The sun rose on the horizon of Sunspear as a figure stood atop one of the many balconies. Dressed in naught but a pair of pants and leaving his body bare, Torrhen Stark drank up the rays of sunshine while staring out at the shadow city below.
While he would have admired it at any other time, his gaze was focused on the three dozen men walking towards the castle. They were led by a figure whose shadow danced with every passing second, a wide smile on Dalton Greyjoy's face as he looked up to meet Torrhen's gaze.
Neither did anything as Torrhen watched him pause right at the steps, the two staring at each other before Dalton cackled as Torrhen smirked and entered his room.
"He has quite the rancid stench to him," Anne spoke up from where she was perched on the bed's headboard, a chuckle escaping Torrhen's lips as he picked up a silk shirt and put it on.
While he could endure the heat of the South sun in King's Landing, the heat of Dorne's sun was a completely different story and he was thankful that he had thought ahead to bring them with him.
Walking out of his room, the guards outside fell in line as he made his way to Otto's room, the guards outside simply stepping out of the way as he knocked once before opening the door.
"Lord Hand."
"Torrhen. What brings you here this early?" the man asked, busy reading a book while enjoying a bowl of sour grapes and a glass of Arbor Gold.
Torrhen just smiled as he sat down before speaking, "It appears that Lord Greyjoy has finally decided to arrive."
"Has he entered the castle?"
"Just moments ago."
"Good. Remember, he enjoys to be seen and he enjoys his theatrics."
"Therefore, treat him as nothing more than a regular lord and he will become irritated at my doing so," Torrhen replied, Otto nodding as the Lord Hand closed his book and stood up.
"Exactly. Now then, it is princess Coryanne's nameday celebration so tread lightly. We do not need House Martell nor Dorne finding fault with our behaviour and declaring war."
"Understood," Torrhen nodded, walking out of the room after the Lord Hand. The guards moved to their formation around the two as they made their way through the halls of Sunspear, reaching the Main Hall within minutes.
The two guards in front of the double doors bowed their heads in greeting and opened them, the guards filtering in and falling in line with the Dornish guards as Otto and Torrhen walked in.
Torrhen himself glanced at Anne as she landed on his shoulder before he turned forward once more, smiling and bowing in greeting to the many lords and ladies inside the hall.
"Lord Torrhen, Lord Hand, we are glad to see that you have joined the celebrations," Aliandra greeted with a smile, which Torrhen returned as Otto stood with his hands folded behind his back.
"Apologies for our late arrival, princess, but we of King's Landing are not used to having celebrations quite this early in the day."
"Is that so? Well, we love to party from sun-up 'till sun-up here in Dorne so I suppose you will get used to it in the time that you are here," she replied and Torrhen's gaze moved to the lords and ladies having a merry time.
The hall was alive as banners emblazoned with the sun and spear hung from the walls while lords and ladies dressed in silks and linen in shades of orange, red and gold mingled with each other.
At the back of the room was Prince Qoren, seated upon the dais to his chair with Coryanne standing quietly at his side. Her usual bowl of sand was missing and she was dressed in formal linen clothing.
Standing right in front of the dais and with his men at his back stood the cause of concern, Torrhen smirking as Dalton Greyjoy peered at him from over his wine goblet.
"I'll be moving over there, Lord Hand," Torrhen whispered and Otto saw the lord in question as he frowned.
"We'll be watching," he replied and the younger lord smirked, turning and making his way over to the Lord Greyjoy.
Whispers followed in his wake as the young Stark walked towards the older Greyjoy, who grinned as he finished his wine and walked closer.
"Well now, if it isn't the favourite child of the North or is that your brother? I always get you two twins confused."
"Rather hard to get us confused, Lord Greyjoy. Cregan is the more noble one of us two while I am the more mystical one."
"Oh, on that I agree with," Dalton replied as he smirked. "I was told that the Old Gods had chosen their champion already, but if I have to be honest, I expected...more."
"That's what most of my former enemies used to say."
"And why are they former?"
"Who knows, Lord Greyjoy," Torrhen replied, making the Red Kraken laugh before they turned their heads as Qoren cleared his throat with a frown.
