Percy waited until Nymeria was finished pouring the tea. He took his glass and brought it to his lips using two hands, curled around either side. Nymeria's apple-based tea was pleasantly cool as it went down his throat. Ambrest Tea. That was the official name.
Nymeria propped her chin on her palm, watching Percy across the table with a smile.
"I thought you might be the kind of man who's impossible to teach," she said. "I'm glad to see I was wrong. You're quite observant, and a reasonably fast learner. You're only obstinate in your usual affairs by choice!"
"Well, something like that," Percy said.
He looked to his left and soaked in the view, not for the first time.
Usually Nymeria held their lessons in the room where she first met him. That was fine. Percy liked the plants and how relatively cool it stayed in the heat of the day.
Today, they were breaking up the routine. Two months after their first talk, Nymeria had him meet her much earlier than usual, right as the sun was beginning to rise. They'd left the Sandship with a small handful of guards. The destination was the home of one of Nymeria's acquaintances. She had a lot of those. This acquaintance owned one of the medium-sized residences in the part of the Shadow City closest to the keep, where even the smallest homes put the biggest buildings outside the walls to shame.
On the roof, under a canopy to fend off the rising sun's rays, they had a view out to sea from a table decorated by breakfast dishes. Two armed guards stood next to the door leading back into the house. They were Nymeria's personal entourage, not employees of her acquaintance, and they were just far enough away that they couldn't hear the conversation at the table unless Percy or Nymeria raised their voice.
"Do you like the view?" Nymeria asked.
Percy stared at the mess of orange on the horizon, glinting off the water until the sun rose higher. "I like it a lot."
"I'm glad. You've learned well, these last two months, although I must admit that your answers to my questions have been… frustrating so far."
Percy looked back and found a pretty frown on Nymeria's face. Everything she did was pretty. That was what made the blades hidden under her dress so dangerous.
"I haven't lied once."
"You don't seem the type," Nymeria acknowledged. "You've given me a handful of half-truths though, and a few answers so outrageous I can scarce wrap my head about them." She pouted, before letting the air out of her cheeks in a sigh. "That's neither here nor there. I have news today that you'll be most interested in. But first, have you tried this dish?"
She put her hand on the table and slid a plate toward him, pressing it daintily with her middle finger. Nymeria was smiling again. She could always change expressions at the drop of a hat.
"It's a seasonal delicacy," she said. "There aren't many times of year when it's this fresh, so take your fill."
The dish consisted of a ring of bright yellow peppers with their ends dipped in a nearly neon-green sauce. In the middle of the ring were slices of some kind of speckled bread, the bottoms of which were soggy from soaking up the sauce. Percy thought it was entirely too early for peppers but he'd been in Dorne long enough to expect this.
With a little bit of coaching, Percy took two peppers with one thin slice of bread and combined them into a single bite. The heat he was used to was still there, but it came with a richness of flavor he hadn't expected. There was a citrus tang, which Percy traced back to the bread. The sauce seemed to be a kind of olive oil and was barely noticeable compared to the peppers' flavor.
"It's good," Percy said. "It's really good."
Nymeria giggled. "I'll pass your compliments to my guard. Or you could do it yourself. He's the one to the left of the door, with that fiery head of hair."
Percy looked and saw him. He was taller and skinnier than his partner. Like Nymeria said, he had red hair. It was darker than Rachel's, verging on black, like a fire that had burned down to its embers. One hand stayed on the hilt of his curved sword where it was sheathed.
"He cooked this?"
"No!" Nymeria laughed. "I meant that his family raised those peppers. House Toland have their seat not far north of Sunspear. These are golden peppers, named not just for their hue. They require less water and yield a sweeter product. It's tradition to serve them this way, with a citrus bread baked in lemon."
Percy was still looking at the guards. "Did you pick him because of his family's peppers?"
"My uncle picked them both, as a matter of fact. Tomar of House Toland and Rendel of House Gargalen, where Prince Doran squired. Both families are close friends of the Martells, and they've served me as well as I could have hoped. If Tomar knows who to speak to in order to acquire a few more of these delicious peppers after the harvest, well, that's only another reason to keep him close."
Percy finally turned away from the guards. He ate another pepper and a slice of bread, because it really was good, before looking at Nymeria.
"So. What's this story I need to hear?"
Nymeria leaned over the table. She had a habit of doing that, treating important information like a juicy bit of gossip. That's what she called all the information she came into. Gossip.
