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ONE;
『 OVERBOARD 』

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ㅤ     IT IS ANOTHER DAY OF TRAGIC HEAT IN SUNSPEAR. Cerilla Martell sits on the edge of the great fountain staring down at the cool water. She lifts her hand and stirs the water around. Though she has lived in the walls of Sunspear for her entire life, still the heat is not kind. The birds in the trees harmonize their songs as Prince Rominar approaches his older sister with slow strides and sits next to her on the edge of the fountain.

          The two of them only look somewhat indistinguishable. They both have that signature Martell sunkissed skin and that dark, curled hair. Though, the details of their face are not much alike. Cerilla has a more dipped nose whilst Rominar has a more pointed nose. Her lips are fuller and his are wider. Her eyes are more slated and his are more downturned. Even despite their variation in appearance, one would still be able to tell easily their relation to each other.

        Today Cerilla will begin her journey to King's Landing to watch the crowning ceremony of Prince Aegon Targaryen. She must arrive there at once if she is to watch it. Alicent Hightower, as it is known throughout the kingdoms, will no longer be in control of the realm. On his deathbed, Viserys Targaryen stated that his succession would be carried on by his son, not his daughter, as everyone had thought it would be.

      This does not suprise Cerilla. She knows that in King's Landing it is distinct that a man is always the one to take the throne. A woman's reign would be met with war and chaos. The Red Keep is just different than Sunspear. Here, the gender of the ruler does not matter, it is what they do that matters. She could never imagine living in a place where having a cock would define your importance.

       "What thoughts press your mind?" The young prince asks as he watches his sister stare blankly at the water. She is lost in deep thought, imagining what the capital will be like. She has never been there before. This place is foreign.

       She takes her hand out of her water and looks to her brother. "I'm afraid mother is sending me to King's Landing to win a hand, not watch a confrontation." She says, pushing her brothers mop of curls out of his eyes. He refuses to snip his hair, claiming that is makes him look older and wiser.

      Two years ago, the Lord of Sunspear died tragically when a spear pierced his heart during a tournament. He left two children in his wake, clinging to the sides of their mother, the Lady of Sunspear. Cerilla was only fourteen when her father passed away, but she knew what was to happen. She was crowned as the new Lady of Sunspear in the wake of her fathers death, seeing that she had been his first born child.

      Being the Lady of Sunspear, technically the kingdom belongs to her now, though her mother is the one who makes most of the decisions. She is older and wiser and knows best. Though, as her age progresses, Cerilla and her mother both know she needs to be married soon. There needs to be a new Lord of Sunspear, or as some may call it, Prince of Dorne, since there are no kings in Sunspear.

      "Marriage isn't so bad." Prince Rominar suggests with a shrug of his shoulders. He is only twelve now, he still does not know the hardships that will follows as he grows. The princess smiles and brushes her black curls over her shoulder.

      "For you, a boy soon to be a man, it is not. For a woman, it is being a bird locked in a cage." The young boy looks at his sister with a confused gaze then shrugs. One day he will learn what is means to grow up. But until then, he will enjoy his youth.

      Cerilla gets up from the fountain and Rominar follows. The two of them walk through the small gardens towards the interior. The castle walls are airy and tiled, perfect to keep the cool air inside. The two of them walk through the corridor to the discussion room— a room of sofas and chairs and large windows where most family discussions or other prominent matters are held.

      Princess Erena sits on one of the sofas with her legs crossed in a perfected manor. She sips on a cup of wine and stares through the glass windows before her. Her two children sit on the couch opposite her and wait for her to speak. She places the cup on the table between them and reclines back to the cushions behind her.

      "My daughter and my son," she smiles a faint smile. "Cerilla, are you prepared for your journey?" She asks the young girl. Cerilla is the exact copy of her mother, long-legged and thin like a stag. Their hair is the same black and their curls are the same loops. Perhaps the only difference between the two is their eyes. Cedilla's eyes are prominently a lighter brown than the rest of the family- almost a hazel.

      "I am," she answers in a defined voice. "Grand Healer has told me that the journey will be taken by ship, so that I may arrive quickly. It will be a night long journey." She answers her mother quicker than a hare may run from it's predator. Her mother is a dignified woman, therefore around her, Rominar and Cerilla must be as well.