Catching the look, Torrhen bowed in apology before turning to Dalton with a smile, "It appears that the festivities are about to begin so I will bid you adieu until later, Lord Greyjoy."
"Try not to run away before our trials of the Water Gardens, little pup," he replied, Torrhen simply smiling in response as he turned and walked back to Otto.
"And?" The Hand asked and Torrhen glanced back at the Red Kraken before shaking his head.
"He is not as powerful as he was in King's Landing. It appears that the Mother Rhoyne does not wish for the Drowned God to have any power here."
"What about you, then?"
"No need to worry, Lord Hand. The Old Ones' power course through my veins so it is almost as if I am in Winterfell's godswood," he replied and the lord nodded with a hum.
"Good. Let us go, then. It appears that the feast is about to begin," Otto replied and Torrhen turned, following after Otto as the lords and ladies gathered in front of the dais. Qoren paused for a moment until everyone was ready before he stood up and cleared his throat with a smile.
"Ahem! Lords and ladies of Dorne, Lord Hand, Lord Greyjoy and Lord Torrhen Stark, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to my daughter Coryanne's six and tenth nameday celebration!" Qoren declared, everyone clapping politely as Coryanne gave a soft smile.
Then, he turned and gestured to Dalton and Torrhen with a smile before speaking, "As all of Dorne know by now, my daughter has been blessed with the love and attention of our great Mother Rhoyne. However!
As I have been made aware by my daughter here, Lord Torrhen and Lord Grejoy are also chosen to be the Chosen of the Old Gods and The Drowned God respectively!"
While he was sure most of them knew it, Torrhen kept his amusement hidden as the crowd glanced at him and Dalton with calculative yet awed stares.
"Therefore, in celebration of my daughter's nameday, it has been decided by Coryanne and the Mother Rhoyne that a small test will be held to determine whether or not our relationship with either the North and House Stark or the Iron Islands and House Greyjoy will grow stronger."
"I thought it would be more than one," Torrhen heard Dalton murmur with a strained smile on his face and he watched as Coryanne stepped down from the dais.
She took two glasses of clear liquid from one of the attendants off to the side before walking towards them, both Torrhen and Dalton took the glasses she handed them.
"Drink it."
"Is it poisoned?"
"Yes," Coryanne replied and Torrhen paused at her bluntness before turning to Dalton to see him swirling the liquid around with a hum.
"Poison to us or poison to our gods?"
"The latter," Coryanne responded and Torrhen paused as he glanced at Anne who sat upon his shoulder.
"Drink it."
"What will happen?"
"It's a test that you will pass. Drink it," she replied and Torrhen shrugged as he downed the liquid in one gulp, watching as Dalton did the same with a hum.
"Huh, nice liquor.
"It i-" Torrhen paused in his talking as he felt a burn in his chest, taking a slow breath as he nodded. Dalton on the other hand let out a loud gag as black spittle dripped from his lips, wiping it away with a snarl as he looked at the girl.
"What...?"
"That was pure alcohol infused with the Mother's essence. If taken by one that is already undead, the purity of her energy will burn one's inside. Since Lord Torrhen only felt a slight burn from the alcohol, all is well between him and I."
She then turned to Dalton, who staggered half a step as the blackened spit hit the floor and continued speaking, "However, Lord Greyjoy, the Mother Rhoyne feels the touch of death clinging to you and by that, I mean actual rot."
"What is that may never day, girl, so you best be careful," Dalton replied, wiping the corner of his mouth with a grin before turning to Torrhen as the Stark stepped forward. "Does the little pup wish to speak as well?"
"The sea has no claim here, Lord Greyjoy. The Old Ones say that the dead should remain beneath the waves."
"Ah, but of course you would think that, wouldn't you? When your trees whisper their sweet lies to you? Tell me, how many times have they truly came to your aid?"
"Just now when I needed to prove my innocence, Lord Greyjoy. Can the same be said for your god?"
"Oh, it can because he has shown us that the South is of no use. Qoren, my sun-kissed friend, we shall be taking our leave."
"Do remember to honour our agreement, Lord Greyjoy," Qoren spoke up and Dalton paused in his steps before he cackled and continued moving.
"Remember, little wolf, the tide always returns."
