CHAPTER 14. THE SAND SNAKES
GOLDEN TOOTH
Lord Leo Lefford is on the roof of the High Pass Tower staring at the massive army surrounding his fortress. House Lefford is sworn to House Lannister and is the second richest family in the west. He only has two thousand men defending the Mountain pass that leads to the West. "We cannot hold out against that…I will ask for terms of surrender…"
"Father!"
It is his daughter Allyse Lefford who runs onto the roof. "You should be in your room…"
"My place is at your side…"
Leo only had his daughter and she is still mourning the loss of her fiancé Sir Medgar Reeve, a Knight who died fighting the Young Wolf in the Whispering Woods. The two had fallen in love and Leo had given his consent before Tywin Lannister summoned all his banners. His daughter had rejected all suitors and he had never told her about Tywin Lannister's request for a union with his son Tyrion. He asked for Jaime Lannister, but Tywin wrote back that Jaime is dead.
He goes down the steps to a hallway that leads to the main hall then he goes to the courtyard. "Open the gates!" He commands.
"Father be careful…"
"I will…" He rides out with four men. One is holding the banner of his House and another man a peace banner. They ride down the mountain pass across the grass plain and stop. From the North of the pass three men ride towards him with ten guards.
MARO
When Maro spots the riders, he gallops on his horse to meet the men riding under a peace banner. His son Arro is with him and so is Gellar. They slow their approach as they get closer, "Identify yourselves!" Maro commands.
"My Lord…I am Leo Lefford Lord of Golden Tooth and House Lefford…These men with me are faithful soldiers of my House…To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
"I am Maro Maegyr Lord Protector of the Northern Kingdom…Lord of House Maegyr…This is my son and heir Arro Maegyr…and the captain of my House Guard Sir Gellar…"
"My Lords…I have to ask for terms of surrender…on the condition that you give your word that none of my people are harmed…"
"Wise decision…If you abide by my terms of surrender no harm will come to your people you have my word…First I require a hostage to ensure your cooperation…I am told your family is the second richest in the West…You will open your vaults to me…as I require half the gold inside…Your armory will also be opened to us…You will hand over your blacksmith…half the men you have stationed here will turn over their weapons and armor…I will leave a hundred men here…They will be fed and housed…Also you will show my men all secret passages in and out of the castle…all Ravens are to be turned over to me now as well…Any treachery on your part or that of your people will free me from my word and I will put all to the sword…"
Leo sighs, "Your terms are acceptable…I offer myself as hostage…"
Maro nods, "You may ride back to your castle and pack whatever you wish to bring with you…and to say goodbye to your family…You may bring your squire and four servants…When you are ready signal us with this…" He is handed the Maegyr sigil. "The men I have chosen will go up to the castle…"
They part ways, "That was easy…" Arro says.
"Family is more important to him than holding a castle…"
"Why did ask for the gold? It's not like we need it…"
"No, but I want to humble him…and I will give it to the men to do as they please…"
Five hours pass before the banner is waved. The one hundred men ride up and Leo Lefford comes down with wagons filled with the weapons from the armory and the gold. The blacksmith rides a horse behind Lefford. He is given a tent and four men stand guard at the tent.
"Send the scouts out…A hundred to each group…In all directions…"
A messenger enters the pavilion, "My Lord a message from the Eyrie…It came by Raven to Maiden Pool…I sent to deliver it…"
Maro smiles, "Petyr Baelish and Lysa Arryn have been arrested…Yohn Royce has been named Acting Lord of the Vale and he is going to support us…"
KING'S LANDING
PRINCE OBERYN
Prince Oberyn had not left King's Landing yet. He is in a brothel with his lover Ellaria Sand. They are in a foursome with another man and woman. With their passions filled the two lay in bed together talking. "A shame about King Joffrey…" Oberyn says.
"So he was poisoned by these Maegyrs?" Ellaria asks.
"No I think not…I met Maro Maegyr long ago…"
"Really where?"
"Across the sea…during one of the many battles in the war of the disputed lands…I was fighting for the Golden Company…The man is a genius at war…Captured me himself…He asked me if I was Dornish…We talked on many subjects…Then I challenged him to a drinking game…He is not one to shy away from a challenge…He also asked for terms…"
"Really?"
