Bringing the Dawn

XLII.

Arya Stark

On route from Maidenpool to Riverrun, 300AC

Surely it did not take this long to get to Riverrun.

Those words had been spinning in her mind for weeks, getting angrier as each day passed. Feet aching, blisters forming, what was left of the flimsy shoes Yoren had provided for her now covered in dried blood from where they had burst and hardened. Despite the repairs done to the wagons that were pulling them across the Riverland's, the contraption failed two more times before Yoren had cursed loudly and stated they would instead walk to a town close to Riverrun to ask for horses to get to their destination quicker. Something Arya could not wait for.

She'd never met her grandfather Hoster or her uncle Edmure. Something which baffled her as in the North, no one cared about the treacherous terrain and would travel when asked or to visit family members who were either fostering or had relocated due to marriage. Yet never once did they visit, nor did her mother go down to visit them. Perhaps there was bad blood that had never been addressed that had gone sour in the many years her parents had been wed. At least she would be getting answers to that soon.

It became apparent two weeks into leaving Maidenpool that something was amiss. Yoren asking people in the small villages and towns they passed through of things that were happening to avoid said areas. It being clear to her that either the war had started or was due to start any moment. Whilst she hated the man, she knew to bite her tongue now. The stinging at the back of her legs now gone from his cane when she had almost revealed herself.

Arry, that was his name. Not Arya, Arya Stark was as good as dead. Gone missing during the riot of the capital when her father had been imprisoned and never to be seen again. Arry was an orphaned boy from Flea Bottom who's father had starved himself to death to ensure his only remaining child had enough food to survive, said son escaping when whispers were being spoken of less food than usual coming in. Many would look at someone heading towards the Night's Watch willingly like they had grown an extra head like Maelys the Monstrous was recorded to have had if the stories were true- but to Arry it meant a roof over his head and food in his belly.

"Yoren, I'm away to take a piss."

The words felt sour on her lips, but it was what she had to live with now. At least it wouldn't be for long. Chanting those words in her head alongside why it was taking so long and the names of the list. Cersei, Joffrey, Ilyn Payne, the Hound. Never going to sleep until she had spoken every single name in that specific order. Vengeance burning deep within as she plotted ways to kill them all. She'd already killed one boy, what was four more? Walking away from the group into the woods and checking a few times to make sure no one could see her before pulling her breeches down and getting ready to relieve herself when she heard something. Squeezing her legs together to prevent an accident because the last thing she wanted to do was to walk around with trousers covered in piss. Holding her breath and listening carefully. Was it just a bird? Then a yell caught her attention, recognising who it was who done so.

Arya quickly covered herself up and rested her hand on Needle's hilt, taking comfort in the solace it brought her. Then she made her way back to the camp, eyes widening as she took everything in. Everyone had their weapons at the ready, noticing Gendry with his warhammer. Yoren walking over to her dragging him along.

"Both of you, get out of sight now-"

"No, I am not afraid- "

"This isn't about being afraid boy, this is about survival. You need to run- "

"I will not."

Yoren snorted a little at that, clearly liking her stubbornness. The man thinking it over for a few moments before dipping his head.