"Keep your shield up you bloody girl, that's an Unsullied facing you not a fucking hedge knight!"
Sandor and Brienne were walking in between the pairs of combatants observing the progress that had been made in the past few days. She was happy to see that her Kingsguard were learning quickly, and she seemed to have picked the correct men for this training. Sandor's men were also thriving, even if his style of instruction was not exactly what she would have chosen.
"Am I allowed to comment on your using the term girl as an insult?" She asked him.
"You can comment all you like." He said, walking over to one of the men who'd gotten a hard hit to the knee and was sitting on the ground.
"Get up." He said, offering the man his hand and pulling him to his feet, "you didn't protect your left flank. You have to assume your opponent is attacking from all points simultaneously."
"I can't be quick enough to be ready for an attack from any angle all at once!" The man said.
"Not if you sit there whining you can't." Sandor responded, "You get faster, or you get dead. It's that fucking simple."
He put the sword back in the man's hand a pushed him back to his opponent.
"You know you might consider a more encouraging approach." Brienne pointed out.
"Making them feel good won't make them better fighters." Sandor replied, "They can think I'm an unreasonable bastard all they want, as long as it makes them want to prove me wrong, it makes them better."
"Wanting to prove you right when you believe in them also makes them better, and more loyal." Said Brienne.
"You have your way I have mine." He answered, "my men know I wouldn't push them if they couldn't take it."
Brienne shook her head and walked away from him with a exasperated smile. She walked to the end of the row where a few of her men and a few of the Second Sons were practicing spear work with an Unsullied instructor. She saw Brontos Vaihris walking along the edge of the training field. She hesitated slightly, she wasn't sure why but the man made her uneasy. Sandor was probably on to something in saying he made her uncomfortable because he'd expressed that he found her attractive the night they met. Brienne never knew how to act when she received attention from men, granted it didn't happen very often, but when it did it had always felt very awkward. To his credit though Brontos had not made any overt advances towards her since the first night. If she was honest, he wasn't bad company either, he was smart and charming, he had a very different way of looking at the world but he was diplomatic and reserved, respectful of their cultural differences, and she couldn't deny he was striking. He was tall and broad with sharp features and dark eyes that sparkled when he laughed. She made her way to where he was standing and he greeted her with a wide toothy smile.
"You're men are fighting well, my lady." He said cordially.
"As our yours." She said, "the Second Sons are truly a wonder."
"We thank you for your kind words. But these are not my men, in the Second Sons we are equals. I am simply the man who gave them the means to receive their desired training." He began walking the perimeter again and she fell in step beside him.
"How long have you been with the Second Sons?" She asked.
"I joined them when I was five and ten." He told her, "I was taken from my home in the summer isles when I was a child and sold as a slave. I escaped from my master and the Second Sons took me in. Gave me sanctuary, I have been with them ever since."
They were walking past the spot where Sandor was still barking instructions at his men.
"You two make a handsome pair." Brontos remarked. Brienne almost missed a step and looked up at him in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?" She asked.
"Oh forgive me..." he said, "I had just assumed..."
"No." Said Brienne emphatically, "No, no, no, absolutely not. No."
"Throw a few more no's in there, I don't think he got the fucking picture." Sandor said from a few feet away as he tripped up one of his men who wasn't paying attention with his sword, "not at all offensive either." He added sarcastically.
Brontos watched their exchange and chuckled.
"We've known each other a very long time." She explained as they kept walking, "but it's never been like that."
"Forgive me." He repeated, "I have seen the camaraderie you share and I had noticed he does not seem to have the same interest as the other men in the companionship that is a a available. I made an assumption. I take it that if it is not you, he has a woman waiting for him back in your home?"
"He does." Brienne answered, "and she is far more exceptional than me."
"I find that very hard to believe," Brontos said. She felt her cheeks grown warm and she looked away quickly.
"So how about you Lady Brienne. Is there a man awaiting your return?" He asked.
"No," she said, "As a Kingsguard I took a solemn oath to never marry or bear children."
"That seems a cruel thing for a King to ask of those devoted to him." Brontos observed.
"It's to ensure complete loyalty." Brienne explained, "one can say they will always put the king and the realm first but if a man...or woman in this case had to choose between saving their king or saving their child...it's not a decision anyone should have to face."
'But people face such decisions everyday." Brontos said, "just because you prevent someone from marrying and having children doesn't mean they will not love, love finds a way. And where there is love there is hard choices."
"Love is the death of duty." Brienne said quietly, she couldn't remember where she'd heard that. "And what of you Brontos Vaihris, is there someone lovely in Essos waiting for you?" He laughed and shook his head.