"Yes I couldn't believe it either…So I told him if I win I get my freedom…Then he asked me what would he get if he won…I asked him what did he want? He replied that he always wanted a pure breed Dornish horse…So with terms set we began drinking…I bested him and won my freedom…But out of respect I sent him the Horse anyway…Maro Maegyr is not one to resort to poison to best his enemies…"
"If he didn't do then who?"
"Whoever benefits the most from his death…"
Eventually the two make love and order more wine, then Oberyn passes out. when he awakens his wrists are chained and so are his feet. When his eyes adjust he finds Cersei Lannister standing by the door with four men. "My head…when I find the bastard who slipped drugs into my wine he will die a most painful death…"
"Finally you are awake…"
"Cersei?"
"I am Queen Cersei…Your Queen!"
He sighs, "Not My Queen…Dorne has always been independent…During the Targaryen reign and Roberts…"
"Your brother will send my daughter back…or I will send him your head…"
"Even you can't be so stupid as to…" The words stop in his mouth when the guard shows him Ellaria's head. "ELLARIA! ELLARIA! What have you done!?"
"I think your brother will get the point…"
"You stupid brother fucking whore…I will kill you…" Tears stream down his cheeks.
The guard leaves Cersei's side, walks up to Oberyn and punches him in the face. "I think not…"
She turns to leave, but pauses when he starts laughing, "What is so funny?" She asks looking back.
"You…you are so stupid…You know not the hell you have unleashed…You killed my woman and the storm that will follow is all on your head…"
"I have already been through hell…I have lost my brother…and my son…"
When she is gone he starts crying for Ellaria, then he remembers his sister Elia. "The Sand Snakes…Oh how the blood will flow…"
TOMMEN
"Are you insane?" Kevan Lannister asks yelling in the throne room.
"Mother how could you?" Tommen asks from the Iron Throne.
"I did what needed to be done to save my daughter…Your sister…"
Kevan shakes his head, "That woman was no ordinary bastard…She was from Dorne and she was Prince Oberyn's lover…"
"I am Queen Regent and I will not be talked to in that manner!"
He grunts, "Queen Regent. Tyrion was right about you…A stupid bitch pretending to a woman, pretending to be Queen…"
"You are lucky you are my uncle…"
"That's enough!" Tommen yells, "I really don't know who you are anymore…"
"I am your mother boy…"
He nods, "You are my mother…and I am your King…" Tears slide down his cheeks, "Cersei Baratheon…I Tommen King second of his name, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Lord of the Andels and the First Men, Protector of the Realm…Do hereby strip you of your titles and rank and place you under House arrest…Guards!" He takes a deep breath, "Take my mother away…"
"Tommen…Tommen!" The guards approach her, "Don't touch me!"
"If she doesn't go quietly…carry her!" Tommen says. Tommen falls to the throne as they take her away.
"You did well…Your Grace…"
"Now what?"
Kevan shakes his head, "We can't release Prince Oberyn…Not after what she did…"
"Bring Prince Oberyn here…" They bring him in chains, "Prince Oberyn…I am so sorry for what my mother did…"
"We had no idea what she was up to…" Kevan says speaking up. "If we did…The men who drugged you have been hanged and the men who killed your woman have been beheaded…"
Prince Oberyn remains silent, "Will you say nothing sir?" Tommen asks.
"Take him back to his cell…" Kevan commands.
"Make sure he is fed and bathed…" Tommen adds.
DORNE
A rider on a black horse gallops across the field beside a wall to the Water Gardens. Tyene Sand is the youngest bastard daughter of Prince Oberyn. Unlike the rest of Westeros Bastards have the same rights as natural born children, though the natural borns inherit first. Tyene never met her mother but as with all Oberyn's bastards he took her in and she was raised by Ellaria Sand.
Tyene like most of her siblings is well educated in the combat arts. Tyene herself prefers fighting with daggers and throwing them and like her father she enjoys poisons. Some often refer to her as the little viper. She jumps off her horse and climbs a tree, then she leaps to the wall and enters the Water Garden. She walks through the side garden and pauses hearing voices. She crawls on her belly as Tyene is a fan of intrigue and hearing secrets. When she spots her uncle the Prince she places her hand over her mouth at the scene before her.
