The men laughed hysterically at my words. "You didn't mean to intrude? I think you did m'lady. We saw waltz into Winterfell like you owned the place" one of them said. 
"You are from Winterfell?" i asked. "Yes. We fight for Rickon Stark" one of them chimed in. I looked the men up and down and saw no Stark sigils. "What do you want?" i questioned. "We heard your father put a knife to lord Starks throat... And yet, he is still breathing... As are you."
I gulped as i saw one of the mens hands lingering over their dagger. 
"My father apologised... Believe me there is no grief between our houses" i said clutching onto Freya's reigns. "Maybe lord Stark was quick to forgive, but we're not. You see bastard, your father hasn't just pissed off one house. He's pissed of two" he said with a smirk. 
Everyone froze as there was silence. I knew i had to be quick. In the blink of an eye, i mounted Freya and tried to ride off. But before i could, the men dragged me off of her as i tried to scream.
"Keep it quiet, bastard" one of the men said putting a dagger to my throat. I gasped at the feeling of the cold steal pressing into my skin. 
"Are you going to kill me?" i asked trying to act unafraid. "Sorry to say we are" one of the men said through his golden teeth. "Then do it. Get it over with" i spat. 
"Trust me, we are... But, we've been on the road for so long, why don't we have a bit of fun first" he said as the others laughed. I scowled at all of them and took a deep breath. "If your going to kill me... Can i ask who sent you?"
"Your family sent us... Your real family" he said. I felt my heart sink at his words. "Your from the Vale? My family from Runestone sent you?" i asked with shakey breaths. 
"Yes, m'lady. But i've heard whispers that were not the only ones who might want you dead. The Northerns did not take kindly to you being here. Your an outsider. Northerns don't like outsiders... And people of the Vale don't like bastards."
As the man rambled on, i used my free arm to elbow him in his side. I groaned in pain as i pushed blade away from my neck. I felt shooting pains in the palms of my hands and watched as blood dripped to the floor. 
"What are you gonna do with that then? You gonna kill us?" one of the men taunted. "I'll leave. You tell my family you couldn't find me. And i won't" i said. "Or we can kill you? Simpler option?"
One of the men stormed towards me as i dug the dagger into his chest. My mouth fell open as the man began gurgling blood. Shit. 
The two other men did not seem too happy about their friend being murdered by a girl. A "bastard" girl at that. "You little bitch" the man mumbled. 
I backed up as they walked slowly towards me. "You'll pay for killing my brother, bastard" he shouted. I gasped for air and held up the dagger, but i knew it would not protect me from two of them. 
I did not believe in the gods in truth. But in this moment, i truly believe they were looking out for me. The men stopped in their tracks as a jet black horse rode towards them. I watched as Cregan jumped down from his horse and grabbed his sword. 
The mens faces dropped once they recognised him. Cregan looked back at me and noticed the blood dripping from my hands. "You alright there, princess?" he asked. 
I nodded quickly as he turned back to the two men. "I don't know if you realise but the princess Alysanne is protected by my father now. Lord Stark" Cregan said.
"We don't want any trouble, Ser... But we have orders" one of the men said. Cregans eyes drifted down to the dead man lying lifelessly on the ground. Cregan laughed. "You did that?" he asked looking back at me once again.