The air was heavy with the scent of orange blossoms as Mars crept down one of Sunspear's narrow shaded corridors. His bare feet barely touched the stone floor as he moved toward the small reception room, from which muted voices drifted.
"Bad idea, Mars," Velyra murmured in his mind. "Your pretty face's about to meet your mother's fury."
"I need to know what they're planning," Mars thought back firmly.
Through the half-open door, he recognized Loreza's sharp, commanding voice. Doran spoke lower, his words slow and careful.
"Starfall is willing to let Ashara stay here for an extended time," Doran said. "Beric Dayne believes it's for the best — for both of them."
"And the magic?" Loreza asked. "Have any of the spies found something in Essos?"
"Nothing reliable," Doran answered. "Rumors, old wives' tales… nothing we'd risk a child on."
"Then we wait," Loreza sighed. "And we stay cautious. No one can know what Mars truly is. Not even King's Landing."
Mars felt his pulse hammer in his chest. He crept a little closer when Velyra hissed in warning: "Now! Leave — now!"
Too late.
"Marsan Nymeros Martell!" Loreza's voice cut through the room like a whip. The door swung open.
Doran stood there, arms crossed. "Princes do not spy on their kin."
Mars swallowed hard and stepped inside.
"I… just wanted to know… I mean…"
"Brilliant," Velyra snarked. "A master of eloquence."
Loreza studied him a long moment, then beckoned. "Come in. Speak."
Mars lifted his chin. "I… found something. About Nymeria. The Isle of Faces. Old Rhoynar writings."
Doran's brow rose. "Where?"
"I… found a book. And… I had a dream. I saw things."
Loreza and Doran exchanged a glance.
"And you wish to go to Essos?" Loreza asked.
"No," Mars said quickly. "Not yet. But maybe… the Isle of Faces. Or… Dragonstone. There are stories about magic there."
Loreza shook her head. "Dragonstone is under the King's control. But… perhaps we can speak with Rhaella."
Mars's heart leapt. He knew the road ahead was long — but the door had opened, just a little.
"Well played, hero," Velyra murmured. "Knew you could pull off the noble fool."