Chapter 22 Chapter Twenty-Two

Under the scorching sun of Dorne, water is as precious as gold, and people fanatically guard its source.However, the well in Sandstone City was dry for a hundred years, and the guardians left here for places with water, and this medium-sized fortress with carved columns and triple arches fell into disrepair.Gradually the desert came back and took over the place again. It was sunset when Arianne Martell arrived with Dre and Sylva, and the western sky was a tapestry of purple and gold, and the clouds were bursting with red.The ruins also shone brightly, the toppled pillars glowed a faint red, and bloody shadows spread across the cracks in the stone floor. As the day drew to a close, the desert itself changed from gold to orange, and then to purple.Garin had arrived hours before, and the knight known as "Dark Star" had arrived the day before.

"It's beautiful here," Drey said, helping Garin drink his horses.Water is brought in.The sandhorses of Dorne are swift and tireless, and when the outlanders wear out they can go a long way, and even then they must drink water. "How do you know about this place?" "My uncle took me here, with Tyene and Salela." Arianne smiled at the memory. "He caught some poisonous snakes and taught Tyene how to squeeze out the venom safely. Salera rummaged through every stone and wiped the sand from the mosaics, trying to learn more about the people who lived here."

"Then what did you do, Your Highness?" "Spot" Sylva asked. me?I sat by the well, pretending to have been robbed by the Robber Rider, and waiting for him to play me, she thought, what a tall, strong man he was, with dark eyes and a pointed forehead.The memory made her squirm. "I was dreaming," she said, "and I was sitting cross-legged at my uncle's feet after the sun had set, begging him for a story." "Prince Oberyn is a great storyteller." Garin was there that day, Arianne's nurse and brother, and they had been inseparable since before they could walk. "He told the story of Prince Garin—I was named after him."

"Great Garin," said Dre, "the miracle of Royna." "It was he who made Valyria tremble." "They trembled," Sir Gerald said, "and killed him. If I led two or three hundred thousand men to their deaths, would they call me 'Great Gerald'?" He snorted, "I think I would still It's called 'Dark Star', forget it, at least that's my own name." He drew out his long sword, sat on the edge of the dry well, and began to polish it with a whetstone. Arianne watched him warily.He is of high blood enough to be a worthy consort, she thought. Father may question my judgment, but my children will be as beautiful as the dragonlords.Ser Gerold Dayne was arguably the handsomest man in Dorne, with his hooked nose, high cheekbones, and strong jaw.He was always clean-shaven, and his thick hair hung down to his collar like a glacier of silver, split in two by a strand of black hair as black as midnight.Yet the lines of his mouth were sharp, and his tongue even sharper.He sat there polishing his sword, silhouetted against the setting sun, and his eyes seemed black, but she had seen them up close and they were purple.Dark purple.A pair of dark and angry eyes.

He must have felt her gaze, so he looked away from the long sword, raised his head to meet her eyes, and smiled slightly.Arianne's face burned.I shouldn't have brought him here.If he looked at me like that when Arys was around, the sand would be stained with blood.She couldn't tell whose blood it might be.By tradition, the Kingsguard are the finest knights in the Seven Kingdoms...but a "Dark Star" is a "Dark Star". The nights in the Dorne desert are freezing cold.Gai Lin collected firewood for everyone, and the white branches came from dead trees a hundred years ago.Dre whistled, struck sparks with flint, and lit a bonfire.

Once the wood is lit, they sit around the fire, a bag of Summer Red is passed around...except Dark Star, who would rather drink lemonade without sugar.Garrin was in high spirits, and he told the news from the town of Plank at the mouth of the Greenblood River, where the orphans traded with the various ships across the Narrow Sea.If those sailors can believe it, the Eastern Continent is in turmoil: a slave revolt breaks out in Astapor, dragons appear in Qarth, gray plague spreads in Yi, and a new pirate king rules the Basilisk Isles and sets out to sack the town of High Trees , the believers of the red-robed monk in the city of Kehor caused a riot in an attempt to burn the black sheep god. "On the eve of the war between Mir and Rhys, the Golden Company suddenly terminated their contract with the Mirren."

