Chapter 6: The Yellow Sign
(Note: GRRM has a very definite system by which he develops the names for his characters. Unfortunately, he has not specified how this system works beyond telling us that his Westerosi names are simply English names with unusual spellings. By comparison, I am terrible at thinking up names. I will try to make the names of my characters fit as close as I can to his, but apologize in advance for any discrepancy.)
The clean-up at the pirate's den took longer than any of them expected. There was no more trouble, though Sandor went into mourning when he saw that the cask of ale had been spilled during the fighting. All the surviving pirates had vanished into the jungle and showed no sign of returning. The primary problem was what to do with all the freed slaves. They were all women. They were a very diverse lot, having come from at least a dozen lands, none of which were familiar to the Westerosi. A few knew Yitish well enough to communicate. But none knew anything about navigation or how to sail.
Arya didn't want to take them along. She was sure they wouldn't handle the extended sea voyage well. In addition, Westeros was foreign to them. How could they live in such an alien place? Asha too wasn't too thrilled with the idea. The last thing she wanted was her crewmen fathering babies during such a long voyage.
To the disappointment of the Ironborn, the slaves were left behind to make their own way. The women said they would decide their own leadership and try to live as best they could. Marwyn had his doubts. A society made up of just women didn't seem right to him. Nor to any of them really, though Arya was more confident than he was that women were capable of organizing themselves without male assistance. How they intended to attract men to them without once more becoming victims bothered her considerably more. Yu Tei, the woman who knew Yitish best and was rapidly being recognized as the head of the group, reassured her. If necessary they would sell themselves. After all, they were being treated as whores already. Might as well be paid for it. As for going home, many of them wanted too. Unfortunately, for most this was impossible. Even if they knew how, their families would reject them because they were no longer pure.
Arya left them with reluctance. She couldn't see how they could thrive without the fleet to protect them. Especially as many of them had small children to support. Nevertheless, she had no intention of spending the rest of her life protecting a bunch of foreign women. So the fleet moved on after taking such supplies as they were comfortable with. The freed women weren't overly sorry to see them leave. None of the Westerosi could fail to notice that the women weren't exactly comfortable with them.
The next week and a half they sailed westward. They encountered many fishing villages, but none exhibited any sophistication. They were much like the people they had already met travelling south along the coast. As a result they had a lot of time to go over the documents and maps they had found in Yo Sha's room. The man could indeed have been a good maester as Marwyn said.
One map was of a large group of islands off the east coast. It was ironic. At the very moment Arya had been telling Asha that there was nothing but ocean to the east of them there was actually a considerable archipelago in the direction she had been facing. Yo Sha had called them Yama. They were fifty leagues away. The largest rivaled Tarth in size. Yo Sha had also marked a number of towns and cities with names written in characters even Marwyn couldn't decipher.
"Do you want you examine them?" Marwyn asked.
"No. We have the map. I have no intention of backtracking."
They had time for other things as well. Yimi and Joella were disturbed by their encounter with the ex-slaves. Arya didn't know why, until Brienne asked them.
"Why were they pawing us?" Yimi shuddered at the memory. "They were acting like boys."
Obella laughed. "Please tell me you're joking."
"What's so funny?" Yimi sounded angry.
"By the Old gods and the New; Yimi, are you really so naive?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Yimi was becoming quite belligerent. "I'm no pervert!"
Those were fighting words to Obella. She snatched up her spear. Alys grabbed her shoulder. Joella slipped her bow from her shoulder, but Lyanna happened to be standing behind her. She snatched the bow out of Joella's hands before she could nock an arrow.
"Calm down you two." Brienne stepped between them. "Yimi, there's no reason for such talk."
"She was suggesting…"
"I wasn't suggesting anything of the kind!"
"Enough!" Brienne was losing her own temper.
Maud naturally had to add fuel to the fire. "Yimi, if you really want to learn her meaning I'm sure Obella would love to demonstrate."
"Like I would want to fuck a stinking slut like her."
Roaring, Yimi launched herself, but the Hound grabbed her. He lifted her up off her feet. He also grabbed Obella's spear and twisted it out of her hands. "Fighting is forbidden, or do I have to knock both your heads in?"
The prospect of facing the Hound was enough to cool their emotions for the moment. Joella though wasn't willing to let it go. "We're not to blame. What Obella is talking about is unnatural."
Maud's hand went to her sword. "Unnatural?!"
The two bow-women were shocked by her reaction. Alys asked, "Joella, you've been with us how long? How could you not notice?"
Joelle was feeling stupid. "I don't keep track of Maud's movements."
"Nor the queen's either."
Arya had been leaning against the ship's rail throughout this confrontation. She now stared back at them as they all turned their eyes on her.
The two peasant women were acutely embarrassed. Yimi stuttered, "I… uh… I didn't mean…"
"Relax Yimi. You aren't the first person I've heard say it. Maud, take your hand off your sword or you are going to lose it."
Maud forced herself to relax. "Sorry your grace. I wasn't expecting such… sentiments among those who serve you."
Lyanna couldn't keep out of it any longer. "Maybe you need to pay more attention too. I don't like it any more than Yimi."
"You are a Queensguard."
"Which is why I keep my objections to myself. The queen has the right to do as she pleases."
This comment did not please Arya. "I sincerely hope you don't actually mean that Lyanna."
"Your grace?" Her confusion was shared by all the others.
"It is our belief that the rules for one are the rules for all. My sister has taken the power away from the High Born for that very reason."
This was an outlook none of them had considered before. "My apologies your grace. I will try to do better. I just want it understood that I don't… wish to be involved in such things."
Obella shot back, "Don't worry. None of us were intending to ask you."
Maud had to get her own dig in. "It's too bad there are no men on this ship desperate enough to bed you."
Lyanna launched herself at Maud, but Brienne intervened, holding the two apart. "Maud, if you don't learn to control your tongue I'll cut it out. It so happens that I also don't agree with it."
To say the other women were surprised would be an understatement. For all her Queensguards sharing Arya's opinions, there were some things, some stereotypes, which even the women of Dorne believed.
Arya's patience was at an end. "We will not discuss this any further. Yimi, Joella, Lyanna, nobody tells you who to love and you will not tell anyone else. Do you understand?" When they all responded affirmatively she continued. "If any of you start a fight again the next person you will be fighting is me."
This was a threat that gave even Brienne pause.
The Queensguards dispersed, much to the disappointment of the Ironborn. They had gathered with the hope of watching a good scrap.
Brienne followed Arya to the bow. Even though she was facing away from her, Brienne could almost hear the thoughts in her head. "Go ahead and ask."
Arya spun around surprised. But she didn't ask what Brienne meant. She went back to contemplating the sea. "So have you?"