PRINCE DORAN
"Who did this?" He asks staring at the severed head.
"Queen or rather Lady Cersei…King Tommen and the Hand Kevan Lannister had no idea what she was up to…The men who followed her orders are dead…"
"And my brother?"
"He is alive and well…But because of what Cersei has done…The King requests that you send his sister back and promises to release your brother…"
Doran shakes his head, "Take that away and give her a proper burial…A burial fit for a Princess of Dorne…" He says to his Castellan. Find Princess Myrcella I wish to see her…" An hour passes before Myrcella arrives with Prince Trystan and Sir Arys. "I am afraid I have…unsettling news…Your mother is against your marriage to my son and demands I send you home immediately…"
"But I love Trystan…"
"And I love Myrcella father…Please don't do this…"
He sighs, "I would not, but my brother…was arrested and…If you don't go this may lead to more bloodshed…"
"More bloodshad? Whose blood has been spilled?" Sir Arys asks.
"I cannot say…"
"I will go with her…" Trystan declares.
"Ah young love…I am sorry my son but I must call it off…" Myrcella runs from the garden crying with Sir Arys following.
"Why father?"
"Ellaria is dead!"
"What?"
"Killed by that bitch Cersei…and you know what the Sand Snakes will do if they find out…"
"What are you going to do?"
"Put her on a merchant ship in disguise with her guards…" He looks at Aero Hotah. "Aero find the Sand Snakes…Tell them all I wish to see them…"
TYENE
Tyene runs to the wall and leaps to the tree, she slides down to her horse and gallops off. She rides until she reaches the Serpents Tooth. The Serpent's Tooth is a one story wooden building where the Sand Snakes train. Obara the eldest stands of to the side holding her Dragonhead spear. Beside Obara is their brother Oeyn Sand home from the east after fighting with the Golden Company. Then there is Nymeria who is sparring with her sister Sarella. Nymeria is armed with a curved sword, while Sarella who prefers a bow fights with a sword staff.
Then there is Elia, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza fighting in a ring. Obella, Dorea, and Loreza team up against Elia who is armed with two swords and holding her three siblings off by herself. Their weapons master is there watching and giving instruction. Tyene enters the dojo and whistles placing two fingers to her mouth. They all gather around her, "Where have you been little one…" Nymeria asks.
"I just come from the Water Garden…I need to speak with you all in private…"
"Leave us!" Obara commands, Tyene waits until the weapon master and the guards leave.
They all listen as Tyene tells them what she saw and heard, "Mother!" Dorea says placing her hand over her mouth.
"Your mother is our mother she raised all of us…" Oeyn says. They call Oeyn the Little Red Viper as he is just like Oberyn in temperament and fighting style.
"And her blood shall be avenged…" Obara says.
"We must hurry…Aero is on his way…"
They tell the weapon master that they are leaving to visit their cousin Allysane. So when Aero arrives to speak with the Sand Snakes he is told they left for Castle Blackmont.
MYRCELLA
She gives a teary goodbye kiss to Trystan and they both swear that they will be together one day. Then in disguise Myrcella leaves the palace with Sir Arys, Septa Eglantine and some guards. When they reach the docks they immediately board the ship. "I am sorry Princess…I know you love Prince Trystan…But at least you will see your family again…"
Myrcella shakes her head, "My mother is obsessed with us…Here in Dorne I could finally breath…be myself…and now."
Eglantine places a hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to give up who you are…stand up to your mother…"
"Easier said than done…" They hug.
Soon the ship is setting sail for King's Landing. The Captain had been paid extra to get to the Capital as soon as possible. The oars are out and the rowers are switched every four hours with three teams of rowers. The first night Myrcella has dinner with the Captain, both unaware of the Sand Snakes on board.
SAND SNAKES
Obara is hiding in a longboat and rises up killing one of the ship hands. Nymeria is in the galley helping the cook. She leaves with a tray and is joined by Oeyn. When Sir Arys turns to open the door and announce the food has arrived Oeyn stabs him in the back of the neck killing him. When he hits the floor Myrcella screams. Nymeria uses her whip and catches Eglantine by the neck and pulls her forward. Then she snaps the Septa's neck.
