Arya Stark

Kings Landing, 299AC

The first time Syrio had tasked Arya in catching a cat, she had almost laughed at him in the face. It was such a random task and she had no idea how that corresponded to sword fighting. She had wanted to disobey him by hiding in a corner somewhere to watch the Knights spar when they had spare time. But something about going against her dancing master did not sit right with her. It wasn't the refusing orders part that was doing it as she'd done that plenty of times. She'd lost count a long time ago of the lessons Septa Mordane gave them all. But with her, all she got was a reprimand and in extreme cases a slap on the wrist. Going against a seasoned warrior was something else though.

So, she did what was asked of her. It took her a while to find a cat as she wanted to remain close to the castle in the event she couldn't find one inside the castle. She didn't want to chase after Prince Tommen's ginger feline as the animal was kind with her and came up to her. Arya wanted a challenge. It took her days to find the one she was going to set her eyes on, but when she did, she knew. A black stray near the kitchens that regularly terrorised the kitchen staff. Reminding her of the wild stray that lurked in the servant's quarters in Winterfell that seemingly only accepted her.

Fur as black as night, eyes greener than the Queen's, with patches showing his skin covering its body, and missing an ear to top it all off. When she told Syrio of the one she was going to try to catch, he had simply chuckled merrily at her before striking her with his wooden sword. She was getting good, now being able to hold out for longer than a few minutes against the man, but never being able to corner or disarm him. She'd only started learning a few weeks prior, and she wondered if this was how quickly her brothers had picked it up. Robb was a great swordsman, but Jon was a brilliant swordsman. Ever since he'd bested Ser Rodrik that day, he'd never been beaten by anyone.

Tears sprung at her eyes as she remembered what her father had told her a few days prior. Why did he go to the Wall? He was a Prince. He had a higher claim than the Lannister's and the Baratheon's. A part of her wanted to blame Sansa for her open support of the King and Queen, but somehow she knew she wouldn't have convinced him into doing it. Had her mother done it? Perhaps if it were before he turned sixteen, but once they knew the truth, she warmed up to him. It was obvious there was tension between the pair, but there was also a begrudging respect somewhere too. He must've made his mind up a long time ago and had decided to go anyway.

And now he was presumed dead- alongside their uncle Benjen.

She'd never get to leap on him again, have him toss her hair to annoy her, race her around the castle, have him secretly teach her how to sword fight with Robb. It hurt, a lot. At least she got to say goodbye to him. A noise caught her attention and she turned to face the black feline she'd set her eyes on. She had been trying to catch it for a week now, and she had failed every single time. The more she did, the more embarrassed she got. But Syrio taught her she needed to have patience and that things aren't always as easy as they appear. Quiet as a shadow.

Steadily, she walked towards it, remaining on her tiptoes to lower the sound of her feet. Keeping in the shadows of the suits of armour, other decorations, and the dark corridor to hide herself. Taking care to breathe through her mouth very lightly and there was barely a sound coming from her. But it heard her, causing her to curse in her head and begin to chase after the animal. Completely ignoring the remaining quiet portion. Servants gave her odd looks as she did so, but Arya paid them no mind. Focusing solely on herself, and the path to catch the beast.

She chased after it for what felt like hours, never looking up to see where she was exactly. But soon she came to a corner, smirking to herself at finally cornering the animal. She bent down to pick it up, but the moment she gripped its sides, it clawed frantically at her causing her to let it go which allowed it to escape again. Ignoring the stinging in her skin where its claws had broken through a layer and the dripping blood now on her from the puncture marks in question, she ran after it. The cat ran behind a tapestry and she pulled it away to catch it- and was met with a hidden tunnel. Peering down into it, she could see the bright green eyes. Almost like it were inviting her inside.

Arya looked both ways to see if there was anyone around, and once she was certain there wasn't, she climbed inside and began crawling down the tunnel. It only went on for a few metres before opening in what appeared to be a cave. Frowning, she jumped down and looked around her. She could barely see anything due to how dark it was in here, and again silently cursed to herself for choosing to chase after a black cat that could easily hide inside the shadows. Why did she chose this one? Perhaps it was because it was different, like she was. She was the only one of her siblings to have taken the Stark look apart from Jon- but he was her cousin. But she would always see him as her older brother.