"No." Brienne could brag that she was still a virgin, except she was sure Arya already knew that.
Arya felt sympathy for her hulking guard, though she wouldn't insult her by saying so. "You truly loved Renly."
"It doesn't hurt so much now. I always knew he wouldn't, but at least I had my fantasy."
Arya nodded sagely.
As the week ended they found themselves passing more and more villages. According to Asha's calculations they were nearing the inner shore of the bay. Despite frequent storms the heat become unbearable. Fleets of boats soon filled the sea around them, though none showed any interest in getting closer.
A day arrived when they reached the far shore of the bay. A huge city was there waiting for them. Its size rivaled that of Kings Landing. It was mostly made of huts and wooden houses, unlike the cities of Westeros. None was taller than a single story, save a few clustered together near the far side. Government buildings most likely. The central plaza opened on the bay. It could hold thousands and did. Many fisher folk had laid their nets there and were mending them. Also unlike Kings Landing trees aligned the paths. It was impossible to tell where the city ended and the jungle began.
Everywhere they looked they saw the same banners. They were hung from every post. The emblems were yellow flowers, sort of, on a black background. The flowers were shaped almost like a swastika, like the ones the First Men carved into rocks. Kind of. Maybe. Even for lineage obsessed High Born it was all… disproportionate.
A long pier, far longer than any that they had seen anywhere, extended out into the bay. It was made of black rock and shells and was wide enough for two wagons side-by-side. There were no posts to tie up to, but the Ironborn tied their ships together to keep them from drifting. Most of the natives appeared to just pull their boats out of the water.
All eyes were on them. None of the natives wanted to make contact. The fisher folk moved fast to avoid the strangers. Arya and her Queensguards were met by someone they could only conclude was an official as they neared the end of the pier. He was dressed very haughtily, though not as garishly as Lowdow. He also wore the strangest cap, like a square wooden board covered in fabric. A dozen guards were with him. They all wore blue doublets with the same yellow symbol on them.
He spoke to them in Yitish. Marwyn had been teaching them all the Yitish language as best he could and Arya, with her gift for languages, was picking it up real fast. "Welcome," the man said. "I am La Do, servant of the great Chai Ming, the 69th Yellow Emperor and true ruler of the Golden Empire of Yi Ti."
He wasn't the one Arya looked at however. Standing behind him was a man wearing the most outlandish armor she had ever seen. It looked like it was made of wood and twine. It was painted in clashing colors of red and green. And on his head was a huge helmet that extended down to below his shoulders. But it was his face that grabbed her attention most. He wore a mask like a skull.
Marwyn asked, "What is this place?"
"This is the city of Washo. It is the largest port on the eastern coast of Land of the Golden Sun."
"And who is the fellow behind you."
"His name is Mupan. You need not worry about him."
"I think we need to worry a lot about him," Arya shot back.
She had spoken in Westerosi, so La Do hadn't understood. "What do you mean?" Marwyn asked. When she failed to answer he turned back to La Do. "We are from the Kingdom of Westeros. This is our queen, Arya Stark."
"Your queen wears armor?" La Do was skeptical. "I have not heard of this Westeros? Where is it?"
"On the other side of the world."
La Do laughed. "There is no other side. Everyone knows the Deepest Sea goes on forever."
Marwyn was indulgent. "I assure you, if you were to go east far enough you would land on our coast. We avoided the great deep and traveled through the Sea of Endless Ice."
La Do stared at him as if he had lost his mind. Yet he chose not to challenge the assertion. "Why take such a risk?"
"As you can tell, I have been to Yi Ti…"
"How did you get there?"
"I traveled east."
Marwyn may have thought this explained everything. It was clear from La Do's expression that it didn't. Nevertheless, he did not challenge him. "You knew that going west would lead you here?"
"Not here necessarily. We knew we would eventually find Yi Ti again."
"Then congratulations are in order. You have found it."
Even in an alien language Arya knew a liar when she heard one. She grabbed Marwyn's arm before he could speak again. She had sensed what he was about to say. The Stare was on her face.
La Do felt the threat. So did Mupan. The sinister warrior suddenly barked out an order in some unknown language. His hand was on his sword.
The Hound and Brienne moved forward to flank Arya. The two towered over any of the natives. This fact gave pause. Yet Arya wasn't sure she could read Mupan. The mask hid his thoughts well.
La Do grabbed Mupan's hand, speaking to him in the same tongue. Mupan backed off. La Do for the first time addressed himself directly to Arya. "If I said anything to offend you, I apologize."
Arya nodded. "Forgive me. I did not mean to cause alarm. I merely wished my… servant to get to the task at hand."
Marwyn wasn't a fool. Though he didn't know why she didn't want him to talk about it, he shifted to new matter. "My apologies also. I do have curiosity."
La Do smiled. "Of course." He was smart enough to grasp what she was up to. Even so, he didn't know what she was hiding. "You all are welcome here. I will have a reception for you in our governor's house. Please attend. I will introduce you to the leading citizens of Washo."
"Is there a price to our docking our ships here?"
"Do not concern yourselves. Such visitors are a rare treat and his august majesty is most generous."
With that La Do left, his guards following after.
The Westerosi watched him leave. None spoke until after he was out of view. Brienne asked, "Do you believe him."
"Not as far as I could throw him. He knew we were coming."
"How?"
"Not sure yet."
Marwyn muttered, "Don't forget the glass candle. The stories I've heard of this Yellow Emperor are not good. He is supposed to be a powerful sorcerer."
"Watch yourselves. These people do not have good intentions toward us."
Marwyn asked, "Why did you stop me?"
"The less they know about us the better. You didn't really believe that ignorant native performance? You have many skills archmaester. Understanding people isn't one of them."
Brienne caught on faster than Marwyn. "Are they after the ships?"
"Possibly. They are after something. That brute behind him was no city guard. Don't turn your back on him."
"You can take him."
"Thanks for the confidence. I'm afraid I don't share it."
This lack of certainty on her part worried them. The Hound asked, "Why do you think he's a match for you?"
Arya shook her head. "Not sure. He is a match for you and then some. Don't take him on alone." That didn't make them feel better.
Arya noticed a small boy running toward them. She smiled to her people. "I think La Do is getting impatient. Tell Asha to keep the Ironborn close to the ships. We may be gone awhile."
The feast they went to was rather underwhelming. It wasn't that the food was bad. Very much the opposite, even though a good deal of it was unfamiliar. Arya, who still remembered having to eat bugs while traveling through the Riverlands, and Marwyn were the only ones unfazed. No, it was that there just wasn't enough of it. Westerosi were used to filling their bellies. Here the food was served, each course in its own small wooden bowl, in such tiny portions. They were hungrier at the end than when they started.