      "That is a relief to hear," she breathes. "I hope that while you are there you may the hand of a suitor?" Princess Erena's question lingers in the air for a few moments. Cerilla shares a pitiful glance with her brother.

      "Indeed." Cerilla's voice has grown quieter. "A match is much needed. If I want to begin my rule at this age, a match must be made." Her mother nods with a smile.

      Cerilla, at the age of sixteen is not yet old enough to rule by her own. She must either let her mother, Princess Erena continue her rule, or she must marry. Or, she could wait two years until she is eighteen, then she could rule by her own. Though, she grows more lonesome the day. A Prince, or even a Lord, would be good for her kingdom. And for herself. Having a trusted someone to turn to would ensure her own sanity.

      "Very well," Princess Erena's tone of dismissal could not be more prominent. "Have safe travels." The three of them get up and yet only two leave the room. Princess Erena sticks behind, as she watches her two children disappear down the corridor.

      The two siblings travel side by side to the docks. It is a long journey and a hot one. By the time they reach the ship, sweat is coursing off of their backs. Thank goodness for the signature Dorne apparel, though- open cut dresses and open tunics. Cerilla's back is completely visible. The only fabric that covers her is the fabric on her chest, arms, and legs. The silky orange material allows the best amount of air flow. Rominar wears an open tunic, revealing his still boyish chest.

      The small ship, with only one cabin, has been loaded with what little Cerilla packed. She does not intend to stay for long, perhaps just a few nights to get a feel for the capital. Her mother will be gravely dissatisfied to know she has not returned with a suitor, but in time she will get over it. The princess wraps her younger brother in her arms and combs softly through the back of his hair.

      "Listen to mother and don't get yourself into trouble." This is the best advice she can manage to give to the young boy. Though she knows he will not listen to her, she knows she must depart with some friendly advice. The two of them step apart from the hug.

      As the Princess is being helped onto the ship by one of the knights, Rominar says something else. "Ride a dragon for me!" He shouts. Wishful thinking. The princess nods as the ropes are untied from the dock and the ship begins to travel through the water. Slowly, her brother becomes just a distant silhouette below the blazing evening sun.

      The ship has four crew members and four nights on board, making for a total of eight people. The amount of knights Dorne has to spare is not many, but the gold they have to spare is much. Sunspear is one of the richest kingdoms currently standing. They may not have much to give, in the sense of Targaryens and their dragons or Velaryons and their ships, but gold is still valuable.

      The princess makes for her cabin and begins dressing for bed. It would only be a few hours until she would have to wake up again, but she would make the nights rest a good one. If she is to take in the entirety of the Red Keep, it would be best for her to have a clear mind. She slips out of her gown into something more suitable, a pale yellow nightgown that compliments her skin perfectly. She takes the clips out of her hair and lets the curls flow down her back. She climbs into bed and allows the rhythmic dance of the waves to move her body.

When her eyes close, she cannot sleep. Her mind is foggy and the threat of sea sickness overrules her. The small cabin she is in becomes unbearably congested. She climbs out of bed and walks to the main deck of the ship, where the crew members and knights reside. The knight that has been posted outside of the princess' cabin walks to her in a hurry, armor clattering.

"Princess, sleep is much needed for the journey ahead." He states valiantly. He is a knight that has been sworn to protect Cerilla since birth. He is her most trusted knight through and through.

"I'm afraid the sea is not kind to my weak stomach." She states as she approaches the edge of the ship. She rests her elbows on the dark wood and watches as the waves swirl at the bottom of the ship. Her nightgown flaps in the wind as a cool breeze whizzes by. Sunspear does not get much wind. She remarks to the knight beside her how amazing it feels and he agrees.

       She stares up at the dark sky, where the moon hangs at a pointed half circle. There are few stars in the sky, but enough to point the ship in the direction of King's Landing. She exhales at the thought of seeing the capital for the first time. Will it live up to her expectations? Will she perhaps find some noble born there to win her hand? Likely not. Cerilla is a picky woman, and for good reason. Every man that has tried to win her hand has failed miserably. They're too annoying or cocky or too stupid for her to even consider their proposals.

       One man in particular, a Lord of something or another, traveled from the other side of Westeros to ask for her hand. At first he was kind, but after making remarks about the fact that she needed a man to rule by her side, she denied his proposal. Her mother was furious, of course, but Cerilla had already decided that she will not settle for a cocky asshole. She will not live in the ominous shadow of her husband.

