It was a relief to get away from Harrenhal. Steve was reminded of the first time he’d been given leave after waking up from the ice and getting out into the country, even if the castle had nothing on New York City. He’d been spoiled by the ease with which he could slip away to places the crowds couldn’t follow, like the Tower, or the Compound. Being on the road though was a different world, their only other company being travelers and traders that they passed by quickly.

They had reached the Kingsroad on their second day of travel, and ridden along it for a time. None they passed looked at them with any hint of recognition, and it appeared that their early departure had seen them ahead of any rumours of their new wealth. With little worry of ambushers laying in wait, their journey for Maidenpool felt more like a trip for pleasure than anything. Green fields passed by slowly as the wagon trundled along dusty roads, the days cool and clear.

They spoke some as they rode, welcoming Lyanna into the group and getting to know each other better than they could at a busy tourney. Robin whittled arrow shafts in the evenings and collected feathers for fletching, and Toby rode circles around the group as they traveled on his sand steed. Steve forgot sometimes that Keladry and Toby had only been with them for three weeks, and Robin only slightly longer than that. By contrast, he and Naerys had been together for around two months. It felt longer.

On the second night of their travels, they camped under the boughs of an old oak tree, pulling up just as the sun was beginning to set. Between the six of them, the tent was set up quickly, Robin and Dodger departing to hunt for dinner, while Naerys scraped a section of ground clear of grass. Toby set about inspecting the horses, and Keladry found some open space for herself to slowly move through a complicated looking dance with her glaive.

“What can I do, my- Naerys?” Lyanna asked, hands smoothing her dress. Despite being asked to call them all by name, she still slipped up at times.

“Steve tells me you haven’t been taught how to read and write,” Naerys said.

“Only enough to do my work,” Lyanna said.

“I’ve taught Steve enough to get by, and I’ve started teaching Robin and Toby,” Naerys said, “so we’re going to work on getting you caught up to them before they join the lesson.”

“Robin should be back soon,” Steve said, from where he was listening nearby. He fetched a pair of low stools from the wagon and placed them down by Naerys’ impromptu classroom. “I’ll get started on dinner.”

“I should be-” Lyanna started to argue.

“You should pay attention to your lesson,” Steve said. “Come on, where’s that cheek you had back at Harrenhal?”

“You weren’t my lord then,” Lyanna said, but she sat on one of the stools.

“If it helps, think of me like a commoner who lucked into a noble’s boots,” Steve said, as he retrieved a few potatoes from a sack of them in the wagon and began to slice them up, before dropping them into an iron pot.

Lyanna squinted at him, before giving Naerys her attention. Letters and words were written in the dirt, and soon they were both involved in the lesson.

Steve contemplated their journey as he prepared the vegetables for dinner. It shouldn’t take them more than a week to get to Maidenpool, and from there to find a ship that could take them on to Braavos. They might have to stop off in Gulltown on their way, but that would serve them too. There was much they could buy in a city that wasn’t available at a single castle.

Toby finished with the horses, leaving them rubbed down and eating placidly, their saddles hanging from a thick low branch. The job went faster, even for a young boy like Toby, when the horses worked with the person taking care of them. He joined Naerys’ lesson, taking a seat in the dirt.

Keladry finished her work with the glaive and retreated inside the tent to change around the same time Robin and Dodger returned, a duck on each of the boy’s shoulders.

“Got three ducks, two arrows,” Robin said.

“Dodger take his share did he?” Steve asked, glancing at the dog. There were a few feathers on his jowls.

“Seems fair for fetching them from the river,” Robin said, handing the ducks over when Steve gestured for them.

Keladry emerged from the tent and began to gather firewood, while Naerys called Robin over to join the lesson before the light died. The sounds of the camp drifted through the air, mingling with the songs of birds and insects.

It had been a long time since Steve had had to butcher an animal, but he found himself remembering the motions as he set about the birds with a sharp knife. As he worked, he let himself remember the old Frenchwoman who had taught him and Bucky the process as thanks for knocking out a pair of krauts who had been bothering her granddaughter. He smiled at the memory. That had been a wild infiltration mission.

A small fire was crackling by the time Steve was done, a metal tripod already set up over it. With all the ingredients of their stew in the pot, he hung it from the tripod, and settled back to wait for Naerys to finish with the kids, speaking quietly with Keladry.

When the lesson ended, Steve rose from his seat by the fire. “Alright kids,” he said. “Who wants to learn how to hurt someone bigger than you really badly?”

All three faces lit up. They followed him as he led them away from the camp a bit to an even patch of grass.

“Robin, I’ve taught you a bit of this already, so I’m going to use you as an example,” Steve said.

Robin slowed, looking over his shoulder as if for escape routes.

“Not as a victim,” Steve said. “Well, kind of. I’m going to grab you now.”

The teen didn’t look reassured.

“If someone bigger than you grabs you from behind, they’re also making themselves vulnerable in a few ways,” Steve said, as he grabbed Robin by the shoulder to demonstrate. “Remember the elbow and stomp I showed you.”

For the next short while, Steve ran through a number of holds and how to escape them while hurting the opponent as much as possible in the process. Lyanna soaked it up like a sponge, quickly grasping the techniques and making them work for her. Her bony elbow found his solar plexus without fail, and if he’d been another man, he would have needed to tap out quickly.

“Come on Robin, grab me, like you did that time.” Lyanna said.

Steve turned from where he was talking to Toby and raised an eyebrow, even as Robin spluttered.

“You were about to be seen and I didn’t have time to-” He shut his mouth with a clack.

“So I know what to do against people not as big as Steve,” Lyanna said, expression cherubic.

“Maybe when we get some actual protective equipment,” Steve said. “Run through that movement another ten times.” He turned back to Toby. “You’re still too small to want to stick around in a fight you can’t win quickly, so we’re going to focus on breaking grips and running, either to one of us or a herd of horses.” He ignored the voice in his head that sounded like Bucky calling him a hypocrite.

“I could just stab ‘em,” Toby said. “Don’t matter how big they are then.”

“If you need to stab them, stab them,” Steve told him, “but you may not be able to get your knife out or use it without them stopping you.”

Toby grumbled but acquiesced, and the clash of steel drew his attention for a moment. He looked over to where Keladry and Naerys were sparring slowly, working their way through a sword pattern the warrior woman had shared.

