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perhaps , if mace were slightly more realistic , he would have expected the answer given to him by sunwoo . but alas , he was not , and the unconfirmed safety of gwen weighed upon him like a tonne of bricks . he casts his gaze upwards momentarily , as if pleading with the gods , and then back to the lord in front of him . " no need to apologize , lord , " he insists , though he thinks sunwoo should perhaps be sorry he doesn't know of the whereabouts of his own flesh and blood . " we can only hope . apparently being a part of the king's guard requires sewing your lips shut and only speaking out of your ass . " he refers to the guards' relative silence surrounding what was going on , protecting quentyn's ears from the foul language with an arm haphazardly flung around the boy's head .

the question causes sunny to frown, reluctantly shaking his head. ❝ i don't, lord redwyne. i'm sorry. ❞ and that he was, unable to give them both the relief they sought. it just made him all the more tense. nothing may have been confirmed, but there was obvious care for his sister from the lord and he'd rather those people be with his siblings. instead, he was once again let down by knowing that was not the case. perhaps they had no cause for worry; sunwoo did often try to see things in a more positive light. it was getting more and more difficult to after each soured experience. ❝ hopefully we'll be able to find out for ourselves soon. ❞

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" i kept out of their way , " cregan refers to the greyjoy princess and melina as a pair , as that was how they were for the few weeks that the princess had joined them in oldtown . " i have known some smart people to be extremely oblivious , " he shrugs , smiling slightly at the notion that moonface would fear any mere human . but then again , perhaps the greyjoys were hiding more than the rest of the regions could comprehend . " strange , but they don't seem to think it so . " so perhaps it was strange that he and bran thought it strange at all . cregan was still learning things of melina that he hadn't had the chance to throughout her father's rule — and he knew less than nothing of maery greyjoy aside from her razor tongue . " i felt as if i was observing a once in a lifetime eclipse . or something of the sort . " he jokes , offering a belated , short chuckle after the jest has been allowed to sit out in the open for a few passing seconds .

this time bran did give cregan a hum and singular nod in response, still wondering about the odd trio. ❝ perhaps you didn't. the princess can be a chatty one. ❞ but the fact that bran did not mind said enough, he was sure. ❝ that's because moonface is smart, ❞ he says with a light laugh, words both meant as a joke and truth. any being with sense would not let their guard down around the ironborn princess. ❝ they do seem a strange pair. ❞ then again, bran knew little of the lady hightower and could give no opinion other than assumptions made. and at a first glance, he would think her amongst those that might keep their distance from the princess. but bran had to assume whatever he might have thought was wrong if she was friendly with both cregan and maery. ❝ it must have been entertaining, at least? ❞

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cregan was partial to a civilized debate , and thus is slightly dismayed when she simply allows him to win . it's unlike his usual discussions with friends , and he's uncertain if that is refreshing or otherwise . regardless , he smiles at the ground as they walk , choosing a comfortable silence over sparking the line of conversation back up again after she had snuffed it out . " it's nothing , " he insists in the wake of her gratitude , shaking his head slightly . it was more apparent than ever that some regions —  some kingdoms — could have rulers that did not run them in the pursuit of the peoples' best interests . melina deserved the praise as much as any could . " not if my brother doesn't require me in winterfell . " cregan was unsure , really , whether or not his presence would be needed in the north . he could not run off to the reach each time he was made to return home for more than a moon's time , princely duties calling his name as long as he was not a fully chained maester .

❝ no, i guess it does not, ❞ she agrees, accompanied by a half hearted smile, deciding to leave it instead of insistently giving the many reasons why he does not, a need to scream her side usually lying beneath her surface. ❝ thank you, cregan. ❞ she hopes his words are true, often needing to convince herself they are. but she would not think the prince a liar for her benefit. it took much of her own will to attempt to undo believing otherwise when told so often. the affirming words of one who has seen her rule first hand a small, but necessary, boost of confidence melina would not deny. ❝ yes, ❞ she laughs lightly, shaking her head for a moment. ❝ but will i still have to send you ravens if i invite you? ❞

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it was hardly something rare for cregan to concede to his friends in the name of peace — but he did so to cemal most often . the tyrell was indomitable , and not someone cregan wished to go back and forth with on end , for there was a slim chance he would emerge on the other side a victor . " it all depends on who holds our story dear . we speak of the first men because there still exists people who know they're descended from them . those who cared enough to speak of them to their children , " he trails off , feeling himself embarking on a tangent . " regardless , " he sighs , " i'd be happy if mention of me in history books were minimal . " the prince wasn't sure he could expect the same of cemal . " can we not both be happy ? " comes cregan's final concession .

