❛
———— You really shouldn’t mumble, child ! I can hardly hear a word you’re saying, &&. I’ve no time for guessing games. Speak now or go. ❜
“ —— Pray forgive me ser, for I meant no offense. I merely wondered if you were the new emissary we have been expecting; Father spoke of you just this morning, as we broke our fast. The entire castle has whispered excitedly for weeks over such an arrival.”
while pirates oft steered clear of all matters involving the royal family and their band of followers, jack found great promise. mere ransom would prove futile in means of PERSUADING him, now that they travelled far from the land in which she ALLIED to. and he did not trust the lannisters, nor the starks, so much as to WILLINGLY hand over a member of ( their ) house with promise of reward. which would sooner turn betrayal and a beheading should he let down his guard.
❛ah, but the royal fleet dare not sail through DAGGER LAKE, which may end up our destination. urho the unwashed and korra the cruel aren’t NEARLY as righteous nor so forgiving should said fleet fire upon their precious cove. and whose to say whether you or your comrades walk the plank, than be given a scenic tour of the stepstones, eh? ❜
Auburn brows wrinkled as their fearless, unwashed leader rattled off such foes and hideaways the likes of which she had never heard tell. If he meant to sail away to distant lands with no care for ransom or lordship — both rewards Sansa felt certain Her Grace would gladly grant in exchange for the safety of a son’s betrothed — then no enticement save flowery words might serve as safeguard against death or worse.
"Is that what you intend to do? Kill us? I pray you, captain, reconsider. My father and my beloved prince are both good and honorable men; whatever price, whatever prize you wish to claim, they shall offer it, I swear. And one day I will sit beside the king on his throne of swords, then you might boast of a queen as your friend. Would such an ally not greatly suit one of your…persuasion?”
‘Twas not envy which welled in the auburn wolf’s breast, though daily did she pray to Northern gods that a ship might come to carry her away to wintry home’s embrace. Myrcella possessed none of her brother’s cruelty and all the kindness he failed to grant, a bright presence within a city otherwise darkened by unfathomable loss. To hear of impending departure Sansa felt only sorrow, for in the princess’ departure she would find herself bereft of that last, lingering friend; by virtue of illimitable grace, however, the girl made nary a gesture towards anything save joy.
“They say Prince Trystane is quite handsome. No doubt you are now the envy of every young Dornish lady, princess.”
anyone who knew jack well, knew that he wasn’t a a man of unnecessary violence, but in DIRE situations, which called upon self defence, or the likes of protecting ( claiming ) his own ; in other words: he had no INTENTION of HARMING lined survivors, lest they act upon foolish impulse / stupidity.
❛ ah, the hand of the king, you say? that’s interesting.❜ callused, ring-cladfingers trail over & down plaited goatee, a pondering eye directed at his first mate, before returning to the girl with the auburn hair. he makes a commanding gesture, of otherwise unknown intent, the remaining survivors hoisted to their feet and led down into the brig.
❛ no doubt a reprisal so big would be from one of which shares KINSHIP with you, hm? — a man cannot be found in a place of unknown coordinates & since that’s where we’re headed, dear ol’… whats’his’face, handy, won’tcatch wind ofyour possible harm, ay?❜
Sansa could only presume their captor made his home across the Narrow Sea, for had it been Iron Born who raided their vessel surely no wayward passengers would have found themselves pulled from flotsam-studded waters and made to stand before a conquering captain, alive. Mayhaps his flamboyant dress instilled within her the necessary boldness to speak out, to set her jaw and narrow sapphire gaze in restrained defiance of what trouble he brought upon them. Such bravery faltered as all the rest, crew and passengers alike, shuffled away below decks; left alone in her confrontation, Sansa edged backwards, one step then another offering as much distance as she dared steal.
“Lord Eddard Stark is my father, and Prince Joffrey stands my royal betrothed.“ That their arrangement had dissolved the moment she stepped aboard an ill-fated vessel, Sansa left unspoken. Where maidens brought to harm might inspire wars, a beloved safely returned carried with her the promise of hefty ransom; like all the pirates in Arya’s tales, no doubt this one wished for an enviable bounty as well. "Our ship’s absence shall not go unremarked upon at port,” she warned. "Soon the royal fleet will cover over these waters, searching every coast or bay until I am found.“ Another shiver wracked her delicate frame, shoulders quavering in the sea breeze, arms wrapped tightly about her waist. "Unless you see fit to return me to White Harbor, where no doubt a handsome reward will honor your part in my rescue.”
no ship could withstand the pearl ; pirate, noble or merchant ships alike. & though RARE he saw fit to fire on another ship without any threat, supplies were dwindling, & the nearest spit of land could be days away. & so he walked before the lined survivors, brought aboard, stopping before the only female.
“ you, girl. in which, er, - roughly - direction were you headed? more specifically, what destination? it’s not my intention to sail you and your groomed shipmates there, but we're in an abundance of rowboats & i’m feeling particularly GENEROUS.”
Arya told pirate tales incessantly from the moment both girls set foot upon the Wind Witch; perhaps she thought such stories would cheer a sister most despondent, yet nothing placated Sansa. Even had the girl found herself in a mood for fanciful songs she would not have believed in them — they sailed too close to shore, were too small a ship to garner any notice. Indeed, even as she stood soaked and shivering, pulled from the water by unfamiliar callused hands, Sansa wondered at the utter improbability of their little vessel drawing such violent attention.
All along the line of assembled survivors she could see fear, apprehension, resignation…but no Arya. Had she escaped? Did she still drift out there in the water, frightened and alone? So fretful was the girl at her absence that Sansa jerked, startled, when spoken to. "N-North,“she stammered, salt breeze imparting unwelcome chill. "On the orders of the Hand of the King. If he hears we have come to harm, the royal fleet shall not stop until you are found.” Her glare, while pointed, lacked true might when given by a dripping, slip of a girl.
“There was no mistake made, Sansa. There is much you don’t know about the Queen.”
“And do you recall when Arya once accused me of staining her dress with ink? Fault lay thoroughly her own, yet both Mother and Septa Mordane assured me ‘twas jealousy that made her speak with such vicious disregard. Can you doubt so wholly those envious of Her Grace would not wag their tongues with lies as well?”
“ —— You must have made some mistake, Father! So many here despise Her Grace’s house simply for its wealth, its influence; she confided just as much to me not even a fortnight past. A queen could never conduct herself as you accuse, nor would she ever deign to lie.”
❝ “Whomever gets in the way of your happiness will meet my wrath.”
‘Twas then Sansa knew her father had seen sense; her logic was impeccable, truly, though quite clearly Lord Eddard struggled to admit his eldest daughter thought more swiftly than he. Beautiful and gentle, hailing from a distant land, the girl would serve as a perfect queen, joining North and South together irrevocably through her children. Though an ache for home might manifest at times, Sansa felt confident she would endure such melancholy with grace. And what distractions court should provide to ease her pain! Singers and feasts and strolls amongst the gardens, high lords and ladies from all across the kingdoms come to solicit their king’s good graces. And mine. Me! They shall all clamor for me.
“You needn’t fret, Father — I shan’t travel to the capital alone, after all. And Joff will be the most gallant, golden prince who ever sat upon the throne! Just wait and you’ll see: no one in all seven kingdoms could boast of a happiness as great as mine.”
should an exclusive partner go inactive for 1+ month, then i will become tentatively open to interactions with duplicates. when/if they return then exclusivity may resume.
