Sylvi helped the traders unload the ship as Marcurio waited on the docks, trying to regain what little pride he had left. The waters had been rough. The ship had been tossed around on the journey, and Marcurio had spent most of the voyage clutching a bucket for dear life. Sylvi felt a twinge of guilt, but it was the quickest way to Dorne… aside from riding a dragon. However, Sylvi suspected that the Dornish wouldn't be thrilled to see a Targaryen flying into their country.

Prince Aemond had looked like he'd wanted to throw a fit when she told him that he should stay behind. Eventually, he had listened to reason. Sylvi had also requested that he tell Queen Helaena what she was doing. While Sylvi didn't regret leaving when she had, she did feel sorry for leaving without telling Helaena her plans. That poor girl didn't need any more heartbreak. Aemond's face had softened after that, and he had stopped arguing with her. Lord Hightower and Aegon should also know that she hadn't abandoned her position for no reason, but Sylvi didn't bother mentioning them to Aemond. They would find out upon Aemond's return. Aemond had given her one last look before climbing onto Vhagar. Reluctance… then resignation…

After that, she had explained what they were doing to a less than happy Marcurio. Had he known how rough the ocean would be, then she may have had to go on the journey alone. Grabbing onto her bag, she jumped down from the ship onto the dock. Marcurio turned around to face her as she approached.

"Are you feeling any better?" she asked and gave him his bag.

With a sigh, he replied, "Only my pride is still in tatters."

Sylvi laughed and gently patted him on his back before looking at the city. The two towers she had seen from the ship gleamed golden as the morning sun beamed down on them. Using a clairvoyance spell, she noticed the trail heading into the city. Marcurio looked to her for confirmation, and she gave him a nod. With a sigh, he led the way through the sand. As they approached the castle walls, Sylvi took a look around with curiosity. The city was unlike anything she had seen in Skyrim. The color of the castle walls matched the sand, and part of the castle resembled the front of a ship. Sylvi turned to Marcurio with a look of wonder. He laughed good-naturedly at her amazement.

"Sometimes I forget how little of the world that you have seen… After we get back home and have a good long rest, we should take a tour of Tamriel."

"Oh? And how many places have you seen?"

"Well, while I was studying in Cyrodil, we had a group excursion to Riverhold in Elsweyr. I have also been to Elinhir in Hammerfell… I am actually quite well-traveled."

"And quite a charmer…" Sylvi muttered.

"I knew that you couldn't resist me," Marcurio replied with a smirk.

Sylvi resisted the urge to punch him as they approached the main gate. A guard looked at them warily before he asked, "And what is your purpose in Sunspear?"

"We are looking for our friends. We believe that they may be here," Marcurio replied with a smile.

The guard hesitated and told them to wait as he ran to fetch a superior. A man in a colorful robe approached them with curiosity in his eyes.

"Are you from Westeros or somewhere… much further?"

Sylvi and Marcurio exchanged a look before Sylvi answered, "I come from a place called Skyrim."

The man clapped his hands in excitement as two guards approached them. The man turned to them and said, "They will be coming in with me."

The guards stared at the man in confusion for a moment before the superior seemed to recognize the man. Quickly, the guard gave them his approval to enter the city and motioned for the other guards to allow them entry. Sylvi and Marcurio exchanged another look before following the man into the city. He was likely some kind of Jarl or Thane… or as they called them here, Lords. Marcurio kept his eyes on the man which gave Sylvi the opportunity to look around the city and take a mental note of the possible escape routes.

The man suddenly stopped and turned around to face them. Sylvi tensed for a moment before he suddenly let out a laugh.

"My apologies. I have been very rude. My name is Doryan Nymeros Martell, and might I ask for your names?"

"We are thankful for the guidance, Lord Doryan. I am Marcurio."

"Sylvi," she said and watched the man's eyes light up in recognition.

Doryan gestured for them to walk beside him and said, "Well, Marcurio, Sylvi…I hope you will enjoy your stay in Dorne. My brother will be very excited to meet you. Your friends have told us much about you."

Sylvi nearly jumped in joy before calming herself to ask, "And how many are there? Four of our friends are missing."

"Two. They have introduced themselves as Onmund and Serana," Doryan replied as they entered the keep. "I have heard that Serana has fallen ill. Your friends attempted to sail for King's Landing when they heard tales of a dragon slayer." Doryan paused to look at Sylvi with curiosity before he continued, "On their journey, they were attacked by the ones called 'Thalmor' and had to return to Dorne. I am sure that they will be reassured by your arrival."

"Serana's ill?" Sylvi asked before looking at Marcurio. If it was a Westerosi disease, Sylvi didn't know if her potions would work.

