Maidenpool was a small town in the Riverlands, but its location on the southern shore of the Bay of Crabs had long made it a favored resting place for travelers who either came into the busy harbor or arrived on one of the two main roads to King's Landing. Those in a hurry went through Duskendale, while those who were more interested in the journey than the destination enjoyed leisurely trips along the coast. There were a number of inns and strangers were accepted as part and parcel of daily life.
Arya came down to Maidenpool from the hills to the east, noting the pink stone walls that encircled it and the small castle at the very edge of the town, its white walls shining in the sun. There were a number of leather coracles dotting the harbor and a general air of bustle in the streets. No one so much as turned to give a second glance at what seemed to be a young boy wandering through the town.
She stopped opposite a flight of steps that led under a knacker's barn and stared, puzzled, at the many people coming and going, then grinned and crossed the street, running lightly down the stairs and into the cellar under the barn. A large sign against one wall proclaimed the place to be The Stinking Goose, and while there were no birds, it certainly lived up to its name. A reek of wine, damp, and mildew, with a whiff of privy, pervaded the big room, and the noise of the crowd, after the quiet months of the countryside, made her head ache.
"What'll you have, boy?" A fat woman in a dirty smock leered at Arya and the girl smiled.
"A pint of beer." Arya held out a copper coin and as the woman reached for it, she closed her hand. "And a little information. I'm looking for someone."
The woman's eyes shifted. "I don't know no one."
"That's too bad." Arya tossed the coin. "I would give five of these to learn the whereabouts of the man who stole my horse."
The woman stared at the coin. "What man would that be?"
"A big ugly one, with half his face burned off. He knocked me off my horse and took it for himself."
"You said five coins?" Arya nodded and produced the money and after a moment the woman said quietly, "You needn't worry about him. He's in the castle, him and two others. They're special prisoners, they are, and word's already been sent to the Lord of the Vale about them."
Arya's heart sank but she handed over the coins and took her beer, melting into the crowd and slipping out without calling any further attention to herself. Outside, she walked briskly towards the castle.
It was very small as castles go, but beautifully proportioned, built out of white granite and guarded by a tower at either side of the gate. Arya regarded it thoughtfully, then marched up to the gate and started through.
"Halt!" A guard held a spear across her path. "Where do you think you're going, boy?"
She looked at him with a stupid expression. "I just wanted to see inside."
The guard laughed and grounded his spear. "No one goes inside without permission. Be off with you now."
Arya shrugged, her sharp eyes taking in the courtyard beyond the gate. Several other guards were lounging about and there was a big fire in the center. "That's a lot of people."
The guard glanced over his shoulder. "We have some dangerous prisoners."
The girl's eyes widened. "Dangerous?"
"Very dangerous." The guard bent over. "They killed a little boy just your size and ate him."
Arya swallowed hard. "I hope you locked them in the dungeon!"
"They're safe enough where they are." The guard nodded to the tower at the left of the gate, chuckling as Arya ran off. "See that their friends don't catch you, boy! You're too skinny to eat but they might want to pick their teeth with your bones!"