The moon shone over Dorne as Jaime, Bronn and Bane sneaked out of their room. They met Arianne Martell, Gerald Dayne, Arys Oakheart, and a couple of other guys in the hallway.
"Everything is ready," Arianne said. "There are horses waiting for us outside. We just need to go up to Myrcella's room and smuggle her outside."
Bane eyed the Dornish princess suspiciously. "Why are you helpin' us when your father's the one who wants to kill Myrcella?"
"My father wants to avenge his dead brother and sister," Arianne said. "I do too, but it's not right to hurt an innocent girl. Father hates girls. He always resented me because I wasn't born a boy. So, I'm going to throw a wrench in his plans!"
"Well, we won't rescue Myrcella by standing around talking," Jaime said.
"Right! Let's stop jawbangin' an' get to it!" said Bronn.
"Follow me," said Arianne. "I'll take you to her quarters."
They went up to Myrcella's room. Jaime and Arianne slipped inside. Myrcella woke up with a start. She was surprised to see them standing by her bed. She rubbed her eyes. "What's happening?"
"We've got to take you back to King's Landing," Jaime said urgently.
"But I can't leave," she said. "I'm to marry Prince Trystane. I love him as much as Queen Naerys loved Prince Aemon the Dragonknight, as much as Jonquil loved Ser Florian."
Arianne knelt down in front of Myrcella and took her face gently in her hands. "Sweet one, listen to me. There are bad men here who want to hurt you. We're sending you away for your own safety."
Myrcella was instantly alert. "Who wants to hurt me? Is it Gerald Dayne?"
"No, why would you think that?" said Arianne. "Gerald was the one who warned me about the threat to your life, actually. He's on our side."
"Well, who is it then?"
"It's my father," Arianne said reluctantly. "He wants to kill you, but I won't let him."
"This match with Trystane was a mistake," said Jaime. "When you're older we'll make you a new match with someone else, someone brave and gentle and strong."
"Okay," Myrcella said resolutely. "Let's go."
They took her down the stairs and outside to the stables. They got onto the horses waiting there and rode down to the harbor. Jaime's tentacle flapped in the wind as he rode.
They reached the boat that Jaime and them had arrived on. Suddenly the door of one of the cabins on the boat slammed open, and Areo Hotah, Doran's captain of guards, stepped out, axe in hand! "Halt!" he called. "Where do you think you're going with Princess Myrcella?"
"We're going home," said Jaime, "and you can't stop us!"
"How did you know we'd be here?" Arianne asked.
Areo Hotah shrugged. "Someone told. Someone always tells."
More Dornish soldiers burst out of the other boats, armed with spears and crossbows. A battle began. Jaime saw Bronn take an arrow in the side! He saw Hotah cut off Arys Oakheart's head!
And then he saw the worst thing of all! Gerald Dayne rode over to Myrcella and slashed at her with his sword! A spray of blood shot out of the side of her head where her ear had once been.
Jaime was about to ride forward to defend Myrcella, but just then his horse trod on his tentacle. Jaime was jerked off the horse's back, and he crashed to the ground. His head hit the stones of the pavement. He blacked out.