The training continued until the sun had set properly, and rather than risk injury they called it an evening. The scent of the duck and vegetable stew drifted over the camp, enticing them and reminding them of their hunger. Wooden bowls were produced, as well as some iron cutlery. Naerys retrieved a hunk of bread from the wagon and tore hunks off it for everyone, and they dug in, seated around the fire. The moon rose as they ate, each content to focus on the meal until they had eaten their fill.

“So, Lyanna,” Steve said, as he scraped his bowl clean with a bit of bread, “you’ve been with us for two days now. Did you have any questions?”

Lyanna looked over to him from where she sat next to Robin, licking a fleck of stew from her wrist. “I do, yeah,” she said slowly. “Where the hells do you hail from?”

The others, save Naerys, all looked interested in the answer, and Steve realised that she was the only one he’d given even a hint of an answer to.

“Far away,” Steve said, “across seas that no ship can sail. It’s...a different world.”

The others considered his word for a moment, turning his words over in their heads. Naerys was the only one not wrestling with what his words hinted at.

“Are you just being poetic?” Robin asked.

“No,” Steve said. “In my homeland there are buildings taller than the tallest castle, made of glass and steel. We have carriages that don’t need horses, and colleges in every city.”

“Like the Citadel?” Naerys asked.

Steve snorted. “The Citadel wishes they had the knowledge of a local community college.”

“Is your home magic?” Lyanna asked. She was half enthralled, half repulsed by the idea.

“Well, no but sometimes yes,” Steve said. “We know magic exists, but it’s not widespread.”

“Are you magic?” Toby demanded.

Again, Steve shook his head. “Just good eating and super science,” he said, tapping his chest.

Toby mouthed the words ‘super science’ with a look on his face as if he’d discovered the sky was green one morning.

“How did you come to be here?” Keladry asked. “Was it intentional?”

“There was a battle,” Steve said. “We won, but at great cost. I ended up here in the aftermath of, I guess you’d call it a spell.” He glanced at Naerys. “Then I met Naerys, and from there, the rest of you.”

There was silence as they absorbed his words.

“I wanted to share this with you because we’ll be traveling together for a while, if all goes well,” Steve said. “I don’t like hiding things like that.” He glanced at Keladry with a touch of guilt; he hadn’t meant to infer anything about her situation, but her face was as composed as always.

“It’s a lot to take in,” Naerys said, looking at the others.

“I don’t expect you to make a decision on this or anything,” Steve added. “I just wanted to tell you.”

“Wait, go back,” Robin said. “How do carriages move without horses?” He was frowning, attempting to work it out.

Steve laughed. “You ever seen a water mill?”

“Yeah,” Robin said, dubious.

“Kind of like that, but not at all. There’s a device that burns fuel to turn the wheels,” he said. “It’s complicated.”

“Do you mean to find a way home?” Keladry asked. Her gaze was steady as she watched him. The question seemed important to her.

“I would like to,” Steve said slowly. “My comrades are there, and a lot of people depended on me, but…” he trailed off, considering. Was he even truly needed anymore? He shook himself out of it. “Nothing I’ve seen so far makes me think there’s a way home from this side. A way home will find me, I think. Not that I’m in a hurry to leave you guys,” he said.

“Course you aren’t,” Toby said. “We’re great.”

Steve smiled at the kid, even as Keladry rustled his hair. “Well, if you see a big blond guy crackling with lightning, or a fella with a goatee and a red gold suit of armour, let me know.”

“Thank you for sharing this with us,” Keladry said. “We will not betray your trust.”

The kids made noises of agreement, looking various levels of shell shocked at the information. The camp was quiet for a short while, as they finished their food and began to see about tidying up.

“What about you, Lyanna?” Steve asked, as he set up a bucket of water to clean in. “Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?”

She took his empty bowl without asking, muscling her way into cleaning duties. “What’d you wanna know?” Lyanna asked.

A thought occurred to Steve, and a smile slowly stretched across his face. “What trouble did you kids get up to that Robin keeps avoiding talking about?”

The boys froze, before very obviously continuing about their way as if they hadn’t. Lyanna was slightly better, in that her scrubbing of cutlery hardly paused.

“What do you mean ‘trouble’, Steve?” Lyanna asked.

“The kind that three kids get up to running about unsupervised and then make sure not to tell the adults about after,” Steve drawled, returning to his seat.

Lyanna looked puzzled.

Steve raised an eyebrow at her. She caved in after a handful of heartbeats.

“Ok, but first of all he had it coming,” Lyanna said.

“Lyanna!” Robin said, voice strangled.

Lyanna ignored him. “Servants at Harrenhal report to someone based on where they work, and some places are better to work than others, see. That means there’s fights to get the good jobs.”

“Fights?” Naerys asked.

“Not that kind,” Lyanna said. “Carryin’ tales, messing up someone else’s work, stuff like that. I had a pretty good job, working in Kingspyre where all the people are. Means less stairs to climb, more coin from nobles, stuff like that. Only, because I had a good job, meant others wanted it.” She scrubbed at a stubborn bit of stew. “Man I worked under had a cousin they wanted to get a good job for, and he decided I was the one who had to go to make way for them.” A look of distaste crossed her face. “So I got rid of him first.”

“Tell the full story if you’re going to tell it,” Robin interrupted. “He deserved what he got.”

Lyanna shifted from knee to knee as she rinsed the last bowl clean. “He gave me an ‘opportunity’ to keep my job first.”

Steve frowned. A number of dangerous people would have felt a frisson of fear at the sight.

“Some should not be given power over another,” Keladry said.

“‘E’s got no power anymore,” Toby said, cackling.

“I was working on a way to fix things when I met Robin and Toby,” Lyanna said.

“You were trying to get a bag of horseshit from the stables,” Robin said.

“I had a plan and it would have worked,” Lyanna said.

“Three of us made a better one though,” Toby said.

“I would have ended up in charge with my plan though,” Lyanna argued.

“But now you’ve got a job with Steve, so that’s even better,” Robin said.

Steve shared a glance with Naerys and Keladry.

