Chapter Text
Evening shadows began to drop softly over Kings Landing. People were turning to retreat into their homes, what people and homes were left. But there were more in King’s Landing than there had been. And more would surely come; which was the exact reason why Arya Stark walked these streets on this night.
No one knew she had left the Red Keep, save for maybe Bran. He always seemed to know things. But if he did know, he had made no move to have her stopped. And so, on she walked. Her boots hardly even stirred up the heavy dust and ash which still blanketed the ground. She wound through alleys and sideroads, keeping to the shadows. At one turn she startled a stray cat, sending it clamoring into the darkness at her sudden approach. But her gaze never wavered. Her path led her deep into the heart of the city, mostly past and through rubble, but the occasional window was lit where people had found fit to reestablish their lives.
‘How would any wish to still live here? This is a city of death.’
She knew Death. She knew him as intimately as she had once known her own father. But though she still had no fear of him, she had been given a new Gift, once much greater than even he could ever give. She had been given the Gift of Life. And she would be damned if she wasted it in this broken land.
The sound of laughter and soft music began to grow louder in her ears, as did the smell of salt in her nose. The docks were near, as was her destination. Rounding a crumbled mass, she stepped into the soft glow of a tavern’s front. Patrons were just beginning to make their way through it’s doors, the setting sun promising an evening of escape. A quick glance at the sign overhead confirmed that she had the right tavern. She had asked around. Done her checking. She was sure this one would accept the offer.
The Lion and Kitten seemed to have been as hastily constructed as humanly possible, walls looking as though they would fall in from a good strong sneeze; obviously erected in attempt to begin bringing in coin as soon as possible. Arya found it surprisingly easy to slip in it’s door without so much as a second glance from those who surrounded her. The majority of them only had eyes for ale, bets, whores, or a happy combination of the three. Finding the inside filled with mostly sailors and dock workers further confirmed that she had, in fact, reached her desired destination. Pausing by the door to glance around the room, Arya found herself taking inventory of every head. Quick eyes darted from face to face, reading each blink, each sniffle. She saw them all. She felt them all in her mind. Amidst all the movement and noise, she became a silent watcher. Finally, her eyes fell on their intended target. Slouched at a table near the fire sat a young woman, tankard in hand as she looked tiredly into the fire. Arya stepped through the small crowd, deft feet leading her around tables and between groups until she was sitting across from the woman.
The woman took in a deep breath before taking an even deeper drink from her tankard. Her eyes never left the fire.
“You’re Wren.” Arya stated leaning back in her chair.
Wren nodded, finally lifting her eyes to look over at her new companion. “And you’re the insane one.”
“Not insane. Just curious.”
Wren snorted, turning her eyes back to the fire. “Curious people look on the beach for interesting shells. Insane people want to sail for the edge of the world.”
“Maybe.” Arya smirked. Her grey eyes still bored into the face of the other woman. Her simple tunic was sleeveless, showing faded tattoos on both muscular arms. Dark brown hair was pulled back into a long braid that touched the waistline of her pants. Everything about her announced a seasoned sailor. “But you agreed to meet me. So what does that make you?”
“Desperate.” Was the simple reply.
“You lost your ship to the dragon.” Arya stated calmly.
“Took that bucket between Essos and the Summer Isles more times than I care to count.” Wren sighed before taking another gulp of her drink. “Skirted around the Smoking Sea twice. That pay was particularly high, though. Boat wasn’t even mine to begin with; got The Big Boar from a guy in Gull Town for letting him suck on my boot while a whore got him off. No way I can ever afford a new ship before I’m too old to sail it.”
“I’ll be providing a ship. And whatever pay you require.”
Wren continued to stare into the fire even when Arya placed a moderately sized coin purse on the table. The sailor's was gaze deep enough that she may as well have been wishing the fire to jump out and incinerate her.
“You’ll get to hand pick our crew as well, and operate as my first mate.” Arya added, cocking her head, seeing if that would change the outcome.
It did. Wren closed her eyes and dropped her head to her chest. If it had been anyone else watching her, they would have thought she had fallen asleep. But Arya watched the woman’s chest rise and fall and waited patiently while she thought.
Finally, her eyes opened, and head rose. “Fine. My brother and I will get your crew. Where’s the ship?”
“Being completed in the dry docks. Should be ready next moon.”
Wren nodded, sitting up and turning to Arya as she extended a hand across the table. “Then I’ll meet you here next moon, Stark.”
A wide smile crossed Arya’s face as she took Wren’s hand, a strong shake sealing the deal.