"The Wolf, the Stag and the Snake" book 1

Chapter 11

Hello everyone! A new chapter for you!

I do not own anything but my OC's, anything else belong to George R. R. Martin.

CASSANDRA

"Up with that sword" at the umpteenth stab not diverted, Cassie took Freema's wrist and pull it up "Up is here."

She had been training with that girl for hours. That day all Keepers of Light had been paired up. The oldest were with the youngest and more unstable, the others had to train who was younger than them.

Cassie had been paired with Freema; according to lady Eloyse she was almost ready to go beyond the Wall. Cassie wasn't sure about that. She wasn't even able to stop a stab from hitting her.

"But you are too fast, Cassandra!" Freema said catching her breath.

"Sorry, you are right" Cassie answered pretending to think "Oh you know what? Maybe you could try and say it to the wildling who will stab you in the head."

"Cassandra!"

"What?!" The girl turned to see Vyva, a Keeper of forty, not far from her, shaking her head.

"I think is time for you to drink some water."

Cassie passed a hand through her long black hair, before nodding with a forced smile.

"Of course" she said walking away.

Cassie set with a growl next to the barrel full of cold water, her head in her hands, trying to calm herself. She felt tense and she got angry easier. Cassie was well aware of that. But it was not an easy time for her.

After a moment she felt two people sitting on each side of her.

"I can sense you are tense" the sarcastic voice of Wylliana Manderly didn't made Cassie smile this time.

"It's not about Freema, is it?" Rose said sweetly "Is it about Benjen?" Cassie growled.

Benjen had gone beyond the Wall, two days before, but he didn't choose Cassie as partner, like he had always had. Cassie didn't like that decision firstly because Ben was the man of the Watch that she worked better with and secondly because she was afraid that beyond that decision there was something more. Benjen had chosen Cinthya, one of the best older women among them. She was just thirty. But she was one of the most expert, one of the two Keepers that had gone beyond the Wall for the first time at nine years old. Ben as the First Ranger had arragend a party of fifteen to go beyond the Wall.

"Tell me why" she demanded as Benjen was getting his horse ready.

"I prefer not to this time" he had answered simply, but that was not enough as an answer.

"We always go together" she said moving closer to the man "Make me understand why this time it is different."

Benjen took a deep breath "I swear you are worst than Jon."

Cassie glared at him at the metion of Jon "Do not compare me to a child who had yet to prove his worth" she snapped "I've gained mine!"

The man turn toward her with a compassionate look. Cassandra hated that look. She was not saying anything different from the truth. She had been beyond the Wall many times.

"I am not denying your skills, Cassie. But the very contrary" he said putting a hand on her shoulder "Too many of us has disappeared lately, we cannot afford for you to be the next."

Cassie took a breath. That was not only Benjen's decision, it was what the higher officers of the Night's Watch and the Keeper of Light. A decison she had no power of change.