“Anyway,” Lyanna said, as she got back to her feet and returned to her seat by the fire, “these two louts wouldn’t leave well enough alone, so instead of framing my boss for putting horseshit in another head servant’s quarters, he was found in possession of the smallclothes of Lord Whent’s daughter. He got whipped and turned out, I got to keep my job.”

“For a few days, anyway,” Toby said.

“This one is better,” Lyanna said, shrugging.

The boys nodded in agreement.

A thought crossed Steve’s mind. “...how did you gain possession of the smallclothes of Lord Whent's daughter?"

“What do you mean?” Lyanna asked, eyes wide and innocent. “It wasn’t me who had them.”

“Just a humble and faithful servant, nothing out of the ordinary about you,” Steve said.

“That’s right, my lord.”

Steve screwed up his nose at the title.

“Lyanna would never do something like that here,” Robin said hurriedly. “It’s just that man got what he deserved.”

“Hey, what goes around comes around,” Steve said, “and sometimes you’re what someone has coming to them.”

“It seems to happen fairly often when you’re involved,” Naerys said, favouring him with a smile.

Robin nodded with a smile of his own. “Nobles don’t get what they deserve near often enough.”

“I’m going to choose to believe that you got the smallclothes from the laundry,” Steve said.

“That’s definitely what happened,” Toby said.

Keladry looked skyward, as if seeking patience. “I think it time for bed, now. We have another long day tomorrow.”

All agreed, and in short order what needed to be done was done, and each of them bedded down for the night in their rooms in the tent. The rustling of tree branches lulled them to sleep.

X x X

The next day was much the same as those that came before, as they acclimatised to the routine of travel. They struck their camp shortly after sunrise, sharing a light meal before they were on their way. Their pace was limited by the wagon and the stubborn mules that pulled it, but they were in no rush, and it gave them time to enjoy the countryside, often letting the horses have their heads and galloping back and forth rather than plodding along the road.

They stopped by a river for lunch, giving the animals a rest, and Steve took the chance to dunk his head. Robin and Toby followed his example, washing off some of the sweat of the day, while Dodger chased dragonflies in the shallows.

“Steve,” Keladry called from the riverbank. “Do you suppose Lyanna should be taught to ride?”

Steve glanced back, pulling his shirt up to dry his face. All three still on the bank were watching, waiting for his answer. “That’s probably a good idea.”

“I’m just a servant,” Lyanna said, more pointing it out than protesting.

“So?” Steve asked. “What do you think, Toby could run her through the basics?”

Keladry shook her head. “Toby is an awful teacher.”

“Oi,” the boy said.

“You forget that not everyone can - do what you do,” Keladry said. “I will teach her on Qēlos.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

When they resumed their journey, Lyanna left Robin alone on the wagon to climb unsteadily onto Qēlos’ back. The palfrey was patient, and before long she was settled atop the mare. Steve listened with half an ear as Keladry guided her through the basics of horsemanship, even picking up a thing or two himself. They made good time, even with a learner, following one of the innumerable dirt paths that crisscrossed the kingdoms on their way to Maidenpool.

That night, they camped in a clearing by the riverside. The evening spring air was brisk, but not so brisk that the kids weren’t eager to dive in and splash around in their smalls after being put through their paces by Steve and Keladry. They might complain half heartedly, but Steve wasn’t going to leave anyone under his care unable to defend themselves in a world like this. For dinner, they ate fish, freshly caught and grilled over the fire. Steve retrieved some spices he’d purchased at Harrenhal and hidden away as a surprise to season the catch with, while Naerys sliced a few more potatoes from the sack into thin strips, cooking them on the square of metal that served as their grill. He slipped a piece to Dodger when the pleading eyes became too much.

“It’s sho guhd,” Robin said around a mouthful, as they ate later. “How did you make it better than some meals at Harrenhal?”

They were seated around the fire once more, moonrise behind them and the song of crickets in the air.

“Practice,” Steve said. “I know a bit about making good meals on the road.”

“Keladry never cooked like this and we spent plenty o’ time on the road too,” Toby said, as he picked the skeleton of his fish clean. Seemed he remembered the comment on his teaching skills from the morning.

“My cooking skills are perfectly serviceable,” Keladry said primly.

“Keladry probably didn’t have the chance to spend a few moons on spices either,” Naerys said.

“That’s not just for this meal, right?” Lyanna asked, looking at her plate in horror.

“No, but even if it was, it would be worth it,” Steve said. “A good meal is an easy way to keep morale up in tough conditions.”

“You’re speaking from experience,” Keladry said.

“Yeah,” Steve said. “During the War, I led a few missions ranging deep behind enemy lines. No resupply, no friendly faces, bad conditions. A hot meal with more taste than an MRE was a godsend.”

“Em are ee?” Robin asked.

“Meals ready to eat,” Steve said. “A meal that a soldier could carry with them that took up little space and wouldn’t go bad because of how it was packed, and didn’t need any preparation. Great for logistics, but horrible for morale.”

“This is the war that you spoke about when we dined at the Red Keep?” Naerys asked.

“Yeah,” Steve said. He stared into the fire for a long moment, suddenly reminded of all the times he’d sat around one just like this with the Commandos.

The silence stretched out, before Keladry cleared her throat, placing her plate on the ground. Dodger was there immediately, licking it clean. “I promised I would share more about how Toby and I came to travel together, back at the castle.”

She seemed uncomfortable, and Steve’s gaze flicked to Lyanna. He wasn’t the only one to pick up on it.

“Lyanna’s trustworthy,” Robin said. His ears pinked. “And she’s smart. You’d have to be some kind of idiot to risk a position like this.”

Lyanna opened her mouth, maybe to tease him, but she coloured in turn and looked at the ground. “I’ll keep your secrets, my lord,” she said.

“Steve,” Steve said. He’d get them away from calling him lord one day.

“My lord,” Lyanna insisted firmly. “There are times to call you by name and times to call you by title. This is a ‘my lord’ time.”

Steve drummed his fingers against his thigh.

“She’s right,” Naerys said.

“My Da would tan my hide if he knew how familiar I’d been with you,” Robin added.

“Best accept it, Ser Steve,” Keladry said. She wore a faint smile, and her uneasiness had faded.

“Keep that up and I’ll knight you so I’m not the only one with a title,” Steve grumbled. “I can do that, right?”

