-Should we?
-Probably not. But then again, no one told us not to. Right?
-I guess not.
-Do you have your crossbow?
-I do. Wont your dad get angry?
-He never gets angry.
-Come on then!
I heard our steps echoing in the streets, like the houses were trying to tell on us. I ran so fast, faster than Arianne, but she could keep up with me, maybe a few steps behind. We got to our destination in no time.
-Is he there?
-I can't see anything! Oh, there he is! Look at him!
-Oh gods…What a man…
-Arianne, watch your mouth, they`ll hear you.
-Let them hear! I think Im in love with all of them.
-With all of them? Is that even possible?
-Im the proof! Just look at them! Oooooh Kyreé…
-What?
-Ser Hugo…
-What about him?
-He just arrived.
-Not interested.
-Youre so interested. And I heard daddy say he might even let him marry you if you want to.
-Well, I don't want to marry him. I want to be single forever.
-And never have sex? Like ever ever?
-Ever.
-Liar.
-Am not!
We started running back to the castle and giggling as we ran.
They were awfully good hosts, but I had a bad feeling. The Martells would be leaving for war sooner than expected, sooner than maybe a month, and Id be going along. Arianne laughed and joked about sex, and men, and marriage, but my departure made it obvious that I would do none of these things, while she was to be left behind, ruling alongside Doran Martell, her father and my adoptive father. The Sand Snakes never got married, why should I? I wanted to fight. Arianne was always the one who was taught how to rule, she had been raised to rule over Dorne when Prince Doran passed away. I had been allowed to do whatever I wanted to do, and once I was finished learning books, I got to learn weapons, and people. I had myself in the account of a good judge of character, and both me and Arianne could manipulate people as easily as stealing and cheating. Dorne wasn't King`s Landing, or any other territory, where women were expected to learn how to be a lady and how to get pregnant, and nothing more. We had permission to do what we wanted, and Prince Doran was permissive to the point where Arianne refused the husbands he proposed to her, and he didn't make her marry them. She had freedom of choice. So did I. When I was 13, Doran told me I could chose whoever I wanted to marry. My home was lost, I didn't have money, I didn't have power, my people were only a couple thousands, lodged in a village they built themselves. I had no army. And I was precious to the army of Dorne. No one could deny that I was the best strategist that they had. My condition as a woman was overlooked once I proved my worth, even in an imaginary situation, a drill if you want. I was 15. Hugo was there, as the Second in Command for the Guard. He was 17 at the time and I couldnt look him in the eye. I never seemed to be able to.
Everything was about light in the main room as I walked in. The huge table was filled with maps and surrounded by the high ranks, the elite of Dorne. As I walked in, everyone looked at me, and lowered their heads as a sign of respect.
-Kyreé.
-Lord Doran.
-Lady Kyreé.
-Ser Hugo.
A shiver ran up and down my spine. That was a first.
-Lannister guarded King`s Landing has been more dangerous. Lord Tywin is dead, Jaime Lannister is crippled, and Cersei is tamed. As for Tyrion, gods know where he is. Its as good as it gets. We should go for it. Rally the army, the banner men, whoever.
-There´s a boy king in the Iron Throne. We have the rightful queen in our hands...
-They have Casterly Rock`s army, and its bigger than ours, the weapons are much more advanced...
-They lost their captain. Lord Kevan is also dead. Can we all at least agree that this is the best moment to strike?
-I agree. We just have to siege them and let them die. We arrive in the middle of the night and just stay there until someone yelds. Tommen if we can.
-Cersei wont let her precious little spawn take the risk.
-Well, I might let him live if the Kingslayer and his bald sister agree to go back to Casterly Rock and stay guarded.
-Do you think they`ll agree? Do you think theyre going to just let us have the Iron Throne?
-Not us.
-So which of the self entitled kings and queens should have the throne?
-Lets vacate it.
-Lets not vacate it and come up with a solution. I want Dorne to be independent, I want to serve King Doran. To keep the peace and as a proof of good will Myrcella marries Tristan as soon as she can.
