa," Jory instructed her as they began picking up the fallen northmen.

She nodded and kicked the horse, hurrying as Lord Stark groaned and leaned more against her. "We're almost there, Lord Stark. We're almost there."