Blood of Dragons

The Kingswood is a fickle beast, one to tread lightly with. Its sprawling vastness might contain game aplenty for the noble palates of the court, timber for the Crown to trade, and keeps still. But there amidst the myriad trees, where the harsh stare of King and court can't quite be felt, trouble has precious room to sprout, then grow. And when a beast is cut and scorched, it does eventually bite. The whispers and rumblings have proved right. After giving way to irksome disorder and then ominous lawlessness, the wood has descended to open rebellion. Word came to the Red Keep speaking of an…

Prince Maron Martell's rule remains steady as stone, but beneath Sunspear's golden domes and the wide southern sky, the winds of change still find their way through courtly halls. Though no great upheaval disturbs the peace of the Martell court, its courtiers remain as lively as ever with rumor and whispers. Of late, the greatest flurry circled the long-delayed question of who would sail for Braavos, to renew Dorne's embassy to the Secret City. Names fluttered like leaves in a mountain wind, but now the list is settled. Lady Margaid Blackmont, seasoned in court and politics both, will lead the…

In a turn that has caught many at court by surprise, the venerable and immensely wealthy Lord Ossifer Plumm has arrived in King's Landing and swiftly secured the king's favor in arranging a betrothal to none other than Princess Elaena Targaryen. After years of holding onto hope for the return of Oakenfist -- now formally declared lost at sea -- Princess Elaena has at last consented to marriage. Though Lord Plumm's age has raised eyebrows, his deep coffers have seemingly smoothed the path to this unexpected match. Court whispers abound regarding Lord Plumm's lavishness, for he has spared no…

A wedding tourney, held in celebration of the union between Ser Otho Royce and Lady Elyne Lefford, was an event of great spectacle, where lords and knights from across the realm gathered to test their mettle upon the lists. Before a noble audience that included Princess Rhaena and the Hand of the King, the competitors rode beneath banners of bronze and gold. The final day of jousting would be dominated by two names: Ser Otho Royce, the groom himself, and Ser Omrys Baratheon. But if the contest had crowned its champion in the lists, it was what followed that would be spoken of long after the…

The shifting sands of Dorne's court are once again stirred, as fresh whispers and knowing glances follow the recent return of Prince Rhodry and his wife, Lady Tanyth, to Sunspear. Their arrival, some days past, was marked by little fanfare, but it was hard to say it was unnoticed that their entourage of companions had expanded by two: a wet nurse ... and the infant boy in her charge, newly born. These two were installed in the prince's apartments in Sunspear. Though no announcements were made, the truth slipped into the corridors of Sunspear like a thief in the night: the child, named Taran…

The Dornish court is abuzz with fresh rumors and curiosity surrounding the forthcoming appointment of an emissary to Braavos. Prince Maron has remained tight-lipped about his decision, yet it hasn't stopped speculation from taking root and flourishing among his courtiers. In particular, it has not gone unnoticed that Mavros Uller, younger brother to the Lord of Hellholt, has held several private audiences with Prince Maron himself, as well as with Lord Toland, the previous ambassador to Braavos. Other names have been mentioned, and seen in discussions with the prince, including both of the…

In the moons since the departure of the Sealord Tenesio Velaron and the Dornish emissaries led by Lord Toland, the court at Sunspear and its members have found ways to keep busy. There was a flurry of courtly intrigue and social gatherings, with much attention drawn to the grand wedding at Godsgrace, seat of House Allyrion. In Sunspear, Lady Leyla Martell, daughter of Prince Cadan, sparked rumors as she entertained the attentions of Ser Jehan Santagar, a knight from House Santagar of Spottswood. Their flirtatious exchange in the courtyard of Sunspear, though brief, set tongues wagging,…

In the annals of Westerosi history, few events have captured the essence of chivalry and deception quite like the Tourney of the Setting Sun. Set against the backdrop of an unruly king's machinations and personal vendettas, this grand spectacle unfolded amidst rumors that ran like wildfire, painting a portrait of King Aegon IV's clandestine designs. Forbidding the Kingsguard from participating in the event, the king sought to manipulate the tourney to honor his mistress, Melissa Blackwood, as the Queen of Love and Beauty; knights indebted to him, friendly to him, or seeking his favor had…

