Arya

Stiff winter winds gave way to cool ocean breezes as the Fifth Sister cut through the waves. While little happened on the journey south although the trip nearly did not take place once the two Stormriders and the five Sworn Brothers of the Night's Watch reached Winterfell. Despite the fact that Joffrey Stormhill had joined the Stormriders the people of Winterfell still saw him as the product of the former queen's illicit affair with the Kingslayer. It did not help that he had attempted to have one of the Stark children assassinated even though he now served in the Stormriders with that same child. If not for the statement by the members of both orders that they would continue to King's Landing with or without the Stark contingent that convinced Rob to allow his sisters and their escort to head south. For their part both Stark sisters opted to have as little to do with the former prince, barely even glancing at him the entire trip despite the smaller confines of the Fifth Sister.

For the first time since she had encountered the Stormriders Arya actually wanted to have nothing to do with them. It had been one thing for them to request that he train with them after they had won the Hand's Tourney and Melee as it had been evident to most that the then prince needed much seasoning before he could be even half the king that his father was, but when the truth of his parentage had come out they had stood by him even in the face of a furious king, begging leniency and mercy on his behalf. It bothered her that men and women that she knew to be honorable and courageous had taken in such a conniving brat.

The news that Radd was had left the Stormriders to assume his role as House Lannister's heir further eroded her view of the Stormriders. Few in the North held the Lannisters in high regard, even when Cersei Lannister had been Queen, but the failed assassination attempt had further sullied their already low opinion of the noble house.

Unlike most though Arya had a bond with the group as several members had vouched for her following the incident on the Trident. Since then she had been under the impression that she had a connection with many of them, Temperance in particular. She knew that the dragoon had nothing to do with Joffrey joining their order, but she clearly did associate with him now. Her hope had been that the winner of the tourney held in honor of her father would have been part of the group escorting her to King's Landing but again it was Joffrey who had crushed that hope.

She was actually glad to disembark from the Fifth Sister but seeing Ramza and several newly minted members of the Stormriders on the docks awaiting for their official commander the young Stark realized that she had been so preoccupied by the fact that Joffrey was a Stormrider that she had not bothered to speak to either Joffrey or Cid about how Bran was doing. Reaching down she ran her calloused fingers through Nymeria's stiff grey fur, "How is Bran doing?"

It took a moment for Joffrey to realize that she had addressed him. He did not bother to look for his commander as he knew where the senior Stormrider was and turned to focus his attention on her. "Bran has surprised us all with his ability and energy. He keeps the ladies Alma, Rapha, and Reis busy." Lifting his hand he held it out for Nymeria to sniff, letting the direwolf inspect him. "Summer has grown larger than your Nymeria – perhaps you need to let her out and run more often? Let her go out on the hunt rather than relying on you to feed her all the time."

Perhaps it was the fact that he had presumed to give her advice, or just the fact that it was Joffrey, but his seemingly helpful advice irked her. "Where am I supposed to let her out? Winterfell is surrounded by farms – I cannot simply let her out to hunt for her own food."

Joffrey nodded, "That is true, but you could take her out of Winterfell into the forest to hunt. Bran and Reis believe that if they do not teach Summer what he can hunt and what he can't hunt then he will attack any of the farm animals that stray too close to Icemark. They also think that if he does not go out to hunt he will forget his instincts and lose his edge. Perhaps you should take Nymeria out once in a while to re-enforce her instincts but also teach her not to attack anything that is being raised on the farm."

She was startled by his honesty and the sensibility of what he was suggesting.

"You should tell your sister that too," he added. "If you both stay in King's Landing you will need to take them into the Kingswood, with the King's permission of course. Of course, Summer doesn't" he caught himself from saying something he shouldn't have "have any of the other direwolves to hunt with so and Icemark is pretty isolated so Bran can take him out more often than you can take Nymeria out."

She eyed him skeptically. In the short time she had known him before he had sent off with the Stormriders he had never been so courteous to her. Yes, he had acted that way to Sansa, but this wasn't the same. He wasn't trying to win her over as he had been with Sansa when the two had been engaged; he was just telling her about something her brother had thought of.

