Sword in the Darkness

Chapter Three

Camp — Three Weeks Later

"Lady Talisa." Robb said calmly, moving to stand by where she was sitting next to her tent. Robb was frustrated, but he didn't want to show it to anyone. Ever since that blasted woman, Tyene, Elia's cousin had grabbed him on his way to get the maester for Eddard's birth, and informed him that Elia had been sleeping with Theon, he was just so incredibly angry. How did he even know if his son, was even his son? Had she been sleeping with him for that long?

"Your Grace. I'm not sure I'm a lady. Westerosi customs are still a bit foreign to me." Talisa said with a gentle smile, gazing up at Robb while she packed her things. Robb had to admit he was using her. Trying to make Elia feel as awful as he did. He thought it was working, but she still hadn't told him the truth, so he had to keep at it.

"It's hard to keep all the rules straight. But if I remember my lessons, a woman of noble birth is always called a lady. Unless she's a queen or a princess. I could find someone who knows."

"Why are you so sure I'm of noble birth?"

"Because it's obvious." Because it would make him feel better about flirting with a woman who wasn't his wife if she was of noble birth and wasn't a whore, although he doesn't know why.

"What if I told you my father sold lace on the Long Bridge, and my mother, my brother and I lived with him above our shop?"

"I'd call you a liar." He really doesn't care.

"Not very noble to accuse a lady of dishonesty." Not very noble to flirt with a married man.

"I always thought I was a brilliant liar." Talisa said after Robb took much too long to respond, feeling the guilt build and settle of his heart like a stone.

"Better at amputations, I'm afraid." Robb awkwardly looked around, trying to see if anyone, specifically Elia, was watching them, or if someone she knew was so that they would tell her. But no. Damn it.

"Quite a pretty spot." Robb said awkwardly.

"Will we be here long?"

"I couldn't really discuss troop movements with you."

"I'm not a spy."

"Of course, a spy would deny being a spy."

"You're right. You've found me out. I'm writing a letter to the Lannisters. 'The young wolf is on the move.' Perhaps you'd join me. If you've got time, of course, for, well..." Before she could finish her proposition (that Robb was going to deny anyways as he had a feeling she was expecting something, and even if he was furious with Elia, he could never do what she had done. Could never break his vows like that) Catelyn walked up to him.

"Robb." Catelyn said with a gentle smile, looking curiously over at Talisa, who was finding the ground incredibly interesting. Robb spun to give his mother a hug, before pulling away.

"Mother. Mother, this is Lady Talisa. She's been helping with the wounded. She's been very helpful." Robb said awkwardly, knowing his mother was going to ask him when they were alone why he was with her and not Elia.

"Lady Talisa."

"Lady Stark." Talisa said with a small fumbling curtsy.

"Lady Talisa..." Catelyn trailed off, obviously searching for a family name.

"Maegyr."

"Maegyr? Forgive me, I do not know this name." Catelyn said politely, but Robb could tell her smile was forced.

"An uncommon name here. An old name in Volantis. Excuse me, my lady. Your Grace." Talisa said, curtsying again and giving a flirty look to Robb which neither he or his mother missed, before she walked away.