Chapter 45: Blackmail

(1,200 words)

- Percival Bolton POV -

- Bravos - Free Cities - Essos - 280 A.D -

"The sword you killed the man with" I said, and tried to hide a smile. I had ordered the guy to provoke Arthur as much as possible, and, that when his sister showed up, she would stop him.

That, plus the drug I had given Arthur using animal possession magic when he arrived. It was a drug to activate his hostile emotions as well as make him more susceptible to anger.

"What!" shouted Oberyn from the side. "Is this a joke?" he said with a frown.

"That man was Paiko, father of three children and a mother. He had been serving me for years, and was a great friend of mine" I said while feigning sadness. Oberyn could see the truth, but not the drugged Arthur. "The least I can do is put the sword of the one who took his life in his grave. If not the sword it will have to be the head of his murderer" I said in a cold tone, and Oberyn understood that there was no other way.

"Percival!" cried Ashara Dayne. "It's our family's ancestral sword! you can't ask that of him!" the girl shouted. "Only one who receives the title of Sword of the Morning may wield it."

- Oberyv Martell POV -

"I'm sorry Ashara, but a friend's life is more valuable than a sword to me. I can't leave this like this" Percival said, and even he didn't believe those words. There were rumors that the guy had sacrificed his own son... He didn't give a shit about his friend. He just wanted the sword since we came to this place.

"I..." said Arthur Dayne with anger in his eyes, but guilt at the same time. "I'd rather give my life than give up my sword.... Dawn will remain House Dayne's, but you can have my life," he said, and the next moment, instead of sadness Ashara's eyes showed complexity. A strange emotion for the moment. But things became clearer when I looked at Percival, who was looking at Ashara as if waiting for something. Everything was becoming clearer and clearer.

"Brother! You can't do that, because if you leave now...! I will have too much sadness... I can't live without you brother" Ashara said, and Arthur's eyes widened as he looked between his sword and his sister. "Please..." whispered the girl once more, and Arthur nodded regretfully.

"It's okay... It was my mistake, so to avoid conflict I'll leave the sword behind" he said with annoyance, and dropped the sword to the ground.

So Ashara knew about all this.... What a bitch. Betraying her brother for a bastard she barely knows. My opinion of her just went way down. Either that or Percival Bolton is too good at manipulating a person.

"I appreciate the understanding. I'm still upset about your mistake. But I'm glad you're doing something to make up for it. Honor is very important in a man," Percival said, and Arthur nodded smiling.

The guy wanted to kill him a while ago, and now he just gave him his fucking family's ancestral sword while smiling. What the fuck?

"Ehem" I said getting everyone's attention.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Can we talk about something else?"

"Oh sure... Ashara, take your brother and catch up. I'll talk to Oberyn for a while" I said, and they both walked away. Letting silence reign for a while.

"You're good" I said smiling.

"Sorry? I don't think it's enough to be a good person, but I try when I can" he said chuckling at me.

"Is that Brightroar" I asked.

"Is it? It's pretty similar, and it's also made of Valyrian Steel. It might be.The sword will look even cuter with Dawn next to it."

"Didn't it go in the grave of your.... Friend?"

"Oh, her family just told me that in honor of Paiko, I should keep her sword" he told me with a smile. And even though it was a total lie since no one had come in. There was nothing to do either.

"I understand..."

"By the way. Not that I question your men. But I think if you come to talk what I think, they shouldn't stay," he told me, and I nodded causing everyone to back away with annoyed looks.

"What about yours?" I asked, and he looked at me with an amused face as he looked at one of the Unsullied.

"Kill yourself" he said, and the soldier in question took a dagger to slit his own throat. "Stop" he said as only a little blood fell, but there was a moderately serious cut. "Take him to a medical station" he said to another of the Unsullied and so he left. It was a demonstration of power... Unbelievable. To have such obedient soldiers is any commander's dream.

"I understand... So I come to talk about..." he was saying but I was interrupted.

"Of if I fucked your sister?" he asked me with amused eyes, and a vein marked itself in my head as I looked at him. 'Calm down Oberyn and don't get yourself killed....'

"The Targaryen would be quite upset to learn that information" I said, in an attempt to intimidate him, but I knew deep down it would be futile. Political plots were not my thing. I was in charge of fighting and fucking. "And His Highness is not well known for kindness and gentleness" I added.

"You're right about that," he said, and I smiled, "Most likely, in a fit of rapture, His Highness will kill Elia and in passing finish off House Martell," he replied, and my face crumpled completely. The bastard was right. "The swords of the Targaryen do not reach this place.... My place."

"Fire and Blood is your motto, My Lord. Do not underestimate the dragons. If this gets out, House Martell will go down. But we won't be the only ones" I told him.

"Hahahahahaha... There's the rub. I don't underestimate dragons. They are powerful and lethal creatures. I only underestimate the Targaryen. Because they no longer have dragons to serve them."

"I understand... But I think it would be best not to reveal that information" I commented. I regret saying the stupid thing earlier, I have to take a more subtle and calm approach.

"You're right about that. I have no intention of revealing that information" he said.

"That's good... Then I'll simply return to my ship to go back to Dorne. It only remains to wait on what the brothers' dialogue ends" I said, and began to retreat though with my head slightly lowered.

As I calmed down, I could feel it.... There was a strange substance in my system. A drug and poison, and I could understand it all.

That's why Arthur and I acted so stupid.... We were caught there by the bastards.

- Percival Bolton POV -

Everything had gone according to plan, and it only remained to wait for the outcome of the "negotiation" between Arthur and Ashara Dayne. To put the following plans in place. The taking of Tyrosh, Myr and Lys.

My question was answered when out came an Ashara with a bright smile and an Arthur Dayne with a scowl and annoyed expression.

Ashara Dayne was no longer of real use, but she was too beautiful to just throw away. Besides, she made me feel comfortable with her presence.

"So..." I said, even though I knew the answer.

"I can stay!" she shouted happily and came to hug me. Hug I accepted smiling. I was a little happy.

"Ehem" said Arthur. "If anything happens to her I will haunt you for eternity" he said, and left.