"Will you be taking part in the tourney?" she asked, unsure why she had broached the subject.

The former prince shrugged, "The commander wishes to inspect the new recruits first, though he says that the Melee will be an excellent opportunity to see how much they have learned and improved since they were first recruited."

She was curious about who the Stormriders would field. Cloud was of course the champion of the last Melee, but he would clearly be a marked man should he participate again. No one would dare overlook him, though in the last competition the Stormriders had fielded their best five warriors. Who could be better than Cid, Temperance, Beowulf and Meliadoul? Cid, Beowulf, and Meliadoul were three of the four highest ranking members of the Stormriders, and Beowulf and Temperance had remained at the Wall.

"You have an interesting blade," he remarked. "A Braavosi blade?"

The aspiring swordswoman nodded. "This is Needle," she said as she unsheathed the single-edge blade with a slight curve. "Do yours have names?"

She took slight delight in seeing him shake his head in reply. "The Commander says that only those who have survived a hundred battles with their weapon may name their weapon. The Commander's blade is called Excalibur because it allows him to cut through anything. Meliadoul's blade is Valkyrie, Beowulf uses Ragnarok, Kenneth uses Chaos and Durandal. Temperance's spear is called Gungnir; she says that it will pierce anything – none of us doubt the validity of that claim."

She tilted her head as she contemplated the Stormriders and their favored weapons, "What of Ramza Snowstorm? Does he not have a weapon?"

Joffrey shook his head again, "Commander Cid says that Ramza often does not settle with one weapon. In that regard he is said to be an 'Onion Knight' in that he employs different weapons and styles without being bound to one."

"And what do you think?"

The former prince turned Stormrider paused then cast a glance at the armored warrior on the docks. "Ramza is not the best sword in the Stormriders."

Arya scoffed at the notion, but she was not alone. "He won the Melee, bested Loras Tyrell the Knight of Flowers, and the Kingslayer – and you do not believe he is the best sword in the Stormriders?!"

Both youths turned to see Sansa as she casually ran her fingers through Lady's thick light grey fur. The direwolf bitch was just as tall as her sister, though it was her pristine coat of fur that separated her from Nymeria.

Again Joffrey nodded. "When Ramza won the Melee to honor your father, he did so with a flail and a sword. While Loras Tyrell was amongst our number he often sparred with Ramza and managed to win seven of ten times. When Ramza employed other weapons they split their bouts. Kenneth regularly bested both Loras and Ramza with a sword, and Cid, Beowulf, and Meliadoul are equal in skill to Kenneth, but his two swords best them with ease.

"If you doubt me you may ask the Commander or any of the other original Stormriders. None wish to disparage any of the others, but they all know where they stand in regards to their skills and masteries of the weapons that they use.

"Ramza is the best of us, but it is not because of his skill with a sword. What makes him stand out amongst even the Stormriders, well, that is something that you must see to believe." He gave them a knowing smile.

Neither Stark disagreed with him. They had traveled with the Stormriders and their true commander for more than most; yet had not actually seen him fight. Those who had actually fought with or against the Stormriders tended to say the same thing.

"We have all seen him perform unbelievable feats," Sansa interjected, "but what could he do that is so unbelievable?"

For a moment Joffrey glanced at the young lady that he had been engaged too, "You enjoy hearing the songs about the old heroes, do you not Sansa?"

The elder Stark daughter nodded.

"They say that the songs written about those heroes do little justice to those heroes but managed to inspire those who witnessed those events into putting them to verse. Someday there will be songs written about the Stormriders. It is unfortunate that we do not have bards traveling with us else there would already be songs out there about Ramza and the Stormriders."

Ramza

Magical red light illuminated the otherwise dark room, casting eerie shadows as the Stormrider's true commander and master of shadows eyed the unique stones.

"You say that they have been glowing since the comet appeared?" Marach asked as he eyed the only stone that glowed with an inner light.

The squire nodded, "It's grown stronger and brighter over the past month." Were it not for their past together Ramza would not have noticed the slight twitch of the former assassin's eye indicating that he knew something. "What?"

