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With Layla's loyalty secured, and all her swords pledged, Stannis permitted the rest of her companions to join her at Castle Black. Twenty of the Summer Islander archers had come with the initial party, as well as the hundred northerners. The rest consisted of the other thirty Summer Islanders, led by Zosa's brother Talhal, and the Braavosi fighters behind Jorello Nahaenor.
And when they arrived, the Braavosi sellsword loudly called out to an almost gleeful Layla, who looked as if she would have lept into his arms if not for her stomach. They could almost pass as siblings, what with their light brown skin and dark hair. But where Layla's eyes were green, his were brown.
Stannis had not bothered to come and greet the arrivals, and given he did not demand their presence, Jon assumed it was understood that no negotiation of loyalty was necessary. These swords were his to command, though it was with Lady Stark that their true loyalties lay.
Having seen all he needed to see, he turned to move back to the refuge of his quarters, but was stopped when his name was called.
"Jon," she repeated, "This is Jorello Nahaenor, we met in Braavos."
"And introduced me to my lovely wife," Jorello said, "For which I will be forever grateful. Not to mention giving me the money to start my sellsword company."
"And look how it has grown." She said, "I needed only to know who your father was to know it would be a successful business."
"My father was once the First Sword of Braavos," Jorello said, now facing Jon, "And my mother was a Myrenese whore."
"Jorello." She said with disapproval
"My apologies," he replied, "I forgot your distaste of that word. Not that it matters to me. After all, you were the one to tell me that mothers are what they are."
"And the will be what they will be." She finished, turning back to Jon, "If you would be so kind as to direct these men to their quarters."
"Of course." He nodded towards her
A part of him was glad when she did not follow them, though the other part yearned for her presence. He still had not told her of Stannis' offer, and he doubted he would. There was no sense, since it would never come to pass.
Of course, this relief was not lost of the Braavosi.
"Layla told me you were an old friend," Jorello said, "How long have you known her?"
"Not as long as you." He answered, "And probably not as well."
"Ha," Jorello scoffed, "You think anyone really knows her?" He asked, "Everything's a secret with her. Never can get a straight answer about her past."
"I thought you were her friend?"
"I am her friend, and I trust her with my life." Jorello replied, as they reached the quarters he and his men would be residing in, "And I know she trust you with her life, and that of her child's."
The man left him to ponder on those words. Jon knew that his was not wrong, and Layla had entrusted the life of her child to him simply by it being him she sought refuge with. But it was a misplaced trust. I cannot protect her, not truly, he thought, not with his vows preventing his involvement. If Stannis lost, there was no safety he could offer her. The Wall could not be her home, and the Bolton's would not let her and her child live.
But she's your responsibility now, he reminded himself, with Robb dead, you're all she has.
The names of the Essosi characters in this and the previous chapter came from the website: .