Chapter 55

She had always loved the feeling of freedom she felt as she walked the deck of the ship. She felt that familiar song running through her veins as she watched the men run about, preparing for battle. She had made her decision months ago, at first it felt like a betrayal to her past but now, after all of the ravens about shifting loyalties in Westeros and her recent discovery, she knew she had made the right choice.

Sounds of fighting were all around, the smell of blood and gore fed an inner darkness inside her just as the slice of her blade through the neck of the man in front of her was a feast for her eyes. Laughter sounded from her throat as she ducked a viscous swipe of a sword, her own finding its home in the chest of a man she knew so well. She smiled wickedly at him as she watched him look at her with a mixture of disbelief and pride. "I told you once, Uncle. I would be the one to watch you die." He just gave her a weak nod and smile as his limp body slid off her blade. The scream of victory was so primal and full of satisfaction that those close to her looked at her in curiosity.

The battle was soon over, vessels were secured and those not willing to surrender were given to The Drowned God. She went back to her prize, she had one last task, her blade easily separated his head. Grasping his long hair, she carried the head to her chambers and to the awaiting glass vessel that was filled with the preserving liquid she had been advised to use. Smiling, she dropped the head in and sealed the lid with melted wax. She placed it next to the one she had taken a few months before and closed the chest.

She was cleaning herself when the door opened and her only living brother entered followed by a boy. He may have been a boy in age but his maturity and body said differently. Her poor brother had paid such a price for his folly but that was the price he should pay, she had warned him and he didn't listen. It saddened her to see him like this, but he was thankfully, slowly shedding the tortured shell he was when she found him.

The young boy was just what she had thought he might be. Strong, proud, so wise for a boy of twelve years. And he could fight! He was as deadly as a grown man. She looked into his eyes, so deeply blue. His hair was long and wavy. It was only his strong, stern visage that made him the Stark he was. That and the black dire wolf who never left his side.

When she had found Theon and the young woman, Jeyne Poole, she wanted to kill everyone. Her eventual talks with Lord Snow had convinced her to allow the Northerners to handle that situation. He had another way for her to vent her anger. It had been no easy task, getting close to Euron "Crow's Eye," but she had managed and she had felt the same joy and sense of vengeance when she slit his throat and took his head, as she had when she cut Victarion's from his body.

Lord Snow had given her information about where he thought his youngest brother was, he needed her to go to him and then take him to Meereen. He never told her how he knew any of this, or why he felt she would be safe anywhere near the Dragon Queen. He just asked her to trust him.

She was tired of war, as she knew all of Westeros was. The entire Kingdom had lost so much. She knew that the majority of the land had slowly shifted towards a quiet alliance with the woman in the East. She still had her doubts but if the family members of the ones who had caused the murder and downfall of her forebears were brave enough to face her, then she would just follow their lead, but she would keep her guard up.

"Lady Asha, where are we headed now?" Rickon Stark asked.

She smiled, the little Lord was bold and his tone bespoke of the Great Lord that he would be one day. " To Meereen, now. I have been told that by the time we get there, you may very well meet your sister. Do you remember Sansa?"

His gaze never moved from her but she could tell he was searching through his memories, the boy had been so young and been through so much, maybe he didn't remember her. " Yes, I think I do. She looked like Mother. Will she truly be there?"

"She should be. There will be many people there that you don't know. She is married now. I don't know any of those she is with, I've only heard of them."

Jaime was listening to the sound of the clashing steel as he watched the twins play. They were so lively, he couldn't help but smile at them, they were beautiful children. Dexcian was the bold one, always moving about, quick to show his frustration when he couldn't quite make his little hands master what his mind thought he wanted to do. Right now, the leather laced through the neck of Jaime's tunic had him happy enough as he chewed on it. K'Alenedor was never far from her twin. As much as he didn't want it to be there, a very small fear was in the back of Jaime's mind about the twins, his own deceit with his twin created that fear, he knew. He kept it deep, these children would have what he hadn't had. They would have love, guidance, protection and comfort from parents and family. Parents that were not afraid to show them love and devotion, family who gave openly and freely. He would happily give his life for any of these people around him. Especially the children.