That is not even mentioning the wooden sticks, not forks, that they were given to eat with. Yo Sha's pirates had used knives or their hands. Marwyn was the only one who understood how to use the sticks. He tried to teach Maud and Alys, but it was just too strange. In the end they used their fingers, getting some very nasty looks from the natives in response.
Not that any of this bothered Arya. She was totally lacking in self-consciousness. They had sat her next to Washo's governor, whose name she didn't bother to remember. He talked to her constantly, but her knowledge of Yitish was not yet sufficient to hold a conversation. Not that it mattered. The man ran on in the mouth so much she doubted she would have gotten a word in anyway.
The worst part though was a total lack of entertainment. Throughout the feast there were no dancers, or jugglers, or mummers of any kind. All the locals did was talk. And since their visitors couldn't communicate with them they pretty much ignored them. The Westerosi felt very awkward the entire time. Long after the food was gone the talking continued. Alcohol was served, annoyingly only after all the food. It too was served in tiny wooden bowls which barely held a single gulp. They required constant refilling from the slave women who served them. When Arya tried it she almost gagged. It was pure alcohol with almost no taste to speak of. Not even the Hound liked it.
Only after long hours of dreary listening did the ordeal finally end. The governor, swaying dangerously, stood up and made a speech to the room. Most of his listeners were stinking drunk and probably didn't understand a word he was saying. Which was just as well for his speech was too slurred to be comprehensible. Blessedly, it was short. He fell over as he tried to sit.
La Do, whom Arya noted was completely sober, came to them afterward. "My sincerest apologies. Mor Duc does like to drink to excess at times. Nevertheless, his greeting was sincere."
"Of course. We thank you for the hospitality." She got the impression that he was disappointed.
"Would you care to remain in the governor's house?" He was most anxious. "He has a room already laid for you. And the servants have prepared a bath and clean linens."
Arya wasn't so easily fooled. "No thank you. My guards and I are returning to our ships. But we would like to look around your city tomorrow."
"You are most welcome. I will have word sent to ensure our merchants are most welcoming."
Brienne waited until after they got back to Summer before speaking. "He was most determined to get you away from us."
"Yes. He doesn't know me very well."
"Why did you tell him we were going out into the city?"
"I'm not leaving here until I know what's going on."
The others were confused. Marwyn asked, "What do you mean?"
"Did none of you sense the tension in this place?"
Asha said, "I did. There have been boats watching us since we first came into port. They pretend to be fishing, but we know better."
Sandor, practical as always, demanded, "How many?"
"Just a few scouts. If they're preparing an attack they're hiding it well."
"Given all the boats out there they could have an army waiting."
"I don't think so." Arya didn't want them rambling too far. "There's something missing. Not sure what. Do we have one enemy? Or is it many? And what are they after? Our arrival here was not a surprise."
To Asha it sounded as if Arya was becoming a witch. "How do you know?"
"La Do isn't from here."
Marwyn snapped his fingers. "He was sent by the emperor."
The others were a little distressed by his fervor. "We have attracted someone's attention."
"How much does he know?" Marwyn's thought was one Brienne shared. It seemed that their hosts were much more interested in Arya than in how they came here.
"Don't know. Yo Sha knew too much. I think it likely La Do knows more about us than he lets on. If something does happen it is likely to happen tomorrow. He can't afford the chance of us leaving."
Asha nodded decisively. "I'll order the men to be extra vigilant if they want to go ashore."
"Also double all the lookouts. There is just the chance La Do will try something stupid."
Despite Arya's suspicions nothing happened that night or the day after. Asha gave permission for her Ironborn to go ashore, but kept half her crews aboard as a precaution. After a few days it was obvious La Do wasn't going to mob them. So Arya decided to return to shore herself.
When they reached the end of the pier she turned to her Queensguards. "Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. I don't think they're going to attack us."
"I do," Sandor shot back.
"Then you shouldn't get surprised. I'm going to find La Do. Maybe I can discover what he's really after."
"Are you sure that's safe?" Brienne wasn't the only one who didn't like the idea.
"I am sure he won't do anything with you all standing beside me. I need to know what is going on. Marwyn will come with me."
"He won't be much help if that brute attacks you."
"Then let us hope that your confidence in me is justified."
It took quite a bit of doing to track down La Do. First they went to the governor's house, but the servants there all said he was staying elsewhere. They tried the places some locals informed them were the city barracks and the justiciar's house. He wasn't in those places either. Finally, they sought out the most expensive inn in the city. They found him all right, half naked and with a dozen naked whores cavorting for his pleasure.
He pushed one of the women off him and lay back on a mountain of cushions. "Your grace, I am surprised to find you here."
"You shouldn't be. I notice how fast you learned our proper address."
La Do didn't say anything, but they could tell he knew he had goofed. Without being invited the two sat themselves on some cushions next to him. "Oh please your grace, make yourself at home. I have heard of others of your kind in Asshai, but I have never met one."
Arya couldn't help noticing that he was a lot less obsequious this time around. The whores, who knew their business, moved to drape themselves on the arrivals. Arya pushed them away and La Do commanded them to stay back. Marwyn was disappointed.
"I think you know why I'm here."
La Do shook his head. "I assure you, your grace, I have no idea. I know that you have travelled west from your land. I do not know why."
"You mean your master did not tell you."
"I am my master's servant. He does not confide in me." La Do had evidently chosen to stop the charade. "I was told to come to Washo and meet you. I was to convince you to go to him in his capital of Carcosa."
"When did he tell you this?"
"A week ago."
Marwyn was flabbergasted, "How did you get here? By magic?"
La Do was openly scornful. "I used a horse."
"It must have been some horse to ride so fast."
"Hardly so extraordinary a feat. Carcosa lies one hundred tou from here."
This was a surprise. Marwyn's calculations had placed them much farther east. "Even so, you must have ridden hard to travel so fast." Arya was beginning to suspect that La Do was not just some herald or emissary.
La Do shrugged.
"Why does he want to talk to me?"
"I assure you, your grace, I truly do not know. I do not ask questions. All I can tell you is that he was most insistent."
"Why are the people here so hostile?"
"Are they?" His exaggerated innocence couldn't fool even Marwyn. "Troublemakers plague all kingdoms. There were some that rebelled against you I understand."
"You are not very good at this La Do. You're really a warrior, aren't you? Did your orders include taking me captive if I did not go voluntarily?"
He did not answer that question. "I see you are a most formidable woman, your grace. And I don't mean your intellect alone. I can also tell a warrior when I see one. Even without the armor you are wearing. I have no intention of using violence on you."
