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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 28, 2007 22:51:11 GMT -5
OOC: This takes place after the Tournament at Casterly Rock.
The Prince's Pass is a heavily-fortified pass through the mountains, and the main land route between Dorne and the Seven Kingdoms.
Dorne's expeditionary force could be seen in the distance from the keeps of the Prince's Pass. The force in the Reach was finally returning home to Dorne, after a year of non-war against the abortive rebellion and Lord Tallahar Tyrell. In the vanguard were the outriders of Lord Fowler, while deep in the formation could be found the Princess' litter.
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Post by brigida on Nov 28, 2007 23:15:46 GMT -5
"Brijita" as she now intended to be known rode alone now, with only the steed upon which she sat, and a quickly dwindling store of supplies; Marcella had elected to stay in a small village about thirty miles to the south with a distant cousin, and to work there as a midwife. They had heard rumblings in the taverns of som larger towns on their journey of two young criminals, both women, who had fled the scene of a murdered Lord's death. Marcella fretted that with this rumor circulating, it was best to separate; and though Brijita knew it had been for the best, she recognized still how conspicuous she appeared, and was terribly aware of the solitude of the dusty wilderness.
It was at the turn of the sixth straight hour of lonely riding that the oppressive silence was shattered. It was stirring of the dust far ahead that she noticed first; and then there were the voices.Though the sounds were distant yet, they were nonetheless unmistakable. It was an army; the returning army of Dorne.
She fought the rising panic--but the fight was futile. Her steed whinnied nervously, as she pulled hopelessly on the reigns.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 28, 2007 23:21:55 GMT -5
The Dornish army began to march through the pass, deliberately and with the casual shouts of a victorious force returning home. At the head were still the outriders, though; until the army disbanded, they would maintain military discipline. Lord Quentin Fowler's reputation as a general was justly deserved, and he had no intention of losing it by going slack.
The head of the outriders rode up to Brijita as she was wrestling with her horse, bearing the arms of House Ladybright on his tabard. "Can I help you, goodwoman?" he asked.
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Post by brigida on Nov 28, 2007 23:29:28 GMT -5
"Thank you, Ser," she stammered, doing her utmost to maintain the facade of calm. "I am travelling to the north to visit family at King's Landing; they bade me come as soon as they received word of the disbanding of the blocade at the North end of the Pass." She thought this was satisfying lie, though the circumstances still unnerved her to what was almost a breaking point. "It is lovely to see you all returning in such good spirits. " she smiled in the most gracious way she knew how.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 28, 2007 23:34:29 GMT -5
"Family at King's Landing? Then wouldn't a ship be easier?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as another rider came up to Brijita, overhearing the conversation. This man, though, was a bit more animated, as he had seen the woman once before, at an event in Sunspear.
"My Lady!" said Ser Sylas Wyl. "Ser, this is the Lady Tristeza Martell, not some common peasant. Show proper respect to the Princess' cousin!" The Ladybright knight blinked, and hurriedly bowed from his horse, as the industrious Ser Sylas rode closer to Tristeza. "My Lady, the Princess is herself returning to Sunspear; she is no longer in King's Landing."
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Post by brigida on Nov 28, 2007 23:41:32 GMT -5
"Oh." She said, faltering visibly. "Um...are you sure you haven't confused me with someone else?" she asked hurriedly. "My name is Brijita. You needn't worry the Princess, Sir. I know she wouldn't want to be bothered with the doings of common peasants such as I." Her eyes shifted in slight short movements between the two Men, and the coming onslaught of soldiers. "I'm sorry to have desceived you, Sir." she said humbly to Ser Sylas, who she did indeed recognize and know by name. " I meant not to impersonate a noble."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 28, 2007 23:46:37 GMT -5
Sylas looked at Brijita with a frown. "Brijita?" he asked, looking her over. "No, I'm quite positive we met at the party at the water gardens. My cheek's still tender from when you slapped me." He touched his cheek. "That taught me about stealing kisses from maidens." He looked at her. "But why is a lady Martell not travelling in company?"
The Ladybright looked suspiciously at Sylas. "Are you that slit-starved, man?" he asked. "Just pay her, have her and be done with it, we've a ride to be on."
