One Hundred Leagues East of Gulltown

[brigida]

Tristeza stood, gazing intently towards the Lord Regent once more, "We will meet again to discuss the King's determination?" she asked.

[wookie]

Benfry nodded his aquiesence "Once I know the King's mind on this I shall send word to Braavos, Lady Martell. As you have seen fit to give this request in person, I shall do you the courtesy of responding in kind when his decision is made" he tries to smile but it flickers and dies at birth

[brigida]

Tristeza stepped forward hesitantly, so that she stood nearer the Lord Regent: "Indulge me," muttered beseechingly, and she placed a quick kiss on each of his cheeks in the traditional manner of Dorne, before pulling back quickly, and turning to go. She followed Ser Ladybright from the small cabin.

[wookie]

Benfry flinches and makes for his swordhilt as she approaches. He stands stiffly as she kisses his cheeks and clenches his jaw, his knuckles white as his nails dig painfully into his palm. He swallows as she backs away
"Please do not do that again, Lady Martell" he says softly but firmly and releases his hilt with shaking hands. Shaking from what, she cannot tell. He glances warningly at Danwell who looks up to the ceiling and whistles for a second before following her out of the cabin.

The tension between the King's Men and her sellswords has not gone away and most breath an audible sigh of relief as they both exit. Benfry escorts Tristeza to the plank and waits expressionless as she is helped across by her escort

[brigida]

As Tristeza stepped down onto her own deck once more, she glance back towards the Westerosi ship, and nodded a silent "thank you" towards the Lord Regent, before she retired quickly to the small cabin area, to ease the chill which had so suddenly re-emerged.

[wookie]

Benfry shouts orders to return to King's Landing.
Soon the sails billow and the ships part ways

[brigida]

-------------------------------------------------------

The conditions were identical for the second rendevoux. The same ship bobbed by itself at an apparently insignificant spot on the cold, wide ocean. Tristeza did not wait below deck on this occasion, though. She looked to the east, expectantly, waiting for their vessels Westerosi counterpart.

[wookie]

A single sail bearing the King's banner appeared on the horizon once more. Soon, it grew close enough to see that it bore 2 members of the Kingsguard. One was obviously Lord Commander Benfry Smith, the other was Ser Elwood Mooton. They came close to Tristeza's vessel and trimmed sails, coming alongside. The wind ruffled the white cloaks on the Kingsguard shoulders as they stoically waited for Lady Martell to show herself.

[brigida]

No time was wasted in laying a broad plank between the ships for the lady the cross the water--washed out by the sounds of the restless sea were the cries of a child. No man aboard the Braavosi vessel spoke. This was not a funeral. Not yet; but the mood fit such an occasion to a tee.

Lady Martell crossed the small space between the vessels dispassionately, unarmed, with no accompaniment.

[wookie]

Benfry inclined his head as she approached "Lady Martell - is there any belongings or maids you wish to bring across with you, or shall we set off? I apologise for the hurried nature of this meeting, but urgent developments are occuring in Westeros and I fear these waters will not remain safe for long"

[brigida]

Tristeza nodded politely, and beckoned towards one of the men she had left on the Braavosi vessel. He departed momentarily, only to return almost immediately with a small child in his arms. He crossed the water only to deliver the boy to his mother. When he had safely returned to his home ship, Tristeza signaled to her captain, and the plank and anchor were lifted.

The Braavosi ship was quick, and it made good time into horizon.

[wookie]

Benfry remained led Lady Martell and her child to his cabin. It was fairly simply furnished, with a single bunk and a small crib off to one side. A small table with blank parchments and inkwell stood in the opposite corner, and a pitcher of fresh water and fruit sat on a bedside table.

"I'm afraid the accommodations are cramped, but we shall make good speed to Kings Landing. I trust all your arrangements in Braavos are complete?" he paused for a long moment and then continued quietly. "You may not be aware of this Lady Martell, but we have recently received confirmation of Lord Horas' death. The proof this time was incontrovertible. I do not know what feelings remain for him, but I thought that you should know" his eyes, searched her face, whilst his own remained void of expression

[brigida]

Tristeza's eyes darted towards the now three-year-old child, full of trepidation. Horas Blackwood's son looked confused as he gazed between his mother and the strange man he had never met before, a question in his eyes, "Father?" he muttered. Horas Jr. had not spent very much time with his father, and indeed, could not have fostered any lasting attatchment to him. But he knew the man's name, and his relation to him.

Tristeza closed her eyes balefully. She did not respond to either inquiry, though she held the child a little tighter in her arms, and kissed his head affectionately, as concern filled his expression.

[wookie]

Benfry glanced across at the babe, but did not answer. He turned to Tristeza and said "Please call me if you have any need of me. The men outside will fetch me" he left the room and placed a guard of 2 men outside the cabin, one of whom was his brother, Elwood.

He sought out the captain and ordered him to make full sail for Kings Landing.