"The people of Lys bought them." Sylva said without thinking. "Smart Lysians," Drey remarked, "cowardly and wise Lysians." Arianne thought more.If Quentin had the Gold Corps as their backing...their slogan was "Gold on the bottom, cold iron on the top".If you want to drive me away, brother, Han Tie is not enough.Quentyn knew little of Arianne's popularity in Dorne.No mercenary can change this. Ser Gerald stood up. "I'm going to pee." "Watch your step," Drey warned. "Prince Oberyn hasn't been here sucking venom in a while."

"I'm resistant to venom, Dart. Any snake that bites me will regret it." Ser Gerald disappeared behind a dead tree. The rest exchanged a few glances. "Forgive me, Your Highness," Gaelin said softly, "but I don't like that man." "What a pity," said Drey, "I believe he's almost in love with you." "We need him," Arianne reminded everyone, "not necessarily his sword, but his castle." "High Hidden is not the only castle in Dorne," Sylva the Spotted pointed out. "There are many knights who love you. Dre, for example."

"Yes," he confirmed, "I have a fine horse, a sword, and only . . . well, a few of them, actually." "Hundreds of them, sir," said Garrin. Arianne left them to tease each other.Besides her cousin Tyene, Dre and "Spotty" Sylva were her closest friends, and Garin had been teasing her ever since they drank from his mother's teat.At this moment, she had no intention of laughing.The sun has disappeared, and the sky is full of stars, too many to be afraid of.Leaning against a carved pillar, she wondered if her brother, wherever he was, was gazing at the same starry sky.Do you see that white star, Quentin?That was Nymeria's star, burning hot, and the milky white streamer behind it was her ten thousand ships.She shines as brightly as any man, and so shall I.You can't take away my inheritance!

Quentyn had been sent to Erenlyn when he was very young, too young, according to his mother.The children had not been brought up in Norvoth, and Lady Mellario would never forgive Prince Doran for taking him away from her. "I don't want it any more than you do," Arianne had overheard her father saying, "but we owe his family this blood debt, and Quentyn is the only bargain the Lord Ormond is willing to accept." "The chip?" the mother screamed. "He's your son! What kind of father pays off his own flesh and blood?" "Father to the Prince," replied Doran Martell.

Prince Doran was still pretending that her brother was with Lord Yronwood, but Garin's mother had spotted him in the Plank Town.The younger brother was posing as a merchant, and among his companions was a half-sighted like Cletus Yronwood, Earl Anders' dissolute son, and a maester fluent in all languages.My brother is not as smart as he thinks he is.Smart people should start from Old Town.Although the journey is farther, it is safer and may not be recognized.Arianne had many friends among the Orphans of the Greenblood River in Planktown, and some of them wondered why the Prince and the lord's son were going on a secret boat ride across the Narrow Sea under an alias.Someone had climbed through the window at night, pried open Quentin's small safe, and found the scrolls inside. Arianne is willing to pay any price if it can be proved that this secret operation across the Narrow Sea was Quentin's own plan and had nothing to do with others... But the parchment he was carrying was stamped with the spear of the Martell family of Dorne Gai Lin's relatives did not dare to open the seal to read the sun-penetrating coat of arms, this... "Princess." Ser Gerold Dayne stood behind her, half in starlight, half in shadow. "How's your pee going?" Arianne asked playfully. "The sand is very grateful." Dane stepped on the head of a statue with one foot. The head belonged to a virgin, but the sand smoothed her face. "I was peeing and thinking, this plan of yours doesn't seem to be accomplishing your goals." "What is my aim, ser?" "Unleash the Sand Snakes. Avenge Oberyn and Elia. Remember the song 'The Dornish Wife'? You want to taste the blood of the lion." These, plus my inheritance.I want Sunspear, I want my father's throne, I want Dorne to rule. "My goal is justice." "Whatever you call it. Crowning a Lannister girl is an empty gesture. She'll never sit on the Iron Throne, and you won't get the war you want. I'm afraid lions aren't so impulsive." "Not so impulsive? The lion cub died, and there are two cubs left. Who knows which one the lioness likes?" "The one in her own den." Ser Gerald drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the starlight, as sharp as a lie. "That's what you'll wage war