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“That is because a Queen has those who fight for her. Kymaera would fight for you.” A cheeky grin and batting eyes met the Asshai native at the end of the statement. It was the belief of many that being bale to go far past what is deemed acceptable was somehow a bad thing. Kymaera was not of this belief. “You should never be afraid of your own power. Others should be afraid to have you release it.” The fighter nearly laughed at her words. “Kymaera was never shared this mindset to begin with- there is no one person that could satisfy her appetite.” The Volentene shrugged. “It is your decision.” 

Ceryse couldn’t help but laugh. Endymion and the wildlings had always made it clear that she had nothing to worry about when it came to her protection in their midst, but no one had ever offered to truly fight for her. Reaching out ( with a touch of caution ), she squeezed the other womans arm. “I know you would never require it, but know I would fight for you as well, my Fighter.” Offering a smile at the reassurance, a shoulder rose into a shrug. “I spent time allowing the darkness free. The fear I led myself to have... it is gone.... and not one person? Perhaps you have not met the right people then.” Ceryse was a hopeless romantic ( even if she did have a bit of a love them and leave them streak ). “Perhaps the market. My Crow and companions are in need of new clothing. Furs are not suitable for the climate here.”

“I have never met anyone from Asshai except for the Red Priestess. I’ve heard that it is like a different world. Is that true?” She asked, wondering who the woman’s father was. Ashara wasn’t sure that was something she should ask though. It seemed like this conversation had made her sad. That was the last thing that she wanted. “I would prefer to be in Lemonwood, I suppose. I have been very homesick.”

“Ilerah.” She murmured, because truly, what other Red Priestess was there in Westeros currently? “There is magic in there air. You can practically taste it. And the Shadow that looms on the horizon... it is unlike anything you would find in the West.” There were so many things she missed about Asshai, but something kept her firmly anchored in Westeros. “Then what are you doing here? Lemonwood is so close. Take a few days and go home.”

Lysella clung to her word, imagining such a sight. How she longed to travel to the Wall, to see what the Giants had built thousands of years ago. “You must tell me everything,” She said in breathless wonder, a light laugh leaving her lips. “I’m afraid my adventures weren’t nearly as interesting. Were the wildlings accommodating? The north of the wall, is it really a sea of white?” She stopped short, shaking her head. “Forgive me, me and my questions. I’m simply excited to have you back. King’s Landing was terribly boring without your presence.”

Ceryse couldn’t help but chuckle at the other womans enthusiasm at hearing the tales of her travels ( though admittedly part of her felt guilty —  Lysella was thirsty for adventure, but Ceryse had failed to invite the woman along ). “Never apologize for your questions. I am more then happy to answer them for you.” Looping her arm through the other womans, she began to move them along the cobbled street. “There is snow as far as you can see. But there is color. Red of a fox, the green of needled trees. Dyed clothing.” Lips curled into a small smile. “The wildlings were lovely. We’d sit around fires at night, laid on furs and tell tales. Oh Lysella, you would have loved it! You must come meet them.” 

He let loose an exasperated sigh. How had they gotten to this point in conversation? Again? Ilerah wasn’t even here to egg her on. “If anyone were to overhear you, they would think that I’ve ever been through your things. I have never.” He said sternly. “If you know that they’re for protection, then why would you insist I wear something so thin it could not stop even a wooden tipped arrow?” Endymion questioned her. “House Manderly is on the coast. Our sigil is a merman. My sister and I used to spend every warm day in the water if we could find a way.” He explained. The Night’s Watchmen had even managed to find black leathers for his purposes. “I am unconcerned with looking handsome.”

She gave him a pointed look —  not quite believing that he’d never once been through her things ( though perhaps it was because she firmly believed her own rummaging and left him comfortable doing the same ). “What is so worrisome of someone overhearing? What would they do, hm?” An eyebrow arched. “A wooden tipped arrow would not reach you. I would not allow it.” Her shadows had grown strong during their time over the wall —  she had little concern of what might happen, not if they were near one another. “Ah, then we must swim together, my Crow —  my Merman!” A grin split her face at the declaration. “Have you ever considered that perhaps I enjoy looking at you?”

Endymion pointed a warning finger at the lady. “Don’t you start that up again.” His voice was as serious as ever, but there was no bite behind the words. Ceryse was nearly as bad as his own sister. There was no convincing her out of anything. “I do not wish to be a stubborn man.” He said, pulling the shirt down with one hand. “I am a stubborn man. For your information, I do not wear all these layers simply to keep warm. The leather is needed protection.” Endymion returned to unpacking what he’d brought from the Wall. “I think you would be very surprised what I can swim in, I was a merman before I was a crow, but since you are so interested in the state of my wardrobe, I am happy to inform you that I already have Dornish leathers ready to wear. I do not like to be unprepared.”