"Do you doubt your skills?"
He shook his head. "I am quite capable. There is, however, a complication." Arya arched an eyebrow. "Word has reached us of a great flying beast attacking the villages nearby. It usually only attacks the animals. The only people it harms are those foolish enough to get in its way. You wouldn't know anything about it?"
Arya had to smile. "You already know the answer. Your master wants to meet a dragonrider and you claim not to know why."
"I can guess, but that's all it is. If you have satisfied your curiosity, your grace, I would like to return to my pleasures."
Arya looked at the crowd of whores who were waiting patiently to return to their business. "Enjoy yourself."
As they were leaving Arya said, "I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I identified the wrong one."
"The wrong one what?"
"The most dangerous one."
As they wandered back to the ships a young woman bumped into Arya. Or rather tried to. With her fast reflexes Arya shifted just far enough that the girl missed making physical contact. The woman froze with her hand in the air where Arya's side had been. Before she could pull it back Arya had grabbed her wrist. Clutched in her fingers was a small slip of paper. Looking the girl in the eyes Arya saw fear. She gently took the paper from the girl and let her go. The woman disappeared into the crowd.
Arya and Marwyn examined the paper. It was covered in symbols that could have been chicken scratches for all Arya knew.
"Yitish writing." Marwyn took the paper and pointed to the glyphs as he explained them. "The Yitish use a logograph. That's a writing system where each symbol represents a whole word. This one here means library. If I'm reading this right, whoever wrote this is asking us to go to the library."
"Where's that?"
"Uhhh…" Arya tapped her foot impatiently. "Green? Yes. We are to look for the house with the green door. It's located near the justiciar's house." He looked at her hopefully.
Arya seriously considered whether she really wanted to get involved in this. In the end her curiosity won out. "Let's go."
"Don't you want to get Brienne or the Hound?"
"Why? I'm sure it's nothing."
She set off for the justiciar's house, forcing him to follow.
They wandered for some time. The day was getting late. Near the house was the barracks. Near to that was what they guessed was the city prison. There was a large fenced-in pen with miserable wretches inside. On the opposite side from these was one blockish building. It had no windows or doors they could see. The people passed it by, giving it no notice. By this time they were losing interest.
Arya stopped against the wall. "We're being followed."
Marwyn looked all around, making Arya roll her eyes. "Where? Can we get away from them?"
"Me? Yes. You, no chance. There is no way for you to hide in a crowd archmaester."
He wasn't pleased by her assessment of him, but had to admit she was probably right. "What do we do?"
"Do? If we do anything they will only conclude that we are up to something. As far as I know we aren't breaking any rules."
"True. And you wouldn't allow them to arrest you anyway."
"Damn right. Now let's find this library. I'm starving."
She had taken barely two steps before she came across a small green door set in the wall. It was the only means of access they had found in the building. And it was tight. Hardly more than a couple feet wide. When Arya tried the door she found it unlocked. The two stepped into the darkened interior.
On entering they discovered the building did have windows, but they were hidden in the roof and invisible from the street. The windows provided the only light. As they moved deeper into the structure they found themselves in one large cavernous room. In this respect it was much like the great library at the Citadel. This one would easily fit inside one of the Citadel's smaller annexes.
The thick layer of dust covered everything. Books and scrolls appeared to be haphazardly placed on any shelf or flat space available. To Marwyn's eyes the room wasn't so much a library as a rubbish room.
"Welcome my lords," said a deeply cultural voice in Westerosi.
Standing in the shadows was a little man, hardly taller than Arya herself. He had a flowing white bread that descended almost to his chest and wore faded blue clothing. As the man came toward them the girl who had given Arya the note came out of the shadows with him.
"What is your name ser?" Arya felt it was better not to identify herself.
The old man laughed. "I am no knight. It has been a lifetime ago when I last set foot in your land. Though I do remember it fondly."
Marwyn couldn't resist asking, "When was this?"
"Ah, a maester. I have missed true men of learning. There are far too few such here. Truth be told, I do not remember."
"We understand." Arya elbowed Marwyn into silence.
"I am Rei Noshon. This is my granddaughter Menen Shwan."
Marwyn refused to be kept silent. "Those are not Yitish names."
"We are not Yitish. In my youth I was a traveler. Much like your Longstrider."
"Lomas Longstrider," Arya said.
"Yes. I enjoyed the stories I heard about him when I was in your land. I myself was also a great traveler. I journeyed through many lands, some without name. Both into the Great South and north into the Frozen Desert. I could tell many tales. Alas, my memory fades in my old age."
"Still, you must have written them down."
"Nay maester. Explorer I am, but a scholar I am not. I am just the final custodian of this place."
"What is this place?" Arya was eager to get the conversation moving.
"I know not its proper name, if it ever had one. It has been here since the fall of the Scarlet Emperors, if not before. There was once many such places of learning throughout the Land of the Golden Sun. But they have all fallen into dust. The people now do not care for history or books."
"Can you tell us what's in them?"
"I am afraid not. As I said, I am no scholar. The last true caretaker of this place begged me to take his place twenty years ago, when I first came here. He was the last of his kind and older than I am now. To my eternal regret I agreed."
"Regret?"
The old man was sad. "I do not have the learning needed to maintain this place, even if it had not already begun to crumble into ruin. I cannot read the writing and much of it has already faded past legibility. I do not have the means to purchase what is needed to restore them or copy them. I tried once. Many times." He shook his head. "The task was beyond me."
"What secrets were once hidden in these books I wonder?"
"What indeed? It is a tragedy when knowledge is lost, as a child who is left orphaned."
Arya couldn't see why this old man was so determined to speak to them. "Did you ask us here to help you restore them?"
"Nay my lady. I am afraid it is too late. They are past saving. You, I hope, are not."
"What do you mean?"
He led them over to a largish book, the only one that was clear of dust. Rei opened it, leafing through the pages. He stopped at a large illustration. It was the same symbol as they had seen on the banners all over the city.
"The Yellow Emperor."
"He came to Washo soon after I. I was already familiar with his works even before I came here, for he is notorious. I should have known what to expect, but I was so dedicated to my promise I would not leave in spite of all warnings. It is too late for me now. All this land is corrupted by his taint. Nowhere is safe. You must leave, my lady. Leave before it is too late."
"Why me?"
"Word has passed among the people, of dragons long lost returned to the world. The emperor covets their power. You carry the blood of the dragon."
"Not I. My husband."
Such distinctions were meaningless to him. "Yet you are the key to their return."
"He is in for a surprise if he thinks dragons are so easy to control."
"I do not know what he thinks. But it is said he walked the lands of Valyria before its fall."
"Is he truly so old?"