"Uncle Doran issued a summons this morning. By the time we return to the castle, he'll probably have finished his audience. And who else did he call, but his own daughter?"
"Doran's finally talking to Arianne?"
Percy had been staying in Sunspear for slightly over two months. Beyond a word or two in official settings, the prince had been avoiding his daughter. It was causing Arianne to grow progressively more irritable. She wanted a punishment for her attempted escape that she could face and suffer through. The endless waiting had left her anticipating when the shoe would drop, until paranoia wormed into her head. For the last two weeks, she'd kept Percy in her bed every night. They didn't always have sex. Many nights, she just wanted to hold him.
"Has he finally decided on a punishment?"
"That's not what I've heard," Nymeria said. "Apparently, he has a task for her. Before you ask, I can't say what. I don't know. Only that tensions have been rising north of Sunspear, requiring the attention of a prince. Or, a princess."
Percy sat back in his chair, silent, while Nymeria watched on with interest.
"It doesn't make sense, does it?" she said. "All this time, dearest Arianne has puzzled over what her punishment would be. Yet two moons pass, and he gives her a task instead? It's baffling." Nymeria gazed at Percy, who was still silent. "Or is it? It seems like you know something."
"Maybe," Percy said. He wasn't playing coy. In his head, he was going over his talk with Prince Doran when he arrived, thinking of how that might have led to this.
"I think I've found my question for today," Nymeria said. "Why would Prince Doran choose Arianne for a task like this?"
"It's a test."
"A test of what?" Nymeria asked.
That was a second question, but since Percy barely answered the first one, he answered it too.
"To see if he can trust her."
O-O-O
Percy went straight to Arianne's room. He might've been a little too quick. He beat her there.
It wasn't a long wait standing outside her door. His meeting with Nymeria had been shorter than usual and Oberyn had given him the entire morning off, so he had plenty of time. Within a half hour, Arianne came down the hallway toward him.
She had a weird expression on her face. Her lips were twitching between a smile and frown. Her eyes were wide, as if happy, while her eyebrows were slanted and angry.
When she got close, she marched right up to Percy and kissed him.
She went onto her toes to do it. As soon as their lips were connected, she was reaching past his body, fumbling with the doorhandle. Percy helped her by grabbing and twisting it, letting it swing open behind them.
They disappeared inside.
Perhaps an hour later, Percy stared at the beige ceiling of Arianne's room. The blankets were drawn up to his stomach while his clothes were on the floor. His arm stuck out to the side, where Arianne was using it as a pillow, looking at the ceiling along with him.
"Is it good news, or bad news?" Percy asked.
"What do you mean?" Arianne said absently.
"I've got about a hundred red lines across my back right now. That's a lot, even for you, which means your dad told you something that has you worked up. So is it good news, or bad news?"
"How did you know Father called for me?"
"Nymeria."
"Of course." Arianne sighed. "I don't know, Percy. After all this time, he spoke to me like nothing happened. He didn't mention my journey to Riverrun. He didn't tell me he was happy to see me, either. When the task had been delivered, he sent me out without another word. There was no opportunity to protest."
"At least he's not punishing you."
"Unless he is. This could be the punishment. Before I left, I never had a task such as this. He's chosen me as his envoy, to settle a dispute between feuding houses. An honor, by all accounts, which is why I don't trust it. Why would he do this now when his esteem for me is at its lowest?"
For a completely different question, Percy had the same answer as earlier.
"It's a test."
"Of what?"
"What do you think? To see what you can handle. He's testing you as his heir."
Arianne's voice grew quiet. "That's frightening."
"You mean like stumbling into an ambush where you're outnumbered two to one?"
"It's a different kind of fear. Difficulty aside, the answer to a dispute between houses will not be as straightforward as escaping bandits. I'll need to find a solution that pleases both."
"Then that's what we'll do," Percy said firmly. "I'll be right there with you."
They turned their heads at the same time, looking into each other's eyes. Percy smiled, while Arianne still wore a frown.
"...What if my father has no intention of letting me succeed? It could be a test, as you say, but one without a right answer. What if this is his way to discredit me, so that he can have me replaced?"
"You mean it might be a trick question?"
Arianne bit her lip, nodding.
"Then we'll solve it anyway and give him something he really can't ignore. I've beaten impossible odds before."
"You have, haven't you?" Arianne's face brightened, gradually, until she was smiling. "You make it hard for me to remain afraid."
