Night fell before Arya decided on a spot for her and Sansa to camp, settling on a tiny clearing deep in the forest. They unloaded the horses and made a sparse meal off their traveling rations, then spread out their blankets and curled up next to each other.
"I wish we could have a fire," Sansa whispered.
"We can't take a chance on it being seen," said Arya. "And why are you whispering?"
"I don't know." Sansa's voice returned to normal. "I'm just scared, Arya."
"We'll be all right. If there's one thing I learned traveling with the Hound, it was how to take care of myself."
"I didn't mean that. I'm scared about what's happening to our friends." Sansa's voice trembled. "What if...what if they're being tortured, or they're so badly hurt that…"
Arya interrupted her sister. "You heard those men. They want Sandor alive. They're not going to hurt him too badly. And they probably won't do anything at all to Brienne and Podrick. Besides, we're going to get them out."
"You have a plan?"
The younger girl sat up and her sister followed suit. "I have an idea. Tomorrow I'll go into the town and scout around, see where they were taken. With a little luck, I should learn enough for us to make a plan." She broke off as a twig snapped.
"What was that?" Sansa was back to whispering.
Arya held a finger to her lips and took Sansa's hand, pulling her to her feet. They crept into the bushes and watched breathlessly as the sound of something moving in the woods approached. Then Sansa laughed with relief and ran out into the clearing.
Stranger lowered his head and pushed her with his nose and she petted him, marveling to Arya, "Can you believe he found us?"
Arya approached the big horse more cautiously, looking around to make sure he hadn't been followed, then joined Sansa in stroking his neck. "He probably followed our horses when we left the camp. I'll unsaddle him-can you get his bridle?"
Sansa nodded, pulling at the leather straps. "I'm surprised Sandor didn't take this off."
Arya said pensively, "They must have been attacked just as they were starting to set up camp. I wonder how those men came across us?"
"I'm hoping it was just bad luck," said Sansa, dropping the bridle on the ground.
"So am I." Arya set down the saddle and slapped Stranger on the rump. "Go find something to eat."
"Aren't you going to hobble him?" asked Sansa.
The younger girl shook her head. "He couldn't find Sandor so we're the next best thing. He won't go anywhere now that he's found us. I suppose we'd better tie him up tomorrow before I go into town. He might not want to stay with you-he might follow me to see if I lead him to Sandor."
"That reminds me." Sansa dug in her pocket and took out a silver coin. "When you go into town, there's something I want you to pick up.