Ceryse couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her lips at the finger pointed in her direction. She’d felt endlessly lighter since her journey north, and the serious man before her was partially to thank.... and while he might not outwardly admit to it, she knew that he at least tolerated her gentle teasing. “Were you looking through my things again?” She teased, sitting up once more to fold the shirt he’d dismissed. Perhaps with time, she might convince him to wear it. “I know quite well the layers are for protection.” But Ceryse simply hoped there would be no need for them this time ( and if there were, the world would explode into darkness at her bidding ). “A merman?” She asked, brow arching. “Then we must swim together.” That settled it —  he’d ruined it for himself. She certainly would not settle until it was so. “Perhaps I thought you would look handsome in Dornish attire, but I suppose leathers will do.”

Lysella let out a girlish giggle that relapsed into laughter at Ceryse’s words. Of all the friends that she missed from King’s Landing, Ceryse was certainly at the top of her list. She had always been kind and honest with her, two traits that she valued more than anything. “I’ve missed you dearly as well, my friend. How have you fared? Oh, where did you go, I imagine you have a score of stories to tell me?”

The trill of laughter was a welcomed sound, one that caused her smile to soften ever so slightly. “Countless stories.” She confirmed with a hum. “I traveled alongside my Crow beyond the Wall. We stayed among the wildlings and returned south with their King. I believe I’ve spent more time on a horse within the past six months then I have my entire life, but I would not wish to change a minute of it.”

“Oh?” Kymaera quirked her brow up and let a smirk slide across her mouth. “Kymaera disagrees. It should be much more interesting than last time. Chaos and fighting go hand in hand, and Kymaera is a fighter.” Her eyes turned somewhat feral. “Though she can be convinced to be a lover for some.” She shrugged at the question. “Kymaera is interested in anything the shadows have to tell her, and her destination is wherever you are going.”

“I’ve never been a fighter.” She murmured, the memory of her mothers bakery momentarily coming to the forefront of her mind before it was quickly shoved away. “For I know what I would do to keep those I care for safe and the idea terrifies me.” Ceryse wasn’t sure she would recognize herself, not after the lengths for which she would go ( even if those she cared for consisted of a number small enough to count on one hand ). “If anyone could convince you to be a lover, it would be those in Dorne. We are far more free here. Dornish lack the mindset of a singular lover.” Perhaps that was why she’d gotten along so well with the wildlings —   they did not conform like the rest of Westeros. “I was planning to go to Sun and Stars. Or perhaps the market... I had yet to decide. Would my Fighter have a preference?” 

“Skyreach… Hmm, that is quite a ways from here. The Fowler’s visited as much as any House in Dorne.” There was always politics being discussed in the corners of the Garden. It was an easy place to sway the opinion of the Martell’s if you needed to. “Are you not from Dorne?” Ashara had assumed the woman was. She certainly looked Dornish, but perhaps she’d made a mistake. “I’m very happy to be in Sunspear.” She had been looking forward to her return to Dorne for a long, long time. “Why do you ask?”

In truth, she’d listened to her fathers tales of his travels, but had never cared much for the politics behind it all... and Sunspear or the Watergardens was clearly a trip for just that —  politics. “I am a bastard. I was raised across the narrow sea in Asshai by my mother and grandparents. When she told me of my father, I traveled West and have not returned home since.” Dropping her gaze from the woman, her fingers moved across the surface of the water —   back and forth. “Just a feeling I suppose.”

“tell me lady ceyrse are you happy to be back in dorne? i have watched many dornish people celebrating their return home here. but you seem….distracted by something.” willem said studying her face for a moment. “i hope you take no offense to that, i mean nothing bad by it.”

@cerysesand·

She was distracted, and the fact that someone else had noticed ( so much so to point it out ) was a bit concerning. “I am joyous and eager to be reunited with my father and siblings. But I departed from a lover on poor terms shortly before we all left Kings Landing, and I imagine when it becomes evident I will not be returning to his side he will be displeased.” 

“i am dying to hear about your trip beyond the wall.” the mormont smiled as she took her seat next to the still somehow beautiful woman. how someone managed to still look so put together after the long travel they both had was beyond her. “i’ve never gone before the wall, only got to stand ontop of it when i traveled there with my father many many many years ago.” 

@cerysesand·

Flickering her gaze toward the woman ( one she’d once suspected had a hint of magic within her, despite no desire to admit so ), her head inclined into a nod. “I’d never seen snow.” She admitted, body angling toward her companion. “Quite a wondrous thing really... the moment we went beneath the wall it was as if the world became quiet.” Ceryse had never expected it, but she found herself missing her time beyond the wall —  longing for it even. “I have limited experience and while I have no doubt I can weave you a wondrous tale... the King and his wildlings have traveled south with us. I can tell you as much as I can, but if you want words straight from the source about everything... I would inquire with him or my Crow.”