Then she caught those eyes again, and she raced after it. Now ignoring the fact that she was making a racket as she did. All she was focused on was grabbing the beast. Enough was enough with this, she wanted to prove herself to Syrio. However, the chamber the cat led her too immediately took her breath away. The feline crawled behind the bone and promptly fell asleep. At first, Arya thought it was ivory. Then she thought it was marble. But when she eyed it fully, she yelped a little and jumped back. A skull, and not just any skull. A dragon skull. She'd heard they used to decorate the throne room in the Red Keep, but she simply assumed they had been destroyed after the rebellion. Yet here they were, in all their glory.

Tentatively, she reached a hand to touch it, the material rough under her fingertips. She walked in front and gulped at the sheer size of the skull. What one did this belong to? She looked around and spotted something nailed underneath the chin. Bending down, she was able to read the words. Immediately, her eyes widened in excitement. Vhagar, the very dragon Visenya had ridden. One of the three that was used to conquer Westeros. There were two beside it, and she had a feeling who these two belonged to. Checking under the chins of these she found she was correct. Balerion and Meraxes. On and on it went, dozens of them. Arya never realised there were once this many dragons, clearly a lot of them did not have riders. As she went down the line, she noticed they were getting smaller and smaller, the last one barely being the size of her own head. Then she heard footsteps.

Arya snapped her head towards where she heard it, and noticed a flickering light indicating a torch. She looked around her looking for somewhere to hide, but she came up empty handed. She ran along the skulls and crouched inside the one that belonged to the black dread, making sure her entire body was covered by the teeth and the jaw. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest and she hoped it wasn't audible.

"What news of the boy, Illyrio?"

She frowned at the name, not recognising it in any way. But she knew the voice that was speaking. That was none other than Varys. Was this Illyrio one of his famed little birds?

"He is doing well. The plan to use the Blackfyre trick worked my friend, and he has been able to recruit the golden. He is rallying further armies as we speak. How goes it with the northern dragon?"

What? Did he just say Blackfyre? From his words, she knew he wasn't referring to the lost sword of Aegon the conqueror. Meaning he was referring to the Targaryen lesser branch. Weren't they all dead? From her history lessons, she knew that Ser Barristan had slayed Maelys himself in single combat. Thus, ending decades of rebellions of them trying to take over as they didn't believe Daeron II was a legitimate son himself and therefore had no claim to the throne. But then she caught the trick portion, meaning there was a boy being passed off as a Blackfyre. Who would do such a thing though?

"Last I heard the northern one is remaining somewhere secluded. I must say, the staging of a mummery was a stroke of genius. The only dragon they're worried about is the girl because she is with child. Yet there are actually two dragons in Essos and one already in Westeros."

The words made no sense to Arya. Her father had told her Jon was missing, the Lord Commander had confirmed it in a raven. Even Robb had confirmed it! Mummery? Why would anyone stage a death? She had to listen in further.

"I've got to say, I never would've expected the quiet wolf to take in a dragon babe. Nephew or not, the family did hurt the wolves on numerous occasions and have a sour taste to most Northerners."

"Aye, that is true. When my little birds near Mole's Town confirmed that the boy let it slip in a bout of anger, I reacted rather brashly. However, this holds an advantage in our plans. And I've also heard another song from my informants, one that is both terrifying and wonderful."

By now, they were only a couple of metres from her, and Arya crouched down as far as she could. Ignoring the stinging in her thighs as she did so.

"The northern dragon was gifted dragon eggs by the old Maester at Castle Black a few months prior. But apparently the boy did not turn up at the castle with eggs, he turned up with two hatchlings. Lyrax and Rhaegon he's named them. One a blinding silver with red and black wings, the other a deep blue with grey swirls and wings. Our own dragon has an egg himself, and you gifted the girl with three at her wedding. I wonder if they will follow suit."

