Hearth, Heart, and Harvest

She took a step back when the man pulled his own sword out, her eyes darting between the blade and his face. But at his words, she couldn’t help but stare at him. “G-Get to you?” She stammered, completely caught of guard, before she started laughing.

"You think I think you're here for me?  Oh gods you are a foolish girl aren't you?"  The bog king laughed, though his eyes never left the other girl.  There had been a reason he asked if she was loyal to House Stark.  He knew who's remains he had in his family's own crypt.  They would stay there until Winterfell belonged to the Starks again.

Crap. Was the only thing that went through her mind. Next time she was going to be send out to bring someone’s head back, she should have some back up stories ready, instead of having to come up with one on the spot. “I’m sorry, m’lord,” she smirked, pulling her sword free. “Can’t do. I’m a girl on a mission.”

Howland just smirked at her.  What was it with people thinking that he was just a man who would give up anything?  Or that his home was undefended?  He stood up, drawing his own sword.  "You may be a girl on a mission, but..."  A smirk came across his lips.  "You'll be dead before you even get to me."

She opened her mouth to deny any allegiance to the Starks, but decided against it. “I am loyal to House Stark, m’lord,” she smiled with a small curtsy. Now it was a matter of coming up with a quick and plausible reason for her to need his help. Just having ‘sworn allegiance’ to the Starks, she couldn’t admit she was actually there to bring Robb Stark’s head back to her client.

One time, he may have believed her.  At one time he had been far more trusting of people.  He could no longer say that. It was how she opened her mouth, that split second of hesitation.  "Leave."

Her face soften and she reached out to him, grasping his hand tightly in her own “My dear friend, you are no monster. I shall cut the throats of anyone who thinks otherwise.” A smirk played across her lips, stormy eyes twinkling with mischief “Or perhaps I shall challenge them in combat as I did when we were young.”

Howland could not help the smile that came across his lips when she grabbed his hand.  In secret, he had always been fond of Lyanna, but he was a crannogman, below.  So he watched from afar.  "My knight in shining armor," he said chuckling softly.

Running her tongue over her upper lip, Faith crossed her arms over her chest as she looked at the man. “I always have a reason for anything I do,” she smirked. “And you’re right about me not abiding. I’m here for business. Thought you might be able to help me, m’lord.”

"What is it that you need help with?  Certainly there was a lord far easier to get too."  He looked at her, his face impassive for the moment.  "And unless you are loyal to the Starks, I suggest you leave..."

"Since when are you a recluse?" Lyanna asked, quirking a brow inquisitively "Of course I will not abide, I traveled a long way to see you and see you I will." The woman strode past him, yanking off her riding gloves with her teeth, flexing numb fingers.

Howland glanced up something of a grin forming on his lips.  "Well I can never be too careful my lady...there are those that simply want to see a monster."  Though he claimed to be immune to their taunts, it still hurt.

take up your arms ○ Howland & Benjen

Howland was in the tent alone, refused to let anyone see the shame that decorated his young features.  The complete and utter humiliation that he had suffered, it made him wish that he had never left the Neck. He could not be like these other people, he was nothing more than a bog devil.  Should have realized that and should have stayed away.

Shae knew she had heard those words before. The Neck. That’s what Jojen was talking about when he came to visit Kings Landing. She heard his name and a smile came to grace her lips. “Pardon the intrusion, but are you kin to the young lord Jojen Reed?”