another day, another drama

Chuckling, the Tyrell shook her head. “I simply hope his words prove true. Any woman who claims pregnancy is charming is a liar. You’re treated as if you are made of porcelain.” Eyes rolled heavenward, a clear sign of her displeasure ( because for once, she knew she could be blatantly honest —  ironic really, when the other woman was a mistress of whispers for another kingdom ). “Lord Rykker’s infidelity has been widely known for quite some time now and the fact that his wife has only now discovered it to be such…” Gods help the ill informed. “Nothing else has happened? No gossip? No suitors? There certainly must be someone who has caught your attention.”

Despite her friend’s apparent displeasure, Tya was relieved to hear that she was being well looked after. “I do hear women being far less charmed by the notion the further the pregnancy goes on.” It appeared no different in this case, although it was even more difficult with twins. “Lord Rykker’s wife has never been a very clever woman. I once heard her believe his story of spending an entire day with a maester that she’d spoken with after lunch.” Tya rolled her eyes. “That was the highlight of the gossip, though I’m sure there is plenty more to tell you if you don’t already know.” She smiled. “There have been a few interesting men to cross my path.”

“Not for me to know? I feel as though the lady is telling me not to  be presumptuous.” Biting his lip when he was asked if it was anyone new to add to the list of men he had exposed to the Mistress of Whispers, there were new faces, but names that he did not know. “They were Dornish I know that, though I am not as well versed in Dornish lords I am afraid. Harder still is to pry their names from them, and the most difficult of all is when they have their tongue down my throat.” Grinning at Tya, “No the gold does not hurt.”

“I would never dream of saying something so direct.” Tya said, the turn in her lips remaining. “I am merely saving you from working two separate jobs. I am very capable at mine and do not need the assistance in those matters. It is best to keep information separate.” Despite how much the Mistress of Whispers enjoyed this particular bird, and the fondness that her own friend had for him, he must still remain in the dark. “It is not so big a scandal for the Dornish men. However, if you could work to discover their names, you will be rewarded. Do let me know any other lords that may look in your direction.” 

She could stomach the Lannister better than before after her information had located Aemos, but she was still far from fond of her. She knew Tya had suspected her being unfaithful with Lord Mormont, a rumour she did not appreciate being spread - and she would never forgive the lioness for calling her mad. It was a low blow to call a Targaryen that, she could have easily used the same insult on a Lannister though.  

“I heard a noise, so I thought maybe an animal was trapped in there,” she answered with a shrug. “For a horrifying moment, I thought you were that animal.” It was half the truth. She fought to not roll her eyes, she was sure her husband’s cousin was still watching her every move to make sure she did not cause trouble due to her madness. 

“Worry not, Tya, I sincerely doubt the Martells would hide their deepest darkest secrets in there,” she said before brushing dust off her silken dress. “You will have to find them elsewhere, but I am sure you will locate them soon enough.” It was not meant as a compliment even if it could be interpreted as such. 

Tya narrowed her eyes. It was always backhanded with Rhaena. Sure, it was a part of the Mistress of Whisper’s job to find information whatever the cost, and for Tya, it often involved poking, prodding, angering anyone into revealing more than what they desired. However, more often she remained as polite as could be possible, even to this woman. Her distaste for her cousin’s wife had only grown since they were married, especially with the whispers of her wandering eyes. There was nothing to confirm she’d been physically unfaithful, but that mattered little to Tya. Should she had felt any intimate emotions at all for someone that was not her husband, she should have quickly turned away and let it die. She had not. So Tya kept an eye on her, because the lioness would protect Arryk at any and all costs. “It would appear the animal is merely in your imagination.” 

