บท 61: The wolf pup
The wolf pup
Arya POV
"You still are not seeing, boy," I could only listen to my teacher as he struck my arm.
"You too fast," I complained.
It has been over a year since my teacher, Syrio Forel, started teaching me. Yet it didn't feel like I learned much. I could win against Bran in our secret sparring, but I could never even touch Syrio. And it didn't even feel good to win against Bran of the late, as he spent most of his time with Robb and learning to rule from him.
"It is enough for today, boy," Syrio said when he saw my hand got tired. "I don't want to hear your mother lecturing me about proper etiquette."
"Just one more time," I begged.
"No, I do not fear many things, but your mother is scary," He joked before putting their sparring weapons away.
After my father died, my mother kept my siblings and me close. Too close, even though Robb was the King of the North with thousands of men serving him, he could not say no to mother. Although I wouldn't say I liked it, I couldn't say anything to my mother either, especially when she would look at me with sad eyes.
Sometimes she would sit me on her lap and comb my hair like I was a little girl. Sansa was too big, so I had to suffer it alone. Bran was too busy following Robb around. Rickon was too small to understand anything, so he only complained when he couldn't play with our Direwolves.
"Princess Arya, ser Syrio," Jory barged into our room.
"Uhg, does mother seeks me again?" I asked, getting frustrated.
"No, it is His Grace, King Robb," Jory said.
"Go on, boy," Syrio pushed Arya forward.
"You too, ser Syrio," Jory said. "His Grace asked you to attend the court."
"Lead the way then," Syrio followed Jory, even if he was a bit reluctant.
It was uncommon for Robb to summon Syrio or me to the court. Rickon and I were left to do as we wished for the most part, and only Bran and Sansa would attend the court. Our mother would be by his side to advise him too. There weren't many lords of the North in Winterfell, but there were too many heirs and spares to count.
Winterfell itself became unrecognizable. It was packed, like at the time of Robert's visit. Hundreds of Stark guards stood on the walls and in the castle this time—hundreds of other warriors from around the North and the aforementioned heirs to noble houses. Winter town was more extensive than ever too.
Houses were built to fit new arrivals every day. And as the summer ended, more and more people relocated to live near Winterfell. Mother said that only more people would be coming to winter town as we near winter. So, to keep order in the town, hundreds of men were made and trained to be guards.
"Your grace, please reconsider your decision. The Wolfwoods were not disturbed for years. Making such big deforestation plans would disturb the animals and the beasts."
Arya recognized Galbart Glover pleading with her brother. Even though she didn't know who were men with him were, she knew the sigils on their armor and shields. House Forrester with their white tree in the black field. They knelt next to lord Glover. Behind him, there were men from house Bole and house Wood. She had not seen them in Winterfell before as they were small houses that kept to themselves.
"You don't need to watch your words, Lord Glover," Robb spoke from within his throne of polished stone and direwolves carved into the handrest. "We all know that your concern is the Ironborn."
"To give them our wood is a mistake, your Grace," Lord Glover stated his true thoughts. "It will strengthen them, and when they turn their swords upon us, we will hard pressed to defend our lands."
"They are our allies," Robb said. "The stronger they are, the better it is for us."
"They are allies until they don't need us anymore," Lord Glover shouted.
"Your concern is noted but unneeded," Robb replied coldly. "The King of the Iron Islands is like a brother to me. My house will be eternally grateful for what he did."
"Even so," Glover didn't know what to say.
"I hear your concerns no matter how unneeded they are," Robb's voice turned softer after seeing lord Glover becoming flustered and mother whispering something into Robb's ear. "Your house and the houses pledged to you will be granted a portion of the gold we receive from the Iron Islands. You will have my support in strengthening your castles and training more men in arms."
"Thank you for your generosity, your Grace," Lord Glover seemed satisfied with Robb's words.
"Thank you for your services, lord Glover," Robb replied. "Please have some rest in Winterfell before leaving for home."
After lord Glover left, other lords came to state their concerns. Robb reassured everyone one of them. When Lord Harlaw came to Winterfell and offered a deal to buy wood from the North, many lords were concerned—especially those of the West. Yet I could see many lords who were elated by such an offer.
"It is done, Robb," Mother came to Robb's side when the court for today ended. "You did well."
"You should rest, mother," Robb replied. "I can handle it on my own."
"I know you can, but as your mother, I must watch over you."
"Ahem," Syrio faked a cough. "I do not wish to interrupt, but I was told I am needed for your grace, yet it has been an hour since I came."
"My apologies," Robb stood up from the throne and stretched. "Shall we speak at the dinner table? I am starving."
