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#229 - Chapter 3 Arya's Journey

A burned village in the Riverlands, once called Muddy Bottom, belonged to House Bracken. Now, after the Lannister army's rampage, no living soul can be found.

Arya and her two companions, having left Harrenhal, avoided the main roads, sticking to forest paths. Hot Pie rubbed his belly: "Arya, how much longer do we have to stay in the wilderness? We've run out of food."

Arya said jokingly, "It's okay, when we run out of food, we can cut meat from you. Your body has enough meat to last a long time." She even gestured with her sword on his stomach.

Hot Pie pushed her sword away: "Play is play, fun is fun, but don't joke about my meat. Gendry, aren't you going to do something about her?"

Gendry, being much older than them, wasn't interested in their antics: "Arya, where are we going anyway?"

"We haven't encountered a major river, so we must be heading west. We'll continue in this direction. Once we cross the Red Fork, we'll be at my grandfather's castle. We'll be safe there. I'll give you a bakery, so you can eat your fill," Arya, a noble lady, naturally possessed the skill of drawing empty promises.

"Shhh!" Gendry sensed something unusual and stopped their playfulness. Someone was singing ahead, not only off-key but also out of tune. Judging by the commotion, there were quite a few people. The three of them immediately hid behind the ruins, cautiously peeking out.

A group of people emerged from the woods. Their clothes were ragged, but their weapons were complete. They were likely bandits who robbed and looted. Hot Pie and Gendry might not know, but Arya recognized the out-of-tune song as "The Rains of Castamere." These bandits were likely affiliated with the Lannisters.

Suddenly, Arya sensed something and ducked her head. An arrow flew over her head. "That was fast!" She didn't even see him draw the bow, and the arrow was already coming.

"Hey, little mouse, come out! I saw you. Are you a lion or a wolf?"

"Looks like just a few kids. Come out! Or I'll send another arrow your way."

Arya glanced at her companions, stood up, and held her sword horizontally across her left arm. "Stop! I don't want any trouble. The road is wide here. Let's just go our separate ways."

A bald man saw her and smiled: "Oh! A trained one. Little girl, drop your weapon!" The man wore some worn-out chainmail, and the red robe underneath was so dirty that its original color was indistinguishable. Beside him was a sturdy man with a black recurve bow. He was the one who had shot the arrow.

Arya's eyes narrowed. She swung her sword upwards, cutting the arrow pinned to the tree, and flicked the arrow shaft back. A hand reached out and grabbed the arrow shaft. It was the archer. Arya said, "I said I don't want any trouble. You better leave. I've killed many people. You were singing just now. Keep singing so I know where you are. Don't provoke me, and I won't kill you!"

The group burst into laughter. The bald man chuckled and said, "Haha, such a fierce little girl. I like your kind. Tell your friends to come out too!" Gendry pulled Hot Pie out from their hiding place, also holding his weapon.

The group surrounded them. The bald man asked, "Three runaway kids, holding swords forged in a castle. Where did you come from? Harrenhal?"

Arya: "Who are you? Who do you serve?"

Bald man: "I am Thoros of Myr, and this archer is Anguy. We are the outlaws of the Brotherhood Without Banners. You three come with us! I'm curious how you escaped Harrenhal. Don't worry, we mean no harm."

Hot Pie: "They're the ones the Mountain is hunting. I'm not going!"

Arya grabbed his collar: "Calm down. They're the Mountain's enemies. They won't take us back. I know you. You're the champion of the melee, and he's the winner of the archery competition."

Thoros said with a smile, "Since you came from King's Landing, I'm even more interested in your story. In exchange, I can treat you to a good meal. Then I'll let you continue your journey."

The Inn of the Kneeling Man was once an ordinary inn. It was located on the south bank of the Red Fork bend, north of the River Road, with a history of over three hundred years. The buildings were dense enough to accommodate hundreds of guests. The inn also had stables, warehouses, and a vine-covered gazebo. Because Torrhen Stark, the King in the North, knelt and surrendered to Aegon the Conqueror here, it became a popular spot for travelers in Westeros to visit.

In the inn's hall, Arya told Thoros about what happened after leaving King's Landing, omitting many things, including the fact that she and Gendry were being hunted.

Thoros was a little surprised: "Wow! A very interesting story. I didn't expect our Brotherhood Without Banners to be so valued by Lord Tywin. I'm flattered. But how you guys fought your way out of the castle sounds like bragging to me!"

Feeling underestimated, Arya got angry. She drew her sword and pointed it at Thoros: "I have two great teachers. They taught me how to fight. I've already killed five people. Do you want to be the sixth?"

Thoros drew his sword and parried Arya's sword, saying with a chuckle, "Child, that's not how you use a sword. Watch-" Thoros made three attacks. All of them were dodged nimbly by Arya. He seemed interested: "Girl, you're pretty agile. Your teachers wouldn't happen to be dance instructors, would they?"

Arya: "One of them勉强算吧! It could barely be considered as one! It's my turn." She moved like a butterfly, taking nimble steps and thrusting her sword at Thoros twice.

Thoros was no ordinary person and easily defused her sword moves. He made an upward slash, heavily deflecting Arya's attack. The huge difference in strength caused her sword to fly out of her hand and stick into the roof.

Having lost her weapon, Arya didn't retreat but instead advanced, turning and striking Thoros in the stomach with her elbow. The blow made Thoros bend over. He switched the sword to his left hand and made a sacrificial backstab, the tip of the sword stopping in front of Arya.

"Yoren said that people always pay attention to the upper body but forget that the lower body has more vital points." Arya fearlessly raised her wrist, and a short sword was held in her hand, the tip pointing at his groin, where there was no armor protection.

"Ooh ~ Hahaha!" The members of the Brotherhood didn't spare him any face and laughed unkindly.

Thoros was also someone who could take it in stride. He put away his sword, picked up a wine glass from the side, and said loudly, "What a formidable little girl. I believe you could fight your way out of Harrenhal. Come, let's toast to her dance teachers."

Thoros returned to his seat and said to them, "Eat more! I estimate that after this meal, you won't have a full meal for a long time."

Arya: "Have you decided to let us go?"

Thoros: "Of course, that's what we agreed on earlier. After you've eaten, you can leave."

Just then, there was a commotion at the door. A group of Brotherhood outlaws escorted a tall man who was tightly bound.

Arya's pupils contracted. It was the Hound, Sandor Clegane!