She inched her head in, kissing him. This time, they held themselves to a brief peck. The marks along their torsos and collarbones proved they hadn't displayed so much restraint before.
Arianne retreated, and they resumed their vigil toward the ceiling, albeit with smiles on their faces.
"So what is this dispute, anyway?"
"It's a fight about water," Arianne said. "They say every fight in Dorne is, in one way or another, and I've seen little suggesting that to be an exaggeration. House Santagar and House Toland are accusing each other of coveting extra water from the river they both rely on."
"Did you say House Toland?"
"You know them?" Arianne asked.
"Nymeria fed me some of their peppers. One of her guards is from that house. She said they're close to your family."
"As are the Santagar's, which is why this is so difficult. We can't afford to make either of them feel we picked the other at their expense." Arianne sighed. "At least I'll get to see Sylva. I must have mentioned her at least once. She's—"
"One of your friends from the Water Gardens, right?"
"Exactly!" Arianne's voice had already brightened. "She's a lovely girl with a gift for sass. I may be doing something dangerous by introducing the two of you."
"When do we leave?"
Arianne was silent for a few moments, mulling it over.
"In two days," she decided, her voice serious once more. "This has sprung up so suddenly that I'm not prepared. We'll be going with an escort as well, I'm sure. Can you speak to Uncle about that? I imagine he'll be in charge of organizing it. Then, I have a few visits to pay. Maester Caleotte will be surprised to see me coming. His records will include similar disputes from the past and the rulings that were reached then… gods know there have been enough of them in this desert. I'll write to Sylva to warn her of our coming. She is the heir to Spottswood, but her loyalty to me is at least as strong. If there's more under the surface of this, we might know as much before we walk into it."
Percy had turned his head, looking at Arianne again. She sensed his attention and looked back, her brow furrowing. "Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all."
A smile broke out on Arianne's face.
"In that case, we can spare another hour. Before we begin this test of my father's, what do you say to a test of our own? One that shows us the limits of our stamina."
"I think we've tested that before," Percy said.
Arianne had already swung around, mounting him again. The blanket slid down her back, resting across Percy's knees as her nude body coiled above him.
"Let's test it again," Arianne said huskily.
O-O-O
Preparations went smoothly. There wasn't that much for Percy to do. Soon enough, they left Sunspear along with a group of soldiers slightly larger than those Arianne brought to Wylmouth. These roads were safer, since the group would never be straying more than two-days' ride from Sunspear. It was an uneventful journey, the first portion winding through arid coastline before they took an inland turn. From there they passed through desert, climbed dry foothills, and reached the road that led to Spottswood. The last leg of the journey took them through fields of green lemon trees laden with yellow fruit, jagged mountain peaks rising in the background.
They arrived late in the second day after their departure, having spent the night at an inn in a village along the way. It was here that things stopped going so smoothly. The Santagar family was there to meet them, but Sylva was nowhere to be seen. She had not responded to the raven that was sent ahead, either. A question from Arianne saw them informed that Sylva was away from home.
A private meeting was immediately arranged between Lord Symon Sangatar and Arianne. Percy accompanied her as the lone guard, attending a private dinner that didn't have the relaxed atmosphere of Oberyn's dining room.
At a table too big for them, Symon and Arianne sat on opposite sides, feasting on more food than five of them could've eaten. Percy stood behind Arianne's seat, dressed in the clothes he traveled in, including tough leather armor over his chest and forearms, while the commissioned sword Oberyn had gotten him was at his hip. Lord Santagar had guards of his own— three of them, all of whom seemed to be older than the lord himself, who looked to be in his thirties.
Arianne frowned over her half-finished plate as Lord Santagar continued to eat. "What do you mean, you need nothing from me?"
"Precisely that." Symon chewed thoroughly, his jaw moving in small circles. He had a relatively handsome face and straight blonde hair, a scattering of faint freckles across both of his cheeks. "I only called you here because if I hadn't, Nymella Toland would have done it instead, and fed you her poisonous version of the story. There is no dispute, Princess Martell. Merely a woman bitter about a lack of rain."
"Explain, in more detail," Arianne said.
Symon Santagar set his utensils down and smiled. It was an outwardly polite gesture that struck Percy as condescending. Arianne didn't react.
