— shadrich krey
neither could know it , but shadrich had a similar relationship with and introduction to drink; an older boy, also in service to a knight, had stolen a bottle of wine and the two had shared it, while the number of years he had spent on the earth numbered less than a decade. he never drank heavily as a child, or even a teenager, but he was very aware that it was an option. his own turn to it occurred after his ransom had been paid. something to spend the little coin he had left on to make himself feel marginally better.
shadrich nodded, as if he understood her anger towards her own family. he could understand the loss of comrades, but that too was more complicated, given that his allegiance had shifted over recent years. those he fought alongside during his time as a member of the baratheon forces could perhaps bring grief if they were lost, but it would be tainted with the resentment he felt towards their cause. ‘ well, then i redirect my sentiment to those who deserve it. ’
‘ more in relief and thanks : i have survived, and so has the man who is paying me. ’ it might be a crude take, given the mass loss of life they had both witnessed, but shadrich’s priorities were tailored specifically to his circumstances. ‘ my own family was not present, and with all grace are still safe in shady glen. ’
“you certainly have the tongue of a fancy knight.” asha laughed, amused by the novelty of his carefully picked words, his rounded accent and the sheer difference of knightly ways to those of the ironborn. “but your sentiment is appreciated.” she nodded in acknowledgement and downed a hefty portion of what was in her cup.
the longer she stayed at dragonstone, the more she heard of the man who shadrich had previously told her he was employed by. he sounded quite the slimy little eel, but a rich one at that. “a small mercy for you.” her curiosity was piqued. “what is it you do for lord littlefinger? i have seen sellswords, but they don’t look like you, mouse knight.”
her own loved ones, those she truly treasured - her mother, her salt wife, her uncles victarion and rodrik - and relief at their absence overtook her desire to see them all again. she sighed, and leaned back on the legs on her chair, surprised at how genuinely glad she was to hear this man’s loved ones were safe. were these mainlanders making her soft? “shady glen sounds exactly the sort of place i’d rather be.” a black brow arched upwards. “is it as idyllic as it sounds?”
