Arya, Daenerys, Jorah and Missandei all rode at the front of the army. Behind them were Arya's Blood Riders and a line of the strongest commanders. When the city came into view everyone stopped.

"You don't need to do this," Daenerys clarified to Missandei. "You can stay with the women and keep the camp."

"I'm not afraid," Missandei announced, her voice shaking just a tiny bit as she kept her eyes locked on her former home.

"I know you're not," Arya said. "You're no coward, but Daenerys is right. We can go and get the boats. You don't have to set foot in there again, unless you want to."

She watched the tension ripple through Missandei's muscles, she could see the set of her jaw and the determined face she wore. "I'll go. You may need me to translate."

Daenerys's arm extended to take her friend's hand as they sat side by side on matching white horses. "Are you certain?"

Missandei nodded and Arya could tell she'd made her choice. "Robb!" she called.

"What are you doing?" Jorah wondered.

Robb arrived within moments, accompanied by one of his men. "You requested my presence?"

"You'll be joining us in the city," she decreed. With that said, she turned her horse around and looked at her Blood Riders. "Surround the city," she told them in their language. "I want these pricks to have no escape!"

When she turned back she could tell both Robb and Jorah had something to say. Jorah was first, far less concerned with manners than her Lordly brother. "Why are you bringing him? He isn't going to help."

Robb looked at the knight. "Thank you," he said sarcastically. "What do you need me to do?"

"Protect Missandei," Arya ordered. "Once we go through the gates, I'll be negotiating. I need you to make sure they can't get to her."

"Isn't that what Jorah's for?"

"Jorah's job is to keep Daenerys safe. Your job will be to defend Missandei." He nodded his agreement and intended to ride toward the city, but Arya placed her horse in front of his, blocking his route. "Don't hesitate," she instructed him. "If they try to take her, if they try to harm her, kill them all."

"That'll make it a little hard to get the ships you want, won't it?"

"Actually, if they're all dead, taking their ships will be easy," Arya said with a light laugh that was only slightly forced.

"You can't kill an entire city," Robb rebelled with a scoff.

"Watch me." Allowing Robb to pass she moved to Missandei and tried to smile. "Stay close to Robb and keep that dagger hidden. If someone touches you, you bury that in their neck and run."

"I wouldn't make it five feet before I was cut down. The Unsullied…"

"Will be busy," Arya finished for her. "If you need me yell and I'll call for the army. When the Unsullied see thousands of Dothraki riding toward their city, they'll have bigger concerns than you."

Before she could ride off to catch up to Robb Daenerys caught her arm. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"For?"

"For taking such good care of Missandei. You gave her a dagger, taught her to use it and ordered your brother to protect her. You didn't need to do all that. So, thank you."

She could tell her cheeks were red. She was unused to such praise. "You don't need to thank me. Missandei is important to me too. I'd never allow her hurt."

"Be careful," Daenerys pleaded, before she released Arya's arm.

"You too." With a nudge, she sent her horse galloping toward Astapor. She caught up to her brother and slowed slightly. The Starks were side by side in the quiet for a few minutes before Arya shattered it. "If anything happens to Missandei, you'll be going back to Westeros like Vern." With her violent promise made, she moved ahead of him, eager for the upcoming fight.

R-C

An emissary came out to meet them outside the gate. This wasn't Astapor's first dealing with the Dothraki. They knew how things worked. The young man who was flanked by more than ten Unsullied, wore expensive silks and had neatly groomed hair. "The Dothraki, how nice it is to see you. It's been over a year since your last visit. As I recall that didn't go smoothly."

"It was smooth enough," Arya disagreed. "We aren't afraid of a few arrows and a little blood." She smirked and wet her lips. "Are you?"

The man in his silk robe actually slinked back, away from her horse. She could smell the fear. "Y…yes well, my name is Aziz and I've been asked to negotiate a peaceful resolution. I'm certain we can come to some arrangement. How about three dozen horses, food, clothes and weapons?" He didn't wait for her to respond before he kept talking. His green eyes studied the collection of warriors on horseback. "You have more men than last time. I'll increase my offer to five dozen."

He was already preparing to return to the safety of his city. "Hey!" Arya shouted, holding him in place. "We didn't come here for horses and weapons."

Aziz turned back and gave Arya a curious look. "You didn't?"

"Ships," she announced. "We'll take our tribute in ships. All the ships you have."

Arya could tell he was resisting the urge to laugh. He was almost successful. "Ships? The Dothraki have no need of ships. What could you possibly…"

She didn't feel obligated to let him finish. "We do want ships!" Arya said forcefully. "We're sailing for Westeros and as you've noticed I have quite a large army. It's going to require a massive fleet to carry them all."

