Chapter 6

Last Time:

The bout left him in no doubt that the Braavosi girl was one of perhaps the best instructors his grandnieces could have. Which got him wondering. Who in the Seven Hells was she? She was perhaps, nineteen and she fought like a Water Dancing Arthur Bloody Dayne. Not to mention the Valyrian Steel sword she used. Was she some descendant of the Blackfyres or a bastard of house Velaryon? That she could be from Lys or somewhere else in Essos seemed more likely. But her skill and her Valyrian steel blade raised questions. If she were just a bit younger, she might have been taken for the exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen.

oOoOo

Cat and Syrio were now a part of Winterfell, fitted into the rhythm that was life in the castle. It was a good life and Lord Stark was a generous even-handed man. It was also something that she knew was going to change soon. Despite this, she found herself somewhat lonely. Syrio was good company, but he was more avuncular…No, it was Jon Snow and her other former siblings that she missed. Gods, she even missed fighting with Sansa.

But most of all she missed Tamo. The easy, intimate friendship had been so new and unique a part of her life that nothing else seemed to measure up. Despite her vital mission she still had a need for company, for companionship. In her previous life, she had her family …now she had Syrio and many among the people of Winterfell and yet, she missed Tamo's laugh and her wandering, skilled hands. With a sigh, she pushed those thoughts aside.

Soon Jon Arryn would die, soon the King would ride for Winterfell and then she would need to act. Although she was no longer sure of her course. The Many-Faced-God had not deigned to offer her any advice and so she waited and watched. She knew too much to believe that she alone could change everything she knew was coming. But she could move pieces on the board. She would ensure that Bran would not become the tool of the One-Eyed Raven and thus, unwittingly serve the Children in their schemes. Although that raised the question of the Lannisters. Did Robert Baratheon leading the South suit her purposes and if so, should the Lannisters be given the gift before they became a problem?

In some ways it was already too late, Cersei had already cuckolded her husband with her twin. Stannis already knew…or perhaps….no, too many what ifs. Some things would need to play out as she remembered. She would help her former family and friends and then she would ensure that when Daenerys arrived, with her Dragons they would be available to fight the dead. But despite her months of planning, she was still not sure how she would achieve that, and her God had not seen fit to enlighten her. How could she help shape events in say Essos when she was needed in Kingslanding?

She could kill anyone but killing the wrong one might make things worse…it was frustrating, no maddening to be waiting for the next disaster.

"Cat."

Cat turned to see frowning Jory Cassel and Vayon Poole. The quiet, trusty steward of Winterfell. A good man who was well-liked in the castle.

Jory was waving her over, so she lowered her mug to the table and walked over to the two men.

"Lord Stark wishes to see you in his solar," said Vayon in his quietly spoken way. "A message has arrived for you."

"A message?" Cat asked puzzled. Who would be sending her a message?

She followed Vayon to Lord Starks private room with a puzzled frown on her face.

Lord Stark was waiting alongside him Maester Luwin.

"Cat, please come in and sit."

Cat noted that Vayon left the room, closing the door behind him. With nothing else to do, she sat and waited for the mystery to be explained.

"We received a Raven, sent this afternoon from Lord Cerwyn. A friend of yours rides to Winterfell," explained Lord Stark. "She is, of course, welcome to stay in Winterfell, Cat."

It took all of Cat's training not to react, her 'friend'. Could it be Tamo? What was going on? "Thank you, Lord Stark. I had not expected her to come here."

Lord Stark smiled reassuringly, "Well, as I said, she is welcome."

"Thank you, My Lord," replied Cat. There was no dismissal, was Lord Stark waiting for something?

"There was another matter, another raven in fact," said Lord Stark with an almost uncomfortable look on his face. "I…um, well Cat it is from Lord Bolton."

'Oh shit, don't tell me the fucker has…' thought Cat with a feeling of revulsion as Lord Stark ploughed on.

"He has shown…ah, interest in you and wrote me to ask if I had any objections to his courtship of my children's swordmistress."

Something must have shown on Cat's face because Lord Stark sighed, "Ah, as I suspected. His interest is one-sided then."

"Very much so, My Lord. I have done my best not to encourage his interest. He's a good man and a fine lord of the Dreadfort from what I hear. But I am not interested in marrying into the nobility," she made sure to sound respectful and truthfully Domeric deserved the respect. He was a much better Lord of the Dreadfort than his late father.

"I see, well he is a good man and if you wish I can talk to him for you," offered Lord Stark.

Cat shook her head, "I do not wish to shame him."

Lord Stark smiled ruefully, "You are a fine lass, Cat. No doubt Lord Bolton can see it is as well. I respect him writing to me, no matter how awkward, as you are one of my people. I will let him down easily. I know of several young ladies whose families are looking for betrothal. Sansa and her ladies seem quite talkative regarding Lord Bolton," he mused quietly.

