#❜ — arc iii ⁎ 𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 ⁎ ✳ ⋆

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 ( @reignrbs​​ )

"  come  in.  "  voices  the  hand  when  he  hears  a  knock  at  his  door.  cedrick  has  been  spending  more  time  in  his  office  than  anywhere  else  ,  save  spending  time  with  his  children  who  were  still  very  confused  why  they  had  yet  to  leave  sunspear.  he  knew  there  was  little  they  could  do  for  the  prisoners  in  the  dungeons  ,  but  still  wished  to  ensure  that  they  walked  the  fine  line  of  cooperation  without  looking  as  if  they  were  bending  the  knee  to  dorne.  his  eyes  only  slowly  drift  from  the  papers  before  him  to  see  who  is  entering  ,  uncertain  who  would  even  come  to  him  at  this  hour.  what  time  was  it  even  ?

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eirelia's  relationships  with  each  of  the  starks  is  found  at  varying  degrees.  cregan  was  not  present  when  she  came  to  winterfell  ,  felt  out  of  place  and  angry  for  her  proposed  purpose.  her  father  had  been  controlling  and  difficult  to  manage  ,  she  hated  winterfell  and  the  starks  for  what  they  represented  ,  hated  being  stuck  near  a  blackwood  she  was  raised  to  despise.  but  the  starks  warmed  her  cold  heart  ,  made  her  feel  welcome  ,  and  because  of  that  she  was  far  kinder  to  them  as  time  passed.  that  turned  into  a  genuine  friendship  with  harry  ,  a  positive  acquaintanceship  with  lyanna  and  alexia  ,  and  an  interesting  place  with  cregan.  she  didn't  feel  bitterness  towards  him  ,  and  he  treated  her  just  as  his  siblings  did  in  that  she  was  a  welcome  member  of  winterfell.  he  was  also  the  stark  she  knew  the  least  about  if  the  cousins  were  counted  out.  a  smile  blossoms  on  her  lips  at  his  tease  ,  "  i  thought  one  could  never  get  enough  practice.  "  she  teases  further  ,  even  if  she  would  trust  him  for  this.  lia  was  just  closer  to  kaina  ,  but  she  appreciated  cregan's  offer  ,  prompting  her  response.  "  far  be  it  from  me  to  offend  a  prince  ,  i  would  be  thankful  if  you  could  assist  in  not  letting  this  scar.  i'm  far  too  pretty  for  such  things.  "  lia  has  a  good  bit  of  confidence  ,  but  her  words  are  further  in  jest.

cregan , in both his youth and his adulthood , could be described as a temperate person . he was difficult to rile , almost impossible to provoke , and despite his natural curiosity , he was not intrusive . he did not pine for the secrets of others , even if he was as enchanted with them as he seemingly was eirelia . it was the opportunity to learn more of her that he was drawn to . once that was gone — he had not grown close enough to any person to know what would come of his affections thereafter . he breathes an all but silent chuckle through his nose at her rebut , accompanied by a winsome smile . it fades some as he brings attention to her cut , gleaning what information he could from the fleeting glances he’d made towards it . “ it looks that way , ” he agrees with the lady’s assessment of her injury , leaning in ever so incrementally whilst still keeping a more than polite distance . “ not so much practice , ” he begins , smile returning to his face , “ i got enough of that earning my silver link . ” though he knew enough and was capable to a level that a grandmaester had granted him leave to forge six links of his own chain — many seemed to discount him as a novice , and likely would until his chain was completed and he bore the title maester . “ still , i would try not to let it offend me so if you’d prefer to go to kaina . ”

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫

 vorian’s  head  was  spinning  ,  but  he  wasn’t  allowed  to  take  a  moment  to  grapple  with  any  of  it.  instead  he  was  storming  off  to  the  western  gates  of  the  palace  where  his  man  had  sent  word  that  someone  was  trying  to  leave.  apparently  their  no’s  were  not  enough  ,  his  were  required.  the  lord  commander  didn’t  even  take  the  time  to  determine  who  it  was  ,  voice  booming  across  the  distance  before  he  closed  the  gap.  “  the  gates  are  closed  for  a  reason.  if  you  seek  to  leave  ,  it  must  be  taken  up  with  the  ruling  princess.  ”  his  tone  gave  no  indication  that  the  plea  would  be  granted  ,  no  room  for  arguments.