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Post by brigida on Nov 28, 2007 23:54:46 GMT -5
Brijita paused. Would a peasant accept the money in that situation? She shook her head; focus. "No, Ser, I have never even been to court; I hail from the east, just north of Starfall. I apologize, but I am not the lady you have met, Ser." She held his eyes with withering conviction, before turning her gaze quickly away--it was not usual for a peasant to deny the findings of one above their station. With some effort, she manufactured a weak glance up, which she hoped would imply some measure of deference.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 29, 2007 0:02:30 GMT -5
The Ladybright snorted. "See? She's not some highbred Lady. Starfall's -west- of here. Fuck her or leave her, we've got to get back to Lord Quentin."
Sylas scratched his head, but just then another rider came from the south, the way Brijida had come from. "Sers? You're from the army? I have word for the Princess Emelia! There has been a murder most foul in Sunspear! Prince Calciber is slain!"
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Post by brigida on Nov 29, 2007 0:08:52 GMT -5
Brijita closed her eyes to gain composure, all the while hoping that her groan had been lost in the offended gasps of the others. "A Murder." she breathed, visibly shaken; would they take this for a normal reaction to such news? "How terrible." the bitterness of her words was palpable, as she had nearly begun to cry. To flee was an absurd idea. Utterly inconceivable. She was faced with having to both evade and outrun a whole army. Impossible. Her hands shook, and her spirit was beaten. She was dizzy, and felt quite faint. A murder...A murder indeed.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 29, 2007 0:14:24 GMT -5
Sylas misread Brijita's faint expression and moved towards her. "Lady Tristeza, your father is dead?" he asked, sorrow on his face. "I'm exceedingly sorry, my Lady..."
The rider looked at Sylas. "Ser, Lady Tristeza? Lady Tristeza and her servant are wanted for the offense!" Sylas looked at the rider. "I don't believe this!" he responded angrily.
"Not your business, Sylas," barked the Ladybright. "If she killed the Prince, or didn't, the Princess'll decide soon enough. Maybe she'll give you her ass after she feeds the rest of the bitch to her snakes." Sylas growled at his commander, then looked at Tristeza. "My Lady...please accompany me to the Princess. I'm...sure...she'll..." The youth's words died out, then continued. "No. If you didn't do it, you have nothing to fear. The Princess cannot be lied to!" He smiled. "Tristeza, come. Her Highness will sort this out!"
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Post by brigida on Nov 29, 2007 0:19:18 GMT -5
"Oh." she said. "I'm wanted for the offense?" she asked bemusedly, as though she were questioning the messenger's choice of haircut, (which incidentally, she did find rather objectionable) completely out-of-her-wits, and dropping her disguise seemlessly. "Very well." she muttered as she looked around at the dusty scenery, meeting the eye of noone. as she passed open-mouthes soldiers, all starring. She felt that she walked toward her doom.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 29, 2007 0:27:13 GMT -5
Ser Sylas and the messenger escorted Lady Tristeza to the center of the formation, where the Princess' litter sat. The messenger spoke to a porter, who relayed the word to the Princess. The porter then turned to Sylas.
"Disarm her, tie her hands and feet, and get her in the litter. We're not stopping until we reach the other side, but she can ride with Her Highness." Sylas looked apologetic as the men began to remove her weapons and tie her up, then pushed Tristeza into the litter.
Once inside, Princess Emelia lay reclining on her seat, looking Tristeza over with a completely neutral face. "I would say that it was good to see you, my cousin, but under the circumstances I will refrain."
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Post by brigida on Nov 29, 2007 0:31:46 GMT -5
Tristeza remained silent. There was nothing for her to say. She wanted to sob loudly and without inhibition, but her pride forbade it. Her eyes were red and moist with shame and sadness, but her body was still, and her breathing, though ragged, and labored, was silent.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Nov 29, 2007 0:35:43 GMT -5
Emelia looked at Tristeza. The girl's emotions were writ large on her face, and the Princess shook her head slowly, then slapped Tristeza. "Lady Tristeza!" she said in her most censorious tone. "I will have none of that from you. Whether or not you are a murderess, you will face whatever consequences you have earned as a Martell should. Or have you forgotten the words of our house?"
Emelia Nymeros Martell sat up straight as she recited. "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken. Our ancestors held the only kingdom never conquered by the Targaryens. Dragon's fire and years of war could not break our spirit. And here you look ready to break into sobs merely at the sight of me! Could your father raise you no better?"
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Hope you all are well and happy.