The Martells visit II

- 276 AC - 

(3rd Person POV)

The carriage finally arrived in front of the castle and stopped. Mary was the first to exit and prepared for the guests to follow. Waiting for the group were Lord Steffon and Lady Cassana Baratheon, dressed in formal clothing. They were surprised when they got a raven stating that a vessel of House Martell was sailing towards Storm's End. It took a lot of hurry to prepare some things for the uninvited guests. 

Andor, the Princess of Dorne's paramour was the first to exit. He held out his hand for both Princesses to hold on and exit the carriage as well. It was a nice day, so the clothes the Martells were wearing were not that cold for them. Steffon and Cassana stepped forward and greeted them formally. 

"Princess, it is a lovely surprise to have you here in Storm's End. Let me welcome you to our home.", Steffon says and waves to a servant who is carrying bread and salt. 

The guest's right is a sacred law of hospitality, especially in the north. When a guest, be he common-born or noble, eats the food and drinks the drink off a host's table beneath the host's roof, the guest's right is invoked. Bread and salt are traditional provisions, which is what Steffon is offering to the Martells. 

When invoked, neither the guest nor the host can harm the other for the length of the guest's stay. For either to do so would be to break a sacred covenant that is believed to invoke the wrath of the gods, both old and new. Even robber lords and wreckers are bound by the ancient laws of hospitality.

The Princess takes the bread and a bit of salt and eats it. Her every move is filled with grace and her demeanour exudes sensuality and beauty. She had a very special charm to her. But Steffon was not born yesterday. His marriage was a happy one and he was far too concerned and angry with his two sons, for not being here right now, that he could notice the sex appeal of the Princess of Dorne. 

"Thank you Lord Steffon. It is most noble of you to welcome us after we arrived unannounced. But where are your two sons? Are they not in Storm's End right now?", the Princess asks. 

"Believe me, should I find them ... *sigh* ... they are in Storm's End, but I'm afraid they couldn't make it. Please forgive them.", Steffon says. He was about to say something unbefitting for his station, so Cassana gave him a little poke in the side to remind him. 

"Haha, young men will be young men, no matter what age they are or what station they hold.", the Princess laughs. 

"You are absolutely correct, Princess. They are our pride but their lust for adventure can sometimes be overwhelming. Making them forget proper decorum. I am certain they will arrive shortly.", Cassana says with a smile. 

"Shall we go inside? You must be hungry and tired after the long journey."

"That would be appreciated, thank you."

.

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(Andros Sand POV)

I walk through the corridors of Storm's End. It was a rather dull affair, but it was still an impressive assortment of wealth. Lord and Lady Baratheon are not what I expected but they aren't that much different either. Lord Steffon tries to say the right things, while Lady Cassana sometimes has to take over the conversation because he seems too dull to do so. Typical Stormlander I suppose.

They don't look like much either. Lord Steffon is a tall man, but I expected more from a ruling Stormlord of House Baratheon. All those stories and now it seems they weren't accurate. I move towards an open area and hear two voices talking. Since I have nothing better to do, I walk towards it and reach an open area, which I guess is used for training.

Two young men are talking after what seems to have been a fight. Both look well trained for their age and one of them looks very well trained. Both of them have full black hair. One of them is sitting. He has a rather neutral expression, revealing nothing and the other is standing with his bare upper body, with his back to me.

"Good bout, Stannis.", the standing one says, clapping the other young man on the shoulder. "You're getting better."

The one named Stannis nods, his face betraying no emotion.

"Perhaps. But you still fight like a wild boar. Did you learn that style in the Eyrie, Robert?", Stannis says. Ah, so these two are the young Baratheons. They were here, instead of greeting us at the entrance. 

"Bahahaha. A wild boar wins in the end, remember that. But I'd call myself a wild stag instead.", Robert laughs heartily.

As they talk, I approach from the edge of the yard and make my way towards them. My demeanour today is more tense than usual. Looking at this young man who is supposed to be 14 but looks like 17 with a powerful physique ... I can't help but feel the fire of jealousy burn hot within me. He looks like the exact type the Princess likes. She takes what she wants and if she sees this one ... she will want him. I just hope that his station and his youth will stop her ... 

[Picture]

"Lord Robert, Lord Stannis...", I begin, inclining my head with a forced smile, "Quite the display of strength and skill. It is no wonder your parents speak so highly of you."

Both of the boys look at me in confusion. Neither of them knows who I am. I am used to this gaze. No one ever knows me. Why would you, if I am walking next to the Princess of Dorne? No one ever bothers to look at me. I am no one important.

"Who are you?", Robert asks.

"Ah, forgive me, my Lord. I am Andros Sand, the Princess' paramour.", I say and do a theatrical bow.

"Who?"

"He's with the Martells, Rob. We missed them, it seems.", Stannis says and I smile. 

"Ah ... Father is not going to be happy about that."

"No, he is not. I can see the punishment already."

"Eh, don't worry. I hear the Martells are a lively bunch. I'm sure they will forgive us and after we make a good impression, Father will forgive us ...", Robert says.

"Forgive us, Andros Sand for our appearance. We hadn't expected you so soon. Allow me to introduce ourselves. This is Robert Baratheon, Heir of House Baratheon and I am Stannis Baratheon his brother. It is an honour to meet you."

