Chapter 44: Dayne Brothers

(1,200 words)

- Ashara Dayne POV -

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

"Percy!" I shouted with a big smile on my face as I ran in front of Percival. Someone who made me see that life was not the monotony of being a simple lady. There were things much more... Energizing.

But what the idiot had done was too much. He had gone to Old Valyria! The death of all the scouts. But I guess being him, he had made it back safely.

"Hello Ashara" he said with a smile and then gave me a deep, sensual kiss. "It's a pleasure to see you here. Although... I thought you'd talk it over with your brother" he said to me with a grimace, and I lowered my head a little.

"He wouldn't have let me come," I said, still with my head down.

"You know he's coming over here?"

"What!" I exclaimed in surprise. What's the fool doing coming here?

"He is... He's coming to fetch you along with some House Martell ships. Led by Oberyn himself."

"They're coming..." I murmured with concern. What if they want to do something to Percival? I acted like an immature child, but that's how he makes me act.... No! It's totally my fault!

"Ashara?" he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What are you going to do?"

"What will I do?" he asked me amused. "There's nothing I have to do.... You just have to convince your brother and stand your ground. They can't do anything to me here. This isn't Westeros. This is Braavos of Free Cities, and this whole place belongs to me" he said smiling, and I couldn't help but be intimidated by his confidence. Which is backed up... He's an amazing person after all. Everything he's achieved from being a Bolton who wasn't the firstborn. To owning several Free Cities... It's just incredible.

- Oberyn Martell POV -

"Phew... We finally arrived" I said with a sigh. I was getting really tired of that annoying guy.... Yes, I know it's his sister and I would be worried too if it was Elia. If someone did something to her I wouldn't forgive him.

But for God's sake! I don't need to say it every five seconds! Especially if the girl left of her own free will looking for love. Although... From what I've heard, Percival is a son of a bitch, a bastard, a scum and a monster! I wouldn't want to leave my little sister with him. But Arthur Dayne doesn't know that! At least not yet.

We parked the ship, and in front of us there were at least 200 Unsullied, the soldiers of Astapor, standing in formation. Next to a white-robed man with a bright smile that was faker than me saying I won't get laid for a year.

"Prince Oberyn Martell, it is a pleasure to welcome you to the great city of Braavos. To what do we owe the honor?" the guy asked us as his eyes were fixed on Arthur Dayne who was looking at everything angrily. He looked his sword for a momment.

"And you are?" I asked with an amused smile.

"I am nothing more than a servant of Milord. But you can call me Paiko" the guy told us.

"I understand... Paiko... Do we have a matter to discuss with your Lord" I said.

"And I need to see my sister..." commented Arthur.

"Oh, Lady Ashara is also with Lord Percival at the moment. Though perhaps... They are minding their own business" said Paiko with a suggestive smile, which annoyed Dayne a lot. But when he was about to attack the guy I managed to grab him.

"Let go of me!" he shouted.

"Calm down" I whispered. "He wants to provoke you, because if you attack them they have a reason to kill you. That's because they see you as a threat. So calm down" I said in his ear, and he instantly became serious and calm.

He may have a bit of an obsession with his sister, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is the most skilled knight in "The Seven Kingdoms". Not only because of his talent, but also because of his attitude and quick decision making.

"So you will lead us with them and do a good job?" I said, and he just smiled back at me as he walked away and gestured for us to follow him.

The city was certainly beautiful... I had been to one or two other places in the Free Cities, but it had been Lys and Volantis. I had thought in the future to come to Braavos, but for things of life I'm here now. And as I said, it's beautiful, and the people look quite happy. Although... I couldn't help but notice that everyone does things, though happy, as if with caution. Almost fear...

"We arrived Milord" Paiko said as she signaled the guards to open the gates of a beautiful fortress. It was a mixture of the fortresses of Westeros with its great walls, but with the extravagant and beautiful designs of Essos.

As we entered, we passed through several corridors and halls until we came to a great hall where there was a kind of throne made of gold and encrusted with gems, and on it stood our man.

"My sister!" said Dayne as he put one of his hands on his swords. But the moment he did that all the Unsullied standing at the sides raised their weapons forward, aiming at Arthur, my men and me.

But on top of that, the two gorillas, one bigger than the other, standing behind Percival's throne pulled out their swords. And they were both Valyrian Steel! This is... Incredible, and it seems Arthur noticed it too.

"Now gentlemen..." said a black-robed guy from the right of the throne with a smile. "You are in the presence of, Lord of Braavos, Lord of Pentos, Lord of Norvos, Lord of Lorath, Lord Morosh, Lord of Saath, and the only man to conquer the riches of Old Valyria" the man said with a smile, and my eyes widened at the last part.

Old Valyria? did he go there? That would explain the swords of Valyrian Steel, but that's too much.... Even for him. But that changed when I saw another sword hanging on the wall. I'd seen it in some illustrations in a book called "Chronicles of Westers". It was Brightroar! The ancestral sword of House Lannister. Lost in... Old Valyria! But something snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Brother," said a serious voice from the side. It belonged to a beautiful woman who had just entered the hall.

"Ashara!" cried Arthur as he ran to his sister. But the white robed man, Paiko, stepped in front of Arthur, who on impulse drew his sword and thrust it at the man. Making my eyes with surprise.

"I..." murmured Arthur in surprise at what he had done. This is not normal... Something must be going on.

"What is the meaning of this!" shouted Percival Bolton. "You come to my home to kill my own?" he said in a firm and terrifying tone as his Unsullied raised their spears even more than before, causing us all to draw our swords.

"I don't know what came over me," said Arthur.

"Percy please... Let me talk to Arthur" said Ashara as she tried to wake Arthur who was lost in thought.

"Regardless of an apology, you killed a valued subordinate of mine. I can't let you go without something in return" he said, and he probably did it to stay with Ashara.

"What thing?"

"The sword with which you killed the man," he said.... My eyes widened.