Cat forced herself to smile. "It's the harp playing. He's rather good and Lady Sansa has an ear for music."

Lord Stark smiled politely, "No doubt."

oOoOo

Cat walked back to her small but warm and comfortable room and sat on her bed. Her friend?

Either the Many-Faced-God was playing games or something else was happening. Was this a Faceless man coming as a messenger? She grimaced as she imagined the Waif turning up.

Laying back she sighed and admitted that unless he chose to inform her, she would just have to wait. Her day had taken some weird turns, Lord Bolton. What was that about and why had she reacted so strongly? If she was honest with herself, it was an almost instinctive reaction. Many people she knew suffered at the hands of the Boltons. Domeric was an attractive enough man. So far removed in nature from Roose and Ramsey that it was difficult to believe they were kin. With an internal smile, she imagined Tamo beside Domeric. There was no competition. But the question remained, who was coming to see her?

With a sigh she lay back, "I guess there is nothing to do but wait."

oOoOo

Arya Stark was thoroughly enjoying her life right now. Even Jeyne Poole (The lanky cow) and her insulting neighing and mutters of "Horseface" did nothing to dim her joy. Cat was amazing and she was teaching her all she knew. Her great-uncle was still visiting Winterfell and the Blackfish was quickly becoming her favourite relative. His colourful stories told outside her mother's hearing, were entertaining. Truthfully, the last few months had been some of the best in her life.

She had never imagined her life taking the turn in had, not that she was complaining. Even her odd dreams were not bothering her all that much.

Although she had been quite annoyed to hear that her morning lesson was cancelled. When she found out why, she was happy for her Swordmistress. Although Cat did not talk about her life all that much, she had never once mentioned having sisters, brothers or cousins. Clearly, Cat's friend was close to her, coming all the way to visit her.

Interested in seeing the reunion and coincidently avoiding her sewing lesson she hung around the gate, watching Cat talking to Jory and then there was a rider dismounting in the yard.

The newcomer was a petite redhead. She was dressed oddly and was clearly a foreigner. Across her back were two sheathed swords, one long and one short. She was, Arya realised, beautiful but it was an alien beauty. With her red hair and teak-coloured skin and amber eyes. Although…there was something familiar about the new arrival.

Cat looked quite surprised to see her and as they embraced Cat's friend was whispering in her ear. A shocked-looking Cat linked arms with her and headed toward the main hall.

Cat led her friend right to her father and mother who greeted the new arrival. Arya wasn't interested in the courtesies, she found herself staring at the newcomer. Cat was dressed, as always, like a Braavosi. Her breeches and vest were brown and her tunic was cream with a silvery ribbon threaded through the collar. She wore a dagger on her left hip and her sword on her right. Her friend however was dressed like, well like something Arya had never seen. Her hair was very long, and she wore an odd tunic and a dark blue silk dress and a white fur cloak.

Arya edged closer to hear the conversation, staying out of her mother's line of sight.

"…Tamo, I do not recognise your accent," said Mother with polite interest.

"I am half-YiTish and half-Lengii," replied Cat's friend. "My accent is YiTish. Although I have travelled a great deal in the east. I had little reason to remain where I was with so little remaining."

"So little remaining?" Father asked.

"I was a warrior priestess, and my house were warriors. My mother was Lengii, which means that I was taught to fight despite my short stature and inducted into the mysteries. They perished when I was still being trained. By the time I knew of it…well, let me say that there was little left."

Her mother and father looked shocked, but Luwin looked interested, "The Lengii… Ah, yes, your mother's people can be quite tall. If I am remembering correctly many reach seven to eight feet."

Tamo smiled, amused. "You are a knowledgeable man, Maester. I would have thought few in Westeros would know anything about my folk. Despite my stature, I was proven to have the sight. So, I have served my sacred duty, my tenure if you like and now, I am free. Well almost, to do as I wish."

"I am afraid that I don't understand," replied Father with a glance at Luwin.

"Perhaps, I should let Lady Tamo explain," hedged Luwin. "My knowledge of her religion is not as broad as perhaps it should be."

"As a priestess, I was tested and found to be a seer. I was also trained and served in the twin temple for ten years. Now that my tenure is finished, I am free to do as I wish," explained Tamo with a look toward Cat.

"Fascinating," said Luwin, his interest clear. "It is said that there are few who truly have the sight."

"There are few who have the gift and many charlatans who extort money from the desperate. Which is why my temple has such strict rules. I was trained and spent many years sharing my visions for the benefit of those seeking clarity. Much like the Green men on the isle of faces," explained Tamo. "The gift is not always a kind one. I have seen triumph and tragedy aplenty." She sighed and smiled sadly. "It is also a gift that comes as the gods will."

