Tower Cells in Griffin's Roost

[Sam]

These are rooms in the tallest tower of the castle. The windows are small, and have iron bars built into the stone making it impossible for anything larger than a small bird or rat to slip through them. The doors are made of heavy oak, with large iron locks.

[Sam]

Ser Grant enters the tower cell containing Lord Toland's son, outside which four guards had been stationed. The lock clicks shut behind him, and he is unarmed. He had learned the boy's name from Ser Roland before his departure from Griffin's Roost, and addressed him now. "Young Mackland, I would like to speak with you," he said calmly. He knocked on the inside of the door, and it opened. The guards brought in a small table and two chairs, before retreating from the room and locking it again. Ser Grant sat down in one of the chairs, and produced a wineskin seemingly out of nowhere. He took a draught, before speaking. "Do you know why you're truly here?" he asked.

[The Smith]

"So my dad does not take up his sword against your little King." Mackland snarled.

[Sam]

"Yes, I suppose. Why would your father wish to take up banners against his rightful King, even though he is a boy?"

[The Smith]

"Because he is a free Dornish man. Unbowed. Unbent and Unbroken!"

[Sam]

"I was unaware your father was of House Martell," Ser Grant said sarcastically. "I was, however, under the impression that your father bowed to the King's Hand after Dorne's army was broken, ironically enough. Your Princes of old willingly submitted to the crown, and Dorne has contributed many great men to the realm since. This kingdom was formed on the dream that Westeros should stand united, as one nation under one government. Why is it that Dorne alone petulantly wishes to stand against that ideal?"

[The Smith]

"One government. Maybe you should read your history books." The boy sneered, "It was founded under the fiery breath of dragons."

[Sam]

"Aegon Targaryen saw, rightly, that this realm should be united as one kingdom. The dragons were merely a tool that he used to achieve that. Your land never even suffered from the Dragons claws, Dorne bent the knee willingly. Perhaps it is you who should re-read the histories. You did not answer my question."

[The Smith]

"The Dragons entered Dorne, but we became sand snakes. and drove the men who captured our land out." He snickered, "And we will again, no matter what it costs us in innocent blood."

[Sam]

"That is a very childish statement, and certainly one unworthy of one who will one day rule his father's lands. You would truly sacrifice your small-folk because you are too proud to bend the knee to another man?"

[The Smith]

He laughed, "I was not talking about our folk."

[Sam]

"Well they are certainly the innocents who have suffered from your current attempt to throw out your conquerors. The duty of a lord is to protect his smallfolk, to put their well-being over his own pride. That is a lesson that, I think, the Lords of Dorne have yet to learn. Hopefully you will grow into a better lord than the current stock leading your country, but only time will tell."

[The Smith]

"It is better for our small folk to be dead then to serve a man like Irwyn!!"

[Sam]

"I am sure the people of Dorne echo that sentiment, and that they would all rather die to preserve your pride," Ser Gant said, again sarcastically. "You will make a great lord someday, I'm sure your people will respect you greatly."

"You have never known the love a man can have for his wife, but I am sure you love your mother and father. What would your reaction be, if someone tortured and murdered them? Would you allow that person to walk away from their treachery, and do whatever they pleased at the expense of innocent lives?"

[The Smith]

He snickered, "I bet you would love to touch your wife."