"I know not. All I do know is that someone claiming to be the 69th Yellow Emperor has claimed these lands for a thousand years. He has obtained great powers and Valyria is famed for the strength of its magic. I would not dare to test it. Please leave here. Save yourself. Do not fall prey to the emperor. He is the greatest evil of all mankind. We here are lost. Save yourself while you have the chance."
Arya took this warning very seriously. She did not doubt the old man meant what he said. Yet she felt she had a duty too. She was a queen of Westeros and any threat to Westeros, no matter how small, had to be investigated.
"Thank you for your warning Rai Noshon."
He closed the book and gave it to her. It was surprisingly heavy. "Go in peace." He and his granddaughter bowed to them and disappeared into the shadows between the shelves.
As they were moving to leave Marwyn quickly snatched up a couple of the books, which he hid inside his robes. They would prove to be beyond his abilities to decipher.
A big argument ensued after they returned to Summer. How to deal with their present circumstances was very much the focus.
Asha said, "I say we leave. You all know I'm for a fight, but not when it's for nothing." It was safe to say the rest of the Ironborn agreed with her.
Brienne though was not so cavalier. "How can we leave these people?"
"Simple. Set sail and cast off."
"You're heartless!"
Sandor interjected, "We aren't here to save the world's ass from itself."
Yimi, who really wasn't fond of the people here anyway, agreed, "The Lord Commander's right. Our obligation is to the queen and Westeros. These people have to fight their own battles."
Lyanna was always willing to get into a scrap. "But distant battles can becomes near ones. Remember what happened in the Long Night. Everyone ignored the danger until the Wall was literally gone."
Joelle always agreed with Yimi. "There won't be any danger unless we let them have what they want."
Lyanna snorted, "A dragon? Dragons aren't pets."
"But the danger remains." Asha was very conscious of the fact that she was technically second-in-command of this expedition. She now felt it was time to reassert the fact. "Who knows what this emperor learned in Valyria. If it's true his power could be greater than that of any Red Priest or Warlock."
This made them all pause.
Only Arya and Marwyn had failed to contribute to the conversation. Marwyn's attention, and Jake's, was fully engrossed in the books he had taken. Arya gave no hint that she was even listening. She sat with her chin on her hand.
"Arya." Asha was becoming concerned.
Arya looked up at her. "All the more reason to discover what he's up to."
She didn't like the sound of that. "You really want to stay here?"
Arya was solemn and that wasn't a state that was usual for her. She stood. "It is true that we were never meant to get involved in a war. But it is also true that we are guardians of Westeros. It is our duty to investigate any threat no matter how small. We cannot afford to wait until this Yellow Emperor becomes so powerful he has conquered Yi Ti. You're right Lyanna. Everyone did wait too long before facing the White Walkers. I do not intend to make the same mistake."
None argued with her. When she was at her most serious everyone knew better than to try.
"We will continue as before. Give them no indication that we suspect them of anything. If they have something planned I expect them to try it soon. I have no idea why they've held off until now. But we need to be ready for anything."
Daenerys wasn't having a good time. The past few weeks had been a serious trial. It all started when Annis came to her. Dany didn't want to see her. All she ever did was complain about the children.
"What is it now?"
"You must come, your grace. Your children are misbehaving."
"That's what you always say."
"And you never take me seriously. Far be it from me to tell you how to raise your children…"
Yes, far be it, Dany thought.
"But if you are willing to be satisfied with wantonness I can hardly…"
"What did you say?"
Cat and Rhaegar were doing their lessons together as they always did. Or at least they were pretending to. The two bored easily and sitting next to each other they quickly found more engrossing entertainment. They called it their touching game. They each tried to touch the other's unmentionables. At first it was surreptitious, each trying to catch the other unawares. But soon they had given up subtlety. Laughing uproariously, they were each trying to grab the other's privates while shielding their own.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
The two immediately went back to their lessons, but it was too late. Dany stormed into the room. The children ducked their heads and refused eye contact. Dany snatched the pen from Catelyn's hand and slammed her book closed.
"Go to your room!"
Cat weakly protested, but Dany sternly directed her out. Cat started crying as she went. Annis retrieved her book and parchment and followed her.
Rhaegar was still pretending to do his lesson. He kept trying to take surreptitious glances at his mother. It wasn't working.
Dany sat down across from him and pulled the pen from his hand. He continued avoiding her eyes. She took his chin and forced him to face her. "I asked you a question."
"What's wrong with it?"
"What?"
"We were only playing."
"Who taught you such games?"
"Nobody." He was becoming defiant. He looked so different, yet there were so many ways she could see that he was his father's son. "We did nothing wrong."
"I will decide if you did nothing wrong."
"She's going to be my wife. We're betrothed."
Dany didn't know whether to admire his reasoning or be disgusted. "That is beside the point."
"You and dad touch each other that way."
Dany was literally speechless. She had to work her mouth before she was finally able to get a word out. "You've been spying on us!"
"We're going to be married."
"That doesn't matter."
"Why not? We're supposed to touch each other."
"Only after you are married."
"Why?"
"Don't argue with me! You are to keep your hands to yourself or we may decide you won't be married. I intend to tell Catelyn the same thing. No more Drogo!"
She might have thought she could command them. She grossly underestimated their children. Repeatedly in the following weeks either she or Annis caught the two of them engaging in inappropriate touching. Or if it wasn't touching it was kissing. And if it wasn't kissing it was… showing themselves off to each other.
She was at her wits end and Jon wasn't helping. As she poured out everything she had dealt with over the past week to him, he just sat there at his desk writing papers. He showed no sign of having heard a word she said.
She walk up and whipped the paper out from in front of him. "Will you listen to me!" She went to her knees in front of him. "Please Jon, I can't do this alone."
He looked sheepish. He took her hand in his. "You're right. I do get so caught up being king I forget that I have other duties too."
He pulled her into his lap and put his arms around her.
"Careful. They're still spying on us." He laughed.
The next day Rhaegar went up to the clifftop which was his father's favorite place to brood. His father was waiting for him. He stood by his father without speaking.
"Do you know why you are here?"
Rhaegar didn't answer.
Jon knelt down so they could see eye-to-eye. "Look at me. I asked you a question."
"Mom wants you to tell me to stop touching Cat."
"Do you know why?"
Rhaegar shook his head. "I don't understand. We're going to be married."
"Yes you will, but not for some years yet."
"What difference does that make?"
"A very big one. I understand the two of you wish to grow up. But you shouldn't be so eager to end your childhood."
"I don't understand."
