Bringing the Dawn

XXIX.

Arya Stark

The Kingsroad, 300AC

It had been nearing a month since she had left Kings Landing. But even now much farther north, the stench of shit and piss still lingered in the air. Whilst she was still in the city, she had become so accustomed to it that it no longer bothered her, but now she was no longer in the heart of the city, it was the only thing she was actively thinking about other than her family. Everything had happened so quickly. Her father telling both her and Sansa that he had arranged to have them smuggled out, and then to all the chaos over something her father had done. She had been training with Syrio when it had happened. At first, Arya had not noticed it. But when her wooden sword was removed with a trick shot from her dancing master, bending down to collect it before spotting the numerous guards and Goldcloaks there were surrounding them.

Dread had filled her in a way she had never felt before, and Syrio understood too as he had stood in front of her and began speaking to them, thick Braavosi accent breaking the silence well as she manoeuvred herself so that she was completely hidden. Hearing the words from Meryn Trant confirming her father had sent them after her, but she wasn't stupid. Her father had stated that one person was going to be smuggling them out, and she doubted he would've gotten the Goldcloaks to do so. And most certainly not Lannister guards if the red and gold cloaks were anything to go by. Syrio challenged Meryn to a duel, and he shot her a simple alarmed look. Despite no words being spoken, she knew exactly what he was telling her to do.

Run.

And she had run. So much that her legs were aching and her ankles hurt from twisting them a few times. Weaving through people like she were water and they were simply objects in the way. Some reached out to grab her but she was quicker. Bending down, jumping over limbs, taking turns she never had to areas of the castle she had never explored before. And then she had felt a hand grab her and pull her into a dark corridor, another hand pressing over her hand to quieten her loud breathing as she fought to catch her breath. Biting down so hard that she tasted flesh and fresh blood in her mouth which caused her to gag but it had the desired effect as said hand came lose. Said person cursing quietly in pain.

"Your father didn't give me that warning, boy."

"I'm a girl!"

That had come out louder than she expected it to, looking around her in alarm as she had likely just given away her location by doing so. Arya had tried to run again then, but he had already clamped his uninjured hand under her arms and holding her secure to his body. There was a nasty scent coming from the man, a scent she knew well from the few servants who regularly chewed on sourleaf, said scent mixing with something else that was sour- almost like spoiled milk which almost made her gag again but by now his remaining hand clamped over her mouth again which had haphazardly been covered in some black cloth. A few droplets of blood were falling to the ground from where she had bit down hard, but that was the last thing she was thinking of.

"Listen here, boy. You're a smart boy aren't you? Now, you will do as your father said and you will be following me out of the city. Do I make myself clear boy?"

She squirmed more at this but there was no time to think as footsteps were heard nearby, the man cursing silently again before lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing more than a feather and running further down the corridor. Trying to figure out what was happening. Was this who her father had sent? Catching sight of his reflection in a looking glass they passed, an odd feeling of calmness spreading throughout as she spotted the all black clothing. A brother of the Night's Watch. There was only one word that came to her mind currently, and that was chaos. Heart hammering inside her chest like it were a drum in the background as a battle raged on. Frantically kicking as she tried to break free but he did not let up on his grip despite being in pain. She could feel blood beginning to dry at the corners of her lips now and this combined with the spoiled milk scent that came from his hand directly below her nose made her want to vomit immediately.