Oberyn Martell
Hatred for the Lannisters permeated every pore, every cell of his body. His older brother often said that it made him vulnerable, clouded his mind, and inspired thoughts that could lead to a disastrous end.
The Red Viper understood and agreed with the words of his so clever and so cautious brother, yet at the same time continued to kindle and sustain this feeling. It gave him strength, creating an intoxicating mixture that made his hot southern blood literally boil.
The Lannisters had killed the person closest and dearest to him—his sister Elia and her children. The gods had not punished the murderers. Very well, then House Martell would destroy its enemies and restore justice itself.
Oberyn dreamed that one day grief and pain would come to House Lannister, and that he would be the harbinger of those events.
For a long time, the right opportunity did not present itself.
Doran was very cautious—too cautious, in Oberyn's opinion—and in no hurry to enter the game. He calculated and prepared several options, like a miser hoarding coins: accumulating secrets and useful people, gathering information, closely watching events in the east, and delaying decisive action.
But those who are patient usually get what they want. The Martells' time came when a ship brought Trystane's future bride, Myrcella Baratheon, to Sunspear.
The brothers realized that their enemy had made a mistake. With such a hostage, their hands were untied. Oberyn went to King's Landing. Before that, he had a long conversation with Doran. Prince of Dorne urged him to be prudent and patient. They discussed what he could do and how—how to find people dissatisfied with the Lannisters and the Tyrells, how to pit them against one another and sow discord, how to influence the young and empty-headed King Joffrey.
Oberyn rode to avenge Elia. He knew both the perpetrators and the instigators of her murder. Doran advised him to begin by skillfully using his thirst for vengeance to demand the head of Gregor Clegane, the man who had raped and killed Elia.
Doran was inclined to believe that Lord Tywin would be forced to hand over his man, and that a trial by combat could take place. And after everything is over, Oberyn would have to judge how much the Lannisters needed Dorne and how far the Martells could go in their demands.
Gregor Clegane was a true monster—a fearsome, ferocious opponent. However, Oberyn did not fear him in the least. The knowledge he had gained at the Citadel, as well as the skills he had acquired while traveling through the Free Cities and fighting as a mercenary in many wars, allowed him to hope that everything would turn out as it should.
Once Clegane was destroyed, it would be time for the second step, and then the third.
That was the Martell's plan, and Oberyn was ready to carry it out.
He arrived in King's Landing ahead of his men and vassals—Oberyn liked to confuse his enemies. Settling into an elite brothel owned by Littlefinger, he enjoyed himself in the company of his latest mistress and the mother of four "snakes," Ellaria Sand. To keep the prince from growing bored, they were joined by two very skilled whores—one a pleasant, chubby girl with big tits, the other thin and fluid as water. There was also a young man with an experienced mouth and a muscular ass. Oberyn liked to switch from women to men and back again during sex.
It was during this particularly spicy entertainment that Tyrion Lannister found him.
When Tyrion entered the room accompanied by his men, Oberyn grimaced involuntarily—the Lannisters made their opinion of him clear from the very first moments by sending the ugliest member of their family to greet him.
However, Tyrion turned out to be a difficult conversationalist. After a while, Oberyn had to admit that his presence was at least amusing and helped relieve the boredom. Laughing at one of Lannister's sharp jokes, the prince even invited him to keep one of the whores company—he was curious to see how a dwarf fucked, and whether all the rumors about the Imp were true.
For some reason, Tyrion declined and instead invited him to the Red Keep.
Oberyn refused such an honor. The castle was a snake pit where many unpleasant things could happen to careless people. Moreover, the Martell retinue was delayed on the road, and without reliable companions, venturing into such a place was clearly not the best idea. Oberyn remained in the brothel.
And of course, such an important guest simply had to be invited to the royal wedding. He attended, eating, drinking, laughing, and watching…
The alliance between the Lannisters and the Tyrells was a cause for concern for the Martells. The Lannisters were the richest house in Westeros, and the Tyrells the most numerous. And both of them treat Dorne with a fair amount of contempt, to say the least..
King Joffrey himself, whom Oberyn saw for the first time, did not leave a strong impression. At a glance, he seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary, spoiled brat with no particular talents.
After the wedding came a tournament, in which Oberyn took first place. He was frankly amused by all these "summer knights"—loudmouths dressed in silk and fine clothes who had never known real war, hardship, blood, guts, shit, or pain.
Oberyn despised this smiling rabble with their delicate skin and pretty faces. They were no match for him.
The next day, Lord Tywin himself took the trouble to visit the brothel.
Oberyn was once again indulging in venal pleasures when the door opened. First entered Lord Tywin—unperturbed, broad-shouldered, his expression touched with faint irony. Behind him followed his retinue: two Kingsguard and several men clad in Lannister colors.