In the heart of the realm, the royal city of King's Landing, a strange omen (or not, depending on how you ask) has come to pass. Missy Blackwood, the royal mistress to King Aegon IV, has given birth to a son, whom she named Brynden. However, joy was tempered by the babe's fragile health -- an albino with a conspicuous red birthmark across his cheek. His two elder sisters were both more robust at birth and thrived. Maesters express doubts about his longevity, citing his feeble constitution. Despite this, Lady Melissa is resolute in her determination to nurture him. She has been frequently seen…

Anyone with half a brain gives a princely command due regard, and so did the band of knights assembled by Ser Farien Yronwood, at Prince Maron's request, to chase after the Braavosi embassy and retrieve the runaway Septa Helia, born Dalt. Ser Valerin Dayne, Ser Jehan Santagar, and Ser Kay Yronwood all joined the future Bloodroyal, along with a number of men-at-arms, in a ride in back-breaking speed through the dusty trails to where a lone, slim gally awaited with a modest crew, so they could give chase to the Braavosi fleet, ever more distant by the day. It was fortunate that the weather was…

The ancient stones of the Old Palace of Sunspear witnessed an unusual evening as the Sealord of Braavos and his illustrious entourage graced the courtyard, offering a splendid display of Braavosi arts to their Dornish hosts. The courtyard, illuminated by torches, braziers, and bonfires, was crowded with an expectant audience lured by the promise of novelty. In attendance were dignitaries from both Braavos and Dorne, gathered around a raised dais where the Sealord, Tenesio Velaron, and the Prince of Dorne, Maron Nymeros Martell, sat in regal splendor. Prince Rhodry Martell, the prince's uncle,…

The arrival of the Sealord of Braavos at the Planky Town had been a splendid event, the purple-hulled galleys causing a stir among the orphans of the Greenblood and the Dornish merchants who keep the port busy. From there the Sealord and his entourage -- an array of courtiers, bravos, more than one of Braavos's famed courtesans, bankers, and more -- were largely carried by palanquin and wheelhouse to Sunspear. Droves of the people of the shadow city came out to see the meeting of the Prince of Dorne, Maron, with his Braavosi counterpart, Tenesio Velaron. Even though the sun was high in the sky…

The Conclave has met in the Citadel of Oldtown, the measurements and testaments of maesters across the Seven Kingdoms collated and examined by the wise archmaesters... and on white wings, the word that summer has ended and autumn has begun spreads across the realm. The white raven's arrival in the Red Keep found the castle already in a festive mood, hard on the announcement of not one, but two women in the royal circle being with child. One was Princess Mariah, now carrying her fourth child for the Prince of Dragonstone, Daeron. The news of that would be celebrated as far as Sunspear, but…

In King's Landing, an air of unease blankets the city, as its inhabitants navigate the aftermath of King Aegon the Unworthy's failed assault on Dorne. There have been fairs for the failed invasion's widows to find husbands, pyromancers consorting with bankers and lords to find desperately-needed funds and support, knights dreaming of white cloaks, and more. The return from Dragonstone of the king's heir Prince Daeron, married to Princess Mariah of Dorne and an outspoken opponent of his father's ill-conceived campaign, has cast a chill over the Red Keep. Their chilly relationship hangs like a…

A month has passed since the return of King Aegon, Fourth of His Name, with the remnant of his great army that had so boldly marched but two months earlier for Dorne and a renewed attempt to conquer it. All the realm now knows of the debacle that followed, the news writ in the jade green flames of wildfire that set the kingswood alight and left thousands dead and a third of the forest turned to ash. That the king escaped with his life had been chance, and the valiant efforts of his loyal knights and men-at-arms, though some paid the greatest price that could be paid to see their king live. The…