"And the shore will always endure," Torrhen replied and Dalton's laughter grew louder as he and his entourage left the castle. It was only when the doors closed behind them that the tension finally broke.
Torrhen let out a soft, relieved sigh as he slipped his wand back into his pants, letting go of the Aether threads in the air. The lords and ladies lenaed in towards one another, whispering to each other as Qoren stared at Torrhen for a long moment.
Then, he inclined his head and spoke, "The Mother Rhoyne has spoken and Dorne has heard her. Consider us your close allies."
"Mine or House Targaryen?"
"Yours and House Targaryen's by extension."
'So, it's an alliance to show off House Nymeros-Martell's loyalty and that of Dorne to House Targaryen by attaching it to myself and only myself. That means it is null and void upon my passing,' Torrhen thought with a smirk, turning to Otto with a raised eyebrow.
The lord in question observed Qoren for a long moment before he turned to Torrhen and nodded, "We shall work out the more complex technicalities later, but it will do."
"Wonderful!" Qoren spoke with a happy smile before clapping his hands. "Now, enjoy Sunspear's food and have a wondrous time until your departure!"
"Come, Lord Torrhen, you have to try this sweet Dornish red we have made," Aliandra spoke with a smile as she looked to Torrhen, who nodded while catching Otto's subtle nod.
"Be careful."
"Understood," Torrhen nodded back, following after Aliandra to the drinks table. He raised an eyebrow at the punch bowl and its bright red contents that was currently being poured into a small glass, taking the glass that was handed to him.
"How strong is this?"
"About twice the potency of a Dornish red," she replied and Torrhen nodded as he downed it in one swift gulp. Aliandra did the same before he shivered at the heat travelling through your body.
"That is...impressive."
"I know. Would you like another?"
"No thank you. I am not the drinking type," he replied with an apologetic smile, already feeling the drink taking effect before he grimaced as he felt his vision twisting at the corners of his eyes.
'Yep, thought they'd use some kind of poison or drug on me,' Torrhen thought, pulling on the Aether threads around his head and attaching them to himself.
He then flushed it out with a thought, the alcohol burning away and leaving his mind clear once more as he smiled at Aliandra's scanning eyes.
Her own widened ever so slightly when he gave a knowing smile and a wink, letting out a soft chuckle as he turned and made his way over to Coryanne.
The young woman turned to him as he approached, picking up a glass of Dornish red and standing beside her with a smile.
"What brings you to me, Lord Torrhen?"
"Nothing much, princess. I'm just taken aback as I half-expected there to be a big sword fight or a magic battle when we came here."
"I expected such a thing too, but the Mother said that it would be a test that would be too much in the Drowned One's favour."
"Which is why you picked a test where one's god's affinity matters the most. Some would call that rigging the odds in your favour."
"Playing games with the gods are never fair," she replied with a sly smile, Torrhen letting out a soft snort at her words before taking a sip from his wine.
"Honesty over everything. I can respect that."
"Yes, I do love to be honest unlike my sister. Apologies for her attempt to drug you."
"No need for you to do so. Truthfully, I would have found it more insulting if she didn't at least try to."
"The Old Ones has chosen well," her voice changed and Torrhen turned his head to see the spectral figure of a woman loooming behind her.
"So have you, Mother Rhoyne," he blinked as his mouth spoke without him needing to, the voice coming from his throat sounding much deeper and raspier than his own.
The sensation only lasted a moment before he could breathe again and Torrhen shook my head as Coryanne rubbed her forehead.
"Not used to it yet?"
"I don't think I will ever get used to it."
"Neither will I," he muttered, staring at the crowd before turning to Coryanne with a smirk. "Well, this is your celebration feast so let's get to celebration, princess."
Coryanne didn't say anything as she stared at him before she smiled and nodded.
"Very well. Let's celebrate."
A/N: And we end it off here~! Yeah, I think Price and My Dad tomorrow and then He Who Is Death will either be Sunday or skipped to next week.
I think this stomach thing didn't get worse, but it got a little more irritating at the same time. Like, the stomach cramps are getting more annoying and I am getting it checked out tomorrow, but I am going to finish the chapters.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until next week...
Ba-Bye~!