Chapter 14: The Feast

Feasts were a rare commodity in Casterly Rock. It was a magnificent structure, a fortress built upon the back of a mountain, but the thing that separated the mountain from the castle was the life it's lord gave to it. Tytos remembered stories from his aunt Genna of how his grandfather, in the early years of his reign, would have a feast every other week. A feast where all the lords and ladies of the Westerlands were invited for carousing and merriment. "Your father hated it, of course. While our own sweet father saw only the warm smiles of guests Tywin could see through all the false pretense. He was a little rat that one, sneaking around and listening in on every conversation, every cruel jape, every false smile." He would always listen intently to his aunt's drunken ramblings that went on for hours. Taking in each and every little detail that he could. "In a way I suppose you're not much different, are you?"

Dawn was beginning to wane as the festivities had finally begun. Two days and two nights had passed since the 'private audience' Tytos had with the Princess of Dorne. Since then, he had mostly confided in Rhaegar's quarters, eating his meals inside whilst Arthur Dayne stood vigilant, neglecting food and water for a day before the knight was at the verge of collapsing. He no doubt felt equal guilt towards the prince's current state as much as Tytos had, but even Tytos knew that he needed to eat.

Eventually, Rhaegar woke up. His indigo colored eyes finally shinning like a bright light, as if all life came back to him in a moment's notice. Once his senses had fully returned to him, Tytos explained all that happened since their encounter with the pirates, leaving out certain elements of the conversation between the Princess and Tytos. He expected the prince to be somewhat irritated at the very least, if not by Tytos then by the damn 'merchant' that revealed the true purpose of their journey. To his surprise however, Rhaegar merely smiled and shrugged it off.

"Perhaps Thoreo has granted us a blessing in disguise Tytos. We weren't prepared for those raiders, and we paid the price for it. Do you think that you, I and Arthur would stand a greater chance by ourselves, or with a retinue of dornish knights at our side?"

"Men who bleed and die, who grow hungry and thirsty. How many provisions can a single ship hold, and for how long? We are heading to a place known for animals whose drool melts skin and where disease can kill a man as fast as any steel. I was hesitant to be accompanied by our own company of sailors, but what do you think will happen if something goes awry? Not only will our own lives be in danger, but we shall have a few dozen names to count as our faults."

"We can pay for any provisions we need here in Dorne. The Princess sees an opportunity in this, why else would Thoreo tell her about it."

'Because he's a snake. A rat driven mad by stories of Old Valyria and it's tales of wizardry and magic.' Tytos thought, ready to put his words to his mouth before Rhaegar cut him off and continued.

"The Blackwood is the largest ship in the entire capital, capable of holding not only over 300 men but transporting cargo and food worth twice that number. What is but a few dozen more to add to our numbers?" he tried to protest, but Rhaegar raised his hand. "And who do you think would be best to bring to a place known for it's diseases and poisons but a people who have thrived on it. I have not heard much of this man, Oberyn, who the prince wishes to have with us. But from what I have heard his moniker of 'The Red Viper' was given with reason."

He could not argue against the logic of it. But it did not mean he liked the sound of it. They were no doubt indebted to House Martell for their assistance, and the Princess' words did not imply they were willing to blackmail both House Targaryen and House Lannister into making them accept the deal. Over the years, Tytos knew not to place too much trust in the words of nobility. Words are wind.

Still, it was not up to Tytos whether they would bring along this supposed retinue of knights alongside the dornish prince. This was purely the prince's decision, and he told the Princess the same.

'I'm with you, no matter how big a fool you are.'

Prince Rhaegar and Lord Tytos were brought in front of the main dining hall soon enough, accompanied by a score of Martell guardsmen and the Sword of the Morning leading the way. As Elia waited in front of the entrance to welcome their guests, she could not disregard the sheer difference to the sight in front of her. For one, the prince was finally awake, and looking as radiant as he was when he was resting. Dressed in a black and red doublet, with his long stretch of silver-gold hair draped elegantly around his shoulders and back, the prince looked every inch the blood of Old Valyria that Elia's mother said Her Grace Queen Rhaella and King Aerys were. Alongside him was young Lord Tytos, dressed in scarlet with golden linings decorating his shoulders and chest, who like before was less groomed than the prince and yet looked better in almost every aspect from the lost sailor Elia spoke to two days ago.

They were quite the duo. A silver dragon, ethereal and divine, and a golden lion, glorious and imposing. Caped in line by a score of bronze suns and a white sword.