"After you left the Wall Alma went out on patrol," Marach replied. "She found a litter of behemoths. They've brought them back to Icemark and have been training them. In Westeros they are apparently called Grumpkins."

Ramza eyed Marach, sure that his friend had been using the behemoths as a distraction. Unfortunately the old grump that was the official Commander of their troupe found little delight in that tidbit as he had been around Icemark to actually see how things were going with the behemoths.

"Cloud said that the red materia was used to summon, and from what Rapha and Reis have told me it appears that they no longer need to form contracts with this world's equivalent of our summoning spells," the dark skinned youth added. "Magic as a whole seems to be stronger, even the potions. When we initially brewed the potions Wilfrid's potions could only cure scrapes while the much more powerful X-potions could restore some measure of health, now the potions are as effective as hi-potions and X-potions can cure serious injuries."

The squire turned commander knew that his companion had been testing the potions on the recruits. The troupe had also taken the potions with them on their travels to be used only in an emergency. He recalled how his own use of chakra had healed all of the Stormriders and the mountain clansmen when previously it had only been as effective as a potion. Even jumping had been easier, though he doubted that he could clear the Wall even with magical assistance. "Have they been testing it at the Wall?"

The old hound nodded. "Beowulf and Kenneth have on their patrols, but the recruits still need to learn the basics before they can even begin to cast magic. I am unsure how effective their magic will be, as it is only Bran and Jojen seem capable of casting any spells."

"They are extraordinary," Ramza admitted. "Their magic is beyond anything I have seen in Ivalice."

Marach shook his head, "You have yet to delve into the true depths of the arcane arts. You never thought that anyone could do what Rapha or I could do before you met us, or that a person could be turned into a dragon before you met Reis. There could be many things that magic is capable of that we do not know about because we have never seen or experienced it.

"You are primarily experienced with only combat magic, but there are those of us who use other forms of magic that can be useful outside of combat. Is that not why you had Alma, Reis, and Rapha focus on understanding this world's magical rules and adapt what we know about magic to suit this world?"

It was true, but when he had formed that division of the Stormriders it had actually been intended just to keep Alma away from the frontlines. Though he was himself a master of black, white, summoning and time magic Ramza rarely used the mystic arts even in battle. He understood the applications and uses of magic, but the metaphysics beyond the basics still eluded him. Clearly there was much more that he had yet to fully grasp.

"I will bring the materia to the Wall." As the official Commander of the Stormriders, Cid understood his role in the grand scheme of things. "The girls will love looking into this, besides; there is nothing else for them to do at the Wall now that the behemoths are doing so much work."

Though he did not show it Marach was surprised by Cid's remark.

"I fear that there are other pressing matters that I must attend to," Ramza lamented.

"The Master of Coin?"

Ramza shook his head, "I will leave him to you – his scheming has yet to truly endanger the realm, though his actions may have destabilized things at the top, the people are not affected."

"Then Radd?" Cid asked.

Again he shook his head, "I trust Radd in whatever he feels he needs to do. He still has a means of communicating with us and I trust that Marach has ensured that he will not be alone."

This time it was the former assassin that nodded.

"The King agrees with the Small Council that our numbers should not be too great. We are not to have more than a hundred cloaks," Cid explained. "We started with less than a score but are now at just over two score. If we were to take in all the recruits that are here now we would have around seventy five. Unfortunately I do not trust all of them."

"The Spider's children," Marach muttered.

"I know which are truly ours," Ramza said, "but there are a number who are still loyal to the Spider. Unfortunately we cannot ensure that all of them will take the Black."

The old man's face soured at the proclamation. Ramza knew that of all the Stormriders it was Cid that had lost the most because of the cloak and dagger play during the War of Lions. While he was officially counted as one of the dead as were all of the Stormriders, his family name and honor had been tarnished the most leaving his adopted son with a corrupted legacy hanging over his head.

"I will take Brienne and Joffrey along with these seven recruits," he pointed to their names on the scroll. "The rest will return to the wall with Cid."

Marach began to mark the names, "I want to keep these here."