on. Instead of golden crowns, use iron." I will not murder children. "Put it away. Myrcella is under my protection. And Sir Arys will never allow anyone to hurt his beloved princess, you know that very well." "No, miss, what I know is that the Danes have been killing Oakheart for thousands of years." His arrogance made her breathless. "It seems to me that Oakheart killed just as much Dane." "We all have our own family traditions." "Dark Star" sheathed his sword, "When the moon rises, well, here comes your model knight." His eyes are sharp.It was indeed Sir Alex who was riding on the tall gray horse. Alex urged the horse to gallop on the sandy ground, his pure white cloak fluttering mightily.Princess Myrcella sat behind him, wrapped in a hooded gown that hid her golden curls. Ser Alexis helped her off the horse, and Drey knelt on one knee, "Your Majesty." "Master." "Spot" Sylva knelt beside him. "Your Majesty, I am your man." Gaelin knelt on his knees. Myrcella was puzzled, she grabbed Alex Oakheart's arm. "Why do they call me Your Majesty?" she asked complainingly. "Ser Alexis, what is this place and who are they?" Had he told her nothing?Arianne hurried forward to meet her, with the silk clothes flying around, she smiled and comforted the girl, "They are my loyal friends, Your Majesty... will also be your friends." "Princess Arianne?" The girl threw her arms around her. "Why do they call me Queen? Has something happened to Tommen?" "He was held hostage by a group of treacherous courtiers, Your Majesty," Arianne explained, "and they encouraged him to steal your throne." "My throne? Do you mean the Iron Throne?" The girl was even more puzzled. "He didn't steal, Tommen..." "...Your younger than you, right?" "I'm a year older than him." "It means that the Iron Throne should be inherited by you," Arianne announced. "Your brother is just a little boy. You must not blame him. It's all the fault of the important ministers... Fortunately, you still have loyal friends. I don't know Is it an honor to introduce them personally?" She took the child's hand. "Sire, this is Sir André Dart, heir of the Lemon Grove." "My friends call me Dre," said he, "and it would be my great honor if His Majesty would do the same." Despite Dre's frank expression and calm smile, Myrcella remained vigilant. "I'll still call you 'Sir' until I get to know you." "No matter what your Majesty calls me, I am yours." Sylva cleared her throat, and Arianne continued to introduce, "This is Miss Sylva Santaga, Your Majesty, my dearest 'spotted' Sylva." "Why did they nickname you that?" Myrcella asked. "Because of my freckles, Your Majesty," replied Sylva, "but they all make excuses because I am the heir to the Spotwood Forest." Next, I will introduce Gai Lin. This guy is as usual, lazy, with a long nose, dark skin, and an emerald in one ear. "This is Mr. Garin, the dissolute orphan who loves to amuse me best," said Arianne. "His mother was my wet nurse." "I'm sorry she died," Myrcella said. "She's not dead, my dear queen." Garin's gold teeth flashed—Arianne had bought them to replace the ones she knocked out. "Miss means, I am an orphan on the Green Blood River." During the journey upstream, Myrcella had plenty of time to learn about the history of the Orphans of the Greenblood River.So Arianne led the future queen to the last member of her small team, "This is the last, but also the most heroic one, Ser Geraldine, a subordinate of Starfall City." Ser Gerald dropped to one knee.He looked at the girl calmly, the moonlight shining in his dark eyes. "There was an Arthur Dayne," said Myrcella, "who was the Kingsguard in the days of Aerys the 'Mad King.'" "He's 'Dawn Excalibur.' He's dead." "Then you are 'Dawn Sword' now?" "No. People call me 'Dark Star.' I belong to the night." Arianne pulled the child away. "You must be hungry. We have dates, cheese, and olives, and sweet lemonade to drink. But you must not eat or drink too much, and after a short rest we must set off on horseback. In this desert, it is best at night Hurry up, hurry up before the sun reaches the sky. It will be kinder to the mount." "It's the same for the rider," added Sylva the Spotted, "Come on, Your Majesty, and warm yourself up. It would be a great honor for me to serve you." She led the princess to the fire, and Ser Gerald quietly appeared behind Arianne. "My family history goes back ten thousand years, to the Age of Dawn," he complained. "Why is that relative of mine the only Dane remembered?" "He's a great knight," put in Alex Oakheart. "He has a great sword," said the Darkstar. "And a great heart." Ser Arys took Arianne's