"Prince Rhaegar, Lord Tytos…" she greeted the two as the guards parted to make way, Ser Arthur Dayne included. "Your grace, while Lord Tytos and I have already had the pleasure of meeting, I am afraid I was never able to introduce myself properly before." She curtsied, reciting the same lines she rehearsed to perfection the day before in her mirror whilst Laena brushed her hair. "I am Elia Nymeros Martell, or simply Elia Martell if you so wish Your Grace."

The prince nodded his head slightly and kissed her hand, his soft and gentle lips simply grazing her skin ever so slightly, and yet it made her entire spirit jump. "A pleasure, my lady. My friend Tytos has told me of all that you and your house had done for me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, for all of it."

"We simply did what was expected of any loyal house, your grace." She replied meekly. Even if it were the same words she had told Lord Tytos a few days ago, saying it in front of the prince made her mind simply go away as she lost herself in his deep purple eyes.

"And let it be known that House Martell has never abandoned their liege lords in their time of need." She heard the voice of her brother Oberyn and from behind the prince she saw him coming towards the gathering with Doran to his right, his wife Mellario close to his side, and to his left Brandon Stark, looking ever the bull of a man he was when he arrived at Sunspear, though with significantly less bruises.

"You grace," she flanked beside her brother's party and introduced each in order. "These are my two brothers, Doran and Oberyn." Doran bowed his head regally whilst Oberyn did a rather flamboyant bow, crossing his legs, putting his left hand on his chest and the other pulled straight with fingers held up high. "My brother's lady wife, Mellario of Norvos." She bowed as gracefully as Oberyn had, but with a bigger modicum of dignity and respect. "And of course, our other guest of honor, Ser Brandon Stark."

"I'm no ser." Brandon said rather brusquely, catching Elia off guard. Her heart skipped a beat after a sudden thought came to her that the Stark might cause trouble at the gathering, thoughts which were quickly dashed after Brandon bowed before the prince, it was much less refined than Doran's and not nearly as eccentric as Oberyn's but Elia knew of the much more simpler ways that the northmen had.

The prince greeted all in turn of introduction before speaking up, "It is an honor. You have my utmost apologies for this rather abrupt visit, we have not envisioned this trip of ours would take such a sudden turn for the worst."

"They say the rivers of fate oft work in mysterious ways, as such most things in life never work as we had intended it to." Oberyn commented, "Though in my opinion you were just out of luck your grace."

"The honor is ours your grace." Doran said as he raised his reddened shaking hand towards Oberyn. "Please, if you would be so kind." And so, all of them finally entered the dining hall, with Elia staring intently at her brother's hand as well as how tightly Mellario was holding him, as if she was trying to keep him from falling.

'It's getting worse, he's started to limp again, and his skin is starting to swell more and more. Oh Doran…' she knew how much her brother wanted to hide his sickness from the world, from his household, from his own family, Doran was a kind soul at heart, and Elia knew that kindness was what was keeping him from worrying his family with something he thought he could deal with by himself.

"My dear lords and ladies, it is good that you finally decided to join me." Oberyn's mother announced from the head of her round table. He remembered that this was where they used to break their fast many years ago, with their mother always sitting at the head, an empty seat to her right where father once sat. "Please, come, we already have food prepared."

To the right side sat the Lord Lannister, with the empty seat putting separate him and the Princess. Oberyn and Elia were also seated beside him, Elia next to the Lannister and Oberyn next to her with Brandon sitting to his right at the other end of the table. To the left sat the prince, right beside the Princess and flanked to his left by Doran and his lady wife Mellario. It was a large oaken table that Doran had told him was carved by a well-known and famous Lyseni craftsman, Doran could not recall his name. As soon as all were seated the guards made their way out of the hall, "This is only a beginning to the celebration, and what do I have to fear when in such good company?"

The only one left unseated was Ser Arthur Dayne, who seemed content with the matter but nevertheless the Princess was never one to skip on courtesy.

"Ser Dayne, come now, I will not have us dine here while you suffer in silence and an empty stomach. Sit, enjoy yourself."

"You have my thanks, but it is no place for me to dine with lords and ladies. A Kingsguard knight does not-" the Princess raised her hand and interrupted him.

"I beg to differ." She said sharply, yet with a warm face. "A knight you most certainly are, and one of the Kingsguard no less, that alone makes you more prestigious and honorable than half of the vultures and worms I have had to deal with on this table over the decades. But more importantly you are still just a man, no matter what title they bestow upon you, and men must eat. How else will you be able to protect his Grace?" she showed her hand to the empty seat beside her. "Now sit, you are all guests in my halls."

