>>5967804
Whatever the cause of her coldness, her younger cousin does not seem so ailed. Ellyn of Duntreow proved to be a more spirited companion on your errands. You would daresay her enjoyment of the pleasure house rivaled that of Noren. You remember her getting comfortable in your lap and questioning her new whore friend for words in your tongue. No amount of drink would make you forget her roughly accented ojenilla breathed into your neck. But for the prudishness of her now-departed cousin, you might have taken the teasing further. Now, the girl leans over the stone wall, staring forlornly at the sea and the departing ship. Or she is simply bored. She did say as much a half hour back.

You await Harlor’s arrival alongside Ellyn and Noren, the latter still recovering from his latest attempt to indebt himself to the pleasure house. Harlor is to bring along your remaining Westerosi, the squire boy who is due at the smithy and Joslyn Meadows, your current cash crop awaiting a hefty ransom of two hundred pieces of gold… if her family can pay. Word of the Reach’s wealth is assuring, but there are masters and there are toilers. It did not escape your notice that the girl’s father is not himself a great lord but rather some sort of knight in service to a lordly uncle. He may yet be of means, though. The steel and horses of their knights are hardly cheap. That this one has managed to clothe a noble lady in enough silk to whelp a daughter must mean he has his own incomes.

Regardless, the girl is to be sheltered by your own family until such a time as she can be ransomed. You are on good terms with your family and have no doubt they would accommodate such as simple request. You are eager to see them. That it has taken two days to make way across the city is a detail you’ll leave out of greetings, but the delay was needed. Appearances are of importance to you. Taking a sellsword’s path was not a decision met with a round of approvals. Best if you do not give cause for any further complaints. It would not have done to return home looking shabby with a baggage train of dirty Westerosi in tow. One or two would be acceptable. Eight would have been tasteless. And that does leave the matter of Ellyn. Lumping her in with the Reach girl as a house guest could serve, but there are other purposes you might turn her towards. As if intruding on your mind, she turns from her sea gazing and catches your eye, giving you a wolfish grin. Having reached a decision, you offer a slight smile in return.

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ASOIAF: House Duntreow Quest #2