-Hugo, Kyreé, please.
Doran Martell`s voice was weak and it was filled with pain.
-I dont think, my dear, that the Iron Throne should be vacated. But Hugo, I cant come up with an alternative. If we get the Lannisters and the false king out of King`s Landing, not to mention the Tyrell`s, who very much want to keep Margaery as a queen, there must be a king or queen in the throne.
-Why, Lord Doran? Why not just end this? Why must the Iron Throne and the ass that sits in it rule over the Seven Kingdoms? Why cant you become king, Arianne after you? Dorne should be independent, I agree with Hugo in this. Ser Hugo.
-People wont accept that, Lady Kyreé.
-Its not fair that Seven Kingdoms are under the power and influence of just one person.
-Its what`s been happening.
-Its what caused the war! Two wars! The Mad King, the dragons! People died!
-I dont want more people to die, my dear. But I dont think this is going to be peaceful.
-Declare independence. Please.
-How?
-That doesnt matter. Just do it.
-And risk the invasion?
-Risk it.
-We wont be able to...
-Storms End has most of the High Garden troops right now. Loras Tyrell is dying. Lannisters dont have a captain. Why cant you see it? We can take them.
-And if they siege us?
-They wont. They wont get past the desert if we dont want them to. And I know I dont.
-That... Might work. Just might, Lord Martell. There`s no guarantee that they wont beat us.
-I like those odds.
-I need to think about this. I got a raven from Obaria and Im too old and too ill to think about this right now. Thank you for your advice. You have been most helpful.
Everyone bowed their heads and left the room. I just stayed to get Lord Doran water and to adjust his blanket.
-Do you think this would work?
-I do, father.
-You were always impulsive.
-Yes, I know. Im sorry if...
-No, no. You remind me a lot of my daughter and my nieces. Its funny how you ended up being my daughter after all. I think your parents would be more than proud if they had survived. I think about them often.
-I think about them too. But I dont remember much. I was little. I`ve only known a family, and you`re my father.
His eyes filled with tears and he extended a bloodshot hand to me, which i grabbed carefully.
-Im happy and proud to hear that.
-Its true.
-About someone else, who I suspect is at my door...
-He is the Commander of your guard, my lord...
-Yes, and a very good one. But that is not what I want to discuss. I want to discuss a request he made me.
-What kind of request? The vanguard? He should know better than to ask for my vanguard...
-Your hand in marriage. He asked for your hand in marriage.
My heart started beating so fast I thought I was going to die.
-No.
-My dear, consider his offer. Dont be so definitive.
-My answer is no.
-Think about it.
-No.
-Kyreé, this is not an order, but consider it as such. Think about this. Sleep on it. Discuss it with Arianne.
-Father, I dont want to get married. Not even to him.
-My dear, marriage does not mean you are going to turn into a proper lady and have to stay home.
-Promise?
-Yes. The vanguard is yours either you decide to take Hugo`s offer or not.
-Father?
-Yes?
-Why did he ask for my hand?
-That, my dear, I cant tell you. He has his reasons.
-I am asking him right now what is going through his head...
-See you at dinner, dear?
-Yes, father.
-Dont be too hard on him.
-I`ll try.
I went out the door to find Hugo standing there, looking forwards and looking fierce. I had to admit that he was by far the best looking man I had ever seen. Hazel eyes, sharp features, light brown hair, and an ability to stand being in full body armor since dawn to twilight.
-Ser Hugo, I have received disturbing news concerning yourself.
-Lady Kyreé.
-Why did you ask for my hand?
He stopped looking forward, and lost the stiff pose.
-Lady...
-Oh for gods`sake would you stop?
-Kyreé, I did what I did because...
-Because...?
-Because I want to marry you, for some reason!
-Oh, so you think that Im yours to take, just because you felt like it? Is it because you want to tame me, or show me Im just a girl after all? That I have to be confined to a man? Why dont you go to a brothel? They dont object to any of this.