"There are many lovely someones in Essos, and I have known my share, but I am not the type of man to be tied to one. My heart is too wild for such things, and the world is too full of beauty." He said cheerfully.
A short man with dark curly hair called out to Brontos in a language Brienne didn't know, but sounded vaguely familiar. Braavosi maybe? Tess would know...Brontos answered him raising his hand in acknowledgment.
"A thousand pardons my lady." He said, "I must go take care of some business. I look forward to our future conversations ."
That evening the men were given their first reprieve of the week. As reward for their hard work, Brienne had convinced Sandor that they should take them into Sunspear. She was now walking through one of the crowded streets admiring all the new sights and sounds around her. She knew that Dorne was part of Westeros but in truth it felt like a different world. She watched across a small plaza where a troop of dancers were on a stage. It was mesmerizing the way they spun in and out, through each others arms and legs making and unmaking intricate knots with their bodies to the steady beat of drums. There were fire breathers in the square as well, men who dipped flaming sticks down their throats and spewed geysers of flame into the air seemingly without any injury. She wondered how Sandor felt about that. She scanned the shops that ran along the edge of the square and saw him standing in front of one, the last one she would have expected him to stop at. She made her way to him and moved to stand by his side.
"Looking to buy yourself something nice?" She teased looking at the ornately crafted dresses in the shop in front of them. He rolled his eyes.
"I want to get something for Tess." He said, "she doesn't have anything nice like this, and I know she'll never buy anything because she doesn't think it's practical. But she deserves nice things."
"That's actually extremely thoughtful." Said Brienne.
"You don't have to sound so surprised by that you know." He said, and then sighed, "the problem is I have no clue what the fuck I'm doing. I want to get her something she'll like, and wear. But she doesn't wear this shit so how am I supposed to know what she likes?"
"Would you like my help?" She asked, "I know I'm not exactly an expert on dresses but contrary to what many have said I am a woman, and I think I understand the kind of things Tess likes."
"Well, you're opinions not going to make things any worse so why not." He said.
They walked into the shop and the girl sitting in the back raised an eyebrow. Brienne realized the two of them together were probably an intimidating pair, as Brontos had observed earlier.
"Were you thinking of getting her just one dress?" Brienne asked.
"Not necessarily," Sandor answered, "I honestly have more gold than I know what to do with at this point, and I'd like to start spending some of it on her. Why do you ask?"
"Because I was just thinking...I've always thought of Tess as really having two sides. The girl who grew up in Westeros and still has a soft spot for the traditions and customs of her home, and the wild care free girl of Essos. So I thought...maybe you should get dresses for both parts of her."
"I like that..." he said looking around.
"So maybe something from here...for the more traditional side." Brienne walked to the wall that held the gowns similar to the one's she'd seen worn in court. "She wouldn't want anything that's too impractical, so nothing with sleeves that fall almost to the floor or a train that's five feet long."
"This one." Said Sandor, he'd picked a midnight blue velvet dress with silver detailing. It had fitted sleeves with tiny silver buttons going up the sides and a bodice of pale white lace.
"It's beautiful." Said Brienne, "any particular reason?"
"Yep." He said curtly, but he didn't elaborate. He turned his attention to the dresses on the other side of the shop. They were entirely the opposite of what he had chosen. The dresses in the styles from Essos were anything but practical. They were made of silks and sheer materials combined with chains and belts of various metals. An elegant balance of strength and beauty. He went to one that was a deep blood red draped artfully leaving the shoulders and most of the stomach exposed and was accented with cuffs, a belt and a necklace of smoke grey metal.
"Do you think this is too much?" He asked Brienne.
"I'm not sure there is such a thing as too much, when it comes to Tess." She replied.
They went to the girl in the shop and indicated the dresses he wanted to purchase. The girl looked at them both and then spouted off something in a language neither of them understood. They looked at each other and then back at her. She gave them a frustrated look and then said the same phrase again pointing this time at Brienne and shaking her head.
"She's saying she doesn't believe these dresses will fit you properly my lady." Said a older man, coming in from the back of the shop. "She says she has some larger pieces more suited for a warrior if you would like to see them."
"Oh, he's not buying for me." Brienne explained, and then man translated her words. The woman nodded in understand then happily placed the dresses into a wooden box lining it with silk cloth to protect them.
"I'm staying in an encampment outside of the town." Sandor explained, "for an extra two gold dragons can I have that delivered to my tent?" He asked. The man nodded happily and Sandor paid him.