        his  unfading  smile  left  no  room  for doubt that the tyrell was indeed happy, always pleased to accept what he deemed as another victory. sometimes the stark made it too easy.   ❝ that's a long, long way away. we still speak of the first men. they'll be forgotten before the songs of our age. ❞   it would be nice to have a place in history, as long as it was a positive or beloved place, anything negative would surely be false. but he only continued the playful arguing because it was his friend he was speaking with.   ❝ whatever belief makes you happy, your highness. ❞   if possible, his grin grew brighter as he parroted the others words back to him. if cregan spoke true, cem hoped the maesters kept their secrets locked safely away.

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despite time having mended most of tessaria's wounds , victario knows what injuries can do to one's skills . breaks in training allowed for slips , for mistakes that one would not normally make . regardless , he knows she is more capable than most to defend herself — but that does not mean she would not be on the list of those he would watch out for , should chaos ensue . he shrugs in response to her answer , as if his question was unfounded . " good , " he offers regardless , " hope does little against inevitability , tessa . "

hyper aware to the guards that have appeared around the market, tessaria already having a general number in her head of the amount of them. enough time has passed where she feels recent injuries won't be an issue, perhaps only her own nerves, her thoughts elsewhere. ❝ i have seen, ❞ she replies, eyes remaining on the guards as victario's voice needs no recognition. ❝ of course, ❞ her eyes finally shift to take the other into view. whether she is carrying a weapon or not hardly needs to be a question, never letting herself be unprepared again. but victario must be certain, something she might have poked at if not for the foreboding situation. ❝ i hope it does not come to that, though. ❞

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" i would rather fall on my sword , " he responds , perhaps lacking the tact that he might normally have employed in order to remain silent . despite that , he doesn't regret the statement — nor does he disbelieve that he would do just that if it came down to it . " and what can you do for the realm's people when your advice falls on deaf ears ? " comes his question , and it is an absolving of any guilt the lord may feel , in an abstract way . the way victario sees it , none of the members of aedar's council could do anything to stop the king's rampant egocentrism . he believes this , knowing that the king wished ill upon him and that pim could do nothing but beg victario to steer clear of him . " i'm sure we do , lord . "

        his  jaw  clenched.  the  jab  struck  at guilt that grew with each decision he couldn't dissuade aedar from.   ❝ perhaps you should observe more council meetings before making assumptions, ser. ❞   he maintained a level yet firm tone, balancing on the line he walked every day. the other's opinion hardly a surprise; willas assumed it was one most held.  ❝ and the council also has a duty to the realm's people. ❞   it was why he wouldn't leave even if the option was available. no matter if his objections went unheard, someone must voice them. he gave a slight shrug.   ❝ we all have reasons for staying. ❞

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the title of ser is one he is not often referred to with , despite it undeniably being one that he holds . those that knew him well knew that he cared little for knighthood , that he was only bestowed with it to quicken the process of his becoming sworn to princess pimchanok . from the lady's mouth it causes victario to roll his eyes . " you could act less like a child , " he notes " i'm sure no one expects from you a great show of stoicism . " the situation might have caused him more alarm if he was not trapped with his charge and the majority of his loved ones . as it was , he was confident in his ability to protect them , confident in his sword's ability to deter the guards if it came to it . " you should not speak of what you don't know . your title will not always make an effective shield . "

she merely glances at the stranger before her gaze shifts back to the king's men . " oh , do forgive me , ser . i didn't realize that i was meant to simply stay put in a single spot as if this were a perfectly normal situation , " her words hold a tone similar to that of an annoyed child . though that annoyance wasn't necessarily directed at the dark haired man . her frantic need to find some exit of sort was because she needed to find her mother . talyn could take care of herself , the daggers hidden beneath her skirts weren't mere toys , but worried for her lady mother . she felt the space between her eyes sting and she took a deep breath , pushing a strand of white blonde hair away from her face . " though i suppose nothing his majesty does is normal . " unlike the stranger , her face is very discernable . distaste evident on it .