-I dont want to go to a brothel! I dont want some whore! I want... I want you.
I didnt know what to say, or how I felt about that. I wanted to run, I didnt want to run, my mind was racing and my heart seemed like it wanted to hit his armor, it was beating so hard.
-You do?
-Yes. I thought you knew. I thought everyone knew.
-I didnt.
-Is there an answer?
-There will be, just give me some time to think.
-Of course.
He took my hand and drove it to his lips, laying a soft kiss on my knuckles. I got goosebumps. From all the people in the world, I was the one who had been proposed to. And I was leading the vanguard.
I chose to wear my simplest yet regal outfit for the announcement. 3 days had gone by since the reunion, and Lord Doran was ready to communicate his decision to the crowd that had gathered in front of the terrace. Arianne was there, in her best outfit, her braid entangled in gold strings. She looked radiant, the crowd couldnt take her eyes off of her. I was used to her getting so much attention, I liked it, because I knew she did too. It had become useful when we wanted to do something or possess something we shouldnt. She was a great bait, and I was great at hiding. I was there solely because I was a high born, not to mention I would be leading the vanguard. He was too tired and too weak to say what he had to say to so many people, so it would be Arianne to make the proclamation. She had cried and insisted. It was fun to watch. She cleared her voice and started.
-People of Dorne, guests from Windfall...-our eyes crossed and I lowered my head, as a sign of thanks for the reference.- There was an attack to our land, to our people. My uncle was brutally murdered in King`s Landing, and we are forced to take action against the Lannisters, who occupy the Iron Throne under false pretenses. Therefore, my father, Lord Doran Martell has decided... Has decided to send our nation to war, to fight the ones who occupy the Iron Throne and to dethrone Tommen Lannister, who calls himself the king. Lord Doran Martell hereby proclaims that he does not see Tommen Lannister as the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms, but as a freak...-the crowd shouted so loud against the Lannister, against King`s Landing, against everyone who they could remember as an enemy- generated by incest, and not by King Robert Baratheon. We shall rally our troops and go to King`s Landing, where our brave commanders and soldiers will siege the Red Keep until a representative of the crown yelds. When they do so... We will declare our independence... And proclaim Doran Martell as the king of Dorne. Thank you.
The crowd was still screaming when we entered the castle again.
-You did great!
-You think? I was so nervous.
This kind of girly talk was not our forte, so we stopped and just laughed. Lord Doran entered the room in his special chair and greeted all of us with a smile. Hugo went to help him get settled.
-You did a great job, Arianne, my dear. Thank you. Forgive me for not being able to do this myself.
-It is no trouble, father, it was easy. And somewhat fun.
-Would you excuse me, please?
-Oh Kyreé, dont go. I`ll ask for some refreshments, and we can just talk about this war and everything!
-Arianne, really, I need to rest and I need to think about everything. With your permission.
-Dont say that, you`re as much of a high born as I am! Of course then, rest. I will see you at dinner.
-Thank you. May I go, father?
-Of course. We will see you at dinner.
-Thank you. Excuse me.
I lowered my head and passed Hugo on my way to the door. I just wanted to get some water, and lay my head somewhere, it was hurting so bad. I entered my room and threw myself on my bed, and all of a sudden tears started flowing. I rarely cried, but these tears felt so easy and so justified I couldn't and didn't want to stop them. I was sobbing soon enough, sobbing for everything I had lost, sobbing because I was afraid I would go to King`s Landing and lose my men, my life. Hugo. The pain of what could be yet to come crushed me, and I felt uncertainty. How could I have said all these things about sieges and wars and yields when there was a huge, a massive, a suffocating probability that we weren't going to make out of it alive? I prayed to all the gods, old and new, and I still didnt have confort. Would I ever have? With a sword in my hand, with my island back, when I was back with the Kingslayer`s head? I cried harder and harder every second. I punched my pillows again and again, I wanted to kill someone. The door shot open and the next thing I noticed, I was imprisoned in someone`s arms, unable to carry on my destructive spree.