When his door opened before Endymion had even had a chance to respond to the action, he let out an audible sigh. These women would be the death of him. They’d grown far too familiar. He stared down at the clothes with an obviously skeptical face. “This material isn’t just for heat. The leather serves as protection as I’m sure you’ll recall. This-” He lifted the fabric in one hand and glanced over to the woman who, despite his best efforts, had become a friend of his. “-Is what women’s undergowns are made of.” He supposed it made sense to wear clothing that breathed a little more in order to stay cool in this weather, and he was thankful that his men had already been taken care of, but Endymion could not imagine himself wearing such clothing. At the very least, it was black. “I don’t suppose you would accept a leather tunic and pants alone.”

“Oh.” Dragging out the word, a mischievous grin pulled across her face. “And is my crow familiar with the women’s undergowns?” An eyebrow arched slightly, as if to chide him for so readily setting himself up to be teased. After a moment of holding eye contact, she reached over to pull the material from his hands and instead hold it up against his torso ( as if to ensure the sizing was correct ). “If you wish to be a stubborn man, then I am certain we could find you some Dornish fighting leathers.” Nose crinkling, her dark gaze rose to meet his once more. “But at the very least, you ought to change for this evenings celebrations. One certainly cannot swim in furs.” 

Ashara was walking through the gardens a bit in a daze when a voice called to her. She could not remember the name of the woman, but she had been involved in retrieving the children after the tournament. “It is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.” She said and stepped into the water without a thought to the blue gown she’d been wearing. “Did your father frequent this place? I visited often as a child.”

At the confirmation of her fathers stories, part of her seemed to ease. Ceryse hadn’t doubted the man for a moment, but to know someone else had held similar experiences was refreshing. “He visited for both business and pleasure. Funnily enough, this was where he was when I first arrived in Skyreach.” Settling into the water until just her eyes were visible, the Asshai native watched the woman for several long seconds before rising enough to speak once more. “Is your return to Sunspear not joyous?” Ceryse was familiar with the shadows —  the clung to her like a second skin ( a welcoming presence ), and yet this girl before her looked as if they were attempting to suffocate her. 

cerysesand·:

Kymaera had been well into the wine for some time now. Many of the people around her complained of the heat, but it did not phase her. This Dornish sun was no worse than Meereen or Volantis when the sun was at it’s peak and shone through the high black walls. In an attempt to escape all the annoying whiners, Kymaera began to explore the streets and buildings as she saw fit. Who was going to stop a knight? A familiar voice drew her attention. A lazy smile crossed her face and Kymaera nodded her head to the lady. “Queen of Darkness.” She replied in greeting. “I try not to miss anything interesting which this entire affair promises to be.”

“I pray not as interesting as our last gathering.” She commented, though at this point, Ceryse held little hope for it not being as dramatic. It seemed the moment the nobility gathered together something would happen ( and now it was just a matter of time ). “Is there anything in particular you are looking to find? I fear this is my first journey to Sunspear, but the people and the shadows are quite telling.”

@cerysesand·

The past months had left her with few friends to confide in. The conclusion of Lord Stark’s execution meant King’s Landing had been emptied of it’s many visitors, leaving it peaceful, yet dull. A wide smile split across Lysella’s face the moment she spotted the familiar dark head of hair and pretty features. She snuck up behind the Ashai born woman, coming to stand beside her as she spoke casually, “Now if only I had a proper guide to show me around Dorne,” She mused, shooting a teasing grin at her friend as she looped her arm with hers. “I wonder who would take up such a task,”

Ceryse had been quietly observing those around her when a presence had appeared behind her. Lips threatened to quirk slightly at the sound of the familiar voice, and after a moment, she released a pondering hum of thought ( her hand raising to give her friends arm a squeeze in greeting ). “Oh if only there were someone familiar with Dorne!” Only a handful of seconds passed before her efforts to avoid a smile failed and a bubble of laughter passed her lips. “How I’ve missed you! I’m so happy you’re here. There is so much we must do.” 

Dress dripping from her dip within the pools, Ceryse wandered barefoot through the Watergardens ( a soft hum leaving her lips as she slowly sipped away at a fine wine from the Arbor ). Dark orbs were quietly observing those she passed, but it was only when someone stepped into her path that she truly paid attention. “My fighter!” She greeted as her lips split into a smile, her head dipping into a nod. “Oh how glad I am we have met once more. I’d begun to worry you would not be here to enjoy the pleasures of Dorne.”