The Maidenvault

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The Maidenvault is a long slate-roofed keep behind the royal sept in the Red Keep, where King Baelor the Blessed confined his sisters so that sight o them might not tempt him into sinful thoughts.

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Lady Elane and the other noblewomen were huddled into the Maidenvault, as Maegor's was full of soldiers. Outside, Elane can hear the screams as the dragon and Aedon began devastating the city.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

ETA: Nevermind. Less NPCs.

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OOC: Okay, changed it.

A maester entered to check on the ladies, and Elane asked him to bring her a raven. "They keep me cheerful," she said with a smile, and he shrugged and nodded.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Oops, you got that in before I edited it. I'm trying to rein in the number of NPCs .

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

The Redroyce bursts into the Maidenvault. "Cousin Elane, Lady Cortesse, come with me. I'll brook no argument." Both follow him from the hall.

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As the danger mounted, Elane secretly sent a raven to Storm's End, and then insisted that she and the other ladies be taken down into the dungeons. When several of the women began crying in fear, she said sternly that it was the only safe route. "Only down in the dark will we be protected from dragonfire. The Maidenvault is high up behind the sept - Aelerion could kill us easily."

When Rhodri came into the room, Elane looked at him through narrow eyes. "What has happened?"

OOC: Didn't see your post Rhodri.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Again, we will have our words later. When there is time. Come now."

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Elane nodded calmly and walked briskly after him, and the other ladies fell in behind her.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

OOC: Um, I'm not taking all the ladies...that would be too dangerous.

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Elane sent the majority of the noblewomen down in the dungeons with the fifty guards, who were to take the ladies and ride away if the castle fell. "Lady Cortesse, you'll be with me," Elane said. "The dungeons are no place for a pregnant lady, and you couldn't ride away if you had to."

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After urging the men to get some food and rest, Elane bathed in the Maidenvault, which had been spared the worst of the attacks. There were only a few servants left, and the hot water they brought up was brownish, but Elane didn't want to complain. There were thousands out there who had bathed in blood.

"I'll go to the healing camp after this," she decided.

And after a quick bath, she dressed comfortably and, accompanied by a single guard, rode to the healers' tents.

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An understeward brings Rhett Flowers to a warm sleeping cell under the Maidenvault, and servants bring trays of vension, turnips drowned in butter and a flagon of strongwine. "I'm sorry we don't have more," the understeward said. "The city is a mess right now. But we do have this." A willowy girl entered the room, slender and golden-haired and enchanting. She gave Rhett Flowers a smile and slipped onto the pallet beside him.

"Enjoy your meal," the understeward said, leaving after the servant. "Lady Elane will meet with you after the day's work is done. After you eat and have fun, feel free to wander around and sing."

[Imry Willfyre]

Rhett apologized but asked the girl to leave, he preferred to sleep alone tonight.

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After a private talk with Lord Tommen Redfort, Elane sat quietly in her rooms, contemplating her decision. It was the right time, she decided. She felt a sense of peace and fulfillment. She was helping the world in the best way she could, advancing her knowledge as far as possible, and now her House was safe. For all she knew, they'd be safe for a long time, and in great power as well. She had done her part. It was finally time for her own desires, her own dreams.

While her cousin Lord Tommen was making ready, Elane sought out Ser Brandon Buckler. He was out in the gardens by the stables, where Elane considered safe to talk. The walls of the Red Keep had ears.

"I'm leaving King's Landing," she said with her gentle, friendly smile. Her voice was low. "I'm leaving Westeros, actually. I want to thank you for all you've done to help me and protect me. There are few other men I could have trusted with the secret of the dragon eggs. Thank you, ser, for being my protector. I have a gift for you. Well, gifts, rather." From under her fine velvet and ermine cloak, she produced an exquisite vial of silvery blue glass. Inside was a clear liquid.

"Your knowledge of the dragon eggs may put you in danger one day," Elane said. "Take this. The liquid is a poison strengthened by my own additions. One drop in a spy or torturer's bowl of stew or flagon of wine, and they'll be dead within fifteen minutes. I concocted it myself, and nobody in the world possesses an antidote."

"Now for a more pleasant gift," she said with a smile. She led him into the royal stables, to the stall of a great grey destrier, a massive beast with a broad back and robust limbs, beautiful in a powerful, majestic way. "He's only four years old," she said. "But well trained for all that, and from the best bloodlines in the Reach. I bought him a week ago. May he always carry you to victory, Stormshield."

At that moment, Lord Tommen Redfort appeared, leading his chestnut courser and Elane's blood bay palfrey. Behind them were packhorses.

"I must leave," Elane said. "Farewell, Ser Brandon."