It was true, Dany knew it ''and Rhaegal let her ride on him'' Her dragons wouldn't let anyone near him, Quentyn Martell knew that well. Only Ben Plumm could touch them. ''And he had only a hint of Targaryen blood in him.''
She had read it in words from other times and other places. All dragonriders were Targaryen, all had ancestors in Old Valyria. Heroes did not choose their dragons, it was they who chose their rider. And Rhaegal had chosen Jon. He was her blood, her family, she was not the last Targaryen.
And now she had no right to the throne. A lifetime of believing herself to be more special than anyone else, calling herself rightful queen of the Seven Kingdoms and now... ''I am no more queen than the usurper.'' She played at ruling, but sometimes she felt like a frightened little girl again. ''Viserys was always telling me I was stupid. Would he really be mad?'' She could call Jon back if she wished and talk more calmly with him.
And what would Jaime think of her now? '' ''Will he leave my side now that he knows I have no claim to the throne?''' - she wondered. ''Should I tell him the truth or would it be better to hide it like Jon said?''
Dany shied away from the decision for the moment.
- Your Highness? -
She turned at the sound of Tyrion's voice.
- Is this a bad time? - he asked.
- It is the perfect time -
"It's time to do your duty.
- Jon Snow is not Ned Stark's son - ''A true dragon does not mince words'' - He is the son of my brother and Lyanna Stark - ''He is my Rhaegar's son.''
The blunt reality disconcerted Tyrion.
- Well, how glad I am, your highness - he said - You must have had a pleasant reunion, but... How can you be so sure that he is your nephew? -
- He told me - she said - And he was able to ride on Rhaegal before. Only the blood of ancient Valyria can tame dragons and he... - she sighed - And now I know I have no right to the throne. My reign is based on a lie -
- Strictly speaking your brother never reigned and when your father died it would have been Viserys who inherited the crown since no one knew our king in the North, though I don't think you care about that. You care about your legitimacy as queen - Tyrion stroked his beard - Tell me, what right did Robert have to be crowned king? -
- Robert was a usurper - he frowned - He had no right -
- And Aegon the Conqueror? - he asked - Did he have more right than Robert? -
"Those were other times, other kings...
- I'm not a maester who can quote history to you -
- But I am," Tyrion said. "The history of the Seven Kingdoms is full of war, blood and treachery, and it has always been written by the victors. Robert had the same right as Aegon and you. The right of Conquest is as valid a claim as any other. If Jon Snow intends to sit on the Iron Throne you can... - If Jon Snow intends to sit on the Iron Throne you can -
- He does not intend to sit on the iron throne - Dany interrupted him - he told me so -
- Then what's the problem? - he smiled - Nobody has to know anything -
She turned around abruptly; her skirts wrapped around her legs. ''A kingship held together with pillars of clay'' When Dany looked sideways, Tyrion was still there.
- First we must win the great war - she informed him - If we survive, we'll talk about this again -
- As you command, your highness -
The common room was a high-ceilinged, echoing room with gray stone walls. Despite its grandeur, it was a warm place. There was a large ebony wood table where her captains were already waiting for her.
Jon Snow; ''or should I say Aegon Targayen'', was seated on one side of the table flanked by his sisters, Davos Seaworth and Lord Royce. On the other, Jaime,
Tyrion and Ser Barristan. At least they could be trusted; ''they wouldn't leave me if they knew I wasn't the last Targaryen''.
- News from the Wall? - Jon Snow asked when Dany sat down.
- None, your highness - answered the Night's Watch envoy - We sent out three scouting parties a month ago, but none have returned -
The captains and vassals around the table were silent as the messenger related the facts. Only the crackling and hissing of logs in the fireplace at the end of the long common room could be heard.
- How could this have happened? - groaned Lord Royce - How? Three departures and not a single one returns alive... What kind of madness drove them to go beyond what they had been asked to do? -
- That doesn't matter now - Jon replied - Do you have any hope that any patrols will return? -
- Not much, your highness -
Jaime turned his face to look at the man. Dany saw a flash of gold that the light tore from the Lannister's pupils, but she could not tell if it was anger or frustration.
Jaime was often silent during council, preferring to listen before he spoke, a habit she imitated whenever she could.
- We all know what will happen if they cross the Wall - said Jon.
- The Wall has held them back for millennia - Tyrion interjected.
- Would you bet your head that it will continue to do so? - asked Sansa, who seemed more angry than anything else.
- The Wall is too big - added Dany - We can't defend all of it. We need to know where they will attack.
Jaime stood up.
