A group of riders clad in the yellow and orange of House Martell made their steady trek down the red-stone road for the Water Gardens. The sun overhead was blinding, and the heat caused the ground itself to sizzle, such was Dorne. But within the palace itself was an oasis of fountains and pools that served as a respite from the harsh conditions beyond its walls.
The gates of the Water Gardens were opened and the riders charged into the main courtyard, removing the wraps that protected their faces from the searing heat and sand to reveal the personal guard of Prince Oberyn Martell, who was himself dismounting his horse to throw his riding silks at a waiting squire.
"Prince Oberyn, welcome to-." began Prince Doran's steward, who walked forward with a bow, only to be silenced by his master's younger brother placing a finger on his lips and walking past him.
"Doran!" Oberyn called, walking through the halls of the Water Gardens as he unwrapped his sweat-stained silks to drop them to the ground as he walked. "Doran!" Oberyn called again and again until he found the large and stalwart Areo Hotah guarding a pavilion where his regal but gout impaired brother was sitting.
"Move aside, Areo." Oberyn said dismissively walking past his brother's Captain to kneel before Doran.
"Brother." Oberyn greeted respectfully, only for Doran to curl his fingers upwards for Oberyn to rise.
"Brother. What brings you here with such haste? Good news, I hope." Doran Martell was smaller than his brother, but commanded more power with his voice than any man in Dorne. He was a true ruler, wise beyond his years and often underestimated by his enemies. Save for a Young Wolf whose message was tucked into Oberyn's belt.
"One might say that." Oberyn smiled, walking towards a small table to pour himself a glass of pure Dornish red. He took a grateful sip from the goblet, before turning back to his brother.
"The Lannisters have fallen. King's Landing is taken by Robb Stark and an army of one hundred thousand." Oberyn said almost gleefully, causing Doran to raise an eyebrow.
"He did not have such numbers the last we heard? Where did get this army? Has his mad aunt, the Lady Lysa finally joined the war?" Doran asked curiously causing Oberyn to shake his head as he took another gulp of wine.
"They say the boy went to meet with Renly Baratheon in the Stormlands, seeking an alliance. While there Stannis Baratheon popped up and murdered Renly. Robb Stark took control and they say he now commands the strongest host in the Seven Kingdoms, and he executed that little shit, Joffrey." Oberyn chuckled, sitting on a chaise in front of his brother to pick a grape off a fruit bowl.
"You seem overjoyed." Doran noted dryly, causing Oberyn to raise his hands.
"Are you not? Dead Lannisters are what we have always craved brother, and here the Young Wolf has offered us something to bring us into the fold. I say the boy is very smart." Oberyn pulled the letter from his belt and offered it to Doran who unfurled the scroll and read it once before freezing and having to read it several more times.
"Justice…" Doran breathed, looking up to Oberyn who nodded.
"Tywin Lannister, Amory Lorch and Gregor Clegane. Ours. Ours to kill, ours to torture, ours to hold prisoner, so long as we swear him fealty."
"Dorne for the lives of three men?" Doran asked his brother, leaning back to place his chin thoughtfully in his hands. Oberyn rose from his seat.
"No. Dorne's loyalty to a man who will give us justice for Elia. I know we have an oath to the Targaryens, but Viserys is dead and Arianne grows ever more rebellious. This boy is the son of Ned Stark-." Oberyn was cut off by Doran who was himself interrupted by Oberyn
"Who assisted Robert Baratheon in killing Rhaegar and Elia-."
"Ned Stark had nothing to do with that, brother. You know as well as I. What were the stories we heard? That Elia, Aegon and Rhaenys' bodies caused such a feud between the Wolf and the Stag that only the death of Lyanna Stark brought them back together. I met him once, he was a good man. His son has been undefeated in this war, and from all accounts his men love him. He wants peace, Doran. Peace across the Seven Kingdoms. I support his claim. I believe you should as well." Oberyn declared to his brother who sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Yes. For Elia…yes." Doran said finally after a long, long time, looking up at Oberyn with a cold glint in his eyes.
"Raise a force and ride to King's Landing at once. Swear our loyalty and bring back our sister's killers." Doran charged Oberyn fiercely, who in turn looked scarily pleased as he nodded back to his brother.
"The Age of the Wolf." Oberyn smiled, raising his glass in a toast to Robb Stark.
Author's Note: And here we have Dorne :)