𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆'𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 ━ got.

- the beast

        she was used to just switching off. to find a way out of her body and pretend to be somewhere else so time would go faster. it was like she would just close her eyes and then see the morning sun peeking from the window. she carefully rubbed the boys head to wake him up. elys slowly opened her eyes and she could see how quickly his excitement was replaced by unease. as if he forgot for a second that his sister would be leaving him today.


        she packed a small bag of her things. It funny, how her entire life could only fill in such a small bag. elys watched her, rubbing his eyes sleepily. together they left the castle while it was still asleep. four men were waiting for them in the courtyard. they were knights of the vale – tall, middle-aged men dressed in silvery light armor for the warm weather. judging by the fact that they had tied their horses and were sitting on benches, they had arrived hours ago.


        aleyna showed them her horse and gave her bag and let them put it on the back of her horse. aleyna understood that it was time to go, but she didn't move. she looked at elys and saw her brother's cheek glisten in the sun and a tear roll down it.


        — I'll write as soon as I'm in king's landing. I don't want you to cry for me, sweet prince.


        — I am not a prince.


        — you're right, you're not. we're bastards. no matter how good the world will treat you, don't forget it, — she touched his hair again. — goodbye, brother.


         as she walked away lady waynwodd approached her. there was almost no one in the castle courtyard at that hour, but for some reason, she awoke and came down from her room. the woman held out her hand in which there was a small bag of herbs. aleyna took it. she gave a woman a confused look.


        — you should try the elderberry when you get a chance to take a bath. It is good for nerves. — she sounded calm and peaceful. aleyna hoped it wasn't poisoned. she thanked her and walked away. aleyna looked at the place for the last time and climbed on her horse. 

                                                                                        *      *     *


       they rode all day and did not stop till nightfall. the men made a fire and gathered around it. two of them took off their armour, while two others stayed dressed and alerted, ready to take the watch through the night. aleyna sat there, placing her hands near the fire to feel its warmth. she felt her legs ache from the long ride and how much she wanted to sleep. but something kept her awake. her hunting instinct was telling her that something was off. aleyna felt like an animal that was being watched before it got shot. a good hunter was watching them from afar and he was good at keeping quiet. 

        — we're not alone here, — aleyna spoke out about her feelings. firstly the knights looked around for danger, but when they found no one, they turned back to the girl that alerted them.


        — the animals are watching us, — one of the knights answered. he looked like the most relaxed one out of all of them. —  you're far from home right now. you can be worried. but there is no need for that.


        they looked at her and spoke to her condescendingly. like she was a scared little girl who got lost in this big forest. but they were knights, experienced in battle and warfare, but they didn't know the forest. she knew and understood the habits of animals in the wilderness, heard their footsteps, and felt their eyes on her. aleyna was a hunter. and a hunter knows when he becomes prey.


        — just rest. tomorrow will be a long day. we hope to reach the end of the road in thirty moons. one of us will miss his daughter's birthday because of this assignment. so you're better off at least being worth it.


        they were still in the vale, under arryn family protection. and given that almost no one knew about the death of the late lord they were in relative safety. aleyna lay down on a spot near the fire. a dark sky and bright stars spread out before her eyes. the month in the sky was thin. aleyna felt exhausted, as the second night was passing, during which she could not sleep. If this continued she would surely fall off her horse on the way... but she could not fall asleep. every time the girl closed her eyes she felt someone else's gaze on her. and every time she jumped up and looked around there was no one else but two sleeping knights and two on the post.


        with the sunrise, they set off. all around was the forest. still green foliage and thin trunks of pines, mountains reaching into the sky and rocks crunching under the horses' hooves.


        in the middle of the day, they made a stop. the men built a fire again, this time to cook the food supplies they were carrying on horseback. aleyna felt a sticky sense of dread. she could not shake the feeling that among these woods and hills danger was following them and they were too stupid to notice it. aleyna herself did not know what to do. all she had was her hunting instinct and paranoia.


        they seemed to notice her lack of sleep and offered her some wine.


        — you look like a sewer rat. all wet and shrinking. if you won't sleep we would have to carry you. and that's a lot of hands on a young maiden.


       she wasn't that young.

      she wasn't a maiden either.


         but men liked seeing her that way. all four of the knights blend in as one for her. they said the same things and their thoughts were the same way. they didn't see anything and neither did she. only the tempting feeling in her body made her nervous. she noticed that one of them closed his eyes. his lips slowly moved, he was whispering something quietly.


        — gods aren't going to save you from being stupid. — she said to him.


        the men turned in her direction and were about to say something, until they heard the neighing of the horse in the silence of the forest. the knights visibly tensed and gripped their weapons.


        — where's the rider? — one of the knights said into the emptiness.