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Post by Vhagar on Apr 14, 2014 18:11:33 GMT -5
Trystane Martell, heir to Princess Sarella, lives in a set of spacious apartments in the Spear Tower. The prince has fairly simple tastes in his furnishings, so the furniture is plain, dark wood. The only true luxury is his brightly coloured Myrish carpet in the solar.
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Inside they found several young Dornishmen, all friends of the prince. Prince Trystane sat to one side, gazing thoughtfully at a map of Dorne. A glass of red wine sat beside him, barely touched. He greeted them both politely but was clearly distracted.
"Ah, Trys, you think too much," Aurane murmured. "I brought Ser Elyas to drink with us. He seems in need of cheer. And so do you now."
Trystane looked up at his friend, glanced at Elyas. "Sorry. I've got some things on my mind. Come sit with me, if you will. Try the wine. Aurane, pour for yourself and Ser Elyas."
Once Aurane was busy with the wine, Trystane said to Elyas "I'm pleased you came. I wished to offer the hand of friendship. Have you seen much of Dorne outside of Sunspear and Skyreach?"
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 14, 2014 18:24:51 GMT -5
Inside they found several young Dornishmen, all friends of the prince. Prince Trystane sat to one side, gazing thoughtfully at a map of Dorne. A glass of red wine sat beside him, barely touched. He greeted them both politely but was clearly distracted. "Ah, Trys, you think too much," Aurane murmured. "I brought Ser Elyas to drink with us. He seems in need of cheer. And so do you now." Trystane looked up at his friend, glanced at Elyas. "Sorry. I've got some things on my mind. Come sit with me, if you will. Try the wine. Aurane, pour for yourself and Ser Elyas." Once Aurane was busy with the wine, Trystane said to Elyas "I'm pleased you came. I wished to offer the hand of friendship. Have you seen much of Dorne outside of Sunspear and Skyreach?" Ser Elyas bowed, "You honor me with your offer, your grace. I pray that I can prove myself worthy of it." The knight hesitated before taking the offered seat. "I have not seen as much of Dorne as I might have, but I am well familiar with much of the North, having fought in and around Prince's Pass for...during the conflict with the dragons. I have also been briefly to Yronwood. Beyond that, much of my homeland is unknown to me. Yet there are certainly far less pleasant cities to find oneself in permanent residence than Sunspear, and I am fortunate to have been so favored by your house during my stay." |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 14, 2014 18:39:14 GMT -5
"Indeed. Well, your manners are not wanting and nor is your good sense, but it would be good if you could see a little more of Dorne. A well travelled man is always of use. Mother is most appreciative of your service but I would like to take you into my own service, with her consent."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 14, 2014 19:05:41 GMT -5
"Indeed. Well, your manners are not wanting and nor is your good sense, but it would be good if you could see a little more of Dorne. A well travelled man is always of use. Mother is most appreciative of your service but I would like to take you into my own service, with her consent." "I swore an oath, your grace...to your mother..." The offer was completely unexpected, and it took a moment for Elyas to recover his wits. "I am flattered, but...well, if your mother consents I would be happy to serve you. But if she does not accept your proposal, I am bound by my oath to her grace." |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 15, 2014 2:55:52 GMT -5
"My lady mother is aware that I need young men about me, and your own abilities are not to be dismissed. You are young yet, Ser Elyas. You will do well with me," Trystane remarked. "It seems likely that Dorne will need to close ranks soon enough."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 15, 2014 12:48:05 GMT -5
"I agree, your grace. I hope your lady mother feels the same." Elias remained cautious internally. Trystane's proposal required consent that had not been requested or furnished as of yet, and until it was, he would be foolish to look too far ahead.
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 15, 2014 13:20:10 GMT -5
"Of course she does. Mother is more protective of Dorne than anyone I have ever met. This land and our family are everything to her. She has no thoughts in her head regarding anything else. But we have reason to fear the dragons will once again attempt to strike."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 15, 2014 13:41:04 GMT -5
"Yes, we wounded their pride when we last defeated them. Ser Aurane and I agreed that the beasts would not be pleased with such an affront to their arrogant natures." Ser Elyas nodded. "When they next intrude into Dorne, I hope that we can improve upon your lady mother's excellent performance in the last conflict."