The humor was gone and Aziz once again reviewed the rows of Dothraki located at her back. "I'll take your request to the leaders of the city."

"Tell them that I have more than one hundred thousand Dothraki warriors who are eager for a fight. Tell them that unless they want their city burned to ash and their people slaughtered, I want those ships."

"Very well, will there be anything else?"

"Yes, I also require Kraznys mo Nakloz," she decided. Behind her Arya heard the muffled gasps of the two females in the group. Neither Daenerys nor Missandei were aware of her plan to ask for the slave master.

"Kraznys mo Nakloz?"

"You heard me just fine," she assured him. "I want Kraznys along with the ships."

"That may prove difficult," he said, working hard to be diplomatic.

"I will get exactly what I requested, either from you willingly or from the rubble of after the battle." As her words sank in she pushed her horse forward, forcing Aziz to retreat to avoid being trampled. "Know this, if I attack your city today, I won't start by killing your people, or even your soldiers, I'll order my men to start with the Masters. It'll be your blood that fills the streets, your blood that stains the stones."

She could tell her point had been made, the look of terror on his face was unmistakable and it was exhilarating. "Y…yes, I … I understand. I'll tell them."

"I would consider it a personal favor if you allow me and my associates into the city while you present our offer to your people. My army will remain outside, of course."

Aziz was clearly uncertain but in the end, he relented. Likely so he wouldn't offend them. He led Arya, Daenerys, Missandei, Jorah, Robb and two of the Blood Riders through the gate. The third Blood Rider, Harvin waited with the army, ready to lead them if the call for a raid came.

Their host fled almost immediately under the guise of presenting their offer, but the speed with which he ran showed his panic. "I thought we came for ships," Jorah complained when they were alone.

"We did."

"Then why ask for this Kraznys?" Robb asked.

At mention of his name Arya looked to Missandei and saw the woman looking straight ahead. She didn't need to wonder what Missandei was looking at, her eyes were glued to the Walk of Punishment. "We have unfinished business."

"What business?"

Before she could answer her brother, Jorah interrupted. "Khaleesi, we didn't come here for this. Don't allow her personal feelings to stand in the way of getting what you want."

Arya dismounted her horse and then helped Daenerys down from hers. When they were all standing with their horses secured in the stable, Daenerys responded to Jorah's latest jab. "I agree with Arya. We have business with Kraznys. If we can get him in tribute, I'll happily accept."

"And if we can't? The Masters aren't going to hand over one of their own!"

"Then we'll call for the raid and we'll take him," Arya stated calmly as though it were obvious.

"You can't mean that," Robb said as he looked around him. "Innocent people live in this city. If you raid, hundreds of them will die."

She shrugged her tanned shoulders. "Its not up to me anymore. Now it's up to them," she said as she pointed to the tallest of the city buildings, the spot from where the Masters watched over their slaves.

R-C

It was three hours later that they were met in the center of the city by Aziz, no fewer than twenty-five Unsullied and three other Masters, Kraznys mo Nakloz included. Daenerys briefly thought they were going to honor the request and offer tribute but when she noted that he looked annoyed and not angry, she began to doubt her assessment. Also, it didn't escape her notice that his wrists weren't bound. Unless he willingly embraced death, they planned to refuse.

Leaning toward Arya, she whispered, speaking in Dothraki so the outsiders wouldn't understand. "They say 'no.'"

"I was hoping you'd say that," Arya said with a wicked smile.

"What's going on?" Robb questioned.

The conversation ceased when the approaching group arrived. She watched as Kraznys eyes moved from face to face, looking at them with contempt. Last time they'd been in his city they'd stolen from him and it was clear he hadn't forgiven or forgotten. When he spotted Missandei, who was partially hidden by Robb's body his face split in a sick grin. "You came to return my property?" he asked in Valyrian.

Aziz helpfully planned to translate, but Daenerys did it for him. "He thinks you came to return Missandei to him," she explained.

"That's never going to happen," Arya told them bluntly. This time Daenerys allowed Aziz to translate, but it was like Kraznys didn't hear a single word. He continued to stare intently at Missandei. Tense seconds passed, until finally Arya's patience was exhausted. She moved forward, with a Blood Rider on each side and encroached in his space. Snapping her fingers in front of his face she commanded his attention. "Focus."

When he moved his eyes off Missandei and onto her, Kraznys grew even more enraged. "What do you want?"

Daenerys translated for Arya and her lover smiled. "Today, only your head."

