The Traitor's Escape

Chapter Two

Jacelyn sent Emmie and Scarla to fetch everyone once the evening had settled and the meal was completed. Sansa helped set up the table in the little dining hall, moving the plates and napkins so they were adjusted just right. Jacelyn placed all the food at one end of the table, to be passed back and forth through everyone. She had the stew, the bread cut up into even pieces, and even what looked like a dessert of some sort of cakes. Whatever they were, the cakes smelt like apples and cinnamon and made Sansa's mouth water.

She tried to avoid that plate, as she waited for the rest of the crew to appear.

Emmie and Scarla scurried in first, flushed and giggling as they whispered between themselves.

The men piled in next, hooting and bellowing and as loud as they ever were. A man, one Sansa was familiar with, winked at her and Jacelyn and said, "The meal looks lovely girls," as he passed by.

"Don't be a'flirtin' none, Aric," Jacelyn scowled, shooing Sansa towards her spot at the table. Sansa hesitated, not wanting to leave any more extra work. When Jacelyn sent her a heavy glare, the Clegane lady took that as a sign not to argue with her. She knew her seat would be near the furthest end across from Emmie and Scarla. Sandor would sit beside her.

She settled down across from Emmie and peeked around the men to see if she could find her husband. The other men around spoke with her at least once, asking her about the baby and how it was in the kitchen. She spoke to each one of them politely, trying not to extend too much genuine emotion.

Finally, she spotted Sandor. Immediately, she straightened up and tried to smile at him as he walked down their way. He barely acknowledged her, muttering something she hoped was a greeting as he sat down heavily. He looked as if he'd been working all day. She tried to ask him about it, but before she could get a word out, the Hound turned and began making bad conversation with Garnel. The young man, no more than four and twenty, gave her an apologetic look as he started talking with Sandor. Her shoulders drooping, Sansa focused on the bowl passed to her by Jacelyn and she spooned her serving. She had to take an extra half serving more than everyone else, because she was pregnant. When she tried arguing her first meal here, Jacelyn scolded her good until she ate twice as much that night.

She didn't try to argue again.

Sansa played with her soup for some time listlessly, and dipped her bread in the broth. Emmie tried making conversation with her, but Scarla nudged the girl until she stopped. The girls seemed to understand there was something the matter. Jacelyn glared at Sandor when the ex-Knight was looking, but he didn't seem to care nor mind. Eventually, the desert plate was passed around, but even the delicious smells didn't rouse too much happiness in Sansa. She still picked at them until she brought the first bite to her mouth. As soon as the taste of apples touched her tongue, she knew this was what she'd needed. It was like a biscuit with a baked apple in the middle, covered in this delicious lemony, spicy concoction that made her taste buds sing. She ate the biscuit as quickly as she could while still keeping her lady-like appearance. She wished there were more, some sort of leftovers to snack on at night when she woke up craving something sweet and salty.

By the time dinner was done, the men were all started in on another one of their games. Sansa helped Jacelyn clear up the dishes, but the dark haired girl refused to let her help wash them. She started to protest. Jacelyn snapped, "Ya go and strip down. Ya man gonna get something to night and so are ya."

When she hesitated, Jacelyn took the plates out of her hands, set them in the washbin in the kitchen, and shoved her lightly towards the door. Sansa left the kitchen, feeling suddenly nervous. She had butterflies in her belly and she was a bit flushed even as she wandered down the steps to their little room. She cracked open the door, half expecting Sandor to be standing there in the room, but he was absent.