Rhaena felt like she had been knocked sideways. She felt she had been knocked sideways whilst utterly drunk, for she could hardly walk in a straight line. Giddy as a child, she almost skipped alongside Ser Barristan who led them to the rooms closest to the queen's in order to present them as Rhaena's new living quarters. First, however, he wanted to know everything. His trained eye looked Syrio Forel over who inclined his head in greeting. "Ser Barristan. You know Sansa of course, but may I present Syrio Forel, the First Sword of Braavos?"
"Former First Sword." Syrio corrected humbly before sweeping a mannerly bow. "It is an honour to make your acquaintance, Ser Barristan."
"Likewise. I must give you my thanks in offering your protection to my princess and Lady Sansa. You will be well rewarded." Ser Barristan promised a little roughly, remaining cautious when faced with a stranger who had attached himself to Rhaena's side.
"Reward is not necessary. Lady Rhaena saved my life. I was merely repaying a debt. I gave her my word I would see both her and Lady Sansa safely into the protection of her sister and I have done so." Instantly Rhaena started forwards with a crease of worry in her brow, Sansa also becoming anxious as they both took one of Syrio's hands in order to clasp onto him securely.
"Surely you are not thinking of leaving?" Rhaena implored him softly as the Water Dance master chuckled to them.
"Yes, please do not go Ser Forel." Sansa insisted politely despite knowing that Syrio was not a knight. "How will we manage without you?"
"I am not leaving too soon, dear children, fret not. No. It would not be honourable of me to leave you so swiftly. First I must ensure that you are settled and safe, though whilst there is unrest outside of the city, I do not imagine I can leave you both in such a precarious position." Assuring them both that he would remain until he was satisfied that both Rhaena and Sansa would be safe or at least could protect themselves. Syrio had no intention of leaving. What he had witnessed earlier was enough to prompt him to remain where he was. He owed his life to Lady Rhaena, his conscience would not allow him to leave where she might still be in danger. Even if this knight were with them, Syrio was not convinced at all. Everyone in this city, from the soldiers to this knight, were devoted first to their queen. Someone had to remain devoted to Rhaena who in turn was devoted to Sansa. There had to be someone who would think of their safety first and not the safety of the silver haired queen. Since there was no one else yet to fill his position, Syrio was determined to remain as long as necessary until there came a time he was no longer needed, though he suspected that even after such a time had come, he might want to stay. Things were becoming interesting, after all. He had seen how it had become all those years ago in King's Landing when the Hand of the King, Lord Stark, had been taken captive and his household slaughtered. Now Syrio Forel was of a mind to see how it ended. These two children before him in truth were no longer children. They had witnessed and endured far too much to be called young girls. They were women now, and Syrio had a feeling that these women were not yet out of the game the lords and ladies were still playing in the west. He looked forward to seeing their rise.
"Where did you say you found this…First Sword?" Ser Barristan questioned Rhaena quietly so with a smile she told him how they had met in King's Landing when Syrio was giving lessons to Arya Stark, Sansa chiming in that it was true, though she had believed him to be a dance instructor and not a sword fighter. There was so much to explain Rhaena hardly knew how to begin. Looking to her and softening, Ser Barristan placed his palm to her cheek once again, still utterly astonished how greatly she had changed since they had parted ways. He had left behind a child. Now it was a woman who stood before him, but he could still see that younger version of herself within her eyes. He could see it in the way they gazed at him with a hint of awed admiration, remembering how she had begged him to tell her stories of his greatest victories and of his prowess in battle. To Rhaena Ser Barristan had always been the best of them and to this day maintained the same belief. He was her knight in shining armour, her defender and protector. She loved him as she would a father and nothing felt more right than to be in his arms once again. "Come and sit yourself down, little dragon. We should wait for Her Grace before we begin to share our stories." Drawing her to a collection of lounging chairs and seats, Ser Barristan had Rhaena settle herself down where Sansa joined her and Lady promptly spread herself across their feet with a contented sigh. "Last I saw that creature, it was only a pup."
"You should see Grey Wind and Nymeria. They are even bigger than Lady." Sansa supplied as the door opened after a knock and several servants came inside. They brought food, wine, water and clothing, as well as an invitation of a hot bath which had already been prepared for them. Rhaena jumped at the offer and so did Sansa. A proper bath. It had become such a luxury in their recent lifestyle, both were eager to bask in such opulence.
