Chapter 2

Present day…

Ashara paced back and forth debating her next cause of action. She hadn't left Dorne in years, nearly forgetting that there was still a world out there besides Starfall. Moments like this she was cruelly reminded that the world didn't stop moving outside her home and comfort. All she had to do to be reminded was watch her son, her baby boy, a man now at 17 years of age, roam around the castle.

Faced with a difficult decision, she dropped the message she'd received moments ago and went to search for her son. She hadn't decided how to act upon the news she'd received; hoping taking her mind off it would help her senses.

Walking through the castle walls she'd grown up, she was regarded every so often as she passed her people. It felt strange, she never thought she'd be Lady of Starfall growing up, a title most likely suited for a man. Ashara never thought she'd have any real power.

Her house wasn't large, but a prideful one, and well respected after so many years of being recognized. These people, her people, had been here her entire life. Helping raise her, teach her, being good to her, and now she ruled them.

It wasn't easy; in fact, it was the most difficult thing she'd ever come to face. Yet through the hardships and doubts, it'd been so rewarding. The people were good to her, treated her with respect, and for the most part, life had been simple in Starfall.

How tempting it would be to just never leave.

Finally reaching the outdoors, she spotted her closest ally and trusted friend Ser Conin head towards her mounted on his horse.

"My Lady," Ser Conin greeted her formally, like he did every morning.

"Good morning Ser Conin. I don't suppose you know where my son is off today?"

Ashara noticed the worried look etched on the knight's face. "I have an idea."

Paling at his tone, she asked dreadfully. "Where is he?"

Orin felt a breath on the back of his neck as he crouched low behind the wall supporting him. Had he not known full well who was beside him, his sword would have been drawn at the ready.

"Calm yourself," He whispered to his friend and trusted alley Rydan Barler.

Only a year younger then himself, Orin had known Rydan for almost 5 years now. Rydan's father, Randall Barler had come to Starfall as a smith hoping to continue his craft for house Dayne.

Being a constant consumer of the trade, Orin found himself in Randall's shop many times over the past few years. It didn't take long to become fast friends with Rydan, a boy hoping to become a knight just like so many at the time.

Regardless of being a Sand, Orin was the son of the Lady of Starfall, so he took it upon himself to take Rydan under his watchful eye. Unlike the rest of Westeros, despite being a bastard, Orin still had the power and opportunity to do so.

"I am calm," Rydan replied hastily.

"Then stop breathing down my bloody neck." Orin gave him a tiny push backwards, hoping to clear his head. Peering around the corner of the wall, he seized up the men inside once more.

He'd come to a dangerous place, a place his mother would quickly disapprove of, but he had no choice. The men inside the room laughing and drinking had committed a great crime, one that could not go unpunished.

It hadn't taken him long to find the men, he'd known them in passing from a nearby village. They weren't the type of men Orin liked, or respected, but without a reason, he couldn't confront them.

That changed the day before when a father of two came to the castle to beg for assistance from Lady Dayne. His mother, calm and reserved, listened to the man's pleas for justice for the beating and rape of his two daughters, and had condemned the action and promised justice as swiftly as possible.

Afterwards, alone with her guards, she'd doubled patrols around the castle walls and sent a few men around neighboring towns to seek out the men who committed the crimes.

Orin had pleaded to allow himself to help with the search, knowing full well he could help snuff them out. It didn't take long to figure out after the father's description of the men. Orin had been waiting for them to slip for a long time, practically memorizing their smug faces. He just wished he'd had a reason to bring them in long before they violated the father's children.

He couldn't take away that painful memory, but he could make sure it never happened again.

Yet his mother wouldn't listen. She trusted the men she'd sent to serve justice and that would be the end of it. She refused to let her son take up arms around the towns searching for men cruel enough to do unspeakable things.

Orin appreciated the sentiment of her trying to protect him, but if he had it in him to help, he had to believe he would.

"You sure about this," Rydan asked yet again since they left earlier this morning.

"Shhh," Orin hushed him. "Listen."

The closest man to them laughed heavily, the smell of ale lifting in the air. "Aye she was a pretty one. Great tits, firm ass, almost makes me wish we took her for good."

"If I recall, you took her long enough," Another one bellowed loudly.

The group of 4 men cheered once more as Orin's anger rose. He felt Rydan's hand grab his as he looked down to see his friend stopping him from grabbing his sword.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rydan asked, knowing whatever happened next would change things.

"They made their choice Rydan, now we make ours."

Unsheathing his sword, Orin quickly turned from behind the wall to face the men sitting down. There faces held confusion for a few seconds before they could even realize what was happening.

"Whatcha doing sneaking around back there huh," One of them asked, a sneer firmly planted on his face.

"Looking for you," Orin replied, holding his sword high. "The four of you are charged with the rape of two young girls, and I'm here to see you pay for it."

The four men stayed silent, sizing him up, before they broke out in laughter.

"Off with you boy, before I kill ya myself and leave Taver here to fuck your corpse," One of the men said, gesturing to his friend. Turning back, he eyed Rydan. "And take that twat with ya."

Orin ignored their laughter and jests, keeping his hands tight around his hilt. "Come along easy, and I won't kill you myself."

