After four days, Alyx and her friends were extremely succesful in trade.

  Their own stall sold so good they merged their work with Braxter's stall and made one place about their trade, selling the one they used for themselves. Behind Alyx was a yellow-striped blue pavilion now, front of her was a varying strike of exotic goods and people. She was attending the stall as Elissa and Daleria went to town, and Verona was a bit tired, taking a rest inside.

  "How's work?" Asked Arlent, one of Braxter's men. He was the one who protected their stall.

  "I daresay better than yesterday, as each day has been." Alyx smiled, selling another piece of a trinket.

  She took the coin pouch and poured the silver stags into the iron-banded chest by the pavilion’s entrance. At the end of each day, the coin would be weighed and split according to the parchment Daleria and Braxter had signed.

  She returned to stand by the stall, waiting for the next customer.

  A few minutes passed as people went by. When she finally heard movement, it was a clinking of Arlent's armor as he retreated a step. Confused, Alyx raised a brow. Following his bewildered eyes, she turned behind herself end...

  There was an armor of black before her. She couldn't believe her eyes when she lifted them to this man's face: a face framed by long brown hair with a streak of silver. Her eyes widened with utter shock, and her entire body went rigid. It was Prince Valarr.

  "Y-your Grace!" Alyx stepped back, dropping into a deep bow that she hastily converted into a practiced curtsy, lest she be mistaken for a commoner.

  "You have an interesting trade here," Valarr said, his voice courteous. "I did not expect to see steel." He approached the weapon rack cornering the stall, receiving a bow from Arlent on the way.

  "They belong to Lord Braxter Glasser of Beachcastle. He calls it work of extraordinary quality.” Alyx named her patron.

  "I see." Valarr took one, tracing the shining steel with his gloved finger. "It does indeed seem fine." He tested the balance with a fluid swing that cut the air with a hum. "And what are you, to this Lord Braxter?”

  "I am merely a merchant, My Prince. Born in Dorne, raised in Volantis."

  "But you are of noble descent, are you not?" Valarr’s gaze lingered on her bright pink hair as he slid the sword back into its scabbard. "My Tyroshi wife has hair like you, however pale in pink. But she wears a dye. They say your hair is natural, is it true?"

  "I’m rumored now?" Alyx chuckled. She supposed she should expect nothing less.

  "All across Ashford," Valarr said with a smile.

  "It is true. I was born like this. I do not know why; it is unseen in my family."

  Valarr's expression turned sympathetic. "Much like myself.” He touched the lock of white hair that fell over his right eye.

  Indeed, this was a striking meeting. Prince Valarr, born of Targaryen blood yet looking so different, and Alyx, marked by her own strange hues. They shared a fate of being stared at, though she lacked the title of Princess to shield her.

  "Would you grant me your name, My Lady?" The Prince asked kindly.

  "...Vendavell. Alyx Vendavell."

  "Most pleasant to meet you, Lady Alyx." Valarr gave a respectful nod, which Alyx returned with almost a trembling grace.

  "I'll buy one, then." Valarr took another sword to test.

  An hour later, Alyx found Daleria in Ashford town. She was standing by the wall of a storage house as a number of men unloaded crates from the wagon.

  Alyx ordered Glasser rider to halt her own carriage, jumping down.

  “I haven’t seen you since morning,” Alyx murmured as she approached Daleria.

  Daleria did not turn immediately. She was standing beside a tall woman—a striking figure draped in a gown of dark plum velvet that seemed too heavy for the heat, yet she wore it with regal indifference. Her hair was black and long until the crook of her back. Her eyes were a pale lilac, soft in color but sharp in shape.

  Stolen story; please report.

  "Alyx," Daleria said, finally turning. "The day has been profitable?”

  "More than you know. Prince Valarr visited the stall.”

  Daleria paused a moment. Instead the woman next to her spoke. “The Breakspear’s son? Did he buy?”

  Alyx nodded, although a brow raised. She didn’t know her. "A sword. And he asked for my name.”

  “Wow, you were right, then.” She looked at Daleria. “Speaking about good trade.”

  Daleria smiled. “Alyx, this is Lady Vanea. She hails from Oldtown.”

  "Oldtown?" Alyx repeated.

  "Indeed," Vanea said. She looked Alyx up and down, calculating. "Daleria tells me you have a head for numbers and a tongue that can charm princes.”

  Alyx just smiled. “In my belief, it is more about luck.”

  “However it is, I’m interested.”

  “Interested?”

  "Lady Vanea is the proprietress of The Silver Lantern," Daleria explained. "It is… an establishment of repute near the Honeywine."

  "A sanctuary for those with coin and taste," Vanea corrected smoothly. "Captains, scholars, wayward sons of Hightower. We offer wine, games of chance, and quiet rooms for... conversation. Sometimes. The business is having a rough time, however. The port is becoming… difficult.”

  “The Hightowers were never good for trade, I believe.” Alyx smiled.

