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Arthur IV
The air was dry when at last the ship the bore Ser Dayne pulled into the port at Sunspear. For a long hard month, he's labor aborted the vessel working alongside the sailors to earn his keep in the cramped quarts of the crew. The Knight would have liked better arrangements, though it was the best he could afford on such short notice.
He recalled back to his arrival in Pentos the month prior when Lord Connington and he had been assailed in the streets of the city. Had the knight not spotted the first of the men drawing his dagger the two would surely be slain in street. At first, He'd been convinced it was the Golden Company come for Blackfyre, but when the city watch had given them chase Arthur knew something was amiss.
The two had then tried to flee the city with all haste but were cornered at the gate, which had been closed behind them. Arthur was sure that would be there end, but then several of the very guards barring their escape turned against the rest of the cities watch killing the unsuspecting men before they had time to react. It was then that Amar Kostōba the head of the guard for the Prince of Pentos's own estate revealed himself. From there Amar had led them to the docks through the gutters of the city. When they arrived, he explained he had acquired a ship to smuggle them from Pentos back to Westeros, but they only had gold enough to smuggle three men.
So, Arthur had arranged for the smuggler to see Jon, Lord Connington, and Maester Jervonas back to his ancestral home of Starfall, leaving Dawn in the care of Lord Connington should anything happen to him. From there Ser Dayne had dressed in rags and found work aboard a ship bound for the capital of Dorne.
"So, this is Westeros?" Amar said wiping the sweat from his forehead. "The castle is impressive, but this city, well it's a shithole compared to the likes of Pentos."
Arthur chuckled at that. He had been glad that the Pentoshi had elected to come with them to Westeros instead of facing whatever fate might have befallen him back in Essos.
"They call it the Shadow city, best to watch your purse if ever you find yourself wander through," Arthur warned. "Though it's not all bad."
"Well if they have wine and whores, I suppose that's enough for most men."
"We should get moving," Arthur announced starting away from the docks, eager to be on his way from the men pouring ashore with them, some already half-drunk as they stumbled forward, no doubt eager to go spend their coin in whatever brothels they could find.
"Do you plan to walk all the way to this home of your?" Amar frowned at the thought, though he supposed with what coin they had it wouldn't be a simple task to get ahold of horses without stealing them from the stables.
"Not if we can help it, I have an… understanding with someone here. I should be able to arrange something for us."
"Good, I'd rather not walk so many leagues afoot especially without steel in hand," Amar admitted.
Arthur nodded in agreement. "There is an inn not too far up the road called the Winding Walls, ask for one of Elisa's hot pies, I'll meet you there when I've finished with my business. Should I not return before the dawn it would be best for you to make for Starfall with white great haste."
"That doesn't sound promising." Amar frowned as several men pushed past him as they headed into the Shadow City, Arthur suspected more than a few of them would have their coin snatched by thieves with just how drunk they were.
"There's nothing to be done about it. We've little choice, in the end, we must see to this at some point." Arthur took a deep breath. Though you are right, Arthur thought, what I've in mind isn't the best idea, stupid even. Though I can't announce to just anyone that I'm in Westeros.
Amar reluctantly accepted what Arthur had said and the knight pointed him toward the inn before he headed for the walls of Sunspear. Walking through the Shadow City, Arthur passed common folk and none seemed to pay him any attention as he walked the streets, he supposed taking looked enough to like them know that he wouldn't draw any attention to himself.
When at last the last light of dusk had vanished Arthur began to make his way to the first gatehouse. With the little coin he had, Arthur found a nearby man drunk enough to do something stupid. Pulling what little coin he had out he told the man to distract the two men directly in front of the gatehouse. Empowered by the ale in his belly the fool stumbled before the two men and began to make a fuss allow the knight to slip through the gate without notice. The rest of the place was guarded more heavily but they had no reason to suspect him so Arthur found it rather easy as he slipped through the shadows.