- I'll find out - he said - Give me the command of a group of men of the... Free Folk, who know the north of the Wall, and I'll find that army of dead -.
- You will not - she replied - I do not give you my permission -
- The free folk will not follow Ser Jaime - added Davos.
- It will not be necessary - now it was Jon who stood up - I'll go -
Dany was speechless with astonishment.
- You can't go on an expedition - protested Sansa - You're the King in the North, not a scout of the Night's Watch -
- I'm the only one here who has fought them - answered Jon - The only one who knows them -
Now it was she who stood up.
- I have not given you permission - she repeated.
- With respect, your majesty, Ser Jaime may need your permission, but I do not.
Jaime turned to her.
- I swore to serve you, and that's what I'm going to do -
- I will go with you too - Arya Stark then said.
- You? - Jon's jaw dropped.
- I swore to serve you, and that's what I'm going to do - replied Arya, with a certain tone of mockery that, fortunately, Jaime did not misunderstand.
When the council was over, she had to control herself not to run up the stairs to her room. Missandei helped her shed her clothes to change into something more comfortable; wide woolen pants and a felt tunic. Then she was left alone until there was a knock at the door.
- Your Highness, may I come in? -
Dany felt her skin crawl. She wasn't sure what had changed between them, but she dreaded the thought of parting from him.
- I don't want you to go - she told him.
- I don't want to go either - he replied - But I must.
- Must you? - she protested - Why? -
- We knights and our oaths - he waved his hand - ''We must protect the king'' ''protect the innocent'' -
- There are many knights in our army -
- I have to go -
Dany did not dare to deny it. ''And now it's my turn to tell you the truth''.
- There is something you should know, before you go -
''If I look back, I'm lost''. Dany was very attentive to the look of the knight during all his story. She didn't want him to miss even a gesture, not even a grimace of displeasure. But she was not able to decipher anything. His eyes were green ice.
- I see you had a complicated night - he said when he had heard everything - That was all of it? -
- All of it? - she frowned - Your queen has no right to the throne, she has a nephew she didn't know... Don't you care? -
- I don't care if you have one, five or fifteen nephews and if the laws of Westeros say that you have more or less rights - Jaime smiled - You are and you will be my queen -
She sighed slowly to make sure she was not going to be short of breath. ''He would never fail me''
- Go then, but come back with me - she commanded - Do not dare to die North of the Wall -
- You have my word - he paused for a moment, surely to think - And you promise me that you will do nothing rash -
- Nothing rash? - she searched her eyes - Like what? -
- Like rushing to our rescue if you think we're in danger. I wanted to tell you before you got yourselve killed for nothing.
- Do you expect me to stay at Winterfell and wait for your return? -
- I will come back, I promise you - he said - What I do not promise you is that I will come back alive - he said.
Jaime laughed, but she was not amused.
- You'd better come back soon, because if you don't, I'll come looking for you - he sentenced - And don't try to stop me because I will -
ARYA
At last they were on their way. Jaime Lannister was the first to mount. He looked very dashing on the back of a spirited sorrel steed with a mane of the same golden hue as Jaime's own hair. At his side, Brienne of Tarth and, behind her, a wildling named Tormund the Giant-Slayer, but Arya preferred to call him Tormund of Many Names. He made a point of reciting a whole list of stupid nicknames to her.
And she had to leave with them, so she hurried across the courtyard to get her mare ready. As she did so she searched the armory with her eyes. The walls echoed with the clatter of hammers and burly men in leather aprons sweated in the intense heat bent over anvils and bellows. She caught sight of Gendry, his bare chest shining with sweat, but with the same stubborn look as ever in the blue eyes under thick black hair. And, next to him, Sandor Clegane. For some reason they had become ''friends'' since they met.
- Hey, little she-wolf! - the Hound called to her - Where do you think you're going? -
- What's it to you? - she answered without looking at him.
The Hound grabbed her by the arm and took her aside.
- I saw the fucking Kingslayer and three other guys on horseback - he said - Don't think I'm so stupid that I didn't notice -
- Yes, you are so stupid.
Gendry rode up to them.
- What's the matter with you? - he asked while wiping his sweat with his apron.
- Your friend is going on an expedition - the Hound informed him.
- I'm not going on an expedition! - protested Arya, defensively - People are going in and out all the time, just like I am -
- You are going on an expedition, and I'm going with you.
He didn't wait for confirmation. He walked straight to his horse while tying his sword around her waist.
- Where are we going? - asked Gendry as he sheathed a coat of mail.