Her jaw dropped and she covered her mouth with her hand as she breathed heavily for a few moments. Did he just say what she thinks he did? Jon's eggs had hatched? He had dragons? The man that was with Varys turned to him stunned, his weight very much reminding her of a massive ball. She had thought Wyman Manderly was fat, but this was something else. It was impressive the man could even move.

"What is the boy playing at exactly? He is entering an incredibly dangerous game and he's got almost no experience- "

"I believe the boy plans on pressing his claim at some point. Hence why this mummery was set in place. Make it look like he is off the map so no one will think about him which buys him time to watch and learn. Whilst also giving him time for his dragons to grow. He offers a fantastic strategic position as through him the North and the Riverlands will fall into line. Over half the continent through one person. A raven has been sent to Griff to explain everything so our own dragon is aware."

They were now looking around at all the skulls in awe, and she knew why. Arya felt anger build up in her over it all. She'd always been closest to Jon growing up, him understanding her the best. Why stage a mummery? Why had she not been made aware? Was her father in on it? If so he had deliberately held information from her and that was something she hated with a passion.

"For someone who has little political training, it's a fantastic first move. And as our own is now going to be made aware that he has a brother, are we to bring this other dragon into it?"

"It would probably do good to make him aware. But either way they're not going to take it well dear friend. I think we should wait on a response from our own before we alert the other. Anyway, our dragon is rallying armies and plans to go and find the girl. She is with the Dothraki and they never stay in the same place for longer than a few days unless they're visiting Vaes Dothrak. Depending on how far she is into her pregnancy, she may not be there. It will be years before either of them joins the fold in all actuality."

The voices began to fade and a moment later, she watched as their torches disappeared. Leaving her in almost complete darkness. She had to follow. Standing up from her crouched position, she pressed herself against the wall just like Syrio had taught her to do, slowly getting closer to them.

"The quiet wolf needs to learn to be subtle. He's following in the exact same steps as the old falcon did. He knows it wasn't a natural death, although how I am yet to piece together. It won't be long until he finds out the truth and what his son witnessed in that tower. War is coming my friend. We've had the longest summer in decades, and as wolves are so fond of saying- winter is coming. The stern stag has already fled the city and my birds are singing that he is commissioning ships to be built with the Velaryon's. He's preparing for the inevitable. All that needs to happen is for the quiet wolf to make a misstep and the eldest stag to die."

Arya's eyes widened massively as her hand covered her mouth and breathed heavily into her skin. She read in between the lines as best she could but it was clear what they were both insinuating. They believe her father is in danger, and with Robert gone, he will not have a single friend in the capital. She needs to tell him, but could she and evading Varys' little birds? She'll need to find out in some way if this is possible. The torchlight disappeared again and it was only then she spotted bright green eyes peering at her from the dark. She groaned in irritation before launching after the cat, it once again running away from her with ease.

The words she'd overheard were now spinning in her head, and she felt such a surge of anger within that it made her feel like she was burning from the inside out. Tears stinging in the corners of her eyes at everything. What did it all mean? What was going to cause a war? What was her father not being subtle about? Had he found something out about what had happened to Jon Arryn?. It was obvious that was who they meant by the elderly falcon. The quiet wolf was her father, the northern dragon had to be Jon, the girl could only be Daenerys. But who was this person they were calling their dragon? Arya replayed it all in her head, trying to make sense of the information she had just learned. Then it hit her- they said brother, and something about neither of them taking the news well. But Prince Aegon was dead, the Mountain had crushed his skull in with his mother Elia watching before raping her and splitting her in half with his sword. But it was the only thing that made sense, unless Rhaegar had another secret son but somehow she doubted that.

The only way she was going to get answers was if she confronted her father.

But that had to wait, she had a cat to catch. Her footsteps were echoing loudly as she got further into the caves and before long the putrid stench of shit invaded her nostrils. Up above, she saw a puddle of what could only be excrement and she wrinkled her nose in disgust, hoping the beast wouldn't go that way. Either she was in luck, or the beast heard her as it turned sharply down another tunnel. Obviously, these were some of the tunnels Maegor had designed before killing everyone who had done so, ensuring them being secret. Obviously, Varys knew about them, and whoever this Illyrio was. Who else knew about them? She could add herself to the list now. All she could think of was how jealous Bran would be when she told him she knew about them, knowing how much it would delight him.

