12 The heart bleeds, The road leads

"I'm a descendant of old Valeria… my real name is Cirilla. My parents said it was too dangerous to tell me our family name. I know I could trust you but I just couldn't bring myself to burden you with this. I'm only saying it now because if we're really to be together then you need to know. I've also known about magic since I was 5 when my mother showed me some…"

Every word froze Alexios to his spot. He had no idea since nothing even close to it was displayed in her statues. Then he thought about it and while thinking, Reana or now known as Cirilla started waving her hand slowly. Her eyes changed as an emerald green invaded her red eyes mixing together till it was a bright green almost gold. Her hair changed only with color as her black hair went to silver.

Alexios stumbled backwards while Cirilla frowned at his reaction. "I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting this…" Cirilla looked at him with a saddened look and sighed full of emotion. "I understand if you want me to leave, I won't leave my problems with you…" before she could say anything, large arms wrapped around her as she was enveloped by Alexios.

The two held each other as Cirilla's tears ran down her face. Lili and Toros watched the two but as soon as it came to the secrets held by them, they decided to leave quietly. The two kept Garold and William busy so they couldn't bother them. "Everything is okay, we're together now and nothing can take that away." With his words, Cirilla's troubling heart was calmed with a wave of warmth and comfort.

"I think you should change your hair back to black only because of the Targaryen's, but your eyes should stay as they are now. I think they really show your growth and inner personality. A beauty the world has never seen and only I have been lucky enough to have it grace my presence. Would they lady allow me to care for her in this life and the next?"

A chuckle escaped his lips as he tried to lighten the mood. Cirilla smiled and lightly punched his chest before whispering in a soft tone. "You better not go and die on me anytime soon, or I'll bring you back just to kill you myself." With the escaping words, Alexios smiled and kissed her cheek before deciding to leave. As the two made their way to the door to open it, their hands embrace one another.

Alexios opened the door only to see Robb stumbling. Then awkwardly standing against the wall smiling with some sweat rolling down his forehead. Cirilla who decided to go by Reana till she knew she was safe grew red. Possibly by anger or embarrassment or both. "Robb, I just made an order to make the most perfect dagger, should I castrate you now or when I receive it?"

Robb paled at the words from the large man in front of him before he held out his hands in surrender and mercy. "All I heard was something about you not dying, I swear." Alexios and Reana looked at Robb skeptically but relented before continuing their walk to get some food. "Alexios, I just wanted say, I'm sorry for not really giving you a choice… in front of my father." Alexios smiled and chuckled before waving Robb away while he continued to get food.

As the days continued, it was filled with laughs and a warm atmosphere. Very different than one would expect from the coldest place in the seven kingdoms. Eddard Stark talked a few more times with Alexios about the travelling plans. To which Alexios had given up to his fate. Not that he opposed it very much since it sounded like a good opportunity to see the other lands.

Alexios had promised Reana that he would protect her and stand by her no matter what troubles came. Reana's fiery nature would calm ever so slightly when with Alexios. It was as if they were two halves to a whole and they felt comforted by each other's presence. In the time that he was in Winterfell, Toros informed Alexios of the finished work he had done while there.

What awaited Alexios as he came to see the completion was valyrian steel armor similar to his armor from before. It was slightly bigger than his current size as Toros said it was for him when he grew into it. Alexios was hypnotized by it's appearance. The helmet had a T shape for the eyes to see. A white bears pelt used around his neck atop his shoulders to which Toros said not to ask how he got the pelt.

The pauldrons would cover his shoulders and down to about half his upper arm. A large metal plate covering his upper torso with his house sigil encrusted onto it. Gauntlets that went past up to his elbow just about while the under side went past the elbow. Providing protection to a larger area without restraining his movements too much. Two smaller metal plates running down the sides of his mid section.

Cloth would cover the other metal plated portions on his front and back side as the back only showed the same as the front. His legs had a leather portion covering around his waist down to his thighs atop his metal graves that covered his legs. Altogether it was a imposing warriors attire that suited Alexios perfectly. He said that he wouldn't wear the piece of cloth that was strapped to the shoulders in the back. Unfortunately everyone said he had to represent his house and it would really stand out as it was their house sigil.

Alexios took Toros to the tavern and ended up giving the owner more gold then he ever saw. Toros was so happy he could've kissed Alexios but he of course didn't. Alexios was so happy he dreamt of the armor whenever he could. The night was filled with loud laughter and cheers as that night, Alexios told everyone he was courting Reana. Everyone was honestly shocked as they never thought a first born noble would be with a commoner.

Alexios then told them how they were going to go visit the other lands soon and to gather any materials they might need. The night was infectious as all of Winterfell soon fell into a festive atmosphere filled with laughter and moans when the night drew to a close. Alexios and Reana's relationship was flourishing under the moonlight and never could fade with the wind that follows. It was a feeling of trust, comfort, and love that compelled them together. With that their love would grow as far as they wanted it too which was never ending to them.

A few days later was full of bustle and grunts as soldiers and the group was packing their saddlebags. Robb was atop his horse as Alexios rode up next to him wearing still his old armor. "So when should I expect a nephew or niece, I should say soon with how loud you two are every night, haha!" "Aww, is the young wolf lonely not finding a she wolf to calm your mischievous behavior? Haha!" The two followed back to back till finally Reana came up and excused Alexios away while Robb was laughing with out worries at his friends misfortune.

Eddard Stark had sent a raven to Garth Dragen about their journey shortly after the first day they were in Winterfell. As such, Garth could only sigh and reluctantly agree to his lords wishes as he knew it would be good for his son to see Westeros. His only regret was not being able to tell him the news he received not too long ago. At his defeat, He decided that he would just let it be a surprise as the events were out of his control.

The group traveled passed Moat Cailin and towards Riverrun. They decided to avoid the Vale for now and go there on their way back. The Group consisted of Robb, Alexios, Toros, Reana, Lili, Garold, William, and five soldiers from Winterfell along with ten from Alexios's own troops. All together they accounted for twenty two people. The rest of Alexios's men returned to the rest of his soldiers to relay his latest orders.

The journey was mainly quiet with little threat other then the occasional stupid bandit here and there. They traveled down the main road and was destined for Kings Landing, from there they would go to the Stormlands, and then Dorne. After that they would go to the Reach and head up passed the Westerlands. They predicted a travel of about a year's time if they went slow to finish the trip back. Both Robb and Alexios were excited to see what the other realms of Westeros had to offer the two young men.