Her words seemed to have convinced the diligent knight, but it was only after the prince himself smiled and nodded happily did Ser Dayne think he had permission to sit down and eat. Despite the seemingly warm gesture, Oberyn and Doran exchanged a glance, now understanding full well why she had sent away all the guards.

'Take no wives and father no children mother, those are their vows.' Oberyn thought to himself. Many agreed that the Princess was now well past her child-bearing years, and motherhood had taken a toll on her. Their mother had also shown no signs of being interested in another new consort any time soon. But though the years had not been too kind to her, their mother still retained her perfect bronze skin and shapely figure, 'a wizened old beauty' old Lord Yronwood had called her, before the whole debacle with Oberyn.

Their father may not have been the most beloved man in Dorne, nor even in Sunspear. But the people still respected him well enough, at least enough to know not to send any suitors to their mother's doorstep once he had gone off back to Essos. He hoped that her mother had not suddenly changed her mind in terms of that, for seducing a knight of the white cloak was more than simply a scandal.

But the time for paranoia and worrying was soon over, as the first dishes came to be served. "You will have to forgive me my lords if anything is not to your liking, we Dornish like to have more lavish fasts than simply bread and water in the morning, and meat is a rarity around these parts, unless you prefer poisoned viper glands." And quite lavish it was. The first servings were several platters of stuffed mushrooms and peppered fish, accompanied by Spring wine from the Arbor and their own Dornish wines as well. Next came the cold fruit soup, led in by another platter, this one filled with honeycakes, sweebiscuits and black bread, no doubt at Brandon Stark's request. In the final servings came a tray of baked apples and berry tarts and pears poached in strongwine, alongside each of them was wheel of white cheese. All servings came with salt, bread and flagons of hot spice wine, for the colder meals, and chilled autumn ale for the spicier servings.

A lavish meal no doubt, one that their family would only bring out on occasions of special guests and harvest festivals, though from the words of their mother she would have liked to make their guests think that this was a normality in Dornish court. It is always good to make others think you are more prosperous than you actually are.

The Sword of The Morning merely took a small serving of all the meals as to not appear ungrateful, but it was easily noticed how temperate the man was being with his food. All the while conversation was springing here and there from party to party. Food was often a pleasant pretext, and a welcome assurance of guest right, but more often than not it simply led into the talk of arrangements or matters of import.

The prince and their mother seemed to have a knack for conversation, as did Doran and Mellario when they joined. Ser Arthur kept silent for the most part until asked of how their uncle Lewyn was back in King's Landing. Elia and the young lord Tytos also seemed to have caught on quite a bit of talking with each other, though most of it was simple courtesy there were even a few times when his sister managed to make the boy smile, and many times when Elia had laughed at some of his japes. While there was much talking around the table, Oberyn and Brandon mainly kept to each other's company on their side.

"Rarity my arse, I've had full roasted boars in these halls." The Stark said under his breath.

"Sometimes it is not so wise to disperse all of one's assets immediately my friend, you shall have your roast boar I assure you."

"Aye, aye, I know… you don't just rush in and exhaust yourself, better to wait for the right time."

The two often thought of many things as a battle. Talking, travelling, eating, drinking, seducing, all could be brought back to one metaphor or another. In that way, the two were of one mind.

"Do tell me you grace, how does Queen Rhaella fare these days? I hear that the pregnancy and labor of young prince Viserys has taken a toll on her."

"My lady mother had difficulties at first, though I assure you those trials are long past her now. I am simply glad to still have my mother in this world, and beside her I now also have a little brother."

"For the we can all be grateful for." She raised a toast, and all drank their cups dry. "She must truly have her hands full then. Taking care of such a young lad, as well your esteemed guests."

Prince Rhaegar smiled, though it seemed more out of courtesy. "I will not lie my lady, Viserys is ever the willful child, my father likes to say the first word he ever spoke was 'no'."

"The makings of a great warrior or an even greater merchant." She laughed. "And what of your father?"

"He is well…" he answered simply. "The Red Keep is a busy place, and my father has a good council beside him to help rule the realm."

"Ah yes, I am sure his grace is glad to have Lord Tywin back as his Hand of The King. And I am sure you are happy with your betrothed, Lady Cersei." That had gotten the attention of the table. "I have not seen the girl in many years, but from what my little birds tell me she has grown into a fine young lady."