arm. "Princess, I would like to speak to you in private." "Come here." She led Ser Arys deep into the ruins.Under his cloak the knight wore a coat of gold thread emblazoned with the coat of arms of three green oak leaves, and a light iron helm with spikes, wrapped in a yellow turban like the Dornishmen.That cloak is what makes him different, the gleaming white silk is as bright as the bright moon and as soft as the breeze.No doubt he wore the cloak of the Kingsguard, the heroic fool. "How much does the child know?" "Not much. Before leaving King's Landing, her uncle told her that I am her protector, and any decision I make is to protect her safety. She also heard people in the street shouting for revenge, and knew that this was not a game. The girl is very brave, and her wisdom is beyond her age. She does exactly what I ask her to do, and never asks." The knight took her hand, looked around, and lowered his voice. "There's other news you should hear. Tywin Lannister is dead." surprising. "died?" "The little devil killed it. The queen mother has already regented." "Really?" A woman sits on the Iron Throne?Arianne considered for a moment, and concluded that the situation could only go in the right direction.It would be easier to bow the knee to Queen Myrcella if the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms were used to Queen Cersei's reign.Besides, Lord Tywin was a dangerous opponent, and Dorne's life would be much easier without him.Lannisters killing each other is a real joy. "What about the dwarf?" "He has fled," Ser Arys said, "and Cersei will now grant lordship to whoever offers his head." He pushed her against a pillar in the tiled inner court, half buried in quicksand. Kissing her, reaching for her chest.His kiss was long and strong, and if Arianne hadn't broken free with a smile, he would have lifted her skirt. "I know you're excited to have a Queen, ser, but we don't have time for that. Later, later, I promise you." She stroked his cheek. "You're not in any trouble, are you?" "Tristan won't budge. He's clamoring to sit by Myrcella's bed and play cyvasse with her." "He suffered from erythema when he was four years old. I told you, this disease is very terrible. If you release the news that Myrcella has greyscale, you can keep him away." "The boy might, but your father's maester won't." "Carrot," she said, "is he going to see her?" "I described to him more than one red spot on her face. He didn't have any treatment, he could only let the condition subside on its own, and finally gave me a jar of ointment, saying it was to relieve the itching." No one under the age of ten had ever died of erythema, but it was fatal to adults, and Maester Carlot hadn't had it as a child—Arianne had known that since she was eight, when she I also suffer from erythema. "Very well," she said, "how about the maid? Can she trick her?" "It can be seen from a distance. The little devil abandoned many girls of noble birth and chose her for this purpose. Myrcella personally curled her hair and painted red dots on her face. Do you know? They were distant kin, there were many Lannis, Lanitzes, Lanters, and lesser Lannisters in Lannisport, half of them had yellow hair, wore Myrcella's nightgown, and had maester's paint all over their faces. Ointment... In the dim light, she might even fool me. Finding my substitute is more difficult. Deckard is about the same height as me, but he is too fat, so I let Rhodes wear my plate armor, and Tell him never to lift his mask. This man is three inches shorter than me, but if I don't stand beside him, maybe no one will notice. In any case, he will keep watch over Myrcella's room." "Don't worry, we only need to fight for a few days, when the time comes, the princess will no longer be under my father's control." "Where are we going?" He pulled her closer, touching her neck with the tip of his nose. "Time to tell me the rest of the plan, don't you think?" She smiled and pushed him away, "No, it's time to start riding." When they set off from the dry and dusty ruins of Sandstone City and headed southwest, the moon had already climbed into the constellation Luna.Arianne and Ser Arys led the way, Myrcella rode between them on a vigorous mare, Garin and Spotted Sylva followed closely, while her two Dorne knights stayed behind. .Seven, Arianne suddenly realized, seemed like a good omen, seven riders galloping to glory, and someday the Singer would make us immortal.Drey wanted to bring more people, but that would attract attention, invite trouble, and double the risk of betrayal with each additional person.At least on this point, my