  "The Hightowers are the least of my concerns," Vanea said, her lilac eyes hardening. “The sea is more strained than it has ever been. The House Redwyne is acting unfriendly toward the trade. The Ironborn are growing bolder in the west. Dagon Greyjoy’s reavers have made the seas unfriendly. The trade routes into Oldtown are choking from both East and West. Goods are scarce. Exotic goods, even scarcer." Vanea stepped closer, the scent of lavender and old paper clinging to her. “You, however, can help us make better sales in the city from the land.”

  "Scarcity creates value," Alyx said instinctively.

  "Precisely." Vanea smiled, a predatory expression. "I need a supply line that does not rely on the Redwyne fleet, which is too busy hunting Krakens to escort merchant cogs.”

  Just then, a crate slammed onto the cobblestones nearby with a heavy thud. Elissa appeared from behind the wagon, wiping her hands on a rag.

  "Watch the glass, you fool!" Elissa shouted at Robin, who Alyx noticed was helping with the crates. "Oi! Alyx. You should see the inventory Braxter just brought about. It’s mostly trash compared to the others, but the silks are good.”

  Vanea’s eyes shifted to Elissa. She watched the Dornishwoman move with the easy strength in her shoulders while carrying a spear.

  "And this," Vanea murmured, a hungry look entering her eyes, "is the muscle.”

  "I have a proposition," Vanea suddenly turned back to Daleria. "As we discussed."

  Daleria nodded, turning to Alyx. “Let us talk about our next move here.”

  Alyx just stared, expression unreadable. Daleria seemed intent on accepting Braxter’s offer lately, but Alyx was still skeptical about it. As of now, though, her eyes remained on Vanea.

  “Is she included?” She asked.

  “Indeed.” Daleria leaned against the wall as she crossed her arms. “I’m considering splitting. I’ll take Verona and stay at this Beachcastle of Braxter’s to see about his vision. You and Elissa, on the other hand, should have a visit to Oldtown.”

  Alyx’s eyes darted between Vanea’s smiling face and Daleria. “Do you intend to make me an entertainment host?”

  “Of course not,” Daleria responded firmly as Vanea shook her head, disappointed a bit.

  “We were talking about trade, were we not?” Vanea cooed. “I plan for you to have a stall in the port. We shall provide it and protect your business. The spearwoman here,” She turned to Elissa, who was next to her now. “Will guard another Silver Lantern establishment inside the town. You will be close.”

  “Why not guard Alyx’s trade?” Elissa raised a brow.

  “Because port is safer and more… let’s say… orderly. We’ll need you for more specialized jobs.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this…” Alyx murmured.

  "It is the only way to maximize the opportunity," Daleria said, placing a hand on Alyx's shoulder. "We conquer the source and the market simultaneously. And..." she lowered her voice. "Oldtown is the city of knowledge. The Citadel is there. I do not have a specific mission for you, Alyx, but my heart tells me you should go there. Passing Oldtown when we are this near is not a good idea.”

  Alyx stopped, considering her words. As always, Daleria was weaving the path. “But Braxter—” She turned to Daleria. “I am the only girl with a noble descent in our group. It is important for his business. And… you know he wants to see me in his domain specifically.”

  “A Lord’s target, do I sense? Will be a difficult experience.”

  Alyx just sighed.

  Daleria, on the other hand, was firm. “He’ll need to wait. He should be thankful we are not outright rejecting the offer. We are traveler merchants, Alyx, with a vision of our own. He’ll know to not push his luck.”

  A silence settled in, then, a quiet presence of acceptance passing between them.

  “What about me?” Robin called suddenly next to the wagon.

  “Why are you not fucking working?” Elissa frowned.

  “I am!” He lifted the crate with his hands.

  “Be easy with the boy, Elissa,” Daleria said. “For I plan to send him with you and Alyx.”

  “What?!” Robin’s eyes widened with unwillingness. “But… Seven Hells, why?”

  “We do not need you with us,” Daleria answered curtly. “Our work with Braxter is more on the diplomatic ground. But more hands would do good for Oldtown.”

  “But, I want to serve My Lady!” Robin stepped up, furious.

  Daleria rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut up.” She flicked his forehead with a frown. “Are you twelve, lad? You are serving me in this way. Complain once more and I’ll send you to spar with those knights.”

  Elissa laughed. “I’d say aye to that.”

  Robin sank visibly, his whole demeanor down with melancholy.

  Daleria shook her head, annoyed. “You… listen, I care about Alyx. However strong Elissa may be, even the presence of a man would do good for a city like Oldtown.”

  “Guh.” Elissa shook her head with rolled eyes now.

  “Hang around her,” Daleria continued. “Be reliable. Do not disappoint me. This is the most important step in earning my favor, do you understand?”

  Robin’s face brightened a bit. A bitter, however understanding smile touched his lips. “Okay.” He nodded.

  “Very well, then,” Daleria turned to the women. “Let us speak more of this later.”

  “If we are to settle on this plan,” Alyx said, “When should we leave?”

  “The tournament starts tomorrow and the jousts will last for three days, I heard,” Daleria replied. “With following work and preparations, I believe we will be off in a week if not lesser.”

  Alyx nodded to Daleria.

  The tournament was tomorrow. And amongst the challengers was going to be a Glasser. Alyx wondered how it would unfold.