A/N: Let's keep the boat going.
OH! For those wondering why there was a update but no new chapter, it was a glitch as I was trying to post it yesterday. And also another problem,which will be addressed at the end.
Have a good read
The midday sun reigned in the clear skies again on this day.
Ripples of heat appeared in every direction the eye could see. Whatever wind that passed through seemed as dry as the desert itself. It would be quite a while before rain would wash over it anew. In between the millions of grains of sand, many an animal, reptile or insect, was finding a safe dwelling to endure the temperature, or using their last breaths of life having lost the battle for survival.
It was no place for the weak and the wounded. One of many in this world.
There were those who endured, but even for them, crossing the desert never ceased to be a cruel trial.
Hotah cleaned sweat off his brow for the 10th time since leaving Sunspear, the same number of times he needed to lift his helm of his head. Thankfully, his hair was tightly tied in a ponytail, keeping it from falling to the front of his view. The large ash and iron longaxe strapped to his back, clicked against the metal lock by the horse's stride over the sand. After years, the weapon could be seen as an extra limb on his person, and he rarely parted ways from it. The copper scales shirt and his billowing cloak protected him well against the hour's sun. But, in the end, pieces of cloth they were, and it was hopeless to expect full efficiency.
He kept a focused and closed visage, inwardly showing the heat did not bother him much. The others who rode alongside him held the same expressions. Surely, a feat easier for them,born in the desert, to master compared to him. Norvos' sun was pale and wan, the day were constantly fresh, with hints of cold, even during summer on the rare occasions. Dorne's was an imposing one. Fitting to the land, and its people. One of the first lessons he learned on his arrival. And, the first aspect he had to adapt and change to begin his new life.
Admittedly, much of it remained strange to the captain. His teaching with the bearded priests, however, taught him to not let such thoughts and distractions get in the way of his duty and vows to the royal family.
.Protect.
The mantra was sacred as a believer's prayer. Imprinted in his mind since the age of six and ten by his masters.
Simple words, for a simple man.
Now he marched on to continue fulfilling it.
To the right, circled and protected by him and the thirty spears he had chosen to accompany it, was a carriage carrying the princess and her heir under the shadow of its roof. It would have been three, had the younger prince, with his daughter, not taken a horse for himself and gone ahead faster than all of them.
Not that he could be blamed for taking such action. None of the Martells could.
The previous night…no, the previous day had been nothing but chaos and panic.
Hotah was not present for the first event, prince Doran had tasked him to guard the princess instead while investigating the matter himself. But soon he too became aware of the mangled bodies prince Oberyn had found. The captain wasn't a stranger to violence and death, yet the sight was the first thing in many a year that truly left him unease, causing the discipline he had mastered to falter for a few moments.
He spent the rest of the morning and afternoon organizing the city's defenses and vigilance and conducting search parties from Sunspear to shadow city. They looked at every dark corner in both, and returned empty handed. Hotah felt no small frustration and a sense of failure, even as those close to him and Doran stated that none of it was his responsibility nor fault. Still, the feelings lingered.
When the sun set and night came, he was given leave by Doran to retire to his personal quarters. The captain evidently restless and ended up staring at the ceiling for a while, turning side to side did not aid him in finding any will to fall asleep. Therefore, he resorted to the next best thing for himself.
Hours seemed to fly as he sat by the edge of his narrow bed, having placed his axe to his lap, whetstone and oilcloth in hand went to sharpen both of it's edges in silence and serenity. What good is a dull weapon ? The priests have always put it to him. Both a tool and its wielder must be in equal form to perform. Hotah knew that if his weapon was not as good as new, he no doubt would have been lacking and his teachings.
Not now, not ever.
The peace of the moment ended when the very city moved. When panic turned to chaos.
A short happening looking back, but it was enough to rob what calm was left of every soul in Sunspear in that night.
Hotah acted quickly, for the following hours of dark, did not leave Doran's and the princess's side unless they ordered him to. He watched silently on the sidelines as they worked to control the pandemonium that spread like an infection.
Another lesson.
There is no more powerful poison then fear. The mind-killer.
Hotah had seen it before. Those whose bodies had been broken beyond repair. Their legs taken away, others only being able to move their necks and nothing more. Yet, their minds remained, intact and sharp as it was before.
Conquer strength and crush armies. Conquer the mind the world could be for the taking.
It its why games against it were the most devious of all.
Be it by the smallest of lies or deception, the biggest paranoia or terror, the greatest of encouragement and acclaim, if one could find his way into the minds of others, little could stop his plans or schemes.
The Targaryen conquerer was an example of it. Many battles were fought during his crusade, but many others never had the chance to start. All he would need was to picture to his foes what the dragons would wreak upon them to entire kingdoms to bend their knees.
However, that was the fear used by men. One that many would argue to be more dangerous was the primal fear. That which all are born with it.
The fear of the dark. Death. Loss. The unknown. And the natural. Each of them hidden in the hearts of the living.
Hotah would say later in his life, that one day, he witnessed both of those fears haunt the people of Dorne.
And that it affected the royal family the most.
In a night that did not seem to end, dawn soon came, and with it came dire news.
With the hours without sleep showing in their expressions. Hotah stood at attention as the mother and her sons were breaking their fast. Or at least tried as they just took small bits of bread, sliced fruits and eggs with the enthusiasm of a corpse, hunger more of an afterthought then a necessity in their present outlook.
Hotah's eyes then shifted subtly hearing quick hasty paces approaching from outside the door. The night had made him more guarded than ever. His axe moved as soon as the door opened with a hard push. The man who entered, to his luck, stopped himself inches away from the sharp edge of Hotah's weapon, looking as if he had run miles on foot. The captain recognized his clothes immediately after lowering the blade to a safe distance, the standard for those who guarded the gardens.
The situation calmed down soon enough for the Martell family to be at ease with the sudden intrusion and for the guard to breathe normally again.
He said many apologies for the rude way he approached first, giving a short and direct answer of the reason for his presence next.
Only to end by him unleashing a new wave of fear on those present, even upon Hotah himself.
Hence, there he was, following a mad rush to get the Martells to the gardens without disturbances, leaving Sunspear under the care of its court for the time.
The sun was moving out of its peak, slowly losing part of the intensity of the heat before they at last arrived.
Doran and Loreza were the first to get out and go through the main gates, Hotah dutifully at their trail. And just like it did to them, the sight of the gardens caught him by surprise. All the times he had stayed, there were children frolicking in the sun, music playing in tiled courtyards and the sent of lemons and blood oranges filling the air as a welcome.
Not one of them this time.
The earthquake had delivered most of the punishment in there. Everywhere they looked was only the view and sounds of those cleaning the debris and leftovers of the impact. While the princess covered her mouth and the prince deflated slightly, Hotah only allowed himself a small moment, closing his eyes to view before becoming the stoic captain again.
"Should I announce your arrival, my princess ?" He asked.
Loreza shook her head. "No need." He doubted anyone but himself and Doran heard her words.
