The wagons with foodstuffs emptied and moved back down the wharf. But another set of wagons followed, carrying livestock, hay, and seed goods. "Why the cattle...the horses I understand."Arya wondered aloud. Bran responded. "We don't know what type of trade goods you might need where you are going." "There are some gold bars on board already, and here I have a small bag of gold and silver coinage." "But there's no telling what it might take to trade for goods or influence there.... wherever there is...." Arya's mind moved on. "What about defense?" "How will we maintain..." A middle-aged man swung down from the ship's deck on a hoist. "Defense is four catapults, two on the forecastle and two on the quarterdeck." "I believe 4 of your men-at-arms can man them excellently...or so I am told." "Captain Portsmith at your service, my lady, by way of introduction." "Said to be the finest pilot in the 7 realms," Springer added. Arya liked the man; she couldn't help it. He was brimming with quiet certainty and a reserved strength, a calm that naturally reassured everyone. Arya fairly beamed at the man, then snarled. "I'm no one's mlady, call me Salty if just Arya won't do." The smile Portsmith showed her was genuine and full of pearly teeth. "Salty it is." Sansa let out a belly laugh loud enough to startle everyone. "I haven't heard her called that in forever." "It's apt, though, watch that tongue of hers." Sansa stepped forward and handed Arya a duffel bag. "We gathered your things, and I added some remembrances and a surprise or two." "Be well, Arya, and come home to us. We will keep the fires burning in Winterfell for your return." As the last load of hay started up, Portsmith jumped on it shouting, "All aboard, that's coming aboard." As the small group turned to make their way to the gangplank, two large men charged up, out of breath. The larger one had a cask of some drink on his shoulder, feathered by his scruffy, grey-red beard. "I heard you were needing men good at killing." Tormund laughed by way of greeting. Bran looked not amused and said. "Bronn, what is my Master of Coins doing here? You weren't invited on this voyage." Bronn smirked and said. "No, but I just killed one of your nobles in a duel, and his family has sworn revenge." "I'd have to sleep sometime, and eventually their paid assassins might get me." "I need a way out of this fix, and I tire of lording and counting coins." Bran waved his hand and muttered. "Away with you then, out of my sight...and if you let harm come to my sister I will hound you to the ends of the earth." "I hear that just where we are headed anyway," Bronn smirked darkly.
As they reached the gangplank, Brienne turned on the two newcomers. "Are we requiring sell swords and adherents of the Lord of Light aboard now?" "Yes, Brienne. And they will be under you." Arya noted. Tormund smiled from ear to ear. "At last, at last." He bellowed and slapped Bronn on the shoulder. Brienne narrowed her eyes at him. "I will throttle you in your sleep if you so much as annoy me." "But...but you'll be in me bed to do it, lass." Tormund retorted. Brienne turned and strode up the gangplank in a huff. At the deck, she turned and said. "Mark my words, Arya, before this voyage is over, I will be gutting that one like a fish." Arya shouldered her way through the hesitant men-at-arms and looked at her wolf and Calancy. "Let's get aboard, girls, and find us a resting spot." Calancy whispered in the wolf's ear, "You must suffer this voyage to live Nymeria." The wolf snarled and turned to the plank. She slowly walked up, looking sideways with each step, Calancy at her side. The crew and soldiers fell back, giving her the widest berth they could without going overboard. Some of their eyes showed that they were thinking about it. Nymeria paused at the cabin's door and sniffed the air. She leapt clear to the quarterdeck and howled so loud and mournfully that no one was unmoved. A distant cry echoed her call; she had passed word to a survivor of her pack. Captain Portsmith swore she saw her smile at him on the deck where he had fallen in shock. "Smiled and licked her lips at me", he swore. She dropped back to the deck and faced the doorway to a new adventure, not one of her liking.