Behind them Robb groaned, calling out his sister's name. Jorah sensing violence drew his sword in anticipation. Seeing this Kraznys and the other Masters moved back while they ordered the Unsullied to step toward the danger. Daenerys yelled Arya's name in warning but it was too late. By the time the words were out, the Unsullied were already in motion, surrounding them. They were outnumbered and heavily so.

Aziz tried to steer things back on track. "I've spoken with the city leaders and we would like to avoid violence. We are prepared to provide the ships you requested, but only with the promise that you use them to leave Essos and never return."

"You aren't that lucky," Arya said. "We will return, but if you give me what I want, you won't see us for more than a year. That's a small price to pay for peace wouldn't you say? A few boats."

After translations, Kraznys spit on the ground at his feet. "A few? You want all our ships."

Before Daenerys could translate Aziz was frantically trying to smooth things over. "You plan on returning?"

"This is our home," Arya declared proudly. "When our business in Westeros is complete, we will be back."

The negotiator thought for a moment. "Two years then. We want two years of peace."

Arya looked to Daenerys for approval and the Khaleesi nodded. "Agreed."

"Come," he said waving his hand. "I'll show you to your new ships."

Once again, the slave master was focused entirely on Missandei. Robb had moved between them, but he didn't seem dissuaded. In that moment Daenerys knew she wanted him dead just as badly as Arya did. "And you'll leave him with us?" she clarified.

"I'm afraid Kraznys is not willing to go with you," Aziz said carefully. "We can not force him to join you, so, we ask that you allow him to remain here and accept the ships and the crews to sail them as compensation."

"That is…"

Daenerys was cut off by Arya who was again standing right in front of the man she hated. "Are you kidding me? Everyday from one end of this city to the other you force people to do tons of things they don't want to do. Why should he be any different?"

After translations, it was Kraznys who responded. "Not people," he said, "slaves." Daenerys was appalled by his words but she tried not to show it. Pointing over Arya's shoulder to Missandei he kept pushing. "Ask her, she knows the difference. I'll train her better this time."

"What did he just say?" Arya asked after she heard Missandei's gasp.

"Slavery has always been a part of Astapor, just as it's always been part of the Dothraki way of life. Your people have sold slaves here many times," Aziz said in hopes of calming the hostility.

"We no longer keep slaves," Daenerys told him. "Other khalasars might, but we do not."

She could tell this surprised him. He translated quickly, avoiding Daenerys's eye in the process. Kraznys laughed. "I don't care! I'm not going and they can't make me. They can take the ships and go, or die."

As she translated she couldn't deny Arya looked willing to fight. Just when Daenerys was certain violence was inevitable, Arya did something she'd never seen. She backed down. "Fine. Show us to the boats." Seeking out Kovarro in the crowd, she addressed him. "Go get the men. Start moving them to the ships."

He went to follow her orders and Aziz visibly relaxed. He led them through the city, toward the docks. The trip took them straight down the Walk of Punishment. Daenerys moved closer to Missandei, wanting to be near her as she endured this again.

When they reached the spot where they first found her, Kraznys slowed his steps, within a handful of strides he was side by side with Robb and Missandei. He pointed out the cross where she was meant to die. It was spotted with blood but presently unoccupied. "Remember that?" he asked her.

Daenerys intended to intervene but Arya beat her to it. In a flash of movement, she had a blade to Kraznys's throat. Her grey eyes were furious and she pressed the steel down, drawing a thin line of blood from his neck. Daenerys watched in horror, aware of what Arya actively ignored, more than a dozen spears aimed at her. Half of them were close enough to press directly into her skin, while the others were posed to throw. The remaining Unsullied formed a barrier in front of Aziz and the other Masters. Daenerys didn't know how she did it. Somehow Arya managed to act as if they weren't there. After all these years she should have learned to stop being impressed by everything Arya did, but it was still amazing to her. "Talk to her again and I'll cut your throat."

This time Daenerys was more than happy to translate. "You can't fight them all," he said smugly. "It'll be your final act."

Again, Daenerys translated. When Arya heard what was meant to be a threat, she only grinned deviously. With her blade still at his neck, she spoke slowly, dragging the words out. "I'm prepared to die, are you?"

After Kraznys mo Nakloz had heard what she had to say, Arya released him and stepped back. He was quick to put distance and many Unsullied between them.

With the delay, they reached the end of the Walk of Punishment just as Kovarro was bringing the first one hundred Dothraki to their boat. "Daenerys," Arya said in the common tongue. "Why don't you go stand next to Jorah?"