father taught me.Even in the prime of his life, Doran Martell was cautious, silent, and strict-tongued.It is time for him to unburden himself, but I will not tolerate any harm to his honor or even his person.She will send him back to the running water garden, and let him spend the rest of his life amidst the laughter of children and the scent of lemons and oranges.Well, Quentin could keep him company.When I crown Myrcella and unleash the Sand Snake, the Lords of Dorne will unite under my banner.The Yronwoods might continue to stand behind Quentyn, but they were too alone to pose a threat; if they all went over to Tommen and Lannister, she would send the Dark Star just in time to kill them all. "I'm tired," Myrcella complained after hours of riding. "Is it still far? Where are we going?" "Princess Arianne will take Your Majesty to a safe place," Ser Arys assured her. "It's been a long journey," said Arianne, "but it will be easier when we reach the Greenblood. There we will be met by Garin's friends, Greenblood Orphans who live in On the boat, they usually punting along the Green Blood River and its tributaries to fish and pick fruits, they regard the boat as their home, and they cannot do without it no matter what they do.” "Yes," Garin cried happily, "we can sing, dance and play games on the water, and we are good at medicine. For example, my mother is the best midwife in Westeros, and my father can cure warts." "You have parents, how can you be an orphan?" the girl asked. "They are the Rhoynar," Arianne explained, "and their mother is the Rhoen River." Myrcella didn't understand, "I thought all of you Dornish...you were all Rhoynar." "We are part of the Royna blood, Your Majesty, I have both Nymeria's blood and Morse Martell's blood in my body - he is the Dorne lord who married Nymeria. On the wedding day , Nymeria burned all the ships to show her people that there was no retreat. Most rejoiced, for the journey to Dorne was long and terrible, and many died of storm, disease, and slavery; but a few People feel sad, they don't like this dry red land, they don't like the seven-faced gods in this land, clinging to the old way of life. They knocked off the burned hulls, nailed them into boats, and made boats on the green blood river. Orphans. The mother they sing about is not our Madonna, but the mother River Ron, whose waters have nourished them since the beginning of the world." "I heard that the Rhoynar have a tortoise god," said Sir Alex. "The old man in the river is a lesser god," Gaelin said. "He was also born in the mother river. He defeated the Crab Queen and won the right to rule the underwater dwellers." "Oh." Myrcella sighed. "I hear you have fought some great battles, Your Majesty," said Dre, in the most pleasant tone of voice. "I hear you showed no mercy to our brave Prince Tristan at the cyvasse table." "He always had the same layout, with all the mountains in front and the elephant in the pass," Myrcella analyzed, "so I sent my dragon to eat his elephant." "Does your maid play like that?" Drey asked. "Rosamon?" Myrcella said. "No. I tried to teach her, but she said the rules were too difficult." "She's a Lannister too?" asked Miss Sylva. "She's a Lannister of Lannisport, not a Lannister of Casterly Rock. Her hair is the same color as mine, but straight, not curly. Actually, Rosamund doesn't look like me, but she wears me." behind the clothes of strangers." "Have you ever done this before?" "Oh, yes. We switched places on the Seaswift on the way to Braavos. Sister Elantine dyed my hair brown. She said she was playing tricks, but I knew it was for Keep me safe in case the ship should be captured by my uncle Stannis." The girl was obviously tired, so Arianne gave the order to stop.They drank the horses again, rested for a while, and ate cheese and fruit.Myrcella shared an orange with "Spotted" Sylva, while Garin ate an olive and spat the core at Dre. Arianne had hoped to be at the river before sunrise, but they started much later than planned, so they rode as the eastern sky turned red. "Dark Star" rushed to her side. "Princess," he said, "you must hurry, unless you change your mind and intend to kill the child. We have no tents, and the desert is cruel by day." "I know the desert as well as you, ser," she retorted, but took the advice anyway.It was cruel to the mounts, but better to lose six horses than to lose a princess. Soon, the wind was blowing from the west, hot and dry, and the sky was filled with gravel.Arianne pulled up the veil, it was made of slightly glowing silk, the upper part was light green, the lower part was yellow, the two