“I could never accept that,” Keladry said, startled. “I would never - knighthood is to be earned.”

“I know,” Steve said. “I wouldn’t. I know it means a lot to you.”

Keladry sighed. “I apologise. Knighthood is something I’ve wanted since I was old enough to understand what it was, but it has always been so far out of reach.” She glanced at her companions in turn, finally settling on Lyanna. “I’m a woman. A very minor noble of the Vale.”

“I figured,” Lyanna said.

“You figured,” Keladry said, nonplussed.

“You always grouped yourself with me and Naerys, and always bathed alone. That was the simplest answer.”

“Huh,” Steve said. “You’ve got a smart head on your shoulders.” He’d known she was smart, from what he’d seen of her when they met, and the way she changed her accent depending on who she was talking to, but this might be worth developing.

Lyanna shrugged, uncomfortable with the compliment. “How did you end up riding across the kingdoms with a mountain clan boy on your heels?” she asked.

“I told you that my party was ambushed as I was escorted to meet my betrothed, Toby and I the only survivors,” Keladry said, looking at the others.

“I had wondered about that,” Naerys said. “I would have taken the chance to run, but you seem more...duty bound.”

A ghost of a smile crossed Keladry’s face. “My brothers often told me I was too serious. A lump of duty, they called me.” The fire crackled as she paused in remembrance. She cleared her throat. “Twenty men escorted me, ten sworn to my father, and ten to my betrothed. After the clan war band had been slain, there were five of us left, and I had been forced to take up a sword in the battle. The knight who taught me to fight, my mentor, and two men at arms and a knight sworn to House Burchard.” She cleared her throat again.

“Would you like some water?” Naerys asked.

“Please.”

Robin scrambled to his feet before Naerys could get up, returning quickly with a full waterskin.

Keladry wet her lips, sipping slowly. “We were checking the dead when we found a survivor.”

“Toby,” Steve said, looking to the boy.

“I found him next to his father,” Keladry said, “not that I knew it.”

“What was a child doing as part of a war band?” Steve asked, although he had a feeling he knew the answer.

“They noticed the horses behaved better when I was there,” Toby said. “And I was lookin’ for a chance to kill the old bastard.”

“The old bastard?” Lyanna asked.

“His father,” Keladry said.

“That’s kinslaying,” the young girl said.

“‘E weren’t no kin of mine,” Toby said, shrugging. “Kel had opened his belly, but I cut his throat to be sure.”

Robin looked askance at Toby, unable to voice the thoughts playing across his face, a mix of sadness and anger.

“‘E ‘ad it comin’,” Toby assured the older boy.

Steve had come across more than a few child soldiers in his time, and even if Toby’s situation was different, it set his blood to simmer each time. Now wasn’t the time to speak on it. “What happened after you found Toby?” he asked.

“The knight saw him too,” Keladry said. “He was ready to kill him. I told him no.”

“He didn’t like being told no, did he,” Naerys said. There was a grim set to her face.

“He did not. He threatened me with rape and death if I did not stand aside,” Keladry said. She could have been talking about the weather. “Another maiden run afoul of the mountain clans.”

“But you were betrothed to his lord,” Lyanna blurted out. “That don’t make sense. You should’ve been covered.”

“People don’t always act rationally,” Steve said, “and this knight could have had any number of motivations to make him act like that.”

“What happened?” Robin asked. He was leaning forward, eyes hungry.

“He forgot about Wyldon. My mentor,” Keladry said, explaining to their questioning looks. “Or dismissed him as an old man. Seventy years he was, and he butchered him like a prize hog.” She took another sip of water, a rare smile on her face. “I fought the two men at arms. They might have had me, but Toby stabbed one in the back of the knee.”

“You said you two were the only survivors,” Naerys said. She looked like she wanted to place a hand on Keladry’s shoulder. “Wyldon?”

“His heart gave out,” Keladry said. “The battle was too much for him, I think.”

“I’m sorry,” Steve said. The words were said with the weight of far too many dead friends.

“Thank you,” Keladry said. “He would have thought it a good death.”

“‘E got a nice view from his grave,” Toby said. “All nice looking over the valley and all. Sort of thing you’d be grateful for.”

“Don’t say it, Toby,” Keladry said, sighing.

“I’m just saying,” Toby protested.

“Do not.”

“What’s this?” Steve asked, head going back and forth between them at the byplay.

“Toby is upset that I buried Ser Wyldon in his armour instead of using it myself,” Keladry said.

“You didn’t even take Ser Pig’s armour,” the boy complained.

“I couldn’t risk it being recognised,” Keladry said, and it had the sound of a well worn argument. “Nor was I going to loot my mentor.”

“But you didn’t go on to House Burchard,” Naerys said.

“I couldn’t go on, not alone, not to a House whose knight had threatened me so, with a boy they’d likely see killed,” Keladry said. “I thought the best thing I could do for my family was to make it seem like I had died or been taken in the attack.”

“Your family doesn’t know you’re alive?” Steve asked.

A pained expression crossed her face. “If they knew, they’d be honour bound to keep to the betrothal agreement. It would only hurt o- their House.”

“Tough decision to make,” Steve said.

“How long did you spend as a sellsword?” Robin asked.

“Almost a year. We were down to our last coin when we met you three on the road,” Keladry said. A strange expression came over her. “And perhaps worse than that if we’d not been with you when we were ambushed.”

“You would have pulled through,” Steve said. He knew the ease with which Keladry could swing her glaive, and a polearm like that would carve through bandits like wheat.

“Perhaps,” Keladry said.

“Do you think you’ll have any trouble from signing up to the melee under your real name?” he asked.

“...I don’t know,” Keladry answered. “The information is there for those who care to look, but why would they? How long will the Whents hold onto those records? I cannot say.”

“Doesn’t sit well with me,” Steve said, “leaving an opening like that.”

“Word is out that a noble named Keladry who hails from the Vale rode as part of your retinue,” Keladry said. “Should it spread to my home, or to House Burchard, we may be lucky enough that it will be mangled beyond recognition.”

“What about that Kyllan fella?”

Keladry smiled faintly. “Word of scandal spreads faster than any other news. He can bleat all he likes, but his word is tarnished.”

“If the truth does come out,” Naerys said, “the easiest response would see one of your names blackened.” Her mouth twisted in distaste. “Someone must have lied somewhere, lord or retainer.”