The Commander eyed the list, "You are stepping into the viper's nest boy. If it were anyone but you I would be worried. But why those three? Are they not too big to be effective ninjas?"

"I need a dedicated smith," the former assassin stated. "We only have enough blades to practice with, but the compliment that remains in King's Landing will need to arm themselves. Unfortunately we cannot rely on purchasing arms from the resident smiths, so we will need our own smiths, and I still need others here who fit the image we are casting as to what a Stormrider needs to be."

"Is the ship ready?" Ramza asked as he eyed the map.

Their master of shadows scowled. "You still wish to proceed with your plan?"

For a moment the former squire eyed his friend.

"What are you planning boy?" Cid interjected.

"Rose and Bert were sent east," his treacherous friend replied.

The old man gasped, "Why?"

"To find the Imp and the Joffrey's siblings," the olive skinned youth explained as he slipped further into the shadows. "The unspoken agreement between the King and Lord Tywin Lannister was that Radd would become his new heir to replace his real children and grandchildren. Radd contacted me once he discovered the plot to assassinate his 'half-brother', niece, and nephew.

"You failed to notice that Bert and Rose weren't here because you normally don't see them around. There is a reason why they are better ninjas than even our esteemed Ramza."

He could not help but smirk at the friendly sniping. It was true that while he and Marach had both mastered the combat skills of a ninja, their body types and personalities did not take full advantage of those skills. Both youths were too heavy to move silently without magical assistance. Marach's special skill was far too loud to blend with the stealthy approach of the shadow warriors while Ramza's moral code and honor would not allow him to attack his opponents from the shadows when they were unprepared for battle.

But Rose and Bert were different. The bastard children of lesser nobles they were quick footed and small. Unlike the others who had continued to grow the twins had remained small. Their tiny frames filled out just enough to give them the needed power and speed to excel as archers, thieves, and then ultimately as ninjas. Free of the heavy, protective mail that the knights favored the two ninjas were able to slip in and around their enemies' weapons and defenses. As deadly as they were, they were best when employing darkness and shadows to strike when their enemies were unprepared.

The twins were the best suited to traveling quickly and stealthily, avoiding drawing any unwanted attention as they were also capable as a dancer and bard. Few in Westeros as in Ivalice thought much of bards and dancers as both were useless by themselves in battle but provided great support. Out of battle they were able to socialize and gain the trust of those around them, making them adapt at gleaning information from those around them. Hopefully they could find out where Tyrion took the former prince and princess before the assassins that the King and Small Council had sent after the trio.

Cid scowled. "You are taking Joffrey with you despite knowing that the others are not trustworthy and are spying on you? Would that not be inviting more scrutiny on yourself?"

He nodded, "I fear that things have been going too well lately. We arrived and disrupted much, but now the hidden players have had time to rethink their strategies to take us into account. We have made an impressive display of force, but I do not wish us to reveal too much. Tell the others that they should hold back unless their lives are truly in danger.

"Be especially careful with the use of magic. You may use it before the recruits, but avoid using it when there are others around.

"As to the Tourney, well, it's obvious that I will be competing, but we shall have all of the recruits who wish to enter participate as well." Neither man disputed this decision, though he did not expect them to. "Meliadoul, Brienne, Walder, Cid, and I shall enter the Melee, but I doubt that we shall win this time around."

Sansa

Though she once was thrilled by the possibility of living in the energetic and frenetic capital city the eldest Stark daughter had come to understand that as fantastic and wonderful as it could be for someone of her station, it was equally dangerous. When Lady Meliadoul had explained the reason for the Stark daughters' flight from King's Landing Sansa's fantastical dream had forever been shattered.

Having seen firsthand the civil and falsely sweet mask that the former queen had donned the entire time that she had interacted with them both girls understood the reality and importance of the "weapons" that most noble women were forced to use. While Arya still woke early to practice her swordplay every morning she did not shriek her responsibilities and duties as a daughter of House Stark, arriving on time and diligently working at the tasks and lessons that Septa Mordane gave the two of them each day even whilst they traveled to and from Winterfell.

