Shae
She had been watching him for a few weeks now.
She had noticed something strange when Sansa had mentioned to her one morning while she brushed her hair that she was worried about not hearing from her sister. She had sent a letter weeks ago, just before the master's birthday and had not yet received a reply. Her sister was always eager to reply to her when they were away, Sansa told her once she had gone to stay with her friend Jeyne Poole and Arya had wrote her almost every day.
Shae had resolved to asking Joseth about it, she liked Sansa. She was very kind and sweet, she was never cruel to her and Shae felt a great deal of affection towards the girl, like what she imagined having a sister would be like. She knew that if Sansa ever went away for a week Shae would want to write her every day, so yes, she did see her as a sister, she supposed.
But when Joseth had pointed to the boy who carried the letters to be delivered, she frowned. Shae had worked in the household since she was just a child, she had seen servants come and go, but only recently did this boy's face appear. He walked around the room, an arrogant air about him. His face was grubby and he chatted among the scullery maids and cooks. He seemed to have something to say to everyone.
So she watched him closely for a long time. And one day she noticed him receiving a letter form Joseth to be sent and she followed him to the stables. She watched him glance around, then carefuly, without breaking it, peel away the seal of one letter, scanning the contents and nodding, satisfied. Then he tucked all the letters into his bag, the one he opened was slipped into his jacket. And he rode off.
And then this morning, she had found Sansa collapsed, her body wasted by her grief. When she told her of the letter and its contents, the result. She had been devastated. Sansa and Sandor had been perfect. And now, there was something interfering.
She left Sansa when she slept, murmuring Sandor's name in her sleep as Shae closed the door quietly.
She found the boy in the stables. Rage overtook her senses and she reached under her skirts, pulling out the dagger she kept strapped to her leg. She pressed the blade to the boy's neck, shoving him hard against the wall. His eyes flew wide and his lanky body went immobile.
He confessed everything to her when she drew his blood, realizing she would not hesitate to skewer him with the blade.
He told her of all the money Joffrey had promised him the day after Sansa and Sandor had left for here. He told her how Joffrey demanded he report every move the two made. He told her how Joffrey had him steal Sansa's letter to her sister, making sure the contents were usable and bring it to him. He told her of the forgery machine, how Joffrey had the letter forged in an exact replica of Sansa's writing, with his own words. He told her everything.
When he was done, Joseth appeared and helped her restrain him.
They brought him to Sandor's feet.
He looked awful.
His face pale and drawn, his eyes tired. But he listened to them.
Shae held the knife under the boy's throat and he told his tale again.
After Sandor was silent. Then without warning his fist struck the boy across his face. He fell into a weeping mess and Sandor banished him from the room.
Shae and Joseth watched Sandor rub his hand over his face, he looked much older than he was. Exhaustion had gripped him. His energy spent on rage and grief.
He sent Joseth to make sure the boy left the grounds without any bother.
He turned to Shae then, he thanked her sincerely for all she had done. Then he gripped her arms in warm, large hands that held her gently.
"Where is she?"
V