“No,” Steve said, like it was an immutable truth. “If someone wants to push us about your gender, we won’t be the ones who move.”

“That’s a large fight to pick, Steve,” Naerys said, but she was smiling faintly, like she already knew what he’d say.

“I’ve picked bigger,” he said. “A society that treats women as second class citizens is a society of bullies, sick and diseased. I’m not going to hide from their disapproval, and neither should you.” He coughed. “Unless you’d rather keep it under wraps. It’s your secret.”

Lyanna was watching him like she’d never seen him before, and Keladry’s face was inscrutable.

“If it is trouble you would invite,” Keladry said slowly, “I would stand with you always.”

“Kel, you know what’ll happen if you don’t hide,” Toby said, upset. “You’d be packed off to Burchard afore you could blink.”

“I, yes, my family would have to…” she said, unsure. Something she never thought would be an option had been presented to her, only for her to be reminded of the obstacles that still lay in her path.

“It’s not something that needs to be decided now,” Steve said. “But if you want to tell the world that you’re a woman and a warrior, I’ll have your back.”

“You wouldn’t be the first woman Steve saved from an unwanted marriage, if you decide you don’t want to hide,” Naerys said.

Robin’s head snapped around, staring between Naerys and Steve, face agog, before he thought things through. A look of realisation spread.

“How did you meet up with Steve?” Lyanna asked, looking curiously at Naerys.

Rather than answer, Naerys gestured for someone else to reply first.

“We met on the road, as we both travelled to Harrenhal,” Keladry said. “I thought he was sharing a jape when he spoke about the melee as a done deal.”

“I asked him to take me into his service after he bought a bow from my Da,” Robin said. “Better than fletching arrows in his shop all day.”

“Just a touch,” Lyanna said, poking her tongue out at him.

“Steve washed ashore near my village,” Naerys shared. “I helped him get his bearings, and he repaid me tenfold.”

“Naerys is underselling herself,” Steve told the group. “She nursed me back to health, taught me the language, and stopped me from making a fool of myself in front of the locals.”

Naerys blushed crimson, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “You introduced me to Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Jaime Lannister, and Lord Crakehall as if I was their better!”

Toby cackled at her distress, and Robin chuckled. Lyanna was staring open mouthed, amused, incredulous horror painted on her face.

“Well, mostly stopped me making a fool of myself,” Steve admitted. “So I guess I just owe her my life.”

“But how did you come to travel together?” Lyanna asked. “The songs just say you’re a bastard from Sharp Point.”

“Songs?” Steve muttered to himself, but was ignored.

“My cousin is a scoundrel and a cad,” Naerys said cheerfully. “Steve walked into his keep, flipped his feast laden table, and threatened him.”

“It was more of a stern talking to,” Steve said.

“You picked him up by the throat with one arm,” Naerys said.

“Very stern,” he tried.

Laughter broke the last of the mood that had fallen over them with Keladry’s tale, and the evening became a sharing of tales and the gentle bullying that only good friends can achieve, as they spoke of their various adventures so far, sharing and reminiscing. By the time they called it a night, they were all the closer for it.

X x X

Several days later, the town of Maidenpool lay before them, and Steve was reminded how bad a medieval town could smell. It was no King’s Landing, but the stench of humanity hung in the air all the same. They entered the town like any other travelers, and while they turned a few heads for their manner of dress and obvious status, the attention was only curious, lacking the air of greed or desperation that would have been present had anyone known that their wagon held near on two hundred kilograms of gold coins.

“Do we need anything while we’re here?” Steve asked his companions.

“Nothing we can’t get in Gulltown, and any ship to Braavos should pass through there,” Keladry said.

“I have a piece of armour to sell, but that’s it,” Naerys said. “And wedding gifts from Braavos would be better received than something from Maidenpool.”

Their pace was slow through the crowded streets, but street by street they made their way towards the docks. Seagulls cried as they swooped through the air, and the clamour of the day’s business threatened to drown out their thoughts. The tide looked to be rising, and with it, the vessels that had gone out to sea before dawn were returning with their catch. There was a wide road that ran the length of the docks, lines of merchants and carts hawking their wares on it. An empty alley facing the water was found, and Steve pushed the wagon in it once the mules got it lined up. Their small herd of horses kept to the building's side, and traffic flowed around them easily.

“Any ships leaving will want to go with the tide,” Steve said, “and it looks like we have a few hours before that cutoff.” He turned to the kids. “Kids, you’ve got free time. Be back here in an hour, and see if you can find any ships headed for Braavos willing to take on passengers.”

The kids waited only long enough to get some of their coin, and then they ran off, dodging in and out of the crowd, laughing as they went. Steve realised he had just set loose a near master archer, a horse warg, and the girl who bossed over them on the town with money to spend, and wondered if he’d made a mistake. It’d probably be fine.

Steve planted himself on the wagon after making sure Fury had what he needed, but Toby had of course already taken care of it. Keladry joined him.

“Do you two want anything while I’m looking for a buyer?” Naerys asked, as she retrieved a pauldron from the wagon.

“I’m fine,” Steve said.

“A whetstone, perhaps?” Keladry asked. “Mine is running thin.”

Naerys nodded. “I’ll speak to a few ships, too.” She departed, the sight of a woman in trousers carrying a piece of armour turning a few heads.

“You don’t think we can get a ship straight to Braavos from here?” Steve asked, as he watched the people walking by.

“You could likely charter a vessel,” Keladry said, “but it would be far more expensive.”

“Not worth it?”

“Not in this instance. And it would be useful to stop in Gulltown. It is one of the five cities of Westeros, and so boasts many things you cannot find elsewhere,” Keladry explained. “We can stable our horses there too; I do not think it necessary to bring them with us to Braavos.”

“You know a fair bit about this,” Steve said.

“My grandmother was an Arryn of Gulltown,” Keladry said. “She liked to talk about her childhood with me. I was her only granddaughter.” She seemed sad.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Steve said.

“She still lives,” Keladry said, “but that only means she thinks me dead.” Her mouth set in a line, and she looked away.

“You could send her a letter,” Steve said. “Just her,” he added as she shook her head. “She would know you’re doing alright, and your family wouldn’t be obligated to do anything.”

