First Month of 288 A.C. Sunspear

Ser Lucion Lannister

He had missed the heat of Dorne, and the feeling of sand beneath his feet, truly he had. A raven from his old friend and mentor Prince Oberyn had come through, asking for him to come to Sunspear for a visit, and Lucion after having spoke with Alysanne about it, had written back agreeing to come. And now here he was, with Ser Mors Westford and his cousin Damion Lannister accompanying him, both men were out exploring the entrapments of Sunspear and the Shadow City, and Lucion himself was waiting for his friend to come and greet him. It had been no secret that after the sack of King's Landing and the deaths of Elia and her children, Oberyn had been a staunch advocate for continuing the war in Prince Viserys name, and it had taken Prince Doran and Lord Jon Arryn and the returning of bones and promises before Oberyn had finally relented. What was behind the promises Lucion had always wanted to know, but his sources here had never been able to tell him.

As to his family, well Lucion did miss them but he was comforted by the fact that he would be seeing them in a round a month's time. He and Alysanne were fond of one another, she was smart and shrewd and knew how to play the game, something he found very attractive in her. And their sons, Loren, Tybolt and Damon were growing bigger and stronger every day, and that in itself was something Lucion found fascinating and used as a sense of pride as well. His father continued to plot and scheme with gods alone knew what, his mother remained calm and serene holding the Westerlands together whilst father plotted and schemed. And Tyrion, well Tyrion had disappeared from sight since the whole incident with Tysha, something Lucion did not quite understand. His brother was clever but still young so very young, and the punishment Tywin had given him was far too harsh. Uncle Gerion had disagreed with father about it and gone off on a venture to cool off, and Lucion suspected Tyrion had gone with him. Uncle Tygett and Aunt Darlessa lived in the Golden Tooth with Lucion and his family and they were all better for it.

"What has you looking so grim my friend?" Oberyn's voice pulled him away from his thoughts. He looked up from his chair and found his mentor dressed lightly a smile on his face.

"Nothing old friend. I was merely thinking of my family and of other things. It has been too long." Lucion says standing up and clapping his friend on the shoulder.

Oberyn smiles sits down and the gives Lucion a cup of wine. There is a silence for a moment before the prince speaks. "I am truly very happy that you decided to come to Sunspear Lucion. It has been too long since we last met, and spoke. That you left in such unfortunate circumstances still pains me to this day. Alas, what has come to pass has passed, it does no good to keep thinking on it."

Lucion nods and then asks. "So you know what has come to pass with me. I am a married man with children of my own now. And yet I see that the sand snakes continue to grow and that you remain unwed. Why the diversion to such commitment, when for all intents and purposes you are wed?"

His mentor laughs and says. "Still direct as ever I see. I like it! What you say is true, I am still unwed and for all that, Ellaria is as good as my wife. But you see we prefer not to have the restrictions placed on us that such a thing would place. We are free to do as we please and there is no commitment or false promises made. And yet I have found that increasingly I like keeping to her bed. I suppose perhaps in time I shall wed, and it would be her I am wed to."

Lucion nods and then asks. "And what of Doran, how is he doing. I know he resides at the Water Gardens now, are he and Mellario still doing well?"

Oberyn's face changes briefly, but then he speaks calmly when he responds. "They are well all of them. Doran sends his regards and says that he wishes he could have been here to greet you, but alas there were some things in the Water Gardens that he needed to see to. He does hope to see you at some point soon."

Lucion nods and then asks. "And what of Nymeria. We kept in touch after I left, I had thought for her to be here with you? Or has she returned to Volantis to serve with her mother?"

Oberyn smiles that smile of his and says. "Are you interested in my daughter Lucion? For if you are, you will need to speak with her first. But yes she shall be coming to Sunspear soon enough, and when she is here, I do expect that she will be most willing to entertain you."

Lucion smiles somewhat, and then says. "That is good. Now how are the Vipers doing? Do they still prowl the disputed lands and Pentos with you here?"

"They do. They keep me informed of what is happening in Essos that might be useful for myself and for my brother. After all Dorne has always had close ties with Essos, closer ties with them than with the rest of Westeros. It is only right that the vipers keep me informed." Oberyn replies.

Lucion nods and then says. "Aye, this is true. But perhaps the time has come for Dorne to emerge from herself imposed exile since the rebellion and emerge once more and show the rest of Westeros what a power she can be?"

"Oh and what would you have in mind? A marriage, or an alliance between your house and mine?" Oberyn asks intrigued.

Lucion smiles at that and says. "Both. The throne is backed by the Baratheon, Tully, Stark and Arryn alliance. My family entered into that alliance late and as such will never be privy to all the secrets and the gossip that there is in that alliance, and ti was you who taught me the value of secrets. This alliance between Dorne and the Rock would make us equal power bases, and with greater sway at court."

Oberyn is silent a moment and then he says. "I shall speak with Doran and then we might be able to pursue this further."

Lucion nods and says. "That is all I ask for."