fair weather friend

it happened, that was the thing but she seemed to have no control over it. perhaps it was fate. perhaps it was the gods' will. one stormy night a few days prior, a bird had crashed into the side of her den. she found the thing drenched and hurt but could not end its suffering. taking it inside, Heloise tended to it and nursed it back to health. that was days ago, however. the moment she deemed it was acceptable for the bird to fly home, it did not leave. staring at her through dark eyes, she seemed to come to the understanding it wanted to remain.

Heloise had never had a familiar before. she always assumed the beastmasters took years to train their companions, yet here was the gyrfalcon following her. it listened when she spoke. it bobbed its head in understanding. still recovering from the crash, it took to riding on her shoulder as she walked around Winterfell. she did not know what to name him, or if he had a name already. the creature did not speak in her tongue. rising to the deck of the ship, she went in search of a wolf who had companions to explain this to her. if she was in possession of this bird, she wanted to know how to care for him.

the ivory woman lifted her head and called softly into the depths. surely someone would answer her?