Chapter 23: Sunspear

(1,200 words)

- Percival Bolton POV -

- Narrow Sea - Narrow Sea - Narrow Sea - 279 A.D -

The Immortal Group's symbol was a totally black eye, similar to my own. All the ships carried it, but my personal ten had a red trail around it.

On these ten ships were enough soldiers to protect me, all highly trained and capable. But there were three who stood out primarily as my personal bodyguards. One of those was not Copper, also known as Sandor Clegane, since he was with Lisa. These three men were, Gregor Clegane, who was called Silver, along with Syrio Forel and Harry Strickland. I was 18 years old, and Syrio was only 4 years older than me. But he was a fully skilled and competent swordsman. His dream was to serve as First Sword of Braavos, charged with protecting the Sealord of Braavos. But I had offered him this position as my bodyguard and he had readily accepted.

The current First Sword was the same as the previous one, who had accepted to serve the current titan Sealord on the condition that he would not receive orders from me or protect me. That was for killing his master, and he had accepted. It was a clear risk, but the man was very capable and useful. Although legally I was still above him. Because the Sealord and the Magisters had created a position called "Lord of Braavos" that was above both of them. Iron Bank, though reluctantly, had to accept the change. But I suppose that soon a couple of Faceless Man will come to end my life. But I'm confident that using Hawkeye's ability, I'll be able to identify them.

As for Harry Strickland, he was an exiled Westerosi. He was 19 years old and a member of an unnamed mercenary group. If I'm not mistaken he's the guy from the last season of Game of Thrones. The captain of the "Golden Company" the most trusted and capable mercenary company in the world. But now he was happily serving under my command. He was not as capable as Forel, but he had a lot of room for improvement. I also thought about finding and recruiting Daario Naharis, but he was too unreliable. He betrayed his comrades for a pussy, I don't want someone like that in my escort.

So, after a long journey of a couple of months, we had reached the shores of Tyrosh, where I would part ways with Qyburn to travel to Dorne.

So there was Sandor Clegane, Syrio Forel and Harry Strickland, along with over 300 soldiers, all competent and my personal guards. Although there was also another well-known figure on the ships, a navigator to be specific. This was Davos Seaworth, 19 years old. My men captured him a little over a year ago while he was a pirate. But I "rescued" him from his prison and offered him a "noble" and well paid job. To which he gladly and proudly accepted. I became a sort of Stannis Baratheon to him. Such is his devotion.

- Ashara Dayne POV -

- Sunspear - Dorne - Westeros - 279 A.D -

A few days ago some rather pleasant news had reached us in Starfall, the territory of House Dayne, my home. That was that I was to serve as maid of honor to Elia Martel after she married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen next year.

I didn't know how to feel about the news. I had known Elia Matell since I was a little girl, though not very well because our age difference was not so small. Especially in my childhood, because the younger you are, the more important the age difference is. You can't compare someone who is 4 and 10, with someone who is 40 and 46.

Princess Elia right now was 23 years old, while I am 16. I am still not sure who I am going to marry, neither I nor my family, but I knew that at least it would be after leaving my duties with Lady Martell. So I still had some time left. Although marrying would not be a problem, since I am still a virgin, and many people say that I am the most beautiful woman in Westeros. I do not know all of Westeros, but I can say that I am very pretty.

White but not pale skin, long, straight, black horse, along with, my best feature in my opinion, bright purple eyes. I also had a beautiful hourglass shaped body, but many ladies have that.

Right now I was in Sunspear, the capital of Dorne and a territory run directly by House Martell. My mother Vanya along with my brother Arthur were arguing with Prince Doran Martell and Lady Mellario of the Free City of Norvos, who was his wife and the mother of his daughter Arianne Martell. Besides being Prince of Dorne, he was Lord of Sunspear and Castellan of Sunspear. Since his father, as well as Elia's father, had passed away some time ago, and only his mother remained, who had formally handed over the lordship to her firstborn this year.

I, meanwhile, was standing next to Elia in her chambers, better known as her room, alone. I was a bit cautious with her at first, as it was no secret that one of her brothers, Prince Oberyn, was bisexual. Her sister might be the same.

"Easy Milady, I don't bite" she said smiling mischievously at me, and I let out a slight sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry Your Highness" I said respectfully.

"You may call me Elia in private" replied the woman in front of me with now a gentler smile. She radiated an aura of calm and maturity.

"But..." I tried to say. I don't normally act like this, and I'm quite informal. Going so far as to annoy my brother by his formality, as I'm quite annoyed by anything formal, but at this moment I was quite scared. People think I'm a meek maiden, but I like to think I'm quite the opposite.

"That's an order," she said, ending the subject. To which I could only nod. Then, I decided to ask a question out of pure curiosity.

"Elia" I said with more confidence, causing her to raise an eyebrow as she smiled. "What's it like to marry a Prince?" I asked, and she put on a partly nostalgic, yet complex smile.

"Well... It's partly exciting and joyful."

"Your expression shows neither of those emotions" I replied, not realizing my disrespect.

"You pick up confidence fast, huh" she told me.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." I said, but I was interrupted.

"Hehehe, easy, it's okay".

"So... Is it another man?" I asked, and his eyes widened in surprise. But then silence reigned for a while as she pondered over something. After giving me a look of what looked like judgment, she decided to open her mouth.

"You could say that in part" she told me, and now my eyes widened. I had meant it as a joke, but it turns out it was true.

"So..." he was going to say.

"That was enough" she said curtly. "I have some business to take care of, you can stay here if you wish" she said smiling at me, but I could tell she was slightly annoyed.

"I understand" I replied with a slight bow.

After that, I lay back on the bed for a bit as I thought about my conversation with the Princess. It's sad to have unrequited love.