Chapter 7

The next evening after they finished their march for the day she noticed the guard around her tent was doubled. Connington had obviously figured out she had gotten out. They even hovered inside the tent, watching her. As dinner approached she lost patience.

"I'm going to take a bath. A little privacy would be nice".

They two keeping an eye on her looked at each other and to make her point Arya gathered the water. She stopped by the tub and gave them a pointed look. When she removed her boots and made a show of tossing the dagger she had hidden in the left one they turned their backs and stepped outside the flap. She made a show of getting in the water and splashing around then promptly jumped out, ripping clothes back on and escaping out under the bottom of the back of the tent with boots in hand.

The darkness and the cloak she wrapped around herself were enough to see her to Duck's tent. He was beyond startled when he found her there.

"I wasn't planning to harm anybody here" she grumbled "but if Connington continues to have guards crawling around my tent and watching my every move I swear I will crack and stick one of them with the pointy end".

Duck looked outside and burst out laughing. "You've created a right panic. They are crawling all over the lad's pavilion".

Arya massaged her temples with her fingers. "Can I have dinner here?"

Duck studied her for a minute and she could see him weakening. He left and she wondered whether he was going to tell on her but when he returned he had food. Arya sat, feeling immensely grateful and wolfed down her share.

"I don't know what you did but he's been happier"

Arya paused mid chew and looked at him. "I owed him answers". She grabbed the skin of wine and poured herself a cup. When Duck gawked at it she frowned. "I'm going to need to be drunk when I return to the tent if I have to face them".

She downed the cup but when she made to pour herself another Duck took the skin away ignoring her protests. He shook his head. "I'll regret this but you can stay here a while".

Arya hadn't wanted to hug anybody in a long while but she wanted to hug him then. They chatted a little. Duck was careful to avoid the elephant in the room, refraining from asking any questions about the House of Black and White or her role serving them. She was sorry to see him go when he had to return to duty.

She had a couple more hours peace before she heard commotion outside the tent. A throng of people pushed through the entrance. Duck looked guilty, Connington was clearly livid and Aegon was with them looking immensely amused. Arya put on her best nonchalant expression as Connington burst through in front of the others.

"Is there a problem, my lord?"

Connington was almost shaking. "You know damn well there is a problem. You cannot be trusted".

She sighed. "You wound me. Did something dreadful happen because I wasn't watched like the naughty girl I am". She heard Aegon snigger and even Duck gave a little laugh. Connington rounded on him.

"You are in no position to laugh. You are a member of the Kingsguard. Your support on this was needed".

Arya felt a surge of irritation. "He didn't neglect his duty. If anything it is you who is neglecting his duty".

Connington's expression was bordering on malevolent. "How so?"

Arya pointed in Aegon's direction. "He needs my protection and you are depriving him of it".

Connington started to speak and was cut off by Aegon. "She's right". He motioned to Arya. "Come with us".

Arya jumped to her feet and made to follow. Connington was blocking her and she gave him a pointed look. "His Grace gave me an order". He made way but he didn't hide his unwillingness to do so. When she arrived at Aegon's pavilion it was determined that she should stay in one of the partitioned off areas. She would be sharing with Septa Lemore. Before she could gather her things and settle in she was stopped again by Connington.

"You said you would answer questions".

She looked in Aegon's direction and nodded. She dropped into a seat. "Ask away". Aegon sat opposite her and Connington began to pace. Duck positioned himself near the entrance but did not leave. Arya could see his curiosity. Aegon asked the first question.

"You say you are Arya Stark".

"I am Arya Stark" she retorted.

Connington paused in his pacing. "Arya Stark married Ramsey Bolton. We heard word she ran from him".

Arya snorted. "I heard that rubbish too. Some poor wretch might have married Ramsey Bolton but it wasn't me. Even if they somehow dragged me through the wedding the Bolton bastard would not have survived the bedding. I would not have simply run. I would have killed him first". She whipped out her finger knife and began to use it to clean under her nails. She heard a gasp and looked up. Aegon was watching her with a fascinated expression but Duck looked worried and Connington looked, well, disapproving... as usual.

"You came here armed".

"I am always armed" she shot back.

"Forgive me my lady" Aegon said curiously "how do we know that you are the real Arya Stark?"

Arya thought a moment. "My brother is at the Wall. He would know me".

"Your half brother, Jon Snow?" Aegon looked thoughtful. "If he the one you spoke of?"

Arya tried not to think too much on what had happened the last time she had spoken of Jon to Aegon. "Yes". Her expression darkened. "The rest of my brothers are dead".

"We don't need the brother" Lemore said softly. "There is the wolf".

Nymeria had been spotted tracking them. Arya knew she was close. She could feel her presence. She had been too closely guarded to seek her out and she was hesitant now to bring her into camp. She knew too well that the men misliked the wolves.

"Yes" Connington stared at Arya in a way she did not like. "The Starks and their direwolves. It would serve but I do not like the thought of the creature near his Grace".

"Nymeria wouldn't hurt him" she said defensively, somehow knowing it was true. She smiled what she suspected was a wicked smile. "She is like me, we prefer to savage lions".

For the first time since she had met him, Arya almost thought she saw Jon Connington smile.