At noon, Viserys had just finished lunch with Arianne and the others when Oberyn appeared punctually at his guest room door, interrupting his plans to engage in some post-meal 'exercise' with them to help digestion.
After all, Arianne was currently in a state of insatiable discovery; previously, she had only tried things with Nymeria and the others, and had never experienced the pleasure she found with Viserys. Moreover, since he wouldn't be staying long, they cherished every bit of spare time they had.
It was a rare occasion today as Oberyn wore formal attire: a silk robe of deep brown embroidered with gold thread depicting a spear piercing a sun, his hair combed neatly and properly.
"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked upon seeing Viserys, though his tone sounded a bit strange, and his eyes held an undisguised playfulness.
Viserys didn't take the bait.
Oberyn didn't press further and shrugged. "The horses are ready, let's go."
The Water Gardens were about three leagues away from the Old Palace.
However, Viserys did not ride Ghidorah; instead, he shared a carriage with Arianne. Oberyn rode ahead to lead the way. Ellaria, who usually accompanied him, did not come along, and the three Sand Snakes remained at the Old Palace.
The carriage passed through the triple winding walls and proceeded along the coastal road. Arianne leaned into Viserys's embrace the whole time, her fingers subconsciously stroking his chest.
"My father was diagnosed with gout when he was young," she began, her voice carrying memories. "At first it was just pain in his toes, but then it spread to his calves, knees, and fingers. Now it is difficult for him to even stand, and he spends most of his day in a wheelchair."
"He rarely leaves the Water Gardens," Arianne continued. "The air there is mild and humid, which makes him feel more comfortable. Furthermore, there, he doesn't have to let outsiders see his weakened state. Except for Uncle Oberyn, even I only get the chance to see him twice a year, which is why I pleaded so hard to be allowed to come along this time."
She paused. "And Father often tells me that Dorne's enemies never come from the front. Therefore, as the heir to the Prince of Dorne, one must learn to endure and, when necessary, show weakness."
The sound of conversation came from outside, and Viserys looked out the window. Unknowingly, they had already arrived at the Water Gardens; Oberyn was currently speaking with the guards.
Even though this was a garden without walls or towers, its security level was very high. Without orders from Doran or their Captain of the Guard, Areo Hotah, even Oberyn would not be allowed inside.
Once inside, Viserys could see that the floors here were pale pink, just as he had seen from the air, accompanied by vast colonnades and continuous pools.
Generations of House Martell rulers had built these intricate waterways, pavilions, and orange groves, allowing seawater and fresh water to converge under the control of ingenious sluice gates, irrigating this incredible oasis on the edge of Dorne.
The carriage eventually stopped at the entrance of a palace. Oberyn dismounted and walked toward the carriage. Viserys noticed that Oberyn's expression was now very solemn.
After all, there was a significant age gap between him and Prince Doran, and since their parents passed away when he was very young, Doran truly served as a father figure to Oberyn.
"Your Majesty," he said. "Doran is waiting for you in the main hall."
With that, Oberyn led the way, and Viserys followed closely, holding Arianne's hand. As they passed through an archway, their field of vision suddenly opened up, and they were outdoors again.
The main hall of the Water Gardens was unlike other palaces; it looked more like a giant pavilion, with a wheelchair placed inside.
The man in the wheelchair was wrapped in a thick wool blanket that covered him up to his chest. His face was thin and pale, his cheekbones prominent, his eyes deep-set, and his lips almost bloodless.
But his deep black eyes, identical to Arianne's, revealed a completely sober sharpness and calm as they looked at Viserys, undiminished by his illness.
Standing behind him was a man with broad shoulders and graying hair and a beard. He held a long axe with a wooden handle six feet long.
Moreover, his eyes had already sized Viserys up from head to toe the moment he stepped into the main hall.
These two were the Prince of Dorne, Doran Martell, and his most trusted Captain of the Guard, Areo Hotah.
Viserys walked up to them and stopped three paces from the wheelchair. Arianne wanted to move to Prince Doran's side but was ruthlessly blocked by Hotah, eventually forced to retreat behind Viserys. Oberyn did not enter at all; he stood outside the main hall with his back turned.
Doran looked up, his movements very slow, as if every shift was an endurance of pain. When he finally saw Viserys clearly, a faint smile appeared in his black eyes.
Just then, a dragon's roar echoed from the sky.
Doran's gaze moved from Viserys's face to the sky outside the pavilion. A golden shadow could be seen circling there—it was Ghidorah.
"His Majesty Viserys," Prince Doran spoke, his voice low and raspy, his breath somewhat short, yet every word was heard clearly. "Please forgive me for not rising to greet you. The Dornish gout has tormented me since I was young, and now it has won this long war, leaving me confined to this small wheelchair."
Viserys said, "There is no need for such formalities, Prince. We are family now."
Doran nodded slightly and gestured for him to be seated.
After Viserys sat down, the corners of Doran's mouth curled slightly.
"Oberyn brought back your promise. Tywin, The Mountain, and Lorch are to be executed by Dornish hands. It is a good promise; every part of it strikes precisely at the wounds of House Martell."
"Previously, Oberyn would go to King's Landing once a year, but every year he returned empty-handed. Tywin Lannister sent Gregor Clegane to The Red Keep and hid Amory Lorch in The Westerlands. My brother once conspired in a brothel in King's Landing to poison the entire House Lannister; did you know about this?"
Viserys did not know; the original story never mentioned it, and Oberyn hadn't mentioned it himself either.
"I sent men to stop him," Doran's tone held no blame, only helplessness. "Not because the timing wasn't ripe, but because that wasn't revenge—it was venting anger. Venting anger only causes more Dornish blood to flow without bringing Elia back."
He paused, and those eyes that were mild a moment ago now stared intently at Viserys. "Just this morning, a raven brought news of what you did in The Vale a few days ago. This has made me even more interested in you as a person."
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