The Dungeons of the Sea Lord

[The Smith]

A bare cell with a bucket and a bed.

[Deleted]

Aranya blinked awake, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. Her head was ringing from the blow Tomas Clegane had given her, and her entire body ached from the fight and the running. Where am I? She sat up slowly, rubbing the back of her head. Memories came rushing back. The innkeeper, the decoy with the wig, Clegane, Felryn...

Tears stung in her eyes. Aranya's fingers dug into the threadbare sheet.

[Deleted]

Hours past. Aranya could not tell if it was morning or night, and so could not count the days passing, but she measured the time by the food they left at her door, and guessed that at least a few days had passed. She forced herself to eat the food and drink the oily water, fighting back the urge to vomit when it churned in her stomach. She needed her strength, now more than ever.

When she wasn't eating the vile stuff or sitting on the rough chamber pot, she lay on the hard bed, racked by guilt and pain and anger.

[The Smith]

The door opened with no warning, and there stood Clegane. He smiled at her and then stood aside. The Sea Lord moved forward and looked at her. "How are you Lady Royce?"

[Deleted]

Aranya stared at the pair of them coldly. "I would be happier with a sword, but otherwise, I am quite all right. Where are the others? Did you find them? Or are they still loose?"

[The Smith]

"Dead or captured." The Sea Lord replied, and looked at her. "What were you thinking my dear?"

[Deleted]

Aranya's mouth tightened, but her eyes were keen and unreadable. "Nothing you would want to know," she replied.

[The Smith]

"You are a fool. A beautiful fool, but a fool nonetheless." He shook his head.

[Deleted]

Aranya said nothing.

[The Smith]

The Sea Lord turned, "If you have nothing to say. I will talk to you later."

[Deleted]

Aranya growled. "Sit down then. What do you plan to do with me?"

[The Smith]

The Sea Lord turned with a slight smile on his face. "I was thinking we would try you for murder then perhaps execute you."

[Deleted]

"Does ransom not whet your appetite, then?"

[The Smith]

The Sea Lord snickered, "Not at all. I can think of nothing you can offer me. In Braavos our laws are wuite important."

[Deleted]

Aranya gritted her teeth. She hated that she was begging for her life to the Sealord. Some diplomat I am, she thought bitterly. She had been so frustrated with the complete apathy back home, and had felt so alive during the battle...the imagine of Felryn being skewered came back to her, and she closed her eyes for a moment, steadying herself.

"Then I claim trial by combat," Aranya said firmly. "I have that right."