Their return to King's Landing seemed to lack the flare of their initial visit, though perhaps it was due more to the fact that Sansa no longer saw only the bright flags and banners and now saw the multitude of shadows and the potential threats that they hid. But they were not the only ones who eyed the shadows as her former fiancée turned bastard Stormrider understood that the group from the North was not entirely welcomed with open arms.

Her brief meeting with Margaery Tyrell had highlighted the differences between House Stark and the other noble houses. From her brief exchanges with Joffrey during the voyage from White Harbor Sansa began to understand that most of the noble houses were constantly working to better their position as well as their house's position, and that the two were not always the same thing. As the second child but the eldest daughter she understood that she would always be behind Rob, but she was also behind Bran and Ricken, though Bran had technically removed himself from that equation. Supposedly she would be married off to some other noble house to improve House Stark's standing, but her brothers would be left to vie for some holdfasts and land to establish their future families and households. Bran as a Stormrider would follow their uncle Benjen's example, though until he actually took the black he was still in line to inherit the family's fortune and lands should something happen to Rob.

Had Cersei's treachery not been revealed Tommen would have been second in line to inherit the throne. Both he and Myrcella would essentially have been married off to strengthen their family and the throne's standing with the other noble houses of the realm. But for the lesser families things were different. They still needed to strengthen their family's standing, but for the most part they were unlikely to actually climb the ladder unless one of them married into a family above them or another noble family was wiped out. The former was more likely, though usually only in the case of someone who was third in line for their family's inheritance.

While most sons took up the sword, some were sent to Old Town to become Maesters or in the south joined the Faith. Daughters could still be married off, though some took the vows of Faith becoming Septas or silent Sisters, though the later order was filled more with girls of common birth. Despite her high birth and a marriage to the King, Cersei had not been satisfied with her lot in life, thus the plotting and scheming to achieve more for herself and her children. If she could nearly tear apart the kingdom what was someone with less to lose and more to gain likely to do?

As a Stark, Sansa had simply accepted her previous engagement, and was likely to follow her parents' decisions, but she had begun to see how even her mother appeared to be working hard to position both House Stark and Sansa and Arya. Ever the dutiful daughter she had not questioned or resented her mother, father, and elder brother for their actions, but she could see how some might be resentful.

Loras Tyrell could have been one of those disgruntled youths, but he seemed to be satisfied with his lot and his skill with a sword had placed him amongst the truly elite in all the land. In a sense he reminded her of the Kingslayer. It did not help that Margaery was akin to Cersei, though she lacked the edge the later had. Their father reminded her of her own patriarch, though not as forceful and firm as Lord Stark. Ultimately it was Lady Olenna Tyrell who was the most striking and imposing of the Tyrells. It was clear that the Queen of Thorns ruled Highgarden, though as the eldest male Mace was the face of the family, leaving his mother free to manipulate things behind the scenes.

"I wonder if Loras will manage a victory this time around," the shrewd matriarch sighed as she settled into her seat. As an honored guest and the grandmother of the future queen she along with Mace Tyrell, Lady Alerie, Willas and of course Margaery. "I do hope that Garlan accounts himself well, I heard that he did not even advance into the third round."

Sansa knew that though the woman was apparently putting her grandsons down she was in fact pointing out that nearly all of the other participants did not deserve to be on the same field as them. It did not help that House Tyrell was paying for the bulk of the wedding as well as paying the full prize for the winner and runner up for the melee and tourney. Rather than having an archery competition the scores of young boys and girls who wished to join the Stormriders would instead be tested and put on their own melee, saving the House Tyrell of those costs. The Squire's Melee as it was now dubbed had drawn a number of young participants so that it was nearly as large as the regular Melee.

"I had heard that Loras had taken the White." Stealing a glance at the well-groomed, handsome man she understood immediately why he had such a reputation.

She could feel the honored guests tense as Oberyn Martell claimed a seat beside Willas. The two men appeared to be contradictions of each other – Willas the heir of House Tyrell was crippled while Oberyn was physically gifted and a renowned and deadly knight and the second son unlikely to inherit anything that he could not claim for himself. Though the two were supposedly fast friends, there was an obvious tension between their families dating back to when the two were young aspiring knights who had faced each other in a tourney. Willas had been unseated but had his foot caught in the stirrup when his mount fell, crushing his legs and rendering him a cripple. Some thought it a simple mishap, but whenever the noble houses were involved things were never simple.

