Arya

Quarterstaff

✿ Reign

"Arya." I jumped at the sound of his voice. "I was wondering where you were when you didn't come for breakfast."

"I was weary from my trip. I've been in my chambers."

He had his hands behind his back slowly taking steps towards me. "Not avoiding me? It's been two days. I know that you want distance, but we are king and queen."

We were silent and I looked out over the grassland. "I had a glimpse of the happier life you could have."

"I want a happier life with you." He took a step closer and I took one back with freight on my face.

"Im sorry. It's not you. If any man comes close, I-I get uneasy. I still can't bear to be touched. Even the sound of a man breathing near me..."

"I wish I knew how to help."

"Just give me time."

"All the time you need, of course."

"And how can I help you? I hear you've been parceling out Carwin's land. That can't be easy."

"It's a feeding frenzy, truth be told. Imperial advice is difficult when every counselor wants a piece of the prize himself."

"I have more lands than I could ever need. Perhaps I could help."

"I'd love that."

"And as you said, we may be apart but our duties still remain."

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Oliver and I have agreed to give some land to Michael.

"Micheal, if id known you were to make winter supply deals, i would never have sent my letter through your envy."

"Well, i just received it." He pulled it out from under his glove and read it.

"I assume you're pleased."

"I might be if I could accept these holdings."

"What do you mean? Why can't you?"

"It doesn't feel right. Other Protestant lords have sacrificed more. They're more deserving."

"But Oliver, your king, has made this offer. He's going to wonder why you would refuse him."

"Let him wonder, then. Perhaps he should." He walked away.

"Michael, is this about the attack on the castle? On me?"

"It's about all the attacks. Blood for blood for blood, none of it needed. It was never like this until he arrived. There was never this much violence in Avallon. If Oliver had simply said no to a few Catholic thugs."

"It's not that simple, believe me. I know what the politics were."

"Please, I can't listen to you defend the man any longer." He felt cold. "Just once, id like to hear him defend himself."

Oliver's pov

I saw Arya reach for Michaels's forearm and left her hand there until he walked away.

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"I understand you've had some issues with my rule. You refuse my offers of lands because, what, you-you dont like the way I handle dissent?" I looked at Michael.

"I've questioned a few of your acts of representation, yes."

"Do you know where I hear about most of your dissent?"