Finding his way into the castle proper, Arthur slipped through room by room until at last, he was in the great Tower of the Sun. Slipping through the tower until at last, he was near the quarts of Martell family. Peering around a corner Ser Arthur looked to move further stopped when he saw a great ax had been leveled at his neck.
"Who is it that's stalking the halls of the Sun Tower like a dirty thief in the night?"
"Areo Hotah I presume?" Arthur said his eyes fixed on the steel at his throat.
"Your voice seems oddly familiar to me, who are you?" Areo demanded.
"We've met before, though last time Princess Elia was being wed to Rhaegar Targaryen."
The Captain of the Guard for all Sunspear groaned as he pulled his ax from the knight's neck allowing in a breath of relief. "Arthur Dayne," he recalled, "Why in Seven hells are you here?"
"I have to need to speak with Prince Oberyn and I couldn't trust the knowledge of my presence to any guard or to the wings of a raven."
Arthur, at last, turned and face the older man grey, haired man. Areo Hotah had broad shoulders that were covered by the chainmail shirt he had covering his chest coupled with his infamous ax with its lengthy six-foot ironwood shaft and intricate engravings, many a man had met his end to its sharp edge.
"I'm sending you to dungeons, I'll keep your name from my guard and let Prince Oberyn decided how he should like to deal with you." Areo hit the shaft of his axe on ground twice summoning up two men dressed in similar attire as himself. Giving a command, the two men took hold of Arthur one hitting him hard in the gut causing the knight to double over in pain.
Dragged down the steps of the tower Arthur found himself being led into the deepest depths of the castle. The knight was sure to avoid struggling for he was sure it would only serve to earn him a reprisal from one of the two men who were already rough with him as it was.
At last, reaching the dark cells of Sunspear Arthur was tossed to the cold, dirt floor of one of the cells, the hard iron bars slammed shut behind him. The dungeon of Sunspear was damp and cold, with the bright orange hew of a single torch lighting the damp stone walls. It had been a few hours now since the knight left the ship, and now he waited here. He had taken great care in arranging such a meeting with his host as he remembered the parchment he had left the last time he'd been to the capital of Dorne shortly before Lord Stark had arrived.
In the dark, the knight still had wished they hadn't come back to Westeros so soon. The choice to sail home had been hard pressed. Arthur hoped to flee to Lyes or the Summer Isles if necessary to escape the Gold Company and now Illryio Mopatis, but ultimately Jon had chosen to sail for Westeros. He'd argued that none knew his face, and he looked little like his uncle, and Arthur couldn't deny that. Though he still feared for the danger of this land. The Usurper was strong and had many men at his back, it was too soon for them to strike, but he would do as Jon commanded now that he'd taken up the tile of a prince in earnest.
A creak came from the dark as a light of a second torch lit the dark walls as its bearer descended a flight of steps into the darkness. Looking up from his cell Arthur could make out the figure of a man. He was tall and lean with a head of black hair and a well-kept beard to match. His eyes were dark and his skin kissed by the Dornish sun which complemented the yellow tunic in which he was dressed. Striding across the dirt floor of the dungeon the man stopped a few feet away from the knight as he sized him up.
"Your look seems to agree with your surrounds Ser Arthur. I don't think I've ever seen a member of the White Cloaks look so… well out of place." The man said coolly.
"Prince Oberyn, an honor," Arthur said, bowing his head. "I would have greeted you more properly if the circumstance were not so dire that is."
"What is it that you've gotten yourself into now?"
"The wrath of both the Golden Company and Illyrio Mopatis," Arthur confessed.
Prince Oberyn snorted as a smirk crossed his lips. "Oh, you sure know how to pick the worst kinds of foes friend."
"Friend, is it?" Arthur looked at the iron bars between them.
"For now, my family has had quite the time to think about you and that northern girl's boy. My brother is still very much against this prince you claim to be protecting. He believes supporting such a cause will bring nothing but ruin for my family."
"He is the rightful king," Arthur replied.
