Roslin didn't know how to answer. Her heart was beating fast, and she felt the man's eyes scanning her in a way that made her skin crawl.
"I dont think i need to introduce myself...," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "If you want to know anything, you should ask my lord when he returns."
Theon's eyebrows shot up. He let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Your lord? You mean Alaric Thorne? The ward who follows the Starks around like a stray dog?"
He leaned in closer, his shadow falling over her. "Listen, little bird. I'm Theon Greyjoy. I'm the heir to the Iron Islands. You don't tell me to go ask a common ward for permission to speak to you."
"If he wants you to know who I am, he will tell you," she said. She met his eyes directly. "I don't know you, and I'm not looking for company. Please leave."
Theon's grin died. A dark flush crawled up his neck, and a muscle jumped in his jaw. He stepped forward, slamming his boot into the doorframe just as she tried to pull it shut.
"You have a lot of nerve," he hissed, leaning into her space. "Alaric is nothing in this castle. He's a nobody. I could have the guards toss him into the snow right now if I felt like it. Do you really think he can protect you from someone like me?"
Roslin didn't flinch. She simply looked at him, her eyes tracing the desperate line of his mouth before she let out a small, tired sigh.
"I think you should move your foot before he finds you here," she said quietly.
"Is that a threat?" Theon's eyes narrowed. He reached out, his fingers hovering inches from her cheek. "Maybe I'll just wait inside until he gets back. We can see how brave he is then."
A low, heavy vibration started at the foot of the bed. Livy and Rivy were no longer curled up. They stood with their heads low, hair standing up like needles along their spines. Their golden eyes didn't blink as they tracked the pulse in Theon's throat.
Theon froze. His hand hung mid-air. Before he could turn his head toward the wolves, a pale, thin hand clamped onto his collar. With a sudden, violent jerk, Theon was hauled backward.
His boot slipped from the doorframe, and he stumbled into the hallway, his heels skidding on the stone. He spun around, hand flying to the dagger at his belt. "What the—"
A man stood in the shadows. He wore dusty, plain robes, looking like a common servant, but he didn't move like one. His eyes were flat and still.
"The young lord seems to have lost his way," the Dae said. His voice was calm, but the air around him felt cold.
Theon yanked his doublet straight, his face turning a deeper shade of red. "Who are you? A servant? You just laid hands on a Greyjoy. I'll have your head for that!"Dae didn't flinch. He didn't even look angry. He simply tilted his head, his hazel eyes tracking Theon's every move.
"A Greyjoy," Dae repeated slowly, as if the name meant nothing. "Ah, the ward of Lord Stark. It seems we share a similar status, though I am merely a humble follower of My Lord Alaric."
"A follower?" Theon spat. "You're a lackey for a lackey. Move aside."
"I'm afraid I cannot," Dae said, stepping smoothly into Theon's path as the Ironborn tried to push back toward the door. "My Master is very particular about his privacy. And his... guests. A man of your high standing shouldn't be seen loitering at the door of a common ward, should he? What would the Starks think of the Great Kraken's heir acting like a stable boy chasing skirts?"
Theon's jaw dropped. The insult was wrapped in such polite language that he struggled to find a comeback. "I was just... I was introducing myself."
"You were forcing your foot into a doorway," Dae corrected, his smile thin and cold. "In some places, that is how men lose their toes. In others, it is how they lose their reputation. If Lord Robb heard you were harassing a lady under his roof, I wonder which you would lose first?"
Theon looked from the strange, calm servant to the two wolves now standing at the threshold of the room. The animals weren't barking; they were just staring at him like he was a piece of meat.
"Alaric really has picked up some strange company," Theon muttered, trying to regain his dignity. He took a step back, realizing he was outnumbered by a weird servant and two very large dogs. "Tell him I was here. Tell him to teach his dog some manners."
"I shall tell him exactly what I saw," Dae whispered, his eyes never leaving Theon's. "Every single detail."
Theon's face twisted. He took another step back, trying to act like he wasn't afraid of the servant or the wolves.
"Fine," Theon snapped, adjusting his cloak. "Let him keep his secrets. Alaric thinks he's a hero now just because he saved Bran. It seems that bit of luck has gone straight to his head."
He looked at the door one last time, his eyes narrow. "He's still just a ward. He should remember that before he starts acting like he owns the place."
Theon turned on his heel and marched away, his boots echoing loudly down the hall. He didn't look back.
Dae watched him until he turned a corner. The calm, polite smile vanished from the Dae face, leaving it cold and empty. He turned toward the door where Roslin was still standing, her face pale.
Dae bowed his head low, his hands tucked into his sleeves. "He is gone, My Lady. He will not be a problem for now."
Roslin looked at him, her heart still thumping. She hadn't seen this man before, and he had appeared out of nowhere. "Who are you?" she asked softly. "I didn't see you come with us."
"I am Dae," he replied. He didn't look up, staying in his humble bow. "I serve Master Alaric. He sent me to watch the halls and ensure your peace was not disturbed. I apologize for being slow to step out of the shadows."
Roslin glanced at the wolves, who were now sitting calmly at her feet. They didn't seem to mind Dae at all. If the wolves trusted him, she supposed she should too.
"Thank you, Dae," she said.
"It is my purpose to serve, My Lady," Dae whispered. "Please, close the door and return to the warmth. I will remain nearby."
...
Alaric sat in the Glass Garden, the humid air and smell of wet earth a strange contrast to the frozen world outside the glass panes. He was lost in thought, planning his next move, when a sudden chime rang in his mind.
The blue System screen flickered to life.
[NOTIFICATION: REWARD GRANTED]
[OBJECTIVE MET: PUT THE KRAKEN IN HIS PLACE]
[REWARD: +450 MP]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 4,824 MP]