The Kingswood

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One of the greatest forests in Westeros, the Kingswood stretches between King's Landing and Storm's End, and swallows up part of the Roseroad and the Kingsroad as well. Through it flows the river Wendwater, and many castles and keeps of the Stormlands are on its borders. The Kingswood has long been a favorite for royal hunting parties.

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Aranya and Selwyn rode through the forest in the darkness, a few rays of moonlight managing to break through to the forest floor. It was silent in the forest, but Aranya thought they may have passed a large mounted party earlier, as they skirted around the Roseroad.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Thank you again, for joining me on this task. It may lead to nothing, but it will let my brother breath easier to think he has done something. When this business is done we can find the pretender."

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"It's natural for your brother to worry," Aranya shrugged, glancing again warily towards the west, where earlier she had heard the mounted party. Had it been Callen's? They did not dare to check. "We'll go after the pretender after this. Do you think they'll recognize us?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I do not know. But Rhodri has given me the right words to say that should gain us entrance. We won't need to stay long."

OOC: Sorry, but I'm running out for dinner now.

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"Good," Aranya said. "The sooner we're out hunting this butcher, the better."

They camped that night on the south bank of the Wendwater, after crossing the river at low tide.

OOC: I'll have to disappear in 5 minutes and I won't be back for at least an hour and a half.

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By the following afternoon, Aranya saw that they were within sight of their destination.

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Aranya and Selwyn rode back through the Kingswood as it neared midnight.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Aranya...what do you want? What do you see, if Callen wins? What do you see for you?"

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"My just rewards," Aranya said flatly. "You know what it's like for us - we who get the swords and battles and risk of death, but not the sigils or glory. I never thought I'd say this, but I want that. I don't want to be a fucking lady, but I want soldiers, and an office, and reward. I've risked everything in my life for Callen." She fell into a brooding silence, and then said, "What about you? What do you want?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Selwyn is silent for a moment. "You know that answer."

Before Aranya could reply, he continues, "More like I'll die in this war and it will not matter what I want." His horse hastens by a step.

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Aranya's courser fell into step with his, but when she spoke her voice was cool and distant. "Callen and I aren't really sleeping together anymore. We had an argument over Rhodri. Callen wanted to kill him, and I got into a fight with him."

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This time when they reached the Wendwater, they made camp by the river, to give the horses a rest. From here it would be a week-long ride to King's Landing.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I hope...my problems did not add to your friction. I am sorry there is frost, but I'm glad you stood for Rhodri. He remains our kin, and has never betrayed us."

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Aranya snorted and stoked the fire, over which a rabbit was roasting. "Don't worry, you had nothing to do with it. I think I've moved on from it anyway. Rabbit?" She looked up at him.