"Tell me, Sansa, did you like what you see just now?" Oberyn asked Sansa that night as they sailed towards Volantis.
"Which part?" Sansa asked as she combed her hair. "You killing that girl or the fact I couldn't see that man's face?" She knew what Oberyn had been talking about, she just kept a straight face and decided to tease him.
"Don't you dare put that face on now," Oberyn cautioned. "Reserve that for your enemies, for those that have shown you harm, but not me." He had sworn to himself that he would seek to see her smile. "Leave that cold mask for court, my love."
At those words, Sansa relented. She put the comb on the dresser and climbed onto bed with him. "I could get used to this, you know," she told her husband. "Sailing on a ship, traveling here and there without a hint of responsibility..."
"We can do so if you so wished," he said, propping his head on his elbow so he could have a good look at his wife. "There is nothing in the world that says a second-born and his bride can't live off his brother's money and do as they liked. It is a given."
"Mother would have Bran gone without his supper if he had such a thought," Sansa countered. "When Robb marched south, Mother said Bran was given the responsibility of running Winterfell."
"So did I in the years when Doran was able to travel," Oberyn laughed. "But now that my brother has taken sole rulership of Dorne, we have all the time in the world... technically. You, my love, have more responsibilities as Robb's sister than I my brother."
Sansa thought for minute and agreed with him. "You are right, dear husband, I do," she said. "I would want to make more of myself than a little dove for all to admire from afar."
"You are not a dove, but a wolf like your family," Oberyn elaborated, placing a kiss on her shoulder. "What a sight you would be, my love, wrapped in your Northern furs in the height of winter..."
"You'd dream of winter as if I'd dream of the sun," Sansa replied. "But you will find out that the winter is difficult. It's cold and the snow gets everywhere, through your gloves, your boots..."
"Just like the sand," Oberyn said, with a wry chuckle. Sansa had giggled as well. "Come, my love, there are many things I wish to show you, even more than what you have seen at the Red Lotus."
"Are you sure?" Sansa asked in return. "I thought you've shown me plenty. Not many men can say that they have... lain with a Faceless Man." She knew that he realized how... aroused she had been as she watched him having his way with those prostitutes, even if the male one had been a Faceless Man in disguise.
With those words, Oberyn caught her lips in his, and they began to descend into a spiral of ecstasy. Sansa needed this, he told himself. She would need it before she was to see the Volantene Triachs, whether or not Triach Maegyr was her relative.
Three more days from Lys, Sansa, Oberyn and Brienne reached Volantis, city so large that Sansa had thought that King's Landing would be dwarfed by its sheer size. It had sat across the mouths of the Rhoyne, where the Rhoynar had claimed their descent before the Valyrians built their colonies there, and the harbor was so deep that it was said that it could swallow the hundred isles of Braavos whole.
The Evening Star laid anchor at a particular spot reserved for the Martells, and they were greeted by an emissary dressed in rich silks and satins atop an elephant, and there were two others with him. Sansa had never seen an elephant before. She marveled that the animals' tough, grey hides, their long trunks and large ears with their tusks which were the source of ivory. The tales of her childhood had said that they were beasts of great violence and temper, but the way that they had walked and stood told her that they were nothing but gentle giants.
"I am Khazdan," the emissary said. "The right-hand of Triach Maegyr. He brings greetings to Prince Oberyn of House Martell and Princess Sansa Stark of House Martell, the Lady Ambassador from the Kingdom of the North of Westeros and bids you to dine with him in his mansion within the city. A great privilege has been granted to the sister-in-law of Lady Talisa Maegyr, as well as her husband. You are to be admitted into the residences deep behind the Black Wall."
Sansa bowed her head low. "I am deeply honored," she said. "I thank the Triach Maegyr for his kindness." She had hoped that she was dressed well enough for the occasion. She was wearing a gown of silver silk which bared her arms and shoulders, in line with the cuts of the dresses worn by the women there. There were jewels in her hair, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The Volantenes bow to nothing but power, and she must be seen to have power. So instead of embroidered direwolves that would have sufficed in Westeros, Sansa had a silver bangle on her right wrist, made in the likeness of a direwolf with yellow eyes veined with glittering gold.
Brienne stood behind Sansa, the porters behind them opening several great chests that contained wine from Dorne, various priceless furs from the North, and gold from Casterly Rock. "The Princess brings gifts on behalf of her brother, Robb Stark, King in the North," Brienne announced. "His Grace hopes that the Triach Maegyr will forgive him on his inability to be present today."
