Sansa regarded Maelle with suspicion, her voice edged with unease. "Maelle from Asshai, you are a witch like your sister. Enlighten me. Why did I find this symbol in my room?"

Maelle's smile held a hint of ancient wisdom. "I need silence and your presence to decipher that."

Brienne's protective stance stiffened. "Lady Sansa will not be assisting you, witch."

Maelle didn't glance at Brienne, her gaze fixed on Sansa, seeking her permission. "I leave this decision to my lady."

Sansa hesitated, torn between distrust and the need for answers. She had no reason to trust Maelle, yet Brienne's competence as a knight could prove invaluable.

Turning to Brienne, Sansa requested quietly, "A word."

Sansa and Brienne exited the chamber together, leaving Podrick alone with Maelle and the unsettling mystery of the ravens.

Podrick stole glances at Maelle, his gaze occasionally drifting towards the neckline of her gown.

Maelle, sensing his curiosity, decided to tease him playfully. "Never seen a woman's tits before?"

Podrick stumbled over his words nervously. "No... I mean, yes... You're not supposed to say anything until Lady Sansa returns."

Maelle smirked at his flustered response and approached the symbol formed by the ravens on the floor.

Crouching down, she examined them closely, noting with concern that each raven had been partially blinded, their one eye removed before death.

She gently picked up one of the ravens, disrupting the triangle formation.

Podrick's voice wavered with caution. "You shouldn't tamper with the evidence."

Maelle whispered confidently, "Shhh... I'm trying to understand."

Podrick remained silent, overawed by her assertiveness amidst the eerie scene in Sansa's chamber.

Maelle stood upright, the raven cradled gently in her hands.

Sansa and Brienne swept into the chamber, Brienne's eyes blazing with indignation. "How dare you touch the evidence?"

An uneasy feeling settled over Sansa in Maelle's presence.

Ignoring Brienne's rebuke, Maelle addressed Sansa directly. "My lady, have you made your decision?"

Sansa hesitated, glancing at Brienne for guidance. Brienne's nod conveyed silent counsel.

Stepping forward with resolve, Sansa spoke firmly, "Keep that raven where it belongs. I will assign you chambers where you'll remain until I uncover the truth behind your prophecy. Ser Podrick, escort her—"

Maelle interjected calmly, cutting off Sansa. "Forgive my interruption, my lady. But answer me this one question."

Brienne's voice was stern. "No more tricks."

Sansa regarded Maelle with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "A question won't harm me. Ask."

Maelle didn't pose a question but instead stated her findings plainly. "If my knowledge serves right, your brother Jon is a Targaryen. That leaves the remaining Starks as you, Arya, and Bran. Am I correct?"

Brienne and Podrick exchanged amused glances at Maelle's astuteness.

Sansa wanted answers quickly, "Yes. But what does that prove?"

Maelle responded cryptically, "The tree of patience bears the sweetest fruits, my lady. So your brother Bran, the King of King's Landing, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, is also known as the one-eyed raven."

Sansa nodded, processing the implications.

Maelle continued, gently turning over the limp body of the raven she was carrying. "All these ravens lying here have only one eye. Doesn't that strike you as peculiar?"

Maelle had captured Sansa's undivided attention now.

Podrick and Brienne crouched down, examining the ravens within the symbol. Sansa awaited their findings anxiously, their nods of acknowledgment bringing a sense of validation.

Maelle issued a quiet instruction, "Keep the ravens where you found them."

Sansa sought clarity, her concern evident. "Why am I receiving this message about my brother? Is he safe?"

Maelle reiterated patiently, driving her point home. "As I said before, I need silence and your presence to decipher this message."

Sansa turned to Brienne, hoping for some explanation, but Brienne appeared perplexed, unsure of what to make of Maelle's revelations.

Attempting to reassure them, Maelle addressed Brienne and Podrick, "Ser Brienne, you and your companion may wait outside. I assure you, your lady will come to no harm."

Podrick's brow furrowed in defiance. "I am a knight, not some companion, witch."

Sansa made her decision, her voice firm. "Ser Brienne, Ser Podrick, please wait outside."

Reluctantly, Brienne and Podrick left the chamber. Maelle swiftly moved to lock the door behind them, securing their privacy. She carefully placed the raven she held back into its position within the triangle symbol, completing the mysterious arrangement.

Standing tall once more, Maelle turned to Sansa, her voice gentle. "Do you have a knife, my lady?"