"We shall return soon. Ser Barristan, Syrio, I hope you will both get along together." Teasing them with a smirk, Rhaena then turned away in order to follow the maidservant who was to lead them to the baths. The moment they smelled the sweet fragrance of scented water and steam, both young women moaned in desire. Rose petals had been scattered across the water but neither of them took much notice of it. Sansa was the first to undress for she only had to slip out of her silk dress and take off her shoes before descending into the bath which had been built into the floor whereas Rhaena had to take off her belts, bracers, gloves, boots, britches, jacket and shirt before simply jumping into the water. The splash caused Sansa to shriek with laughter, thrusting her hand at Rhaena when she resurfaced in order to send a wave in her direction, Rhaena's bright grin flashing mischievously before she ducked underneath it. The servants stood in uncertainty. They had been poised to help the ladies undress but they had removed their own clothing so quickly they did not even have the chance to offer their assistance. Now they were frolicking and playing in the water without any care in the world. Recovering themselves, they quickly began to pick up the discarded clothing. "Please return them to the room." Hearing the queen's sister speak, the servants immediately bowed though they caught sight of the woman's pretty smile. Even the women felt their hearts flutter happily. "Do not throw anything away, especially my garments. They have been with me for a long while now. I do not wish to lose them."
"But of course, Queen-Sister." One of them answered hesitantly before murmuring the directions to the other servants who each bowed lower before disappearing. "Would Queen-sister and friend like help?" She spoke well but rather brokenly, the Common Tongue not her native language. Rhaena soon understood that the people of Meereen, especially the former slaves and lowborn citizens spoke a somewhat bastardised version of High Valyrian which meant that Rhaena was unable to speak to them in their own tongue but gave it a good attempt regardless. She learned that the servant girl's name was Rissa, so upon introducing themselves and inviting Rissa to relax, Rhaena allowed herself to fully enjoy the hot bath. Bathing and soaking in the scented water, she washed away the salt of the sea and sweat which had clung to her body so that she was once again clean and fair, helping Sansa to do the same by washing her hair whilst Rissa insisted on managing Rhaena's own locks for her. The girl had excellent skill. She never once pulled or tugged but massaged Rhaena's scalp with the perfect pressure as she pulled the soap and then the oils all the way through her hair to the very ends. Neither of them wanted to leave that bath, but leave it they had to otherwise they would have shrivelled like prunes.
They were then brought to rest upon velvet cushioned tables where they were massaged from head to toe, releasing the knotted tension in their bodies from stress and tiredness until Rhaena felt certain she would simply melt as Rissa seemed to find places of strain Rhaena did not even know she had. Scented oils were then rubbed into their skin, kneading and pawing in all the right places in such an extravagant treatment Rhaena doubted even Cersei had ever been so well tended to. At some points she was certain she had fallen asleep she was so comfortable. She did not even care to be naked in front of strangers. They themselves did not seem to mind or even care, though Sansa was a little shy at first. She seemed happier when they dressed her in a new silk gown and combed through her hair until it fell loosely around her shoulders. Rhaena too was given a dress of the finest silk, so light and airy it was like wearing nothing at all. They fixed the clasp around her neck where the silk would hang then draped it against her body, white like the queen's. Perhaps this was to be her new colour. Her hair was also brushed until it ran like the silk of her gown against her back, crisp and pure like snow. So this was the prize for all their years of survival, their months of running and weeks of travelling. Everything had brought them to this very moment where both she and Sansa were treated like royalty and paid every respect available to them. Were it not for certain losses and sorrows, Rhaena would have said it would have been worth it. "Thank you." She said to the servants as she touched Rissa's hand, making the girl gasp and stare at her. "We appreciate your wonderful skill and your time attending us."
"Yes, you were all wonderful. I feel as if I am a completely new woman." Sansa agreed as she bowed her head in gratitude. The servants all stuttered and shook their heads until Rissa calmed them, telling them that Queen's sister was only thanking them for good service, reasoning that perhaps where they were from it was common practice to thank those who serve them. The others settled and although looked nervous, gave little smiles and bowed repeatedly as they backed away before vanishing in a whirlwind of excited chatter. "They seem to listen to you. Are you perhaps in charge?"
"No lady. No charge. I only tell them what lady says." Rissa said in response which made Rhaena chuckle.
"Then you are clever and insightful. This is good. You should use such qualities, they will serve you well." Now ready to return to the guest room, Rissa led the way as Rhaena considered how she might find Ser Barristan and Syrio Forel upon her return. They would either be laughing and drinking like old friends reunited after an age apart, or baring their swords and be at one another's throats. Hopefully it would be the former. After such an extravagant bath and sensational experience, Rhaena did not want anything making her body tense again. Thankfully, however, her hopes were answered as when she entered she found the two men drinking wine and recounting their proudest moments and most daring fights. Sharing a smile with Sansa, they walked inside and took up a cup of wine each in order to sit down and join them for the evening, settling into a warm and tender ambiance as they awaited the arrival of the queen.