They crossed the wrecked yard, those who took notice of their presence didn't exclaim for others, giving respectful bows to the princess instead. Oberyn's prior arrival must have been an indication that the rest of his family would be close behind.
Both rulers returned the greetings in small gestures while passing, retaining a firmness in their posture before others. Perhaps to give a sense of security to them, and to their selves equally. The sound of voices mixed together rose up slowly as they climbed the marble steps towards the palace. Doran quickened his step as well as Loreza when in the mists of it both caught the ones they sought.
Hotah's steps continued in their current pace as the Martells went ahead. Guard he may be, but they came after their family, he would not intrude the moment.
The voices became clearer as he passed beneath the triple arch entrance, most of them belonging to the young ones. Along with them, the sound of scrapping, and a strong scent of roasted pork and potato stew.
Turning right into a large space, he found a small feast taking place.
A long table was set in the middle, with smaller ones put close to it. The children in the former were sitting in parallel at each side, the rest in a circle. Each with a full plate put before them, eating away with varied levels of speed and fervor. The servants kept a close eye on all, going over them from time to time, asking how was the food, offering seconds, and if there was something else they wanted with kind and gently voices. With what they surely lived through just hours ago, it was a most deserved reward.
Three in particular got a greater amount of care.
At the far end Hotah saw Doran, holding Mellario and the dear little princess in his arms. It gladdened the captain's heart to see them save and unhurt. The three held each other tightly, with the prince either laying small kisses on Arianne's head as she hugged the neck of his blouse, or talking lowly in Mellario's ear, their heads pressed together.
On the other end, Hotah found the viper and the little snakes huddled together, with the princess nearby with them. Naturally, little Nymeria had most of his attention. He held the child's face gently with a hand, staring and examining the wrapping on her head, Obara next to him, doing the same. The captain signed, looking at her with pity. Even with similar characteristics as her father, Nym was still a child, none deserved to endure those types pains yet. Young Tyene faced her grand-mother as she crouched to her eye-level. Loreza pushed the gold hair to the side, speaking words the captain could hear over the noise that seemed to interest Oberyn, Obara and Nym. Be it what they were, the girl nodded meekly alongside her sister, and the princess gave a pretty smile before standing. Oberyn pulled his three daughters close and they melted in his embrace. It stayed that way for long moments, until finally he let go, and again Hotah couldn't hear what was being said. All he could do was watch as the prince also stood following behind in the steps of his mother.
Going to Doran and Mellario, there was a quick exchange between them, ending with Mellario making a gesture to Hotah's left. Loreza and Oberyn moved right away, with her guiding them ahead. To the captain's surprise, the older prince stayed behind, holding his daughter just as she held on to him. The three members of the family passed by, and princess Loreza addressed him shortly, giving one simple and fast order.
"Stay here with them. We're going to see my daughter."
Thumping the end of his long axe on the floor was the captain's response.
It was cold and dark. She could feel her body trembling, hugging herself on a false hope of getting any form of warmth from it. Besides the ground beneath her feet, she saw nothing ahead or in any other direction as far as the eye could reach. It could be considered a miracle she even could get a glimpse of her outstretched hand, or the breaths coming out of her mouth. The sky was devoid of the sun, the stars, or the moon. Not a single cloud was present above, leaving the land on thick shadows. She heard naught but the sound of her beating heart. Nor did she know where she was going.
And she never felt so alone.
How did she get there ? What in hell was this place ? How could it be so cold ? There was no snow nor wind.
There was a haze in her memories. All she recalls was from the point she had woke up.
Calling out to help was a vain effort in the void, she learned soon enough. All there was left to do was keep moving forward and hope something would change. So she walked.
It could have been an eternity and she would not know. When it suddenly came into view.
She tilted her head, staring a large structure with a sense of familiarity. It loomed over her, with only visible parts amidst the dark. And it's large iron gates ripped out of the hinges, laid and left on the ground.
All the signs of a ruin. Still…
"Hello ?!" She took a chance, hearing her voice echoing beyond the gate.
The moments lingered, yet no one answered the call.
Abandoned.
She bit her lip, unsure if she dared to enter or not. A single look over the shoulder convinced her what was the less worst of both.
Slowly she went inside. It was a cautious trek, and she kept wishing for a torch like a soul lost at the sea would for solid land. To her surprise, however, as if her wish was granted, the castle's innards were bright enough for one to see clearly. A small dose of worry lifted from her. Once again, in the back of her mind, she could swear she had seen these walls and architecture beforehand.
But where one trouble ended, another began.
The further she went a complete lack of activity more than confirmed the castle's desertion. A presage to what waited.
The dammed place was endless.
Hallways had no limit to their lengths. Staircases went on and on be it upwards or downwards. Whatever room she came across was empty, with no furniture, no nothing inside of them. Worst of all, each were exactly alike, meaning she could have walked in circles the entire time. It got to the point she became lost, wandering aimlessly, not knowing where to go that she had not explored already. When trying to backtrack on her steps, she found the gate to be gone. A solid wall taking its place.
Frustration overwhelmed her, and the curse that spilled from her lips was amplified by the empty space.
So she ran, sound once again echoing over the castle at every step she took. An angry and desperate action to escape the dammed maze, she almost came close of entertaining the foolish idea that it would be enough to make a difference.
Soon, she had to stop. Not because of her running.
She fell to the floor, groaning openly in pain, putting her hands over the sides of her face. Her head was pounding from inside her skull with the force of a war hammer. It was disorienting, her vision flicked in and out in the spaces between her fingers.
It was too much.
The pain intensified, her ears turned numb by an increasing invisible pressure. She laid in the cold stone next, her body not even holding her own weight anymore. She screamed loudly when it felt like her head was close to cracking open.
Then it all stopped.
She breathed deeply in relief, but her body now felt heavy, beat with fatigue, her throat raw. However, it was over. With what was happening, the peace was worth more than gold.
After a few more moments, she lifted her hands. Wishing she didn't instantly.
The castle halls were gone.
She was back in the darkness, not in the open this time, but in a corridor that bordered claustrophobic. Panic threatened to reach her very being at the thought of going through the same path once again. Until she noticed, in the distance, a single light. A diamond white dot in the dark, that if she squinted, there seemed to be something on the other side.
A door ?
She did not know what to make of it at first.
Elia
That is, before she heard her name being called, in the same direction of the light.
"…Hello ?" Her voice came in a rasp.
Elia. The voice said again.
The princess paused. That voice, could it be!
"Mother ?"
Where are you ?
Elia felt her eyes water.
"I'm here!" She shouted as loud as she felt she could. Invigorated by hope, but distressed by the chance of not being heard. She rushed through the dark corridor, following her mother's voice. "Wait, please!"
When Elia got to the passage and reached the other side, she halted in shock.
The area was an enormous misty dome-shaped room. All around her, were walls carved in strange material. It looked solid as stone, molded almost in the shape of bones. But she was fully engrossed in what was ahead to pay them much attention.
On the ground was a pyramid altar, ten-feet above the ground, with sets of steps at each of the four faces. In the same style as the walls.