“I was not trying to flatter you, Lady Lannister. I was trying to be honest.” He watched her for several moments longer before dark orbs moved to observe the party goers once more. “The Prince of Dragonflies loved Jenny of Oldstones so much he cast aside a crown, and Westeros paid the price in corpses.” He murmured. “My father married a common woman and slighted his betrothed’s family in the process.” And they paid the price in corpses. How ironic history was —   repeating itself in similar ways. “Ah —  but I cannot reveal all without hearing something in return, now can I?” He inquired, offering her a small smile. “One for one?” An eyebrow quirked, before he continued. “I’ll even start. I find the attire suitable for the climate, but much like you, I prefer my own. Black is hardly a favorable color in the sun.” He’d bent to the silky attire of the Dornish sun, but the color had remained dark, the fashion nearly bordering what he might wear at home. “I find myself agreeing with the idea that women should be considered an heir if first born…. Ah, and look, I even offered two.”

His dark eyes met her green ones as she looked back at him. He was curious. “Are you dishonest so frequently that you must put in an effort to try to be honest? Should I not assume you honest all the time?” Her eyebrows raised only slightly in question. Then her gaze turned sorrowful. Almost everyone had heard the tragedy that had occurred to the entire Blackwood Family. It was hard to remember that it had left a survivor when all anyone talked about was the deceased. Looking at Abraxas now, Tya suspected that even those who knew him might forget that he must have once been a very frightened boy. He had likely done everything in his power to assure such a thing. No one wanted to be pitied or seen as weak like that. Tya could not imagine losing her family. It would have broken her entirely. She realized that she’d been staring at him for quite some time when her eyes returned to the water. “Perhaps that is why I once adored those songs so much- it let a young girl believe someone like the Prince of Dragonflies existed." Someone who could marry for love. “Songs often ignore the entire truth and omit the consequences of such actions, don’t they?” Tya released a soft sigh. “That seems an agreeable trade.” The lioness consented, pondering what it was he could find amiss with their current location. His first admission had not been too much of a surprise. He looked like a man of the Night’s Watch with all the dark colors he wore. Although he’d noted that she continued to wear her own clothing as well. His second statement, however, did take her by surprise. It was not an opinion widely shared that women should be inheritors. Her father was among the few. “It is not that I dislike the fashion. It truly is beautiful. As you said, it’s appropriate for the climate, but it is all too much for my taste. I prefer solid colors, clean lines, and modest dresses. I suppose it comes as a surprise to few that I typically prefer things to remain a mystery.”

Lysella merely nodded, her lips pursing in displeasure. The disappointment was clear on her face, despite how hard she tried to hide it- yet another skill she had yet to master. She knew in good sense that she should have more patience with herself, but struggling to learn something had never been an issue for her before. She took to books like a fish took to water, but this was more than simple reading. “I thought I had,” Lys tried, weakly despite the frown on her face. “I was going to say that a servant had given me the information. Was it this hard for you when you were taught?”

Soft green eyes assessed the woman. Tya did not want Lysella to be too disappointed, but there was growth to be had in that desire to improve. It was that fear of failure which drove Tya to become as meticulous as she was. It ensured their safety. “That would perhaps been too much information. You should not ever need to reveal your source. Some would seek out any servant that you spoke with in order to find the gossiper and rid the staff of them.” She said simply. It was a rule of hers. Tya protected her birds, her sources fiercely. “No. It wan’t, but you must remember that I started learning this when I began to lean how to speak and walk. My father had it ingrained in me. It is easier to learn at that young age.”

He couldn’t help the rougish grin that spread across his lips at her words —  his fingers tightening around hers momentarily before releasing them. “You would come to find that we have similar mannerisms, my lady. Different on land then we are at sea. And I must admit the idea of what you might change into is inciting.” As he was sure he’d done countless times when they’d encountered one another in Kings Landing, he followed after her almost like a lost puppy ( though his arm did jut out —  a silent offer to escort her ). “Far more fond then I once was —   if such a thing is even possible.” 

“I fear you would swiftly change you mind should it be put to the test. While I have always loved living at a port, I have scarcely been able to spend more than a few hours aboard a ship without desperately wanting to be off of it. They are far too enclosed for my tastes. You would be horrified by my cabin fever.” Tya said and took the arm that he offered as she strolled. While she did not believe his claim, Viktor was far too much of a shameless flirt, it did warrant a smile. “I trust things are well on the isles?”