Jon had to look deep into himself. His memories were painful. It was a long time ago when Ned had spoken to them, Robb, Theon, and himself, about girls. Back then it was to tell them about not having bastards and how men should be faithful to their wives. A lesson Theon totally failed to listen to. He had been older than Rhaegar was now. Rhaegar wasn't ready for that sort of talk yet.
"There are some things children shouldn't do."
"Love you mean?"
"Yes. That is what I mean."
"I love her."
"You love her as a brother Rhaegar. But you are far from understanding what loving her as a man is."
"We are going to have babies together."
"Hopefully. But not for some time. Neither of you is old enough."
"Why?" To the boy it was all just a question of permission.
"Your body isn't ready for it. More importantly, her body isn't ready for it. Things don't just happen because you want them to happen. Your body must grow Rhaegar. When you have grown a man's body then you can do a man's duties. If you try to love her now it will only hurt you. And it will hurt her worse. You don't want that, do you?"
"No."
"You will understand when your body is ready for it. But it does take time."
"I will father."
Daenerys was having her own conversation. Catelyn had vanished into her room, her face filled with resentment. The girl was convinced her mother would scold her.
Annis was expressing her objections as she always did. "I do not believe this talk is appropriate, your grace."
"Of course you don't."
Dany entered Cat's room. She made certain to prevent Annis from following. The girl was sitting on her bed, sulking. "If mom were here she would understand."
Dany felt her anger growing. "If your mom were here she would lock you into a room no boy could ever get into."
Dany forced herself to calm down. "I am not here to discipline you." Cat was quiet as Dany sat down next to her. "Truth be told, you are too young for this. But I can see that you are determined. It is often in the nature of young girls to desire to become women before their time." Dany put her arm around the child. "When I was growing up I had no mother to explain to me about men and women. I learned the bad way. From the sly talk and jokes told about me from the people around us when my brother and I were living in gutters. Only after I became a guest of Ilyrio Mopatis did I have servants I could talk to. I don't want you to discover the truth about love the hard way, as far too many girls do. You have questions. I will do my best to answer them."
Once again La Do defied Arya's expectations. Days passed and still nothing had happened. Arya gave permission for the Ironborn to wander the streets, hoping this would draw out their enemies. No reaction. She was beginning to think she had totally misread the situation when the dam finally broke.
The Queensguards were busy exploring the city. They had broken up into groups and were seeing the sights. On passing the prison Maud and Lyanna saw that a man had been newly crucified. The barbaric natives had nailed some poor old fellow to a frame, much like the Boltons used to. They had then impaled two spears into his abdomen. They could tell that the spears had been inserted in such a way as to avoid all his organs and thus prolong his agonies. Fortunately for him, he was so old that he had likely died almost immediately. Neither woman recognized him. It was Rei.
Two Ironborn, Jonas Pyke and his brother Edmund, were the first to feel the sting. They went to a meat dealer. The man fried up pieces of pork on wooden skewers. To the Ironborn he was no different from all the other natives. They didn't take notice that this particular vender wore a ragged scarf around his forehead.
Jonas offered a penny for one. The man, in a universally recognized gesture, grabbed the coin and bit it. He then held up four fingers, jabbering something in his own language. The Pyke brothers were outraged. Edmund told his brother, "Forget him. There are other merchants."
"I'm not allowing some stinking native get the better of me."
Jonas pointed to the line of skewers and held up three fingers of his own. The man responded angrily. Jonas put out his hand to get his money back. After a moment's hesitation the vender pulled up three skewers and held out his own hand.
Jonas reached into his pocket, but suddenly stopped. He looked in horror at his brother. Edmund noticed blood gushing from his brother's neck before Jonas collapsed.
Reacting with commendable speed, Edmund swung in all directions at the crowd which surrounded him. He managed to connect with the assassin who had been sneaking up behind him, sending the man flying. Edmund then shoved his way through the crowd, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Maud and Lyanna saw him coming. "WARE! WARE!" he yelled before he fell under the mob pursuing him. The two women, showing more courage than sense, drew their swords and charged. The crowds scattered screaming. The two cut down three of the attackers before the others got away. Edmund was past saving.
"We've got the get back to the ships," Lyanna yelled.
The fire had been lit.
Not two streets away Brienne and Sandor heard the commotion. They moved to investigate, but suddenly found their progress blocked by a large gang of men. They all wore rags and scarfs around their heads. The two found themselves surrounded.
The Hound said, as he drew Heartsbane, "You always wanted to prove yourself."
"I'm sure I already have."
The two stood back-to back as the swarm hit. Great swings of Heartsbane and Oathkeeper forced the mob to maintain a healthy distance. More than a few made the mistake of trying to get close to the two savage fighters.
From out of a side street in the direction of the city barracks came a company of blue-coated watchmen. They jog-marched in perfect lockstep. On sighting the rabble they lowered their spears, raised their shields, and charged. Within seconds they had swept the street clear of the scarf wearers.
The Hound was frankly admiring. "The City Watch could've learned a thing or two."
It didn't last long. The watchmen proved they couldn't tell, or didn't care, who was who. Without missing a beat they charged the Westerosi as soon as there were no more scarves in the way. The two were forced apart. Brienne found herself backed into an alley. She lost all sight of Sandor.
"Bastards! You bastards!" She kept cursing as she was forced back. It looked as if she would have to fight the entire army. But then someone struck the guardsmen from behind. Brienne couldn't see who, but most of those facing her turned and charged back toward the main street. She found herself fighting a half dozen guardsmen. She made quick work of them. The one thing she noticed was how utterly fearless the men were. It was as if they had no minds of their own.
She considered going back to the main street, yet the noise of battle was only getting louder. There was no way the Hound would have stayed in the middle of it. Not if he could leave. She looked down the length of the alley she was in and decided to investigate it further.
Yimi and Joella were near the pier when the fighting started. The innocents, those not involved, rapidly vanished. Soon the two found themselves staring at a huge mob of misbegotten men, all with scarves on their heads. They didn't need to be told. As fast as thunder they had their bows in hand and were casting arrows. Several of the attackers fell, but there was far too many for them to stop.
It was as they were just about to be overrun that a new band of miscreants appeared. These were natives too. But they were all dressed in yellow shirts. The two couldn't tell them apart from their first attackers. But the mobs sure knew each other. The two Queensguards were shocked when the two gangs fell upon one another. Fighting with rusted swords, knives, clubs, and whatever other weapon they could get their hands on, the two rebel groups had at it.
Not questioning their good-fortune, Yimi and Joella ran for the pier.
