AN: Thank you so much for the great reception and the reviews! Concerning those, I just want to make a quick remark to every reader: After Ned Stark rode to the Tower of Joy to try and save Lyanna, he tore the whole tower down after her death, as to leave no trace of what had happened. That's why Sam could not go into the tower, let alone find some hint of what had happened there.

Here's the new chapter, it'll be a bit of a filler, but I hope you'll like it nonetheless.

They were riding towards the red dawn, whose colour reminded Sam of the blood that had stained her companion's body. There was utter silence. A mourning father, a teacher who had lost a good student, and a companion who had become his friend were riding their horses through the harsh landscape of Dorne.

The sand that whirled up behind them couldn't disguise what they had left behind at the old ruin. Another cairn of a fallen soldier, gone from this world way too soon. The three of them had thrown the dead bandits on a pyre, while Beric was put down to rest honourably. The black smoke that rose behind them filled the whole valley with an unpleasant smell, a foreboding of the horrible scenes that had happened. It must be something about this place that gave it a bad charisma. So many tragic deaths, Sam thought. She vowed never to return to the site of the tower that had such an ill-fitted name.

The riders made a wide berth around Kingsgrave, but stopped a few short hours later at Skyreach. Seat to House Fowler, its buildings were carved high up into the mountains surrounding it. While the wealthy and prestigious lived up high, the poor folk spent their lives in the straw and clay huts at their feet. The streets were busy with people trading or begging, and Sam and her companions rode slowly through the crowd. It had turned dark, and they were looking for a roof over their heads.

"There's an inn over there," Willam informed them as he pointed to their sharp right. Nestled in a quiet side street, they could all make out the sign that indicated food and accommodation. Rather than riding further into the richer parts of the settlement, they had agreed on staying outside the proper city walls.

After dismounting and settling their horses in the small nearby stable, Willam slipped the stable boy some gold coins they had taken from the bandits to make sure their rides would still be here in the morning. As they entered the dimly lit place, barely a head turned their way. Only the barmaid, a chubby, dark-haired woman past her prime, smiled happily at them. She quickly hurried over after they had settled on a table in a corner.

"Well hello there, strangers! Welcome to the Sky Inn, what can I get for you?" she asked while looking curiously at Sam. They were far away from Highgarden, and the lords of this town were sworn to the Martells, nevertheless, she was an attraction.

"We'll take a room with three beds for the night and some ale and meat if you have," Willam was the only one to speak up.

"Now that's interesting, you sound like you're from up North, but your party is a strange one to travel and sleep in one room together," the barmaid said suspiciously. Sam had to chuckle and decided that kindness would be the right way to deal with her doubts.

"We are from the Reach, not the far North, and this is my father, Jon Durwell, and my uncle, Leo Durwell," she informed the woman, whose brows shot way past her hairline. She gave a hearty laugh, which made her massive bosom shake.

"Oh child, everything past the Wide Way is North to us people here in Dorne. Forgive my rude asking, just making sure no strange scum sleeps under my roof. I'll fetch you some drink and food, and make sure you'll have a nice room tonight," she informed them and hurried off, still chuckling.

"Good thinking there, my Lady," Bayard nodded at Sam.

"Please, Bayard, just Sam," she reminded him sternly. Even though it was highly unlikely someone recognised them here, people would still get suspicious if they found out she was a noble.

"Forgive me. It's been a long day," the old knight sighed and looked at his hands. Immediately, Sam felt the same sense of injustice and sadness that had left her as soon as she saw the lively streets and foreigners busying about. She reached across the table to put a hand over his.

"Beric will always be remembered by his kindness, braveness and loyalty to House Tyrell. I know nothing can ease the pain of a father who has lost his son, but my house will forever be in your debt. I shall see to it that a bust will be erected in his honour in Flower Hall once we return," she said quietly and squeezed his hand. Wary eyes looked into hers, and a sad smile appeared on the man's face.

"He would have liked that. Serving as a brave soldier was always his goal in life. Thank you, Sam" Bayard replied and she retreated her hand. Leaning back, she looked at the other patrons. Most of them were chatting amongst others, a laugh on their lips, but in the far corner, she could make out a party of three men wearing heavy cloaks, eyeing the room.

"I don't like the look of these men," she said to Willam and Bayard just as the barmaid returned with their drinks.

"Don't mind those three over there, for some reasons, the Lannisters find it important to send their spies here. Not much interesting happening in Skyreach though, I can tell you that," she said, having overheard Sam's words.

"Lannister spies?" Sam asked a little shocked. "How do you know?"