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 15, 2014 14:27:13 GMT -5
"I ope the same. Mother acquitted herself exceptionally well. I am sure we can all do the same if the chance arises. You saw what the beasts were capable of. Do you think we can defend against them indefinitely?"
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 15, 2014 14:36:48 GMT -5
"I ope the same. Mother acquitted herself exceptionally well. I am sure we can all do the same if the chance arises. You saw what the beasts were capable of. Do you think we can defend against them indefinitely?" "Their power is derived from their mounts. We have already felled one." Elyas replied. "Perhaps if we again prove such beasts can be bested, others may join us in resistance. But I am sure you know more of such matters than myself, your grace. What is your opinion of our current position?" |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 15, 2014 15:29:50 GMT -5
"Our position is strong at present, but we have nothing to match the power of the dragons, save only our abilities to skulk in the shadows and come upon the dragons unawares, as we did during Rhaenys Targaryen's failed conquest of Dorne. But we saw a few years ago that they have more dragons now, and the long war with the Faith Militant is now over. Should Westeros turn its eye on us, we would have more difficulty repulsing them. I have been studying the few books on dragons we possess. The Citadel was hostile to the Targaryens, but never to us, and I was fortune enough to be gifted a few books before the Citadel fell. But we have a severe problem, Elyas. A dragon's hide offers natural protection. The head is a dragon's weakest spot, most particularly the eyes. It was once thought the underbelly was soft, but that has proven to be a lie. So these dragons will be damned difficult to slay."
Trystane sighed. "So much for the dragonslayers of old. If it comes to battle we will have to hope we may bring them down, as the Faith Militant once did."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 15, 2014 16:19:23 GMT -5
"Our position is strong at present, but we have nothing to match the power of the dragons, save only our abilities to skulk in the shadows and come upon the dragons unawares, as we did during Rhaenys Targaryen's failed conquest of Dorne. But we saw a few years ago that they have more dragons now, and the long war with the Faith Militant is now over. Should Westeros turn its eye on us, we would have more difficulty repulsing them. I have been studying the few books on dragons we possess. The Citadel was hostile to the Targaryens, but never to us, and I was fortune enough to be gifted a few books before the Citadel fell. But we have a severe problem, Elyas. A dragon's hide offers natural protection. The head is a dragon's weakest spot, most particularly the eyes. It was once thought the underbelly was soft, but that has proven to be a lie. So these dragons will be damned difficult to slay." Trystane sighed. "So much for the dragonslayers of old. If it comes to battle we will have to hope we may bring them down, as the Faith Militant once did." "Yes, but what choice do we have but to fight them, your grace?" Elyas asked. "I for one will not bow to such creatures. And they will desecrate our land and people if they emerge victorious. I have heard that they insist on claiming their first night rights with great regularity, and even that merits little reaction when compared to their other foul doings. I would sooner stare a dragon in the eye and do my best than call a beast my master." |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 15, 2014 17:39:46 GMT -5
"So would I, but the question is how to fight them, when they have greater strength in the air. Our old tactics may not serve as well as they did in the past. But you are right, submission is not to be thought of. But nor is complete destruction. So we will have to prepare for the Targaryens to turn their attention to us now their other enemies are dead."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 15, 2014 18:05:21 GMT -5
"So would I, but the question is how to fight them, when they have greater strength in the air. Our old tactics may not serve as well as they did in the past. But you are right, submission is not to be thought of. But nor is complete destruction. So we will have to prepare for the Targaryens to turn their attention to us now their other enemies are dead." "I am afraid the answer to that question lies beyond the limits of my intellectual ability, your grace." Elyas sighed. "Perhaps it would be best for us to strike pre-emptively...but how to do it I know not." |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 16, 2014 7:39:57 GMT -5
"Mother would never allow it, anyway," Trystane replied. "She was trained for war but she does not seek it out. Protecting Dorne is her only concern. She does not seek to increase our holdings. I'd not object to taking more land if it were to our advantage to do so, but we shall never convince Mother to do it." He was silent for a moment then he looked sharply at Elyas. "I've heard it said that your own sire may have been a Targaryen. Are you not curious about your origins?"
