Sansa

She was free. Well, at least from immenent death if not yet King's Landing. Tyrion had assured her that even if Prince Oberyn won, they were still in grave danger. Soon she would leave for Dorne. They would not be alone on the journey; Ser Balon Swann was to accompany them formally delivering the head of Gregor Clegane to Prince Doran. Sansa was unsure of what to think of Ser Balon. The knight was courteous, but there was something else about him. A willingness to carry out orders for the queen no matter how horrible they were was what her husband said. She never forgot how nervous Tyrion seemed on the subject of the Kingsguard.

The last night they had spent in their old apartments. Sansa was surprised that she missed them as much as they did. What she really missed however was the freedom of the Castle. She went to the godswood for solitude. Hopefully, she would never have to set foot in King's Landing again. For Sansa, this was goodbye.

Tyrion

The tension in the small council was as thick as he had ever seen. Tyrion was thankful that a ship left for Sunspear tonight. Mace Tyrell could do naught but glower at him as well as the Red Viper who was clearly enjoying the looks of hostility he received. Saving Tyrion had not earned Prince Oberyn many friends in King's Landing. Cersei welcomed him with her usual sweet voice laced with poison. I'm not going to kill Myrcella, he almost said. Varys showed an expression that seemed to emit both disappointment and relief at the same time. You have a few things to answer for Varys.

His father looked rather sick with annoyance at the sight of him. He wondered why father allowed him to go to Dorne with Sansa in tow. He expected that father was loath to let him leave the capitol. If he refused, he would certainly offend the Martells. He knew Cersei would risk father's wrath by taking matters into her own hands if he was in King's Landing long enough. That would probably be why Sansa is allowed to go with me thought Tyrion.

Tyrion thought briefly about the subject of Myrcella. His support for Myrcella over Tommen which Prince Oberyn was seeking would mean little, at least as long as father lives. What game is the Red Viper playing?

Lord Tywin began without preamble "Lord Baelish will be recalled to the capital to assume the duties of Master of Coin."

Varys seemed quite amused. "I wonder how happy he will be to leave his beloved Lysa."

So Littlefinger did marry Lysa Arryn. That was news to Tyrion. Once again I crawled out of a tiny grave to find the game changed. Petyr Baelish was now the lord of the Eyrie in fact if not in name.

The meeting although rather short for small council meetings seemed to be the meeting he would have as the council spoke of his plans to leave for Dorne. Mace Tyrell demanded that his daughter marry Tommen as soon as possible and probably not for the first time.

Tyrion could grasp that his father wanted not only Cersei separated from Tommen, but him as well. He could not marry her to Willas Tyrell, he knew Prince Oberyn would never accept. Tyrion heard that Euron Greyjoy had inherited Pyke under suspicous circumstances. Would he agree to a marriage with Cersei.

When it was over, his father motioned for him to stay. Tyrion remained in the room with father, uncle Kevan, and Cersei and Jaime. Oh joy, a family meeting.

"Tyrion" Lord Tywin seemed to be reading his thoughts. "I expect you will further King Tommen's interests in Dorne."

"Of course I will," Tyrion said carelessly. The message was clear; don't even think of backing Myrcella, or I will finally have an excuse to remove the stain to House Lannister that you are.

Note: Don't expect me to be in much of a hurry to update this story. I have other stories (such as "the game ends") that I want to write and a job that blesses me with more and more hours.

Update: expect this story to be updated following the premiere of season 5. I intend for this story to keep to a book and show hybrid format.