The prince smiled once more, though again it seemed forced. "That she has…"

The morning had passed and once more the sun was beginning to set, though from what Tytos had grown accustomed to now it will be setting for the entire feast. The grand hall had been fitted with a menagerie of tables and seats for many guests, most of whom were already in Sunspear, some who had come from the surrounding area in these past few days and even a few more prominent merchant lords and nobles from the Free Cities.

This time, Tytos and Rhaegar were seated at the high table overlooking the rest of the hall as well as once again being seated besides the Martell family. The Princess was in the center on her Sun carved wooden throne and while this time there was no other seat it was clear the she sat on a table intended for two. To his right once more sat Elia this time with her handmaid lady Laena Velaryon beside her. Rhaegar was seated on the other side of the Princess, this time with Doran Martell's lady wife being sat next to his other side. 'She loves to seat us at opposite ends.' Tytos noted, though he did not mind as much.

Lady Elia had proved to be rather fine company and Tytos enjoyed their chance at conversation this morning. Two days ago they merely exchanged pleasantries but now they had finally gotten a chance to talk a bit more. After the morning fast Elia had offered to take Rhaegar and Tytos around the castle of Sunspear, "There is more to us than this dark and gloomy ship my lords." She had said. It was a pleasant afternoon so to speak, and that was how their conversations were as well, pleasant.

Brandon Stark and Oberyn were seated far lower in the table. The stark chose to sit beside his fellow northmen and feast with them while Oberyn had decided to join in, much to everyone's surprise besides Brandon Stark himself. The other northmen soon seemed to accept the Dornish Prince and now they were singing old folk songs while dancing to the tunes of the bards and stringers.

All the hall came to a silence however when the Princess called for a high harp for the prince himself to play. And played he did, for over and hour the prince strung his harp and sang the songs he knew from his childhood in Casterly Rock to his days in King's Landing to even the ones he had just heard, merely repeated on the harp with a sadder tone. The ladies in attendance began to weep, save a few, and the lords and men, while not laughing anymore, still listened intently to the music.

Alysanne came first, a sad song about the wife of King Jaeherys I, Good Queen Alysanne they called her. Then came a more merry one, The Bear and the Maiden Fair. To which many joined in; "A bear there was, a bear, a bear! All black and brown, and covered in hair!" it was the northmen who sang the loudest and the happiest. Afterwards came Two hearts the beat as One, a love song, but a somber one. But soon came his last song.

'He's gotten better.' Tytos thought to himself as Rhaegar sang the song of his own great-aunt, Jenny of Oldstones. Most Dornish however had not heard of it yet and once more silent sniffles and tears began to ran down many a cheek. The whole court sat in attendance to listen to the music, servants, lord, merchants, maesters and guards all alike opened their ears to the prince's harp. 'This is what he was made for. To give happiness in the face of sadness.'

Jenny's Song it was called, soft and sad and sweet all at once, only made sadder by Rhaegar's own voice which was softer and sweeter than the harp itself. "High in the halls of the Kings who are gone, Jenny would dance with her ghosts…"

"His grace's voice is very… beautiful." Elia had said as she swiped away the tears from her watery eyes.

"He has a knack for sad songs, melancholy ones are his best. Though out of them all I think he likes Jenny's the most." Tytos said under his breath to not interrupt the prince.

It was the first song he had ever learned, and the one he played more oft than not. When they were still back in Casterly Rock, Tytos would remember how he would play his harp while Cersei would sing. Farewell, My Brother was the one they loved to perform the most, the song of the two Cargyll twins during the Dance of Dragons, with Rhaegar being Arryk and Cersei being Erryk. Though perhaps it was not the songs Cersei loved the most, merely the attention of the prince.

"They danced through the day and into the night, Through the snow that swept through the halls, From Winter to Summer and Winter again, Till the walls did crumble and fall…" his fingers began to slow down and with a few last pulls of his harp strings Rhaegar left his last notes without music. "… Till the walls did crumble and fall."

As silence befell the room it was quickly shattered by a storm of applause and praise for the prince and hundreds of requests for another. 'They cheer and cry and laugh for Jenny and her Duncan, but not for the blood and bodies their love had cost Westeros.'

"It seems the tales of your skills with a harp have been proven here a hundred times over your grace." The Princess said, "Perhaps if being King is not to your liking, I could gladly offer you a place here as my court minstrel." It was a risky jape at best and the freezing silence for half a heartbeat signified the terror the Princess had inflicted upon the court.

All of that terror had melted away however as soon as the Prince laughed heartily. "My father would always jest how we Targaryens have a bit of bard's blood in us from the time of Queen Rhaenys. Though best never tell that to my mother."