She knew what that meant, she'd heard it before. As she slipped in between one of the Dothraki and the knight, Arya went to work. With a war cry she shrieked and instantly called all the Dothraki around her to arms. In a flurry of activity arakhs were drawn and held to every throat. Aziz was the only exception. The Unsullied tried to defend their Masters but were quickly overwhelmed by the superior numbers. With bodies scattered all around them Arya looked at a random Dothrak. "Go get others!" she demanded. When he was gone, Arya turned to the negotiator. "More Dothraki will be here any minute. We have that long to come to terms. I want the ships and I want Kraznys. If you give them to me, no one else needs to die. If you don't, I'll tell my men to start killing."

Aziz looked around, at the faces of his counterparts, and then the few surviving Unsullied. The soldiers who had been there to protect him were now at the mercy of the 'blood thirsty savages.' "We don't want violence."

"Then I suggest you give her what she wants," Daenerys said, speaking for them all. The man's eyes lingered on the sharp edge of Arya's arakh. After a moment. he pulled his gaze away and looked at a Master for approval. He was the eldest of the group with hair that was almost entirely white and skin that looked like worn leather. "Is the peace of your city worth less than his life?" she asked with hate.

"Take him," Aziz finally allowed, the other Masters nodding in agreement.

He did his best to resist when he understood what was happening, but without the Unsullied to fight for him, the skinny man was no match for Kelo. A swift punch to his stomach had him doubling over.

Arya directed Kelo to take her prize to the ship and tie him up. When Daenerys heard the explicit instruction not to kill him, she knew her Khal had very dark plans for the Master. Daenerys enjoyed his cries for help more than was healthy as he was dragged toward the dock.

With the bargain struck Arya ordered her men to stand down and they did without question. From the corner of her eye Daenerys could see that Robb was less certain. He had drawn his sword and positioned himself in front of Missandei during the chaos but even with Kraznys gone, he was still on edge. His eyes shifted from left to right and back, searching for danger.

The remainder of the journey was made in silence. Aziz looked too terrified to speak and now that they had everything they wanted Arya and her khalasar had nothing left to say. As she walked, Daenerys wondered if Arya ever intended to leave Astapor without Kraznys and she suspected that she didn't. Arya Stark wasn't the type to settle. She wasn't afraid of violence and she knew how to get what she wanted. She'd gotten Daenerys after all, even if the Targaryen had to make the first move, or two.

R-C

The final ships were being loaded. Arya insisted they be on the last one to ensure the Dothraki were treated fairly. The people and the Masters of Astapor were so terrified by the horde that they cleared out the market and hid indoors while the streams of bare chested soldiers marched through. Aziz waited with them, although he looked as though he'd rather be anywhere else.

When they were all on the deck of the ship, with Astapor at their backs, Jorah asked her, "Did you ever intend to let Kraznys live?"

Arya noticed Missandei, Robb and Daenerys all suddenly listening to their exchange. She held Missandei's eye. "No, I wasn't leaving without him."

"Why not just kill him?" Robb inquired. "You could have done it in the city. Why bring him along?"

"I've wanted to kill many men over the years," Arya admitted, "few of them more than Kraznys mo Nakloz. I would like nothing more than to tie him behind the ship until he drowned or starved to death, but it's not up to me."

As they often did in moments like this, everyone looked to Daenerys. At Arya's insistence, all the advisors believed she was the ruler of the khalasar. "I…"

"It's not up to her either," Arya said calmly. Wind coming off the water blew a strand of hair into her face for her to wipe away and tuck behind her ear. She walked over to Missandei and smiled. "He's tied up with the cargo. Do what you wish."

Jorah moved to Daenerys's side. "Stop this. She's not a killer. If she does this…" his words trailed off.

"If she doesn't want to, I will," Arya announced, answering Jorah's objection, "but that pig treated her like property for years. He disrespected her, he demeaned her and then he intended to kill her. She's owed this much at least."

Picking up where Jorah left off, Robb tried to dissuade his sister. "This isn't the right way to do things. It was your order, your decision to demand him, you do it. Don't make Missandei…"

"You aren't listening," Arya said after an animalistic growl. "I'm not making Missandei do anything. This isn't Westeros. If you don't have the stomach for it, you can swim back to Winterfell but one way or another that prick is going to die."

"Arya…" Daenerys began.

The Northern woman pivoted toward her Queen. "You too? Really? I thought you of all people would understand why I did this."

"I do," Daenerys insisted.

"Then what is it?"

"Missandei," Daenerys said simply.

Arya rotated further and found the spot where she'd last seem Missandei empty. "Where is she?"

The Khaleesi laughed lightly. "While you were all arguing like children, Missandei went make use of your gift."

More than a little impressed, Arya smiled. "She's down there now?" When Daenerys confirmed she was her smile grew. "That'a girl."

