Happy Friday, Lovelies! Hope everyone has a great weekend! Short and sweet, but I may have time to add a chapter tomorrow ;)

Alia

Grace had gone to fetch the squire who was on sentry duty outside the stables, and he was waiting for Rowena in the yard. He was to take her to a safe place, where she would be able to stay out of sight and be safely taken to Bronn. As soon as they were alone, she told him that if he left her sight at any time, or tried to tell Bronn ahead of time that she was coming, she would tell Bronn that he had made a pass at her. His face went completely white at the idea. She was very proud of herself for pulling it off. She had watched Bronn do it enough, plus the squire knew she was still mad at him for tattling on her when she left the stables with Jon. She felt she had him thoroughly frightened of her, and she was surprised, and a little guilty, at how good it made her feel.

Rowena was wearing a long cape with a hood, and men's clothing, to keep anyone from recognizing her, and because it was just plain dangerous for women to be outside of their homes right now. People in the streets were fighting over food and wares and anything else of value. Drunks were fighting for the sake of fighting or passed out along the road. Rowena tried her best not to be afraid, but her heart was pounding and she hoped they were not going far.

"Do you know where he is?" she asked the squire, who had a tight grip on her arm, and looked nearly as frightened as she felt. "And don't look so scared, someone will notice!"

She realized it was something Bronn would say to her, and in any other situation, this thought would have made her laugh, but not here, not now.

She noticed the squires face had gone red. Had she embarrassed him or made him angry, she wondered. "I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to offend you. But do you know where he is?" She repeated the question, and still, he was hesitant to answer.

Finally, he stopped and looked at her, his face guilty, his eyes refusing to meet hers.

"He's in a brothel, m'lady," he mumbled. She inhaled sharply, but tried to remain calm.

"But he's only drinkin'", he went on, now watching her face to see her reaction. "He doesn't go with women before battle."

Rowena gave him a confused look. She really had no idea what to think of that statement, but she had to think of a plan to get to him.

"Is it one of Lord Baelish's houses?" she asked, now unable to hide her own fear.

"No, m'lady", he said quickly. He knew, and he was also addressing her as a lady. Bronn had given him instructions. This did allow her a little smile. And then a thought occurred to her. "Alia?" she asked, hopefully.

The squire nodded, hoping he finally had an answer that would please her. And he did.

"Take me to her, please." Rowena commanded, feeling her strength return, she was back in control. Bronn had given her everything she needed to be able to find him, she realized. She had grown and learned so much since she had met him.

When they got to Alia's house, they waited until no one was coming or going at the front door, and then headed around to the back entrance. The squire tapped softly on the door, and Rowena was surprised to see a young boy peek through a small window in the door.

"This lady needs to see, Alia" he said, very politely, "It's urgent business."

The boy did not speak, but closed the window, and they heard his footsteps as he ran off, hopefully to find Alia. They waited in the dark and deserted alley, and Rowena quickly grew impatient. She wanted to pace, but stayed close to the building as she knew Bronn would do, so as not to draw attention to herself.

A few minutes later, the window opened, and an older woman peered out at them. She looked from the squire to Rowena, and then her eyes widened, as if she recognized her. Rowena suddenly felt very self-conscious with the way the woman gazed at her, in such a familiar manner, but it was a warm and caring gaze. As the woman's eyes filled with tears, Rowena found herself tearing up. She realized Alia was not seeing her, she was seeing her mother, Sueta.

"You are Rowena," Alia finally spoke, still looking at her in wonder, wiping tears from her face.

Rowena could only smile and nod, and then the door opened and they were ushered into a small but cozy sitting room with a fire burning. And there Rowena sat, listening to Alia tell her the story of her mother, Sueta. They both laughed and cried, and then Alia asked the reason for her visit. When Rowena told her, the older woman smiled a knowing smile. She was well past her prime, but Rowena could tell she had been very beautiful, and was still quite stunning in both her looks and the way she carried herself.

"It is no wonder he has gone to so much trouble over you." She laughed, shaking her head. "He is a hard man. He will never see the same woman twice, and he has not been with any woman for weeks now. You must be very much like your mother to have kept his attention."

She looked at Rowena now, trying to read her face, and this only made Rowena squirm in her seat and become uncomfortable. This only made Alia laugh. "So it's true," she said, giving Rowena a knowing look. Suddenly, Rowena understood what she meant, and knew her face was turning scarlet red.

Alia only laughed again, but in a kind way, and came and put her arm around Rowena's shoulder.

"Come along," she said with a smile, squeezing Rowena's arms gently, reassuringly, "We must get you ready to see this sellsword of yours."