       "Keion," she says the knight's name and he turns quickly. "Perhaps you could read me a story to help me fall to slumber?" She suggests. The knight nods and follows the princess into her cabin. The door swings shut behind them and she points the man to the desk where a few books lay. He picks one up and holds it up to the princess.

      "The story of Aegon the Conquerer," he remarks, running his hand over the cover. "Perhaps this one would be fit for you to brush up on your knowledge of Westeros." He says. She nods and gets into the rather uncomfortable bed. Keion the Knight sits at the chair pushed next to the desk and opens the book.

       He begins to read the words dotted onto the pages and the princess pulls the covers tightly around herself. His voice has always been gentle to her. She has never heard his voice raise more than what he speaks at now. The only candle in the cabin is the one next to Keion, burning just barely. Her eyelids grow weaker as the words begin to become a jumble in her mind.

       The last thing she remembers hearing is about a noble battle.

-ˋˏ ༻☼༺ ˎˊ-

HER BODY IS THROWN ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE CABIN. Her eyes snap open as her body flies off the edge of the bed. She scrambles to her feet, only to be knocked over again, this time onto the bed. She claws the sheets like a cat, trying to stay on the bed. The ship rocks back and forth recklessly. Her heart thumps in her chest from the adrenaline of it all. The ship slams something again and her body is thrown off the bed onto the wooden floor. She slams into the wall and lies there on the floor for a few moments, holding her ribs.

She scrambles to her feet again, scratching at the wall. The door to her cabin bursts open and Keion stands in the doorway. Outside, she can see sleets of rain flying downward. The knight grabs her arm and pushes her into the corner. His arm keeps her grounded as the ship rocks again.

"We are passing Dragonstone. The tide has relapsed. The ship has slammed into a sea rock, the wood has been crushed, water pours in by the second." His voice is frantic and worried, like she had never heard it before. The princess stares through the open door. She can hear the shouts of men as they attempt to save the ship.

"The ship cannot be saved. If you jump overboard now, we are close enough to the Dragonstone shore that you will not have to swim, the tide will pull you in." Before she can say or do anything, Keion rips the orange cloak from his back and wraps it around the shaky arms of Cerilla. His eyes are large and fearsome.

"Can you with me?" She pleads in an attempt for his safety. When she washes up on the shore of Dragonstone, she will be alone. She will have no one to protect and defend her. She could be taken as a hostage, or worse things could happen. The princess does not even know who resides in Dragonstone anymore. The Targaryen affairs have become all too alike the other.

He leads her to the door to her cabin. "My armor will weigh me down," he pants. "And I must do everything in my power to get these men to safety. He says to her in noble effort. She could command him to come with her, but the thought of him sinking to the depths of the ocean is perhaps a worse fate for both of them.

She stares through the door at the rain washing down from the sky. She takes one last look at Keion before he helps her to the main deck. He does his best to cover her head with his hands but it is useless. The rain sleets in a pointed direction. The two of them make it to the edge of the ship, where the princess stares out across the sea. Through the mist of the night, ever so slightly, she can make out the giant cliff that is Dragonstone.

"Go, now!" Keion commands. She scrambles onto the railing of the ship. He holds her hand, helping her up. She stands wobbly as the ship rocks back and forth. The journey will be cold and unsure but she prays to the gods that she will make it.

He lets go of her hand and she is thrown overboard. She takes a gasp of air before her body hits the water. Immediately, she forgets all about the warmth of Sunspear. The cold water tears at her skin like fangs. When she surfaces, the saltwater stings her eyes. She gasps and shoots water out of her mouth that had slipped in. She does her best to swim, but her limbs are weak from the freezing waters. She is no woman that has seen battle, only lavishness and warmth. This journey has shown her the complete opposite; meagerness and cold. A wave towers behind her. She takes in a deep breath as it crashes over her.

When the princess surfaces again, she sees the ship behind her, sinking into the sea. The men are going down with it. She screams something but it is canceled out by the deafening waves and creaking of the ship. Through squinted eyes, she pitifully swims toward the shore which seems unreachable. The princess does not know if she will make it, nor what will become of her when she does. She can only hope that she is not tortured or raped or murdered. All of these things do happen outside the safe walls of Sunspear.

She must make it to the shore, if not for herself, then for her brother.

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