Above it, embedded in the ceiling, was a large drawing, a mural of how mighty it was. It pictured a slim figure, a woman, her arms out in a cross. Surrounding her dark forms and shapes, joined together to form a frightening cradle which she laid upon. She wore an intricate piece that covered most of her head. A helmet some would say, but to the princess, it was a crown. Her eyes were a pair of beautiful dark green gems. Together with the inclination of the head, they glared solely and deeply into Elia's being as if she were alive at that very moment.
The princess was so small before it. Yet, she did not feel threatened, but actually welcomed.
I see.
Elia gasped, jumping a step back when her gaze went towards the altar.
There was a person, looking up to the mural, its figure hidden away in robes, leaving only the back of its head in view. That voice however….
"M-mother ?" Elia cautiously asked.
The figure did not reply, staring on.
It shall be so.
It spoke again, and this time Elia was tense to the bone, her body freezing in place. A woman's voice it was. But it was not her mother's.
Not anymore
"Who are you ?" Elia shakily asked.
The figure lowered her head, tilting it to the side, still not turning for Elia to know her face.
I am one, and all.
It said cryptically, now confusing the princess.
"W-where are we? You know what this place is ?"
This time, much to Elia's growing fear, the woman laughed. Not loudly, but a somewhat timid, almost sweet laugh.
Oh, but of course I do. This is home, Elia. And, it shall be yours too.
"Home ? I don't….you know me ?"
The figure's voice changed, it turned into her mother's voice again, reaching a new high, rippling in the area. Cold seeped in as the room's temperature dropped.
It must have been terrible, was it ? From the moment you were born. The whispers, the looks, even the thoughts. The poor little princess. Those around her pretending she was not waiting for the day she would leave this world behind. Her chance of a life, ready to be taken at any time.
At every new word, Elia grew more anxious. What sort of devilry is this ? How could it know so much ?
"Who-who are you really ?"
Oh ? I thought it was clear already.
Elia took another step back, hands trembling, when understanding it all with a quick glance towards the mural.
As for how I could know about you? It is quite simple. My purpose is to know.
Time went to stand still as the breaking point reached.
It was the gravest mistake passing through that door.
The woman…the thing's head moved again, just as Elia planned to make an escape, turning as if it would look over her shoulder at Elia. It was not a complete turn, but the princess' body unexpectedly did not respond to her anymore.
Silently, with her heart working itself to an early death, Elia cursed and begged her legs to move. Her instincts screamed at her to run away from that place.
Her veins might as well have popped, and still she was incapable of moving.
My dear child.
Elia's breath caught in her throat when the being called, not from where it stood. Its voice reached inside Elia's very mind this time.
Do not be afraid. The twisted soft tone of her mother's voice was like a razor running across Elia's skin. Soon the time will come. And we will be waiting for you.
We ?
All of us.
If she could move, Elia would have flinched. It ran from the top of her back, dragging all the way down, curving alongside her waist. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw. A black tail, long and barbed.
Memories hit Elia like a battering ram. It was one of them!
She was about to try run again, when her arm was suddenly grabbed from behind. She turned to look, palling in fright.
"Come, princess."
She whispered in horror. "F-Farid ?!" The guard held her firmly. His eyes were nothing but empty sockets, his face gored and ripped apart, a bleeding hole open in his chest. Yet he still had a pleasant smile on what was left of his mouth. "No…no!"
Elia didn't have the chance to try to pull herself from his grip. The creature's tail shoot out, wrapping around her neck like a rope. She gasped, her free hand grasping onto it, using all she had to pry it off her.
Then new set of hands grabbed onto her shoulder, stopping the action. "Now, little one, there is no need for that." She made the mistake of looking. And the fight instantly left her. Tears filled her eyes.
It was Brude, neck cut open from side to side, part of his head smashed in, and half of his jaw missing.
Elia felt a nauseous wave in her insides at the sight.
"Come." He spoke without moving his mouth.
The princess started being dragged inside the wall, feeling her arms being twisted and yanked, and her neck close to crushing by the tail's strength. Between it all strange movement caught her attention. She witnessed as the horror gained a new visage.
Along the walls, were countless decayed bodies, the insides of their chests and stomachs ripped open and exposed, showing rows of ribs and organs, including Darius himself in the mist. Some of the corpses were joined together with each other, in a grotesque and perverted view. All were reaching towards her, repeating in drawls and groans the same 'Come princess' over and over.
She felt their hands upon her, gripping and pulling and yanking as she could do nothing, not even scream.
"Brude, wait, Please!" Elia gasped with whatever of her voice was left, begging the man, the hands pulling her further into the dark. "I'm sorry, I didn't want that happen, to any of you, I'm so sorry." She knew there was little to no right to ask for such forgiveness nor mercy.
"There's nothing to forgive, Elia." He replied calmly while still dragging her on.
Soon he, Farid, and the others let go of her at last.
Elia's eyes widened, to find that they had disappeared, going back into the dark shadows. And the eyeless beasts came forward, hissing, surrounding her in their place. All she could was their demonic image as they flooded every direction, their hunger and lust clear, like starving hounds given a carcass to feast.
That tail's grip grew stronger. Long and strong fingers drew the princess close by the face. Hard sharp claws sunk into her skin, painfully stretching it leaving bruises and cuts. Blood mixed with her falling tears. The spots made it impossible for her to move her head away or close her eyes, as the one holding her loomed over, growling, maw opening wide.
"Please." She whispered for a help that would not come.
"There will be only a new beginning."
The beasts roared into the air, and Elia silently cried out.
The last thing she saw was her captor biting down her.
"She's here."
As Mellario opened the bedroom door, Loreza could practically feel Oberyn's impatience as he stood next to her. She couldn't show it so openly at the moment, having to look prim and proper, but she was the most worried about her youngest son. Keeping a close eye on him subtly for the last hours. Like at any moment she expected he would snap or worse. Despite getting some clarification on things, a part of her felt it was not worth it to put her boy under more stress than he was already holding silently.
Obara, the murders, those terrible memories he had to relieve, the hours without a moment of rest, the earthquake. And now rushing leagues on horseback to see how his daughters and his sister were fairing after the terror in the prior night.
She and Doran were going through the same, but in their family, Oberyn was always the one with the most intense emotions. Rare were the times when he didn't do something reckless.
It gave her heart a small relief that seeing Nymeria and Tyene again appeared to calm the storm that threatened to erupt. Enough for him to resist the urge to kick open what stood between them and Elia.
But Loreza would be lying if the idea didn't sound tempting.
Letting go of it, she went first after Mellario stepped aside to let them into the room.
The Martell matriarch knew this bedchamber well.
Any of the royal family had their time spent inside of it. The biggest one in the palace, now belonging to Doran whenever he would reside in the gardens. A set of two large windows, with a view of the beach, allowed the sunlight to sheen fully across the entire space. The floor and walls are of clean white marble. Wardrobes of smooth wood that towered over many, with a beautiful rug under it. A light and pleasant smell of perfume in the air. And, at the center, a great bed with silky clean sheets and decorative pillows.
Where Elia was.
