Arya

A shudder ripples through me.

What does she mean by that?

"I never speak in parables, dear." She adds.

I lean down to rub my scraped leg. Sharp pain shoots through my injured side.

I have to get away from her. I can't let her find me - funny because she's my target.

I start walking cautiously through the woods. The fruit I had eaten earlier is littered around the forest floor.

I pick up a few.

I just wish there's a way to somehow block her out - that way she'd never see me coming. And also, she won't be able to hunt me down.

Tsk! She said the connection is both ways - then why do I feel like a slave? A servant to her evil will.

Now, I've been dragged into a power tussle that should naturally never concern me.

I heave a sigh of regret.

The path before me slowly starts sloping. I can make out strange buildings in the distance.

Civilization at last!

But my instincts warn me not to get excited - danger might still loom ahead.

The sound of something hitting against wood draws my attention. I stop moving, glancing in the direction of the noise.

Two men with unnaturally darkened skins are chopping down a tree with double-headed axes.

Realizing that the tree is going to fall in my direction, I shift a good distance away.

The men mutter something among themselves and the shorter one leaves to get something.

As he steps forward, he sees me.

We both freeze.

I wonder how I must look to him - twigs must probably be sticking out of my messy hair.

He lifts his axe to defend himself.

"Who are you?" He calls out, his voice shaky.

I start muttering my name before I think better of it.

"I'm heading to the town. I came from the mountains." I say, mimicking the foreign accent I had picked up from the guy I met

in the woods earlier.

He surveys me with narrowed eyes.

"I can't see what a pretty lass like you be doin' out here all alone, missy. If you be lost, I can shew you the way to the town." He says, his eyes glinting with mischief.

The way he mouths 'missy' sends shivers down my spine.

His eyes travel down my body.

I look down at myself.

Oh.

I see it now - he must think I'm a prostitute because of my torn muslin dress that no longer leaves much to the imagination.

"I can find my way. Thank you for your very kind offer." I mutter, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

His eyes sparkle even further.

"Come now," he holds out his free hand. "It be very dangerous out here, missy. You must not be on your own."

The urge to wring his neck suddenly becomes unbearable.

I plaster a smile on my face and start walking away. I cover my injured side with my arm to prevent him from seeing it.

He starts following me.

His footfalls are very heavy, I notice.

"Wait, missy!" He calls out, speeding up.

I move even faster, preferring to evade given the alternative - stay and wring his beefy neck.

But unfortunately, I can't move very fast due to my injury. He catches up with me, clutching my shoulder almost painfully.

I spin around to face him, teeth gritted.

He steps back when he sees my expression.

"I be meaning no harm, missy. Just let me walk you down. The path be a dangerous one."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"I can see to my own safety, kind sir." I say, my accent slipping.

He doesn't seem to hear a word I say, he grabs my free arm, slightly brushing against my right breast.

I jerk my hand out of his grip angrily.

His eyes bulge, his nose flares.

"Why you be so rude, missy?" He nearly yells, his face flushing with fury.

I step back. He has no idea who he's messing with. He might be used to having his way with ordinary women, but I'm no ordinary woman.

He reaches out his hand to grab me again.

Before I can move, a huge white wolf jumps above me, landing on him.

Just before he falls, I spot a tattoo on his upper arm.

I watch the Dire wolf rip off his head, too scared to move at first.

It rips his tunic off his body. There are many more similar markings scattered over his hairless chest.

I slowly start backing away, choosing to run only when I've put enough distance between myself and the massacre I had left behind.

All I can feel is the wind on my face as I dash through the woods. My previous weakness had magically disappeared, adrenaline taking its place.

I keep running forward.

At first, I hear nothing, but then it jumps on me from behind.

I crash onto the rocky ground before me. Sand enters my open mouth.

I gasp in pain as my injured side presses against a rock.

It presses me down with its paws, leaning forward to growl in my ear.

I stare into its glassy yellow eyes. All I can see there is my own reflection. My face is badly bruised.

I gulp, forcing a painful lump down my dry throat.

Something in its gaze flickers. Recognition? Fear? It's hard to tell when I'm in so much pain.

It lifts its paw from my torso. A gasp of relief escapes me as I can finally breathe again.

It growls loudly, as if showing its dominance.

Then, it lowers its head to the ground.

I just stare, unsure of what to do.

What the hell is going on? I thought the beast wanted to kill me.

I stare at its white fur, stained with blood - from the man it had just killed.

It still doesn't lift its head.

I finally give in and rub its fur. It shudders at my touch but leans closer.

It feels weird - petting such a huge creature, especially when it just tried to end my petty life.

Then, with a smooth movement, it lifts me onto its back.

I feel bad - having to stain its beautiful coat with my blood.

Then, it starts descending the path with unnatural speed. The sudden swiftness takes me unawares, forcing me to grab its neck to steady myself.

Everything around us is a blur. All I can see is blurry green and brown.

The sun is making its way above the clouds.

We eventually reach a small cluster of strange buildings.

The first person I see is a woman carrying a wooden bucket of water. She looks up, her eyes wide with fear.

The bucket slips from her hand and falls to the ground, spilling its contents every which way.

When she finally gathers her wits about her, she falls flat on her face, prostrating as if her very life depends on it.

The wolf only growls.

Then, it leans down for me to slip down.

The pain returns in waves as soon as my feet touch the ground. It was bearable while I had been carried.

She peers up, trembling like a leaf in a storm.

I glance back at the wolf behind me.

It no longer looks as scary.

I pat its snouts, earning a nozzle.

The woman gasps, obviously shocked.

Then, it turns and runs back into the shadows of the forest.

I'm torn between wondering if it will ever come back and having to move forward.

The town with its scanty inhabitants appears more formidable than the entire forest combined.

More people gather, staring at me with bewildered and malicious expressions.

I've never been liked anywhere I have been, but it always stings each time.

Each step is torment, but I manage to hide it well.

The people clear a path for me. I walk through the aisle struggling to appear immune to their stares.

Whispers erupts behind me. My jaw hardens.

"She must be a witch." I hear someone call out, loud enough for me to hear.

My hands clench at my sides.

How the heck am I supposed to buy clothes now without a dime?

I feel even worse knowing that I am trudging through a foreign town with a torn, bloody dress - it's not the best first impression.

A man comes in front of me, deliberately blocking me path. I slow down, gradually coming to a halt.

"Are you from another town?" He asks, his deep voice chilling.

I nod, briskly, not trusting my voice.

He narrows his gaze, his mouth a thin line.

I meet his gaze unflinching. Everyone here seems to know… everyone - that's the thing with small towns.

"Which town?" He questions further.

Why won't he just leave me alone?

"I'm coming from the mountains." I respond, deciding to give part of the truth.

Furious whispers erupt behind me.

I glance over my shoulder. The woman that had watched my whole exchange with the Dire wolf is leading the discussion.

Then, the people clear a path for someone else.

The scent is all too familiar. I refuse to look, shutting my eyes.

"She's with me."

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