“Maybe,” Keladry said, and that was all they spoke on it.

In time their companions returned, Naerys sans pauldron and with another copper halfgroat to her name, and the kids with a pouch of something Steve judged to be sweets from the way they guarded it jealously.

“How did we go?”

“Good,” Robin reported. “We found a Westerosi cog with a space we can call our own below deck for the voyage at a good price, and a Braavosi carrack with several rooms for passengers, but they cost a bit more.”

“There were Ironborn who heard us asking and offered us a place at an oar, but,” Lyanna said, screwing up her face and shrugging.

Keladry was tucking the whetstone Naerys had given her into her pocket. “We have no need to associate with Ironborn,” she said, nodding approvingly at Lyanna.

“I saw a swanship soliciting passengers, but I think it was a Lyseni crew,” Naerys said. “I didn’t ask their price.”

“A swanship?” Steve asked.

“A sailing vessel from the Summer Islands,” Naerys said. “Fast, but they need the wind.”

“If we’re going to Braavos,” Steve said, “we might as well sail with Braavosi. Naerys?”

“It would be best if we both went,” Naerys said.

“Sure. Keladry, you and the kids are fine with the wagon?”

“I’m almost a man,” Robin muttered to himself.

“Almost only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades,” Steve said.

“We will watch over the wagon,” Keladry promised.

Robin gave them directions to the carrack, and the two of them were on their way. Two became three as Dodger woke from his nap and saw them leaving, jumping from the wagon to trot along at their heels with a happy bark.

Down the docks a ways, in a berth larger than most, sat the carrack. It was a large, weathered vessel, bearing the marks of hard seas and long travels. Barnacles grew along the waterline, and a wide ramp ran from the dock to an opening into its belowdecks. Sailors carried out their tasks with the ease of long practice, some carrying goods on and off the ship while others inspected the hull as they hung from ropes tied to the deck. There was a man in sober clothing overseeing it all, occasionally giving direction in a language Steve didn’t recognise. He turned as they approached.

“Greetings, my friend,” the man said. He had dark eyes, a sailor’s tan, and he spoke Westerosi with an accent. “What can Captain Irnar do for you this day?”

“We’re looking for passage to Braavos,” Steve said.

“Many are, this day,” Irna said. “Just the two of you?”

Steve shook his head. “Another adult and three children, plus a wagon, four mules, and five horses. You’re stopping in Gulltown on the way?”

Irnar’s brows raised. “The three children from before, they belong to you? I confess, I did not think - but no matter. Yes, we will stop in Gulltown. It is not a long stop,” he warned.

“We plan to leave the wagon and animals there,” Steve said. “I hear you have a few rooms available?”

“Three rooms I have left,” Irnar said. “Yours, plus room for your beasts, for a very reasonable price. Twenty of your silver moons.”

Steve pulled a face at the mention of three rooms. He already knew how this was going to go down. He glanced to Naerys, and she nodded.

“Let’s talk price,” she said.

“What is there to talk about?” Irnar said, spreading his arms. “The rooms are comfortable, with a beautiful view of the sea and an ocean breeze. The price, as I said, is very reasonable.”

Naerys smiled, demure in a way that she only was when it benefited her. “Please Captain, I may be a young woman but even I have heard of the reputation of the Braavosi. Twenty moons is reasonable if one is on a pleasure vessel, but this is a working ship. Ten moons would be much more reasonable.”

“Ten moons!” Irnar cried out. “I would be better served packing the rooms with wool. I cannot offer such a price. Eighteen moons.”

Steve watched as the bargaining continued, scratching Dodger behind the ears as he did. The pair bemoaned the miserly tendencies of the other, complimenting and belittling one another in the same breath. Both seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Irnar pretended to newly notice Dodger, and Naerys responded with a question of how heartless a man he must be to put a price on such a fine animal companion. In the end, their journey to Braavos came down to fifteen silver moons. They sealed the deal with a handshake, and both seemed satisfied.

“Bring your wagon and your horses here as soon as you can,” Irnar instructed. “My men will load them for you.” He fixed them with a stare. “You must know, any possessions you bring with you to Braavos will be inspected with the rest of my ship upon arrival. I trust this will be no issue?”

Naerys looked to Steve, and he drummed his fingers against his thigh. “We have nothing illegal, so long as coin for trade is fine.”

“It is,” Irnar said slowly. “You should know, that my insurance only covers my own cargo, not that of my passengers.”

“That’s fine,” Steve said. He left it at that.

“Then welcome aboard the Swift Sow!” Irnar said. He offered his hand, and Steve took it, shaking it firmly. Another leg of their journey was complete, and another about to begin.

X

Travel on the Swift Sow felt relaxingly slow, even if they were told they were making good time. As Steve had known, he had ended up sharing with Naerys once again, Keladry with a room to herself, and the kids sharing. There were a few other passengers on board, but their destination was Gulltown, and they kept to themselves for the most part. Conversation with the captain and crew told them that they were on the tail end of a long trade voyage, and eager to be nearing home.

Gulltown was like Maidenpool, only more so. The docks were sprawling, the people were busy, and Steve could see many warehouses lining the shore. This was a city whose lifeblood was trade.

It had only taken a few days to make the trip, and all of them had been calm sailing. Despite this, Lyanna had been queasy throughout, and was not looking forward to crossing the Narrow Sea. The Swift Sow was putting in for six hours, so they had five to enter the city and see to their business. Keladry had volunteered to stay aboard and watch over the four chests kept under the bunk in her room, leaving the rest of them free to go ashore.

They left the ship behind and made their way into the city, making first for a stable that Toby somehow knew about. It turned out to be most of the way across the city, and they passed several stables on the way, but Toby turned his nose up at them. On the upside, they also saw a street of smithies with some promising armour on display.

When they reached the stable, Steve stood by and let Toby talk, lending his authority but leaving the preteen boy to do as he wanted. He watched as demands were made for particular stalls for certain horses, as well as certain feeds and yard times. Redbloom and Bill were not to be let near each other, and no one who smelt of smoke was to go near Khal. The stablemaster listened indulgently, sharing a smile with Steve at times, but seemed sincere in his intent to do as Toby asked. A gold coin was handed over, the cost of the stay plus extra in case of delays, and they left after Toby had pressed his head briefly to the head of each horse and mule.