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though cailin is not surprised by cedrick's response , it still manages to cause a surge of anxiety in their chest . it was true that the targaryen guard could not keep them trapped here for much longer without retaliation — the king in the north was present amongst the blooms as well as his council members , and to imprison him wrongly was surely an act of war as it was . " perhaps they follow him out of necessity . the same way that we find ourselves bending to his will , attending these summits , allowing him to drag us to and fro when each time there is a gathering there is also death . " cailin couldn't vilify the guards individually , no matter how frustrated she was . " fear is a merciless master . " they finish , offering a shrug and swallowing their apprehension at admitting their leniency down like a bitter tonic . " i know where they were this morning . " since then , she had heard little . " what of your children ? "

cedrick  knew  that  cailin  was  correct  ,  but  the  father  did  not  wish  to  behave  when  his  children  were  gods  knew  where  in  an  unfamiliar  place.  logically  ,  he  knew  they  should  still  be  in  their  apartments  awaiting  his  return  ,  but  emotionally  he  wasn't  too  trusting  of  that.  "  for  now.  "  he  agrees  slowly  ,  eyeing  the  guards  as  if  one  look  could  make  them  vanish.  "  and  who  follow  a  mad  king.  "  adds  he  ,  voice  softer  this  time  for  the  statement  was  only  for  the  master  of  ships  to  hear.  cedrick  didn't  need  rumors  surfacing  of  his  poor  talk  towards  the  southern  king  when  they  were  attempting  to  speak  of  peace.  "  do  you  know  where  your  brothers  are  ?  "  safe  ,  he  hoped.

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cailin , now trapped with their thoughts and their worries for their brothers , wondered at whether or not they should have spent more time at seagard over the last year . as patrek and desmond aged , the more they would need the guidance of the parental figure that neither of them had . cailin themselves felt like no role model , not grown up enough yet to impart any valuable wisdom upon them . but perhaps she hadn't tried hard enough — or tried at all . it only heightens their worries , leaving them gnawing on their bottom lip in the moments in which she isn't speaking . " whatever makes the most sense , " they concede with a nod , having little desire to continue discussing the matter — though not to the fault of helaena . " then i promise , " they smile thinly , in a way that they hope is reassuring . " we are lucky to not be separated . i don't know how i'd be coping if you weren't here . "

        helaena's  worry  for  her  kin  was  tempered by the knowledge that they were familiar with highgarden and that their parents had prepared them for navigating the dangers of court. they might be elevated now but the skills were there. her two good brothers not as equip and younger than her siblings. rational mind reminded her that worry served her naught; it must be quieted the best she could.   ❝ of course. i only meant we would seek out your brothers first and find time to visit my family later on, ❞   she clarified with a nod. knew that even if she wanted to see that her family was safe with her own eyes her lady mother would scold her for being so emotional, sharply reminding her that she was raised better.   ❝ i do. ❞   a ghost of a smile appeared.   ❝ but it is reassuring to hear you say it regardless. ❞

[encirclet]

uncertainty is abound , what with their group confined to one comparatively small area of the reach's capital . cailin herself therefore clings to even small whiffs of familiarity — and thus one of harry's closest friends is a genuine relief to stumble upon , even if it is just for more confused conversation about the same topic of their unjust imprisonment . " i think mine are already altered , as you fear , " they admit , " and just after my wife has spent moons building gardens at seagard . " it was a shame , but cailin thought the sentiment behind the blooms at seagard would ameliorate whatever reservations they may have after this experience . " we can only hope , lord , " they nod their agreement , though they hold little hope that their words will ring true .

hugo  tilts  his  head  at  the  familiar  figure  ,  not  one  he  grew  up  with  ,  but  at  least  one  that  he  knows.  it  doesn't  do  much  to  relax  the  lord  ,  he  wishes  to  find  his  way  back  to  his  rooms  but  that  is  clearly  not  an  option  he  has  been  gifted.  "  i  pray  it  does  not  change  my  opinion  of  the  gardens.  "  he  offers  weakly  ,  having  spent  multiple  hours  alone  simply  sketching  the  beauty  offered  here.  while  hugo  didn't  really  wish  to  travel  ,  he  tried  to  make  the  best  of  it  any  time  the  chance  arose.  drawing  places  he'd  likely  not  visit  again  seemed  to  be  a  sufficient  way  of  doing  that.  he  has  no  muse  to  draw  at  the  moment  ,  though  ,  and  instead  toys  with  his  pencil  as  a  way  of  expressing  some  of  his  frustrations.  "  i  sincerely  hope  it  is  nothing  bad  enough  to  warrant  this.  "  they'd  seen  enough  death  and  destruction.

