The Flight of the Eagle (Editing)

Sick Little Games

Three hours later and I'd yet to find anything. It was like all the wildlife, but the birds had run away because the loud noises of the camp. I pushed the falling black hair from my eyes. This wig was making my head hot. If only the freaking High Lord didn't pop up randomly, I'd have taken it off.

This forest was vast. One could easily get lost if they didn't know what they were doing. It was like a small piece of heaven with sounds of chirping in the air. If only I had a bow, I could've eaten by now. That invitation to dinner sounded better and better. But it wasn't worth another beating.

My thighs were on fire but I kept moving, hoping to find something, anything. I would've killed for some water. I kept east, footsteps light to keep from scaring any game away. If my body wasn't burning and I wasn't so thirsty, this would be so much fun. Out here all alone away from my family, free to just be.

The sun would begin to set soon and that would make hunting even harder. Would I go hungry another night?

I moved deeper and deeper into the safe haven the trees offered. Was that running water? I stopped, the sound of water against something hard filled my ears. Maybe I wouldn't eat but I would at least have something to drink.

I followed the sound carefully, making sure no one else was around and keep and eye out for game. Finally, I came to the bank.

It was even better than I had thought. There was a small stream that flowed, but there was also what looked like steam coming from a small round pond that was off from the stream. A hot spring?

I bent down to take a handful of water. It was clear and bright. Even a few fish were swimming near the bottom. I might just get something to eat after all.

After making sure no one was around, again. I removed my clothes and wig before getting into the small hot spring, nearly moaning at how it relaxed my beaten body. My thighs were indeed bruising over, but my back was still the problem. I closed my eyes, letting my head rest on a rock. This was better than any dinner with whatever royal.

I removed all the braids carefully, letting my red hair flow around me in the water. It looked nearly the color of mud when wet. My fingers acted as a comb, removing all the tangles until it was smooth once more.

This is what I wanted, to be free to do as I pleased, not bothering anyone else. Maybe, if I stopped acting out, if the High Lord chose Lyanna, they'd let me go. They'd have their power, what need for left for me? It's all I'd ever wanted.

Next, I washed the nasty wig, making sure it was clean of any dirt. Now, I would feel a lot better. After soaking till my fingers were webbed, I left the wig resting on a branch and dried my real hair as the warmish air took care of my body. Thankfully, it was warmer than this morning.

I used the skirt that mother had made me take and ripped it in half, I could use it for a net. Catch fish. Once it was in the water, there was nothing left to do but wait. So I braided all my hair before shoving it up under the black wig, which I braided half off, making it look like a true warrior style.

The light in the forest faded, meaning my family would go to dine with the High family now. Hopefully, Lyanna got along better with their Second Daughter than she did with me. I started a small fire, waiting for the net to work. Thankfully, it didn't take that long.

I got the largest fish and gutted it. It wasn't much, but my stomach would stop getting upset with me.

Why did my father not just kill the High Lord and take his place if he wanted power that badly? It was something I'd always wondered, now even more so. I placed the gutted fish over the fire, sitting back against a tree trunk, that's how it worked. A family would govern over us until they were killed and a new family took over. Unless everyone liked that family, then they just kept on.