colors gradually merged and transitioned, and the small green pearl strings used for decoration collided with each other as they rode , making a slight clicking sound. "I know why my princess wears her veil," Ser Arys said as she fastened it to her brass helmet, "otherwise her beauty would eclipse the brightness of the sun in the sky." She couldn't help laughing. "No, your princess wears a veil to keep out the glare and keep out the sand. You should do the same, ser." She wondered how many years her white knight had practiced folly, Ser Arys A delightful companion in bed, but wit is a stranger to him. Several Dornishmen also covered their faces one after another. "Spot" Sylva helped the little princess put on the veil, but Sir Alex stubbornly put on his white robe. Soon after, sweat dripped down his face. A blush appeared on her cheeks.I'm afraid that after a while, he will be bored, she thought to herself.He was not the first victim of the scorching sun of Dorne. Over the centuries, many armies had flown their flags across the Prince's Pass southward, only to be tormented in the scorching deserts of Dorne without a fight. "The sigil of House Martell consists of the sun and the lance, the two most powerful weapons of the Dornishmen," wrote the Young Dragonlord in his vaunted Conquest of Dorne, "of the two, The sun is deadlier." Thankfully, they didn't have to traverse the depths of a large desert, just a piece of dry land.A hawk circled high in the cloudless sky, and Arianne knew the hardest journey was behind her.They soon found another crooked, knotty tree with as many thorns as leaves.This kind of tree is called "desert beggar". When you meet it, it means that you are not far from the water. "We're almost there, Your Majesty." Gaelin told Myrcella happily.There are more desert beggar trees ahead, densely packed, growing around a dry river bed.The sun beat on us like a fiery hammer, but everyone was relieved to see the end of the journey, and after drinking the horses again, they took deep sips of the water from the leather pouches, moistened their veils with it, and mounted for the final sprint.After half a league they ran on the devil's weed, past the olive groves where the grass grew greener and lusher behind the rocky hills, and the lemon orchards were watered by ancient cobwebs of channels.Galin was the first to spot the glowing green river, and with a cry, he sped forward. Arianne Martell crossed the Mander River once, when she accompanied the three Sand Snakes to visit Tyene's mother.Compared with that mighty waterway, the Greenblood was hardly a river, yet it was the lifeblood of Dorne.It gets its name from the muddy green water of the river, but as one approaches, the sun seems to turn the water golden.Rarely had she seen such beauty.Next, the journey would be slower and simpler, she thought, up the Greenblood River up to Wess, as far as the poleboats could go.During the period, it happened to help Myrcella prepare for everything that was about to come.After passing Weiss, there is a great desert in front of her. If she wants to travel smoothly, she needs the help of Sandstone City and Prison Gate Fort—she believes that they will cooperate. After all, the Red Viper was raised by Sandstone City, and Prince Oberyn's mistress, Ellaria Sand, was from the Earl of Uller, and four Sand Snakes were supposed to be the Earl's granddaughter.I crowned Myrcella at Hellgate, and rose up there. They found the boat half a league downstream, under a great green weeping willow.Dorne's punt boats have low ceilings, wide space, and no complicated craftsmanship. The Young Dragon Master derogated them as "broken houses built on rafts."In fact, this is very unfair. Except for the poorest and most humble orphans of the Green Blood River, everyone strives to paint the boat carvings beautifully.The boat in front of me is painted in different shades of green, the wooden tiller is carved into a mermaid, and fish faces look out from the railings.Its decks are strewn with poles, ropes, and olive oil cans, and iron lanterns sway in the wind.But Arianne didn't see a Greenblood Orphan coming out to greet her.Where is the boatman?she wondered. Gaelin reined in his horse under the willow. "Wake up, you bedridden fisheyes," he yelled, rolling off his horse. "The Queen is here, come out and welcome Your Majesty. Get up, come out, and we'll sing and drink rum. My mouth is— —” The door of the poleboat swung open, and Areo Hotah stepped out into the sunlight, longaxe in hand. Galin stopped abruptly.Arianne seemed to have been struck firmly in the stomach by the axe.It shouldn't