It may have been minutes; it may have been hours. She'd lost track of time rather quickly in her endeavour. All she knew was that her legs were aching from running so much to keep up with the black creature that was still evading her somehow. But Arya was not someone who gave up, and she was going to catch this beast today. It was ending here, no matter how long it was going to take her to do so. She managed to befriend the feral one in Winterfell so why not the feral one in the Red Keep? But this one was much more hostile than the one living where she had spent her whole life in until a few months before. The moment she caught sight of what could only be the Blackwater, the sun blinded her momentarily.

The beast bounded across the rocks effortlessly, but she had to take a lot more care considering they were covered in seaweed and moss. She watched as it suddenly turned a corner around a very narrow part of rocks where the water appeared to be numerous feet deep, having to hold on to the edge to make sure she got around. Only to find herself in another cave or tunnel. Gods! How many of these things were there? The cat ran into it and once again, she followed it. But Arya was left speechless as she walked inside of the cave, noticing it didn't appear to be a tunnel. If it was, it had caved in at some point like a portion of the crypts were in Winterfell. She noticed the cat was nudging at something in the corner, and curiosity soon got the better of her. Walking over, she expected for the beast to run again, but it stayed put.

It was nudging at a box, one that was damaged badly and probably washed ashore during a storm or a tide. She knelt and reached for it, green eyes staring back at her curiously. It was a horrid brown colour now, where it once may have been multiple colours. Dusting off what she could and peeling off a couple of strands of seaweed. There were no engravings, and there didn't appear to be any markings which would confirm who this had belonged to. Clearly it meant something to the cat if it was nudging it the way it was. Kneading at it the way a kitten kneads its mother. There was a padlock on it, but due to how run down it was, a simple stamp with her foot caused it to break off so she could see the contents.

Inside, there were only two things. One was a brooch, and the other may have been a teddy bear at one point but it was in such a state there was no way to know for certain. Immediately, the cat climbed inside and snuggled the latter item close, making a whining noise as if it were pining for someone. Had the cat knew who this belonged to? If so, it would explain the strange behaviour. When she picked up the brooch, her eyes widened massively. It was made of pure silver, of three dragon heads and their eyes held rubies in them. But there weren't just dragons on it, in front of the central dragon there was a sun carved- with a spear through the centre. She knew that sigil alright, House Martell of Sunspear.

Confusion set in but she pocketed the item, planning to ask someone about it later. By now, the cat was curled inside the box, with the might-have-been teddy bear clutched tight within its grip. Arya didn't want to disturb it because clearly this item meant a lot to it, but she'd set herself a goal. Therefore, she bent down to pick up the box, amazed that the beast didn't immediately dart like it had every other time she had tried to catch it. She looked around her and noticed a staircase which led to one of the gates, probably the mud gate considering she was on the banks of the Blackwater. She was filthy, there was no other way to say it. Covered in dust, seaweed, water, and possibly sewage somewhere as well. Likely smelling something sour.

"Go away boy."

The guard standing at the gate said to her as she finally climbed up the last step.

"I'm not a boy- I'm a girl! Now let me by!"

The one wearing all red laughed in irritation.

"Now boy- or girl, we don't know how you got here. But you're not welcome in this city. It's bad enough that it smells the way it does, we don't need a sewer rat and their beast making the place stink even more."

"I live here!"

Both rolled their eyes at her now, one making a swipe for her but she managed to dodge it before using the momentary distraction to get under their arms and dart inside, quickly disguising herself amongst the people. She had to find out where she was. If that were indeed the mud gate, she would have to head east to get to the Red Keep. Which is what she did. People were obviously trying to get as far away from her as they possibly could so they wouldn't have to smell her. She knew she was about to get yelled at by Septa Mordane the moment she stepped foot inside the castle, but she was certainly going to be taking a long bath after the day she'd had.