This was not necessarily such a good idea. The ruckus had naturally attracted the attention of Asha and her men still aboard. As all eyes turned to the city, other invaders were climbing the sides of the ships. It just so happened that a man of Goodbody's crew, Yoseph Stoner, turned at just the right moment. He found himself facing a stranger on board the Dolphin. The two stared at each other in astonishment for a hair's breadth. Then the stranger roared and charged. But Stoner was an Ironborn on his own ship. Without batting an eye he pulled a belaying pin from its cradle and brained the man.
All the other Ironborn turned to see more men clambering over their ships' railings. Asha snatched up her ax, she always kept it close, and charged the invaders. She noted that they all wore scarves. With the innate understanding one sailor has of another, she knew them to be pirates.
Crackjaw was right beside her. "This scum thinks they can fight Ironborn?"
"I don't think they are used to fighting anyone."
Truer words had rarely been spoken. Counting on surprise, it took no effort for the Ironborn to drive off the poorly planned effort. The pirates, having no familiarity with Westerosi ship design, were particularly surprised to find crossbow bolts raining down on them from the crow's nests. Their own junks had no such architecture.
Yimi and Joella reached the end of the pier just as the last of the boarders were being driven off. If they thought that the Yellow Jackets were their friends they were horribly mistaken. Several of these had followed them. The two turned to find a swarm of Yellow Jackets with their stingers held high. The two carried swords, more like long-knives, for situations where they were unable to use their bows. But they weren't very proficient with them. It was only their Valyrian steel armor that saved them from critical wounds.
Asha called to her men, "Stoneballs, Long Dick. Pyke, Ronton, Peak, follow me! They rest of you, hold the ships! Keep those bastards off!"
She leapt from Summer onto the pier. She and her men ran toward the girls, cutting down any native who dared to get in their way. Yimi was on the ground, her head covered by her arms, trying to block the clubs the Yellow Jackets were beating her with. Asha's ax took off one man's head and the rest fled. Though bruised and bleeding, the two Queensguards were still ready for a fight.
"We hold the end of the pier! We wait until the others get back. You two, find yourself some arrows."
In the plaza before them, pirates and Yellow Jackets were beating each other with abandon.
Maud and Lyanna was desperately holding off a dozen attackers near an abandoned food stall. Pork was still frying in the strange curved bowl/pot/pan the natives used. Maud succeeded in slicing off the arm of the biggest man who was leading their enemies. The others grabbed him and vanished into the nearby alleys. The two could hardly take a breath before they saw Jake running for his life. He was being pursued by a dozen men in yellow coats. They were armed with a motley assortment of weapons.
"JAKE!" Maud yelled.
He was already running in their direction. They split, allowing him to go between them. Next it was Valyrian steel against iron, as the Yellow Jackets tried to get past their defenses.
"Run Jake!" Lynna yelled back. "Make for the ships!"
But they had seriously underestimated Jake. Maester he might be, but no coward. As soon as he was past them he grabbed a bunch of dishes off the food stall. His arms weren't very strong and his projectiles did no appreciable damage. But they did serve to distract the attackers enough that Maud and Lyanna sent six of them to the bloody ground.
It took no time at all for the Yellow Jackets to tear after him for vengeance. More Yellow Jackets had joined the first and they threatened to inundate the trio.
Jake leaped over the stall. He lifted the pot and threw it into the face of one of them. The man screamed in agony, falling backward into the path of his fellows. Jake kicked the stall down on them.
He was all out of tricks when salvation came. Obella and Alys, both having thought to bring their shields and helms, appeared out of a side street. They charged the men surrounding Jake, slaying three and driving the rest off. Those around Maud and Lyanna quickly followed.
Maud demanded, "Where's the queen?"
Alys shook her head. "We haven't seen her. We were looking at the road leading into the forest when the natives attacked us."
Lyanna asked, "Which ones, the scarves or the yellows?"
The two looked at her mystified. "Neither," said Obella. "It was the gate guards. The ones who were checking the roads."
Jake said in an almost breathless voice, "La Do must be behind this."
"I don't know. The city guards seem to be attacking everybody."
Maud took charge. "Regardless, we have to get back to the ships. If the queen is anywhere she will go there."
Sandor was backed against a wall. The rebels had filled the street, driving the watchmen away. At least he thought they were rebels. They all wore yellow coats or shirts to distinguish themselves from their enemies. Now, outnumbered twenty to one, they had the Hound struggling to keep them back. Only his armor had saved him to this point. He knew it couldn't last.
A loud voice screamed something incomprehensible. To his right Sandor saw a figure in red and green slicing through the crowd around him. The rebels took to their heels. Evidently, the mere sight of him was enough to panic the locals.
"You took your sweet time." Sandor was not ungrateful for the intervention. But he was sure it was intended benevolently.
He was right. Mupan advanced on him, yelled foul things in his unknown tongue. With a lunge he struck, the Hound blocking with Heartsbane. The two danced around one another, blade striking blade. The Hound noticed that the gently curved sword of his opponent was of excellent quality. Not Valyrian steel, but certainly equal to any castle forged blade he knew of.
Mupan was good too. Sandor was a little distressed to see that Arya's assessment of him was all too accurate. The man moved with the grace of a cat. And he was comfortable in his armor. It gave him almost as much freedom as the dragonscale Sandor was wearing.
What annoyed the Hound the most was that the man kept screaming, like he couldn't move without yelling his head off.
The two locked blades and Sandor found himself only inches away from his enemy. "Will you shut up?!" The two broke apart.
Further up the street a new mob had gathered. These were men dressed in mostly rags, although some now sported blue tabards or helmets from the guards.
Sandor said to Mupan, "Tell me these are your people."
The mob charged them. The Hound and Mupan were forced apart. The Hound once again found himself against a wall.
"Clegane!" It was Brienne's voice.
Suddenly, two new groups joined the fray. From one side came a new company of guardsmen running to Mupan's defense. From the other appeared more of the Yellow Jackets. All three set too in a wild melee in which it was almost impossible to tell one from another.
Blessedly the Hound found himself alone for the nonce. He turned to find Brienne running along the roof tops. All the buildings in the city had been built up against one another, save those of the rich. In much the same way as Kings Landing had been. They formed one long roof along the street.
Brienne reached down and Sandor took her hand. She lifted him up and the two ran back along the roofs, leaving the natives to fight it out.
"Where's the queen?"
"I haven't seen her! All the Ironborn in the city are dead. I haven't found any of our people."
Brienne's take wasn't entirely accurate. Those Ironborn who had failed to make it back to the ships were dead. Fortunately most of them had, forming themselves into a line to guard the entrance to the pier. Yimi and Joella had taken position on top of large cages to either side to give them a clear field of view. The fighting within the plaza had moved on, leaving a large empty space filled with the dead and dying. The two Queensguards added to it regularly.