"Everyone knows. We're in Dorne, my dear. The Dornish are far more cunning than we let on. And on top of it, they seem to be the only ones not liking the wine," she laughed as she poured a glass for Sam. "I'm afraid we're all out of ale, my Lord, but you might just enjoy this one," she turned at Willam, a big smile on her face that would have made Sam's sister jealous.

"Oh, I am no lord, miss. I'm sure the wine will taste as lovely as you are to us, thank you," he replied with a wink. Sam's shoulders began to shake as she tried to hide her giggles. Even Bayard looked amused. As the barmaid blushed and turned to walk away, she thought that maybe they would only need a room with two beds tonight.

A few days more on the road, and they reached Yronwood. Thankfully, there were no more incidents, and the pain of losing one of their own had slowly subsided. At least for Sam and Willas. Bayard was very silent, only talking in short sentences when necessary. They tried their best to cheer him up, but Sam quickly understood that he deeply regretted taking his young son and heir on this mission.

They reached the city shortly after dawn, and for the first time, they got a real taste of Dorne. The temperature had steadily risen, and the buildings had become smaller and more hut-like. The markets were busy with dark-skinned people trying to push their goods onto everyone that stopped just a second to long.

Sam looked around in wonder, taking in the vibrant colours and the the smells. It smelled foreign, exotic. Food mixed with spices, and the faintest hint of salty sea-air here and there. Per her request, they rode towards the docks. She had never seen an ocean, and as she stood at the edge of the water, seagulls crying above her, waves softly crashing below, she closed her eyes and felt complete and utter peace. The waves seem to engulf her body, and she felt whole and protected. All she wanted to do was to rip off her clothes and dive into the water, but she remembered her grandmother's words. Under no circumstances was she allowed to swim, especially not in bright daylight by the busy docks of a foreign land, where nobody knew who she was.

"Sam," Willas came up next to her "we should find a room, you're starting to attract attention," he informed her. Sam looked around. A short distance away, three rugged-looking men were leaning against some boxes, watching her with interest. One blew her a kiss as she made eye-contact, and an involuntary shiver of goosebumps raced over her arms.

"Let's go then" she said and turned towards the city. A short ride later, they found a nice little tavern and after settling their horses, they went inside. Even though it was shortly after noon, the place was busy. They seemed to have found one which was a favourite of the most exotic ladies of the night Sam had ever seen. Their bodies were barely covered, and as soon as she sat down, two of them sauntered over to their table. To her surprise, one dark-haired beauty plopped down right in her lap.

"Aren't you just as beautiful a woman as I've ever seen," she said with a strong accent as she stroked down her cheek. "I could make you moan all night long, sweetheart," the woman whispered in her ear. The other one had sat down on Bayard's lap, who looked equally as shocked as she must.

"Ah, ladies, let us have a drink first, and then maybe, my daughter and brother will come find you later," Willam saved them, getting up to shoo the two women away. They got up unwillingly, the one sitting on Sam's lap caressing her chest while doing so. A strange tingle seemed to arise in Sam's centre, and she felt herself blush. After they were out of earshot, she turned around to Willam.

"We should find another place, this is insane!" she almost gnarled at him. In return, she received a hearty laugh.

"My dear child, welcome to Dorne. This is normal for inns and taverns the further South you go," he explained. Sam's brows shot up to her hairline. This was normal? Oh dear... what had they gotten themselves into?

A little while later, they were playing cards amongst themselves, when voices rose from the nearby table.

"I never once believed that the yellow-haired little cunt was a true Baratheon. A stag would have never killed the wolf," a rough-looking man said boisterously, obviously having had one too many. Sam met the eyes of her companions. They all remained calm, but their ears were immediately tuned into the conversation.

"He's not my king, that's for sure. Poor Stark. Should have never come to King's Landing. Or at least he should have left after the Usurper's death," another one piped up.

"Well, it seems like everyone wants to be King now. Stannis and Renly, and now the Stark Boy in the North. Wonder how long it takes til he declares himself King up there?" the first man chimed in again. Willas cleared his throat loudly and motioned outside. As they got up, Bayard went to pay their tab, and followed the other two shortly. They headed towards a dark corner, where they could not be overheard and put their heads together.

"Joffrey killed Ned Stark," Willas started.

"Robb Stark declared War on the Lannisters," Bayard said.

"We need to send a raven as soon as possible to find out about the situation for Renly and Margaery," Sam added.

"I'll take care of that. We might have to stay for a few days to await instruction. Just try staying away from the whores," Willas concluded and gave Sam a short wink. Despite their current lack of information, and how helpless it made her feel, she could not hide a smile.

"I'll try my best."

So I'm not even gonna get started on what happened on the show lately... so many good things, so many bad things... I've waited 7 seasons to see Highgarden and then... yeah, I'm not even gonna start.

But please review/favourite/etc. - I appreciate your input massively! much love!