The Khal's eyes watched with growing interest as the fight unfolded. Doreah's trademark savagery was met with illusive skill and a staunch defense that made the rider pay for her every mistake. Doreah may have drawn blood first but Tenanye drew blood last and in the end, that was all that mattered. Her bo staff came down hard striking head, chest and ribs with bone breaking force. Doreah fell to the wooden deck as her body spasmodically twitched. Her brain was no doubt swelling in her skull as the blood rushed in her cranium. Many Dothraki eyes were on their fallen fellow rider as she twitched in her death throws. A few moments passed as the victor stood over Doreah before she went still forever.
Those same Dothraki eyes rose now and locked onto the one who killed their kin. The silence had not lifted yet, as Doreah's friends, family members and lovers all stared now at her proud killer who turned to Jinn, loss of breath.
"How about that drink?"
She asked proudly. The riders awaited their Khal's response who sat unmoving, his eyes on the one who killed Doreah before him. His jaw tensed for a moment as his unreadable gaze stared deeply into the princess from Anansai.
"There will be no drinks..."
He said darkly, his voice little more than a growl. He slowly got to his feet, his full imposing height cast a large shadow over the princess. He stepped toward her with slow yet determined intent. His eyes never left her as he moved toward her, his movements were a kin to a male lion approaching a nomad. His eyes, almost feral in their unpredictability. His boot touched the blood of his warrior who lay dead at his feet. He looked down at the body of Doreah then back at Tenanye. Slowly his hand went to the small of his back where he drew a dagger.
All eyes were on the Khal now, on him and that wicked looking blade in his hand. He took one more step forward, now but an arms reach from the killer of Doreah. His eyes looking into hers as if he could lay her soul to bear before him. Then he knelt and grabbed a hand full of Doreah's hair at the base of the long braid. He took the knife and sliced the braid off at the nape of her neck.
"Until you take what you've won,
Ifeqevron lajak."
With that he tossed the long braid, wet with the blood of the fallen rider to Tenanye and the entire ship erupted in cheers. Rythmic chanting soon followed as the Dothraki swelled around Tenanye offering her congratulations and praise. Jinn casually walked away as his people embraced who they now called
Ifeqevron lajak or
Spider warrior. While Tenanye may have been standing amongst the joyous crowd of Dothraki holding a dead woman's braid wondering what was going on she had no idea the impact of what she'd just done. To take a warrior's braid was a badge of honor and status among the Dothraki, it granted one status and respect among the riders and in Tenanye's case a Dothraki name. Her most valuable prize won that day, was the respect of Khal Jinn.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lord Snow looked upon his family home with quiet pride as he drank in the solace that came with the sight. He could hear Catelyn inside rounding up the younger children. Arya and Sansa were fighting again. He could hear that as well. The sounds of his two girls shouting at each other made Eddard chuckle. It was these moments that sustained him, small though they may be, that got him through the dark days. His wife singing in the kitchen, archery practice with Rob and Bran, drying Sansa's tears after some boy broke her heart, counseling Arya when she struggled with the evils of being born a girl or just sharing a laugh with Amelia. This was what he fought for, his family, his heart was split in six pieces, one for each of them.
The door to the family home opened and in walked Eddard to the proud smile of his wife
Catelyn.
"Husband."
She said happily as she rushed to him and gave him a warm embrace and a soft kiss. Eddard was home and finally was able to relinquish the burden he carried around with him all the time, he was finally at peace.
"Wife, have the girls killed each other?"
He asked only half joking. Catelyn laughed and returned to the cooking spit where a black iron kettle held some fine smelling stew that was boiling finely. The rich aroma filled the home, enticing it's inhabitants with it's bounty.
"Not yet."
She said as she began to stir the pot. Ned appeared behind her, slowly sliding his hands around her waist lovingly.
"Smell's good."
"It's almost ready. Did you invite her?"
Eddard drooped his head in embarrassment at his forgetfulness, she was going to kill him. In all the chaos of impending war, vengeful kings and changing the allegiances of horse lords he forgot about the all important, earth shattering urgency that is inviting Amelia Stormborn to dinner.
"I forgot..."
Catelyn stiffened and turned around to glare at her husband.
"Ned, I asked you this morning. How could you have forgotten? It's been ages since that girl has been over for supper, gods know when the last time she's eaten proper. Have you been making sure she's been eating well?"
Ned sighed and shook his head with a shrug of his shoulders while he turned away from the ear full he was about to receive.
"We've been a little busy dear."
"Yes, oh I'm sure
she has been but it's your responsibility to look after her Ned."
"I try, Catelyn I do..."
Eddard replied, suddenly with an odd amount of weariness in his voice. It was like all the sudden he felt his age again and it hurt. His beloved wife who knew him better than anyone else picked up on it instantly and softened her mood as she came to stand behind him. Gently she turned him around and put her hand lovingly on his chest.
"I know you do husband, believe me I know how much you do for her. I just worry she forgets at times how young she is. I see that girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She needs to know she still has family, people to look after her when she needs a safe harbor. What do you always say?"
Ned smiled softly and kissed his wife. He loved that woman more than life itself.
"Winter is coming."