Riding on top of a horse bound and blind was an experience that Marya hoped she would never have to live through again. Her thighs were killing her and her ass was now numb, but somehow her back hurt with every step her horse took. The only good thing was that she hadn't been searched and her blade was still strapped securely to her thigh, not that it would do her any good now. There were at least a dozen or so men who had joined in with Lady Stark and her so called mission to seek justice for her son. Marya was sick with the idea of seeing Winterfell once more, just hearing the name made her stomach roll in displeasure.

"We'll rest here for now," Ser Rodrik called out to the group.

Marya's horse came to a stop and she sighed in relief. She rolled her shoulders and twisted her back, hearing it crack as her bones stretched and pulled. She slumped back down and tried to test her bindings once more. Over their journey Marya had tried to loosen the ropes, but it had only caused her wrist to burn as the rough material agitated her skin. She frowned in displeasure and was about to shake her head to try and get the sack off, when she felt hands grip her thigh. Without even taking a moment to think about the consequence, she kicked out, but was stopped as hands caught her leg and kept her pinned to the side of the horse.

"Careful my Lady, we wouldn't want you to hurt yourself," a voice drawled through the thickness of the sack.

She felt the man's hands travel up her legs and take a firm grip of her waist. Before she could say anything, Marya was lifted off her horse and placed on the ground. It surprised her more than anything that the person seemed to be able to lift her so effortlessly. She knew the last couple weeks in the cold hadn't been the kindest, and she hadn't been eating as properly as she had in Casterly Rock, but she didn't consider herself light in any way. The sack was pulled off her head and she was grateful that her hair wasn't pulled out with it.

Marya blinked harshly against the light, her eyes stinging and tears almost spilled down her cheeks from the sun. She glanced over at the man who stood near her. He had a grin on his face and was glancing up and down her body. Marya gritted her teeth and turned away from him, searching for Tyrion. She would remember the man's face well when both of them were far away from the north.

Tyrion was just removed off his own horse and Marya slowly made her way over to him, making sure she made her intentions obvious. She wasn't entirely sure where they were and she wasn't going to risk their lives by making these men angry. Tyrion had his own sack removed and his eyes quickly searched through the group. When he saw Marya making her way towards him, he relaxed slightly, allowing a sigh of relief to escape him. Though the girl seemed unharmed, he didn't like the dark look in her eyes. While the men around them had swords strapped to their waist, it was Marya who looked like a shadowcat as she stalked towards him. He watched her eyes trail over the men as she took them all in. In that moment, he wasn't sure if it was a bad thing that she was still tied.

"I hope that I don't have to remind you that there only two of us and more of them?" he asked her softly.

The group had been spread out along the road. Some men were near the horses, while others rested against large rocks that separated field from road. A frown overtook his face as he looked around; this didn't seem right. Marya stood close to him, trying to pretend she was just as small as he was. Though from the way some of the men in the group eyed her, she knew she wasn't doing a very good job of it. She glanced down at Tyrion and caught the look that crossed his face. Before she could ask, one of the men came up behind them and started pushing them towards Lady Stark. Marya glared at the ground as they came before the Lady and her faithful knight. She knew that Tyrion was right and they were completely outnumbered. Marya wasn't foolish enough to try anything stupid, at least she hopes she wasn't.

"Where are we?" Tyrion asked once they came to a stop in front of Lady Stark, "This isn't the King's road and you said we were heading towards Winterfell."

"Yes I did, loudly and several times if you recall," Lady Stark told him.

Marya looked up at the women uncertainty, "That was smart of you, no doubt word has already gone out about our capture. They'll be looking for us in the wrong place."

Catelyn's face only hardened as the girl came to the conclusion. Honestly, she didn't expect anything less from someone that kept company with the imp. She had heard that the man loved to read, so it was no strange thing that those he kept in his close company were just as educated as he was.

"My father has probably heard of what has happened to us and will be offering a generous reward to whoever would return us home. Everyone knows that a Lannister always pays his debts," Tyrion said casually, turning in a full circle to take a good look around before turning back to Lady Stark.