On their way to find a smith, Steve glimpsed a storefront that displayed an easel and brush and considered it briefly, but reasoned that Braavos would be just as likely to have better quality with more time to browse, and they continued on.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Robin and Lyanna bump their shoulders together, sharing a smile when they thought no one was looking, and he hummed internally. Maybe he’d have to sit the kids down for a talk at some stage.

Steve didn’t have the best knowledge of Westerosi armour, but he had seen the armour or poor hedge knights, and that of Lords, and he could pick out the small differences beyond the obvious. Two stores were passed by before a third stood out to him, and they made their way in. It was open air, like all others on the street, with a forge in the back and the front dedicated to the display of arms and armour.

“How can I help you, Ser?” an apprentice approached and asked, zeroing in on Steve.

“I’m here for armour,” Steve said. He placed the sack that held Keladry’s armour from Harrenhal on a table. “I want plate armour for myself and one other, and a set of something lighter for my friend here.” He nodded towards Naerys.

“For a woman?” the apprentice asked.

“Yes.”

“Uh, of course my lord,” he said. “Let me fetch my master.” He departed, and a short while later an older man with a drooping moustache, slightly singed, emerged from the forge.

“Two sets of plate, my boy said,” the man said. “I’m Master Dale.”

“Steve Rogers. And something lighter, suitable for a woman,” Steve said. “Something that won’t inhibit movement.” He had a plan for Naerys’ future training, and he didn’t want to stick her in armour that would disadvantage her in it.

“Like them water dancers in Braavos?” Dale asked. “We get a few of them here.”

“Close, but not entirely in their style,” Naerys said. “I still want some actual armour.”

The smith snorted, pleased. “Good choice. They’d not last an instant on a proper battlefield.” He inspected the armour that Steve had brought with him, taking it out of the sack. “What’s this?”

“My companion couldn’t be here, so this is armour made to their specifications,” Steve said. “I want all the bells and whistles - the highest quality, that is. They use a polearm primarily.”

“Won’t be needing one of those too?” Dale asked, continuing his inspection.

“No, just the armour.”

“The colours are navy, with red and white secondaries,” Naerys said.

Dale glanced at her. “Same navy as your dress?”

She nodded, pleased. “The sigil is the star, too,” she said, indicating the stitching on her chest.

An apprentice handed Dale a roll of parchment, and he muttered to himself as he made some notes, writing slowly. “I don’t paint steel or mix in colour,” he warned.

“That’s fine,” Naerys said. “The colours are for the underlayer.”

“And for you, ser?” Dale asked of Steve.

“The same,” Steve said. He didn’t need anything fancy.

“I have some thoughts,” Naerys said, and she produced a scroll to hand over.

Dale looked it over, and his brows rose. “This will take more than a week,” he said. “Much of this will require my personal attention.”

“That’s fine,” Naerys said. “We’re making for Braavos, with the intent to pick the order up on our return.”

“No helm?”

“Already purchased, from Master Mott in King’s Landing.”

“Good smith that one,” Dale grunted. “Alright. I won’t waste our time. Fifty gold dragons, not a penny less.”

Naerys considered him for a long moment, running things over in her head. “Steve?” She gave him the slightest of nods.

“Deal,” Steve said. It seemed reasonable to him, and protection wasn’t the place to skimp on payment.

“Boy, go to my wife and tell her we’ve a customer that needs measuring,” Dale told his apprentice. “I’ll start with you, ser,” he said to Steve.

In short order Steve found himself being measured in almost every conceivable way, as Dale seemed determined to account for everything he might need to, given the next time they’d meet would be when he came to pick up the armour. As he was measured, the man’s young wife joined them in the shop and began to take Naerys’ measurements, chatting as she went. Steve listened with half an ear, watching the kids as the boys fawned over a few of the weapons on display, Lyanna trailing behind them. Before too long, they were done, as was their business in the city. With little more to keep them, they returned to the ship, having achieved all they wished in just over three hours. Not long after that, they set sail once more, emerging from the Bay of Crabs and into the sea proper before the day was out.

X

It was their fourth day at sea from Gulltown that anything of note happened, other than Lyanna emptying her stomach over the side every hour. There was only so long that a person could dedicate to self improvement, martial or intellectual, especially when three of them were teens or younger, before they needed to spend some time doing nothing.

Captain Irnar was talking quietly with his first mate and another old sailor, looking out over the port side as they stared off into the distance. A telescope was passed between them, as they kept checking and rechecking something.

Unobtrusively, Steve wandered over to them, for all the world simply taking in the sun and the breeze on the deck. “Is there something wrong?” he asked quietly when he neared.

Irnar glanced at him with a start, surprised by his sudden appearance. “No, all is fine,” he answered just as quietly.

“Is it another ship?” he asked. “I’m willing to take up arms if needed.”

“No, no pirates, thankfully,” Irnar said. He shared a look with his fellows. “There is a landmass out there that should not be, if we are on course.”

“A landmass?”

“A small island, really,” the captain said. “But if we are where we should be, it should not be there. So, concern.”

“Are we at risk of running aground?” Steve asked.

“No, not pass so close,” the first mate said. “But, greater navigate trouble,” he added, pointing up at the cloudy sky, the sun hidden.

“If you want to send some sailors over on a boat to check for landmarks, I could join them,” Steve offered. He could see the moment Irnar made to refuse, only to pause as he really took him in, head tilting back to go from feet to head.

“That...would be appreciated,” the captain said. “My men are sailors first.”

A rowboat was lowered from the side as they approached the island, the carrack slowing. Word had spread by now, the sailors frowning at the island and word spreading of what it meant amongst the passengers.

“You’re going ashore, Steve?” Keladry asked as she joined him by the rail.

He nodded, looking out to sea. The island wasn’t large enough for habitation, and its surface was grey and rocky, barren of life, but it was still there, maybe one hundred metres across. He wasn’t sure what they’d find, going ashore, but the offer had been made, and maybe a sailor would be able to find meaning he couldn’t.

“Here, just in case,” she said, handing him a sheathed knife almost the size of his forearm.