Even though Robb asked, he didn't wait for an answer as he left for a dining hall. Syrio and the rest of us followed him without a complaint. While mother looked displeased with Syrio, she didn't say anything. Bran looked like he could fall asleep at any moment, even though Sansa held herself as a proper lady, as my mother would say. I saw her yawn a couple of times.
"Lord Tallhart will arrive in a couple of days, your Grace," Our tireless maester informed Robb as we sat at the table.
"I hope preparations are met for his arrival?" Robb asked.
"Everything is prepared."
"Good, you can rest, maester Luwin."
"I hope we can speak now, your grace," Syrio said.
"Again, I apologize for the wait," Robb bowed his head slightly. "I wanted to ask you how well you know the current Sealord of Braavos."
"I know him, but not very well," Syrio answered.
"But you could arrange a meeting with him?" Robb asked.
"For that, you don't need me. Nobody would deny a meeting with the King of the North."
"Maybe so," Robb didn't seem convinced. "But I would rather not waste my time traveling to Braavos if I can't guarantee a meeting with the person I want."
"You traveling to Braavos?" I asked excitedly. "Can I come with you?"
"Arya," Mother's voice deflated my excitement.
"We shall see," Robb whispered to me.
"It wouldn't be hard to write a letter," Syrio replied.
"That's all I ask, and if it wouldn't be difficult, could you introduce me to someone from the Iron Bank?" Robb asked.
"I know of few that would gladly meet with you, your grace," Syrio replied again.
"I would like to have confirmation by the end of the year," Robb said.
"I still am against involving the Iron Bank," Mother said. "Nothing good will come from them."
"Gold comes from them, and gold is most needed now," Robb responded. "We need to fill our grain storages before the winter."
"We will have more than enough to fill them to the brim with the gold the Iron Islands gives us for the wood," Mother said.
"If it is short winter, then yes," Robb replied. "But not nearly enough to feed the entire Kingdom for a decade-long winter. We need to build more glass gardens, and for that, we need glass. And the best glass comes from Myr. Not considering the transport cost, we barely have enough funds to secure one batch."
Mother didn't say anything more after hearing Robb. While Robb was still conversing with Syrio, I was focused on the sweet rolls and lemon cakes the servants put on the table. There were only so many, so I had to be fast to take as many as possible before Bran and Sansa did. My training paid off when I snatched them first.
"Mother," Sansa and Bran shouted at the same time. "Arya took all sweet rolls again."
"Arya," Mother looked at me, and instead of answering, I shoved a sweet roll and a lemon cake into my mouth. "What am I going to do with you?"
"It is their problem that they are so slow," Robb said as he took the rest of the sweets.
"I want one too," Rickon tried to reach for the last sweets.
In the end, Bran and Sansa only got one sweet roll and a piece of lemon cake. While mother gave a couple of them to Rickon, Robb and I took the rest. While Sansa complained and Bran sighed in defeat, I laughed with and taunted them with grumps on my cheeks. Even though my mother reprimanded me, I could see she was smiling with her eyes.
"When will Jon come back?" Rickon suddenly asked.
"Jon is on a task beyond the Wall," Robb explained. "Once he returns, I will ask him to visit us."
It took much time for Rickon to understand that our father would not return. Even though he wasn't old enough to know why our father couldn't return, he accepted it. Now he wants to see Jon, not understanding that he can't return yet. It has been almost half a year since the Night Watch left for an expedition to Beyond the Wall.
There has been no news since then, but Robb and maester Luwin assured us it takes time for the information to travel so far north. I hoped Jon was fine. It didn't feel right that we could return home while he couldn't. Winterfell felt empty without him. And even mother didn't say anything about Jon visiting. I even wanted to see Gendry, as I have not heard anything from him since he left for the Wall.
…
"You still are not seeing, boy," Syrio said as he struck my arm. "Are you even in the room?"
"Where else could I be?" I asked, rubbing my arm.
"Not here," Syrio replied. "What is on your mind?"
"What kind of place is Braavos?" I asked.
"To some, Braavos is all stone, a grey city in a green sea," Syrio answered.
"What it is to you?" I was not satisfied with such an answer.
"To me, Braavos was a city made for secrets, a city of fogs and masks and whispers," He said. "That's one reason I was glad to leave it behind."
"It doesn't sound like a nice place," I was disappointed.
"I could say the same about any place," Syrio replied. "In autumn, you won't find the city pretty, but the people are one of a kind. That isn't something I would say about any other place."
I wanted to hear more, but Syrio refused to tell me anything else. Still, I wanted to go and see it myself. I wanted to see the Titan guarding the city, hear the renowned mummers shows, and see water dancers. I didn't care if I was disappointed. So, no matter what, I must convince Robb to take me with him. Even if mother will be displeased.
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