R-C

When Missandei re-emerged from the cargo hold, she had her once hidden dagger openly strapped to the front of her dress and was wiping blood from her hands with a rag. Both Daenerys and Arya rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"

"I am fine Khaleesi," Missandei promised, taking Daenerys's offered hand and giving it a squeeze. Looking to Arya she added, "I would have brought him up, but he's too heavy."

"Don't be silly," Daenerys chastised gently. "I'll have some of the men do it. Why do you think we keep them around?"

Missandei rewarded her with a laugh. "You mean it isn't because of their muscles and their bare chests?"

She bit her lip and tried to hide her smile. When she looked in Arya's direction she found the Westerosi girl watching her closely. Without releasing Missandei's hand she gripped Arya's in her other. "I find the bare chests less distracting than I once did," she confessed.

When she looked to her friend, Daenerys saw Missandei's eyes sink down to Arya's barely covered breasts. She looked too, enjoying the view more than she should. She could easily make out the outline of Arya's nipples through the thin fabric and sweat had made the once blue material turn almost black as it clung to her curves. Every muscle below her waist clenched in anticipation as she remembered the night before. "I have no trouble believing that," Missandei commented casually, pulling Daenerys from her adventurous thoughts. "I'm going to go and clean myself up. You two have fun." As she sauntered away she winked. With that, Daenerys knew her staring hadn't gone unnoticed. Perhaps she was a little more obvious in her lust than she realized.

When Missandei was gone, Arya leaned over and gave Daenerys a kiss that was entirely too brief. She tried to move away but Daenerys refused to release her hand. She pulled hard and forced Arya back to her. "I was just going to get rid of the body."

"He can wait," Daenerys decided with regal authority. "Besides we have somewhere else to be."

Upon hearing this Arya held out her free arm, gesturing to the expansive water all around them. "I don't think we'll be going anywhere for a long while." For a second time, she tried to free herself, but Daenerys tightened her hold. "Daenerys," Arya complained.

A sly smile crossed her face. "You're going to take me to whatever corner of this ship holds our chambers and when we get there you're going to lock the door and take me to bed."

"Daenerys," Arya said again. This time to her delight, it wasn't frustration she heard in her lover's voice, but rather a desire that matched her own.

Just as Arya had done, Daenerys held out her arm, over the side of the boat, pointing out the water. "Since we won't be going anywhere for a long while, I think we'll have plenty of time."

With a growl that did nothing to lessen her hunger Arya ducked her head and lifted Daenerys up onto her shoulder. The Khaleesi laughed and playfully swatted at Arya's ass as she was carried down into the belly of the ship.

R-C

"I need a minute," her partner complained.

They'd been dancing together for nearly an hour, and while Arya had barely broken a sweat, Daenerys was gasping for breath. She knew she was pushing hard, but she needed to know Daenerys could protect herself. They'd been training every day the ship had been at sea, and they'd likely continue until they reached Westeros or Daenerys simply refused to train any further. "We need to keep going. We'll be in Westeros soon and before we make landfall in that snake pit I want to know you can kill anyone who tries to hurt you."

"I'll have you to keep me safe," Daenerys reminded her. "I just need some water and then we can keep going."

"Give the girl a break," Robb said from the side. He'd been alternating between reading a book and watching the training. He set his book down and went to fetch a glass of water for the Queen of the Dothraki.

When they were relatively alone, Daenerys set down her blade and approached Arya, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Look at that, who would have thought I chose the wrong Stark?" she teased. "You deny me water but your brother hurries to get me some."

Robb chose that moment to reappear, armed with water for the both of them. She spun the Khaleesi in her arms, until her back was pressed against Arya's chest. In this position, she allowed her to take the water from Robb, without having to let her go. "I wouldn't jest. The brother I remember often chased several girls at a time, from all over Winterfell and the surrounding area."

After savoring her first sip, Daenerys thanked him and smiled at Arya's tale. "Is this true Lord Stark? Did you break many hearts before you found your wife?"

Robb blushed. "One or two perhaps but Arya exaggerates."

"No, I don't," she challenged. "There was the girl who worked in the kitchen, with the red hair, you and Jon were always following her around. Another in the stables that you and Theon both liked, and then there was that girl who would come with her father to sell us goods. What was it?" she asked as she tried to recall years earlier. "Furs?"

"Wool," he corrected. "She and her father came to Winterfell to sell their wool."

Arya laughed at the memory. "That's right, the sheep farmer."

Daenerys laughed along with the woman holding her and seconds later Robb joined them. "I wasn't that bad," he insisted.

"Tell us of your wife," Daenerys requested. "Did you meet her when she came to sell goods in Winterfell too?"

