Chapter 101: Divergence

"Yes, Your Grace," Samwell replied with a grin, relishing the look of disbelief on Prince Oberyn's face.

The famed "Red Viper" was truly astonished; like many self-assured Dornish knights, he'd once come to Starfall to attempt drawing Dawn himself. Unsurprisingly, he had failed, attributing his defeat not to any lack of strength, but to the idea that only those of House Dayne blood could wield it.

Now, seeing a Reach knight wielding Dawn, Oberyn was both flustered and dumbfounded. If not for Lucas Dayne standing at Samwell's side, he might have thought this was some kind of forgery or hoax.

After a long silence, Oberyn finally managed a forced compliment. "Hmm. Strong young man."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"Dawn, may I have a look?" Arianne Martell stepped forward, her face filled with intrigue. Though she had just suffered a resounding defeat, she displayed no hostility—if anything, her manner was warm and almost intimate. To an outsider, they might have looked like lovers.

Samwell, however, maintained a polite but wary distance. He knew the princess was as dangerous as she was alluring and was keenly aware that he was now a significant enemy of Dorne. Her friendliness could only mean she had ulterior motives.

"Not much to see in a sword, Your Grace," Samwell replied. "Besides, I believe the Prince has matters to discuss with my comrades."

Oberyn glanced at his niece, giving a slight nod before answering, "Indeed."

The group joined the other Reachmen nobles, who had just finished "collecting" their deserved war reparations. Steward Alfer looked pale and shaken, and when he saw the giant sword now on Samwell's back, his expression became one of shock. He had assumed that Samwell's idea of taking Dawn as collateral involved removing the stone it was embedded in, not actually drawing the sword itself.

The other Reachmen nobles, unfamiliar with the sword's significance, remained unperturbed.

"Let's talk," Oberyn said directly.

"Agreed." Lord Randyll's face was impassive.

Once seated in the castle's council chamber, Prince Oberyn immediately outlined his demands: "I will take Arianne back with me, and I'll ransom the Dornish knights and soldiers we lost. Name your price."

Lord Randyll replied coolly, "The standard ransom rate is fine. We won't complicate it. But if you wish to take Princess Arianne, we have one condition."

"And that is?"

Lord Randyll pointed to Nathalie, seated beside him, making her jump. "You must formally recognize Nathalie Dayne."

Oberyn turned to inspect the young girl, his gaze piercing and intense. Poor Nathalie seemed close to tears under the prince's scrutiny.

To ease her fear, Samwell cleared his throat. "Your Grace, that's a simple enough request, no? With a single word, Princess Arianne can be on her way home."

The prince finally spoke. "She's a Dayne? I've never seen her before."

"Your Grace," Samwell explained, "I believe you know Ashara Dayne. She resides at my estate and can confirm Nathalie's identity. Nathalie is her daughter, making her the rightful heir to House Dayne."

"Ashara's daughter?" Oberyn asked, frowning. "And who did she marry?"

"She married Ruen, chief of the Crow clan, with the gods as their witnesses."

The prince seemed ready to press further, but Lord Randyll interrupted impatiently, "Come now, Oberyn, you're hardly one to question marriage sanctity with all your illegitimate children scattered across Dorne."

Oberyn smirked. "I hold marriage in such high regard, my lord, that I would never dare profane its sacred halls. As for my children, they're not expected to inherit anything."

"Prince Oberyn, your views on marriage are of little concern to us," added Alester Florent. "Our terms are simple: recognize Nathalie as the head of House Dayne, or Princess Arianne stays with us."

"Then I'll stay!" Arianne interjected with a smirk, throwing Samwell a flirtatious glance. "I'd love to see the Reach. I hear the men there are as gentle as water."

Oberyn shot her a disapproving look, then rose and approached Nathalie, who cowered as he towered over her.

Samwell stood as well, stepping between them. "Your Grace, intimidating a young girl is unbecoming of a knight."

Oberyn's eyes sparkled with mockery. "Ah, the chivalrous knight comes to the rescue. Tell me, Samwell Caesar, would you dare face me in a duel? If you win, I'll recognize this girl. But if you lose, Arianne leaves with me."

"Enough!" Lord Randyll roared, standing. "You are the defeated party here, Oberyn. You're in no position to make demands. Accept our terms or leave Starfall!"

Oberyn shrugged. "But I don't have my brother's authority to recognize her. Here's an idea: the girl can accompany me back to Sunspear and present herself to my brother."

"No way," Samwell answered decisively. "If you need Prince Doran's approval, then let him come to Starfall. I hear he hasn't left the Water Gardens in years. His people might worry he's dead; perhaps this would be an opportunity to quell some rumors."

"You're bold," Oberyn replied coldly, glaring at him.

Samwell's smile was confident. "Bold enough, yes. At least I wouldn't resort to poison."

Oberyn let out a sharp laugh, stepping back as he scanned the room. "Reachmen, you're on Dornish soil now. Don't be so certain we won't march again."

"Then do it," Samwell said without hesitation. "We'll be waiting."

He knew Prince Doran would not risk another war, not only because Dorne had suffered too much in their recent defeat but also because it would jeopardize Doran's carefully laid plans for revenge. Decades ago, Doran's sister, Elia Martell, had married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, only to be killed along with her children when King's Landing fell to the usurper's forces. Doran had harbored ambitions to restore House Targaryen to power ever since.

In fact, the Reach were a potential ally in this goal. Loyal to the crown during the Rebellion, the Reach were now largely sidelined by the new order, and the Tyrells, particularly, had long resented their diminished influence in the capital.

Knowing this, Samwell felt secure in his defiance. He saw through Oberyn's threats as mere bluster. Yet even so, the prince's presence cast a chilling aura throughout the room.

Amid the tension, a steward entered and bowed. "Lady Nathalie, a raven from King's Landing has arrived with urgent news."

"A raven?" Samwell asked, puzzled.

Nathalie took the note and, after reading it, immediately handed it to Samwell.

Scanning it, Samwell's expression shifted slightly. "It seems the Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn, is on his way to Starfall."

Oberyn gave a sly smile, seizing the opportunity to back down gracefully. "Very well, let the old Hand settle this."

With that, he and Arianne departed the council chamber.

(End of Chapter)