"Sylvi! Marcurio!" Onmund shouted from the stairwell.

"I will leave you now," Doryan said as Onmund rushed toward them. "Please attend to your friend. I hope to speak with you before you leave for Westeros."

Sylvi gave him a nod before rushing to meet Onmund on the stairs. He talked quickly as he led them to Serana. The Thalmor had attacked their ship with a dragon, which had been wearing a strange Dwemer collar like the one that had attacked King's Landing. From what Onmund said, it had been much bigger than the one Sylvi had killed. Serana and Onmund had used wards to defend the ship, but Serana had gotten injured in the struggle. They had made it back to Sunspear to find that neither of them had any potions other than a couple to restore magicka. Onmund had done his best to keep her in stable condition, but she hadn't gotten any better.

As soon as Onmund opened Serana's door, Sylvi rushed inside. Taking off her backpack, she opened the latch and reached in for her potions. She found a cure disease potion and a couple of restore health potions. Serana called for her in a weak, tired voice. Sylvi gently helped Serana sit up before helping her take the potions. With a sigh of relief, Serana settled back down into the bed. Color had already started to return to Serana's face.

Sylvi felt a small twinge of guilt at Serana's pain. If she was still a vampire, would she have been so easily hurt? Onmund and Marcurio excused themselves from the room to discuss their next move as Sylvi kept Serana's hand in hers. Once Serana's breathing fully returned to normal, Sylvi set down Serana's hand on the bed as the door opened. A man dressed in clothes resembling Doryan's looked at her in confusion before noticing Serana on the bed. The man looked at Serana in relief as he gestured for Sylvi to follow him outside the room. Sylvi followed and shut the door gently behind her.

"And you are Serana's friend… Sylvi?"

"The one and the same. Unfortunately, I don't know your name."

The man let out a surprised laugh and answered, "Ah, how rude of me. My name is Qoren Nymeros Martell. I am the Prince of Sunspear. Your friend Serana saved my life… so you are free to do as you like within this city… within reason."

Sylvi once again wondered what the limits of 'within reason' contained but decided that it could wait.

"Hopefully, we will not cause you any trouble for much longer. After Serana recovers, we will leave for King's Landing."

Prince Qoren's brow furrowed as he asked, "Were you unaware of the dragon?"

"I am aware… and a dragon is not a threat to the Dragonborn. I will deal with it the same as any that attack me."

Prince Qoren's eyes widened in surprise. "So the story of the dragon attack on King's Landing… that was true?"

"Yes. I believe these dragons are being controlled by the Thalmor. If you give me passage on a ship to take me to King's Landing, then I will kill the dragon… should I find it."

"How are you so sure that you will not end up as a dragon's meal?"

"Because I have fought and killed many dragons… and yet I stand here before you. Onmund and Serana were likely taken by surprise. The dragon will not be so lucky this time."

Prince Qoren let out a hearty laugh before he led her further from the door. He said, "You are exactly as Serana described. Speaking words of madness that sound like mere facts."

"Because for the Dragonborn it is just a fact. My purpose is to hunt dragons. This is no different from a lion eating a lamb."

Prince Qoren hid a chuckle behind his hand before he agreed, "A ship is yours. A dragon patrolling the seas is dangerous to my men as well… All I ask is that you keep Serana safe."

Sylvi looked to the Prince to see him looking at Serana's door wistfully. Upon noticing her stare, he gave Sylvi a sheepish grin followed by a serious look.

"Serana… she's a lovely lady. I hope that you will take care of her."

"As always," Sylvi replied. "Do you know why they call me the Dragonborn?"

"Serana said that it meant that you have the soul of a dragon."

"Yes… And as such, I often have more in common with dragons than my fellow men. Many dragons like to guard something they find precious. Some jewels… others knowledge. As for me… I also guard what I find most precious: my friends. They are the only family I have. I will not allow them to be hurt… and they are warriors as well. The last dragon attack was unexpected. This time we will know what is coming."

The Prince gave her a look of approval before he gave her a nod. "She quite adores you. Serana… it is good to know that you care for her as well. Feel free to rest as long as you need. The journey to Sunspear from King's Landing is a difficult one, especially in the autumn when the waves are rough. A ship will be provided to you for your return. A small price to pay for killing a dragon… and Serana saving my life."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Sylvi replied with a small bow.

Prince Qoren smiled in amusement before he started to walk away. Stopping in place, he turned as Sylvi gave him a curious look.

"Should you require something, you need only ask," the Prince said as though deciding against asking her his original question.

As he walked away, Sylvi turned to walk in the opposite direction. Hopefully, she would find Onmund and Marcurio not too far away. Marcurio wasn't going to like the news of another boat ride.