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[нαℓƒ~мσση]

A lone figure on a horse was approaching King's Landing at a reasonable pace. The horse was slim and smaller than most breeds common in the Crownlands. It moved swiftly, without tiring, which was a trait known for the Sand Steeds of Dorne. The rider had a light brown cloak pulled over their head, obscuring the person's face. Their course took them through the kingswood, which was the royal hunting ground. The walls of the city were in the rider's sights and they spurred the steed on faster.

No sooner had they reached within a few miles from the city, a group of foot soldiers cut the rider off, "Halt! Who goes there?"

The horse slowed to a stop and snorted unhappily. The rider's bowed head lifted a little and responded in a feminine voice, "Just a friend, nothing more."

"We cannot grant you access to the city without seeing who you are," The tallest of the soldiers grunted and moved toward the horse, "Remove your cloak."

Sighing, the rider reached a slim hand up and pulled back the hood. Her face was slightly tanned in hue, as most Dornish women, and she looked healthy and well taken care of. The young woman smiled sweetly and tilted her head, dark hazel eyes sparkling, "Better? I told you, I am a friend. I hail from Sunspear, ruled by House Martell. My name is Briar, Briar Martell. Surely you don't think that I am a threat to the whole of King's Landing, do you?"

"We know how vicious you Dornish can be. Don't think that because you're a women that we'll overlook you."

"Ah, but gentle women mean no harm," She cooed.

"Too bad there is no such thing as a gentle woman."

Her pink lips curled into a smirk, "Very true, sir.."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon Rykker stepped up beside the other guards. He was wearing his white armor, his pure white cloak flowing out behind him, not a speck of dirt on it. He eyed the woman before saying anything. "Who is this?" he asked. She looked familiar somehow, though he couldn't say when he'd seen her before.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

One of the soldiers looked over at Brandon, "Says she's a Martell, from Dorne."

Briar lifted her chin and her lips drew into a pout, "I'm hurt. Don't you believe me? My brother Prentice is even part of the King's Guard." Her horse snorted loudly and flicked his tail, pawing at the earth.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon nodded. "I know Prentice. But he never mentioned having a sister." She did look like a Dornish woman, though, and had features common to the Martell family. Brandon saw no reason to not believe her, so he nodded at the guards. "Let her through," he said. He turned back to Briar and asked, "I assume you want to see your brother?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Briar smiled and swung her legs around, hopping down off the horse. She held onto the reins and nodded, "I would. I haven't seen Prentice in oh-so-long."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon smiled at her, but it came out flat. "Alright, let's go then. I'll accompany you, though."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Thank you," Briar gently led her horse forward, stroking the creature's nose, "That's very kind of you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon waved a hand. "It's nothing at all. Really. How was your journey?" he asked. "Not too long, I hope."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Oh, it was, but I got to see a lot," Briar chirped, looking nonchalant.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon studied her. "Have I met you before?" he asked.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

The young woman looked surprised by the question, arching one dark eyebrow, "I don't think so, not unless you've ever been to Dorne," she replied playfully, her hazel eyes mischievous, "Why? Do I remind you of someone?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon nodded. "And it's not your brother. I knew someone..." Something flickered across his face, disappearing in a flash. He shook his head and said, "Nevermind."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Well, I hope it's someone good," Briar said with a light-hearted chuckle.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Brandon smiled wryly but didn't give a clue as to whether it was or wasn't.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

The Martell princess smiled and looked ahead, "Thank you, for leading me."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Have you been to King's Landing before?" Brandon asked. "It really is a beautiful city."