Marya smiled at the woman's worry as her gaze shifted to the others within their group. No one seemed particularly interested in what Tyrion was saying and Catelyn relaxed enough not to worry about the men that she had acquired aid from. Marya shook her head slightly and glanced over her shoulder to a man who was sitting on a rock and sharpening his sword. The shrill of the blade wasn't hard to miss, neither was it hard to miss when he had slowed his movements when Tyrion had started talking. It was just as she had said; everyone everywhere needed gold.

The man looked up feeling her eyes on him, but Marya quickly turned away facing lady Stark once more, "Now if you could just untie us?" she asked, holding her wrist out to them.

Lady Stark scoffed, "And why would I do that?"

"You outnumber us, and it's not like we're going to run. Where would we even go? We wouldn't stand a chance against the hill tribes and shadowcats," Tyrion muttered under his breath.

Still, Lady Stark said nothing and just watched them for a moment. She made no move in giving the order to release them of their binds and Marya sighed, letting her arms drop back down in front her. Beside her, Tyrion watched Lady Stark expectantly, but frowned when she still didn't make a move toward them.

"Marya, I don't think you've ever been up this way. We're on the eastern road," he told her, bringing her attention towards him. "The good Lady Stark is taking us to the Vale"

"To her sister?" Marya frowned, trying to think back to the woman she had met a couple of times in King's Landing. It had been less than a handful of times that she had crossed paths with Lady Arryn, but the woman had never seemed to be quite there. All she seemed to care about was that son of hers and everything was cause for paranoia.

"Yes, tell me Lady Stark, when was the last time you saw your sister?" Tyrion asked her.

Catelyn seemed to hesitate for a moment before she answered, "Five years ago."

"She's changed."

Marya knew that Lysa Arryn had fled from the capitol before her late husband had even gone cold. She hadn't understood what had caused the woman to flee in the end and with the mad rush of King Robert ordering his people to prepare for the journey North, she hadn't had enough time to ask Tyrion. In the end, she had mostly forgotten about the woman and her child.

"Why did Lady Arryn flee from King's Landing?" Marya couldn't help but ask now, "Especially so soon after her husband's death?"

"It was rather unfortunate that she couldn't be there for the funeral. Odd, don't you think Lady Stark?" Tyrion questioned the woman. Catelyn could only glare at the two of them as Tyrion continued speaking, "Your sister has always been a bit touched, but now? Well you might as well kill us here."

Marya looked over at him sharply, her eyes cold. She had no intentions of dying here or letting him die either. Again, she pulled on her restraints and couldn't help the flinch that passed over her face as her wrist burned.

"I am not a murderer, Lannister," Lady Stark told him.

"Neither am I!" Tyrion practically growled at the woman, "I had nothing to do with the attempt on your son's life."

"The dagger found-"

"What sort of imbecile arms an assassin with his own blade?" Tyrion quickly cut her off.

Ser Rodrik gripped his sword and took a step towards Lady Stark, coming to stand beside her, "Shall I gag him my Lady?"

"Why am I starting to make sense?" Tyrion asked in frustration.

Marya heard the whistling of the air shift before the loud thud as a man was pounded by a rock. She turned around quickly and her eyes widened as she saw men rise from the hills, swinging rocks at them. The men of their group scattered as they drew their swords and lowered themselves to hide from the rocks being thrown. Shouts echoed around them and at the turn of the road more men came running, weapons drawn in their hands as the quickly closed the distance between them. Marya desperately struggled now against her bindings, feeling the slick of her blood as her skin torn from the rough rope. At that moment, she thanked all the gods that were out there for her thin wrist as she slipped free from the bindings.

The men reached their group and swords sliced through air and flesh. Marya had her own dagger grasped tightly in one hand and the other was placed steady on the boulders near her. The cool of the stone calmed her as she steadied her breathing and tried not to panic. The men outnumbered their own by a couple and she hoped that these people actually knew how to wield their fancy blades. Men were being cut down from all sides. Her attention was drawn to one man and she quickly recognized him as the one who had given up his room for Tyrion's coin. Marya watched as he moved quickly between the hilltribes men. His sword slashed and pierced through them with relative ease and she had to admit, she was impressed.

Marya turned away and quickly looked for Tyrion. He was crouched down on the other side of the road and she rolled her eyes in frustration. He had been next to her just a moment ago and she had no idea how he had gotten so far.