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 ( @reignrbs​​ )

"  i  have  already  visited  once  ,  i  know  he  resides  there.  "  begins  the  bolton  ,  looking  at  a  guard  with  an  incredibly  unamused  stare.  "  i  need  to  see  my  brother  and  ensure  his  continued  well  being.  "  not  a  total  lie  ,  but  in  truth  she  just  wished  to  see  him  behind  bars  once  more.  a  deeper  part  of  myranda  did  care  if  he  was  doing  well  ,  but  the  more  sinister  side  simply  enjoyed  his  imprisonment.  she  wouldn't  be  admitting  that  to  this  guard  ,  however  ,  especially  when  the  other  seemed  to  think  visiting  hours  were  closed.

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𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @wnterreign​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ( sebastian manderly )

"  i  miss  acadia.  "  comes  the  voice  of  the  princess  as  she  gazes  up  at  the  ceiling  of  her  rooms.  it's  far  too  hot  to  be  outside  ,  in  her  mind  ,  and  while  her  mood  has  improved  the  stark  still  does  not  wish  to  traverse  halls  filled  with  people  angry  at  her  family  for  actions  outside  of  their  control.  "  but  she'd  be  miserable  here.  "  as  was  she  ,  training  in  dorne  had  sounded  incredible  ,  in  practice  it  was  miserable  and  the  wolf  longed  for  a  chill  of  cold  air  to  soothe  her  skin.

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"  it  seems  i  needed  a  reminder.  "  agrees  the  lady.  her  time  in  westeros  was  ruining  her  instincts  ,  and  even  worse  the  time  in  sunspear  making  her  lose  her  mind.  myranda  felt  soft  and  squishy  ,  she  could  not  wait  to  leave  and  visit  volantis  once  more.  her  siblings  would  have  to  understand  ,  she  wasn't  raised  to  stick  by  their  sides  forever.  "  the  free  cities  each  have  their  own  charms.  i  would  recommend  myr  or  pentos.  "  she  does  not  mention  volantis  ,  it's  not  a  vacationing  spot  even  if  she  thought  the  lady  plenty  capable  of  handling  themselves.    "  i  find  myself  envious  of  those  who  do  not  have  to  rely  on  the  roads  to  take  them  home.  "  it's  only  a  slight  joke  ,  flying  had  to  be  swifter  than  riding  ,  but  myr  would  be  heading  for  the  ports  ,  yet  to  secure  passage  but  no  doubt  in  her  mind  that  she  could.

        ❝  i've  long  given  up  thinking  stupidity  cannot reach new lows. ❞   she shook her head, scoffing. her brother had once surprised her with some of his decisions but by the time they'd all gathered in king's landing no decision had truly surprised her. not even her brother's foolhardy betrothal. annoyance was better than continuous disappointment.   ❝ one day i hope to travel there. ❞   she wondered if rhaenys would be open to traveling there following their release and visit to storm's end. the journey couldn't be terribly long if they flew. then again, anya wasn't sure if her first time riding a dragon should be over a sea.   ❝ it has been dreadful. it'll be a race for the gates once they finally reopen. but i doubt it'll cease these tedious gatherings. ❞

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 ( @reignrbs​​ )

 the  doors  were  so  creaky  here  there  was  no  ability  to  be  silent.  rowan  was  still  learning  this  gods  forsaken  castle  that  seemed  to  move  in  her  sleep  if  you  asked  her.  the  stress  of  everything  fogging  her  mind  and  making  it  nearly  impossible  for  her  to  dedicate  sunspear  to  memory.  as  the  lady  pushed  into  what  she  thought  was  one  of  the  many  sitting  rooms  where  she’d  found  the  most  solitude.  however  ,  the  moment  her  eyes  took  in  the  room  she  found  it  was  not  only  occupied  ,  but  not  the  one  she’d  been  looking  for  in  the  first  place.  “  my  apologies  ,  i  didn’t  mean  to  intrude.  ”  comes  her  quick  reply  to  stumbling  upon  another’s  space.

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫

 perhaps  sitting  on  the  wall  of  the  sunspear  palace  wasn’t  the  best  place  to  be  ,  a  stiff  breeze  could  cause  her  to  lose  her  balance  instantly.  but  the  princess  had  better  balance  than  that  ,  and  she  found  her  eyes  watching  the  night  sky  above.  one  day  of  being  trapped  and  she  had  yet  to  go  stir  crazy  ,  unlike  in  king’s  landing  where  the  young  wolf  had  begged  and  pleaded  for  home  ,  in  dorne  she  was  calm.  a  calmness  that  should  alarm  any  who  knew  her  ,  a  calmness  that  had  gone  unbroken  for  nearly  an  entire  turn  of  the  sun.  footsteps  echoed  into  the  air  ,  signaling  she  was  no  longer  alone  in  her  chosen  spot.  “  the  stars  look  so  much  different  here  than  they  do  in  winterfell.  ”