Face washing in shock, Loreza sucked in a deep gasp, whatever words curled into nothing. She almost slipped when running towards her daughter's side, barely missing Oberyn the same on the other end of the bed.
"Oh, my love." Her voice was a little more than a trembling whisper.
Elia laid in deep sleep, her chest moving up and down slowly, hands joined over it. The bed's sheets were put aside, leaving her covered only by a golden-colored blouse and long pants. Her light curly dark hair was untied, its length reaching just past her shoulders.
Delicately, Loreza moved her head to the side, getting a better view of the wounds.
Her brow, lower lip, and shoulder all had red scrapes. If Loreza passed a hand through her hair she would feel small bits of sand in between the strands. But most worrying of all was when she noticed that Elia's skin had a shade of paleness.
She found the reason soon enough.
One look at her eyes was enough to understand the dismay coursing through.
Her hands hovered over the white blood-stained wrappings on Elia's arm and belly, the latter stretching the most, afraid of even getting the smallest of touch in them.
"How did this happen ?" Oberyn asked what she had in her mind, face hardening.
"I was outside the gates, late in the night." Mellario said from the back, Loreza didn't move an inch of her gaze away from Elia. "I thought she was a lost straggler. Then…"
"And what about Brude and the guards? Were they not with her ?"
"No. It was just her."
Many scenarios ran over Loreza's thoughts. She knew Brude wouldn't easily part ways from Elia, even at the threat of death. Again, she could just wonder what sort of terrible event was responsible. Part of it could be the earthquake, but those two wounds were hard to believe to be a result of it.
If, and gods she hoped to be wrong, it was one possibility in particular, then it would be in Brude's and his fellow guards' interest to be an ocean away from Dorn itself, on their way to free cities. For only Oberyn's fury would rival her own.
shoving down those thoughts, Loreza asked over her shoulder. "Did she tell you something ?"
Mellario sadly shook her head. "She passed out moments after getting here. That wound was bleeding deeply." She pointed at Elia's stomach. "They managed to make it stop just in time."
Sighting, Loreza leaned back lightly, putting more space between her and the sensitive area. Her son took an initiative that startled the matriarch at first. Slowly as he could, he lifted one of the openings to see the wound in full. Even with the wrapping, she could had a suspicion that it was an ugly thing. They were confirmed as she stared with Oberyn the swollen red flesh held together by stitch strings. No doubt she would find the same in Elia's arm.
"There was something else." Mellario said, making both turn to her. "Something I still don't understand."
Loreza frowned, prompting her to say it.
"She was…soaked, like she had just come out of the pools. It doesn't make sense, I know, there is not source of water from where she came." Her's and Oberyn's disbelief must have been clear. "But I swear, that's how she arrived."
There was a moment between the three as mother and brother tried to make sense of this new information. Emphasis on trying.
"Her clothes, you kept them ?"
But it seemed Oberyn had other concerns.
"Yes." Mellario replied.
"Tell someone to bring them here, please. But just what she wore on top."
Mellario gave a quick nod, opening the door and repeating the request to the nearest servant passing by in the corridor.
Glancing between Oberyn and her, Loreza spoke out front.
"You have something in mind."
Her son did not reply immediately, tracing a finger along his finely trimmed mustache and growing beard at the edge of his jaw. Elia's wound still clear in focus.
"A guess, it could be wrong however." He admitted after a few moments. "But, maybe we won't be in the dark for much longer."
It didn't take long before the servant returned, delivering the ruined but now dried wear into Mellario's waiting hands.
Oberyn rose from the bed, meeting her halfway there. He took the top, giving her a quick thanks. Loreza saw him reaching underneath the coat, at the belt hidden behind it, pulling a medium-sized dagger. It wasn't the thin kind, having more similarity with a combat knife in it's shape. Almost the same to the one she gifted to Brude.
She understood then.
Opening and laying Elia's top over his forearm, he found the section where the fabric had been cut open. Eyes narrowed, he passed the dagger's edge over it. The moments went by as Mellario and Loreza waited for him to say anything, but he remained in the same position, only expressions changing while in deep thought.
"Oberyn ?" She broke in, getting him to turn to her. "Well, anything you may want to say?"
Her son opened his mouth to reply, shutting it right after with a swipe of his tongue over the lips. Instead of words, he walked towards the other side of the room, and beckoned both to come closer.
With a curious gaze, both soon flanked his sides, inspecting the top. Mellario on her feet, Loreza at the bed's foot.
"The cut went right to left." Oberyn started, making the line with a finger, pointed at Elia later. "Looking at the wound, thankfully it wasn't deep enough to reach any organs."
Loreza nodded in silence, letting him speak his mind. The time he had spent with the maesters was truly a boon. On the outside, many would consider Oberyn to be a simple-minded individual. Yet, he wouldn't have gained the title 'The Red Viper' without spending hours in a solitary room, studying all manners of substances to create the many poisons at his disposal. Moreover, while their maester still knew more, Oberyn's healing skills were not ones to scuff at.
To think he could have completed many more of the chains at the citadel, but left for finding it so 'boring' after a few months. She almost smacked him to raw red when hearing those words.
"Here is where the problem lies." He said somberly, picking up the dagger again. "Look." They passed through the open space, without even covering half of it.
"Too thin." Loreza whispered in mild surprise.
"Exactly."
Mellario ventured a guess. "Perhaps a sword did this."
"Our swords are just a little thicker than this." Oberyn countered as he lifted the dagger higher for her to see. "If this was the North, Kings landing or even the Vale, then it would be more plausible."
That seemed to give a piece of minor solid evidence that Brude and his fellow guards may not have been the ones responsible for her daughter's state.
Still, right from the start, the idea of sell-swords from the other side of the country coming to Dorne to murder Elia seemed too far-fetched to Loreza. No logical explanation could make this scenario of events make sense. Not even Aerys in his ever-growing madness would think of such a bold move against another ruling house. Not with Tywin Lannister as his hand. The lion could dislike her all he wanted, the feeling was mutual, but the man never did anything a fool would do. No one was able to reach his level of respect, fear, power and influence throughout the realm in that path. The Tyrells and Yronwoods have their reasons to antagonize her family, Oberyn saw to that, but it was unlikely for the queen of thorns to waste time and resources for revenge after years of the events. And Dorne had barely had ever interacted with the Starks to have any positive or negative relationship between them.
No, this was something else.
She was not alone in that thought.
"But, what if I said that this wasn't from a blade ?" Oberyn suddenly said, gravely.
For the second time in the day, he planted doubt in both her and Mellario's minds, as they gave each other puzzled looks for but a moment before turning to him.
"Are you saying what I think you are saying ?" Loreza asked.
He did not falter when speaking this time. "In my life, the only thing I have ever seen making cut similar to this one, were claws."
"So a Shadowcat did this to your sister ?" Loreza all but scoffed at the idea.
"It could very well have been."
"Then how do yo-"
In their turned gazes all of them failed to notice Elia's hands starting to twitch, a layer of sweat forming over her brows, and the rise and fall of her chest getting stronger as her breaths grew erratic.
Loreza was the first to experience the breaking point of those reactions.
