『 HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN 』
( chapter one, night owl )

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         DARKNESS HAD SWEPT OVER WINTERFELL AND THE COLD FROM THE NORTH HAD SETTLED IN. IT WAS JUST ANOTHER NIGHT AT THE BROTHEL FOR KHIERA PYRIL. There were men filling their bellies with beer and wine while others sought pleasure in the women that Madame Liliana provided. They didn't care about consent and often slept with whatever women they wanted. Most of them agreed but others went down with a fight.

Khiera feared the men in Winterfell, she feared men in general. She had seen many different men come across the brothel and many of them were sickening. They talked about women as if they were simply objects who had no say. Many of them dismissed Khiera due to her tiny figure. They were sexist, but she wasn't surprised by their behavior.

The Pyril girl hated her job. She hated working in the brothel but her father convinced her to do so because it would make them money. She always wanted her fathers approval since she never got it. They were expecting a son and when she was born, her parents were more than surprised to her. Khiera thought the only way to make money to feed her family and provide for them was to sell their body. Even if she had to do against her own will.

Even if she had to swallow her pride. She couldn't starve. She couldn't afford to go home empty handed. The women at the brothel were also insufferable. They acted all high and might talking about the men they'd sleep with. They'd have a competition to see who could pleasure a man the most, though Khiera never took part.

She stayed away from the other girls. They were like Lannisters, they were like lions. They were fierce and proud and pride and lust consumed them. Khiera saw herself more as a small animal, she didn't talk to them, she was shy and quiet. She wasn't full of pride but disgust. She hated herself everytime she slept with a man. She would cry out and hope that someone would save her from her misery but she knew it would never happen.

No one would want a whore. That's what she was told by everyone. A permanent title with permanent consequences. She could never get rid of it, she was just another whore in Winterfell. To everyone else, her life didn't matter. No one cared for her a whore, she was just another object to them.

Khiera stepped out of the brothel in her cloak. That night she had left with enough money to bring home food for a few days time. She wore a dark colored cloak made of cheap material that covered her clothes. The dress that Madame Liliana gave her exposed parts of her skin which made her feel uncomfortable.

As Khiera walked home, men whistled at her for attention. She simply smiled and would look down at her own feet. She hated the walk home every night, it was dangerous and she feared what the men would do to her if she ignored them. It wasn't until it grew rather quiet and Khiera heard the voice of a young girl talking down one of them.

She quickly hid and watched their conversation.

"And what are you doing out this late, little lady?" The man asked, the girl was young. She was just a child and she held a wooden sword in her hands. She had a black cloak made of expensive material.

The young girl didn't seem to fathom the danger she was in, "What's it you?"

"You should know better then to speak to someone like that," Khiera simply stepped out from hiding and grabbed the girls arm.

The girl looked confused and Khiera simply eyed, "Sister, I am so glad I found you, mother was worried sick! We should get going."

"Hold on, you know her?" The man asked while his gaze eyes Khiera's body. She grew uncomfortable and shifted her weight.

She put on a fake smile, one that she had used a thousand times that it came natural to her, "Yes, she is my sister, now we must get going,"

She went to turn away when the man grabbed Khiera by her arms and pulled her close to him. She could smell the alcohol off of him and she felt a knot in her throat. He held a tight grip on her arm and looked dead in the eye.

He raised his hand and stroked her cheek with his big fingers, "What makes you think I'm gonna let someone like you walk past me,"

"Get off of me!" Khiera spat.

She managed to get out of his grip and she quickly dusted her arm off. She stood in front of him with furrowed brows and she soothed her own arm. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest and she stood in front of him, scared of what he would do next.

He raised his hand and slapped Khiera across the face. The brunette let out a yelp as the girl watched in horror. Khiera could feel the tears stinging her eyes as the man ripped the cloak off of her. Khiera could feel her dignity fade away. She could feel every insecurity coming back up to swallow her. She cried as she let the tears stream down her face.

She wasn't strong. And she knew it. She was weak and there was nothing she could do about it at that moment. The man took the bag of coins from her and Khiera fell to her knees. "Please! I need the money!" She cried out, the man simply spat at her and Khiera hugged herself. She caved in and let the emotions take over her.

"Arya!"

The sound of a man came through and everyone looked in the direction of a male.

"Robb!" The girl quickly ran towards the male and hugged him. The two embraced and exchanged whispers as he laid his eyes on Khiera. She couldn't meet his gaze, she refused to. She was terrified and trembling. She wanted to hide away and go to sleep.

The name was familiar, but Khiera couldn't recognize it. Whoever it was, she wanted to thank for coming and taking the girl to safety.

"Robb Stark?" The man said puzzled.

Stark. That was it. Khiera quickly grabbed her torn cloak and covered her body. She stayed on on her knees as she saw Robb Stark step in front of her.

"Is this how you treat a lady?" He asked, his tone full of disgust, "You almost endangered my sisters life, you could get in great deal of trouble for this," he added.

"I—"

"Enough, go." His voice was stern and he spoke with authority. Khiera felt ashamed to be in his presence. She felt like a peasant in that moment. He had helped her, he had saved her from what could've happened.

Once the man turned his back and left, he turned around and held out a hand for Khiera. She slowly grabbed it and lifted herself up.

"M'lady, are you alright?" Khiera kept avoiding his eyes. She couldn't look him in the eye.

Khiera simply nodded her head, "I have to go home, thank you, Lord Stark,"

"Nonsense, you helped my sister. The least I could do is give you a place to spend the night," he offered. She held on tight to the remains of her cloak as she wrapped it tightly around her body. He placed and arm around her as they walked slowly away from the incident.

"Thank you, Lord Stark," she said, "I do not deserve your kindness,"

"What is your name?" He asked, still she avoided his gaze.

"Khiera. Khiera Pyril," she answered.

Robb Stark had given Khiera a place to stay. She like how he comforted her, how he came to her recuse. He was like her Prince Charming except, there were no happily ever afters.

She knew not to think too fond of the gesture. She knew she had no chance to be with him. He would fall in love with a noble lady who had wealth. He wouldn't fall for her. Khiera knew no one could ever really love her. She knew no one would fall for a whore.

It hurt her to think of it, but it was true. She was told it a million times and she believed it every single time.

"Again, thank you Lord Stark,"

"You helped my sister, that was very brave of you," he started, "I'm glad she's okay, who knows what could have happened,"

It was gesture Khiera was going to remember and she felt like she needed to pay it back to him. She was going to take him to her home, if only he knew what she did for a living. He would be disgusted. Ashamed. Khiera was shaking due to the cold winds that were blowing, she dared not to show it. She knew she looked weak in his eyes.

Yet, little did Khiera know that her small act of bravery would have a ripple effect.

a/n
oh my gosh the first chapter is here! i love khiera with all my heart and i have so much in store for her character. she must be protected from everything. i hope you guys enjoyed it. in the next chapter, they'll interact more, i promise.