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫

 she  felt  like  a  shell  of  a  person  ,  never  to  be  complete  and  no  hope  of  happiness.  so  much  had  happened  since  they  came  to  dorne ��,  sunspear  where  she  was  the  most  eager  to  see  once  more.  desmera  didn’t  believe  herself  strong  enough  to  deal  with  any  of  it  ,  spending  her  hours  crying  behind  locked  doors  while  the  father  of  her  children  had  to  be  their  sole  caregiver.  but  it  was  the  moments  when  the  fowler  apartments  were  empty  that  proved  to  be  the  most  agonizing  ,  the  silence  deafening.  it’s  why  the  knock  of  their  main  door  pulls  the  fowler  from  her  thoughts  ,  and  desmera  quickly  wipes  her  eyes  and  moves  to  open  it.  “  my  parents  are  out  ,  if  that  is  who  you  seek  ,  but  should  return  later.  ”  she  says  ,  voice  soft  and  broken  and  coming  before  she’s  even  fully  looked  at  who  has  graced  their  door.

[stxrfclls]

daegon  doesn't  move  when  the  hand  is  dismissed.  he  expected  as  much  ,  he'd  not  seen  his  father  since  before  the  events  at  the  wedding  ,  this  was  long  overdue.  knowing  how  thick  the  room  would  be  ,  it  seemed  the  hand  could  not  slip  away  fast  enough.  daegon  watches  them  go  ,  only  analyzing  each  step  until  they  were  completely  gone  from  sight.  his  head  snaps  back  to  his  father  at  the  words  ,  cocking  his  head  like  the  little  shit  he  was.  "  information  is  the  best  currency  of  the  world.  "  he  doesn't  think  he  needs  to  tell  his  father  that  ,  but  he  needs  to  share  how  he  feels.  "  my  proclivity  for  knowing  things  comes  quite  in  handy.  "  the  prince  far  more  observant  than  he  let  on  ,  intentional  on  his  part.

behaviors from his son had not gone unnoticed , but unmentioned . one would have thought that it had been daegon attempted swept into another's arms to be taken to whatever lair the culprits concocted in attempts of leverage . ❝ leave us . ❞ directed to the hand that advised him on many a thing including his son's demeanor and incidents that came with those that had gained close proximity to their family through his influence . ❝ what will knowledge do that you will do nothing with ? ❞ spoken only once his advisor was out of ear shot , brows raised in manner that suggested quellon desired an answer .

[stxrfclls]

@reignrbs​

 of  all  the  fucking  times  in  all  of  dorne  for  shit  to  happen  ,  it  had  to  be  mere  months  after  the  dayne  took  his  role.  vorian’s  head  could  have  exploded  with  how  angry  he’d  gotten  ,  and  his  knights  had  certainly  seen  the  aftermath  on  the  training  grounds  mere  moments  ago.  the  lord  commander  stalks  from  the  grounds  towards  the  outskirts  ,  setting  his  sword  on  the  bench  and  reaching  for  the  goblet  of  water  that  lay  there.  feeling  eyes  on  him  is  nothing  new  ,  but  his  temper  is  snapped  and  his  patience  thin.  his  own  gaze  snaps  up  to  the  source  ,  voice  possibly  a  bit  too  harsh.  “  are  you  in  need  of  something  ?  ”

[stxrfclls]

@reignrbs​​

 “  i  hope  your  rooms  are  to  your  liking  ,  should  you  need  anything  please  do  not  hesitate  to  ask.  ”  he  was  chipper  ,  far  too  happy  for  abraxas  on  any  other  day.  but  the  prince  was  wed  ,  he  was  happy  ,  and  he  was  in  dorne.  while  sunspear  felt  plenty  crowded  ,  nothing  could  dampen  the  prince’s  mood.  besides  ,  he  was  always  happy  to  show  off  his  home.  or  ,  his  partial  home  now  ,  he  supposed.

[stxrfclls]

desmera  had  more  time  to  herself  these  days  ,  but  even  without  her  children  she  was  wandering  the  library  in  search  of  books  for  her  studious  little  demon  of  a  child  ,  mysaria.  her  daughter  wished  to  read  more  of  pyke  before  their  visit  ,  overly  excited  to  be  going  after  the  funeral  just  as  des  had  expected.  arms  full  of  books  ,  she  doesn't  notice  the  chair  in  her  path  and  accidentally  kicks  it  ,  making  a  loud  scratching  noise  that  echoed  through  the  quiet  space.  an  exclamation  earns  her  gaze  ,  and  her  brows  draw  in  response.  "  sorry  ,  are  you  alright  ?  "  slowly  the  lady  sets  the  books  down  ,  eyeing  the  mess  before  the  other  with  a  wrack  of  guilt  slipping  down  her  spine.

