It's lovely looking through your emails and seeing new people favourite and follow this story, which is why I decided to let you all have a treat and release this chapter so soon after the last one. I will be busy again over the next few weeks, but I'm hoping to get maybe 2-3 updates out to you. Thanks for the support guys, and taking the time to read my work.
Stay sane,
Slightlynerdy.
Wolves and Hounds.
Chapter 18.
The markets were crowded with people of all ages, shapes and sizes. They swarmed over the wares like flies, but whenever Tarynn and Arya approached they parted. Staring at the fact that two noble ladies would grace their humble stalls with their presence. Tarynn smiled often, and made conversation with those flogging their wares. But there was one seller who gave Tarynn an uneasy feeling. The little old woman was sitting on a rickety stool behind a long table cluttered with jars of apothecary ingredients; however there was a chest filled with fragments of black glass, trinkets and an old tome. Its edges were worn, and more than a couple of pages had been dog-eared but Tarynn was drawn to it regardless of how it looked.
"That there is written in some of those foreigners language. You know from across the sea." The old woman clacked her rotting teeth together, "Aye girl, three coppers and its yours."
Tarynn looked across her other wares, her eyes settling on a chunk of dragonglass. She lifted her hand to touch her own. "I'll give you a gold dragon for the book and that piece of dragonglass."
The old woman's beady eyes narrowed as she gazed at Tarynn, "That's not something I hear everyday, obviously new to the whole haggling system." She squinted her eyes, her voice dropping to a deeper tone, "You, child, have some sort of aura around you, a presence, a capability to make other people listen to your words and act on them. But that's not all that you have within you, no. You're frightened of something, true you're worried about a great many things but there is one thing that truly chills you to the bones." The woman's face relaxed and she leant back, cackling, "But give me a gold dragon for my old wares, I'll sleep well tonight knowing that good Lady Tarynn Stark, the she-wolf of the north, paid for me to retire."
Tarynn exchanged a gold dragon for the book and the shard of dragonglass, she didn't have any coppers or stags, the nobility usually didn't deal with the lower types of currency. She reached for the dragonglass, "Thank…"
The old woman gripped her wrist hard, "I remember another girl, just like you. Came to Harrenhal when I was working as a servant there, she was a Stark. Full of determination, but she was always distant. Different from those around her. She shone like a dismal star, just as you do."
Tarynn pulled her hand away quickly, moving back a step into someone standing behind her. The person behind steadied her by gripping her elbow, "Are you okay Tarynn?"
It was Toby.
She looked up, and nodded, "Yes, yes I'm fine. Please tell Desmond and Harwin that we'll head for the blacksmith now. Also find Arya."
Toby's response was quiet, "As you command, you know… I have so enjoyed the time we have spent together." He pressed a small kiss on her head, it was a subtle move and no one had seen it. Well no one apart from the old crone who stood watching the ordeal. As Toby moved on, Tarynn shuddered in revulsion.
"I'd watch yourself around that one child, full of dark thoughts and schemes. Not one to be trusted."
"How do you know all this?" Tarynn was perplexed by this strange woman.
"How does the wolf know to bray at the moon? Or the caterpillar to spin a cocoon in order to change into a butterfly? I simply do, and I am warning you that you must be careful around the men who are in your life, especially that one. He is not what he seems."
The woman sat down again and closed her eyes she hummed a soft tune, a lullaby of some sort, it reminded Tarynn of something.
"Will you sing to me father? To help me sleep?"
"You know I don't sing, my sweet, darling Tarynn."
"Then the tune, my lullaby."
She had fallen asleep to the sound of her father humming softly as he stroked her hair. The tune that had always kept the nightmares away.
"How do you know that tune?"
The woman cracked an eye open, "Inquisitive. You do realise that curiosity killed the cat. I came across this tune whilst caring for a dornish child back in my youth many, many moons ago. It is a Valyrian lullaby, one that asks for the evil spirits to leave the babe be, stay any waking dreams and to keep them from harm for as long as they may live."
"Lady Tarynn we are ready to depart when you are ready."
"I'm ready now Harwin." She turned to the old lady, her stomach churning and her mind throbbing with new thoughts and unanswered questions. "Thank you."
The woman smiled, showing off her brown teeth, "No, it is I who should be thanking you."
There was something behind the woman's words, Tarynn knew it. But the ancient woman just nodded, before closing her eyes again and humming the tune that Lord Eddard Stark used to hum to his eldest daughter.
