Chapter 3
Kyoshi rests on her knees, scrubbing the stone floor with a rag. She had been in the city for two months now and was lucky to have found a job as a servant using the skills she had learned in the avatar estate to keep her money from being used up and supplying her a too-small bed in a servant's room off of the main house. From what she learned their are two princes in Westeros which one the tree spirits wanted her to find she doesn't know
“Kioshi are you almost done, the party is beginning in an hour?!” the head maid questions and Kyoshi wipes away the last spot rising to tower over the other, bringing the bucket with her when she does.
“All done.”
“Good, now sho we need to set the tables and you're no longer needed today.” Kyoshi gives a nod turning and taking the bucket to the back dumping it out and hanging it on its hook slipping out the side and making her way through the city and out the mudgate getting a nod from the guards, Kyoshi makes her way along the beach coming to a grate in the stone, surprised to see a small dirty girl rushing out and running into her leg with an oomph falling into the mud.
“It's you!” she says, staring up at Kyoshi scrambling to her feet.
“It's me, and you are?” Kyoshi asks, amused by this girl, and vaguely remembering her face.
“I'm Arya.” the girl from the carriage Kyoshi remembers even though she only saw her for a few moments.
“Arya, who just came out of the castle's drains, So Arya Stark then.”
“Yes, Do you think I can grow as tall as you?” Kyoshi smiles down at her.
“I doubt it, I was 2 feet taller than you at your age.”
“Darn, if I was as tall as you I'd be able to fight even the Mountain.” Arya says, frowning.
“The 8 foot tall man?” Kyoshi asks, remembering the comparisons people have made.
“Yes, i saw him fighting in a tourney, the only one able to stop him was his brother and you're taller than the hound.”
“Sounds mean, Can you find your way back to the castle through the drains?”
“It's locked, and i couldn't yell for help..” she looks back and Kyoshi can see that she's frightened of something.
“I could lead you to the front gate, if that would be easier?” Arya nods up at her. And Kyoshi turns making her way back towards the city,
“Why were you out here anyways?” Arya asks, looking around.
“A little exercise. Can't let my reflexes slow.” she looks to Arya to see her eyes light up.
“So you are a fighter.”
“If the occasion calls for it, but I'm nowhere near the warrior Rangi was.” Kyoshi tells the girl and Arya can hear sadness in her voice.
“Was Rangi a friend of yours?”
“Rangi is a friend of mine, we're just so far away it's impossible to ever see her again.”
“My dad could help! I'm sure he knows how to get to wherever she is.” Arya suggests not liking to see her new friend sad.
“It's the kind of distance that's insurmountable im afraidI've gone somewhere she can't follow.” And Kyoshi can feel her heart ache, remembering what she almost had.
“Oh.” Arya says softly, not quite understanding but knowing that she can't help. The two reach the gate and the guards stop them,
“Where did you find this one?”
“I work for her mother, i don't know how she snuck past you but she likes the part of the beach i showed her once so i decided to check there first.” the guards share a look before stepping back.
“You need to stop doing that girl,” he warns.
“I won't do it again?” Arya tries to lie and the guard snorts.
“Keep an eye on this one.” he tells kiyoshi.
“I will, let's get going before your mother decides not to pay me today.'' Kyoshi says her goodbye and they walk through the gate Kyoshi leading Arya through the streets she had taken time to familiarize herself with.
“Thank you for helping me.” she hears Arya say.
“You are welcome, what were you doing in the tunnels anyways?”
“Oh I was chasing the cats.” she says and Kyoshi chuckles.
“Are there a lot of cats in the palace?” she asks and Arya nods.
“Father says they keep the rats away.” the crowd starts to get denser and kyoshi reaches for aryas hand to keep her from getting lost the girls hand almost as far as it can go and kyoshi awkwardly leans to make it easier on her they get through the crowd and the Red keep comes into view, kyoshi lets go of her hand stopping in the road.
“Can you go the rest of the way alone? I don't think I will be as welcome.”
“I'm not afraid, but what if the people I heard are waiting for me?” she mutters the second part to herself and Kyoshi can see her ball her fists, and she makes a decision she hopes she wont regret.
“I'll take you the rest of the way.” and Arya looks up at her smiling. The two of them walk to the gate where two men in golden armor stop them.
“Halt, what business have you in the red keep.”
“I'm returning one of the people who lives here.”
“This street urchin?”
“I'm Arya stark.” She tells them and they share a look.
“Can't be.”
“But what if she is?”
“Just to be safe, maybe we can get one of those stark men.”
“Wait here.” the elder of the two says as he turns walking from the gate a third man comes to take his place a moment later looking up at Kyoshi.
“Damn You're big.” he mutters and Kyoshi doesn't bother to respond. They wait until the man in gold responds with another man and Arya smiles.
“Jory!” she calls and his eyes widen
“Arya? How did you get out? Arya shrugs knowing she's not supposed to be in the tunnels.
“That really Arya stark?” the older guard asks and Jory sighs.
“Yes, she has always been a wild girl.” he looks at Kyoshi.
“Did you help The lady stark?” He puts emphasis on the lady much to Aryas annoyance.
Before Kyoshi can respond.
“She did, She's been very nice. She's the one I told you I saw on the way into the city. Can she come into the keep? I want to prove to my father that she's taller than hodor. Jory looks back to Kyoshi.