What did Varys and that other man mean? Brother? About her father not being subtle? Of how Jon Arryn had made the same mistake he had? That there are apparently four other dragon eggs? And that wasn't taking into consideration they'd said that Jon was alive and was hiding somewhere secluded. They'd been talking about how good of a strategic position he brings to everything, and about keeping him apart from someone by not telling either. It was way too much to take in. But she was certainly going to be confronting her father when she sees him.

"Arya!"

She snapped her head around at this only to be met with Jory Cassel, relief immediately rushing through her like water falling from a cliff. Walking over to him immediately as she trusted him to get her back as she didn't know her way around the city. Sansa was the one who got the personal tour from 'the golden lion' as she called him a few days prior. Disgust crept up inside the younger at everything that had happened. Joffrey had threatened to gut her in front of Sansa and even then the older took his side. They all saw it, so why couldn't she? Or Jeyne for that matter, she was just as bad as Sansa in tripping over her feet like he was a walking god to worship.

"Where have you been? And what in the hells is in that box? Come, we'll get you cleaned up. Your father's been looking everywhere for you."

"I was chasing cats. I finally caught the one I've had my eye on for days but failed to catch."

He chuckled deeply at her words before leading her towards the castle. Once inside the walls of the Keep, she spotted the guards who were at the gate preventing her from getting in. Once they spotted her, they immediately marched over and one grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me!"

"We told you not to come inside you filthy little gutter rat!"

Jory looked bamboozled at the exchange before looking to Arya.

"If I were you, I'd let go of Lord Eddard Stark's daughter. You refused her entry to the city?!"

Both reared back as if they had both been slapped so hard across the face it would leave a mark for days. Opening and closing their mouths it made Arya wonder if they were ever Tully men as they did look like fishes gasping out of the water. With that, they scuttled away sheepishly as she was led towards the castle. Once she was safe in her room, she sat the box down and noticed the black beast had now fallen asleep, still holding the object close to it like a baby. Not long after, her door opened and her father stormed in.

"Where were you?!"

Arya cringed before looking to the ground.

"Syrio tasked me with chasing cats. I wanted a challenge and I found this one. It led me down into tunnels underneath the castle and on the banks of the Blackwater."

She watched as her father pinched his nose and breathed heavily, clearly trying to hide his annoyance. It was rare that her father showed anger, but when he did it was not a good thing. He was called the Quiet Wolf, but he was anything but quiet when he was truly angry.

"Chasing cats, you say?"

She meekly nodded before saying she would like some time to herself so she could bathe. It was only now that he seemingly noticed just how dirty she was before nodding, sending for a servant to draw her a bath straight away.

"Cats. I hired him to teach you how to use that sword of yours- "

"Syrio says any great swordsman should study cats. They're agile, they're fast, they always adapt well, and-"

She cut off as he let out a short laugh before leaving the room. It took approximately twenty minutes for her bath to be drawn and for it to cool down enough for her, and it felt incredible to wash all the dirt from her body. By the time she stepped out of the tub, the water was a myriad of colours she'd rather not see again. As soon as clothes were pulled on, she stepped out to be met with her father. Shame ate up inside of her at the expression he was giving her. But then she remembered what she'd overheard. The fact he'd lied to her, and to Sansa.

"I've asked Septa Mordane to bring up some food as you missed dinner."

Now, even more anger built up inside of her at the mention of her Septa, knowing she would talk down to her like she was dirt on her shoe like every other time. The woman was desperate to make a Lady out of Arya and despised that the young girl was having none of it.

"Why did you lie to me?"

Eddard turned to her with a confused glance, wondering what she meant with that.

"About Jon, of how he joined the Night's Watch and disappeared on a ranging like uncle Benjen."

She watched as he gulped quietly, trying to think of a response.

"Don't lie. I overheard Varys and some man called Illyrio talking about it in the tunnels. They were calling him the northern dragon and they were talking about Daenerys and someone else as well. Said something about a brother and- "

"Arya don't say anymore. The walls have ears in the Red Keep."

She closed her mouth at this, albeit reluctantly. She spotted the shame on his face immediately, the same expression he'd used when he'd first sat down with Catelyn to tell her the truth. Of how Jon was not her father's son and was in fact her aunt Lyanna's legitimate son to Rhaegar Targaryen. Once the Septa walked inside carrying a bowl of something, she stomped over but with a stern glare from Eddard, she left the room. Arya would normally have jumped into his arms for that, but she needed answers.