Tarynn put the book and shard of glass in her satchel before turning away from the stall and to their horses. She mounted up and checked to see if Arya was okay.
"Arya? Did you buy anything?"
Arya nodded, "A whetstone… And I brought a gift for father; it's a letter opener, because he's always reading letters. It has a wolf on it."
"I'm sure he will love it Arya."
Toby led the way to the Blacksmith Tobho Mott, it was their last stop before returning to the Keep. Tarynn had wanted to visit the Sept, and the Maesters also but there wasn't enough time. They had to be back before mid-afternoon and already the sun was beginning to lower in the sky.
She pulled her hood up to keep the sun's rays off her face and Arya did the same. With their pale complexions, they were more likely to get burnt, and that wasn't a very slightly thing. As they rode down the main road, someone called her name.
"Tarynn Stark, fancy seeing you out and about in the city."
She looked up, only to see Renly Baratheon riding towards her. His black hair shiny, reflecting the sunlight. He grinned, showing off his perfect white teeth. "I needed a breath of air; the Keep can be mighty restricting."
"Yes, well you'll love Storm's End. Surrounded by the sea and full of fresh air, it's a beautiful place to call home."
Tarynn eyed him warily, she had hoped that Renly might refuse her hand and that she would be able to consider Willas Tyrell instead, they had more shared interests. Her father had sent a correspondence to old Mace Tyrell and he had replied rather quickly, stating that a union between the Starks of the North and the Tyrells of the South would be a strong connection and that they will consider it, and ask Willas' views of being married to a woman many years his junior. That would of course mean that she would have to leave King's Landing for Highgarden, and the very thought of leaving Sandor behind sent her heart into a spasm, but at the end of the day her duty was first and foremost to her family. She couldn't be selfish, especially when her marrying would put her father in a stronger position.
But I want to be selfish, I want to be with Sandor and travel the world. To learn its secrets, and see the countries whose languages I have learnt. But I can't betray my father; I love him too much to do that. And I can't leave my family, Robb, Sansa, Bran, Arya, Rickon, Mother… Their all counting on me to set an impression. I am the eldest; I must do my duty for winter is coming.
She smiled, she wasn't going to alienate him as there was still a chance that her father will force her to marry him, she didn't want to have an unhappy marriage. "I'm sure it's purely picturesque."
"It is, it is… Would you mind if I asked for your presence this evening in the small council room? I... there is something that I wish to tell you. I have already told your father that I wanted to see you. He did pass on the message?"
"Yes, he did. Renly are you alright?"
The youngest Baratheon looked pale, and the boy, Loras, his squire looked as if he might burst into tears.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine… Just if you would, the small council room, before we dine?"
She nodded, half worried for what Renly had in mind. A small thought coursed through her mind.
He's going to ask me to marry him… And I won't be able to refuse him; my father won't allow me to destroy another betrothal.
She looked away from him and his company as he rode past. She pulled her hood up even further, so that no one would see the tears welling up. She would have to make every last moment she had with Sandor count. A tear spilled out over her cheek and she wiped it away, it was horrible. To think that Sandor and herself had only just become brave enough to confess their attraction for one another, now it was to be taken away. She would have to keep herself for her husband, and Sandor…
He'll remain Prince Joffrey's lap dog. Caged and used by the little spoilt shit. What cruel things fate has in store for us, why is nothing simple!
"Tarynn?"
She turned to her younger sister, "We'd better get to that blacksmith, before father tells us off for getting back late."
She urged her horse on, blocking out the looks that Toby was giving her and ignoring Arya's constant questioning. She clenched her reins; she had the sudden urge just to ride off, loose herself in the crowds… And that was just what she did.
Tarynn knew Arya would be safe with Harwin and Desmond, so she forced her horse into a gallop. People ran out of the way, as Tarynn rode hard and fast along the cobblestone road. She took the nearest left, hearing Harwin and Toby shouting after her, even Arya's shrill voice. But she ignored them, ignored everything around her. She concentrated on her horse as she rode down the spiralling roads, she could hear horses galloping after her, and she had to admit they were fine horse riders. But she was Tarynn Stark; she was the finest horse rider in Winterfell. Even better than her father to some extent.
