The Dungeons of the Sea Lord

[brigida]

Tristeza smiled slightly, as she considered this question; "The law does not permit me to return to Dorne," was her reply. "I imagine you will return immediately to Westeros? You must have had your fill of Braavos. I a single days worth of food here is enough to last a life-time," she quipped smilingly.

[Deleted]

"I confess it is not the food that I have had my fill of it," Aranya said coolly.

[brigida]

Tristeza leaned towards the woman, who was nearly a stranger to her, but for the strange circumstances that had forced them together on only a few recent occasions. Her face was suddenly solemn, and her gaze full of steel, "That is no confession at all, Lady Royce." Tristeza said, "It was...unfair, and...quite horrible what happened to you here in Braavos. I would curse the name of this island if it were me, for the place has brought you nothing but grief."

The green-eyed woman's gaze flicked sadly away from her hostess, as though overhwelmed by her own observations.

After a long pause during which she stared absently through the nearest window Tristeza said in a far-away voice, "When my husband died," here she paused for a beat, and pursed her lips, "Well...when he died, the word was that he had killed himself. I did not know who to blame...I did not know how to avenge him--what course to take. It left me very much confused. I wondered why he had done it," her voice got lower, and quieter, I wondered if he did not...did not want me. Or if he did not want our child." all of a sudden the focus and determination rekindled in her eyes, "It was a dark time."

[Deleted]

OOC: My laptop flipped out.

Aranya listened to the compassionate words in silence, feeling her stomach clunch as her feelings threatened to swell. "You have my sympathy, my lady," she said at last, looking the girl directly in the eye. "It is not easy to bear," she gazed away, her mouth tightening. "I did not think...this is the second time, that I am a pregnant widow, of sorts."

[brigida]

Tristeza considered this a long while, "Tell me," she said with, perhaps too much interest, "Is it any easier the second time?"

[Deleted]

"No," Aranya replied, a little sharply.

[brigida]

Tristeza nodded absently, apparently lost in thought, her eyes wide and vacant, her brow furrowed deeply. After a time she muttered, almost as though speaking to herself, "Some say it is impossible for lightning to strike the same spot twice...but that is absurd--some fixtures draw lightning, and they are bound to be struck more times than they merit; the magnetism is in their nature. So they are bound to suffer more...and deeply." Her eyes shifted towards Lady Royce, full of apology.

[Deleted]

Aranya was about to reply, but then her eyes seemed to turn liquid and slide out focus. She gripped the arms of her chair until her knuckles turned white, and to Tristeza it looked like she was staring at something far away.

[brigida]

Tristeza had already known that the woman had the Green Sight, and though her expression was perplexed momentarily, understanding was not long in coming.

[Deleted]

Aranya slowly relaxed, sinking back into the chair. "Lightning in a sunless sky," she murmured.

[brigida]

Tristeza's eyes snapped towards the lady in whip-like fashion as she muttered the contents of her dream. The significance of the vision was clear to her immediately. She said nothing, but, "Are you well?"

[Deleted]

Aranya had regained her full awareness, and was now watching Tristeza keenly. "I am perfectly well, given the circumstances. Something about you sparked that, I think. You need not tell me. It is for you, perhaps."

[brigida]

Tristeza smiled ruefully, "Unfortunately, it did not tell me anything of which I was previously unaware." she heaved a sigh, the bitterness fading from her voice, replaced by thoughtfullness. A short glance out the window reminded her of the time, "It is long past the hour I should have left." she said lethargically, standing, as though her limbs were sore. "Should you need anything, Lady Royce, please do not hesitate for a moment to make me aware." Her voice was sincere, as she glided towards the door, if distracred. She turned at the threshold, and sent a weak smile towards Aranya, "I dare-say you will not have a nice evening. But you might at least try to survive it--that will probably be the theme of your days for a time, but then. You seem a woman to survive no matter what." she turned, and walked from the room, the door closing behind her, forced shut by unseen hands.

[Deleted]

///

Aranya lay back on her bed. She realized that she must have conceived on the sea voyage to Braavos, because of the way her pregnancy had been. Her belly was full and round now, her breasts heavy and full of milk. Her cravings for special foods were not satisfied, because she was too proud to ask, and she knew the Sealord would deny her. Her back ached, and she spent a lot of time on the bed, sleeping and thinking about her life.

[Deleted]

Aranya found herself going short of breath and groaning as her contractions started and her water broke. Shit. She gripped the edge of the bed, trying not to panic. Childbirth was always difficult, painful and dangerous, and good maesters were necessary to keep things as safe as possible. The first time Aranya had given birth, it had been in the wild, but her body had been much younger then.

The pain made her scream.