"Rightful, perhaps, but he's no blood of mine. His father left my sister for another woman, this boy's mother," The prince narrowed his eyes, "I don't suppose you understand how it must feel to know that the children my sister born weren't the one you stood guarding instead some second born son."
"I did as Rhaegar asked of me."
"You can hide behind the commands of a dead man, but you cannot change the fact that my nephew and niece were murdered while you stood by and did nothing to protect them." Oberyn spat. "My sister was raped and then murdered by Ser Gregor Clegane. You should have died there, protector her and her children, keeping them safe."
"Do you want dead then?" Arthur asked coldly, his eyes never leaving Oberyn. "Would that stay your misguided anger for Lyanna's son?"
"No," Oberyn answered honestly. "There are only two men in this world whose deaths can satisfy my need for blood. Ser Gregor, and the man who gave him the order."
"Tywin Lannister." Arthur spat out the name, the words still bitter in his mouth long after they had left it. He was no friend of the Lannister's and had been ashamed to have known that it was none other than Ser Jamie who had struck the last great blow to House Targaryen, toppling the dynasty from its place of glory to the remnant he was desperately trying to bring back.
"Yes," Oberyn nodded. "My brother is a patient man, I, however, am not. If this second son can help bring me these men's hearts, I will make sure Dorne sees it done. However, the time is not right, not yet. The drunken King Robert has too many allies at his beckon call and my brother cannot raise his banners for your cause without being assured it won't lead to the pointless deaths of our people."
"If Prince Doran chooses not to call his banners," Arthur said coldly, "Lord Tywin will never pay his debt to House Martell. We cannot take back the Iron Throne alone, and you cannot hope to rally any of the other Kingdoms to such a cause, however noble it might be."
"I could rally houses without my brother grace, many would fight for my family's justice, even if my brother won't. But not yet, the drunk is still strong, and it may yet be some years before an opportunity presents itself."
"So, you think we should just do nothing then?" Arthur scoffed.
"Nothing, no that'd be folly. You've no allies aside from myself, I suggest you take that prince and find some friends for the war yet to come. Should you gain enough support, perhaps then will my brother send the full might of our armies to fight alongside another Dragon King."
"Might be it easier to wed Princess Arianne to Jon? I might make it easier to sway your brother."
"If he were anyone else perhaps, but he'll always be a reminder to my brother and me that while he lived, Aegon and Rhaenys died. No, Lannister and his dog are enough for us."
Arthur nodded. "I suppose you wouldn't mind helping me out of here then."
Oberyn looked at Arthur for a moment before shrugging. "I suppose I can do as much."
Fishing for into a pocket Prince Oberyn pulled forth a key and turned in the rusted lock of cell pulling the door open with an audible screech. Rising from the dirt floor Arthur stepped out from the cell happy his stay would have been so short-lived there. Prince Oberyn then grabbed his purse and tossed it to Arthur instructing him to use what was there to find his out of the city before at last turning to leave. Upon reaching the top of the stairs to the dungeon the door was swung open for him my Areo who commanded Arthur to follow him.
The Captain of the Guard lead Ser Dayne through the three gates of Sunspear back to the Shadow City and stuffed a purse of coins in his hand. "There is a ship in the port, perhaps you saw it on your way in. I've had a man speak with the captain, big hairy man with a long brown beard with a long scar across his cheek named Hagor. Give him that purse and he'll take you where you need to go, no questions asked." Arthur nodded and turned to leave but felt Areo grab his shoulder causing the knight to turn his head back. "Should I ever find you in those halls uninvited again my ax might find itself in your neck."
Being let go, Ser Arthur made his way back into the shadow city, his hand clenched tightly around the purse in his hand. Navigating the labyrinth of streets and alleyways Arthur found his way back toward the docks, but not before turning for the Winding Wall. The inn was lively from the outside as brazier lit the streets. Arthur spotted a few of the men who he'd been bunching with on the ship vomiting against the wall of the inn, he'd never learned any of their names and didn't care to know them. Passing the by the men Arthur walked into the dusty stone inn and into a room filled with long tables paced with drunken men and several whores who were snatching the coin out of the purses of four drunken fools.
