In order to make it more comfortable for both Trystane and Myrcella Rhaena had fashioned a saddle of sorts out of furs gifted by Prince Doran so that they did not become bruised and sore whilst flying upon Viserion's back. At first, they had been terrified and Myrcella had fainted once again as they took flight, but gradually even they could not deny the thrill of soaring through the air on the back of a creature of pure power and magic. When they landed, however, it was a different story altogether. Myrcella made her displeasure known often and loudly, declaring that she would never forgive Rhaena for this as she sat with folded arms and glaring through her tears. Rhaena would brush her off and simply tell her that if she had not come to fetch Myrcella then someone else would have, and although she might have been happy for a while going back to her mother, she would eventually be trapped in King's Landing with enemies surrounding her on all sides. At least this way she knew exactly who was using her for their own gain and she was not in the middle of the fighting. This of course did little to console her. Trystane remained anchored to her side with his arms at the ready to embrace her should her weeping become too distraught, sending cold glares in Rhaena's direction who merely ignored them. She had her charges, now all she needed to do was to get them back safely. Seeing as both Viserion and Rhaegal were with her to keep an eye on things, there was very little chance of anything attacking them so in truth the only concern Rhaena had was that Myrcella and Trystane might attempt to flee.
Which of course they did.
They did not flee the first chance they got as that would have been what Rhaena expected and Trystane was an intelligent boy, truth be told. He had told Myrcella that they would run away once Rhaena had lowered her guard and they were able to hide from being discovered. It was a good plan and Rhaena admired the boy's gall when she opened her eyes in the middle of the night to watch the young lovers running hand in hand away from where they had pitched their camp to rest. Lifting their heads, Rhaegal and Viserion both opened their eyes and began to growl menacingly until Rhaena hushed them, stretching herself against Rhaegal whilst rubbing Viserion's face. "Let them run. The boy is a fool if he can outrun a dragon. In any case, let them have a taste of what it is to flee from one danger to another. They'll be set upon by pirates or bandits soon enough." These were the Disputed Lands and here no one was safe if they ventured out alone. Pirates trailed the coast and bandits watched the merchant roads, thieves and plunderers, the scum of the earth. Let them learn a lesson, Rhaena decided as she rose to her feet and crossed to the edge of the camp where she watched the two youngsters take themselves off into the night where the moon gleamed and shone down for them to light their way. Soon enough they will be glad to have her blade and her dragons to protect them. Let them learn that it is not so easy as in the songs and stories to escape the evil witch and her beasts without finding trouble elsewhere. "They cannot go far. We shall track them tomorrow. Rest easy, my loves." Satisfied that Rhaena was not distressed by the loss of their prey, both dragons returned contentedly to their rest.
Keeping watch of their direction, Rhaena then followed their trail in the morning when the sun began to rise. She imagined by now that Myrcella's feet would be bruised and blistered from running in such fine silk slippers and Trystane would be realising his folly in not taking water with them. The heat will soon begin to intensify, and they would die of thirst if a band of cutthroats did not find them first. Still, Rhaena enjoyed the hunt as she tracked them by ground whilst Viserion and Rhaegal flew overhead, keeping to the clouds where they were able and flying in the sun when there was no cover in order to stay out of sight until Rhaena called for them. She allowed them to dance beyond her reach for half a day before finally taking pity on them and whistling for Rhaegal to come to her so that she could mount up and fly to where they had attempted to make camp some distance away. They had rather foolishly gone down to the water on the beach and started a great fire where the pillar of black smoke rose high and could be seen for miles around. Only a fool would have done such a thing, and Trystane appeared to be that fool. Although wise from his father's teachings, the boy was not experienced in the reality of the world. That signal which was meant to hail a ship to take them back to Westeros only brought pirates, who fooled the naïve highborn lord and lady into thinking they were friendly merchants before seizing them both. Signalling to Viserion and touching forward on Rhaegal's neck, both dragons dove downwards to the cliffs before slinking forwards on their bellies in order to view what was below them before they could be noticed.