“She may well be. She's the tallest woman I've ever seen anyways would be the tallest person if not for the mountain.” Theirs that name again she thinks and Jory looks to one of the Goldcloaks.
“Lordstarks gonna want to thank her himself, i'll keep an eye on her.” the man nods, waving them through and Kyoshi knows better than to say no, she doesn't want to make waves, not yet. And maybe while in the palace she can find the prince and figure out her new purpose.
“Your father is going to be Angry girl, what were you thinking?”
“This isn't the place for this conversation.” Kyoshi tells them as they pass a group of maids, and Jory looks to her then Arya moving closer to the girl.” he leads them through the palace and Kyoshi finds it more impressive by the moment, They reach lordstarks chamber and Jory knocks.
“Enter.” an Accented voice calls and Jorry opens the door.
“Father!” Arya runs over to him as Kyoshi and Jory enter the room.
“Arya, you're filthy, what happened?”
“She somehow found her way outside the keep, this woman found her.” Ned looks over seeing Kyoshi,
“It's the lady I told you about.”
“Thank you for finding my daughter, where did you find her?”
“She was outside the city near the mudgate.” Ned and Jory both look at Arya.
“What were you thinking leaving the City?!” ned demands.
“I didn't mean to, I was in the tunnels chasing cats when I heard people talking, something about a wolf and the lion being at each other's throat and a war and a hand dying!” Jory and lord stark share a look Jory moving to the door peeking out to see the hall empty nodding to ned.
“Do you know who it was?”
“A bald fat man and a man bearded man..” she tells him and his face hardens, he looks past his daughter coming to rest on Kiyoshi who is preparing to fight if he decides to keep this information secret, she has heard how dark this worlds history was and she would not be lost to it.
“You don't need to worry, you've done me a service returning my daughter but you've been seen with her and if someone hears she was near the mudgate they might figure it out they may come to ask you about it. What is your profession?”
“I'm a maid, I clean, do laundry and prepare food.” he hmms looking to arya.
“I could hire you onto Aryas care to keep you safe, They wouldn't move against my daughter's Servant in the keep.” Arya looks up at Kyoshi, her eyes shining with excitement.
“Can you? Youre so much better than any of the boring oldwoman with us, and you can be my friend too. Sansa has Jeyne but I'm all alone.” Kyoshi knows that what Lord Starks says is true but seethes at having to choose between watching her back outside the Red Keep or inside of it.
“I accept, but only because I've become a part of this.” Ned nods looking at Jory.
“Have two men escort her to her workplace and help bring her belongings.”
“My boss is having a party tonight, it may be kinder to wait until morning. I can meet with the other maids now and learn my new duties.” Ned nods, approving of the girl's work Ethic.
“Jory, take…” Ned realizes he didn't ask her name.
“Kyoshi.” she supplies.
“Take kyoshi to the maid's quarters.” Jory nods as Ned reaches for a drawer on his desk pulling out a few silver stags.
“For bringing my daughter home, and for the trouble i've brought you into.” he says handing it over to kyoshi who is led away as ned asks his daughter to tell him everything again. Jory closing the door behind himself
“I'm sorry I've dragged you into whatever drama is developing, I'm sure we can trust your discretion.” Kyoshi nods.
“Good, I'll show you to the maids' rooms, they're close to the guard's quarters so I'll be able to send some men to take you back to your old place in the morning.” Kyoshi nods, knowing that being this close to the royal family will make her Avatar's duty easier to achieve.
“You'll be incharge of cleaning Lady Arya’s chambers, sewing tears in her clothing and bringing her food during meals she doesn't take with her father.” Kyoshi nods as they come to a wooden door the man knocking and a young woman opening it.
“Jory!” she says excitedly and he coughs at the girl looking at Kyoshi, her cheeks turning red.
“Oh hello, im jen.”
“This is Kyoshi, who's been hired as Arya Stark's new maid.” and Jen nods.
“Well ok then, i can introduce her to the head maid for ya. But you need to find me later ok?” she asks Jory who responds with a nod.
“Will do, thanks jen.”
“Don't thank me, you'll be playing me back.” Jory nods.
“Well her in your hands Jen, have a good day you two.” he turns walking back towards the starks chambers.
“ Come in, the head maid should be around somewhere.” Kyoshi walks in, closing the door behind her and following Jen through a dining area with a fireplace into a room filled with maid outfits in different stages of wash.
“Marla, we have a new stark maid.” She turns away clothes in her hand, her eyes widening.
“I don't think we have clothes big enough.
“I have clothes fitting the job, I'll be able to retrieve them in the morning.” Marla nods.
“I suppose those have to do until we can sew you a new set, what experience have ya got?”
“I've worked for nobles from 12, I can cook, clean, sew, wash and I'm a quick learner.” she whistles.
“If half of that's true then you're better off than most of the other people working here, but the Red Keeps different from any noble's house. Come and help me clean. I'll walk you through how to behave around the lords and around royalty.” Kyoshi nods, thanking Jen and moving to help Marla.
“No complaints, that's a good start.”
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Two stark Guards escort Kyoshi to her previous work place in the morning and Kyoshi tells the head household maid that she has been offered another job, and she looks to the guards nodding and not asking a thing, Kyoshi gets her few things along with her sword turning to her escorts with a nod being led back to the Red keep to begin the next part of her life.