Author's Notes: Hey everyone, glad that you liked the last chapter and sorry that it has been so long. As always I own nothing.
At the sound of the bells Sansa had the urge to run but she forced herself to remain calm and keep walking, this however; presented a new difficulty. While she had been barefoot since she had been arrested she had been within the Great Sept and had mostly been walking on dressed stone and it had not been too uncomfortable. She had noticed the difference as soon as she reached the bottom of the steps and started walking on the rough cobbles. Additionally, it seemed that the whole street was made of nothing but filth and sharp rocks and before long her feet were bleeding, covered with filth and she was limping and leaving bloody footprints. Sansa was afraid that these would give her away but no one seemed to notice it, at first she was confused by this but then she saw several septas who were also barefoot and several of this had feet as bloody as Sansa. It seemed that the new High Septon was imposing his own philosophy of no-shoes on the rest of the clergy. Feeling slightly more confident that she would not be found out as easily as feared she forced herself to stay calm and keep walking.
Before long she heard the sounds of men she assumed to be the Faith Militant pouring down the steps of the Great Sept. She kept her head down and quickly stepped into a side alleyway. She was sure that they had been told that she was wearing the garb of a septa but they were examining every woman that they saw, which slowed them down. Additionally, the sight of them had caused unease among any of the people, this seemed to awaken the suspicion of the members of the Faith Militant, who took to going after anyone that they considered overly suspicious. Sansa took advantage of the confusion to slip away, making sure not to run and remaining in crowds or side-streets whenever she could. At last she neared the docks and beheld the ships. Once she was there she faced a new problem. She had no money and she figured that that the odds of finding a captain willing to take her free of charge was extremely low, then a thought struck her.
Trying not to limp too badly she walked about the docks till she saw a man in the dress of an official. Schooling her face into an expression of quiet solemnity, which she thought septas should have, she went up to the man. He was talking to several men but when he noticed her approaching he turned to address her. He was a big man, nearly as tall as her father had been but much fatter. He wore a cloth of gold doublet with a blue sash across his chest, white trousers and black leather boots. His hair was black and receding. He had small, suspicious eyes but when he saw her fully he gave a slight nod and his face broke into an oily smile.
"Greetings, Septa. How might I be of service to you?" His breath stank of garlic and cheap wine, even though it was still morning. Sansa made no sign that she had noticed, remembering her lessons about the importance of curtesy to a lady. Instead she gave a slight curtsy to the man and began.
"I beg your pardon sir, but might you be the harbor master?"
"I am, Sir Robert Hill."
"This is truly a blessing from the Seven." Sansa said, doing her best to play the role of a pious septa. "I am in need of a ship to take me to Gull Town. Might you know of a ship sailing there?" The man scratched his chin, deep in thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Yes, yes. I believe there is indeed a ship sailing for that port. The Saucy Wench I believe. Yes, the Saucy Wench, she is sailing to Gull Town, today in fact, I believe." Sansa curtsied again.
"I thank you sir. May the Seven bless you." The man nodded, clearly not overly impressed. After gaining directions to the ship Sansa took her leave.
The Saucy Wench was a cog, which in no way resembled its name. Its small crew was loading the last of the cargo under the eye of a squat man whom Sansa took to be the captain. This time she took a different approach, having no money she would have to brazen it out. Drawing herself up to her full height, she screw up her face and posture to exude all of the haughtiness and air of superiority that a lifetime of nobility had given her. She then strode forward to the captain, still limping but trying to imitate the arrogant swagger of the Queen. She strode up to the man, who when he saw her seemed less than pleased to see her and gave only the briefest of nods.
"Greetings Septa. May I help you?"
"Are you the captain of the Saucy Wench?"
"I am." The man replied shortly.
"Then you can help me." Sansa said. "I require passage to Gull Town and the harbor master informed me that you are sailing there today." The man muttered something that Sansa suspected was a curse under his breath before he replied.
"Aye, we are sailing to Gull Town, as soon as these whoreso… as soon as the crew finishes loading the ship. Though I fear that he have no cabin to give you." This last was clearly an attempt to discourage her, Sansa nearly snorted. After the dungeon she doubted that she would ever find anything else uncomfortable again.
"No need," she replied; "I shall be quite comfortable on the deck." This reply was clearly not pleasing to the captain but he clearly could not think of any other way to object so he merely gave a sigh.
"And how will you be paying for this?" He demanded, Sansa had be waiting for this.
"Why, in the best way of all." She replied, trying to sound both pious and haughty at the same time; "With the blessings of the gods and any ministrations that the souls of you and your crew require." At that the captain scowled, his face turned red and it was clear he was going to object but Sansa cut him off.
"Surely," she said with her voice going softly menacing, just like the Queen's did. "You would not wish to be known as one who would impede the servants of the gods from going about their holy tasks?" The implication was clear, this was not the time to be risking the ire of the Faith. The man's face got even redder and he looked at her with poorly concealed resentment and dislike. Once that would have cowed her, but she was used to far worse from the Court. For a moment he was silent and she began to fear that he would call her bluff, but a last he spat to the side and indicated the gangplank.
"Get aboard, we sail within the hour Septa…" For a moment Sansa was lost, not having thought of a name. Then it came to her.
"Mordane, Septa Mordane."
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope you like how I arranged for her escape, did it seem believable? If you don't know where Gull Town is I have included this link to help it is in the Vale area. I don't know if septas take confessions or not, there was only a septa a Winterfell so I assume so, if anyone knows differently please let me know. Till next time, in addition to all the usual prayer requests, please pray that the man who went missing at Lake Tahoe. Bye and may Jesus bless you.