Adelayne heard herself huff audibly at the sight of Tya stirring in another but of sugar into the cup of tea she’d brought. More sugar. But not too much, it seemed – but enough that the lady-in-waiting had still not achieved her silly little self proclaimed task. She made careful note of it in the back of her head, before releasing a small cough to cover up the sigh of frustration. “My Lady. Right, sorry – it’s still taking quite a while to get used to. I-I’m practicing, but it just… doesn’t seem to be taking very well.” It truly wasn’t for lack of trying. But, aside from Ashara Dalt, Adelayne didn’t have a great many noble friends she talked with. Whenever she had free time, she was down in the kitchens, or sitting at the Broken Axe with Laenah or walking the Street of Seeds with Jocey. All places where lowborn slang was common, and all places Adelayne couldn’t seem to escape the way she’d been raised to speak. 

She dropped into a quick and clumsy curtsey – though notably improved since she’d first arrived in Kin’s Landing – despite the request to not act so formally. “I, um.” She caught a strand of her hair in her fingers, tugging at it nervously. The truth was, she wasn’t ready. There were still so many fears that came with the task. Rejection, danger, and so many more. So, instead of answering, she found herself responding to the question with a question of her own. “Do you think it’s time? I… I still don’t wish to trouble anybody, and… there are so many things that could happen.” She dropped her voice an octave. “Bastards don’t always survive long here.”

“Is something bothering you?” Tya asked at her loud sigh and painfully obvious cough. Adelayne was perhaps even worse than Lysella had been in the beginning at hiding what she’s thinking. She paused, realizing momentarily that she had not been clear in her intention. “Say ‘my lady’ when others are around, Adelayne. When they are not, you may call me Tya.” She took another sip of the tea. Tya set the cup aside and turned to face the other blonde. Her eyes remained calmly on the girl who stumbled over every single word that she said. There were few times that Tya had been so grateful that any speech abnormalities had been well trained out of her. 

“Adelayne. Stop.” She instructed with no room for it to be argued, but not in a cruel or mean way. “To begin with, if you are going to speak then be confident in what you are saying. If you don’t think what you are saying is important, then why would anyone else?” She folded her hands on top of her lap. “To go along with that, don’t fidget so much. Consider your actions and make them purposefully.” She was scared. Tya could understand that. However, she’d been scared for months now despite working side by side with her entire family. It was past the time to be scared. “I think it is passed time. Things happen. That is all life is, and if you are not going to move forward, then you should go in another direction because you cannot stay in one place your entire life.” Tya had always been one more prone to tough love. “Perhaps you should start with Lysella. You’re close in age and temperament. I doubt that she could ever reject you.”

Surprise flickered across her face at her admission ( there and gone in a blink ), and only after he cleared his features did he clear his throat. They were not friends —  they hardly knew one another. And while under most circumstances, Abraxas might have tried prying knowledge from her lips, he knew what a dangerous game it would be playing against the Mistress of Whispers. And tonight? Tonight he had lacked the energy to endure such a feat. Dark eyes observed her silently for several long minutes before he finally responded. “You may not be suited for the climate, but you are a gem among a sea of sand.” Drawing his gaze away from her, his shoulders rose into a shrug. “I spent years burying myself in histories of the Riverlands that my fascination didn’t venture outside of its borders until I grew older. It’s culture and customs are different. Some I agree with, others I find distasteful. But that could be said about any place, could it not?”