"My master dearly understands that His Grace, King Robb has a war to fight," Khazdan said. "We must not tarry, my Prince and Princess. My master is waiting."
The servants that Khazdan had brought with him eagerly helped Sansa and Oberyn atop each elephant, leaving Brienne to follow them on foot. From her studies, Sansa had learned that Volantis was a freehold like Old Valyria. The noble class were freeholders, who owned the land that made Volantis, and the Triachs were selected from each of the freeholding families. The Triachs would rule for a year, and for that one year, they would be carried everywhere by elephants, for their feet were not allowed to touch the ground.
"There are two factions of Volantene noblemen," Oberyn told Sansa as they rode towards the residence of Robb's in-laws. "The Tigers, heirs of the warriors of Old Valyria, and the Elephants, merchants and scholars. Since the Century of Blood following the Doom of Valyria, there have never been more than one Tiger who was voted as Triach."
"And Triach Maegyr, he is a Tiger," Sansa concluded. The elephants that they rode on had brilliant tapestries wrapped onto their backs. They were tigers everywhere.
Oberyn nodded. "A very proud one at that," he said. "He has been a Triach more times than the other noblemen who are eligible. Robb couldn't have chosen a more fitting woman to be his Queen. Talisa is his granddaughter."
"So we are blessed," Sansa said. "Oberyn, Robb didn't ask for ships, he just wanted me to give his gifts and respects... what should I do?" The Volantene navy was a formidable one, although one that consisted mostly of trading ships. They traded in slaves, of course, but Volantis, as the heir of Old Vlayria, had other things to trade as well. It was in Volantis that Valyrian steel could still be found, where their smiths could rework old blades into new ones.
"Look, Princess!" Brienne called out in awe from beside Sansa's elephant. There it was, the Long Bridge of Volantis. It had connected the two halves of Volantis, and inside, everything that could be bought and sold in the known world was there. The bridge was not only a bridge, but an insanely huge marketplace. The shops there were several stories high, and were built into the bridge. Sansa was awestruck that the amazing weight that the bridge could support. It was an architectural marvel, one that could only be rivaled by the Wall in Westeros, or perhaps the Great Pyramid of Mereen.
It took them a long while to get to the Black Walls. They were so wide that six four-horse carriages could ride on it abreast. There, only the freeholders and their families could enter. Slaves, foreigners and slaves who were freed could not enter. The very fact that they were admitted was an honor that could have only happened because they were relations to the Triach Maegyr.
The elephants stopped before a particularly large mansion. There were big, burly men who had tiger's stripes tattooed onto their bodies, surrounding an elderly man, who was obviously their master. Sansa could see Talisa's jawline and lips in that man, who was obviously the Triach Maegyr.
"Valar morghulis," Sansa greeted Triach Maegyr with a low bow. It was a standard greeting by those in Essos, and was the first phrase in High Valyrian that she had learned.
"Valar dohaeris," Triach Maegyr returned. "Greetings to you, my dear." His voice was kindly, and there was a light in his eyes that told Sansa that he had seen much in his life. He took Sansa's hand in his and kissed it. He then turned towards Oberyn and nodded his head. "Prince Oberyn, it is an honor to have you in our fair city again."
Oberyn followed Sansa's greeting. "I thank you for your kind hospitality," he said.
"Come, my son and wife are waiting for you," Triach Maegyr said, gently ushering Sansa and Oberyn into his mansion. He took Sansa by the arm, and almost bumped into Brienne. "Oh, forgive me..." he said. "Who might you be?"
"Valar morghulis," Brienne said. "I am the Princess's sworn sword, Brienne of Tarth."
"Ah, Valar dohaeris, welcome, welcome!" he said. "You shall come with us as well!"
Triach Maegyr led them into a most sumptuous dining room, where various dishes had already been served. The food that was served there had filled the area of three tables, but there were only a few people there. Sansa realized that Talisa had inherited her beauty from her mother. Those large, doe-like eyes framed with long eyelashes.
After the all the greetings have been exchanged, Sansa signaled to Brienne. "My brother Robb brings the customary wedding gifts to your family," she said.