-What happened? What happened?
I couldnt speak, let alone form a line of thought that could explain what was happening.
-Are you hurt? Is anything hurting? Please say something, you`re scaring me!
-Im... Im... Fine... Jus... Just nervous and scared.- My sobbing had slowed down once I regained composure.
-Is it because of the war? You dont have to go, you can stay here, guarding the city and lord Martell...
-I want to go with you. I just had a moment of weakness. It`s fine, I want to go.
-Think this through, at least. No one would think any less of you. You are the bravest woman I have ever met.
I managed to smile and my eyes met his hazel eyes.
-Thank you.
-Are you better now?
-Yes, I think so. Im sorry for my...You know.
-No problem. Kyreé I...
-You want an answer.
-I wouldnt put it so bluntly, but yes.
-I have it for you.
-And?
-Yes.
His eyes sparkled and I knew mine did the same. His hug tightened, and I was swept off my feet.
-Are you sure? Really sure? I dont want to force you, I...
-Im sure. Im more sure about this than about the siege.
-Oh my gods, I cant believe you... My gods, I must be dreaming.
-You`re not.
-I love you. Do you know that? I love you so much. Always have. I love you.
A different kind of tears were now rolling down my cheeks, stretched in the biggest smile I ever had.
-And I love you.
It was pointless to try. We kissed, at first slow, but then urgently, and then desperately. I had never felt like this. Nor would I ever feel it again if I lost Hugo. But that was miles away from my mind. Why would the future matter when the present made the danger worth experiencing?
-We missed dinner.
-Hell with dinner.
He laid soft kisses from my neck to my shoulder.
-I cant believe you let me have the vanguard without protesting.
-You`re wrong, I did protest. To no avail, I should add. You do know the vanguard is going to suffer more casualties. And if they find out you are the leader...
-I rather die in this war than die from anything else.
-I rather you dont die, how is that?
-I dont know, Hugo. Chances are...
-Chances are I ask Lord Martell to lock you somewhere around here.
-Chances are the engagement is off if you dare.
-I knew you would say that. What if you die? What happens then?
-Im dead...?
-What happens to me?
-You move on with your life and find someone else. Maybe father will name you Hand and even marry you to Arianne.
-Do I look like I want Arianne?
-What man doesnt?
-Me?
I laughed and turned to face him.
-Stop. I get the idea.
I got up and fetched my clothes, putting them on afterwards.
-Should I be worried about the fact you seem eager to get rid of me?
-Dont go there. You got more than I wanted you to have tonight.
-Im sorry.
-Dont be. Get your clothes on, we are going to ask father if we can get married somewhere in the next few days.
-Already?
-Yes. Any objection?
-Not at all.
We got married two days later, with no ceremony attached. No guests were invited. Nobody knew what we had done except for my father.
And then we picked up swords, bows, hammers, whatever we could find to protect ourselves from Death. Thousands and thousands of brave men went northeast. Dorne was left to be protected by sand and warmth. I never said good bye to Arianne, I never told her me and Hugo were married. She didnt need to know, it wouldnt affect her.
The battle known as Lone Call shaped Windfall`s story forever. Lady Marye Arryn and her daughter, crazed by grief and pain, proclaimed the small merchant island as a kingdom, and warned Casterly Rock that they were no longer under their power and influence. The small army the two women put together was in dire need of weaponry, not to mention organization and even food. But none of that came, and the army was subdued by the Lannister force of only three hundred men. Lady Marye was sentenced to death for her later discovered severe crimes such as manslaughter against her own people. Lady Vykstra was sentenced to a much more painfull death. She was to serve the rest of her life aboard merchant ships headed to Valyria, now mostly known for being the place of origin of House Targaryen. It is said that Lady Vykstra died of exaustion, trying to run from captivity. The truth however, is that Vykstra Arryn-Lannister died from a much different and much more evil cause. The first attacks of the people known as Dark Men are dated around the time of her death, and the boat she was boarded in at the time was never found. The name of that boat was «Lion Cave».
