The road out of the Crownlands had been a long and hard one, especially when one is trying to keep a low profile, and I knew they needed rest. Not me, of course. All becuase this era's horrible mode of travel, I gave my horse a venomous glance. This body of mine could handle anything. Horse riding just not made for me.
It was about the girls, though. They were getting weary, especially Sansa, who had barely eaten in two days. Arya had remained quiet, but her sharp eyes watched everything. These girls are not used to this long journey on these uneven roads. Let alone running away from the capital-level adventure.
Without the godly body, I too would have felt the same fatigue and tiredness they show now. At least I would feel the same way when the mental fatigue is concerned. Stark knew a place here, so that's where we were going.
I didn't wish to stop, honestly. We were too close to the Riverlands. Just a little more and we could be easily in more friendly territory. However, that was just me. I know I can go on; they can't. Even Ned Stark was looking weary by now.
According to him, there is no tavern or inn once we enter the Riverlands for another few days of travel. That sealed the deal. My body can stand the travel, but my mind can't. I needed a bath. Quite a spoiled and impolite thing to ask for in this condition, but I can't help it. And more than me, the girls wouldn't make it if we continued. The last thing we wanted was for either of them to fall ill on the journey, or even worse, depression.
Soon we came upon a small roadside tavern just as the sun began to set behind the hills. It was not grand, but the smell of bread and stew gave hope. Even to someone like me who utterly hates this world's food.
There were no spices, and even something as basic as salt was a luxury only rich lords could afford.
"Girls, wake up, we're stopping here," I gently stroked Arya's head to wake her up while shaking Sansa slightly.
"We there yet?" Arya murmured to herself.
"Depends on what 'there' is."
"Winterfell..." Arya asked as she got up.
"Well of course not. Told you it's a long journey. Wouldn't take as much like the first time we came to the capital. We are moving faster without an entire entourage along us. However, it would still take time, child. Be patient."
Arya just frowned at this.
"However, that doesn't mean this place is that bad. We'll get food, wine, clean water and warm beds here. So get up...
Eat, rest, then we move at first light."
But I knew well the danger they carried. The shape I left the capital in, I doubt Cersei would send anyone after us. However, Tywin Lannister would.
His dogs would stop at nothing to capture Stark and his daughters. I don't know what's going on with the war situation, but I do know it's inevitable and that old Lion would definitely be getting involved.
After all, it was his blood who was going to sit down on that throne by the end of it. He wouldn't stop at anything. If he's anything like the shrewd and cunning man from the TV show, we can't linger around here for long.
Their faces were too known. Though I half expect me to be the most recognizable at this moment.
I pulled the hood of the cloak low over my head. I was no longer in my Thor armor and had changed into the most concealing cloak and robes, hiding my golden hair. Ned wore an old brown cloak, and the girls were bundled in rough, travel-worn garments. They kept their heads down and entered the inn quietly.
The tavern was almost empty, a few travelers and old farmers. None gave them more than a glance. Making sure the area was safe, I spoke to the innkeeper in a low voice and offered silver. We were led to a corner table and brought food quickly—a bowl of stew, some bread, and watered wine.
Arya pounced on the food like she was ripping apart Cersei Lannister herself. I, unfortunately, was no different. I honestly was hungry and dangerously horny. That mental image of Cersei didn't help a bit when I ripped apart the bread and started chewing.
For a time, things were peaceful. Sansa finally smiled as she sipped her broth. Arya was chewing meat hungrily. Wolf blood indeed. Ned closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall.
"Eat, Stark. You'll need your strength for the journey. Don't think that we won't be followed. Queen might not, but Tywin Lannister, after knowing what happened in the capital—and justifiably ignoring the more unbelievable aspect—would stop at nothing to capture you and them."
Ned knew what I was talking about. Only a fool would send soldiers after they saw what happened in the capital. The Queen was a lot of things, but a complete and utter fool she was not. However, what about those who didn't see what others saw? How in the gods' name, old or new, would they believe that a single man brought down heaven itself?
Surely one Tywin Lannister wouldn't, and Thor was right—he'd send his dogs after them soon enough. Ned knew that.
His eyes darted to his daughters, and a determined look appeared on them before he went back to his food. Perhaps to keep his strength up, or perhaps to get out of this cursed land as soon as possible, Ned Stark forced himself to eat it all.
By the time I was running low on meat and about to ask for more, the door burst open with a crash. Five men entered, clad in armor marked with red and gold. Lannister colors. My hand went to the side, where Mjolnir now rested, hidden in a sack. I saw all three of my companions hide their faces deeper in their cloaks.
The Lannister men did not recognize us, and that was a small mercy they did on themselves. One was missing a few teeth, another had a scar across his neck. They looked like they hadn't bathed in days. How in the world these people get by not bathing for weeks and months was beyond me. They walked like men used to taking what they wanted. More like robbers and thieves than reputable soldiers and knights.
"Come on, lass, bring me boys some ale and that juicy meat of yours!" one of them roared, and his eyes were looking at the girls in all sorts of ways that made me feel cringe.
The innkeeper bowed and scurried to serve them. "Of course, sers. No coin needed, only peace in return." These people have no power. In fact, in taverns like this, it's not unusual for the owners to offer their own wives and daughters to the men at night to warm their beds, just so they don't start killing and looting.
What was the reality of this world? Wonder again why I wished to get the fuck out of here.
I'm pretty sure by the look of the man, he wouldn't mind putting his daughter to visit their rooms free of charge if that means preventing them from wreaking havoc. That was the fate of lowborns.
The leader of the Lannister men laughed loudly. "Peace, he says! You hear that, lads?"
They drank and ate like animals. When their bellies were full, the danger became real.
One of them grabbed the serving girl—a girl not much older than Sansa, well girls Sansa's age do marry in this world, but that was beside the point—and pulled her into his lap. She didn't scream, surely looking at her father's face who didn't protest, and a fake smile graced her face, trying to keep the situation civil.
If it meant that she could stop her home from getting looted and burned apart, then she'd do anything she could to prevent that. Sharing their bed, moaning under them, or even letting them all ravage her in front of her father wasn't something that she wasn't aware could happen to her. If that meant they would leave them alone, then she'd do it.
However, that was only when the men manhandling her were only looking for a woman. These men didn't just want her body, no. These men were willing to burn everything around them—the kind who would enjoy killing and raping. And the worst, they were getting paid for it.
Another man slapped her hard across the face. She fell, dazed. Didn't respond to it, however. Tears appeared on her face, but she just refused to shed them.
The innkeeper just watched. He couldn't do anything. However, what followed made even his stomach churn.
A boot to the gut sent him sprawling to the floor suddenly.
The girl cried seeing this. This wasn't what her father told her. The men weren't supposed to be like this. Clothes torn as the men leered and laughed.
By now most people had left the tavern. The men started to wreck the place, making both the girl and her father cry aloud.
Tears appeared in her eyes. She'd long come to terms with her reality. But this... this how she'd die? Her home burned down like this?
There was no knight in shining armor going to come to rescue a lowborn girl like her. After all...
Suddenly she was pinned down while the man tore open her top, her tits bare in full display. The man backed off for a second, fumbling with his pants before she saw him send flying.
A crashing sound came and the man was slammed into the tavern wall, before the girl saw red.
"Pardon the interruption, my lady. But I must say the bread was delicious. Would you mind if I asked for seconds..."
xxx
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