Rushing from out of one alley came Jake and the other Queensguards. A few arrows and crossbow bolts were enough to discourage their pursuers.
"Where's the queen?!" Asha yelled as they got near.
"We haven't seen her!" Alys yelled back.
Maud stood next to Asha. "Have you seen the Lord Commander or Lady Tarth?"
"No. Several of my own men are still missing."
"I don't think we can expect them to come back," Obella muttered.
Jake had someone else in mind. "Where is the archmaester?"
It was the first time any of them had even thought of Marwyn. They all looked around, but he remained stubbornly absent.
Arya was stalking through the streets like a demon. She never took kindly to being attacked. The attempt to abduct her only soured her mood further. She had been minding her own business while perusing a small herb shop. She guessed it sold medicines of some sort. Men, dressed just like all the other men here, had gathered around her. Not that she could be taken in so easily. As soon as one attempted to throw a sack over her head his guts were spilling onto the floor. The others quickly joined him. They hadn't struck to kill, so she knew their orders had been to take her alive.
On exiting the shop she found the streets filled with chaos. As with the others, she didn't know who was who. Like the Hound, she guessed that at least some were rebels. Not that the city watchmen were any friendlier. Unlike the others, Arya used her skill to hide herself most of the time. Whenever she saw a mob gather she disappeared into whatever cracks were available. In this way she was able to move through the city with minimal opposition. Still, there were a few who managed to find her, much to their own regret.
Arya was in the process of cutting down one such when she finally found La Do. He too was cutting a bloody swath through the city. Just as she surmised, he was most skilled at it too.
He saw her coming. He held up his hands in a placating gesture. Probably because he knew he was no match. "Your grace…"
She wasn't mollified. She swung Dark Sister just out of his reach. "Did you honestly think it would be so easy?" She was no longer pretending.
If he was surprised at her skill with Yitish it didn't show. "It was not I who thought so little of you. I was not the one who planned it."
"Then who did?"
Her sword tip was only inches from his face. "Mupan. He was impatient. Said his august majesty would be most irate."
"And so he will be. And was this riot you're doing as well?"
He gave a long sigh. "I would have told you if I dared. But I see it is too late for that. His august majesty is great and powerful, but there are many who hate and fear him."
"With good reason."
La Do did not bother to dispute it. "They must have been watching. Waiting. I do not know who tipped them off…"
"One of your guards taking a coin on the side."
"But their timing is excellent."
"Who are they?"
"Those of the Yellow Jackets are well known to me. They have been forming a rebellion against his august majesty for some time. This is the first I have ever heard of them being so daring."
"And what of the others?"
"I do not know. Pirates I suspect. Many of the fisher folk are in league with them. They prey upon all those who do commerce."
"After my ships no doubt. Still, I imagine my destruction of Yo Sha's gang might also have something to do with it."
La Do took great interest in this last remark, but his next question was more immediate. "What do you intend to do?"
In answer there was a call like from an animal. It was faint, as if from a great distance. Looking at Arya he saw the same Stare as he had seen on her face when they first met. He took to his heels and ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
Arya had barely taken two steps when Menen came out of a side alley. She wore a yellow jacket. She rushed up to Arya. Her Westerosi wasn't very good, but Arya got the gist of it. "Go! Take beast. Go Carcosa. Kill!" She pointed at the yellow glyph on one of the fallen guardsmen. "Kill!"
Her face covered in grief and fury, Menen ran away.
In the plaza Asha and the others were preparing to defend themselves. Though it looked hopeless. A thousand men in blue, well disciplined and well trained, had marched into the plaza. More guards were joining them by the minute. Asha knew, with her own men weakened and scattered as they were, they had no hope against so many.
The Queensguards had moved to either side of her. Her own men had formed a wall behind them. On board the ships the remaining men taken up their crossbows and ballistae. They were determined to take as many with them as possible.
Sandor and Brienne suddenly appeared, running from the side streets near the water's edge.
"Where the hell have you been?! Have you seen the queen?"
"Don't ask stupid questions woman! We're the ones in danger now. Cut your ships loose and get them ready to move."
She couldn't believe he would say that. "What about the queen?"
"The queen can take care of herself. We have to worry about us. We'll hold off these cunts for as long as we can. If we can't you set sail without us."
Asha didn't like being told to back off, but saw the wisdom in his words. The Ironborn ran back to the ships.
If the situation was impossible before it definitely was beyond hope now. Over a thousand men marched forward as someone yelled out a command. The Queensguard readied themselves for a last stand.
Everyone's attention had been focused on the ground. So it can as a surprise when Snowflake suddenly dived out of the clouds, bathing the guardsmen in fire. There was no thought of fighting back. As the dragon wheeled and dove the men of the city ran screaming for their lives. Snowflake showed no mercy. Everywhere in the city where she spotted groups of natives she belched her flames. Soon, everyone who still breathed and could use their legs were fleeing into the jungle. Washo became a city of the dead.
With much of the city burning down behind her, Arya nonchalantly walked up to the pier.
"You took your fucking time!"
"Glad to see you too," she answered him.
Asha ran back along the pier with Crackjaw beside her. "Thank all the gods! Where have you been?"
"Finding answers."
Jake, who had been on the ships, returned with Asha. "Have you seen the archmaester?"
"Not a bit."
Marwyn was suddenly standing next to her. "No need to fret, my boy. I'm well enough."
Arya glared at him suspiciously. "How is it you miraculously discovered how to hide?"
"Miraculously? I always knew how to hide."
Asha spat out, "Forget that! What are we going to do?"
"You? Nothing."
They all stared at her in shock as she walked away from them. Brienne rushed to follow. "What do mean?"
Snowflake flew low above them, she wind from her passing almost knocking them over. She settled in the middle of the plaza.
Arya stopped and turned to face them. "I am going to Carcosa."
This generated a wave of protest. All of them yelling as loud as they could. The Hound roared, "SHUT UP!" He turned back to Arya. "You can't be serious. Who's coming with you?"
"No one. I am going alone."
Marwyn yelled back, "That's insane! Why face the Yellow Emperor alone? Why face him at all? At least take your Queensguards with you."
Brienne seconded him. "Yes, let us come. You will need protection."
"I have all the protection I require."
Snowflake moved her giant head until it was right next to Arya. It was now even bigger them Arya. Brienne wondered, When did she get so big?
"Just you and that dragon?!" Even with Snowflake Sandor thought it insane.
"Yes, me and a dragon. I've survived worse." Never was she so wrong.
Maud wasn't yet ready to quit. "What are you going to do?" Arya did not answer. Merely mounted on her dragon's back. Maud was practically in tears. "What do we tell your son?"
Snowflake launched herself and the two vanished into the east.
END CHAPTER 6