"Tyrion!" she hissed between her teeth, trying to draw his attention.

He turned sharply to glance at her and a groan escaped from his own lips. He hadn't realized either how far they had gotten from each other. His gaze shifted from her and he saw that Lady Stark was closer to Marya than he was, and she was alone. Ser Rodrik had left her to join the others in fighting. It was just like a knight, Tyrion thought bitterly. He jerked his head, indicating Marya to head over to Lady Stark. His maid nodded and slowly crept over to the woman, trying not to draw attention to herself. He saw the flash of her dagger against the sun and he hesitated for a moment and looked around. Everyone was occupied with an opponent, and without thinking too hard on how stupid his next move might be, he dashed across the road and came to a stumbling stop against the boulder between Marya and Lady Stark.

"Why in seven hells weren't you next to me?" Marya nearly shrieked at him as she pulled him to face her.

"I'm sorry I got distracted by the murderous hilltribe!" Tyrion snapped back, holding his arms out to her.

Quickly, Marya tore through his roped with her blade. The ropes fell off like butter from his wrist. It was one of the finest blades that his father's forger had ever made and Marya had always made sure to keep it in perfect condition. Tyrion had no doubt that if she truly wanted to, she could use it to slice through bones and have no trouble at getting the job done.

"What are you doing?" Catelyn asked as she watched the girl free the imp.

Marya ignored her and was about to turn around when she felt Tyrion's hand on her knee, she glanced over at him when he shook his head.

"Stay here and watch over Lady Stark," he commanded.

"Are you insane?" she asked him. Before she could say anything else or think to take a hold of him, he dashed away from her side, heading back out into the road. Foolish man, she thought bitterly and stood in front of Lady Stark. "Stay down," she told the woman, her hand gripped tightly on her dagger. Marya tried to keep her attention on Tyrion, but quickly she had to look away as one of Lady Stark's men was struck down before them.

Lady Stark screamed from beside her as the man looked down at them with a grin. He raised his axe above his head and Marya rushed forward, tackling him to the ground. He gasped out in surprise at her as they landed harshly on the ground. Her own body felt the impact, but she reached up and grabbed a hold of his axe, her hand gripping his and she slammed it hard on the ground until he let go. He turned his head to try and reach for his axe again, but Marya brought her dagger up and slide it across his throat. His blood swelled to the surface as his skin split. The man brought his hands up and he pressed them against his throat to try and stop the blood flow, but nothing would help him now. Already the blood ran down his skin and was pooling around the ground beneath them. She felt his body shudder underneath her as he tried to breath, but could only cough as the blood flooded his throat and airway. He managed to turn his head to look at her, but Marya didn't move from him. Instead, she watched as his hands went limp and fell from his throat and his dead eyes stayed staring at her.

"No!"

Marya turned sharply around at Lady Starks shout and her eyes widened at the man that appeared behind her. He took one look at the body that laid underneath her and he released a sharp cry and raised his sword over her. She scrambled off the body and tried to crawl away before he lowered his axe on her.

"Marya!"

She heard him before she saw him. Tyrion came up behind the man, wielding a shield like a sword. He jabbed hard at the man's legs causing him to fall just a few inches away from Marya. She kept scrambling away until she was a good distance. Tyrion brought the shield down on the man again and again, stabbing into the man's face until there was nothing left of it. He panted before throwing the shield to the side and looking towards her. Marya gave him a shaky smile and she clenched her hands around the dirt. Her eyes widened when she realized her dagger was no longer in her hand. She sat up on her knees and frantically searched the ground for it. She bit her lip to stop herself from crying out in frustration. The blade had been strapped to her side for almost two years and she had never managed to lose it.

A pair of boots stopped in front of her and Marya froze, preparing herself for another attack. She looked up and met a pair of bright blue eyes, she relaxed only slightly when she saw it was the same man from the Inn. He held out her blade towards her, the steel now cleaned of blood. Hesitantly, she reached out and grabbed it from him, slipping it back inside its holster within her trousers. He raised his brow at her and a smirk fell across his face at her exposed skin. She shrugged her shoulders at him and raised back up to her feet. Marya looked around and saw that the hilltribe had been defeated, but they had lost a couple of their own men it would seem. She glanced over at Tyrion and quickly made her way over to him, not worrying about the man at her back.

