The House of Dayne

"So, I would still need to invest many resources but would never see anything in return. On the contrary, I would probably need to support Dorne and House Martell even more afterwards, as by saving Elia Martell I would be on the bad side of the future king, whoever that might be. I need something in return if this worst-case situation occurs. My goal for this transaction is a city that belongs to Dorne but is within striking distance of the Reach, Starfall."

Oberyn and Doran were extremely surprised by Victor's choice. As Starfall belonged to the famous House of Dayne. They are among the principal houses sworn to House Martell. The Sword of the Morning is a title given to a Dayne knight who is considered worthy of wielding the great sword Dawn, a blade said to be created from the heart of falling star. Their blazon is a white sword and a falling star, crossing on a lavender background. A cadet branch of the family are the Daynes of High Hermitage.

"Do you really think you can take his ancestral property out of the hands of Arthur Dayne? Are you not a little too confident Victor?" Oberyn said jokingly.

Arthur Dayne, known as the Sword of the Morning, was a famed and legendary knight from House Dayne and a member of Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard. Many considered him to have been the most chivalrous warrior of the Seven Kingdoms.

Arthur wielded the greatsword called Dawn as part of his office as Sword of the Morning, carrying it slung across his back. To defeat the Kingswood Brotherhood, he gained the trust of the smallfolk of the kingswood by paying for what he and his forces took and taking their grievances before King Aerys II Targaryen. In the end Arthur slew the Smiling Knight in single combat and ended the threat of the outlaws. Following that victory, he knighted Jaime Lannister, who would later become a sworn brother of the Kingsguard.

Arthur was the champion in the tournament in honor of Viserys's birth in 276 AC, defeating Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

Victor deeply respected this famous swordsman but replied with confidence.

"Yes, under normal circumstances it is true that I would not be able to achieve that and the nobles of Dorne would not accept it either, but if there really is an usurpers' war, do you think Arthur Dayne, the Kingsguard, would go unharmed? If he dies in the chaos the Dayne family will be extremely vulnerable suddenly. The only person left would be his little sister Ashara Dayne and I am sure I can handle her. I don't care about the rest of the Dayne family, maybe they will just die in the storm of rebellion, who knows. Doran, all of this would only matter if the Targaryen dynasty fell and if this would happen, the whereabouts of House Dayne would certainly be your least important concern."

Doran was a little disturbed by Victor mentioning Ashara Dayne. 

"Ashara is supposed to be the lady-in-waiting to Princess Elia. You act like she should become your little lover after her brother's death. You didn't even marry my daughter and already think about taking in another woman?" Doran said with a little anger in his voice.

"Please, Doran, don't act all high and mighty with me. You and your brother are the last people in Westeros that are allowed to give me advice on loyalty towards woman. Arianne is only three years old. Am I supposed to stay a virgin until I am twenty? You can pick someone else as a handmaid for Elia and send Ashara to Lys to become a playmate with Giulia and Diane. She is 14 already and can become a teacher and guide for both. My mother is taking care of their education right now, but Ashara is certainly more adept in the rules and etiquette of Westeros, or you wouldn't choose her to enter King's Landing. It is only beneficial for you, my connection with Dorne will increase and the blood of Dayne will continue to rule over Starfall. You didn't really have the illusion I would stay loyal to Arianne my whole life, did you?" 

Victor had this planned long ago. His family was already quite thin, he needed to have many children to control all the islands he would conquer in the future. Arianne alone wouldn't be able to bear this number in a feudal world, where every birth is like going through a death door. And Victor would need to wait another 15 years for Arianne to start having children, which would delay the solid foundation for House Di Natale by many years. Ashara Dayne would be a great candidate to improve the number of the Di Natale family, as the warrior genetics of House Dayne would fit perfectly with Victor. Maybe the fact that Ashara was a young, beautiful, tall and fair maiden, with haunting violet eyes was a reason for Victor's decision too.

Even though Doran was certainly not happy with agreeing to a lover for her daughter's future husband, as a man of Dorne he really didn't care that much. Dornish were never known for their loyalty towards women. As long the official heir to House Di Natale was born by Arianne he wouldn't bother about the rest. 

"So, in summary, I promise you an official engagement to Arianne Martell and we make this engagement public. This will make House Martell and House Di Natale a close family. We will thereafter trade your political and economic investment in Elia's future children for the development rights of the south coast of Dorne, which will belong to Arianne, and some political support by the future crown prince.

If the Targaryen dynasty falls, you would do everything possible to rescue Elia's life and stand with Dorne if the future king would want to attack us. If this case happens you take Ashara Dayne as your lover and take control over Starfall. If this doesn't happen within 5 years, you will have to return Ashara to House Dayne, as she would need to marry in the future. Deal?"

Doran concluded their trade in a short and concise speech, to which Victor answered the same way.

"Deal."