Her green eyes, noticeably lacking that gleam of mischief in recent days, traveled up to the night sky. Tya took a brief moment to breathe and appreciate the clarity of the stars. She did her best to ignore the eyes that she felt on her, but at the same time, she needed to remain as neutral as possible to not give anything away. When he finally broke the silence, the lioness turned her head to look at him. Something in the tone of his voice was more raw than it had been before, but it seamlessly filtered away. “Thank you, but there is no need to flatter me, Lord Blackwood. I find you charming enough already.” Tya had read extensively on many things, but the histories of Westeros were the most beloved to her. If she had more time on her hands, there is no doubt that she would spend it in the library. There was always more to read and more to learn. The Riverlands history was singular in that their Great House had not been Kings of the Trident before Aegon’s Conquest. Their many bannermen had more ancient blood, and yet, the Tully’s maintained their seat. “I was always fond of the stories of The Prince of Dragonflies. Although, I’m sure you could tell me more interesting tales of your home.” Tya inclined her head slightly to one side. “I suppose it could be said of anywhere. Do you mind if I ask which you prefer and which you find distasteful?”

Persephone couldn’t help but beam at the sight of her dear friend. Though she was thankful they’d kept in touch during their time apart, nothing bested seeing her in person once more. There was, after all, only so much that could be put into written word. “Any day, though perhaps at this point he’s begun to say it more so for my benefit.” Chuckling, she shook her head. “I’ve missed you, tell me everything we failed to express in letters, hm?”

Tya took a seat across from the very, very pregnant woman. She was envious of her friend, but far more happy for her. “On the contrary, he is likely saying it for his own benefit. I doubt he wants you to rip his head off for saying much longer.” It was an easy tease. She could not help but laugh. “I have missed you too.” But how could she tell her anything that they hadn’t already discussed in letters? Tya had purposefully hidden a great deal of her own time from the correspondence. Both because she knew the woman would worry if she knew how Tya had been pushing herself, and because discussing her position was off the table with another queen. “Lord Rykker’s wife discovered that mistress of his and slapped her in front of the sept for everyone to see. It was the highlight of the past six months.”

Smiling at the woman before him, Florian shrugged a little at her question. “I suppose it is information, useful or helpful? That I can’t guarantee you. Dorne is as open as I’d assumed when it comes to well, my profession. You’d be surprised how many offers I’ve already been given. Though I am sure given how much you know, you already knew that.” Chuckling at her rich comment, “There’s more ways to be rich then rich in gold. I happen to be rich in several ways.”

Tya gave the man a coy smile. “It’s not for you to know if it is useful or helpful anyway.” Even she was not always sure. Sometimes a tidbit of information that seemed like nothing, could later prove to be the tipping point of the scales. “Anyone new to add to the roster? I’m sure a change of scenery has offered you an influx of new clients whose names would be useful.” It was always business first with the Mistress of Whispers. “But the gold doesn’t hurt.”

One of Lysella’s biggest faults was that she was often frustrated with herself and her slow progress. Though she was learning and certainly improving, she wanted to move faster. Lysella scowled at her cousin for figuring out her lie. “I had hoped his reputation would speak for itself,” She admitted, her shoulders sagging slightly in defeat. “Yes, I know, I know, I have a very long way and much to learn.”

Lysella was learning. She did not take to this skill set naturally, but that did not mean she was doing poorly. Quite the contrary, but like any Lannister, she was not happy with adequate. It made her proud. “It would have. You might have accomplished it had you not stumbled over your words. The stutter gave you away.” She explained. “Did you almost say Ser?” Her brow raised slightly. “Remember what I said about carefully considering your words before speaking? Have the sentence fully formed before you ever open your mouth to speak.”

She gave a light sigh through her nose, adjusting herself to Tya’s liking- with her hands diligently folded before her. “A score of wildlings are in Dorne, escorted by Queen’s Persephone’s brother, of all things. A ser-” She winced, gathering herself before making the correction. “The King Beyond the Wall travels with them as well. Lord Rykker has also arrived with his mistress instead of his wife- she’s quite pretty from what I’m told. And a few lesser lords of the Reach who voiced… displeasure in the Tyrell rule have gone missing in the passing months, rather mysteriously.”