"Are you alright?" she asked him softly, once she stood by his side.

Tyrion panted and smiled at her, "Yes."

"That the first person you ever killed?" the man appeared beside them, looking down at the two fallen members of the hill tribe. He had seen the little Lord beat the man to death with the shield and he had to admit, he had been impressed. He didn't think the Lannister had it in him, but when he had seen the girl in danger, the little man hadn't even hesitated. He had heard the Lady Stark mention that the girl was his maid, but it had to be something more for him to have risked himself to save her.

Tyrion nodded at him and looked at him curiously, seeming to remember the man as well.

"You need a woman. There nothing like a woman after a fight," he said, his eyes casually gazing over to Marya.

She smiled up at him sweetly, "Not even in your dreams."

He shrugged his shoulders easily and his eyes moved over to Lady Stark. Tyrion followed his gaze and saw the Lady looking over all the fallen men.

"I'm willing if she is," Tyrion said.

Marya nearly choked as the laughter spilled from her lips. Tyrion easily joined her and even the man chuckled at the both of them. He seemed relax in his pose next to them, but Marya could see the way he eyes the two of them. She was used to getting looks like that. Tyrion liked to make sure everyone knew who he was and just as easily, everyone seemed to know who she was. No doubt this man had heard all the rumors that surrounded the two of them and was wondering if there was any truth to them.

His eyes trailed down to her hip and he looked back to the bloodied body next to them. He hadn't seen her slit the man's throat, but he had seen her on top of him when the dwarf had cried out her name. The dagger had been in her hand before she tried to crawl away from the other attacker. Looking closer at the body, he could see just how deep the cut was, the white of bone peeking through the severed skin and muscles. Either the girl had some strength that didn't show in her body, or her blade was sharper than most.

"We need to start heading out, my Lady" they heard Ser Rodrik say.

Lady Stark nodded. She didn't look as regal and composed as she had a few moments ago. The women still shook in the aftermath of what happened. Yet the girl standing near him had an easy smile on her face, as if she hadn't ended a man's life just moments ago.

"That wasn't the first man you've killed," he observed quietly

Marya glanced over to him once more. He still hadn't given them his name and probably for good reason. He didn't fight like a knight and she had seen plenty of them training back at Casterly Rock and in King's Landing during tournaments. She was sure that he was probably pretending to be part of any noble house up north just to travel with them. He had two blades strapped to his side and a dagger as well. She was sure that he had others hidden along his body. A mercenary, she thought, a sellsword even.

"No, Ser. It wasn't," she tried carefully, but he only grinned back at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. She had hoped he would have been like the Hound that guarded the young Prince. Denying left and right how he was no knight. His honor wouldn't allow for that mistake, even if he claimed to have none. Though she could tell that the man in front of her didn't give two damns about honor.

Out of the corner of her eyes Marya saw one of the men heading towards them with some rope in his hands. She groaned and turned to face him fully, taking a step in front of Tyrion. She could still feel the sting of the wounds from slipping free from the other ropes. She wasn't sure how long it would take for the skin to heal, but she knew she had to have it looked at before they kept traveling or else she would risk infection. She was alo sure binding her with rope again, would only make the wounds worst.

"Lady Stark!" she called out before the man could get any closer to them, "Surely you don't mean to bind us once more after we saved your life. Or is this how your justice works?"

She could already hear the lecture Tyrion probable intended to give her later, but right now she didn't care. Now that the adrenaline from battle was leaving her body and the weight of everything was crashing down on her, she was starting to realize how much her body actually ached from their journey. Lady Stark frowned at her before commanding the man not to bind them. She ordered that they be watched closely, but Marya merely rolled her eyes. Hadn't the woman just seen what had happened. Her and Tyrion wouldn't even make it a few miles before they'd be attacked again.

"You should see to the girl's wounds," the man said from next to them, "You wouldn't want her not being able to hold that dagger of hers." He strolled away from them and headed towards the horses, giving them their space.

Tyrion turned to look at her, his eyes searching her body before they landed on her wrist. Some of the blood had dried on her skin, but still some of her wounds bled from moving her hands in certain ways. "Come, let's see if Lady Stark would be kind enough to supply something for your wounds."