The Dragon & The Wolf

I

The salty smell of the warm ocean breeze and the sound of breaking waves awoke the young Lady Stark. Though so different from the bleak weather of the north she was accustomed to, Alysaria Stark secretly appreciated the weather of the Red Keep more than that of Winterfell. Stretching her lithe limbs, the young girl gradually made her way out of the plush bed and to her open window overlooking the sea. A view that drastically differed from the snow and trees of the north and one she felt like she'd never quite get used to.

A gentle knock brought Alysaria out of her trance. "Come in," she replied after pulling a robe around herself. A handmaid the queen had assigned to the young Lady Stark, slipped through the door before shutting it promptly as to not expose the indecency of the young girl.

"Would the lady wish for me to draw a bath this morrow?" The handmaid, a bastard girl of only thirteen, inquired.

Alysaria hummed in thought, "Have one ready in about an hour if you can, Lysa. I want to train in the yard before getting cleaned up. And again, please just call me Alys when we're alone."

"As you wish, m'lady," Lysa curtsied before heading back out the door as swiftly as she came.

Alys Stark huffed in annoyance. Her main dislike of the south was how proper everyone was. In Winterfell, her handmaiden was much more casual with her and had become a close friend to the young Stark. In the Red Keep, Alysaria couldn't get a single soul to drop the title of Lady when addressing here. Except for two of the King's children on occasion, that is.

Helena and Alys had developed an odd sort of friendship. The white-haired Targaryen was very unusual as it was and the raven-haired Stark was also not the typical lady. Besides, the two were close in age and both shared a dislike for their septas and the lessons which dragged on far too long. Aemond Targaryen was the only other to not call her Lady Stark, however, when he meant to provoke her, he'd make sure to call her nothing but her title.

Though he was the second son and Alysaria was the first daughter, they both shared the frustration of being second to everything. Aemond as not being named heir despite his affinity toward philosophy and learning High Valyrian along with his determination to learn the sword and find a dragon for himself. Alysaria for her simply being a daughter and not having a claim to anything for herself. Yet, despite her lack of a prick, she pushed forward and tried to be as good a fighter as any male her age.

This drive led her to throwing on a pair of trousers she stole from her younger brother, along with a tunic of his, before running through the castle halls and down to the training yard. There, she met her brother, Cregan, already training with Ser Harwin and the young princes Jacaerys and Lucerys.

The young Lady Stark had met with resistance when she first tried to train in the Red Keep. Unlike the North, where her father saw no reason for her not to pick up a sword, the men of the South were far more biased toward women training with weapons. After proving her worth with her swift skills with a blade and her quicker wit with her tongue, Alysaria was allowed to join the young princes and her brother. Though, she was still required to sit through the dull lessons with her and Princess Helena's septa, and without any complaints.

"There she is!" Ser Harwin Strong exclaimed as he took notice of the raven-haired female. Her large grey eyes were filled with delight as she picked up a blunt sword and readied herself for training. Heading over to the hay and burlap fighting dummies, she took notice of the Princes Aegon and Aemond smacking their own practice dummies rather aggressively. She took to the straw opponent nearest Aemond and gave him a slight smile before working on her form.

After warming up, Alys heard her name called by Ser Harwin, "Lady Stark, let's see how you fair against the young Prince Jacaerys." Alysaria shared a wide-eyed look with Aemond, who nodded and smiled in support.