In Dorne, at the southernmost tip of Westeros, the intense summer heat has become more of a curse than a blessing. The unrelenting high temperatures have only worsened Dorne's arid and barren lands. Freshwater is as precious as gold here, and the few wells that still produce it are guarded heavily by the lords of the land.
However, located on Dorne's eastern coast, the city of Sunspear escapes the full brunt of this heat and dryness. The humid sea breezes and the nourishing waters of the Greenblood River make it a rare oasis in this parched land.
Sunspear is also the residence of the ruling family of Dorne—the Martells.
Daemion Sand navigated the three heavily guarded gates and twisted passageways, eventually reaching an ancient palace shaped like the prow of a ship.
"I need an audience with the Princess," he announced.
"Follow me." The guard, who evidently recognized the bastard from Godsgrace, nodded to Daemion and led the way.
Although Dorne had long been part of the Seven Kingdoms, the Martells continued to use the Rhoynish titles of "Prince" and "Princess," unlike the Great Houses of the other six kingdoms.
The princess Daemion sought was none other than the eldest daughter of the current ruler of Dorne—
Arianne Martell.
As the guard opened the dark brown door, Daemion was met with the rich fragrance of myrrh.
He knew this was Princess Arianne's favorite scent.
Stepping into the spacious chamber, Daemion's gaze was immediately drawn to the figure seated on a carpet of Myrish design.
"Your Grace!" Daemion suppressed the longing and nervousness stirring inside him and respectfully greeted her.
Arianne was reading an ancient, yellowed book. Beside her was a goblet of wine and a cyvasse board.
Hearing his voice, she placed her book aside and stretched languidly on the carpet like a graceful, elegant cat.
With her olive-toned skin, large dark eyes, and cascading black curls, she wore a sheer, pale violet gown that obscured her curvaceous figure without truly hiding anything.
Though not a conventional beauty, she possessed a captivating allure that made it hard for any man to look away.
"Daemion? Why have you come?" Arianne's voice was low and velvety, with a laziness that seemed to reach into his ears and tug at his heart.
"I've received important news, and I came straight to tell you!" Daemion replied, his gaze still lingering on the princess.
"What news?" Arianne rested her chin on one hand, watching him with a relaxed curiosity.
"Edric Dayne and Allyria Dayne were both killed on a hunting trip—attacked by a wild boar!"
"Edric Dayne and Allyria…" Arianne initially seemed indifferent, but suddenly the significance of those names dawned on her—
They were the last of the main Dayne bloodline in Starfall.
Crash.
Arianne leaped to her feet, accidentally knocking over her wine goblet, spilling red liquid across the expensive carpet. She paid it no mind as she fixed Daemion with a piercing gaze.
"Are you certain?"
"I am!" Daemion nodded vigorously. "My cousin from Blackmont sent word. He's not one to joke about such matters. He even mentioned in his letter that while there's no direct proof, he suspects this was no mere hunting accident—it was an assassination!"
"Of course it was an assassination!" Arianne's eyes were wide with shock. "It's far too convenient for the Dayne line to die out like this!"
She began pacing the carpet, her anklet bells jingling with each step, only further inflaming Daemion's restless longing.
Finally, unable to contain himself, he lowered his voice and ventured,
"Your Grace, I suspect this might be the work of Ulrick Sand!"
"Ulrick Sand? You mean the steward of Starfall?"
"Yes."
"You think he has both the courage and the means?" Arianne's skepticism was clear. "Even if Edric and Allyria are gone, that doesn't mean a bastard like Ulrick will inherit Starfall. The Dayne family still has other branches."
"But what if Ulrick could achieve something great, something that would make everyone believe he deserves the name Dayne? Don't forget, he's the acknowledged son of Lord Davos Dayne. If he could legitimize his claim, Starfall would be his."
"Achieve something great?" Arianne scoffed. "Do you think he's about to go conquer the Reach…"
She trailed off, recalling a recent rumor, and turned sharply toward Daemion.
"You think he plans to attack Eagle's Eyrie?"
"Exactly!" Daemion replied with conviction. "I swear by the Sun, Spear, and the Seven, Ulrick will gather Starfall's forces and march on Eagle's point!"
Watching the fire in the bastard of Godsgrace's eyes, Arianne nodded to herself.
As a fellow "Sand," Daemion would certainly understand Ulrick's ambitions. If the Daynes of High Hermitage lost their heirs, Daemion would do whatever it took to claim the seat of his family's stronghold.
Conquering Eagle's point, though perhaps not a grand victory, would certainly be a prize worth Ulrick's risk.
She'd also heard that Eagle's Eyrie was rumored to have a silver mine, further making it a prize of strategic importance. If he succeeded, her father might reward Ulrick's achievement with a petition to the King for his legitimization.
"I doubt Ulrick would go so far as to assassinate Edric and Allyria. If word got out, he'd be ruined. But I agree with you on one point: Ulrick will surely attack Eagle's point."
"Yes, Your Grace!" Daemion exclaimed eagerly. "Shall we join the attack?"
He had rushed to bring her the news not only because he was enchanted by her, but also because he knew Arianne wasn't one to sit idly by.
She'd surely be intrigued by the prospect of war.
And he was long tired of the bastard's surname he bore.
"Certainly," Arianne nodded.
"Then we should go to Prince Doran immediately and request that he send a force to join us at Starfall."
Arianne shook her head slowly. "No, let's not tell my father yet. We'll go to Starfall ourselves. Eagle's point isn't worth sending the prince's army; Starfall's forces alone will suffice."
Daemion hesitated but finally nodded. "As you wish, Your Grace."
Arianne walked toward the exit. She hadn't told Daemion that she hadn't seen her father in some time.
The Prince of Dorne preferred to spend his days in the Water Gardens, and it was hard for anyone but her uncle, Prince Oberyn, to gain an audience with him.
Yes, even his own daughter, Arianne Martell, was seldom granted an audience.
Under the laws of Dorne, Rhoynish tradition gave sons and daughters equal rights to inherit, which meant that Arianne, as Doran's eldest daughter, was expected to inherit Dorne one day.
But Arianne had once stumbled upon a letter written by her father to her younger brother Quentyn, promising him that he would be the future ruler of Dorne.
Since then, Arianne had believed her father intended to strip her of her birthright.
She had cried, despaired, and even hated him for it. But true to her house words, "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," Arianne had ultimately chosen to endure.
She believed she could change her father's mind.
All she needed was a chance to prove herself.
To show she was as capable as Queen Nymeria of Rhoyne, the warrior queen who once united Dorne.
(End of Chapter)