Her, along with Oberyn and Mellario, flinched, scattering all over the chamber, frightened. A loud, sharp and piercing scream filled with terror left Elia as she snapped awake.
It was too fast. The moment Loreza got to her feet and turned, her daughter had leaped out of the bed, falling to the floor. She did not kept still, crawling the floor with hands and feet, in disturbing desperation. One of the likes of a chained wild beast. Hoarse, pained breaths filled the air, intensifying the action.
In a feeling of whiplash, Loreza's mind struggled to catch on to what was happening in front of her. Still, she heard Oberyn's voice rising, calling for his sister, Mellario doing the same afterward.
"STAY WAY FROM ME!"
The shout made the princess come to herself. By now Elia had already crawled towards the door, sitting, huddled sideways against it, sobbing uncontrollably with her back turned to them.
Oberyn approached in quick steps, crouching down.
"Elia! is alright!" He said, extending a hand towards her shoulder. "You are-"
In a movement that shocked them all to the core, she twisted around and back fisted Oberyn's hand away just as his fingertips barely touched her skin. Just the sound was enough to know she had put all her strength in the swing.
"LET GO! LET GO!" She screamed again as Oberyn staggered away, cradling his hand close.
Loreza felt her heart stop seeing nothing short of complete panic in Elia's tear-stained face before she quickly turned back to the door.
There was a standstill. All three observed in stunned silence as Elia hugged her knees closer, body continuing to quiver with her cries.
"Gods, what was that ?" Mellario whispered in Loreza's ear.
One of the many things she wished to know at this moment. Most prominently, she had to know what caused this. What hellish terror planted a fear so deep in her daughter? To make her appear even afraid of her own shadow. To lash against her family wildly.
"Whatever it was, save it for later." Oberyn leaned into Loreza's other side, rubbing his hand, with an air of stern urgency in his words. "We have to get her back to bed, calm her down. Before she re-opens wounds, if she hadn't already!"
Loreza cursed under her breath, teeth gritting.
She had to act fast, or deal with the consequences Elia would face.
"I'll handle this."
Carefully, trying to not make any sound, the Martell matriarch walked up to Elia, stopping a couple of feet from her, hands open at her sides. Unlike Oberyn, she did not try to reach to touch her yet. A hard decision. The mother within her desperately wished nothing more than to gather Elia in her arms, to hold on tight, and assure that she was safe.
Reason and rationality spoke loudly against it in the end.
Elia no doubt would lash out again, and while there hadn't been a drop of blood out of her yet, it was a risk Loreza was going to take. Only after all had been settled that she would allow herself that moment.
"Elia ?" Loreza called quietly. She felt a new pang of ache in her heart when Elia flinched and closed into herself even more. Pressing forth in the distance, Loreza knelt, and heard it. Small as it was, Elia spoke in murmurs repeatedly. Loreza struggled to understand it.
She leaned her head forward. "Elia?" Again, she said. This time, Elia reacted by covering both of her ears, the murmurs revealing their meaning when getting higher.
"You are not her. You are not her. You are not her."
Loreza blinks. "Elia, what are you talking about ?" She asked, even concerned.
"Get away. Stop using her voice, please. My mother is not here." Elia rasped, shaking her head.
Loreza froze in place.
What ?
She meant to try make Elia talk with her, to understand what all of that meant.
"Kill me already if you want, but stop using her voice!"
Enough was enough.
Hearing those words, Loreza let go of any caution and reached out to Elia. She flinched, attempting to close in herself further, making an indescribable sound of pain. Still Loreza went on, wrapping her arms tightly around Elia, pulling her from the door, and did not let go. Her daughter stopped fighting, tensing anew, yet at the same time lowering her arms in defeat. Eyes still closed, like waiting for the requested death just a moment ago to be fulfilled. It broke the matriarch's heart all over again. If she could not accept it before, it would take a living dragon flying over the palace to make her believe in the idea of a simple dammed wild animal being the responsible.
She lifts and lays a hand against Elia's head, fingers passing through her curls, the other remaining in her waist, and slowly turned it until it would rest at crock of her neck. It is a familiar moment, of earlier years. So, with Elia's ear turned in her direction, Loreza hums sweetly, a melody her own mother had sung.
The simple and caring action created immediate effects. Loreza feels Elia jerk slightly before slowly crumbling in her arms. It didn't take long for her to feel the front of her dress getting wet as Elia shook with new low sobs, one arm coming up to grasp her shoulder tightly. Loreza rocked them, left and right, continuing the melody, with a more of her voice into it, knowing her daughter was coming back.
Elia soon shifted her body to the side, head now resting upon Loreza's shoulder, grip tightening to the point it would hurt. However, the princess did not care, returning the embrace the same way.
"…Is it really you ?"
Loreza replied instantly, feeling a true smile inching up her cheeks as the weight on her being lightened for the first time after so many long hours. She pulled even closer. "Yes, love." Turning was not necessary to know who came from side. Oberyn didn't fear being struck once more when joining them on the floor. Nor did Elia felt threatened still, if the breath of relief when he touched her arm was any clue.
"We are here. We are here."
The family stayed close, letting Elia bask in their comfort and warmth for as long as she so desired.
"Thank you."
Oberyn smiled and found it a welcoming thing. Alongside his mother, they helped Elia to stand and moved her back to the bed when she managed to hold herself up. With pillows and cushions all put together, his sister now lounged instead of lying again. Having taken off his boots, Oberyn sat cross-legged at her side, while their mother went back to the bed's edge. Elia's appearance remained shaken and slightly wild, but Mellario quickly called upon the maidens to help in cleaning her up. They tied her hair in a simple braid, wiped the sweat and tear stains away from her face, and the present maester came to see if her wounds had been open during the commotion, thankfully saying no harm was caused.
Just as they were finished did Elia give them a small and kind smile, stating her appreciation for their work. Earning back gestured in double from them, and many wishes of a speedy recovery.
Oberyn had seen many fake smiles from servants under their lords, just as the small folk, be it by their incompetence or attitude towards them. He didn't know it was the present generation or a streak from their ancestors, but he would bet gold on a few nations having the same care, true care of their subjects as the Martells.
Something much needed for them now.
"How are you feeling ?" He could finally ask.
Elia seemed to consider her answer for a moment, settling for a small request.
"I…a bit of water would be good."
The wood underneath the mattress creaked when their mother rose to see it, returning quickly with a cup in hand.
Elia herself didn't seem to know how deep her thirst went. Oberyn saw as just as the first drop touched her lips, there was a short pause before she downed it all at once, asking for another one in her very next breath. Mother was happy to oblige.
"Careful not to empty the palace's entire stock, sister." Oberyn said in false warning.
"…Don't tempt me." Elia replied in pure seriousness after finishing her third cup. While he openly chuckled at her words, their mother and Mellario faintly smiled as the mood in the room drastically lightened.
"I think we could manage it." His sister in law stated. Gaze up as if in thought.
"Oh yes, the pools always had some clearest waters I have ever seen." Oberyn went along.