The fond smile that settled on his face couldn't be missed. "No, I didn't meet Talisa that way."

"How did you meet her?" Arya asked.

"There was a rebellion in the Westerlands," he said as all three of them moved to a table and sat. Arya released Daenerys to let her rest, but took her hand as soon as she was settled, holding it in her lap. "She was a healer with no allegiance. After the battle, survivors on both sides were taken to Talisa. I met her when I went to check on my men."

"Was it love at first sight?"

He barked out a laugh before he could reply. "Hardly. She is beautiful, smart and fearless and she despised me from the moment we met."

"Why?" Daenerys couldn't help but ask.

"In her opinion, if I hadn't led an army into the West, then none of the men who were killed or maimed would have been. So, she blamed me for all the death and damage she'd seen."

"You obviously persuaded her with the Stark charm," Daenerys teased. Under the table she squeezed Arya's hand, causing the younger woman to smile.

"It took a while," he admitted, "but eventually she came to see I'm not as horrible as she originally thought." He paused and shook his head. "Sometimes when we disagree, she looks at me as she did that first day and I know I'm in real trouble."

The women laughed together as Robb shivered in dread. "No man is adequately prepared for a wife," Daenerys said confidently.

"I'd rather go off to war than face Talisa's wrath," Robb admitted.

"Wise man," Arya said, sliding a little closer to Daenerys. "How did a woman from Volantis end up a healer in the Westerlands?"

"She hates slavery. Her brother was saved by a slave one day when he nearly drowned. After that, she couldn't tolerate living in Volantis, so she took a ship to Westeros, where slavery had been outlawed. Once she arrived, she tasked herself with learning a skill that would help people, and she did. Even now, she's Lady Stark of Winterfell, but I often return to our chambers after a long day and find them empty. When this happens, I know where to look. I'll find her with the Maester, helping him with one job or another, healing one of the smallfolk or debating one treatment over another. She refuses to be just a wife and mother."

"She sounds remarkable," Daenerys said, echoing Arya's own thoughts on the issue. "I look forward to meeting her."

"Me too," Arya added.

The skeptical look on her brother's face might have offended her if she didn't know its cause. She'd more than earned any distrust. "Really?"

"Yes really," she swore, nodding for effect. "I have another sister now and a nephew too. Of course, I want to meet them."

"I've told them about you," Robb said, smiling warmly across the table. "I told them I was bringing you home."

"We'll get you back to your family soon," Daenerys promised.

"What about you? You had a brother if I remember right, did you not?"

"I did, but he's gone now," Daenerys stated, averting her eyes in discomfort.

"I'm sorry," Robb hurried to say. "I didn't mean…"

"It's alright," she said. "My brother was a mean-spirted, cruel and petty man. He sold me to the Dothraki for an army. He had dreams of crossing the sea and invading Westeros. He wanted the Iron Throne."

"What happened to him?" Robb asked lightly.

In the hopes of saving Daenerys from needing to tell the story, Arya stepped in to try and do it for her. "The Khal killed him. He struck Daenerys and then foolishly made demands. The Dothraki follow only their Khaleesi and their Khal. Viserys was neither."

Robb seemed completely sincere as he said, "I'm sorry, that sounds horrible."

"He got lucky," Arya said confidently, as she traced the back of Daenerys's hand with her thumb. "He should have died slowly for what he'd done."

Daenerys rewarded her for her comments with a quick kiss that surprised Robb for reasons Arya didn't understand. Blushing, she looked around and saw several Dothraki vomiting over the side of the boat, suffering the effects of seasickness. It had been that way since they left Astapor, but she noted it was growing less frequent. She suspected the Dothraki would never like ships, never trust water their horses couldn't drink and would never want to cross the sea again after they returned to Essos but the fact they were willing at all was a testament to their strength. They'd come for their Khaleesi, a woman they all loved and respected. Daenerys deserved their support and the warriors she led were eager to slay the man who had ordered their Khaleesi dead, the same man who had poisoned their Khal.

She listened to Robb and Daenerys talking about life in Winterfell. Daenerys was full of questions and Arya listened carefully to the answers. When her water was gone, Arya pulled Daenerys back to her feet. "Let's keep training."

"We were having a conversation," she complained.

"You said you wanted water, I gave you water. Now dance with me." The time for words was over, she swung her arakh, trusting Daenerys to block the blow and she wasn't disappointed.

R-C

With a groan, she fell down onto their bed in a heap. Her face was buried in a pillow as she said, "You know, just once when you ask me to dance I'd like to actually dance."