Open starter: @reignrbs

Time  seemed  to  go  by  so  slowly  and  yet  so  quickly.  It  felt  like  only  yesterday  that  Vivienne  had  been  confined  to  bed  rest;  and  only  the  day  before  that  she  had  been  sipping  wine,  chatting  with  friends,  and  somehow  convincing  one  very  grumpy  sellsword  to  dance  with  her.  Now,  they  sat  at  a  corner  table  in  the  library,  a  growing  stack  of  letters  precariously  placed  off  to  the  side.  The  letter  she  was  currently  writing  was  destined  for  Honeyholt,  to  soothe  what  little  worries  she  could.  The  sound  of  a  chair  scraping  the  stone  floor  causes  the  little  bee  to  jump,  sending  their  letters  everywhere.  "Oh,  blast  it  all."

[stxrfclls]

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 ( @reignrbs )

training  seemed  to  be  all  he  could  do  to  keep  his  mind  busy.  running  drills  with  knights  as  he  barked  orders  of  correction  in  form.  he'd  assume  they  hated  him  for  it  ,  but  they  were  all  trained  this  way.  dorne  was  not  meant  to  have  weak  warriors  ,  he  assumed  his  knights  took  the  incident  of  the  wedding  to  heart  and  wanted  to  improve  because  of  it.  the  lord  commander  was  also  not  unaware  his  methods  earned  an  audience  ,  and  when  he  felt  eyes  on  the  back  of  his  head  spun  to  face  the  source.  "  care  to  join  ?  or  are  you  just  here  to  watch  ?  "  his  tone  isn't  too  harsh  ,  vorian  doesn't  care  for  an  audience  but  won't  tell  people  to  go  away  either.

[stxrfclls]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @wnterreign ( katerina blacktyde ) "Do you really want to put yourself through this?"

hugo  knows  they'd  yet  to  really  talk  ,  despite  having  crossed  paths  several  times  at  this  point.  he'd  been  afraid  to  broach  anything  else  ,  to  question  if  she  was  comfortable  with  the  arrangement  and  what  their  future  would  be.  but  it  seemed  the  little  ironborn  was  set  to  surprise  the  bear  today  ,  her  question  being  met  with  surprised  eyes.  the  lord  takes  a  moment  to  respond  ,  not  wishing  to  mistake  his  thoughts.  "  if  i  were  not  willing  ,  i  would  not  be  attempting  to  get  to  know  you  ,  katerina.  "  he  begins  ,  uncertain  if  even  that  was  the  right  thing  to  say.  gods  ,  he  probably  should  have  asked  hugo  and  mav  for  help  with  this.  "  we  are  quite  some  way  from  all  of  that  ,  but  i  think  we  could  have  a  peaceful  future  together.  "  did  that  even  sound  good  ?

[stxrfclls]

vorian  tilts  his  head  ,  observing  far  more  about  the  other  than  they  probably  desired.  one  didn't  get  to  his  position  without  being  able  ot  pick  up  a  few  key  things  of  another  ,  and  in  their  long  extended  visit  of  outsiders  it  was  easy  to  recognize  an  iron  born.  "  you  can  only  fight  with  weapons  ?  how  limiting.  "  he's  typically  a  bit  more  behaved  ,  a  bit  more  courtly  and  polite  ,  around  others.  but  vorian  has  no  more  patience  for  those  not  dornish  ,  hardly  has  it  for  some  dornish.  "  if  you're  watching  to  pick  a  fight  someday  ,  i  do  mind.  "  because  he  didn't  trust  people  ,  much  less  those  he  did  not  know  ,  and  from  their  own  words  they  liked  to  observe  before  fighting.  many  were  angered  at  the  dornish  guard  ,  this  might  be  no  different.

there were only so many virtues one could find in sand and heat and in their short time in dorne caryssa had exhausted all the grace she had in her heart for this kingdom and its climate. it had been a novelty she enjoyed but now as she was forced to parade around in far too revealing outfits for her liking if only to withstand the stifling heat she found herself more and more longing for the sea. it could be a cold mistress, even a violent one at times but by the drowned god would she relish a storm now. she had to settle for the slight breeze of the early dawn for the time being as she walked aimlessly. without noticing it her feet had led her to what she assumed were the training grounds and she watched curiously, not wishing to disturb though her presence was soon noted. a laugh escaped her lips before any words passed them. “i don’t have any weapons on me and besides facing an adversary twice my height and size with no preparation would be unwise. i think i’ll stick to watching if you don’t mind, ser.”