The two of them walked out of the shop and found their way down the street to an ale house where several of the men from their camp were drinking. Brontos and a few of the Second Sons were there as well and when he saw them enter he beckoned them over.
"I'll go get us drinks and join you." Sandor said, walking away towards the bar.
Brienne made her way to the table and noticed that along with Brontos and the three other men there were two women she'd never seen before at the table. She knew the look of the camp followers and whores who'd been hanging around since they'd arrived and these woman were distinctly different. They were wearing Dornish armor and while very beautiful it was also clear they were not the type of women to be trifled with.
"Hello my beautiful friend!" Brontos said warmly to her, "Come and sit with us! I'd like to introduce you to some other lovely warriors such as yourself. This is Dorea and Sarella Sand. They have been telling us about the elite fighting force they are a part of."
"The Sand Snakes." Brienne said.
"I see our reputation has proceeded us." Said the woman sitting closest to her, she had long black hair pulled into a tight braid, "I am Dorea, and this is my sister Sarella." The smaller girl with short dark curls nodded in Brienne's direction.
"What do you know of the Sand Snakes?" The girl called Sarella asked. She had a high almost musical voice.
"Not very much." Brienne admitted, "but I know someone who trained with you years ago."
"It's a rare thing for us to share our secrets outside our family." Said Dorea, "who is this friend you speak of?"
"Tessalynda Merryweather?" Brienne answered.
At Tess's name both girls broke into smiles.
"Ah yes, Tessa." Said Sarella, "she was a rare talent, and a rare beauty. We were all quite disheartened to see her go, none so much as our sister Obara of course. How is our dearest Tessa?"
"She's well." Brienne said, "she owns an inn in Kings Landing now. Not as much call for fighting but she's still quite capable. I watched her in an exhibition a few moons ago and she was exquisite."
"Who did she fight?" Dorea asked.
"The Lord Commander of our City Watch." Brienne answered.
"And did she win?"
"Of course she did." Said Brienne, and the other women chuckled appreciatively.
"You have yet another lovely warrior back in your home city?" Brontos said with a smile, "if I had known Westeros was full of so many fearsome beauties I may have made this journey many moons ago."
"Yes, Tess is the extraordinary woman I was telling you about earlier today." Brienne said.
"Ah I see. The woman who has captured our Commander Clegane's heart, now I understand." Brontos said.
"What the fuck did you just say." Dorea was looking from Brontos to Brienne, with a horrified expression as if willing one of them to tell her she'd been mistaken in what she heard.
"I beg your pardon?" Said Brontos, looking at her in confusion.
"What the fuck did you just say about Tessa?" Dorea repeated, and her voice had taken on a deadly tone.
Brontos looked to Brienne in confusion, obviously hoping she could shed some light on this abrupt turn of events. Unfortunately Brienne was just as confused. Dorea was obviously reacting to Brontos' mentiom of Tess and Sandor, but she didn't understand the issue.
"Tessalynda...Tess...she is with our Lord Commander, the one she fought. They've been together for some time now." She said, still trying to ascertain where their anger was coming from. They couldn't be angry about Tess having a new lover could they? From everything Tess had told her it had seemed like the relationship with Obara Sand had been over for quite some time before she'd come to Kings Landing.
"And what did you say is the name of the Lord Commander?" Sarella asked.
"Sandor Clegane." Brienne said, feeling just as confused. At the sound of the name both women spat on the floor.
"You lie." Dorea snapped viciously, "Tessalynda was like a sister to us. She knew our family, and she knew our past. She and Obara may not have been forever, but she cared for us. She would never dishonor Obara's memory by taking to her bed the blood of the monster who butchered our father!"
Brienne stared at her. She had no idea what to say. It was now perfect clear what was happening, and she privately marveled that she'd never connected these pieces before. She had no clue how to tell these women that the thing they were passionately telling her was impossible, was in fact the exact thing that had happened. As if things hadn't gotten complicated enough, Sandor appeared through the crowd carrying two mugs of ale. He approached the table and looked around, obviously sensing the tension.
"What the fuck did I just walk into?" He asked.
"Hound." Growled Sarella, glaring daggers at him.
Dorea stood to face him. Her head barely came to his chest but she looked up at him with her jaw set defiantly.
"Do you know who I am dog?" She spat.
"Some Dornish bitch." Sandor snapped back, glaring down at her.
"I am Dorea Sand." Dorea said haughtily, "my father was Oberyn Martell, his sister was Elia Martell, her children were..."
"I know who they were." Sandor growled.