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" they hold me guilty by association , i guess , " visera posits , and once more her mind is cast to her mother , wherever she was , with rhaenara . if she was lumped together with her uncle simply due to her appearance , those that shared a name with him would be worse off , surely . " nobody knows what lies inside his mind , " she furrows her brow , frustration written on her features . " at least . " the words are sighed out . " do you know where luc is ? " perhaps at least one of them could have peace knowing that their family was not out there in the unknown .

        daeron's  grin  increased  for  a  moment  before her next words threatened it. he might still feel at a distance from most of the targaryens, a reality that was equally his creation as theirs, visera wasn't included in that. rather there was a sense of protectiveness toward the younger.   ❝ they're all even more brainless than they appear if they think you would know anything, ❞   he stated. he'd never even spoken to his oldest cousin and knew that whatever was going on was due to his madness alone. if the people who'd lived under him all their lives thought otherwise then they too lack sense for a different reason than their king.   ❝ at least you don't have to deal with their questions. or their crying. ❞

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visera feels uncomfortable under the lady's gaze , though not because there is necessarily anything nefarious about it . she is still unused to the attention that her valyrian features draw outside of her own circle of family and friends , but beyond that , the lady seems to have a way of observing that makes visera feel as if she is translucent . the shadows had always been her shield , growing up . emerging from them was not yet something she was used to . she nods in confirmation , keeping lilac eyes cast down on the kitten . " i've only had the one , " the one being a rapidly growing dragon . " perhaps you could take her home . who would stop you ? "

        making  the  blacktyde  uneasy  was  hardly  difficult. some of her own kin made her nervous depending on their mood, and being in the maze alone left her stomach in notes. she wished maery was nearby or hugo, but if they were luck hadn't caused them to stumble upon her and kat was far too petrified to go searching herself. doe eyes watched visera closely, not because she expected the other lady to do anything but because it was a habit.   ❝ you think so? ❞   her gaze briefly looked down at the kitten and she scratched its head. looking back at visera, katerina did her best to smile.   ❝ i wouldn't know. i never had a pet. ❞

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" hello , " is the lacklustre greeting visera offers in response , muttered at the maze's path . she knew little of the greyjoy prince outside of their few chance interactions , not made privy to most whispers between nobles on account of her lack of name . what visera had managed to glean on her own was that he enjoyed antagonizing her , and was unfortunately quite adept at it , despite her ongoing attempts to dampen her childhood temper . " perhaps they could replace the statue of the maiden with you . i don't think anyone would notice the change . " she jokes , wrinkling her nose slightly before she aims her gaze at the sky once more . 

trolling  about  the  maze  ,  the  prince  is  intent  to  find  some  way  out.  perhaps  if  he  can  find  a  thinning  of  the  briar  and  slip  through  with  minimal  damage  ,  he  might  at  least  be  free  of  this  cage.  the  kraken  has  never  done  well  when  encased  ,  guards  barring  his  exit  to  a  place  he'd  not  even  been  ready  to  leave  does  not  bode  well  for  him.  daegon  initially  intends  to  spin  and  offer  a  rather  annoyed  reaction  ,  but  when  he  immediately  spots  a  flash  of  familiar  white  hair  his  cheshire  grin  blooms  atop  his  lips.  "  hello  ,  little  dragon.  "  he  greets  ,  clear  amusement  lacing  his  tone  because  he's  found  something  of  interest  in  these  trying  circumstances.  "  i  do  believe  i  could  be  a  statue  ,  thank  you.  "  adds  he  ,  offering  a  wink  but  still  taking  a  step  back  from  their  close  space.  contrary  to  his  insistent  teasing  and  flirting  ,  the  prince  does  only  do  it  to  get  a  reaction  from  young  waters.

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maery realizes that the atmosphere in the ballroom is akin to a boiling pot . sealed shut as it was , it would eventually boil over . she's aware of soren's approach before she speaks to him , and equally aware of the purpose behind it . it seemed that she could be as wild as she wished , as bloodthirsty as any ironborn that had come before her — and yet she would still be the baby . " that , among other reasons i'm sure , " she jokes back , though maery is confident she'd be safe from being usurped of her place in kaelys's ranking even if her havoc ceased . " are they restless yet ? " she asks of her sister , watching soren watch the sister in question .

soren can not help but feel that they will eventually have to take their leave by force when they are told they can not and nothing else. they were not the southern king's obedient little lapdogs and would not be kept like such. his approach of the princess is one brought on by concern, making sure to keep close. but her hidden message causes a slight twitch in his lips, light shake of his head as well. ❝ you must wreak havoc everywhere you go. no wonder you are your sister's favorite. ❞ eyes shift to kaelys at their mention, wanting them close as well.