She took a left down an alleyway; people had to press themselves into alcoves and doorways just to avoid her. Soon after a little while they lost track of her, she slowed her horse down dismounting. She didn't know where she was, but she could still hear Toby's angry shouts. She had to think fast. She saw a girl playing idly with a couple of sack dolls, Tarynn approached her.
"Excuse me? Do you have a father, a mother? An older sibling perhaps?"
The girl nodded mutely, her eyes widening.
"Could I speak with them?" The girl scrambled off, disappearing into a ramshackle house before returning with a tired looking woman. "Please, do you have an old cloak that I could have? Preferably with a hood?"
"What would a noble lady like yourself be wanting with a tattered cloak?"
Tarynn looked down at the ground, "I need some time to think, to disappear for a while."
The woman crossed her arms and turned to the little girl, "Poppy, fetch your father."
A man who would no doubt be handsome had he sufficient food and sleep appeared next at the door, as he took in Tarynn his countenance changed from weary to surprised. "Lady Stark," He knelt, pulling down his wife with him.
"Please, get up." She looked around the alleyway, expecting Toby to come charging down it at any given moment. "I just need a cloak and a way of getting my horse back to the keep. I have gold."
The man shook his hands, "My wife has a cloak that you can have my lady, as for your horse, I can have one of my lads leave it near the Keep for you."
"That would be great."
The woman sighed and went inside, calling to the girl again.
"Here, 2 gold dragons."
She held the coins out but the man shook his head, "No, I don't want your coin; just being able to tell my boys that I met Lady Tarynn Stark is enough. You've become quite a legend around the city. People talking about that kind deed you did for that poor wench, saving her child and all. It's an honour to actually be talking to you."
Tarynn could feel fire crawling up her cheeks, she had no idea that she had affected the people of King's Landing so profoundly.
"Well at least take a dragon, it's the least I can do."
She waited patiently for the woman to return; in her arms she carried a rough spun brown cloak. Tarynn took her own blue-grey one off, folding it over her horse, before sliding on the brown one. It fit perfectly, and concealed her identity. She handed the reins to the man, thanking the family one last time before heading off down the alleyway.
She had no idea where she was, and didn't have a clue over where she was going, but it was refreshing to be out and about without a guard shadowing her every move.
I could get use to this.
*Sandor*
When one of the Winterfell guards came riding into the Red Keep main yard like he had some sort of demon on his tail. Sandor knew something was wrong, and that it concerned Tarynn, for trailing behind the panicking guard was little Arya Stark. He moved closer, watching the guard as he threw his reins at the stable boy, and helping Arya to dismount. He tried to catch bits of their conversation.
"Where do you think she's gone Desmond? What did Lord Renly say to her?"
"I don't know little Lady, I just don't know. But Harwin, and that ex gold cloak Toby is out there looking for her. I need to tell his Lord what has happened. Come on."
Sandor didn't waste a moment. If Tarynn had gone missing he had to find her, there was nothing that was going to stop him. He ran as fast as his armour would allow him to the stables. Barking orders at the cowering stable hand to saddle Stranger, the boy was too slow. His hands trembling as he approached the large and imposing black warhorse.
"Seven hells get out of the way." He shoved the boy back, ripping the saddle out of his hands and fastened it on his horse. He mounted up, and was out of the stables and the Red Keep in a matter of seconds, ignoring the stares he got from the guards that were on duty. He would find her, and then ask what the fuck she was doing, just disappearing and scaring the shit out of him like that.
Even if he had to rip the city apart he would find her.
*Tarynn*
Pressing herself into an doorway when a bunch of gold cloaks rode past, her heart hammered in her chest. She had spied a bookshop, she was planning on asking the proprietor if she could sit in the corner amongst the books and scrolls and read for a time. But it was too risky crossing the large street. Someone would see her, or she might bump into someone and then her disguise would be ruined.
Instead she saw a virtually empty alehouse. She approached it, looking at the sign. The letters were faint but she could make out the words 'the Dragon's Tooth' in worn gold lettering. She went in, and saw a table near the back, in the corner. Hidden from view.
She approached it and sat down, dumping her satchel on the table. This would be a good place to work. She was planning on translating the new book that she had brought from the old crone.
Peace and quiet, a few drunken regulars but nothing that I can't ignore.
She opened the book, its pages were lined with perfect silver script.
High Valyrian. This is going to be a bit of a struggle to translate.
As the afternoon progressed, the barman sent a serving girl over to her. "Are you going to order anything? Boss says you have to get a drink."