The nearest one, an older looking man with no hair and a bad leg rose angrily to charge him. Kicking the nearest chair, Orin watched the man tumble onto it in a drunken state. All of them were piss drunk and weaponless as Orin turned to the other three.

Dropping his sword, Rydan joined him as the three others rose from their seats.

"Are you mad?" Rydan shouted, lifting his sword.

"I'm not going to kill a defenseless man."

"Don't think they feel the same."

The three men charged as the two of them fought them off. Orin saw from the corner of his eye Rydan swing his sword as the closest one, Taver, but he wasn't far enough for the blade to do any damage. The hilt of the sword hit his head, opening a wide gash.

"Come here you little cunt," One of the two men left said charging Orin.

Unsure which to hit first, the two tackled Orin to the floor, trying to get the upper hand. He shifted as their weight crushed him, trying to free one of his hands.

"I'll gut you boy!"

Freeing his right hand, Orin swung upwards, feeling the mans nose break under his fist. Blood shot out; covering his face as he rolled away after the man fell back.

The other man, trying to help his friend up, took his eyes off as Orin kicked him back, knocking down the first man who'd just gotten up from the chair that had knocked him down. The two fell once more; leaving the one Rydan had left.

Orin watched his friend stumble back from a hit to the face and ran to stop another.

Grabbing Taver around, he knocked him towards the grown with a heavy thump. He tried the move, but Orin didn't let up, sending a fury of punches at the mans face. Hit after hit, he watched the mans face bruise and bloody from the attacks, feeling the sense of life leave him.

He deserved death, and Orin could give it to him. It would be so easy. All he would have to do is keep hitting the back of his head, and it'd be over.

Realizing his thought, his hand froze mid punch, looking down at the unconscious face of Taver. In an instant, he'd crossed a line, and nearly killed a man.

Rising to his feet, Orin looked at the four men grown and cower on the floor in pain. They'd caught them, but at what cost.

Before he could think longer on it, the doors of the front of the tavern opened and inside came the city watch. Orin couldn't count as the guards rushed them, tackling the four men while holding out their swords.

As quick as it ended, Ser Conin strode into the tavern, his mother hot on his heels as the two searched for him.

"Take these men to the cells," Ser Conin ordered, eyeing the 4 drunks.

"Little shit," The drunk with the broken nose spat, eyeing him. The guards dragged him past the door, right by his mother as he turned. "Aye you're a pretty one."

Orin lunged forward only to be caught from Ser Conin arm, holding him back as he watched the man get dragged off laughing.

"Take Rydan back to his father," Ashara spoke to her guards. "Ser Conin, please make sure Randall disciplines his son accordingly."

"I will My Lady," Ser Conin said, turning to Rydan. "Come along now."

Orin stepped forward, seeing his friend's defeated look. "It's my fault. I forced him to come."

His mother turned to him, her anger fully displayed. "You forced your friend to fight for you? He could have died."

"He forced nothing My Lady," Rydan pleaded as Ser Conin guided him outside. "I chose to follow him."

His mother watched as his friend left the tavern, leaving him and her with a few of the remaining guards. "Leave us."

Without another word, they followed the orders given, leaving mother and son alone. Orin could see the disappointment on her face, and felt terrible. It was the cruel consequence of him doing the right thing, something that was never easy.

"You could have died," She whispered, not once moving from her spot across the room. "Rydan could have died."

"They were 4 drunks," Orin countered. He waved his hands around, trying to prove his case. "4 drunk men, unarmed, and untrained. What harm could possibly happen?"

"What if one of them had a knife?"

"I know how to defend myself."

Finally stepping closer, Orin could see the tears on his mothers face. "Just because you own a sword, doesn't give you leave to swing it."

"I don't carry it because I want to mother, I carry it because I need too."

"That need will soon find yourself in a fight you can't run from or have Ser Conin save you from. You're not a boy anymore Orin. This isn't a sparring session with Lewin. There are dangerous people out there, far more dangerous then 4 drunken men I can assure you."

Orin understood her reasoning, he truly did, but he couldn't see it that way. "Those 4 drunken men raped two girls a fortnight ago. Do you think their father cares who serves justice for them? You raised me to do the right thing, but I cannot sit idly by when I have it in me to do the right thing."

He could see the struggle on her face as she wrestled at what to say next. He hated challenging her; it went against everything he believed in. His mother was the most important person to him, and he betrayed her trust.

"You broke my direct order to leave it be," She finally said.

"And I'm willing to pay for it," He answered truthfully.

She smiled sadly at him before stepping closer. Grabbing his hand in hers, she spoke softy. "I can't protect you forever. I just wish you weren't so eager to give your life for others. I know that makes me terrible, but you're everything to me. I don't want to lose you."

"I know."

Pulling him into a tight embrace, Orin's features relaxed in the comfort of his mother's familiar touch. He never wanted to have to make the choice between doing the right thing and hurting his mother, knowing whatever he chose, would break him.

"I have news from the capital," She whispered to him.

Orin pulled back, the words foreign to him. "The capital?"

She smiled up at him, a light in her eyes. "We ride for Kings Landing. It's time you met someone very important to me."