And so, the merrymaking continued, with Rhaegar making his fellow bards join in as they continued with their songs. Fair Maids of Summer was performed in honor of the Princess and her daughter, known to be born in two of the hottest summers in Dornish history. Upon the requests of Brandon Stark, they also sang Wolves in the Hills and Black Pines.

Once the sun had set, most guests had begun to excuse themselves, and Rhaegar had tired out his voice well enough. The feast was drawing to a close and once the final servings had been eaten up the court dispersed back to their chambers.

Tytos had found himself escorting the young ladies Elia and Laena back to their own quarters, after having to practically force Rhaegar to rest his voice and get some sleep. "Did you enjoy yourself my lord?" Elia asked on the way.

"I can't say I didn't, though my throat is a bit worse for wear. Your people do like putting peppers on everything, don't they?" Elia laughed for a moment.

"If you live in these sun-scorched lands long enough, heat comes as second to water."

"I do not doubt that."

They finally made it to the entrance of their quarters where Elia sent Laena inside. "Thank you, my lord. For both your company back there as well as now. And, for putting up with my poor conversation." That made him smirk for a moment.

"You think too little of yourself my lady, it is I who should be thanking you for such fine company. Now, if you will excuse me, this day has been long and I would like to get some rest." He turned and made his way towards his own chambers that he shared with the prince, using a simple wooden chair as his bed, before a hand grabbed his own, it was Elia's.

"My lord, before you leave… may I ask one more thing of you?"

"Yes?" he said, perplexed and not truly knowing what to expect. For that brief moment all types of things ran through his head, some unsavory, some more revolving around what happened today.

"I know of your and the prince's… tour… around the Free Cities."

"It seems half of Westeros knows at this point." He said cynically, 'All because of that damn toad.'

"I also know that my brother Oberyn intends to go with you." She continued. "I know my brother, I know he is rash, never flaunting in the face of danger, he often likes to tell me that he would sooner kiss death on the lips than try and run from it. Please, I beg you my lord, please keep him safe. Damn the treasures, I would sooner have my little brother here close to me, alive and well."

"I…" Tytos was not one to make promises easily, nor swear oaths he was not sure he could keep, but he would be lying to himself if he said that Elia's words did not move him even a little. 'Would my Cersei make someone swear this oath for me as well?' he found himself questioning. "You have my word. Through hell and high water, I promise to return your brother safe to you." He said, trying his best to mask the false words with honesty, but Elia's soft smile and tender eyes had made it even worse.

"Thank you Tytos… thank you."

"An entire cache of 'em, you say?" Brandon stared at the short old man with steel, icy eyes, looking for any signs of deceit, but in it's place he found only honesty.

"Indeed, young wolf." The man called Thoreo said in a hushed whisper, rubbing his hands together whilst a slithering smile crept across his face. "The warlocks of Old Valyria had kept them there for safe keeping, but this Merchant of Adventures has other plans for them.

"That being?"

"All in due time my friend, first, I wish to know if you will join us on our journey."

It sounded almost too good to be true. A cache of allegedly over a dozen valyrian steel swords alongside mountains of gold and treasures, the sort of thing that made only half-mad sailors and up-jumped fourth sons grasp at the opportunity. He looked over to Oberyn, who simply shrugged with a careless look on his face. "My mother says that we can trust him, and that seems to be what the prince and his little friend are doing. What is the harm of it, I say? We shall simply go too and fro a deserted colony, on the other side either lies treasure or nothing, and if the ladder is true, we throw this little man overboard and sail home."

"And if we die on this 'little journey'?"

"Then it shall be a tale worth remembering, a grand adventure. But I assure you, I seek not the belongings of this cache for myself, like I said I am merely a-"

"-Merchant of adventures aye I heard you the first fifty bloody times." Brandon stroked his beard, contemplating heavily on his options.

The entire reason he had gone on this journey was to see the world before being confined to the north his entire life, it did not mean he didn't enjoy his life there, and places such as Barrowton or Winterfell always called to him on long restless nights. But this, this opportunity only comes once in a million lifetimes, with treasures beyond conception. House Stark has held their ancestral longsword, Ice, for generations. But Brandon Stark was never content with another's leavings, he wanted something of his own. A sword or axe or mace he could call his own and generations from now would be told in legends. Brandon the Finder, Brandon the Adventurer, Brandon the Great. Oh, how he wanted it.

And whatever Brandon Stark wants, he will make sure he gets it.