"She claims that I diverted the river for my orchard," Lord Santagar said. "I did nothing of the sort. My grandfather did, more than half a century ago. No one complained when the river was flowing plentifully. Their seat, Ghost Hill, is situated where our river reaches the Sea of Dorne, you must understand. Recently, rain has been sparse. There is less snow left on the peaks to melt. Lady Toland blames me for the forces of nature. No doubt, because I am an easier target. Not that it will help her. This matter is entirely out of my hands."
"I see," Arianne said. "Well, I suppose I will have to visit Ghost Hill next, and see if it's as you say."
"You really needn't, Princess," Symon said. His voice was smooth, rather than alarmed, as he picked his utensils up again and returned to his meal. Between the meat dishes were smaller plates, including bread baked in lemon which steam was still curling off of. "My family would be glad to play host to you for as long as you feel you need to stay, to give your father the impression of making a thorough investigation. We can show you the peaks I speak of and how far their snows have receded. You can investigate the orchards, and try as many fresh lemons as you please."
Arianne was silent. Slowly, she started to eat again.
"Such activities sound worthwhile. Where is your daughter? She wasn't amongst those who greeted me, and I had hoped for her company."
Lord Santagar winced. "She's gone to Lemonwood for the next three moons, visiting the sons of Lord Dalt. You're closely familiar with them too, I believe?"
"I am," Arianne said.
"She won't be back for quite some time. The timing is most unfortunate."
"Yes." Arianne's fork clinked against the plate. "Unfortunate."
For the rest of the meal, Lord Santagar described the local pleasures. Hunting with falcons was his greatest hobby, but since Arianne was of a different temperament, he suggested that she visit his wife and observe her weaving. The suggestions he offered for spending time steadily became more and more like the itinerary of a vacation, having less and less to do with the river and matters of water. Arianne smiled throughout the meal, demurring when she was required to speak and treating him to charming giggles. Despite being twice their age, Lord Santagar was young enough not to be immune to her laughter, beginning to treat her more openly.
When her plate was cleared, Arianne pushed it away from her, rising from her seat.
"It was a long journey," she told the hosting lord. "I would like to retire early. Tomorrow, perhaps, your lady can join us when we dine, with the rest of your family."
"I would like that very much," Lord Santagar said. "I will call a servant—"
"There's no need," Arianne said. "I've walked these halls enough with Sylva to know them by heart. I will see you tomorrow, and make a choice at breakfast about where to start with my work."
It was the first mention of work in almost fifteen minutes. Lord Santagar's smile dimmed just a fraction. It was minor enough that Percy barely noticed. Nymeria would've found it obvious.
"Of course," the lord said. He lowered his head. "Sleep well, Princess Martell. If you need anything, my servants are yours, and my family will offer all that we are able."
Arianne gave him a smile. It was a normal one for her, but two of the guards behind the lord shifted, staring at her beautiful face.
"Thank you," she said.
She and Percy left the room. He trailed slightly behind her, as a guard was supposed to do. She led him through Spottswood as easily as she'd claimed to be able to, taking each turn with confidence.
As soon as they were out of Lord Sangatar's dining room, her smile vanished.
"So, where is the investigation going to start?" Percy asked.
"Ghost Hill."
Percy just nodded. He agreed with that approach.
"Lord Santagar won't like that. Are we going to sneak out in the middle of the night, or walk out and blow him off when he begs us to stay?"
Arianne sighed. "I can do neither. To stay here will upset Lord Toland, but if I am to go to him now — by way of sneaking or by storming — I will earn Lord Santagar's ill will. I could wait, as he wishes me to, and approach Ghost Hill when I'm meant to return to Sunspear. That would satisfy Lord Santagar for now—"
"But once the truth comes out, he'll be mad that you lied to him."
"Yes. I cannot go," Arianne said. "Not without repercussions that I am unwilling to risk. I will not give my father anything to reproach me with, in case that is his goal. I cannot visit the Toland's… but I can send an agent on my behalf. A tall one, with good looks and the most lovely black hair, strong enough I won't have to worry about sending him away alone, and cunning enough to accomplish what I need."
"Someone like that sounds hard to find." The sarcasm came out naturally. Percy wasn't used to being praised that much.
"Very hard to find," Arianne said. "Which makes me very lucky."
She turned to him. They were at the base of one of the keep's towers, which had been given to her and her entourage for their use. Arianne cupped Percy's hands in her own and leaned up on her toes. With no servants around to see, the two shared a kiss. Arianne pulled back when they were done, just enough that she could whisper to him at an intimate distance.
"I'm counting on you, my knight."
Percy had been smiling since she kissed him. "Then I can't let you down."