have ended like this.That's not how it works. "It's the last face I want to see," she heard Drey say, and suddenly she knew she had to do something. "Run!" she yelled, leaping into the saddle, "Arys, protect the princess—" Hota beat the ax stack of the long-handled ax on the deck, and a dozen guards rushed out from behind the carved railing of the pole boat, each equipped with short spears and crossbows.More guards appeared on the roof of the cabin. "Surrender quickly, Your Royal Highness," the captain of the guard shouted, "or we will kill everyone, leaving only you and the child, this is your father's order." Princess Myrcella sat on the horse without moving.Gaelin slowly backed away from the punt boat, his hands raised high.Dre undid his sword belt. "Surrender seems the wisest course of action," he yelled at Arianne, dropping his weapon first. "Never!" Ser Arys Oakheart rode between Arianne and the crossbow, the sword gleaming silver in his hand.He had untied his shield, and his left arm was threaded into a strap. "As long as I have breath, you don't want to take her away!" Reckless fool, Arianne is restless, what are you doing? "Dark Star" laughed loudly, "Are you blind or stupid, Oakheart? There is a big difference between the number of people and the number of people, put down your weapons quickly." "Do as he says, Ser Arys," urged Drey. We're caught, ser, Arianne wants to shout, and it won't help if you sacrifice yourself.If you love your princess, surrender.The words stuck in her throat. Ser Arys Oakheart gave her one last longing look, and charged with a kick from his golden spur. He rushed straight towards the pole boat, his pure white cloak fluttering in the wind.Arianne Martell had never seen anything so heroic, yet so stupid. "No—" she screamed, but by the time she could, it was too late.A crossbow fired with a "thud," followed by another.Hotah barked orders.At such a close distance, the White Knight's mail is like parchment.The first arrow pierced through the oaken shield and pinned to his shoulder, the second grazed the temple.A javelin struck Ser Arys in the side of his mount, but the horse still charged forward, forward, staggering up the gangplank. "No," some girl was calling, some stupid little girl, "no, please, it's not like this." She heard Myrcella screaming too, fear in her raspy voice. Ser Arys swung his longsword left and right, knocking down two spearmen in an instant.His centaur reared up and kicked a crossbowman in the face as he tried to reload, but the other crossbows fired in unison, and the tall horse was instantly loaded with bolts.The mount fell suddenly, and the knight's legs hit the deck together.However, Sir Alys Oakheart broke free, still holding the long sword, and managed to kneel beside the dying horse... ... Areo Hotah loomed in front of him. The white knight raised his sword to block, but his movements were too slow.Hotah's long ax chopped off his right arm shoulder-to-shoulder, and the arm swung out, blood spraying like a fountain.Then Hotah held the ax in both hands and slashed vigorously. Sir Oakheart's head flew into the air and landed in the reeds, splashing lightly with water.The river of green blood drowned the red blood. Arianne didn't remember getting off her horse, maybe she fell.She didn't remember anything except lying on all fours in the sand, shaking and crying, throwing up yesterday's dinner.No, no, I don't want anyone to be hurt, everything is going according to plan, I am very careful, that's all she can think of.She heard Areo Hotah yelling: "Hurry up. Don't let him run away. Hurry up!" Myrcella fell to the ground, wailing and trembling, covering her pale face with her hands, with blood flowing from between her fingers.Arianne couldn't understand.Some hurried to get on their horses, while others rushed forward and surrounded her and her companions.Everything is confusing.She thought she had fallen into a dream, a horrible red nightmare.This is not true.I would wake up in no time and laugh at my panic. When they tied her back, she didn't resist.One of the guards, dressed in her father's colors, yanked her to her feet, while another stooped to fish out a throwing knife from her boot, a gift from her cousin Nami. Areo Hotah took the knife and frowned. "The prince told me that I must take you back to Sunspear." His cheeks and forehead were stained with Arys Oakheart's blood. "I'm sorry, my little princess." Arianne lifted her tear-stained face. "How does he know?" she asked the captain of the guard. "I'm very cautious. How could he know?" "An informer," Hotah shrugged, "always an informer."