"How intriguing, what will you do now?" Mother asked curiously.

Tamo shrugged and spread her hands, "I am nobly born but my family is all but broken, our wealth is gone. While in service to the temple, I travelled to Braavos. It was there I met Cat. She was always the adventurous one and we became close friends." Tamo shrugged, "I have had training in the fighting arts, and I know somewhat of the healers' duties. I had a plan to settle in Braavos with Cat. But now, my friend, I find you in the frozen north."

"In my defence, I have no idea what your plans were when last we spoke," replied Cat.

oOoOo

"You know I didn't catch one lie," said Cat as she closed the door behind her. "I'm impressed."

"What I said was true, for the most important parts," Tamo replied with a grin.

"How…no, why are you here?" Cat asked.

"The divine one found me and transported me to his realm. For which I am I am in your debt. So, to repay you and the divine one, I agreed to help." Tamo's amusement faded, "There have been developments. How much do you know of the Targaryen's movements?"

Cat shrugged, "She's in Essos?"

"I have been told that two moons ago, Daenerys Targaryen and her brother Viserys started being hosted by a Pentosi magister, Illyrio Mopatis. He plans to manipulate Viserys into using his sister to raise an army of Dothraki."

Cat frowned and when she spoke her voice sounded bitter, "I remember the Dothraki and the unsullied. She came close to being the ruler needed but, in the end, she broke, and the madness took her."

"The divine one reminds you that we need her and the dragons."

"We need the dragons," Cat corrected.

Our Lord has shown me her life." Tamo's expression darkened. "There will be no Drogo this time…no rape, loss and death. She will be whole of body and mind and trained to lead."

"Then she will need direction," Cat said with a raised eyebrow. "You plan to go to her?"

Tamo nodded, "I will join her household and train her."

"And her brother?"

"His madness is not something that will advance her cause so he will serve his sister by disappearing," Tamo explained coldly. "As will the mummer's dragon Aegon. Your Lord wants no Blackfyres muddying the waters."

Cat had to ask, "And Jon?"

Tamo shook her head and Cat felt a moment of anger.

Seeing her frown, Tamo took her hands, "You need not fear, my love. Your Lord has made it clear that Jon is an honourable man and will be needed," explained Tamo.

Cat had a sudden horrible thought, "I'll not marry Jon."

Tamo laughed in what seemed to be genuine amusement. "No worries on that score. If Jon does not go to the watch, he will be here in Winterfell."

"And my role in this?"

"I was told to tell you that you are to ensure that those that need to live do so and those that need to die, do. I owe you a debt for having your lord save me. But more importantly, you have my love and affection. I will repay that debt to you and if you wish it stay by your side."

Cat studied Tamo, there was something in her eyes and her half smile that Cat didn't understand. "I didn't do it to get your help with my tasks."

Tamo's eyes locked on to Cat's, "I know, but I am indeed gifted with the sight. I will be there for you."

Cat did not sense a lie and so she took Tamo's warm hand, "Thank you, I get a chance to save the world and my former family. When it is done, I swear I will help you find your way home."

Tamo laughed and gave Cat a warm smile, her eyes twinkling. "Thank you." She pleased Cat by leaning forward and kissing her on the lips. Then laughed again as she stepped back.

Cat blushed, forcing her mind to consider their still undefined tasks, "What is next, I know I have tarried here overlong and…"

"I suspect that you are needed here for a while yet. The enemy is not powerless, and the divine one fears that he may strike here seeking to undo our work. An organised defence of the wall is something he will seek to avoid, and Lord Stark is the key to that."

"How will I know when to move on?"

Tamo shook her head, "We will need to let events guide us. Beyond the wall the Others already stir…we must prove the threat to Lord Stark so that preparations can begin."

Cat frowned, "That is no easy task."

Tamo locked gazes with Cat, "You are your lord's chosen hand, Darkheart and I have powers unseen in these lands…and I have the sight. Together we will convince Lord Stark."

oOoOo

The next week was normal…training, meals, and conversations with the Starks. Then Tamo made her move. She stood and looked to the North.

"Lady Tamo?" Lord Stark, who was seated near her asked in concern.

Cat could see that Tamo's eyes were completely white.

"There is something…evil in the north…beyond the wall of ice, watching, waiting….preparing." Tamo's words were delivered in such a tone of voice that it bore no resemblance to her normal accented voice. Indeed, it was so alien that Cat was positive that she was not the only one with a shiver down her spine.

Lady Stark was staring at Tamo in a sort of fascinated horror and her husband was rising to his feet as the Stark children looked on.

"Look north, children of the first men. The cold wind blows and the ancient foe waxes…I see a great host shambling south."

Before anyone could speak, Tamo swayed on her feet and collapsed to be caught by a shocked Brynden Tully.

oOoOo