The Courtyard

Prince Qyentyn strode forward. His own leathers were dyed red with gold embroidery. He grinned at her. "You look very fierce, princess."

But as they strode forward, a group of men in the red and orange Martell livery closed in around them. And then they saw Princess Sarella's stocky frame come into view. "And where might you be going, girl? Did I give you permission to leave the castle?"

Sarella folded her arms across her chest and smiled rather nastily. "Now what was I supposed to say? 'Yes, Princess, bring your dragon into my kingdom and let him eat all the livestock and people he pleases?' A dragon is a dangerous beast and I wanted nothing more to do with them, but you brought yours here against my will. What choice did I have? I made a promise to protect the people of Dorne too. That is more important than an unwanted guest." She frowned, indicating that the guards should encircle them. "How can you guarantee the dragon means no harm? It eats meat. What is to stop the creature from eating the farmers if it gets hungry? What will stop it burning the crops?"

The princess stood firm. "A dragon is still an unthinking beast as far as I can tell. And remember, I am no stranger to their kind. I slew one of the creatures. I have received word the beast has been taking food as he requires it. What could you hope to do that would change that? Can you hope to chase down every farmer he took a sheep from, every cow? How can you say nay to a dragon? He has not been restrained in any way, is that not so?"

"The dragon is a threat to my people," Sarella insisted. "If I let him continue to go loose, he will pose a greater risk than he does now. Men desiring the title of dragonslayer will flock to his lair, wherever he has made it. And if I let you go, I will lose a valuable...guest, one who might wreak great harm upon Dorne. This is not Kings Landing, where we may chain a dragon in a pit. Here the only good dragon is a dead dragon."

"And you are a bratty girl who should know better than to speak so to your elders and betters," Sarella answered. "I rule here, not you. I will thank you to remember it. I hear you pulled a dagger on my son. How can I view you with anything other than suspicion if you do that?"

"My mother has good reason to fear the danger of a living dragon," Quentyn remarked. "She slew Meraxes some years ago. The skull rests here, if you would care to see it."

"So it does," Sarella answered. "Tell me about this Rhaegar Targaryen. I am sure you must know him, since you share a name."

"I will not. I want the creature dead, you hear me. I know perfectly well that dragons can be killed, having done it myself. Why then should I believe your lies that my men will die? And besides, most of them are the sworn men of malcontent lords, and that fellow Rhaegar Targaryen. Those men would be no loss at all to Sunspear."

//////

So as Daenya stepped into the courtyard with the young guard as escort, he asked her "So where are you going?. Me mate is going to get another guard to take rest of me shift so I can take you where you're going."

"That's because you're our guest and we don't want to lose you," the young guard said. "Just remember, we're two lovers out for a walk."

He leaned in close to her, wrapped an arm around her waist. "Remember to keep your head down. Don't catch anyone's eye."