That night at dinner, Thomas said, "I have an insane idea of just how to advertise the auction. If Nymeria does it, we'll find a circus wagon and tow her all around town. There can be signs on the outside advertising the rare goods available: high-fashion jewelry, giant gemstones, rare seeds, and food. She can howl, snarl, and make the children scream. The adults will be amazed and will recognize real rarity when they see it." Calancy laughed and said, "I will ride with her...and Ned. Ned can ride. Jiemba, will you ride with us?"
Arya looked at Thomas with that same look. "I'm not sure Nymeria would do it, though; she did not like being caged at home." Calancy said, "I will ask her when she knows it's for the ship; she might be willing." Brienne said Caelan and I will drive the cage, we can use my giant horse, we will be a sight." Arya said, "Drena and I can dress as pirates and ride behind the cage." They all laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but ventured that it would surely make the town sit up and take notice. Thomas stood and waved his hand, "See the barbarians from the far east!" Drena laughed and said, "I'll barb you, Thomas." They all fell asleep talking about circuses they had seen and enjoyed.
The next morning, after breakfast, Calancy and Jiemba found Nymeria in the yard. Calancy went head-to-head with her. The wolf looked at her questioningly. "Nymeria, I have a favor to ask you. It's so everyone can pay off the ship repairs. Ned wants his ship back in the water. We want to show you the town so they will come to the auction, but you would have to ride in a cage for a little while. Jiemba and I will ride in the cage with you so you won't be afraid. Ned will ride with us, too. Brienne will drive the cage so she can protect you, Arya, and Drena will ride their horses behind the cage, so you are safe?" Nymeria growled at the thought of a cage; she couldn't be caged again. She ran away from Calancy, turned, and howled full throat. She ran towards the shipyard, and Ned took off after her. The shipyard workers all startled when she howled, and then she was between them. Sniffing the wood and each worker, most of whom were frightened to death of her, fell back. Ned ran up and head-butted her in the leg. He chirped and ran to the torn-open ship. He leaped onto the keel where it was showing and hissed at Nymeria. The dire wolf walked over to the ship. She could smell the shipworms in the wood, and she could smell where the horses and cows had been. She smelled the new planks and the sweat of the crewmen working. Part of her even missed being at sea...well, it was a small part. She loped toward the mansion, circling the building. She checked the cows, she checked the horses, and she stuck her head into the forge to see Gendry working. She could smell Bart cooking dinner. She circled back to the front and sat down in a huff. Ned batted one of her ears and curled up beside her. Calancy was already on the porch, and she sniffed and sang, "It will only be for a bit of while, Nymeria. The sooner you're free again, the sooner none of us wants to hurt you. The wolf looked at her with deep golden eyes. She turned her head away, and Ned stood looking in her deep golden eyes. Calancy went back inside.
The next day, after breakfast, everything went on as usual, then Arya and Bart rode into town with Caelan to buy groceries. On the way back, Arya got out of the wagon and presented Nymeria with two large fish. She gave Ned a smaller one. The cat made a purr chirp sound and tore into his. Nymeria looked deeply into Arya's eyes, and the girl hugged her wolf. Then she got back on the wagon and went around the house to unload.
Around back, there was a vast space between the horse paddock and the house. The fighters had taken to using the space to train. Brienne was back full strength, and even Jack was gaining in power again. The clashes between Drena and Bronn were so intense that Thomas came out of the forge building and asked them all if they would put on a mock battle at the auction. Bronn asked, "For what prize?" Thomas shook his head and said, "To get back on the boat and sail away." The combatants nodded and returned to fighting. While watching, Drena said, "Bronn, lend me that red blade." The blade clicked and went red when she caught it in her sword hand. She nodded and then pitched the red ring she was wearing to him, telling him to wear it on his sword hand. Then, when he did, she tossed the sword back to him, and he caught it with his sword hand. It clicked and went red, it flashed and trailed flame like red when he slashed it in the air. There was an iron pipe holding the gate to the paddock, and he slashed at it. It bisected the 3-inch pipe, and little flames guttered from the iron.