It didn't take Arthur much effort to spot Amar, the man was taller than everyone else there and the Pentoshi stuck out better than most among the Dornishmen. The forming head of the Prince of Pentos's Estate was in an argument with a very drunk man who had been emboldening enough by his ale to be picking a fight with the larger man. Arthur was no more than five steps away when the man swung clumsily missing Amar by a generous margin. Angered by the attempt Amar grabbed the man by the back of his head and slammed it into the oak table hard enough that the noise it made could be overheard amongst the noise of the room. Everyone turned and looked to see the man ragdoll to the floor as a pool of blood began to form on his face which had been deformed from its impact with the corner of the table.
Rushing forward Arthur drew out his dagger and placed it on the neck of drunk's friend who had pulled a rusted cleaver from his belt for the Pentoshi. "Drop that or I open up your throat." He warned. The man swallowed hard letting the weapon fall to the floor with a clutter before backing away.
Arthur nodded to Amar and the pair moved back out from the inn, with near everyone looking at the two. Arthur felt his mind grow wary and he feared drawing too much attention to himself. Once outside he bid his friend follow him as he took a long path of alleyways back to docks, constantly looking over his shoulder to ensure the two were not the .
"What is it that you fear so?" Amar asked as he looked backward himself.
"The Master of Whisperers, Varys, whose loyalty I do not know. His web is large, and his birds are numerous. If not for him I would not fear to be back here so." Arthur admitted as they at last came to the docks. "I hope they just take us as common folk, and nothing more. For one word that we are here and the whole of the Usurpers wrath will be upon us."
Looking down an alleyway that would take them to the docks Arthur saw only a few feral cats scurry away from at the sight of him, but nothing to give him pause. Leading the way, Ser Dayne and Amar crossed the port until they came to the vessel that Prince Oberyn had spoken of. Outside stood the captain, a heavy-set sailor with a long brown unkempt beard on his stubbly face. The sailor eyed the pair of men before him with a suspicious look, though whatever feelings he'd have had he didn't voice them once Arthur placed the purse of coins in his callused hands.
After the man checked inside the purse to ensure his payment was in full the man frowned. "I was told there would only be one of you, I never agreed two men." He grumbled though he pocketed the coins regardless.
"If you have a problem best you take it up the man who hired you." Arthur retorted. "He goes where I go."
The man nodded slowly, but his face remained hard. "I suppose it doesn't matter, but know that I run a tight ship, I'm paid to keep you safe but should he cause any trouble I'll have my boys throw him over the side of the ship."
Amar frowned, but Arthur put a hand on the man to steady him. "He'll be no trouble so long as we get where I'm needed safely."
The man looked at Amar hard and long but just grumbled to himself before turning and walking the long ramp up onto the deck of the ship. "Follow me, I'll show you your quarters." The two men followed the captain below deck and into a small cabin with a pair of hammocks and few crates. Looking over the room, Arthur couldn't complain, for this was far better than he'd had on their last voyage.
Thanking the man, who replied with a silent nod Arthur climbed into one of the hammocks will Amar found a crate to sit on. Closing his eyes Arthur thought about the preparations that needed to be made along with the danger that loomed over his head. All he could think about was the man draped in silks, his head shaven whispering into Usurper's ear. It was a thought that often crossed his mind, even in Pentos, but now it was consuming him. They were not in a powerful position and with the slightest slip they might end up in the grasp of their enemies which seemed to be all around them.
Arthur had done his duty ever since he had spoken he echoed the oath of the Kingsguard in the sight of gods and men. He would not forsake his sworn duty, less become as low as Ser Jamie, the Kingslayer. Breathing deeply, Ser Dayne drifted off into an unsure rest.