Tya crossed her own hands in front of her skirts. It was perhaps the very first lesson that she taught her sweet cousin. Fidgeting hands could reveal every emotion a person was feeling. It was far easier to keep them clasped and still. However, her lips pursed slightly when the girl stumbled over her words. “Remember that you must consider what you are saying carefully before you begin to speak. You do not want to give away more than you wish.” Her voice remained neutral as she spoke. “Even Lord Rykker is not so foolish as to come here with his mistress instead of his wife.”

starter / @tyathelion​

Rhaena had been in a good mood since arriving in Dorne, her eyes constantly on the scenery around them. She loved seeing all the silk dresses, all the fresh fruit and the sands which seemed to never end. It was hot, beautiful and different. She did not realise how much she had longed for a change of scenery, how much she craved something new. It had been challenging meeting some of the self-professed rulers, but she had managed to keep her temper under control. 

She had been strolling through the gardens when she heard an unusual noise, it was strange enough to capture her attention. Her gaze landed on a boarded-up stone building at the far back of the gardens. Rhaena could have sworn the sound came from there. With her curiosity piqued, she went to investigate. 

Her lavender eyes peered between the boards and scanned over the darkness, she thought she saw a shadow of some kind… A noise behind her made her yelp and spin around on the spot. “Oh, it’s only you,” the queen said in relief at the sight of Tya, not the usual feeling she felt whenever her gaze landed upon the Lannister woman.

Settling in Dorne had been somewhat of a task. Tya had needed to arrange several of he birds, how she received her correspondence, who was permitted to bring said correspondence to her, and several other intricacies of the system she used needed to be addressed. As she was returning to her chambers, her green eyes caught a glimpse of distinctive silver hair walking from the gardens. Tya narrowed her eyes. She excused herself from her ladies and began to walk in the direction of her cousin’s wife. 

The woman appeared to be snooping, very obviously, into a building. Tya was a little embarrassed that she was not being more subtle. She watched her for a few moments before Rhaena realized her presence. “Might I ask what you are doing?” She asked in response to her statement of relief.

Flashing a smile at those he was drawing the Lannister Mistress of Whispers from, it didn’t take long for his dark gaze to drop to hers once more. “If I had known you waited for me, I would have never left.” Reaching for her hand, he brought the digits to his lips for the briefest of kisses. “At least not without you at my side.” Had it not been for those surrounding them, he might have allowed that mischievous glint in his eye to take full form, but given the crowd and their time apart, Viktor found a need to remain patient. “I have been told absence makes the heart grow fonder.” 

Tya watched with an amused eye as he brought her fingers to his lips. “I think you would find my company somewhat less charming aboard a ship than it is on shore, My Lord.” She took a few more steps away from the crowd, content to take a turn about the garden. “And how fond are you of me now compared to before?”

Abraxas returned the curtsy with the slightest bow of his own ( a soft sigh of annoyance at the formality of it all being tightly contained ). Despite the hawk like eyes on the pin on his chest, his shoulders rose into a shrug. “I am sure, Lady Lannister, that I’ve faired as well as you have.” He’d spent months scrambling ( his life a constant mess of twists and turns as he attempted to prepare for the summit ), and given her status within her cousins court, Abraxas held little doubt she’d done anything but the same. Dark eyes turned to look at her ( slowly roving over her style of dress —  traditional, if they weren’t in Dorne ), before settling upon her face. “Do you find Dorne to your liking?”

It did not go unnoticed from the hawk-eyed lion the sigh that escaped him. It would seem he was every bit as tired of the act as she was tonight, but neither were willing to pass along the script. “I pray that you fared far better than I.” Tya said so quietly that she almost hadn’t realized she said it at all. She added quickly. “My Lord.” He was the hand of a new King, though, and one that already had a harsh reputation following him about. It must have been hard to get the Riverlands settled. “Dorne is a beautiful place with a rich history that I deeply admire. Their customs are intricate and fascinating to witness first hand. However, I am not well suited to this climate, and yourself?”