- You? Nowhere -
- Okay, if you don't want to tell me, I don't care - he unhooked a huge war hammer from the wall - But I'm coming with you -
''He's a stubborn idiot'' - she thought - ''Let him come if he feels like it''. But as soon as she saw him walking in front of her she remembered that he was the only friend she had and regretted not having stopped him from going with them. She ran to his side.
- Wait! - she said - We are going north of the Wall.
- What? - he asked - Why? -
- We don't know where the dead are going to attack from - she explained - The Kingslayer and my brother are going to find out and I'm going with them -
- Are you mad? -
- Maybe - she admitted - That's why it's best you stay here -
- No way." Gendry started walking again, "Someone has to worry about you coming back alive.
- Arya frowned. "I can defend myself," she said.
For a change, she didn't argue with her. They climbed onto their mounts and rode to the other side of the drawbridge, where Jon, the Kingslayer and the Hound were waiting for them, along with a group of six wildlings. They set off on horseback, at a brisk trot, in the direction of the black castle. She preferred to ride in silence, so she could think. But Tormund Giantkiller did not seem to have the same opinion.
- Tell me, little girl, do you know any songs? - he asked - I'd give anything to have someone to sing with, really -
- I'm not a little girl - Arya replied, - And singing is silly. Singing makes noise, we could alert someone and get ourselves killed -
Tormund's smile indicated that he did not think so.
- There are worse ways to die than with a song on one's lips," he said.
- If there were enemies around here," said the Kingslayer, "we would have noticed.
- Well, you didn't see us coming when we arrived," Gendry replied.
- I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, boy - said the Lannistrer - Sometimes you know more than you say -
- Do you know the bear song? - asked the Hound.
Tormund jumped up and down in his chair.
- Let's see, giant, let's see how we sing together - He threw his head back and intoned - ''A bear the was, a bear, a bear, a bear, all back and brown, and covered in hair!'' -
The Hound accompanied him in a shouting voice. Arya looked at him astonished. He even sang well.
''I never imagined the Hound would do anything right, except murder.''
A little farther on, they had to cross a small stream. As they were fording it, the song startled a flock of ducks that suddenly took flight and nearly knocked her off her mount, causing Gendry to burst out laughing.
When they reached the other side of the stream, Tormund and the Hound resumed the song. Without knowing how, the songs made the miles seem shorter to them. It wasn't long before they spotted an inn where they would spend the night. As they approached, Arya eyed it closely and suspiciously. She had seen too many things to ever be too cautious.
- You won't find bandits this close to Winterfell," Jon told her back, "You don't need to draw your needle.
His brother was right, it didn't look like a bandit's den. It looked like a pleasant, even homely place, with whitewashed walls, a red-tiled roof and a plume of smoke rising lazily from the chimney.
- One of us should stay with the horses - said Arya.
- It is not necessary, little wolf, nothing will happen to them - answered the Hound, who had heard her - Come in and eat -.
Arya nodded and started after Jon and Jaime. She did not take her hand away from the dagger she carried on her back, in case she did not like what she found inside the inn.
On the sign painted above the door was the image of some ancient king in the North, who was on his knees. Inside was the common room, where they were surprised by a young man no more than twenty years old pointing directly at James, who had entered first.
- Kraken, raven or wolf? - the boy asked.
- We would prefer a lamb" Jaime answered, "The crossbow is a coward's weapon.
- But I would still pierce your heart with a flick of my finger.
- Maybe- Jaime answered- But before you load it again my friend will make your guts spill all over the floor-
He made a gesture pointing to the Hound, who had entered behind him.
- We mean you no harm," Jon said, stepping forward, "We have coins to pay for food, drink and lodging.
He showed his bag to the boy who lowered his crossbow a few feet, and then looked at Jaime again.
- Do I know you? - He asked raising the crossbow again -Your face looks familiar-.
- That's because I killed several crossbowmen- Jaime answered- Do you have beer? -
- Yes... - Answered the boy who stepped aside to let them pass - But I want you to give me your weapons.
- No shit - the Hound made his way without disarming and the others followed him.
They were greeted by a very tall, ugly woman with a bulging chin and hands on her hips. She stared at them.
- Well, what a troop," she exclaimed, "How many of you are there, ten? We have a very good lamb, roasted with herbs, and some ducks that my son hunted. What can I get you? -
- Both," replied Tormund, making his way over.
- Would you like some mugs of ale as well? - asked the woman.
- Yes, that's very kind of you," said Jon.
- And wine! - the Hound bellowed.
The woman turned around and started shouting for her husband.
- Husband! - she called - Get upstairs right now, we have customers. Husband! -
Up the cellar stairs came a man, wearing a dirty apron, grunting non-stop. He reached the woman's shoulder, his face was lumpy, and his skin was yellowish and hung with pockmarks.