"Your mother killed our mother bitch…and she is holding our father…" Nymeria says before punching Myrcella in the face.
The Sand Snakes take over the ship, killing the crew and keeping the Captain alive. They have a hundred men with them that came along. Obara leans on the rail watching along with the others. "I didn't know Lions could swim!" Tyene yells. They watch as Myrcella is dragged behind the ship her wrists and waist tied with a long rope.
"Watch out for sharks!" Dorea screams.
Oeyn walks up to Obara, "That's enough pull her in before she drowns.
"Nym! Pull her in…"
Nym obeys and when they bring Myrcella on board she lies on the deck spitting up sea water. "Please! Please let me go…"
"Your grandfather had our aunt Elia killed and now your bitch of a mother had Lady Ellaria beheaded…Our father is held prisoner…" Obara screams, "Stand the bitch up." They tie Myrcella to the mainmast and Tyene starts throwing daggers at her head. Sarella shoots her bow at Myrcella who screams every time an arrow or dagger hits.
"The bitch is pissing herself…"
They leave her tied to the mainmast until they reach King's Landing. They sail into blackwater bay which is blockaded by the Redwyne fleet. Soon they arrive at an alcove near the rocks underneath the Red Keep. The Sand Snakes get ready to climb the side of the cliff that the Red Keep sits on and rescue their father Prince Oberyn. They paint black stripes on the exposed parts of their flesh. They also paint their faces and get ready to spill blood.
Obara walks up to Mrycella, "Any last words?"
"What?"
As the word leaves her mouth Obara swings her spear and beheads Mrycella. The head is balanced on the flat of the blade. Dorea holds a sack and Obara drops it in. They row in a longboat taking fifty of the one hundred men they brought with them, the rest are to steal another ship from docks, they leave the captain tied up in his cabin. It is time to climb the side of the cliff up to the Red Keep. The throne room faces sea with a huge glass window behind it. Up and up the Sand Snakes and their men climb using hand claws and grapple hooks.
As they climb some of the men place spikes so that it will be easier for those coming up behind to climb. When they reach the glass wall to the throne room they cut the glass with a glass cutter and enter the throne room. It is midnight and the throne room is empty.
"You all know your jobs get to it…" Oeyn and Obara lead ten men to rescue Oberyn, while Nymeria and Sarella lead ten men to pour oil from the throne room to the dungeons a fire trap to help them escape. It is Tyene's job to find King Tommen while the rest search the halls for any guards on patrol and kill them.
Tyene throws her dagger killing the two men at his door, then she enters and grabs Tommen out of his bed. She places a dagger to his throat as she forces him up the hall she is confronted by four Lannister men. They are all shot down by Sarella. "Come on!"
PRINCE OBERYN
Prince Oberyn sits in his cell with his eyes closed. Then he hears the clash of metal on metal. Then Obara and Oeyn appear at his cell. "Obara! Oeyn!"
"We are here father all of us…All the Sand Snakes…"
They open the cell and hand him armor and his spear. Then the alarm bells start ringing as they race back towards the main hall. When Oberyn appears Loreza ignites the fire and a wall of fire on two sides allows them to get to the throne room and escape. As Oberyn enters the throne room Obara beheads Tommen and they set his head on the Iron Throne beside Myrcella's. They climb down swim to the longboat and then row to a new merchant ship stolen by the other fifty men. Then they all sail away unmolested by the Redwyne fleet.
CERSEI
When the bells ring the guard at the door would tell Cersei nothing. So she paces back and forth in her room, then she gets tired and goes to sleep. "What happened last night…Why did they ring the bells…" But the servant would tell her nothing.
As Cersei was eating the bells started ringing again. Then the door opens and in walks Kevan, "Come with me!"
"Why what is happening?" He would say nothing to her as they walk to the throne room. The guards part and Cersei falls to her knees screaming. "I thought you should see what your foolishness has wrought…"
"Tommen! Myrcella! No, by the gods no!"
` "They climbed up the cliff the Sand Snakes and rescued Prince Oberyn…They also set a fire and killed many of our men…"