Elia tried to hide her deadpan stare to no avail, not when the corners of her mouth twitched upwards. "You two can have the honor of having the first taste of them." Came her dry statement.
"I already did!" Oberyn exclaimed with an amused expression. "Don't you remember ?"
"You deserving every bit of it ? All too well." Little by little, the smile grew on Elia. For that, Oberyn thanked the seven.
"All I remember from that day is screams and cries, from both of you." Their mother stepped in, looking intensely between them, her smile also growing.
Raising his hands in defeat, the young price stated. "The fault is already admitted to have been mine, mother."
"What a rare event." Elia pointed out.
"You wound me, Elia." He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "When have I willingly caused needless problems ?"
Three sets of eyes staring at him were the answer.
"Bah! Not even one's family can be counted on these days." He spat, turning away, head supported over a closed fist. The charade broke, along with a full laugh, when he felt his mother's fast and light smack against his shoulder.
"Now." She said afterward, scoping forward into the bed, gently taking Elia's hand. "There are no words that could describe how glad I am to see you safe."
Oberyn saw Elia squeeze their mother's hand in reply, bowing her head shyly as well.
"How is everyone ? The children ?" She asked them, worry in her voice.
"Shaken, but we are all fine." Mellario answered. "The palace has seen better days." She added. "But even that did not stop the girls from asking about you."
A truth, his dear Nymeria and Tyene were the first to tell him about Elia's condition after their reunion. The latter was even angry at not being allowed to see her in the first hours of the day. Oberyn swore to take them to her at the first opportunity.
"Was anyone hurt ?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Nothing that would endanger their lives, however."
Elia release a silent heavy breath, nodding in understanding. For a moment she must have forgotten about the intensity of her wounds, hissing through her teeth when trying to lean forward.
"Easy, you can't be doing that for while." Oberyn placed a hand at her back, prompting her to cease her movements.
"..Noted." Elia let out a silent exhale, doing as he indicated, leaning fully in the cushions.
"We should ask for milk of the poppy." Their mother commented, drawing their attention.
He exchanged a look with Elia, the question in his eyes. She considered the idea, but decided against it in the end.
"No need." She said. "It is not even the worst I felt."
As much as Oberyn loathed those grim words, he could not deny their accuracy. Many a night he spent at Elia's side while she endured yet another illness by her frail health. Her chest hurting. The struggle to breathe and bloody blankets discarded.
Their mother hesitated, a protest at the tip of her tongue, Oberyn knew, before nodding in agreement. "If you say. But do not hesitate do ask for it should the need arrive."
"I won't." Elia assured.
Oberyn thought they would take their leave for Elia to rest for a while more. Yet, in the back of his mind, he felt it was not the end. Proven right just moments later.
"While I hoped to leave it for later and give you more time in peace, there is one thing we have to talk about." Their mother stated with regret in her voice.
Everyone in the room knew what it would be.
Already, Oberyn could see, out of the corner of his eyes, the shift. Slowly, Elia's hands closed on themselves, almost tearing the fabric of her clothing. Her gaze started to look less alive. He could tell she was on the brink of getting emotionally distressed once again.
"Mother, don't ask this of her now." The viper said firmly to Loreza.
"We can't stay in the dark about this no more, Oberyn" She countered.
"It is a dangerous time, I understand, but she should be allowed to speak on it when ready." Mellario backed his statement.
"I don't want to force it as much as you." Lozera said to them, trying to make her point.
"Then for her sake jus-"
"No!"
Elia did not scream or shout, the resolve and intensity of her words were enough to make the three stop talking. Her eyes glassed, gaining life anew. Face hard even with the faint shake of her lips. Similar to the one lighted by fear and desperation of before, though subdued greatly.
Whatever Oberyn thought would happen to her was surely not this.
"You are right…Mother." She said to them. "But we don't have to talk about it. We need to!"
She had their full attention.
Each stood straighter, with Mellario finding use for one of the room's chairs for herself to hear Elia's recounting.
"Go at your own pace." Their mother put it to her beforehand, with a look of pity.
Elia worked to retain her composure, and pressed on, telling them everything.
At length, she explained the course of each of the events that took place during the prior night. From her stay at the desert's tree, to her and the guardsmen fall to what Oberyn could only call one of the seven hells itself. He, their mother and Mellario felt surprise and awe at first with the underground structure hidden beneath the sands, of the fires that burned white, and walls made of pure metal. It quickly turned to uneasiness when Elia described a portion where steel gave way to a dark and unnatural sight. To disgust and dread at the vision of the pit filled with the dead forming in their mind's eye. And finally to horror when finding out one of the guardsmen's fates.
Oberyn did not take pride in being right about an animal…a monster being the caused Elia's injuries. By his own eyes, drawings in books, or by the words of those who specialized in the matters of wildlife, never he had heard anything close to the abomination his sister described. Not even those who matched with the capacity to rip a man's head clean off his shoulders.
Elia continued, speaking of the escape she and the remaining guards did as the situation had gotten worse. The knowledge that there was more than one of those creatures unsettled them greatly.
"We thought it was the end." She said, not looking at them. "How could we not ? There was nowhere else to go, and those things would reach us at any point." The venom in her voice when talking about those beings was not lost on the viper. "But then, a door, in where we believed to be another wall, opened to us. Leading to a fall with water at the bottom."
Oberyn, Loreza exchanged looks. Sure, secret passages were common, but they never heard of one that opened by itself. As for Mellario, she at last understood why Elia was wet when finding her.
"And that is how you escaped?" Their mother asked, her voice wavered slightly, no doubt she was also trying to absorb everything at once.
Her question made Elia shiver as though a terrible chill ran through her. Then slowly her demeanor started to crumble. She bit her lip almost to the point of drawing blood, the pain in her face, resulting from holding in her sobs, and a single tear feel.
They stood in their spots, deathly silent, in melancholy. Much thought was not necessary to conclude the outcome of what came next.
"One." Elia huffed a breath, wiping away any more tears that threatened to fall. "One of the creatures reached us. It tackled Darius to the ground. I…It was all happening at the same time. He was trying to fight it off. But the others were right behind it on our trail. And Brude." She had to pause for a moment. "Brude just told me go…..before pushing me through the passage and closing the door."
Oberyn gritted his teeth, feeling his hands subconsciously turn into fists. Rage and heartbreak clashed within. His mother silently gaped. Mellario had covered her mouth.
Shame also played its part in their mind. Of how they could foolishly have entertained for a mere moment that Brude would try to harm any of their family. Both of them had never been as close, but the man was a present figure for all of Oberyn's life as well. Watching over, giving advice, training, and much more. Now he was gone, having made the ultimate sacrifice for Elia.
Oberyn swore he, Darius, and Farid would receive all the honors and respect they deserved.
Comfort over their deaths would have to wait, as Elia did not allow herself to stop for much longer. A subtle way of keeping from delving in those feelings more.
She talked about walking alone in the structure's dark halls. Becoming lost by its countless passages and dead ends. How a pack of the monsters had found her once again, and of her decision to take a last stand against them. There came a new turn of events.