It took five days and five nights before they had at last docked into the port town outside of Starfall. The voyage to the Torentine was rougher than Arthur would have liked, and the hull of the ship smelled of nothing but salt and the stench of the men who manned the small ship. When at last he stepped off the ship, Arthur allowed himself a moment to take a breath, though he found the air to be filled with the stench of raw fish. The small town outside of Starfall where the tiny port sat had no more than ten standing buildings, the largest being an inn where he recalled a larger woman named Willa served hot fish pies to her patrons along with a mug of warm ale to wash it all down. The town was slurring as fishermen came down in hopes to sell what meager catches they had made to the captain of the ship. While most of the men made their coin selling their catch to his families hold and Arthur was certain that they'd not sell enough to make any real difference, perhaps a few would sell enough to spend a night at the inn with one of the few whores that stayed nearby, that was if the sailors didn't get to them first.
Amar seemed lethargic as he followed a few paces behind while Arthur made his way passed sailors as they unloaded barrels of ale and boxes of barley from their ship. The Sword of the Morning made his way for the fishermen who were already buzzing around the dock. Looking for the men, Arthur found a thin grey-bearded man dressed in a thin brown wool cloth. The man had leathery skin with specks of white salt from the sea that had found its way into the crevasse of his face especially into the long scar where his left eye had once been. Looking up the man looked Arthur up and down with his one good eye.
"Can I help you?" The man spat from the crate he sat on.
"My friend here and I need to hire a boat," Arthur said gesturing to Amar, "You have the look of a fisherman."
"I just saw you get off that ship, the fuck you need another for?"
"I need something smaller, ships like that are good for crossing the seas but not so good for the shallow water of a shoreline. I need a skilled man to get me somewhere."
"I'm more skilled at fucking whores than sailing, but I'm sure as shit better than anyone here, besides maybe the fancy captain that brought you here." The man spit coughed into his hand for a long moment before gaining his wind again. "What is it that you're looking for?"
"I need a man to get me to Starfall," Arthur announced. "We can't go to the castle by way of the road."
"You've bad intentions it seems to me… how much are you paying?"
Fishing into his purse, Arthur tugged at the last four stags he had along with a handful of Pennies. Placing them in the man's hand he looked down at the sum there and with a greedy smirk stuffed the sum into a stack that laid beside him.
Standing the man pocketed the coins with a toothless smirk. "Come on now, I'd like to have you there before the sun gets low. I'd like to be back to have a tussle in the inn tonight. There's a fine lady I'd like to bed tonight."
Leading Arthur and Amar along the shoreline, the man came to a path that leads to a beach along the cliffsides. There are pulled ashore was a single rowboat fishing supplies piled alongside it. Loading the items into the boat, the two men pushed the boat into the water before rowing out onto the open waters. The sea was calm with little more than a light breeze at their backs as the old man rowed along. For hours Arthur watched as the man rowed the two along the coastline, and for hours as Amar just sat in silence. True to his word, Starfall came into view long before the sunset. Instructing the man to bring them below the drawbridge that connected the island that Starfall sat, Arthur guided the man to near to where he knew the old tunnels of the castle ended at. Stepping ashore, Arthur tossed the man his purse with what meager Pennies remained and gave the old man a nod before watching him start to row his way back to port.
Leading his friend along the rocky shore through the traitorous rocky footing of jagged rock. He'd seen men break a leg walking on this shoreline before, but the knight was sure of foot as he made his way toward a nook in the rocky hillside just below the castle walls. There he found the passage that leads into the deepest tunnels of the castle that were blocked by a thick iron-barred door with heavy chains wrapped around the frame to keep lit locked tight.
Picking up a stone Arthur beat on the metal sending and echo down the hall. After some time, a hooded figure appeared from the shadows and looked him over for a moment. Pulling back the cloth of the hood Lord Connington revealed himself offering a wide grin. "I see you and our Pentoshi friend made it in one piece." The Lord frowned as he sniffed the air. "You'll need a bath and a clean shave, we're expecting guests." He announced as he started to work on removing the heavy chains.