- I'm here, woman, stop shouting. What's wrong? -
- Lamb and ducks - she said - For our friends - she turned to them - Sit wherever you like, I'll get you something to drink - she looked down to point at Arya - I'm not in the habit of serving beer to children, but we've run out of milk and the river water tastes like war. If I serve it to you, will you drink it? -
- Arya will - said Gendry - teasing her.
- So will Gendry - Arya replied.
- Bah, leave the boy alone," the Hound snorted, "Come on, wine for everyone.
- And we need clean rooms," Jon told him, "Just for tonight.
- Husband! - called the innkeeper.
Husband had gone out, but as soon as he heard the shout he rushed back in.
- What is it now, woman? I was chopping more wood for the fire.
- Tell the boy to open a barrel of wine! -
- There is no wine left, only ale and cider.
Brienne sat down next to the Kingslayer at the table by the hearth, while Tormund and his wildlings occupied a long table in the middle of the hall. The Hound plopped down on a bench by the table nearest the door, and Arya and Gendry settled in as best they could beside him.
Tormund raised his voice and began to intone.
- ''In a lonely inn by the road'' - he sang - ''the tavern wench was ugly and had no wine'' -
- If you don't shut up she won't feed us - Arya warned him.
Tormund was about to answer, but before he did, the boy with the crossbow appeared with beer pichels. The Hound snatched his as soon as he could, took a long drink and gestured for a refill.
- Have they told you where we're going yet? - Gendry asked, looking at the Hound.
- To kill someone, for sure - answered the Hound - If not, what the hell is the Kingslayer doing here?
- We're going north of the Wall," Gendry said, "To look for the dead.
- Look for them? What for? - he snorted - They'll come to us -
- If you're afraid you can go back to Winterfell," Arya said.
- You keep quiet while the elders are talking. Drink your ale and shut your mouth.
- The elders talk too much, and you don't have to tell me to drink my ale -
To prove it, he took a big gulp. It tasted as good to her as the sips of wine her father let her try when she was little. Between that and the aroma wafting from the kitchen caused Arya's mouth to water.
The young servant reappeared with large round loaves of bread. Arya tore off a good chunk and devoured it with hungry bites. But it was hard to chew, the crumb was dense and lumpy, and it was burnt on the bottom.
- What a bad bread - complained Gendry - It's burnt and hard on top of that -
- It will taste better when you dip it in sauce," said the Dog.
- Bullshit, it won't taste better," replied Arya, "But at least you won't break your teeth.
- Hot Pie would have done better - said Gendry.
- I'm sure he would - Arya assured him, remembering her friend she met in King's Landing. She was excited to talk about breads, pies, cakes and all those things she loved so much.
Within minutes husband came out of the kitchen with a large tray of roast lamb, followed by the crossbow boy, who brought another with the ducks. The lamb was tender and juicy, as was the duck, roasted with fruit and almost no fat. They ate gladly until they were satiated, and when they had finished, Arya went out to breathe a little before going to sleep.
- It's dangerous for a girl to be out there alone, little wolf," warned the Hound.
- I am not a child," replied Arya, offended.
- Yes, you are. Why else would you refuse this friend of yours? I smell that he wouldn't give you much trouble. That boy likes you, it's obvious.
Gendry just likes to pound hooves with his hammer'' - thought Arya - She concentrated on the falling snowflakes so the Hound wouldn't see she was blushing - I don't like that idiot at all, he's just my friend - she reminded herself - So why am I blushing like a stupid princess? Apparently everyone thought Gendry was a very handsome boy. He was tall, strong, with thick black hair and blue eyes. But he was still a stubborn idiot.
- Don't you like that boy? - asked the Hound as he drained another beer.
Apparently everyone thought Gendry was a very handsome boy. He was tall, strong, with thick black hair and blue eyes. But he was still a stubborn idiot.
- Don't you like that boy? - asked the Dog as he drained another beer.
- What's it to you? - What can I say to him that's credible?
- You do like him - he laughed - So run and tell him, little wolf, or are you going to wait until you get your head cut off too? -
Arya noticed she was turning red again.
- I'm too young to marry -
- Marry? - The Hound let out another laugh - And what are you getting married for? -
- And I don't want to get pregnant -
- We're all going to die before you have time to bear any children.
- Leave me alone - said Arya when she ran out of arguments.
- It's you who won't leave me alone - she retorted - I was here before, find yourself another place to mutter -
She went back into the inn and slammed the door with all her might to make sure the Hound understood how angry she was. That night she also dreamed of wolves.