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 16, 2014 13:25:23 GMT -5
"No." Ser Elyas replied vehemently, ignoring his usual niceties in his passion. "I already know more about my parentage than I care to. I pray that my father died a terrible death, or if it is not too much to ask for, perhaps the gods will grant me the chance to meet him on the field of battle as a stranger and allow me to end his pathetic existence...slowly."
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 16, 2014 13:53:51 GMT -5
"We can live in hopes," Trystane mused. "Though by rights we should all be hoping we never need fight the Targaryens at all. For myself, I would not care to have part of my family past that I know so little about, but each to his own. I once had a thought to send you to Kings Landing, you know, infiltrate their ranks. But Mother said it would mean your life and would serve no purpose. She swore the Targaryens would kill you on sight, on account of you being raised in Dorne."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 16, 2014 14:44:59 GMT -5
"We can live in hopes," Trystane mused. "Though by rights we should all be hoping we never need fight the Targaryens at all. For myself, I would not care to have part of my family past that I know so little about, but each to his own. I once had a thought to send you to Kings Landing, you know, infiltrate their ranks. But Mother said it would mean your life and would serve no purpose. She swore the Targaryens would kill you on sight, on account of you being raised in Dorne." "I am sure they would." Elyas replied, thinking to himself that he was fortunate to be male. "But there is worse they could do than kill me."
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 16, 2014 15:48:46 GMT -5
"Torture, I suppose," Trystane mused. "No doubt. But we do not wish you to risk your life without good cause. I wonder, though. Do you think you could tame a dragon?"
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 16, 2014 15:56:09 GMT -5
"Torture, I suppose," Trystane mused. "No doubt. But we do not wish you to risk your life without good cause. I wonder, though. Do you think you could tame a dragon?" Ser Elyas raised an eyebrow. The idea had occurred to him as a young child, but he had long since dismissed it. But perhaps the dragon blood within him would enable him to do what most others had could not even consider. Perhaps my heritage is worth something after all. The thought was disturbing to him, but he could not brush it from his mind, especially as he needed to respond. "I...do not know your grace. I have the blood, and I have seen a Targaryen with his dragon...albeit it briefly...I am unsure, if that alone is enough then I believe I could succeed. But if there is some sort of ritual involved that I do not know of...or their foul language is required...well, I would fail undoubtedly." |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 16, 2014 16:05:47 GMT -5
"Our books say nothing of the matter," Trystane sighed. "But I am minded to help you try, if you would like to. Not right away, but it would be useful to Dorne if we had a dragon to protect us, I think. Let us fight fire with fire."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 16, 2014 16:10:27 GMT -5
"Our books say nothing of the matter," Trystane sighed. "But I am minded to help you try, if you would like to. Not right away, but it would be useful to Dorne if we had a dragon to protect us, I think. Let us fight fire with fire." "It would be of undeniable use." Elyas agreed. "But even were we to succeed, we would have but one dragon to the many they control. I expect it's life expectancy would be relatively short were it to engage in combat. Nonetheless one dragon is better than none at all, but where could we hope to find one? Do the Targaryens not keep them all in the some foul pit that is no doubt heavily guarded?" |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 16, 2014 16:48:08 GMT -5
"I suppose so. But Dorne has ships. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that we might smuggle you onto the island one day, but only if you were willing."
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Post by Lord Elyas Dryland on Apr 16, 2014 16:50:43 GMT -5
"I suppose so. But Dorne has ships. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that we might smuggle you onto the island one day, but only if you were willing." "You believe there are dragons on dragonstone as well? I suppose that is possible..." Elyas mulled the idea over in his head. "If it will serve Dorne then I shall do it, provided that your mother agrees to it and it is decided the time is right." |
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Post by Vhagar on Apr 16, 2014 17:16:09 GMT -5
"Thank you. I will be sure to keep you informed." Trystane grinned and raised his glass. "Will you drink a toast with me?"
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too