"The honour is all mine. I have heard nothing but good things from the Princess. She knows a great deal about you. Your reputation precedes you.", I say.

"Then the Princess is too kind. Most of the things that are said about me are exaggerated.", Robert says. 

"Kind, yes. But sometimes kindness can be misinterpreted, can it not?", my eyes narrowed slightly. 

"Aye, I suppose.", Robert, busy towelling off sweat, only half-listens. His casual response makes me a bit angry. He doesn't look at me like a 'bastard' that all the other 6 Kingdoms do, but he also doesn't care about my presence here. I am simply unimportant in his eyes. 

Stannis, on the other hand, notices the tension and looks up sharply.

"Do you have a point, Andros Sand?", he asks me.

My jaw tightens.

"My point, Lord Stannis, is that sometimes men can be misled by the attentions of a lady. They might think themselves favoured when, in truth, they are merely being used.", I say trying to give a hint at what I mean. Living with the Princess, I naturally pick up some things.

Robert's smile suddenly fades as he senses the underlying hostility. He turns to face me fully.

"Are you implying something, Dornishman? Because here in Storm's End we like our words clear and not laced with poison.", he says making me narrow my eyes at him. My eyes flicked to Robert, filled with challenge I'm sure. I will not cower before this boy.

"Merely that some men should be careful not to overstep their bounds.", I say.

"Huh? You are not making any sense. I just met you a minute ago. Why are you talking about boundaries?", Robert says looking confused. 

"Your intelligence doesn't seem to be as high as rumoured.", I smile at him. 

"Aye, I already told you that the rumours were greatly exaggerated.", is all he answers me. What's with him? He doesn't seem to get flustered or angry at all. I turn my attention to his brother Stannis ...

"And what about you, Lord Stannis? Are you smart enough? Or is your stoic demeanour an attempt at hiding your cluelessness?", I ask. 

Robert's expression hardens, but before he can retort, Stannis steps forward and holds Robert's shoulder, his cold blue eyes locking onto mine.

"You would do well to remember where you are, Andros Sand of Dorne. You are a guest in our castle. Remember our House words.", he says calmly. 

"A guest, yes. But also an equal. Or does Storm's End not respect Dorne's alliances?", I sneer. 

No one says anything and I feel the tension rising suddenly. Robert moves towards me. Stannis is no longer holding his shoulder and just shakes his head. Before I understand what is going on, Robert stands in front of me. He is taller than me already at 14 and bends down slightly. Our faces are right in front of each other.

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"How pitiful ...", he says. 

Before the tension can escalate further, the scene is interrupted by the arrival of unexpected guests. The Princess of Dorne, accompanied by Cassana Baratheon, wife of Steffon, and our Elia approach us. Their presence commands attention. I can see the look the Princess is giving Robert and know that I'm in trouble. The jealousy is back again and the regret. I didn't manage to get the reaction out of Robert I hoped for. 

The Princess speaks first, her voice calm but authoritative, just the way I remember. She is truly a princess and knows how to rule.

"What is the meaning of this, Andros?", she asks me.

Cassana Baratheon exchanges a worried glance with Robert, either sensing the brewing conflict or checking for injuries. But Robert only shakes his head, which seems to placate the worries of both Cassana and Steffon. 

"Andros, what are you doing here? Would you be so kind as to explain to me what my paramour is doing here alone with the two sons of our hosts?", she asks me.

I straighten my posture unintentionally, my gaze flickers with uncertainty as I look to the Princess. She is not happy but I can't help but get angry at her look. Why is she accusing me of doing anything, when it was the brat who approached me? I hate that look. I hate it, hate it.

"I... I was merely exchanging pleasantries with the young lords."

Elia Martell, ever perceptive, studies the scene with a keen eye. At a time like this, I wish she were my daughter or that she would see me as her father at least. 

"There seems to be more than pleasantries exchanged here, Andros. Maybe you want to choose your words more carefully.", she says with her melodious voice. There it is again ... that desire inside me. 

Robert, unbothered about the interruption, takes a step back, allowing the women to take control of the situation. He is a wuss, it would seem. A mother's boy maybe? Stannis on the other hand remains silent, his gaze unwavering as he observes the unfolding events. I feel his eyes on me as he observes our interaction.

The Princess fixes me with a stern look. I lost myself in my thoughts. She hates being ignored. 

"This is not the time nor the place for such displays. We are guests in Storm's End, and we shall conduct ourselves with dignity and respect. Lord Steffon, Lady Cassana, please excuse this behaviour. It is inexcusable, but if you allow it, I will make sure it will never happen again. You have my word."

"Princess! You don't have to-", I want to stop her from apologising. She shouldn't ever have to apologise and yet she is. 

"Silence! Not another word from you. We will talk later. Now apologise for your pathetic childish display.", she commands. I swallow my anger and nod.

"Of course. I meant no disrespect and apologise for my misconduct."

"Eh, don't think too much about it. You can say to and about me whatever you want. But if you talk ill about my family ... I'll make sure you wet yourself, savvy?", Robert says and looks at me with those eyes ... the same eyes I saw when my father was still alive. He used to look at me like that before he thrashed me black and blue. 

You'll pay for this.