A ship had weighed anchor and a small contingency of pirates had rowed ashore to where Trystane and Myrcella had waited, though now Trystane was desperately attempting to fight them off whilst several wrestled the screaming girl to the ground. Rhaena arched an eyebrow contemplatively. There was blood on Trystane's face from where he had taken injury, yet still he fought vehemently whilst demanding that Myrcella be released as she sobbed and cried out his name, struggling against her captors as one ripped a long tear in her skirts and began to force her knees apart. A sickened sensation dropped in Rhaena's gut as her face curled into a disgusted snarl, grip tightening around Rhaegal's spiked horns. Sensing her ire, Rhaegal released a deep and resonant growl with Viserion joining him, causing all the men below to suddenly look up to find two pairs of giant, deadly eyes staring back at them. Some of them screamed. With a verbal command both dragons launched themselves forwards and dropped down onto the beach where the sand spurted under their weight, Viserion hissing as his tail slammed down upon the rowboat to break it to splinters. "Help us!" Trystane begged as he was still restrained, looking pleadingly to Rhaena as her head gradually turned towards him. Her cold stare fell upon the men who held him back and one by one as they fell under her glower, releasing the boy without needing to be told to do so. They trembled before her.
"Go to her." Rhaena indicated slightly with her head to where Myrcella was crawling backwards from her attackers, untouched but frightened. Trystane ran to her as Viserion continued to hiss and prowl, herding the half a dozen pirates together as Rhaegal shifted his weight until he stood directly in front of Trystane and Myrcella whereby he curled his long tail around them protectively, spreading his wings threateningly so that they were completely shielded from view. Without looking back, Rhena told Trystane to cover her eyes. Myrcella did not need to see this. "Dracarys." The command was softly spoken and almost gentle, but the result was anything but. Both dragons released a torrent of fire upon the pirates who screamed before the flames even touched them, and within moments their flesh had melted into their bones and their nerves seared so irreparably that they no longer felt the pain. It was intense but swift, which was all Rhaena would afford them. Her eyes then turned to the ship which was already rapidly attempting to weigh anchor and escape. "Viserion." Understanding what she wanted, Viserion took flight and chased after the ship, releasing another torrent of dragon fire upon the wooden deck which caused the entire ship to cripple and splinter almost too easily. The vessel sank beneath the waves as the men screamed, burning or drowning.
Seeing that the work was now done, Rhaegal folded his wings and turned himself around in order to look upon Trystane and Myrcella who were huddled together on the sand, Myrcella shivering but otherwise unharmed. "You killed them." She whispered with her wide green eyes staring at Rhaena as she dropped from Rhaegal's back and walked towards them, hand rested lightly against her sword. Myrcella remembered Rhaena from before in King's Landing, having known her since she was young. This was not the same woman before her now as she had known then. This woman was cold and calculating, seemingly without warmth or smile. "You burned them."
"Would you rather I let them go free? To do to others what they might have done to you?" Lower lip trembling, Myrcella decidedly shook her head. "Perhaps now you might reconsider an attempt of escape from me and my dragons. Were it not for us, you would be butchered or taken as slaves. Do not forget, you are no longer in Dorne. This is Essos. The laws are different here and no one will care for who you are, even if you are the heir of Sunspear or the Princess of King's Landing. All they will see is a pretty faced boy and a beautiful young maiden who are worth a lot of coin to the right buyer." Seeing Myrcella's tears and the blood on the young boy's face, Rhaena softened towards them as she sighed heavily, lowering herself down towards them as she reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a handkerchief. "Here. Dry your eyes then tend to your lover's injuries. He fought valiantly to protect you, Myrcella. You should thank him properly." At first Myrcella did not move, staring at the offering in Rhaena's hand before gingerly taking it from her, casting her green orbs upon the woman's face. Perhaps she was not entirely correct. This was a little more like the Rhaena she remembered. "As for you, Trystane Martell." Rising back to her full height, Rhaena sent a dark look upon the boy. "You were a fool to think I would not catch you, and more foolish still for attempting to escape when you know nothing of your surroundings. Unpreparedness is a death sentence to those who intend to lead. Before anything, you must know the lay of the land you stand upon, its people and its customs, you must know where you are by where you have been and where you are going. I will expect better from you, from now on. If you are to one day take over your father's place, then you will need to stand taller and use that head more carefully, and your arm more effectively when the need calls for it." To drive home her point she had walked over to where Trystane's sword lay fallen in the sand and kicked it over to him. "Do not ever allow yourself to be disarmed again."
"Why are you telling me this?" Frowning in bewilderment as Myrcella delicately dabbed away at the blood upon his face, Trystane studied the woman as his sword landed next to him in the sand where he retrieved it cautiously.
"Because, foolish boy, you will one day govern your homeland and lead your House, and more importantly, you have someone who is depending upon you for protection and safety. If you are not to disappoint Myrcella, then you cannot fight to defend her honour without your sword in your hand if you must insist upon not using your head." Clicking her tongue reproachfully, Rhaena returned to where Rhaegal stood waiting for her, both of them now turning their powerful glares upon the boy. "It is a great responsibility to be tasked with the safety of someone you love. No matter the cost, do not fail her."