"Guests?" Arthur asked confused as the former Hand opened the door allowing them into the tunnels. "What sort of guessed."
"You sister called sent for them shortly after our arrival, she's been quite busy apparently since you left." Lord Connington explained. "She's, at last, with House Hightowercower Lord Leyton Hightower didn't take too well to his uncle's death. She had some letter he wrote in during your last stay here she had delivered to him, and now you're here he's sent his son Baelor to meet here along with members of Houses sworn to House Hightower."
"How exactly is coming?" Arthur asked.
"I'm told Lady Alysanne of House Bulwer and Lord Tommen of House Costayne are with him." He informed. "Additionally, your cousin Gerold arrived not but a night ago."
Arthur groaned at the news. It would hard to keep such a meeting discreet especially with so many. "How are they excusing such a meeting?"
"They've told anyone who's asked that that Baelor is coming here to arrange marriages between Alysanne and Gerold along and your sister Ashara to Tommen that your Lord nephew will refuse of course." Lord Connington explained. "At any rate, it's best I take you, too up to the chamber your sister set aside for us. Might I also add that it may be best if you two remained unnamed as Prince Jon and I have."
"Very well," Arthur agreed, "Best we be in our chambers."
Following Lord Connington's lead, Arthur and Amar walked the narrow passages of the tunnels. Arthur knew the labyrinth well from his childhood when Ashara and he would run about the tunnels playing hide and seek. When his mother had learned that the two had been playing here she had scolded them as many a man had lost his way there never to find his way out. He'd always taken it to be just his mother talking, but he was certain that if one didn't know the way they could be lost for hours.
After some time, the three of them came into a small square stone room with a set of murder holes on either side and a thick oak door as the only entrance to the castle's lower levels. Should an invading force ever hope to sneak into the caste using the tunnels posted guards would be sure to bar the door and fire bolts from the slits killing anyone foolish enough to try and take the castle in such a way.
Coming to the door Lord Jon knocked hard three times before stepping back. After a moment the sound of the bar being lifted from the door came and a guard a dressed in chain-mail with a purple tunic overtop looked over the men before him. He said nothing as he stood aside letting Arthur pass by, he'd not recognized the man by sight but offered him a kind nod all the same.
The party walked unimpeded through the halls of the castle until they came passing by the Great Hall. The large oak doors of the Great Hall had been left ajar as Arthur stopped, peering inside. In the center of the long room stood his cousin Ser Gerold Dayne, the Darkstar, as he protested something before Ashara and his Lord nephew Edric Dayne. He had not set his eyes on the boy since he was but a babe, he had grown so much since then. The young Lord stat tall in the High Chair of Starfall, looking down at Ser Gerold. The boy had grown taller than Jon in his time and looked the part of a Lord. He'd let his pale blond hair grow to his shoulders that were draped in a rich purple cape. He bore a silver shirt with the sigil of House Dayne embroidered upon his chest. Sitting straight Edric looked past Gerold, as he started to spare with Ashara, and caught Arthur's eyes. Arthur noted his eyes were so dark a blue that in the right light one might think they were a strange shade of purple.
The young Lord quickly averted his gaze from Arthur and tugged on Ashara's shoulder and made a comment to his aunt who looked over to Arthur who spotted him for the first time. The Darkstar then too turned to look see what was behind him. Arthur's only cousin frowned upon seeing him. Turning back to Edric, the Knight of High Hermitage excused himself. Arthur held his gaze as his cousin, the younger man held only a frown before leaving down the hall Arthur had come from. Lord Connington gave Arthur a question looked, but Arthur could only offer a shrug in reply.
Descending from her seat just below the High Chair, Ashara reminds Lord Edric of some duty he had concerning Allyria. Nodding, the boy rose from the High Chair and descended as a Knight of House Dayne took his flank as the young lord left from the Great Hall through a door just left of the platform that House Dayne's seat of power stood.