“Thanks,” Steve said. “I shouldn’t be long.” He went to join the three sailors clambering into the boat, hopping over the rail and joining them. They were lowered steadily by winch and pulley, and when they reached the ocean’s surface, the ropes tethering the boat were unhooked. Two of the sailors began to row them towards the island, and he settled in to wait.

It only took a few minutes for him to get bored. “What are your names?” he asked of the sailors.

“Bly Urbyl,” the other man not rowing said. He had a forgettable face, the kind that would leave him anonymous in a crowd.

“Tim,” one rower said. “Billygoat Tim.”

“Moryn Oxel,” the other said.

“Steve Rogers,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”

The sailors nodded or grunted in response, and that was it for conversation. The island grew closer.

When they were within a stone throw’s distance, they slowed, Bly standing up to peer into the water. “Water’s still dark,” he said. “Deeper than it should be, this close to land.”

“Worried about hidden reefs?” Steve asked.

“Mmm,” Bly said.

“I could dive in and take a look,” Steve offered.

The three gave him doubtful looks that suggested they thought he was a bit of a fool.

“I know my limits,” he assured them. Receiving shrugs for an answer, he stood and stripped off his shirt, keeping the knife on him. He shucked his boots and stepped off the side of the boat, sinking into the water. The cold was bracing, and he tucked and rolled, swimming parallel to the island and looking about for underwater obstacles. His eyes were better than most, able to pierce the gloom of the ocean further, but he found nothing. He zig zagged, perhaps five metres down, but still there was only the rock of the island to one side. It was sheer, rather than a gradual deepening. He surfaced, taking a breath, and looked back. He had almost reached the end of the island, and the boat was some distance away. “Nothing!” he shouted. Moryn and Tim stared at him from the boat, but Bly had gone ashore, and was picking his way over the rocks.

Steve dove again, intending to see if he could find the bottom. He was perhaps fifty metres down, mired in pitch black darkness and feeling the pressure of the depth when the wall of rock in front of him suddenly stopped. He only knew because he was suddenly left touching open water rather than trailing his hand along it. He swam back up, finding the side of the island again after a moment’s disorientation. Did the island cut away into an overhang?

Suddenly, there was light. Not much, just a single point, a faint glow in the darkness, like a curtain had been drawn back. It was right in front of him, round and dull gold, perhaps the size of his body across.

Then, it blinked.

Whale. Whale. Whale. Steve was hit by the sudden understanding that he was touching a wild living creature several orders of magnitude larger than he was, and that he was very much in its playground. Kicking his legs, he rocketed upwards, rushing towards the surface.

The eye rose with him.

Steve felt himself displaced by a huge force of water as the enormous whale rolled to keep him in sight. He burst through the surface, his speed seeing him clear it and shoot several metres into the air. As he began to fall, he shook the water from his eyes and took in the situation.

The boat was capsized, the rowers in the water. The ship was a riot of activity as sailors scrambled like ants in a kicked nest. On the whale itself, Bly was being dashed against the ‘stones’ of the creature’s belly, no hope of keeping his footing as it rolled. An enormous fin broke the surface, water cascading from it. It was nearly half as long as the Swift Sow.

He fell back into the water, but he was already moving, kicking towards the titanic creature. A wave washed him onto its side, and then he was running, stepping across a rolling, slippery, uneven surface in an effort to get to the sailor before he ended up in the water and pulled under by the rip formed from the creature’s movements. Twice he almost lost his footing, risking the same fate, as Bly tumbled every closer to the edge.

At the last moment he made it, seizing the man by the shirt. He kept going, using his momentum to leap clear and pull the sailor with him, kicking to stay on the surface. He felt fabric tear, but it held, and he heard a colossal slap as the fin hit the water. A wave crested over them, pushing them clear. Bly coughed, spluttering and groaning in pain as Steve held him above the surface. Steve looked back to the ship, and what he saw made him swallow.

The ship was fine, but that wasn’t what drew his attention. A golden eye still watched him, fixed on him from a wide expanse of rocky skin, almost too big to look like a real creature. The intelligence behind it was real though, and it blinked once more.

“God I hope you’re not carnivorous,” Steve said, “and if you are, that I’m too small to be a snack.”

Maybe he was reading too much into things, but he thought he saw a sense of amusement in the eye, before an enormous blast of air erupted from its blowhole. He realised that the creature must have been sleeping, or at least resting, upside down. He felt a great rumbling in his very bones, and he realised it was singing. A long moment passed, and he rumbling flowed to a stop.

The great creature began to submerge, and he had to kick quickly to stay out of its drag once more. As it disappeared beneath the waves, he caught sight of the other two sailors as they clung to the remains of the boat and tried to stay afloat. Into the depths it went, and the ocean returned to normality.

Steve swam over to the other two men, taking pains to ensure Bly’s limbs weren’t jostled about. They didn’t look good. “You two alright?”

They gave him an incredulous look.

“Yeah, fair enough. I’m going to swim Bly back to the ship, then I’ll come back for you.” Putting words to action, he ferried him back, taking it easy and making the trip in half the time the boat had taken. As he neared, he saw they were already lowering another row boat, and it departed for the other two men as he arrived.

A rope sling was waiting for him, but Steve didn’t want to put the man in it for fear of aggravating his injuries. He climbed up the side of the ship, using the rope and the rigging, until he was climbing over the rail. He laid the man down on the deck, and the ship’s physician hurried over. He muttered to himself in his own language, inspecting Bly’s limbs. They were all broken, and covered in swathes of gravel rash as well. A few barked orders and some sailors approached with a section of sail, lifting him onto it as a makeshift stretcher, before hurrying him below decks, the physician following. On the deck, there was silence. Some were watching as the second boat collected the rowers of the first, but most were staring at Steve.

Steve found himself almost lost for words. “Here,” he said to Keladry. “Thanks for the knife.”

Keladry accepted it wordlessly. Beside her, Naerys held her head in her hands.

“That,” Captain Irnar said, “was a leviathan. I had no idea they grew so large.”

“Do you think anyone will ever believe us?” Steve asked.

Irnar looked stricken as he realised. “No,” he said. “They won’t.” He looked personally offended by the fact.

“I’m going to go dry off now,” Steve said. He left the deck behind, his companions following behind him, all having watched the day’s events unfold and trying to come to terms with it.

‘Fucking whales,’ Steve thought to himself.