A Beast's Heart (english version)

23.

"And then what did he say?"
"I didn't catch the rest, I was dismissed."
Hot pie, Arya and I sat together in the straw at Gendry's back in the forge in the late afternoon, as we did almost every day, and exchanged stories. I had just described how Tywin had first rebuked the mountain and then met Lord Baelish.
"And he wasn't annoyed that you spilled the wine?"
"Lord Tywin was annoyed, but he usually is anyway. Besides, I don't think he enjoyed Baelish's presence."
"As if he would enjoy any company at all," Arya interjected, playing with the stalk in her hand, "But what else did they say to Robb Stark?"
Every day she asked about him, the Lord of the North. No, King of the North, or what was his name? Yes, King of the North.
"Why is the young wolf so important to you?", I didn't even realise I was using Tywin's terms, "You'd almost think you were obsessed with him! Do you know him?"
Hot Pie also now looked questioningly at Arya.
"Yeah, tell me about it!"
"Have you considered that she might be from the North?" now Gendry interfered from the anvil and immediately earned a bitter look from the girl.
"Shut up!"
I leaned forward a little and glared at her piercingly.
"What does Gendry know that we don't, Arya? Speak up!"
The little girl sighed in resignation, then lowered her head and whispered.
"I really am from the North. My name is Arya Stark and Robb is my brother."
Mutely, Hot Pie and I stared at her.
"So you...are a lady?", I asked incredulously.
"A wolf lady," Hot Pie added and Arya nodded slightly. Suddenly all her questioning made sense. She was afraid for her brother.
"There is much talk of letters. I'll do an even better job of listening for you from now on."
Arya smiled gratefully at me, then turned serious again.
"Baelish can't be trusted!"
"Wasn't planning to," I replied, leaning back a little, "He'll probably disappear tonight anyway, if Lord Tywin decides to. Then we'll have one less thing to worry about."
A soldier entered the forge.
"Lord Tywin is calling for his assistant. Tell her to put his workplace in order immediately."
With a quiet sigh, I rose.
"Well then, work calls."
I knocked the straw from my trousers and ran out of the forge across the courtyard. I was almost inside the castle when suddenly two hands grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me backwards into a dark corner. I wanted to scream out loud, but then I felt an ice-cold iron glove clamp tightly over my mouth. Another one wrapped around my neck and I began to tremble as a familiar voice whispered in my ear from behind.
"Well, little one? Did you miss me?"
I gulped and was jerked around to face him. The soldier who had threatened Gendry and me. Panicked, I looked up at him and automatically made myself smaller.
"Guess you're not so brave without your friend, huh? You're not getting away from me this time! How dare you threaten me, you're the one I'm going to help!"
He pressed me against the hard rock of the castle wall and lowered his head towards me. Again I smelled the beer breath and turned my face away in disgust as I convulsively closed my eyes and suppressed my retching. I cried out once at the top of my lungs before the soldier lunged and slapped me hard across the face with the iron glove. My scream died away, I felt like I was losing my head. My cheek was burning and I was already bracing myself for the worst before the pressure suddenly released from me and I sank to the ground with weak knees.
"Will you leave her alone and find yourself a whore, you idiot! This is Lord Tywin's personal assistant!"
I recognised that dark voice, but I could no longer place it. It had been some time since I had last heard her.
The blow had been so powerful that all I could see was stars dancing until pitch blackness took hold of me....

I woke up in a chair in front of a large fireplace. How had I got into the kitchen?
Margaret sat next to me and slowly I felt the pain on my cheek as she held an ice-cold cloth against it. I growled softly but her voice was sharp and brooked no argument.
"Hold still! Or are you going to face the lord with violets?"
"Oh, has she woken up at last? Then she can get on with her work," I heard another female voice behind us and snorted softly. Jeanny should let herself be knocked out for once and then get straight on with her work. I felt sick and everything seemed to be spinning.
"No, she needs rest for today. Let me put one on you with an iron glove and you won't talk like that!" replied Margaret bitterly and Jeanny snorted.
I reached for Margaret's hand and slowly turned my head towards her.
"Thank you. How did I get here?"
"Ser Alrik brought you to us-"
"I heard you scream and then pulled Lorch away from you right away. However, I was unable to stop him from catching you." the knight explained, crouching to my left. Ser Alrik! I knew I knew his voice!
"Thank you," I murmured again and he rose with a nod.
"Lorch is just disgusting when drunk. I'm sorry that happened to you."
"Had it not been for you, it might well have been worse. You have nothing to be sorry for."
He nodded again and left the large kitchen. Apparently not every Lannister soldier was an enemy after all.
I tried to get up, but only staggered and almost stumbled into the fire in front of me.
"Lord Tywin must be waiting for me..."
"You will rest today! Arya can take over your duties for the rest of the day."
Arya appeared to my left and nodded. Together with Margaret, she propped me up in my chamber....