Ashara crossed the room and passed Arthur and addressed Lord Connington. "Ser, once you've had this guest bathed I would like you to escort him to my Solar."
"As you command." Lord Connington bowed.
Ashara gave Arthur a glance, and for a moment her look softened, but quickly her face returned to an emotionless glare. Watching his sister go, Arthur knew the obvious danger his company made, and it seemed to him that his sister had only made things worse with the invitation to the Hightowers to Starfall.
It wasn't long thereafter that Arthur found himself soaking in a wooden tube. Pots of boiling water were poured in one, the process took near an hour before at last the knight had settled into the water. It wasn't long after that he was sitting in a brown mix of water and filth. Leaving the muddied water behind, Arthur felt the cold air rush over him. Retrieving a horsehair brush, Arthur scrubbed away what little dirt still clung to him. He had thought to remove the beard that he had grown in but he decided it was best to leave it. He did, however, tie his hair back behind his head to keep it from his eyes.
Slipping into a black linen shirt. A pair of rough leather boots had been given to him, they were fairly well worn but fit him well Strapping a leather belt to his waist Arthur fastened a steel dagger to it before leaving the washroom.
Soon after, Arthur was lead by a Knight named Dedric to his sister Ashara's solar. He had not recognized the knight, he was young, perhaps twenty. He was lean with only a stubble on his square face which wasn't particularly pleasant to look at with his tangled brown hair handing in his face. The man was about a head shorter than Arthur, and he didn't say a word to the Sword of the Morning, just took him where he needs to go. The man nodded once they reached the top of Great Tower before leaving. Arthur didn't know what to think of the man, but he supposed it didn't matter so long as he wasn't trying to pry in for any information.
Stepping inside the solar Arthur looked around, taking in the room. It had changed in the twelve years since he'd last seen it. When he had been running from Lord Stark all those years ago his elder Brother had only just passed, and the room was still full of his belongings, but now it had changed as his sister had taken over as Regent until Edric's sixteenth nameday. The room itself was round with two large stained glass windows bearing the Dayne sigil of a falling star and Dawn. The ceiling was high with large exposed cross beams engraved with the names of the past Kings of Starfall. In front of the two windows was a long desk that was near as old as the castle itself. On it was piles of letters and a large leather bound book that carried the leger full of accounts from grain to gold.
When the large oak door clasped shut behind him Ashara turned her head from the raven scroll in her hand. Tossing the parchment down in front of her she rose and looked at her elder brother with tired eyes. Arthur could see she had aged since he had last laid eyes upon her, while her beauty was still evident she had seen better days. She looked tired, her long black hair had softened and she looked more like forty than her thirty-three years of age.
"You look well," Arthur lied.
"I'm a mess, but it's no matter to dwell on" Ashara waved her hand dismissively. "The years have not been kind to me. Though you seem to have worn around the edges as well."
"That I cannot deny. Though my blade is as sharp as ever, and that will do fine for my role."
"Perhaps," Ashara folded her hands as she thought to herself for a long moment before continuing. "But we cannot rely on blades alone."
"That's why the Hightowers are here," Arthur noted. "Do you think it wise to trust them? I only just trust Oberyn Martell, and only because his bloodlust with the Lannisters is deeper than that of mine."
"Oddly I do. You've been gone for some time now brother. I've been busy playing politics in your absence." Ashara walked over to a stand adjacent to her desk where a pitcher and three goblets sat. Pouring a cup of wine Ashara turned back to her brother. "House Hightower is one of the three most powerful Houses in all of the Reach, and Leyton Hightower did not take too well to the death of his Uncle. He heard the rumors of your escape and several Ravens later he sent Bealor here to speak with me."
"What did you discuss?"
"The wars to come as it were." Ashara sipped on her summer wine. "House Hightower agreed to back Jon should the opportunity present itself. According to Baelor, Leyton demanded that House Hightower be given a spot in the Kingsguard along with Baelor named Hand of the King. On top of he wants a new fleet built by the crown should Jon take the Iron Throne."