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from a young age , it was obvious to all that ryon's emotions were not at all veiled . to learn to mask one's thoughts was a lesson the crown prince had never turned up to — mentally , at least . it had earned him the moniker of the desert's darkness , such a contrast to his siblings in most ways , and yet he would be the one to rule dorne in the distant future . now , he is no different , his annoyance and his curiosity both written across his face in tandem . " he'll probably take highgarden for himself , " he utters the statement with ambivalence , despite the fact that if it holds truth it will mean so much for life in westeros as it is currently . " none of us but aedar targaryen . " the only man in on the plan , it appeared .

patience was not brynden's strong suit. it was hidden well behind stoicism and years of honing what he thought was a skill. but it did not change the feeling of prickling beneath his skin, standing with nothing to do but wait. words from the prince end the convolution of thoughts in his head, glad for a momentary break. ❝ nor i, ❞ he responds, turning his attention to the prince. though always one to speak his mind, the moment does not seem ideal to point out that his family would probably be in the position of the targaryens –– but the thought does cross bryn's mind. ❝ none of us are in the best position, right about now. ❞

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the was no logic in the way that the southern king operated — at least , not one that was deducible by anyone other than he himself . peace , ryon thought , was something wished for by those who thought their nation not strong enough to defend itself . should it come to his doorstep , ryon would not turn up his nose at it . but he would not beg , either . " yes , the ones who were discovered were dealt with . " clearly , there were still present those who kept personal motives , even if they were not within denyse's guard . " the only people we can trust are those that share our blood , nymeria . it's no longer enough that they would allegedly spill theirs in our name . "

        her  belief  that  they  could  maintain  dorne's strength while still negating the risk of war with the other kingdoms had remained steadfast, leading to a sense of hope for this summit. if certain forces were so against a possible peace that they were willing to kill then they must fear something about the kingdoms cooperating. only now one of those opponents to peace was the very monarch who'd summoned them all. it left a pit in nym's stomach. her eyes occasionally darted around the room.   ❝ and they were dealt with, ❞   she reminded him. the words possessed her own bitterness, remembering how a guard she'd once considered a friend had been amongst those guilty.   ❝ the new ones were chosen with great care and caution. ❞

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her feigned delving into his mind brings an easy smile to rickard's lips — an expression that he had had to unshelve and dust off when their relationship had finally begun to blossom beyond one of alliance . since dilan's entrance into his life and maika's birth , the northerner has found himself smiling more often , and with less effort . rickard nods his assent to his wife's request , as if he would not take any answer she gave him as gospel . " yes , most likely . we're further north than winterfell . if they cannot grow anything outside of their glass garden , we'd likely struggle to do so as well , " he posits , still awaiting serena's thoughts . " we have the materials , " he shrugs , waving away her concerns about effort . karhold was never wanting for building materials , nor other stores , seen to by the annual hunt and preparation . " we'd need only the labourers . "

a  soft  laugh  falls  from  her  lips  .  "  i  would  ,  if  i  were  able  to  .  you'll  have  to  help  me  make  certain  i'm  answering  the  right  one  —  until  i  can  read  your  mind  ,  of  course  .  "  she  makes  a  show  of  staring  him  down  ,  as  if  that  would  do  the  trick  .  though  he  isn't  nearly  so  inscrutable  to  her  anymore  ,  serena  has  no  illusions  that  such  a  thing  would  happen  in  the  near  future  ,  if  ever  .  "  like  a  glass  garden  ?  "  her  tone  makes  her  words  more  of  a  statement  than  a  question  .  flipping  the  book  in  her  lap  closed  ,  she  purses  her  lips  as  she  ponders  the  rest  of  her  answer  .  to  say  she  had  never  thought  about  it  would  be  a  blatant  lie  ,  which  she  never  sets  out  to  do  with  him  .  "  it'd  be  nice  to  have  a  proper  space  to  work  in  ,  but  i  know  building such a thing  would  be  quite  the  undertaking  too  .  "