K'Alenedor had found her favorite thing, she seemed to seek his stump out anytime she was near him. At least it served some purpose, he thought as she played with it and then decided it was something to chew on. He laughed as her little hands grasped his forearm, and he felt her toothless gums biting the end of his arm.

He was quickly brought out of his musing by the yell, "You fucking bitch!" That was Myrcella's voice. His attention immediately went to the sparring area and his felt his heart sink when he saw blood darkening the sleeve of Myrcella's tunic. It troubled him even more that it was Shalene who had caused the injury. He had felt a tension growing between the two, but he hadn't asked either what the cause was, he was up and ready to stop what he felt would be a very bad result for his daughter, when he caught Brienne's eye, she shook her head at him. 'Don't interfere,' he read in that look.

Shalene was deadly in her actions, he knew. He had seen, first hand, what she could do. He watched, breathless, as the two women fought. He couldn't help but be proud of his daughter as he observed her using techniques he had taught her. She quickly and fluidly moved between several different styles of fighting, using both hands as Clegane had taught her. He found himself silently giving her direction as she met Shalene time and time again. Sweat pouring off of both of them. Myrcella made the first mistake, her sword knocked brutally from her hand but she never faltered, drawing her dagger. Shalene tossed her sword to the side and drew her own dirk. The surrounding crowd was quiet, and when Myrcella's blade drew blood from Shalene's thigh, the intake of breath was easily heard. Jaime knew the cold smile of death that appeared on Shalene's face and he again started towards the women. Sandor stopped him this time," Don't you not trust her with your daughter? She could have killed her already if that was her intent, give them both more credit, Lannister. Myrcella might not know she's being taught but I figured that you would have sense enough to see it." Sandor looked away shaking his head in disgust.

A lesson? Bloody hell, why this way? But as he thought about it, how else would Myrcella learn to fight if she never found out how to trust her skills. He watched as Myrcella's rage started to show, he wanted so badly to tell her to control it but he heard Shalene say," Little child, if you always let your rage show, your enemy will see your weakness and use it against you."

Jaime watched as Myrcella let her anger take her over when she charged at Shalene, she wasn't focused on anything but her rage and missed the movement of Shalene's body as she hit Myrcella in the mouth with her elbow. Before Myrcella could react, Shalene had grabbed Myrcella's wrists and bashed her in the forehead with her own. Myrcella clearly hadn't anticipated this. Jaime winced inwardly, knowing that pain all too well. He watched as Shalene twisted Myrcella's arm behind her, knocked her feet out from under her and pinned her to the deck of the ship, straddling her back, pressing her bent arm painfully against her body, then she grabbed a handful of Myrcella's golden hair, wrenching her head back. His heart ached as he saw Shalene's blade touch his daughter's exposed neck. "Do you know where you went wrong? Do you see how it is imperative that you show no emotion other than deadly intent when you fight? You must always be alert, know who is around you and never let your guard down. The more you work on it, it will become second nature to you. You won't even think about it. You will learn to read everyone, watch their eyes, read their faces. Men will always underestimate you because you are a woman. It is up to you to make them know that their arrogance is their greatest folly. You will not be able to overpower them but you can out think them as well as throw them into a rage with the skills you have. No man wants to be bested by a woman so he'll try to take you out early. Let them wear themselves out. You fought very well, My Lady. You almost had me a time or two. Have you calmed down?"

Myrcella had been so angry when she hit the deck of the ship but as she listened to Shalene, she knew the truth of her words. She had to control her emotions. She had wondered why Shalene had been acting strangely the past few days, now she knew. She had wanted her to recognize the potential threat. She wouldn't make that same mistake again. " Yes, My Princess, I am calm. Thank you for the wisdom and lesson. All of you have taught me better than to loose my temper." Her eyes looked over at her father and she smirked," I blame that on my Father. He has never known how to control himself." Everyone burst out laughing as Shalene helped Myrcella up, none harder than Jaime. 'Damn, my daughter is exactly like me!'