"Where is he really?"

Her father bit his lip hard before reaching over to grab some parchment. She understood what he was doing. Clearly whatever was about to be spoken could not be overheard under any circumstances. He grabbed an inkwell that was on her desk too before writing out his response. Greywater Watch. Her eyebrows met in the middle in confusion at this. Why was he in the Neck? She'd heard the story numerous times, that Howland Reed was the only one to walk away from what happened at the tower alive out of the seven who went there. How they had bested three members of the Kingsguard. Her father must've noticed her inner turmoil as he left the room before re-entering with a box containing letters and grabbing one of the candles that were lit on the wall.

At first, she was curious. Why was he showing her letters? She got her answer as he handed them over to her before writing down to flip them and hold just in front of the flame. A pale yellow appeared, writing she recognised. Her mothers. That was when she remembered she was in on whatever they were doing. As she read, her eyes gradually widened. Her parents had both told her that if the truth got out it would without any question lead to all their heads on spikes. Even Rickon's, despise him only being six. Once she had finished reading, she sat back in her seat stunned into silence.

"I told your sister earlier today. I was going to tell you right after, but no one had seen you for hours. Sansa has been sworn to secrecy on it, even from Jeyne as much as she hates it. Now you must also swear yourself to secrecy Arya- "

"As if dragon hatchlings will remain a secret- "

The glare he gave her at this quip was enough to cause her to sink into her chair and hang her head in shame. Instead, he grabbed another piece of parchment and confirmed he plans to press on his claim. Hence why it was all staged. To say Arya was shocked was an understatement. Ever since they'd been told, Jon had been adamant he wanted nothing to do with the throne. What changed his mind? Had it been gradual or did one day he just decide he was going to do it? Then the seriousness hit her. Once he does, it will severely anger the Lannister's and the Baratheon's. She had yet to meet Tywin Lannister, and a part of her hopes she never would. What he done to the Reyne's and the Tarbeck's was barbaric. And this wasn't even considering how he had ordered the Mountain and Amory Lorch to butcher Jon's blood siblings. A sharp clang caught her attention and looking to the table showed that the brooch she'd found had fallen out. Before she could grab it, her father did so and his eyes widened.

"Arya, where did you get this?"

She bit her lip before looking to the box that was now sitting on her bed, the cat still sleeping in it if the soft snores were anything to go by. Arya watched as her father stood to walk towards it to look inside, a pained expression on his face.

"I remember this brooch. There were three of them. I remember seeing two on the bodies of Elia and Rhaenys, Aegon didn't. Where did you find this cat Arya?"

"Near the kitchens, it terrorises everyone there. Has been for over a decade they said and nobody has ever managed to catch it. Or if they did, it always escaped hours later."

The expression now on his face was one she had never seen him wear before. One of absolute disbelief. She wondered silently if this was the expression he'd worn when he found out his sister wasn't kidnapped and she'd gone willingly and he'd helped kill her husband. No, he didn't strike the blow himself, but his armies certainly helped.

"Do not tell anyone you have these. I cannot speak for whatever it is that cat is cradling, but this I can speak for. You said you found it in a cave on the Blackwater coast?"

All she could do was nod, wondering what was causing such a reaction.

"I think this brooch may have been the one that was missing on Aegon. I remember someone saying when the bodies were brought out that Doran had these made for them. And if that cat is what I think it is- "

"Who do you think it belonged to? It's practically feral at this point."

Her father looked down to the sleeping creature, taking in its matted fur and hole where its ear had been.

"It was known that Princess Rhaenys had a black cat that went missing not long after she died. According to sources it was already half-feral and only ever let her near it. Did it lead you to this box?"

Again, Arya nodded. Confirming this was indeed the case. It hit her like a wave at what he was insinuating. Her father thought this cat had once belonged to Jon's blood sibling. She'd need to find out just how old it was to see if it fit within the timeline. But Syrio had stated on numerous occasions that cats are some of the most loyal animals there are, even if they don't show it. The brooch inside the box was assumed to have been Jon's brothers, meaning the might-have-been teddy bear may have been either of his siblings. Sadness blossomed through her over what she had found.

