William didn't trust this woman. She knew more than she was letting on, he was sure of it. More importantly, he didn't believe a single word she said. "You must be drunk, mad, or something worse," he said, upending a full goblet. "I had hoped my reputation preceded me, but perhaps I will have to explain to every single horsebreeder in the North that I am not stupid. Do you seriously expect me to just eat up whatever nonsense you toss at me?"

"I expect you to eat the truth," said Cathay, with a cold stare. This was her brother, that she knew, but she couldn't quite understand how. This was the rightful heir of the Dreadfort? He looked the part, but was as far from the majesty of their common fathers as it got. He was drunk and deranged, and couldn't tell his sister apart from any other woman in the whole of the Seven Kingdoms. She never knew her father, but she had read the old records of the Bolton family, stories of conquest and pragmatism, and neither of those words seem to apply to this last of the flayed men.

"If I may, brother, I am of the belief that this woman is who she claims. More than that, if she proves not, what have we to lose?" Arak chimed in. Cathay's steely gaze passed over to him. Another disappointment to the family, it seems. She had approached this one, in the hopes that he was more easily persuaded. Apparently, he was. In five minutes, she had Arak occasionally referring to her as 'sister'. Then there was his endless love for the enemy in Winterfell.

"I'll make the decisions here," William huffed, looking down at his cup. It was empty, because of course it was. There never seemed to be enough. He angrily slammed the goblet down on the table before him, trying to ignore the infuriating tag-team his twit brother seems to have made with the stranger. "I'll tell you exactly what we could lose, and exactly what is happening here. So let's say we let just about anyone into the family. Perhaps we think another claimant is not a problem here. She will stick around our castle, spending our reserves on frivolous pursuits, and then one day she'll find 'unfortunate' proof that her family doesn't include us. So she ambles off with all our money on her back, up to the Karstarks or Umbers or whoever else is up there, repeat process until rich!" 

"I am Cathay Snow, daughter of Ramsay!" she shouted, standing up. "I am above such things! My fathers and their fathers are above such things!"

"Perhaps it would be best if we all rested a night before coming to a conclusion," Arak said, interrupting the two before they got physical. "Milady, allow me." Cathay shot one last glare at William, who was checking his cup again in case by some miracle he found it has filled itself up. Then she exhaled, and allowed Arak to lead her to the guest chambers. "Not to worry, sister. I'm sure I can talk him into the truth," he said, and left her alone. Cathay resisted the urge to throw one of the empty vases at the wall. A guest in her own home!