The Great Hall of the Dun Fort

[The Stranger]

"They call me Scav," says Scav. "And Ser Andros seems a noble name. You serve the Lady Aranya?"

[Deleted]

"I am just a humble hedge knight, I fear. And I do serve Lady Aranya," Ser Andros said. "Well, as of today, anyway. Her men found me in my dungeon and gave me a bath and a shave. And this food. So I'll serve here, for the nonce. But I hear she has a weirwood in the Dun Fort godswood, and believes in mad things. So I might not serve here for long."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Apr 10, 2008 11:29:41 GMT -5 @elane said:

Aranya's eyes had a shuttered look, as if some window was being hidden. "I had a job to do," Aranya said quietly. "And it is done. For the most part. The rest of it is beyond my control, anyway."

Brandon nods. "I'm afraid I must retreat from the feast, cousin, persuading fanatics is more tireing than it looks and I must leave for Braavos".

[Deleted]

The dessert was served, currant and custard tarts, fig pies basted with honey and elderflower cheesecake, with sweet golden mead. By this point most people were bursting, or dancing, or drunk out of their minds.

"I am sorry you must leave so soon," Aranya said to Brandon. "But I will not kee..."

Harrion, the burly maester of the Dun Fort, came up to Aranya and whispered in her ear, holding a folded letter. She took the letter and read it, a sharp look in her eye. Then she murmured something to Maester Harrion, and he nodded and left.

Aranya banged her goblet on the table for attention and rose to her feet.

"My lords - and lady - " she added to Aerie, "The Hand of the King has written, commanding us to take our forces that we have here in Duskendale and ride to meet his host on the Kingsroad. We've been summoned to war with Dorne, and we ride at first light."

Chatter broke out in the great hall, though many people decided to go to bed at once.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Will you be going to Dorne, then?" Brandon asked concerned.

[Deleted]

"Yes, I believe so," Aranya said grimly. "The war there is going hard. And we have thousands of soldiers here, fresh and well provisioned. Tell me Brandon, what do you know of the situation in Dorne? Where are our armies invested?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

Brandon shrugged. "Our armies would be at Lemonwood, since Sunspear was burnt to the ground. Yronwood was taken, the situation in the Prince's Pass is worse. The dornish men there are ambushing every army that comes, even if we have some of the castles there."

[Fel]

Marq looked into Rhae's eyes when the announcement was made, "well, there you have it, Rhae, it's Dorne for me."

He looked around the hall to see people leaving. "It seems the festivities are at an end. But I will not have us parting just yet, my lady. Will you show me around this keep of yours? I wish to see where you sleep," he said, with a mischievous grin.

[Deleted]

"We are a large force now, and will be even larger when we join with Roland's host. I would hate to be the Dornish who try to ambush us in the red mountains," Aranya said. "As for Sunspear, that is a damn shame, if only for Emelia's sake. Do you know, I have not been to Sunspear since the day Callen and I landed there, newly returned to Westeros. And to think, now if I see it again, it will be a smoking ruin."

She shrugged it off. "You coming, coz, or is it Braavos for you?

[Deleted]

Apr 11, 2008 11:19:37 GMT -5 Fel said:

Marq looked into Rhae's eyes when the announcement was made, "well, there you have it, Rhae, it's Dorne for me."

He looked around the hall to see people leaving. "It seems the festivities are at an end. But I will not have us parting just yet, my lady. Will you show me around this keep of yours? I wish to see where you sleep," he said, with a mischievous grin.

Rhae had looked worried when the announcement was made, but she smiled and touched Ser Marq's arm. "You had the right of it after all. Well, I will pray to the Warrior that your lance will strike true."

She laughed at his words. "Ser Marq, you are really too much. But if you like, we could go for a stroll in the godswood. Or the gardens. It is so pretty outside, and the stars are so bright."

[Lord Howland Royce]

"One man won't make that much of a differense, it is Braavos for me. Stay safe, cousin. I would hate to have taken a city for you just to have you killed in a war," he finished softly.

[Fel]

"As you wish, Rhae," he smiled, offering her his arm and allowing her to lead the way to the Godswood.

[Deleted]

Aranya smiled. "I do not plan to die in Dorne. And thank you, cousin, for all you did."
///

Rhae smiled and took his arm, and then they walked out through the hall and through the courtyard of the main keep, towards the godswood. The godswood was quiet. The trees rustled and moonlight glimmered through the leaves, casting shadows. An owl hooted as they walked, crickets chirped, and there were the smells of many different trees. In the center a white weirwood loomed large, its ivory trunk gleaming in the moonlight. A face had been carved on it long ago.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"You are family after all. Give my regards to Roland ,will you?" Brandon smiled.

[Fel]

Marq considered the tree for a moment, then looked at Rhae, "my lady, if you've brought me out here so you can take advantage of me out of sight of other men, have care, for the Old Gods watch us."