Black dragon circled over the battlefield aiming for its prey. Soon it shredded apart a group of crossbowmen that stood behind the battlelines. It meant nothing though, because ranks of spearmen advanced against the black king, trapping him.
"You owe me a silver stag" I said with a smile.
"Here, have it. Just don't spend it on whores" responded Orys handing me a silver coin.
We were on the main deck of 'Sweet Cersei' playing a game confiscated from Volantene ship. It only took few days and an interpreter to finally decipher the game and play it. Cyvasse was really entertaining and it helped clear my head before the real game I was about to play. Around us, last preparations for departure to Dragonstone were finished. People brought supplies, oars were fixed on decks below us. We were bound to leave with ebbing tide. I stood up from the table.
"Be prepared, make sure that Petyr and your men are ready" I said as we descended from the deck onto pier.
"And what of you, captain" he asked
"I need to talk to our new master of the port. Take good care of the Cyvasse board, will you?"
I walked along the line of my ships until I reached Praekar, already engaged in his role. Under his shouts everything seemed to go smoothly. I waved my hand to catch his attention and he approached me with a huge smile on his face
"Beautiful day for a voyage, no? I am envious though. To feel the sea rocking the ship again..." he turned towards the sea as he said that.
"Worry not, soon we will all set sail" I responded reassuringly "But we have to be ready. Crews, supplies need to be at hand"
He gritted his teeth nervously when he heard that. "It's risky, very risky" he said.
"And yet it's the only way we can end up on top"
"You are going up there now" he motioned the Red Keep with his head
"Yes she sent for me,I have to go."
The garden of the Red Keep had lost its summery lushness. Yet now it was decorated with gold and red of autumn leaves. I sat on a stone bench, waiting. It was quiet, no guards nor anyone around. The chirrups of the birds began to irritate me after a while.
At last, she came with her golden mane and in a dress of dark-blue and she approached me with a smile.
"Dutiful as always, grand admiral" she treaded towards the bench and sat down "I trust that I don't have to utter words of my desire?" Yes, I know that you want Loras dead.
"Yes my queen, I will do everything to... fulfill your wish" She looked in my eyes intensly. What do I do now? Make my move, that's what. But before I could do anything he reached with her hand to put a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"When I was younger" she said "I always longed for... such silver-and-gold. Maybe I still do..."
She traced my jawline with her finger as we got closer. Our lips met and soon I was lost in her embrace. I forgot all about the world, about reasons to despise her. All that mattered was that moment in which blood hummed a relentless song in my head. My hands wandered down.
Suddenly she took my chin in her hand and moved me away.
"Don't fail me grand admiral and we will soon see each other again" she said with a sly smile. Yes she was good at this. She left and the only thing remaining was taste of her lips. Or perhaps the Arbor gold...
Back at my ship I still had troubles thinking clearly. Even ship's name worked against me in this regard. Despite all this I knew that I had a burden of promise that I gave my crew. I had to work so that we don't drown. Cersei trusted me, first piece was set. Now I needed confidence of the Tyrells. If they have trust in me, none would suspect my true motives. And yet... how to convince them of my pure intentions? We were meant to leave very soon.
I took a Cyvasse piece – a knight meant to represent heavy cavalry that was standing on the board, now in my cabin and played with it. The stand could be moved around and detached from the knight itself. I smiled at the discovery. I quickly scribbled a note to Margaery, confirming my good will and allegiance. I put the piece together and closed it within confines of the board. I stepped out of the cabin into light of day.
"Orys!" I called and he came, nervous look on his face. We all were anxious.
"Want another game?" he asked "I'm afraid we don't have time for that. The royal procession escorting Ser Loras to our ship has already left the Red Keep"
"No, you need to give that board as a present to Queen Margaery. As an... assurance that her brother will return safe and sound"
He raised his brow slightly "And there is nothing to it? No snake hidden inside? I fear that the capital has been rubbing on all of us" You don't say
"Just tell her that the knight piece is a splendid representation of her brother" I said. I won't be seen talking to her yet the note will carry message just as well. Make sure that neither her father besieging Storm's End nor Lord Tarly in Maidenpool will make any sudden moves towards capital. Why would they, with their loyal admiral in place?
Royal procession was smaller then I expected with but one surprise – King Tommen, always fond of knights, shining armours and flag fluttering in the wind. The people also gathered all around waving and sometimes calling out to their husbands, brothers and fathers that were leaving with us. They all loved Ser Loras a knight in a shining armour but I liked to think that some of the cheers were for me as well. Right now he was unfortunately really in his armour, as he scrabled to get on deck. The price we pay for appearances.
The oars were lifted into the air and the ship elegantly manouvred through the port, passing the roadstead into the open sea. The breeze began blowing form the land, gently pushing us towards out destination. We sailed to open sea which was calm and steady.
Ser Loras, previosly sure and steady in his heroics, now looked at the horizon with uncertainty in his eyes as his squire removed his armour.
"Wine?" I offered when the squire was gone
He readily accepted it and drunk hungrily
"Why did you choose to go? Was it loyalty to Reach? Knightly duty?" I asked.
He looked as if he wanted to vomit. Maybe giving wine to man not used to sailing wasn't a bright idea. He looked at me with suspicion but after few moments relented and sighed.
"When I fight... I forget about a man I failed" About Renly
"Is forgetting really the best way to deal with memories? I asked. "My brother died in Battle of Blackwater Bay. When I close my eyes I can still see 'Pride of Driftmark' going under. But I also remember happier times, long ago, childhood on our island..."
"I am not sure I can do that."
But then we started talking. About hunts, about training with wooden swords about happier times as the ship carried us towards the black rocks of Dragonstone.