Daenerys angled her head so she could sneak a peek at the other woman. Arya was already naked, standing at the water, washing the sweat from her body. Daenerys's eyes skimmed over the familiar scars. Over the past months she'd memorized every detail of Arya's body, including the litany of marks that mapped out her history. Occasionally when they were cuddled together, she'd point to one scar or another and ask how or when she received it. Some she knew, because she'd been there to see it happen, or she'd patched her up in the aftermath, but others were a mystery.

While she knew that some, many even would find Arya's scars unappealing, Daenerys didn't feel that way. She wished no harm had ever come to the woman she loved, but she knew who Arya was. She wouldn't want her to be anyone or anything else. She was perfectly content with the state of her life. With that in mind, she pushed up off the bed and got to her feet. Coming up behind Arya she pushed her top down below her breasts before she flatted herself against the scarred back. "Need help?" she asked, breathing heavily as she lifted up to whisper in Arya's ear.

"Are you offering," Arya inquired, "because I think Missandei has seen me naked enough for one life."

She set her hands flat on Arya's shoulders and slowly began to let them wander down. Her hands reached for and massaged Arya's bare breasts. "I've seen you naked far more, and I'm not opposed to seeing it again."

It happened so fast Daenerys didn't stand a chance. Not even her training with Arya prepared her for the speed of the movement. Before she knew it, Arya had spun around and gripped her waist. Her mouth connected to Daenerys's neck, sucking and biting while her hands went to work on the pants she wore. Once they were gone Arya gripped her hips and lifted her off her feet. Daenerys happily wrapped her legs around the taller woman, desperate to feel the heat of her body.

When Arya laid her down on the bed and rolled her onto her stomach, Daenerys knew this wasn't going to be one of their slow and gentle times and she was fine with that. Despite all outward appearances to the contrary, Arya had always been a respectful and thoughtful lover. More often than not, their lovemaking was tender and sensual lasting hours before they were both too exhausted to continue. On other occasions though, usually after a battle, Arya would come in and man handle her in a way that set every nerve in her body aflame. Those sessions often bruised her soft skin and left marks she had to hide with her clothes for days, but she couldn't find it in herself to care.

As Arya's mouth explored her body expertly Daenerys squirmed under her. One of her final thoughts before she surrendered to the feelings was that if training with Arya resulted in this, then maybe it wasn't all bad. Her moans echoed around them and she lifted her hips in response. Yes, she decided in that instant, training was important. She was definitely going to need to continue her lessons.

R-C

"Trouble sleeping?" Arya guessed as she sat down next to Missandei and set a bottle and two glasses between them.

"It's nothing," she said, trying to dismiss the question.

"Killing someone isn't easy. No matter what the Dothraki think," Arya explained as she poured. She sighed and handed over one of the glasses. "Perhaps Jorah and Robb were right, maybe I shouldn't have…"

"They weren't right," Missandei said forcefully, interrupting the woman who saved her life. "Daenerys told me what happened after I left. She told me what you were all talking about and they weren't right."

"Yet here you are."

"I'm not having nightmares of killing Kraznys," she said before she took a long drink. "I dreamt of killing him for many years."

Arya took a sip of her own, if only to give Missandei time to compose her thoughts. "Thinking about it and doing it are different beasts."

She chuckled humorlessly. "I'm not sure what that says about me." With that she emptied the remainder of her drink in a single gulp and then immediately reached for the bottle.

Arya watched with nothing but concern for her friend. "What do you mean?"

The refilled glass stopped halfway to her lips and she spoke. "I haven't lost a night's sleep over him. I haven't thought about him at all actually. If I'm supposed to feel bad, I don't."

"That's what you're worried about?"

"I've heard you talk, you, Daenerys, Jorah, some of the Dothraki even. You all say that killing is hard. It wasn't hard for me. What was hard was letting him die, I wanted it to last forever," she confessed, refilling her glass for the second time.

"You had plenty of reasons to hate him," Arya said with feeling. "And however he died, he earned it."

She set down her drink and pushed her fingers through her curls. "I just wish I knew why I was different."

Like Missandei she set down her glass and reached across the table, taking her hand. "Maybe you and I are more alike than you realize."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I know exactly what you mean," Arya confessed, using her free hand to pick up the glass that was getting dangerously low. She emptied her cup and then set it down. "You're right. Killing is hard sometimes, but other times it's the easiest thing in the world."

She released Missandei's hand and picked up the bottle. She refilled both of their glasses and then tossed the empty container over the side of the ship carelessly. "That's not what you said to Daenerys. You told her…"

"I lied," Arya admitted in a whisper. "I love her. What would she think if she knew that I enjoy it, that sometimes I need it." She tilted her head and looked up at the starlit sky. "There is a darkness in me. I don't know when it formed or where it came from, but it's always there. There are times when I'm actually disappointed to have a settlement offer tribute, because I won't get to kill anything. How sick is that?"