From what it seemed to come from the pages of old tales of the age of heroes, or a miracle, Elia told them of a giant of a man that fell from above. Wearing a suit of armor of the likes Oberyn could only dream off. His prowess and strength were worth of high commending while exterminating the creatures almost so easily. But his strange weapons were what caught their interest the most. None of the three would deny how long their jaws remained dropped as Elia said they could spit orbs fire! And she herself had the chance to use it to aid in the battle both found themselves in. With it won, the mysterious man took her to a way out of the underground.
"He saved my life."
As they were still rightfully speechless, Oberyn ran a hand over his astonished face. His debt grew to another one. Though, one without a name. He had to admit, he was greatly intrigued by this new individual. Of how he was related to the hell taking place there. In addition, where could he have found such power? Power that once belonged only to dragons, now in the palms of a man's hand. A terrifying notion, Oberyn had no doubts of such, but an awesome one too. Magic perhaps ?
Many maesters would balk at the concept of such, he knew from experience. Wise and at the same time so close-minded, they were. He would love to see their reactions to this bit of information.
"And…who was he ?" Their mother asked what they all thought.
Elia shook her head in reply. "I do not know. He did not speak much, and there was little time to ask." She paused, clicking her tongue, before adding. "But, I do have a suspicion."
"Suspicion?" Oberyn wondered, leaning forward.
"Nothing I can prove for sure." Elia pointed out to them in warning.
"We would hear it anyway, daughter." Loreza insisted. Maybe her curiosity was close to Oberyn's.
"In the halls, there were statues, frames and many arts. All of them pictured those…Knights, or at least I think they were knights, one in particular showed them against the creatures. The man that saved me ? His armor was them given flesh." Elia explained. "I think, by how old it was, that place must've been their home. He even could command it at his will."
And simple as that, there went their jaws dropping again.
The madness did not have an end in sight. Monsters, an old civilization buried by time in their land, giant armored men that could had control over fire itself.
To keep himself from getting overwhelmed, Oberyn resorted to focusing on the aspects he believed most important in the present.
"Any chance he could still be there ?" He asked in relation to the knight.
Somberness fell on Elia's expression. "As there are of only his aches remaining."
"I'm sorry ?" Oberyn frowned.
Now it was her that was confused.
"You don't know ? You didn't see it ?"
"See what ?" Their mother asked, oblivious just as him.
They looked behind as Mellario spoke. "I take the blame for this."
Gods, now what? Oberyn pinched the bridge of his nose.
"The earthquake you felt in Sunspear, was not a natural disaster."
As both mother and son snapped back at the revelation. It was now Mellario who spoke her part in the events, with Elia adding her own at the end. Of a blinding explosion of light in the night sky, like a second sun being born. A terrible sound that could have rendered all of them deaf and no thunder could dream to equal. And how the very ground broke and shattered under its power.
Oberyn's mind went wild at just the idea of what could cause a miniature version of the phenomenon that turned old Valeria into the burning inferno wasteland that it was now. So strong, to be felt miles away. His heart clenched tightly when imagining the scenario where it had more range, swallowing all residing in the gardens. It was by share luck that Elia didn't become a victim of it as it was.
Then, it occurred to him.
"You think he caused this ?" Oberyn asked Elia.
"It could've been him. Or something else in there." She replied.
Their mother, in the mist of all, pointed out a vital point. "But if it was such a powerful eruption…wouldn't it also have killed all of those monsters you found ?"
A fair assumption, if it truly was as big as they detailed, Oberyn would hard pressed to believe anything in this world would survive. Then again, in this situation, the normal was quickly losing ground. And he doubted those creatures, like everything else, were of this world to fit in it.
Elia pressing her lips together didn't help in making him think otherwise.
Damnit all.
"I would like to believe that. But there are the tunnels."
They froze.
"Tunnels ?" Mellario guardedly repeated.
"I said to Brude and the others when we were there." Elia brought her arms up and around herself, as if to get a sense of security for what she would say next. "We can find tunnels connecting all of Dorne's land in the ground. And it was practically the same from what I saw." Her voice got lower and grimmer.
Oberyn closed his eyes, cursing his ancestors in a quiet voice.
"Who is to say they didn't use it to get way?"
Damnit all.
A mess became a disaster, a disaster could be on its way to becoming a catastrophe.
The two members of the Martell family were by themselves in one of the many empty corridors in the palace, away from ear droppers. Deep in conversation with low whispers. It was not long after they left Elia's room, feeling she had said enough, and could peacefully rest for now. As much peace she muster that is.
Something they had less of chance of doing.
"Is it wrong for me to say I would rather deal with both Lannister and Targaryen at the same time than this insanity?"Loreza vented to her son.
"Not a ideal alternative, but I would not blame you for it." Oberyn held no arguments against it.
Loreza huffed, massaging her temple, feeling a migraine form.
"But, it surprised me." He said, making her turn to him.
"What did ?"
"That you willingly believed. I expected you to find what Elia said to be a mummer's farce or plain nonsense." He admitted. Doran surely would see it as that, just as he initialy dismissed Oberyn's own story. Until it could be proved as truth.
"Son, with everything presented, I would be the most stubborn and foolish person in the world to not even consider believing it." The matriarch replied plainly. "If it is a mummer's farce, is one that kills, summons monsters and wreaks havoc. Besides." She added. "I may have taught your sister plenty, yet she still struggles to truly lie. She would not start being good it now, not with this."
Oberyn gave a short nod in acceptance of her reasons.
"And here I thought things were only exciting half a world away." He smiled humorlessly after a moment.
"This is serious Oberyn."
"Beyond serious, you mean." He replied, crossing his arms. "And dealing with the problem is not even the first action we have to go through."
His words hung heavy in the air at their implication.
Loreza placed her hands at her hips, lips pressed. Before parting ways with Mellario, the three made a vow to keep all said in the room to remain only between themselves. Doran being the only exception, he would see signs of trouble clear as day in no time. But their people ? It was already enough work to get them calm by the earth shaking. News of the fire eruption would spread soon, whether they liked it or not. However, they dreaded to think of the consequences of the knowledge of monsters roaming the land turning public. Suspicion was sure to arise, as there were already questions of what happened with Elia.
The terror and panic would reach undreamt proportions.
No, an alternative would have to be found to sort that situation out. Then the nightmare of the possible threat would begin.
Loreza gave a sigh, already feeling done with the day. "We will find a way." She tried to voice as much confidence as possible.
Oberyn did not verbally reply at first, simply reaching out, and placing a hand over her arm. "The Martells always do." He put it to her firmly. No matter what, none would stand alone during this crisis, should it come to pass.
Loreza smiled in appreciation, rubbing the top of his head as she would always since his childhood.
"We should find some rest as well." She stated, the adrenaline ran its course, and her body was getting heavy with fatigue.
Oberyn had other plans.
"That I will. Later." He said.
Oh, no. Loreza thought in alarm.
"Oberyn." She harshly warned him to consider well his next actions. "For once in your life, will just remain in one place. Even more when your family needs you ?"
