Author's Notes: Hey everyone, sorry that it has been so long since I last updated I hope this makes up for that and as always I own nothing, but what I make myself.
Once she returned to Winterfell Sansa had the smuggler Barth the Black Dog, brought to her. Once he had arrived at Winterfell Sansa had had the man separated from the other prisoners being sent to the Wall and had placed him in the Winterfell dungeons. She had Brienne take him his food herself to ensure that as few people as possible knew that he was there and he was overlooked when the rest were taken away.
She had dismissed Wildling guards and met the man in the main hall. Though she did not like it Sansa had to admit that the queens: both Cerci Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen, were masters of the art of making an impression and so she tried to mimic them when she met with Barth. The fires were low so that much was cast into shadow and she, seated on the high seat, was difficult to see. She wore heavy robes with a wolfskin over her shoulders and Silverfang lay curled at her feet. When Brienne brought the man in Sansa found him far less impressive.
He was of average height and his time in prison had done little for his appearance, leaving him unhealthily thin and pale. His hair, brown with streaks of grey, was long and greasy and he was covered with dirt and he stank. He was clearly nervous, being jittery and looking as if he would bolt if he could only find a way. Unfortunately for him Brienne was right behind him and did not give him the opportunity. In spite of all this he managed a nervous smile, exposing a mouth full of missing and decaying teeth.
"Good day your ladyship, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. How may I serve you?" His tone was oily and obsequious, clearly he was uneasy and unsure as to why the Wardeness of the North, the most powerful person after the King himself, would wish to see him. He also clearly had the usual smallfolk aversion to being before the powerful. That was to her advantage, especially for what she had planned. She put on a bored tone of voice.
"You were arrested in White Harbor for the crime of smuggling."
"Not true! Your ladyship." The first sentence had been said in a tone of outrage. The second far quieter and more fearful as he remembered who he was speaking to. Sansa arched an eyebrow at him.
"You deny that you were arrested for smuggling?"
"No, my lady. What I meant to say was that I deny that I did what I was arrested for." He gave another nervous laugh. He was clearly trying to cover his nerves with bravado.
"I mean, when I come into port I sometimes find things that must of fallen into the boat and that hardly counts as smuggling and, as I have no way of telling who the proper owners are, I sell them. So you see, its all just a misunderstanding."
"Ah, I see. You just happen to be good at finding things. As it happens I have need of someone of your skills." His smile became a leer.
"indeed, my lady? Well, the ladies have never complained of me." Brienne growled and Sansa felt slightly nauseous. Nevertheless, she managed to keep her face and voice calm.
"A generous offer, but it is you ability to…find things that I have need of." His expression became one of confusion.
"Indeed?" He asked, the confusion on his face clearly evident in his voice.
"Indeed," Sansa replied in a sardonic tone of voice.
"You have, I trust, been to Essos many times?" He nodded, clearly becoming more comfortable.
"Oh yes my lady. I have been to all the great cities of that continent, both the Free Cities and beyond. Though, of course, they fail to compare Westeros."
"And would I be correct in guessing that you found things there as well?" He smiled, clearly thinking he saw where things were going.
"I might have seen a thing or two which would please a woman of your refined tastes. Lace from Myr, wines from Lys, tapestries from Qohor. There is silk from Qarth an…" That was as far as he got as Sansa held up her hand to cut him off. There was a time when such things would have indeed interested her, but that time had passed. Her thoughts were now on survival, not luxury, but his talk of Qarth was what she had been interested in hearing.
"You have been to Qarth?"
"Several times my lady and I have several friends there." Sansa nodded.
"Good. There is indeed something there that I require from that city, but it is not silk. I require shade of the evening." He looked at her startled.
"Why would you want that?" Sansa did her best impression of Queen Cerci in the smile that she gave him.
"That is not your concern, but I will indulge you. I have certain…needs." At the last words she leaned forward and cast her minds into his.
It was not intended to take control, she was not sure if she could, but that was not her intention anyway. She just wanted him to realize what was happening and she her eyes when she used her powers and from the look on his face he clearly did. She withdrew her influence and sat back in her chair. The man looked terrified and on the verge of soiling himself. He tried to back away, but ran into Brienne while at the same time making a gesture with his hands which Sansa did not recognize.
"Seven save us!" He hissed.
"You're a gods'-damned witch!" Brienne and Silverfang both growled, Sansa merely smiled.
"Of a sort and I need the shade and you shall get it for me." He was already wordlessly shaking his head no. She merely smiled.
"I can assure you that you shall be well compensated for your services." As she had expected his eyes betrayed his interest. She had seen it many times in King's Landing, it seemed that any fear or scruple could be overcome if enough coin was offered. Sansa indicated Brienne.
"She shall get you the coin you need and see you to White Harbor." She paused and then made as if she had just had a thought.
"Oh, there is one more thing." She rose to her feet and walked up to him, pleased to see that he was only slightly taller than her.
Before he could reacted she placed her finger on his forehead. She chanted and spat out some utter gibberish which was completely nonsensical, but which she hoped sounded witch-like and scary from his expression it had. After she had finished she stepped back. He rubbed his forehead while looking warily at her.
"What did you do to me?" He demanded in a frightened voice.
"I placed a hex on you," she said, smiling as his hand shot from his forehead.
"Don't worry, it will do nothing to you," she paused and her tone became as cold as she could make it; "Unless you disobey me.
"Should you take my money and flee, or if you tell anyone what you have seen here you shall be cursed with greyscale." He paled and looked as if he was about to be sick. Not wanting to see that she made a dismissive gesture. He bowed and practically fled. Brienne made to follow, but paused and looked at Sansa.
"Are you sure of this my lady?" Concern clear in her voice. With Barth gone Sansa let the persona drop and she let some of her own worries show.
"No, but I see no other way."
Author's Notes: Hey everyone, I hope that you liked it. I was trying to find a way for her to get the shade not simply have him run off. I will try to write the next one sooner. Till then please pray for the Uighurs being persecuted by the Chinese government and all those dealing with this virus, especially the health works. May Jesus bless you and please, stay safe.