Suddenly it was Missandei comforting her and not the other way around. "She'd love you anyway," the former slave said without doubt. "Even if she heard every word you just said, she'd love you."

"I hope so. I don't know what I'd do without her."

"I don't think you'll ever need to find out," Missandei predicted.

Arya smiled and picked up her glass again. "I am so grateful you decided to stay with us. You belong here."

"I'm the one who's grateful. What you did for me…" her words stopped suddenly as she seemed unsure of how to finish that sentence.

"You don't need to thank me," Arya assured her, "not ever."

When she blinked Missandei's gentle expression was hard and her eyes narrowed in anger. "I'm still going to so shut up and listen."

"Of course, m'lady," she said, her tone light and her words accented by a dramatic bow.

"What you did for me, was more than I ever dreamed anyone could or would do for another person. I was a stranger to you, but that didn't matter. You didn't even know my name the first time you saved my life."

Her words halted and Arya watched as she looked down at her hands, running her finger across the scar that marked her palm. Although they'd intervened before Missandei could be crucified the servants Kraznys mo Nakloz sent to nail her to the Walk of Punishment managed to get started before Daenerys and Arya stepped in. It was one of her many regrets. She should have gotten there sooner.

"It was the right thing to do. Daenerys and I agree on that."

"She might have given the order, but you're the one who killed them. You're the one who climbed up onto the cross to free me. You carried me from the city. You did more for me in a single day than anyone had in all my life, and you weren't done. Instead of leaving me outside the wall, you gave me a home and a family too. I always knew I'd never be able to repay you, but that was before. Now my debt is even larger."

Arya reached out, in her haste knocking over her largely empty cup. She ignored it and grasped Missandei's hand, if only to get her to stop rubbing her scar. "You don't owe me a damn thing."

"You didn't need to ask for Kraznys. You could have taken the ships and gone. You did that for me and then you allowed me to kill him, when I know you wanted to do it yourself."

"You're wrong, I did need to do it. You're a part of this family Missandei, just like Daenerys, the Blood Riders or the knight. I can't promise that nothing bad will ever happen to you, but I can promise that I will always try to stop it."

Getting up from her seat Missandei walked around the table and came to stand next to Arya. She felt the unexpected kiss on her cheek. "Daenerys is a very lucky woman."

"Would you mind telling her that," Arya joked.

"I will," she answered with a wide smile. "What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be in bed with your Khaleesi, I mean unless you've gone back to sleeping on the floor."

Arya was momentarily speechless. She didn't know how to respond to the sudden turn in the conversation. While she knew Missandei was aware that she and Daenerys weren't romantically involved until recently she didn't know the extent of her knowledge. Had Daenerys complained to her friend about Arya's stubbornness? "How much has Daenerys told you?"

"She tells me everything," Missandei said with a straight face.

Arya was suddenly glad she'd knocked over her drink, if she'd been trying to swallow now she likely would have choked and died. As it was, even air was difficult to take in. "I sincerely hope that isn't true, for your sake as much as mine." When Missandei showed no signs of breaking, Arya prodded her again, "Everything?"

Finally, her stoic expression lifted. "Well, maybe not everything but she tells me enough."

Enough? Could she be anymore vague. If she didn't know any better, she'd guess Missandei was taking pleasure from her discomfort. "What does that mean?"

"I know you could have been sharing the Khaleesi's bed for far longer than you have been, if you'd only you'd shown an interest. For a long time, she believed you weren't interested."

"I was always interested," Arya said in an attempt to correct the misconception. "I just didn't want to rush her. She was grieving."

Missandei laughed, a sound Arya was happy to hear after their largely serious conversation. "If you went any slower, she might have burst into flames right in front of you."

"I didn't think she thought of me like that. She's beautiful and I'm…"

"The woman she loves." With a firm hand Missandei pulled Arya to her feet. "Go," she said nudging her toward the door that had Daenerys behind it. "She won't want to wake up and find you gone."

Before she left she gave Missandei a serious look. "Get some sleep. And don't worry about your lack of feelings, you're in good company here. Most of the Dothraki view killing as sport, not a hardship and even if they didn't, you'd still have me."

R-C

Author's Note: There you have it, some revenge for Missandei. Now it's off to Winterfell.

To those who want to see dragons I apologize I didn't include them this time. I wanted the Dothraki to be the stars of the show, so I left the dragons out. If there is a sequel I promise there will be dragons. I already know how I'd hatch them.

Thanks for reading.