Tarynn looked up, pausing in her writing. "Uh, yeah, I'll have a… Mead?"
"One… mead… Gotcha."
The girl walked away, leaving Tarynn to her thoughts. From what she could discern, the book was a collection of historical correspondences/letters from way before the fall of Valyria, how the book had survived was a miracle. It was an actual book describing what happened before the Doom fell across Valyria. It was fascinating.
As Tarynn worked she forgot the time, the sun began to fall from the sky, long shadows casting over the pavements and people who still wandered the streets. Twice she had to move backwards in her chair and pull her hood up tight around her so that the gold cloaks who came barging in didn't know who she was. And three times she saw the flapping of grey Winterfell cloaks. They were looking for her, but she didn't want to be found.
She was so mesmerised by the detailing that the book possessed that it wasn't until she had finished the first three letters that she realised someone was staring at her. She looked up briefly and looked back down. It was Sandor, and no doubt he was here to drag her back to the Red Keep.
He told me I had to act the Lady, play the part. I don't look very ladylike drinking mead from a tankard and spending my afternoon in a below average Alehouse.
His footsteps were heavy and deliberate as he approached her, and she shrank back into her borrowed cloak.
"You can't fool me. What the fuck are you playing at? Your Lord father has sent out entire platoons of guards just to look for you. You're a fool. A stupid fool for disappearing, do you know what happens to pretty girls who wander the back alleys? They get raped, or murdered. Is that what you wanted?" He yanked back her hood and she met his gaze, her eyes stinging as she tried to stop the tears that were threatening to spill out onto her cheeks. "I'm… Sorry." He looked down, "I know what it's like to want to escape your own life. I shouldn't have said…"
She shook her head and stood, gathering up her things sucking in the tears that were threatening to fall, "No you said exactly what I needed to hear, I can't run away from who I am. And I was foolish for attempting to do so. Incredibly foolish."
He stood over her mutely, his physique alone was garnering him attention. Sandor Clegane was taller than any man Tarynn knew, and was well built as well. That was why his reputation was so fierce, no one wanted to take the Hound on, no one sane that is.
"Quickly, before one of these fuckers start yapping at me. I'm in mind to send my fist through that sneering barman's face all ready."
"I'm ready." His aggression was so finite, so real that it scared her but at the same time thrilled her. He was dangerous, he was aggressive, but that just made Tarynn want to be his even more.
"Good, now let's get back before those soldiers that are looking for you take you away from me like the last time I rescued your sorry arse."
He stormed out, with Tarynn following him demurely. He flipped a stag towards the bartender who caught in and bit it, grinning when he realised that it was real, when they were out in the alleyway, Sandor grabbed her and roughly pushed her towards his warhorse; Stranger. She touched the saddle. Leaning into the horse. She heard him sigh, and then the feeling of his metal armour pressing against her, he was trying to embrace her. She turned and looked up at him, although his face betrayed nothing, his eyes burned.
He leant down towards her and their lips connected, he fought for dominance, and normally Tarynn let him control the kiss but this time…
She bit down on his lower lip, pulling him in hungrily. He snarled in surprise and retaliated, lifting her up and onto Stranger's back without breaking the kiss. She held the back of his head, her fingers brushing through his thin, scraggly hair. Still slightly damp from the bath he had taken. His hands were gripping her waist.
She broke the kiss to breathe and Sandor's lips fell to her collarbone, pressing kisses lower and lower. She gasped, and Stranger neighed, stamping a hoof which broke the moment. Sandor looked up, his cheeks flushed, the scar an angry red.
"You're going to be the death of me I swear it." He leant forward and kissed her again, "But what a sweet death it would be."
Tarynn blushed, and pressed her hand against Sandor's scarred cheek, "But being together alive would be so much sweeter."
On the way back she had asked Sandor if he wanted to ride double but he had shaken his head, "I have something that I need to walk off," He had grinned suggestively, his face twisting into that weird half smile, the bone of his jaw showing.
She had looked down at Stranger's glistening black coat, "Oh."
Sandor had laughed deep, gruff and raspy, startling a couple of children who were playing nearby. And she had smiled, firstly because she wasn't retained in the Keep's walls yet but secondly because this man, this man who people said was a savage, uncontrollable beast made her so unexplainably happy that it almost hurt.
Letting go is going to be the hardest thing.