Boy from Beyond the Wall

The Social Ladder of Winterfell

"Twenty coppers, lad, that's the price. Take it or bugger off."

Danny's lips thinned at the words of the bathhouse owner. He may have had a whole treasury full of gold, but it wasn't accessible at the moment, that's for sure. As of now, his pockets were void of any currency. If he had kept that stupid horse he could have sold it, but now he had nothing. Perhaps it was strange of someone to seek a bathhouse as his destination when they were penniless, but those were just habits. He hadn't washed in a while, despite being accustomed to doing so every other day. And since he just finished eating what he had stolen, Danny naturally sought the place out, happy to see one around at all. But now all he could do was to solemnly nod and sigh.

"Customer service sure needs some work," he mumbled.

"Ye aren't a customer until you pay," the owner argued.

"Yeah, yeah," Danny turned and waved his hand. "I'll come back once I make a fortune," he spoke with irony as he went for the door.

"Get a job, lad!"

Upon exiting, he took a look around the place. The teen noticed how few people actually lived in that town, composed of rows of neat houses, made from wood and rough, unpolished stones. Many of those houses were outright abandoned, and that confused him even more. Danny looked up the hill and saw a perfectly solid, even to an extent pretty castle which was supposed to house the local lord, but at the same time the town looked disused. It wasn't the case of cruel lord taking everything from his subjects, because that would mean plenty of impoverished peasants. But there were none, so what was exactly the purpose of that place? He knew not, and, honestly, didn't care, for such way of things meant he could move into any house he preferred and nobody would bat an eye.

But he still had no money. Danny could easily steal those, but just looking at the locals straight out of the Dark Ages he felt pity. They didn't need a ghost robbing them atop of what they were already had. That left him wondering just what job he could undertake to earn a coin. The half ghost tapped on the wet, muddy ground with his black boots and wondered. The thought of selling his obviously problematic clothes didn't even cross his mind. It was a gift. And gifts were not supposed to be given away. Besides, it was much pricier than what the locals could probably afford. What did the people even do for life there? Then, an idea struck him.

If there was one thing that existed since the dawn of time, it was violence. And the need to have someone protect you from it. Obviously, there wasn't going to be an adventurers' guild, but if RPGs ever taught him anything, it is that the taverns were the centre of all rumours. The half ghost did just that, and entered one of the bigger buildings around. Immediately the warmth and smells were felt by his skin and nose, and brought some comfort. Danny sat at the first table he could find and thoughtfully tapped on it, listening to the surroundings. And that's how it went for a while, until Danny noticed how the light from the fireplace was obstructed by someone.

"Goodness, a new face in our little town."

Danny turned to face a beautiful redheaded woman in rather...revealing clothes.

"And a handsome one at that," she gave him a charming smile. "What can I fetch you, darling?"

"Water, please."

She blinked in surprise. "You don't drink?" She asked.

"That and I don't have any money," Danny gave a dry smile. "Don't worry, I can stomach whatever disease is in the water and I won't take any issue if I can't."

"No, it is quite safe, I believe," the woman chuckled and examined him a bit closer. "I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that someone like you is without a coin."