Talisa's parents could not speak in the Common Tongue, but their reactions were clear for all to see. They had tried to be caustic, but were deeply touched by the gifts. They had thanked Sansa profusely in High Valyrian, and Sansa had a feeling that Talisa might have left Volantis without they have noticed. Among the gifts was a letter, and Talisa's mother was in tears after reading the letter.
"My graddaughter... was a rebellious child," Triach Maegyr said pensively. "She had decided long ago that she would not live like most ladies, to recite poetry and dance in balls. She was only sixteen when she told her parents that she would study to be a healer. When she finished her apprenticeship with the best of the healers in Volantis, she left us a note saying that she would leave for Westeros, where slavery is not practiced..."
"My brother met her upon the battlefield," Sansa said, remembering what Talisa had told her of her meeting with Robb. "It was love at first sight, and now Her Grace is with child."
"Whoever knew that she would one day be a Westerosi Queen," Triach Maegyr sighed. "Although, there are many Queens now, are they not?"
Oberyn nodded. "It is called the War of the Five Kings now," he announced. "Robb Stark, Tommen Baratheon, the late Renly Baratheon, Balon Greyjoy and Stannis Baratheon. All of Westeros is now consumed in war."
"And how certain is Robb Stark in winning this war?" Triach Maegyr said. "What does he want to achieve by fighting in it?"
"Robb fights for justice," Sansa answered. "He is fighting to avenge our father, and to assert the independence of the North. He will fight until he wins."
There was a pensive look on Triach Maegyr's face. "And now Dorne is in league with the North?" he asked Oberyn. "Forgive me, but your sudden marriage to Princess Sansa comes to us as a little... surprise."
"We share a common vengeance," Oberyn answered. "And now I thank the Gods for bestowing Sansa upon me." Sansa had blushed at his words, and he had gently caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. "The Lannisters have ordered the deaths of my sister and her children, as well as Sansa's father, Eddard Stark."
"I see," Triach Maegyr said. "You must understand, that we have to have our eyes and ears towards you in Westeros, to protect our interests. I cannot imagine the economic damage to Essos if Westeros is to fall upon itself."
"I understand completely," Oberyn said. "Stay assured that we will try our best to contain the war within Westeros."
"And what of Daenerys Targaryen?" Triach Maegyr asked further. "This Westerosi girl also claims herself to be a Queen, and seeks to end all slavery in Essos. She has razed Astapor to the ground and felled Yunkai. Currently, she is marching towards Mereen. What are your designs for her?"
Sansa gulped. She had never expected such a question to hit her. The Stark-Martell alliance had been riding on the possibility that Daenerys would cross the Narrow Sea with her dragons. They would aid her to win back the Iron Throne in exchange for the independence of their separate countries.
"We would support her claim should she ever cross the Narrow Sea," Oberyn replied, as though it was plain as day.
Triach Maegyr nodded, but said nothing else. "We ask nothing but the fullness of my granddaughter's life," he said. "Talisa is greatly loved by our people, and they will be overjoyed to know that she has found happiness in a Westerosi king."
"Robb loves her dearly," Sansa added. "Believe me, my lord, he will do everything to ensure that Her Grace's happiness is secured."
"May the Gods prove your words true, Princess Sansa," Triach Maegyr replied. "Well now, please, my dears, eat! We have spared no expense in preparing this meal!"
Oberyn had told her the various dishes that were served to them, and out of courtesy, she took small bites of each even though many of them that she did not agree with. Brienne was a little bit more cautious, but balked at the tiger meat. She had tried to politely refused the server who tried to serve it to her.
Throughout the dinner, Sansa had tried to start conversation with Talisa's parents with what High Valyrian she had already mastered. She found out that Talisa has a brother, who had been away on business, and that Talisa's mother had been constantly worrying about her. Her father, on the other hand, had at first disagreed with her decision on wanting to study the medicinal arts, that he would have wanted her to form a match with another noble family that had leanings towards the Elephants to seal their family interests in the freehold.
Sansa then realized that a woman's fate would be the same all over the world, no matter if they were from Westeros or from Essos. It was only in Dorne did women could be the masters of her own fate, and in this measure, she had felt herself to be infinitely lucky to have married into Dorne. Oberyn's Sand Snakes were luckier than so many other women, not because they were Oberyn's daughters, but because they were Dornishwomen. They were not seen as the weaker sex, but equals to men. They might have been bastards, but they were still able to forge their own destinies...
