6 Chapter 6
"Thank you" and ran to find her friends. They had a lot to gossip about after all.
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Waking up from a daze that left Ashara kiss to Richard he again got back to work.
He needs to design boxes for the Ice that he wants from the North. To accomplish good thermal isolation as for the Ice to withstand the temperatures down in Dorne without thawing he assigned a project to CM *Find a suitable modification for moss that will be excellent thermal insulant but will disperse in contact with air.* The idea was to use some kind of seed filled with sufficient nutrients that will grow this moss on the hollow section between the walls of the box when sealed shut, The moss would then die but the insulation will stay. If someone tries to tamper with them all they will find will be nice decorated but otherwise normal wooden boxes. He wanted to have a monopoly and if he controlled the means of transportation and none could replicate him he would have no competition.
While the CM worked on the problem Richard worked on the design. He wanted something that will tell people by looking at it, yes this comes from House Trant.
He sends drawings and blueprints to the wordsmiths to start working on that.
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A few days passed, Richard was relaxing in the gardens sipping a new drink his people managed to create when a crow landed on his shoulder informing him in uncertain means that visitors have arrived. Looking out of the eyes of Velka that is flying over the castle he sees colors of house Martell. I guess the mess with rebellion is finally finished.
Richard set out to greet his friend.
When the message arrived in Dorne, Oberyn, and Doran busy with the mess after the rebellion. Jon Arryn arrived to negotiate for Dorne to bend the knee, when asked where his sister is Arryn claimed that she was kidnapped from the Red Keep. Spies reported the same thing except they claimed that his sister Elia and her kids were kidnaped from the keep on the day of sacking by the demon. Oberyn knew about his friend's abilities so when the demon was described as a panther made of wood and roots he was pretty sure Richard had something to do with it so when the list from him arrived and asked for him to visit Trant Island at his soonest convenience.
He informed Doran about his suspicion and left for the Island as soon as he could. The journey was a peaceful one, the pirates and slavers that earlier plagued the Sea of Dorne were almost nonexistent. Rumor has it that it was cursed, that if you have unclean intentions and enter the waters, the sea itself will turn on you, and every lifeform in the area will try to kill you and tear your ship apart. Few survived and those spread horror stories of monsters jumping out of the water to devour the crew.
Arriving on the outskirts of the Island was a sight to behold, monumental trees sometimes as high as 100m grew from the large forest filled with colors. Oberyn loved it here, taking the boats to the provisional wooden dock, since proper docks were still not being built, they arrived at the road that would take them inland.
Oberyn saw his friend walk from the gates, a big smile on his face, arms outstretched for the welcome.
"Oberyn! Finally, a sent the letter month ago"
The lack of use of a proper title did not surprise Oberyn, the only time Richard used his title was to introduce him to his mother, that moment was funny for Oberyn because instead of greeting him immediately the woman pinched her nose and asked what had her son did again.
"Not everyone can change into crow and fly, I left Dorne as soon as I could. So what's so important?"
"Come, I will show you. There are few people waiting for you in the castle."
And sure enough, Elia and her children were waiting for him right inside the greeting area of the castle. "Elia, we were so concerned that something has happened to you and your children"
Oberyn started and hugs his sister.
"Oberyn, I'm so glad to see you."
"So what happened? How did you get here?
Oberyn immediately starts asking questions.
"I will let you talk this out. Oberyn find me when you are done, I will be in my solar or in the gardens" Richard wanted to let them have privacy.
A few hours later when Oberyn had a chance to catch up with Elia he waked into the Richards solar. Richard stood up to greet his friend, but instead of handshake Oberyn hugs him,
"Elia told me everything, thank you, my friend. Dorne is in the debt"
Letting him go they both sat down.
"My pleasure, she is a wonderful company and is welcome to stay for as long as she wants."
"Yes, I heard from Elia about certain someone that is a wonderful company, did you finally managed to find someone?" Oberyn gave a cheeky smirk
"I could have guessed she would tell you. Yes, I'm dating, umm, courting Ashara." Richard replied with a smile.
"Ashara is a good woman, she deserves happiness. She will be good for you"
"We will see, now back to the business."
"Right, so what do you want for saving my sister and her children."
"Just to be clear, I would have saved her and the little ones even if I didn't expect the reward." Richard let the statement hang a little "But since you are offering I want a piece of land in Dorne, dozen kilometers big."
"That's less than I expected to tell the truth, what purpose would this land serve?"
"I will be building proper shipyard and docks on the Island and in the Dorne I want to establish a trading center, plus outpost."
"If what are you saying is true, not that I question you, then it will help a Dorne too, I will send a letter to Doran with details. Where would you want this land to be?"
"I looked over the area and somewhere north of Ghost Hill would be ideal. I will deliver all the materials and workers needed for this project, I just need the official Dorne support"
"Deal, I will let you know when Doran replies."
"Do not mention Elia in letter Oberyn"
"Don't worry, I told him my suspicion that Elia is here when I left. When I of him for the reward for you he will understand"
"Thank you, friend. Enjoy the stay."
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