"I hear that if anyone stands out in the Melee and Tourney the King himself might promote them to the White," Orlenna remarked. "Then again, I doubt that you could handle the strict vows."

"That is why I opted to forgo participating," the Red Viper chuckled.

Beside him Willas smirked, "The vows might suit Loras, but not Oberyn, though your skill with a spear is unmatched."

Though she was loathed to interject Sansa found herself drawn into their conversation, "I am surprised that there are so few who use the spear in battle, though there is an outstanding master of the spear amongst the Stormriders." Several sets of eyes turned to her. "She even won the last Tourney and acquitted herself well in the Melee."

"I heard that that was only because the Stormriders fought as a group." Though he was not as handsome as his friend, Willas Tyrell had a gentle handsome aura about him that made one forget that he was crippled. Like Oberyn he was well groomed with a dark brown beard that failed to hide his strong jaw and proud cheek bones.

"I heard that they took out the entire Lannister contingent," Oberyn's smile took a wicked twist. "The man who won the Melee even bested the Mountain."

"It was impressive," Sansa added. "He saved your brother after Loras had unseated the Mountain. Though he was unarmed, he kept the Mountain from attacking and possibly killing Loras. In one fell move he had the Mountain disarmed and on his back."

"Loras speaks highly of Ramza Snowstorm," Margaery stated. "It is because of him that he joined the Stormriders and then the Kingsguard."

With the conversation now focused on the melee and the Stormriders' performance in the previous competition Sansa noted how the tensions between the two noble houses seemed to ease. Though Lord Oberyn was the only member of his family present, he was far from alone. The men and women that rode with him were all handsome or beautiful but were also accomplished warriors. Still, she could not help but wonder how well they would fair against the vaunted Stormriders.

"I shan't expect much today though," the Tyrell Matriarch said as she stifled a yawn. "This Squire's Melee is full of unproven youths who wish to earn the right to take their Knightly vows."

"It is interesting that they allowed girls to compete as well," Sansa countered. "While most might prove unskilled, there are a number who have impressed the Stormriders."

"I do hope that some of the girls are able to prove themselves," the olive skinned beauty beside Lord Oberyn said as she peeled an apple with her dagger. "While we have not seen any significant fighting in Dorne there are a number of accomplished women fighters."

"The realm is at peace despite the best efforts of some," the Queen of Thorns interjected. "I doubt that those who have honed their skills in these times would be the match of the heroes that emerged from the Trident where they still in their prime."

Sensing the rising tensions Sansa sought some tangent to redirect the conversation. Fortunately someone else joined the conversation, "I doubt that anyone would say that the Kingslayer had lost his edge even if he was recovering from an injury. Ramza made sure that Wilfrid tended to the Kingslayer's wounds so that he would not be hampered by them when they dueled."

The others turned to eye the woman as she seated herself beside Sansa. Lady Meliadoul was perhaps twenty and three, and was one of the oldest Stormriders behind only Cid, Beowulf, and Reis, yet she had earned herself a reputation after participating in only a single Melee. Had it not been for Ramza's spectacular use of a flail and sword there might be more people speaking of her ability. "This is Lady Meliadoul Tengille of the Stormriders," Sansa said as she introduced the others to the lady knight. "She is in the company of my sister, Arya Stark. This is Lord Oberyn Martell, Willas Tyrell, Lord Mace Tyrell, Lady Alerie, Margaery Tyrell, and Lady Olenna."

Giving them a polite and curt nod Meliadoul did not take a seat. Decked in a steel grey robe and cloak she stood tall as she eyed the warriors and nobles before her. "I apologize, but we will not be staying long. I was merely here to inform your father that your sister has requested to participate in the Squire's Melee. Unfortunately if he is not here I will have to leave the message with you as Arya will need to be outfitted immediately."

All eyes turned to the younger Stark daughter. Like Meliadoul, she was adorned in a simple grey robe and cloak, though hers lacked the armor and emblem that the swordswoman had.

