Chapter 26

"We are approaching Highgarden. Be wary of the rats beneath the flowers; speak to no-one I do not." Said Orwen

"Yes father," said Laenah, quietly

"I am not your father, and I will not protect you as if I were." Said Orwen without humour.

Laenah blinked and Cristoff laughed. As they reached the top of the next hill, even from outside the city gates, the lushness of Highgarden was. Cristoff whistled, impressed.

"Have they many cities like this in Essos Cristoff?" asked Laenah

"No, they're much bigger, and less… floral."

"Indeed," said Orwen, spurring his horse down the hill. Cristoff and Laenah followed.

As they approached the gates, the guards barred their passage with pikes. "Halt, what business do you have here?" asked the guard.

"We are here to see Lady Thorne." Said Orwen

The guards blinked in surprise and raised their pikes. "She's expecting you. Through here."

"Thank you." Said Orwen, and guided his horse through the gates. Cristoff and Laenah followed. People crowded around the streets going about their business, ignoring the newcomers. Orwen took them down a side alley, and they stopped outside a large house. Stable hands took their horses and a young girl led them inside.

As they entered the house, they found it smelling of flowers, with roses everywhere. A woman greeted them. She was tall and shapely, with very red lips and luscious dark hair. She seemed as old as Orwen.

"Welcome to my home, Orwen. It has been some time since we say each other."

Orwen seemed to stiffen at her comment. "Yes, it has been some time Jenna."

"I trust you have been keeping well? Down south?"

"Yes, quite well."

"Dorne suits you; you're so tanned. Take off that hood, let's see your face."

Orwen stiffened again, his hands trembling. Cristoff and Laenah looked at each other and Jenna laughed.

"Oh, alright." Jenna said, as she walked up to Orwen and removed his hood. Revealing his tanned face and short hair, starting to grey.

"You were always able to resist my allures, even to this day." Jenna finally seemed to notice Cristoff and Laenah. "Oh! New recruits? Come you two, let me look at you." Cristoff didn't want to, but he found himself literally attracted to the woman and began walking. Laenah too, began to walk towards her, looking distracted.

"Well, aren't you big and muscly?" said Jenna, looking over Cristoff, running her hands over his chest and shoulders. Cristoff smelt her perfume and his mind started to fog. He tried to shake his head to clear it and Jenna stepped back, moving to Laenah. "And aren't you pretty! Those robes don't do you justice my dear. I have some dresses you would-"

"Jenna," said Orwen forcefully.

"Hmm?" said Jenna, looking over at him.

"We came here to get Jayne. If you could get her out here now, we can be on our way and out of your house."

"Oh, you make it sound like I don't want you here." said Jenna coyly

"Is that what I sound like to you?" said Laenah. Cristoff nodded weakly, and Laenah smiled, "Good."

"Now, you will all stay here for the night, get some rest and meet Jayne. Then you can leave, Orwen."

"I must insist-" began Orwen

"And so must I. You will stay here for the night. There's nothing to discuss. Children, escort my guests to their quarters." Jenna clapped her hands and some more young people came in and did as she said. As the three of them climbed the stairs, Orwen began to explain.

"Jenna and I, we have a history. And that's all I'm going to tell you about us. She is a master of poisons and other drugs that alter the mind. This whole house is laced with something that makes you vulnerable to suggestion. She and I, we're one of the few who can resist it. Her perfume-"

"-It fogs your mind." Finished Cristoff

"Indeed. She runs an orphanage here, trains the skilled ones to learn her arts, and the very skilled ones she sends to us. Her best one yet, she says, is a bastard girl, Jayne Flowers. She's to come with us."

"And so I shall, tomorrow." Said a voice at the top of the stairs. They saw a girl, young and pretty, with short blonde hair and a sweet face.

"Aww, aren't you sweet." Said Laenah, walking up to Jayne.

As she got close, Jayne grabbed her arm, pulled her forward and put a knife to her neck.

"You're awfully silly, trusting someone you just met." Said Jayne with a big smile.

"And you're too focussed on a single target, not seeing that they have help." Said Cristoff, his voice grave, as he already had his wrist out with Marcus' phantom blade extended, pointed at Jayne's head. Jayne backed off and put the knife away.

"Now you, I like." Said Jayne

"Careful, he's mine." Said Laenah

Orwen shook his head and pushed past them all and made his way to his room. "Come and get me when there's food ready." He growled at the boy carrying his bags, who nodded.

"Come on, I'll show you around." Said Jayne, taking Cristoff's hand and running down the hallway. Cristoff shrugged at Laenah, who followed.