"Could it perhaps be sent to Doran?"

Her words were quiet, remembering what he had said about the walls having ears. The older man shook his head but she could tell from his facial expressions that he had another idea.

"Tell me what you heard in those tunnels Arya. And don't leave anything out."

So that is what she did. She told him as much as she remembered, making sure to say it in the order she'd overheard to avoid confusion. Once she was finished, she watched as her father pinched his nose tightly in irritation.

"He shouldn't have blurted it out. Now the Spider knows, as does whoever this Illyrio is. That's not good. And they definitely know about the hatchlings?"

"They said he'd named them Rhaegon and Lyrax."

Eddard stood abruptly and let out a loud breath of air. From that, Arya knew that this was correct. People knew. The only good thing was that Varys had stated it was one of his infamous little birds in Mole's Town who'd overheard it. Did all the small town know? Or was it just a couple of people? Obviously, those in Castle Black knew because he had 'blurted it out' as her father had put it. Then there was the Lord Commander and the Master-at-arms being in on the whole thing. People were finding out. This was not good, not good at all.

"Did you hear anything else about Jon Arryn?"

Shaking her head in the negative only added to everything.

"I've been retracing his steps. He'd taken a strange fascination with Robert's many bastards, was visiting them all. I've spoken to a few of them too. I don't know why he was asking about them, all I know is that Stannis was with him, and he's since fled- "

"One of them said something about Stannis having a fleet built with the Velaryon's, said he was preparing for something."

To say Arya was surprised when Eddard cursed under his breath was putting it lightly. He never swore in front of her, or not intentionally at least.

"He must've found something out, and he was killed for it. Stannis managed to escape meaning he must know what it was. The man is on Dragonstone, which is a little more than day's ride away by ship. I'll get a raven sent to him asking what it was."

Arya's stomach knotted immediately at his words. Had he not listened when she'd said he wasn't being subtle and people were on to him?

"Father you can't, they'll find out- "

Tears welled up in her eyes but she managed to fight them back the best she could. Arya prided herself in being someone who wasn't scared of anything, but this terrified her massively. What did it all mean? It had to be linked somehow, it had to be.

"What about the other dragons they were talking about? Daenerys and Viserys?"

"Viserys Targaryen is dead, Arya. We received the raven a few days ago. I've already sent communication to Jon to let him know."

She stumbled back at this as if she had just been punched hard in the stomach. If her father knew, the Spider knew. So, what did he mean about there being two dragons in Essos? What did he mean by he was passing a boy off as a Blackfyre to recruit the Golden Company?

"How did he die?"

Eddard sighed deeply before slowly sitting down again, looking to his clasped hands as he thought.

"If what the spy said is true, he threatened to cut out Daenerys' unborn child. It's considered the worst sin to the Dothraki to wield a blade in Vaes Dothrak in a threatening way. I'm not certain I believe the method of death, but there's no denying he is dead. The report said Khal Drogo melted down his golden belt and poured it over his head. Boiling alive."

Arya gagged at the thought, not needing that image in her head. Suddenly regretting asking. As much as she didn't want to believe it either, she could see the Dothraki doing that. If they couldn't bear live steel in a threatening way in their sacred city, he had to have been killed in a different way. But why not just throw him off a cliff? Have him be run down by a horse? Why molten gold of all things?

"You need to find out what Stannis knows father- "

"Aye, I do. I've been trying to figure out whatever is happening for months now and no matter what it always leads back to Robert's bastards. It's connected somehow, and I need to find out what it is. After all, I did promise Jon I wouldn't do anything stupid. And I keep my promises."

All Arya could do was smile, relief rushing through her as if it were her wolf running directly at her. Sadness immediately overcame her, she missed Nymeria. Badly. Guilt still ate her up at remembering having to throw rocks at her to get her to leave. But it was either rejection or death, and a wolf is not a tame creature. And certainly not a direwolf.