"I shall inform Father," the elder Stark stated. "Good luck, though I believe you will need more than that."

Arya scowled, but it was Meliadoul's timely intervention that kept things from getting out of hand again. "I doubt she will need it unless she encounters the recruits that rode with Ramza to the Vale. He has a way of pushing everyone to their limits that brings out the best of them in battle. You should be careful around those who wear the emblem of the Stormriders or those in black cloaks – those are the ones who trained extensively with Ramza. They are also the ones who will be entering the proper Melee and Tourney should they perform well today and escape without any serious injury."

The group seemed to settle down even after the lady knight and Arya departed. It helped that the King, several members of the Kingsguard, her father the Hand of the King, and other members of the Small Council had arrived soon after, keeping the members of House Tyrell from voicing their opinions and feelings about Lord Oberyn.

Loras took the time to introduce his family to the esteemed knights and the handful of Stormriders who were tasked with helping to guard the King in the absence of two White Cloaks. Lord Commander Cid Orlandeau and Marach Sandstorm were the highest ranking members, though Brienne of Tarth and Walder Frey were also present. The latter pair was the only members of the first of the Stormrider's recruits present, which meant that Ramza and Joffrey were with Meliadoul preparing the others for the Squire's Melee.

On the other side of the Royal pavilion Sansa saw Lord Tywin Lannister, Radd Lannister, and several other nobles who were careful to keep their distance from the contingent from House Tyrell and House Martell. The Starks and the Lannisters were rarely allied much less actually friendly save for during the Greyjoy Rebellion when King Baratheon had called upon his in-laws to assist his friend in putting the rebellion down. Aside from that the two families had not allied since the realm was united. House Martell and House Lannister had strained relations following the sacking of King's Landing by Lord Tywin Lannister. It was said that the Lannister bannermen had raped and then slain Elia Martell, the wife of the mad king, before slaying their children. The death of Cersei Lannister and the Kingslayer seemed to have improved the mood of the nobles from Dorne, prompting them to end their isolation. Still, relations between the Lannisters and the Starks and Martells were strained.

"Hello Sansa," the Lannister heir said as he purposely made an effort to greet her. From the look in Tywin Lannister's eyes it was clear that the Warden of the West was not happy with his son's breach of protocol. "Loras!" The two former Stormriders exchanged a hearty hug.

"It is good to see you again Radd!" the newest Kingsguard remarked.

Though she had spent little time with this Stormrider, she knew of him. Cid, Beowulf, and Melaidoul were officially the three highest ranking members of the Stormriders but those who had spent significant time with the troupe knew that Ramza, Marach, and Radd had been the true leaders. While he lacked the striking features of the now deceased Lannister twins, his blond hair and green eyes seemed to match Tywin's. Beyond that there was no resemblance. Then again, the twins had not resembled their father either.

"My apologies," Loras said as he turned to his family, "this is Radd Lannister, formerly of the Stormriders." The Kingsguard completed the introductions as he spouted off the names of his family members before the other either shook or kissed their offered hand then finally turning to his brother's companion, "and this is Lord Oberyn Martell." Without missing a beat Radd shook the lord's hand.

"You have your father's eyes." His dark eyes seemed to pierce Radd as the two men continued to grasp each other's hand.

"So I have been told."

"Are you participating in the Tourney?" Oberyn asked inquisitively before finally releasing Radd's hand.

The blond nodded, "And the Squire's Melee. Father believes that I should easily distinguish myself and earn the right to take my Knightly Vows."

That gave Oberyn a pause. "You are not a knight yet?"

The Lannister heir shrugged, "I believe only Loras was the only knight in the order, but now that he has taken the White there are no knights amongst their number."

The Kingsguard smirked, "There are few knights amongst the Brothers of the Night Watch, and Cid felt that there was no need to force all or any of their number to take the vows. Knight or not, I would rather have any of the Stormriders at my side than thrice their number in knights.

"Good luck to you then, though you are not likely to need it." Offering his hand to Radd the former Stormriders clasped hands and gave a firm shake before Radd departed for the stables.