He looked almost offended. "I won't be doing this out of basic curiosity, mother." He assured her. "It will be quick, just a look at what we could be dealing with. And I will be back before any can notice."
"Don't be a fool." Loreza argued. "We know enough already."
"Do we really ?" He put it to her with a brow raised.
"Three good men are dead. Your sister almost died. I won't let you risk your life for it!" She hissed through her teeth.
"Better mine then-"
"Finish that phrase and I swear to the seven." She looked close to hitting him.
Oberyn quickly released that confrontation would lead both nowhere. He understood the risks he was taking. However, it never stopped him from doing what had to be done, it wouldn't be any different now. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, eyes locked in hers. "I will be careful, I swear to you. Yes, there is a high risk. But, all that matters is that you put your trust in me, that I will make it. As you always have. Please."
There was a war of wills at they kept staring at each other for a long period of silence. The balance finally shifted at one point.
"…One step of the sundials." It was her condition for him to follow. "One, and nothing more. If it goes beyond that, and you are not with us by them, I will send any I can to drag you to Sunspear and leave you chained in your own apartment. Are we clear, Oberyn ?"
A challenge, he liked. Very, very much.
"As a crystal, mother." Oberyn replied, even bowed in thanks. "No point in wasting the time then." Flashing her a confident smirk, he added. "Also. If it makes you feel better. I don't plan on going alone."
"I must state some misgivings about this decision, my prince."
"State them along any who also wishes so after our return." Oberyn exclaimed over his shoulder, tapping the golden steed's side softly to make it walk faster.
Following the timeline given by his mother, the viper spared no further moment to get to where he wanted. Along the way, calling for a small favor from his brother. It gathered confusion, though quickly resolved and he set to the desert with his now companion.
He will return with no a scratch on him, believe it.
Hotah tried to mask it. Not enough to fool Oberyn. He was, naturally, caught off guard by the sudden request, even from one so well-versed in the ways of combat as the young prince. Duty called his service still, and he could not deny it.
Once again in the day, he marched under the sun. Oblivious, at first, of the reason why.
Oberyn saw fit to tell him shortly after the gardens were out of their sight. The prince did not expect full belief from the captain while recounting what he had learned. He, however, did ask for complete secrecy of it. Hotah did not hesitate in assuring that no word would come out of him about those revelations.
Skeptic as he was, the captain still had to take measure of the consequences of their travel, should it be actually true in the smallest capacity. And, as anticipated, the prince was undeterred in his will.
"Your courage is attested. That none can deny." Hotah first said. "Yet, when facing the unknown, caution isn't an error nor a fault."
"Starting to believe, captain ?" Oberyn asked playfully to the bigger man.
"Merely an observation, prince Oberyn." He replied stoically. "I shall speak of this no more if you so desire."
"Don't be so stern with yourself." The viper waved off. "It was a sound advice. Yet, if the unknown stopped us, we would not be where we are today. It keeps its hold on our fears as long as we allow it to." He stated next. "At least, that is how I see it."
Hotah gave a short nod, feeling he had nothing more to add.
Both continued forward, only the sound of their horses filling the air. The very same changed not long after. It was eerily too quiet for their taste. Eyes keenly scrutinized every corner, finding no sight of birds, no sand crawlers moving beneath the grains. One could believe they were only living beings there.
As they climbed up upon a dune, they got the first glimpse of the reported eruption.
A menacing black cloud stood, reaching high towards the sky almost to no end. Its mushroom like form gave it a unique look, that did not ease the Dornish's nerves. It was so vast and wide, it covered the sun the closer they got to it.
Then they felt in their own skins.
Oberyn heard plenty about dragons over his life, often imagining how many things would feel like in person being next to a living one. Right now, he got a close idea of what their breath could be like.
He alongside Hotah breathed deeply when a new layer of heat fell on them. The horses twitched at the change in atmosphere, shaking their heads. As unforgiving as Dorne's sun's heat was, it never once seemed to be strangling their necks as this one did. Both had to focus to fight off a wave of light-headedness that threatened to take hold. Hotah went as far as taking off his helm. Oberyn debated if he should rip his shirt off and leave it.
"Damn heat…" The latter trailed off.
Those inconveniences meant nothing once reaching the dune's peak.
Side by side, the sight ahead left them without words.
Hearing about great catastrophes was one thing. Only those who saw it happen with their own eyes could truly understand it fully. Both Oberyn and Hotah had their first experience.
leagues away from them, was a burning gash into the earth itself. A sinkhole with scorched edges,and a great size that could very much swallow an entire portion of Sunspear itself. The heat in the air made sense, seeing the bright orange and red marks of a raging fire still mark stone. If his eyes weren't deceiving him, Oberyn could swear there were areas of glass around the area, by the reflection made visible by a few beams of light piercing through the dark cloud. Though, he couldn't say what kind of glass, green-grayish colored as it was. Around them, falling by the thousands, ash. Particles of black ash with no wind to carry them away. Almost a perverted version of the northern winters.
It was a scene to describe the coming of the end of the world. The doom of all lives of men by the wrath of the weary and vengeful gods.
"Seven keep us." Oberyn uttered, feeling his very being tremble before the sight. Hotah, beside him, could not find in himself to speak, his composure only giving a false sense of resolve, as fear filled his eyes. Even the horses suffered a form of influence, their front legs thumping non-stop. It could be taken as a call to leave that place at once.
The viper immediately thought back to the knight Elia encountered on the now-gone structure. Had he truly been the cause for this ? Was his fire magic so powerful to summon such a monstrous destruction at will?
His initial reaction to the idea of holding such a gift changed at that very moment. Just like the dragon centuries ago, no one man should have all that power. And with the chance the knight had possibly met his end there, the saying held true.
To think this could be the least of their problems going forward…
Jaw twitching, Oberyn felt he had seen enough.
"Hotah…" He said, without turning to the captain, whose gaze also remained fixated on the sinkhole.
"…Yes ?" Titles didn't seem to matter at that point.
"We are leaving." Oberyn stated simply. "When we reach the gardens. Send a rider to Sunspear, and tell them to send in carriages and any other transportation available to us."
That made the captain look at him at last, bewilderment now in place of his usual closed expression.
"What for ?"
Oberyn's gaze went up to the dark sky, before looking at his hand, now starting to get covered by the ashes. He waited a beat, then stated the reason, weaving his fingers together to keep himself from closing it into a fist.
"I want all far away from the gardens."
Done, there it is. Won't speak much here (got to finish a chapter for another story, finish work, etc…) But let me just say, I had to go down the nuclear rabbit hole to get some details for the last section right or as close as possible to what could happen.(Shout out to Oppenheimer, what movie!) And also, the Predator. Vs Wolverine issue #1 was a great boost to get this thing done. (A great read as well, you guys should definitely check it out) And for those who know the "Aliens" lore, there might be some clear clues in here for you to think about.
PS: So, this chapter was ready for a while, but due to network issues on the site, no alerts were sent about the update. Because of that, I waited for things to stabilize to actually post it.
Anyways, off to the next.
Stay safe people.
See ya when I see ya.
Peace.