"Then you also know their fate. My father butchered by Clegane, my aunt raped and slaughtered by Clegane, her children killed like animals by Clegane. How dare you show your face in Dorne?"
"I never touched the Targaryen children, or your aunt, or your father. I never even saw their faces. Your quarrel is not with me." Sandor said. Any kindness or gentleness Brienne had seen in him in the past was gone, he was the hound again fully.
"Blood calls to blood." Said Sarella, standing behind her sister, "House Clegane owes a debt."
"Gregor Clegane owed you a debt." Sandor said, "and he paid it, with his life."
"One life for four. You call this a fair trade?" Dorea asked.
"I never fucking said it was fair. But life isn't fair. Your family is dead by my brothers hand. My brother is dead by mine. It may not be fair. But it's what is, and you'll have to learn to live with it."
Dorea was looking at him as if she wanted to murder him right then and there. Brienne's hand moved instinctively to her sword hilt. She knew if it came to a fight they had the upper hand, but it would be messy.
"What do you know of Tessa?" Said Sarella. Sandor looked at her, confusion flashing across his face.
"This woman." Dorea inclined her head towards Brienne, "has said Tessalynda has taken you as a lover. But I say she is lying. Tessa would not lower herself to lie with dogs."
Sandor stood up straighter he looked down at Dorea, his face was a mask of disdain and hatred.
"Tessalynda Merryweather is more of a woman than you could ever hope to be." He sneered at her, "and yes she is mine. I am hers and she's mine, and she's made it clear to me that her love for me is greater than anything she's ever felt for anyone else, including your fucking sister."
Dorea let out string of angry words in a language Brienne couldn't understand. She stepped closer to Sandor and looked up into his face.
"This is not the end of this dog." She said venomously, "you will regret this night." She and her sister shoved past him and stormed out.
"It seems you Westerosi are much more interesting than I imagined." Said Brontos.
Clegane turned and walked out of the ale house without speaking.
"Will he be alright?" Brontos asked.
"I'm sure he will in time." Brienne said, "I should probably be heading back to the camp." She added.
"Let me walk you then." Said Brontos.
"There's no need." She replied.
"I'm aware of that." He answered, "I offer out of desire, not need."
They walked along the shoreline back towards the lights of their camp.
"The man Dorea spoke of, who murdered her family. He is the Lord Commanders kin?" Brontos asked.
"He was his brother." Brienne answered, "and the things she mentioned were only a small piece of the horrors he left in his path."
"It is a heavy burden to bear. The consequences left behind by those you call blood." He said somberly.
"You sound as though you speak from experience."
"We all have our burdens." He said, "the past is a story unique to each of us, but it leaves it's mark on us all."
They'd reached the small knoll where her tent sat.
"I have a gift for you." He said.
"Oh no, you didn't have to..." Brienne began feeling slightly embarrassed, but he held up a hand.
"Never fear my lady. It is but a small thing and I assure you it cost me no coin." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment.
Brienne took it and unfolded it. It was a drawing, of her. He must have drawn it from memory because it was a picture of her sitting at the driftwood table they took most of their meals at. In the picture she was reclining with an arm thrown over one knee , her hair had fallen into her face and she was laughing. She looked so confident and carefree and...beautiful, she thought to herself in wonder. There were words written across the bottom of the page in a language she didn't know.
"It's extraordinary." She said quietly, "what does it say?"
"It is in my own native tongue from the summer isles." He explained, "it says. 'There is beauty here she cannot see, yet it refuses to be silenced.' I wanted you to see yourself the way I see you, my lady Brienne."
Brienne felt her face flush again, but not with embarrassment. Before she could even stop to ask herself what she was thinking she stepped forward and kissed him. He responded to her kiss immediately pulling her in closer. It was like nothing she'd experienced before. He was so much bigger than she was, and she actually felt how she supposed a woman was meant to feel as he put his hand behind her neck and tilted her head up to deepen the the kiss. As suddenly as she'd initiated the kiss she pulled away. He let her go easily enough but looked at her with a mixture of concern and confusion. She put and hand against her mouth and stepped back almost unable to believe what she'd just done.
"My apologies if I somehow misread..." he began.
"You didn't." She assured him, she took a deep breath and stepped back to him taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, "thank you for this." She said, holding up the paper, "it is a beautiful gift."
"As is the subject of it." He said with a gentle smile.
"Goodnight Brontos." She's said, dropping his hand and stepping back.
"Good night lovely Brienne." He replied, and he turned on his heel and walked back towards the encampment.
Brienne turned and began to walk up the hill towards her tent. She clutched drawing tight against her chest, but her hands still trembled slightly.