"He sounds opportunistic in spite of his apparent hope to avenge Gerold." Arthur frowned. "He asks a lot."
"He claims he can cowers the Tyrells into joining our cause, that's worth some ships and a few titles I'd say." Ashara drank the rest of her wine before setting aside her cup. "House Tyrell has the largest army in all the Seven Kingdoms. Should the rest of Dorne join us, we'll have enough number to take on Robert. If the Gods are kind, Ned will not have the heart to fight against Lyanna's son leaving the North and possibly by extension the Riverlands out of the war."
Arthur nodded. "It seems like a fair plan, should it work out, but if the Tyrells should refuse I doubt the Martells will risk their necks, as much as they do hate the Lannisters. We'd be lucky to rally fifteen thousand men, most of those from the Hightowers. They'd sooner stab us in the backs than take on the might of the Usperper alone."
"Indeed, it's a gamble and a hard one at that. I've been told that Mace Tyrell is trying to wed his daughter into the Usperers line hoping Margaery Tyrell becomes Queen." Arthur began to pace the room. If the Tyrells didn't feel cause to join their cause they had little hope, and he dared not think about how the spider and his web could just as easily was them.
"I had hoped to deal with these matters before you come out of exile." Ashara sighed as she poured herself another cup of win. "You being here just complicates things."
"Like this meeting with Baelor could decide how we move forward?" If only Jon hadn't been so rash in Pentos, perhaps we would only have to risk the wrath of the Golden Company, but now the eunuch undoubtedly knows about Jon's existence. Arthur rubbed his head which had started to throb. "Has Jon expressed his thoughts on the matter?"
"I haven't asked for them." Ashara walked behind her desk before taking a seat as she sipped on her wine.
"This war will be centered around him."
"He's still just a boy, yes he may be the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, but I've no reason to expect him to be adept at politics with his age." Ashara looked strained as Arthur felt. "I can't risk the fate of our House on the opinions of a boy, king or not."
Arthur nodded. "Perhaps you are right thirty-three often think too much of Rhaegar when I look at him." It was true, the boy looked all Stark, but the features were still very much there. Arthur figured he looked past Jon's black curly hair and grey eyes and could see a bit of his old friend there. The nearly constant reminder of Rhaegar was both a blessing and a curse to him.
"I just see Ned in him," Ashara said, Arthur could sense the bitter pain behind those words. Arthur knew Ashara had once loved Lord Stark, perhaps even she still did. Arthur recalled the first time they had met, Brandon Stark had acquired a dance on the behalf of his shy younger brother. That was before the war before Brandon had choked to death trying to save his father Rickard Stark from burning alive.
"How long ago did you ask them to come to Starfall?" Arthur inquired.
"Six days ago, I suppose they'll travel by ship. They should be here within the week should the winds favor them." That might not be soon enough. Arthur thought to himself.
"Good, I should see to Jon then, I've no spoken with him since I arrived." Arthur started to leave but turned back to his sister. "The Pentoshi that came with me, Amar, I would ask that he remain here. He's a good man and knows his way around a blade, he's perhaps the only reason Lord Connington and I made it out of Essos in one piece."
Ashara nodded. "I'll see to it that he's given a place of honor here. We've need for a new Master of Arms I'm told."
Content, Arthur left Ashara and climbed back down the steps of the Great Tower. He knew that this was the start of what he always knew it would come down to, he just hoped Jon would be ready.
A/N: Posting this late at night, I have to ask if ANYONE is willing to beta read this story it would be a great help. I've had no luck find a new beta reader as of late and just did a rough read through and edit on this one. I will more likely than not have to go back and have this edited again at a later data. I'll get to questions later when I find a beta reader. If you know anyone or are interested yourself in BETA reading this story feel free to drop me a PM and I'll get to you ASAP. Thanks.