When dinner had ended, Sansa and Oberyn were led to the rooms already prepared him for them. It was because the elephant-handlers and the guards could not remain on the other side of the Black Walls past sundown. They would have to stay the night so that they could be transported back onto the Evening Star in the morning. They had been granted too much of an honor by even being in that side of the Black Walls, they could not overstay their welcome.
Due to the humidity of the Volantene air, they had decided to omit clothing, doing aught else but simply being in each other's arms. Sansa had fallen into her Northern, brooding moods. Her husband could easily see that the subject of the Silver Queen in Slaver's Bay had piqued much of her interest.
"You have been silent since dinner, Sansa," Oberyn noticed. "Is anything wrong, my love?"
"If Daenerys Targaryen wishes to end slavery, will she come for Volantis as well?" she asked Oberyn. "Can her might withstand such... systemic difficulties?" She knew that dragons were not an end-all problem. They were only a part of a solution, and she had doubts as to whether the Targaryen girl could actually have the ability to destroy such a deep-rooted part of the culture and civilization of Essos just by force. Just like how even Aegon the Conquerer had to convert to the Faith of the Seven when he had the Seven Kingdoms bend the knee to him, there must be a tipping point where Daenerys must have found that she would be unable to advance.
"Her dragons are yet too small to be ridden in war," Oberyn said. Legends had told that dragons never stopped growing, and that Balerion the Black Dread, ridden by Aegon the Conquerer had outlived his former rider by a hundred years. The last reports had said that they were little more than the size of small dogs, although they were growing each year. "She must wait, and learn to hone her skills before she can cross the Narrow Sea."
In all truth, Daenerys Targaryen a girl slightly older than Sansa. She had experienced loss, though. She had miscarried, and sacrificed the life of her husband for the life of her three dragons. With only a handful of Dothraki to form her tiny little khalasar, she had managed to raid one of the greats of the Qartheen merchants, plunder his gold, bought a ship with said gold and set out to Slaver's Bay, leaving a trail of destruction wherever she went. She was shown violence, and she would return violence. But what would happen when the violence would one day end?
Sansa sighed. So this was the reason for the stalemate between all forces now, everyone was biding their time. Robb and Tywin were waiting each other out, a challenge for one another's patience. It was a time to recover, to recuperate from the opening salvos of the war, to prepare for winter.
"Something tells me that this stalemate would end soon," Sansa said to Oberyn. "When we get back to Westeros... something will happen that would tip the scales, and I don't know in whose favor. There is a shadow in my mind that has been growing..."
"Let the storm come," Oberyn said. "We will face it together, you and I, and Ellaria as well."
"What if we can't face it together?" she asked, ever the pragmatist. She once believed in tales and songs, but no more. She could only believe in concrete solutions now, although the future sometimes scared her.
Oberyn quickly gathered his young wife in his arms. "I will do everything I can to be by your side should that they come," he told her. "Remember what Doran said of our marriage, Sansa? We are not here simply because of politics, but by some grand design that we are ourselves are not aware of. If we were meant to cross paths, then surely, we are meant to share a future together."
A small tear fell from Sansa's eyes at his words. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm just being horribly stupid..."
Oberyn brought her head into the crook of his neck, combing his fingers through her long, red hair. "My beautiful Sansa, you must not let fear and uncertainty rule you. If you do not believe in fate, then you must place your belief in us: your brother, yourself and I, and even perhaps that Targaryen girl hundreds of miles away from us now. Each and every one of us have our own goals, and this alliance exists for the reason that they are intertwined. There is nothing else that either of us can do, but to play our own parts. Listen to your heart, my love, and your mind would decide, what is the best course for you to tread. If ours differ, then I will swim through every sea, and cross every mountain to at least hold you like this once again."
He could not deny that there was a possibility of such a thing happening. Ellaria had warned him of it, that Sansa was given to them because they could give her what she needed to grow strong. Once she was sure of herself, she might or might not stay with them, and they would have to accept it. He had already made peace with that eventuality, but he did not enforce that she should do the same as well. Time. She needed time.
Sansa had sobbed again, too touched by her husband's words. She knew that she was the luckiest woman in the world, to have Oberyn. He kissed her tears away, whispering sweet nothings in her ear until she had fallen asleep, hoping that when she woke, her heart would be lighter.
HAN: What do you think about Sansa's... thoughts? What WOULD happen when they get back home?
I wonder if this is all we'll see of Volantis.
Enjoy!