"I feel sorry for Arya," Loras finally said as he reclaimed his seat. "Radd is clearly the most likely to emerge victorious from the Squire's Melee. Even if he were to enter afoot rather than mounted he is the odds on favorite to win."

"You really think so?" Willas turned to Lord Baelish, "I trust my brother's expertise – a hundred dragons on Radd Lannister."

The Master of Coin eyed the Tyrell heir. "If Loras believes he is the favorite to win then I can give you three to one."

"There are nearly a hundred participants," Mace scoffed at the odds.

"But they are all squires at best," the finely groomed lord rebutted. "Radd has had the most training, surpassing even many of their own recruits who are the bulk of the participants."

"Agreed." It was not Willas though who agreed but Lord Oberyn. "A hundred dragons."

His companion produced a small sack of golden dragons, handing them to Lord Baelish.

Though she was loathed to admit it, Lady Olenna had been wrong about the Squire's Melee while Loras had been spot on. Nearly a hundred participants entered the Melee, all of them equipped with tourney weapons and armor. Nearly third were young girls varying in age, some as young as Arya though most were closer to her own age and a few significantly older. The youngest of the boys were at least as old as she was though most were closer in age to her brother Rob.

While it was not uncommon for there to be teams and alliances formed at the onset of a Melee it was surprising to see the girls form a lasting alliance as they baited the unaligned squires into attacking them. Over half of the boys were actual squires serving either knightly or noble houses, yet despite their time training as squires they were quickly outmatched by the often younger and supposedly less experienced girls. By noon there were few who had not trained with the Stormriders remaining, though a third of their trainees had been eliminated as well and only a few squires remained on their mounts.

What did surprise her was that Radd had not allied himself with anyone, though the Stormriders were loathed to engage him. Like Ramza had done in the last Melee, the young Lannister heir fought with two weapons though he kept a shield strapped to his back. Unlike the other blond, Radd fought with a sword in his right hand and an axe/hammer in his left. Only when there were no other participants mounted did he dismount as the wary squires gave him the room he needed. It was a sign of respect as well as caution on their behalf as those who trained with the Stormriders understood what he was capable of.

Unlike the previous Melee where the combatants were nearly packed together the squires gave each other room to fight whomever it was they were fighting save for the groups of girls who fought in a square formation that allowed some of their members to switch in and out whenever someone was beginning to get fatigued. Rather than fighting shield to shield they fought to control the five square paces that they each stood in, a sign that they understood the Stormrider's strategy and technique rather than on overwhelming numbers. Slowly the remaining participants matched up, often dueling though there were a few two or three on one fights.

For her part Arya seemed to hold her own as she fought with the younger girls, alternating in and out with the other girls in her square formation. As the number of remaining squires was slowly whittled down more and more girls began to fall though for each girl they lost they seemed to avenge their eliminated comrade.

Finally Radd advanced on the remaining girls. It was no headlong, blind charge, but a conscious effort to navigate the field and bring himself closer to the girls' formation. The squires about him fell to his sword or axe/hammer as he often took their legs out from beneath them before stomping on their chests to signify that they were eliminated. Few resisted him, and after the first few pairs fell to him the rest stepped aside quickly allowing him an unimpeded path to the girls. The first of the girls fell to him just as the boys had despite two of her allies rushing in to assist her. They quickly followed their companion as Radd lashed out at them before they could even attempt to attack him.

In a matter of minutes Radd had disrupted their formation, but rather than allow the boys to simply rush in he controlled his space, taking down any who ventured too close to him. To their credit the remaining squires did not run from Radd, though they did try to avoid engaging him when possible. Slowly the remaining squires encircled him, forming temporary alliances in an effort to eliminate the former Stormrider. Despite the odds against him the Lannister heir held his own, driving his opponents back when not eliminating them outright.

"There's no reason for me to keep this," Lord Baelish sighed as he tossed the sack of gold back to Lord Oberyn. "It is a good thing that I did not take any further bets against him."

Had she not been focusing on her sister Sansa would have seen the predatory look on Lord Oberyn's eyes as he watched Radd eliminate the rest of the field.