The sun blazed mercilessly over Sunspear as a dove bearing the royal seal fluttered into the palace courtyard. A servant untied the small parchment from its leg and hurried through the echoing halls. Loreza Martell sat in her private solar, flanked by Doran and Lewyn, while heavy curtains kept some of the heat at bay.
"A raven from Lannisport," the servant announced, handing Loreza the sealed message.
She broke the seal, let her gaze skim the lines — and for a fleeting moment, a rare, wistful smile crossed her otherwise cool face.
"Joanna has given birth," Loreza said softly. "A son."
"A son?" Doran raised an eyebrow, concern flickering in his eyes. "Is Joanna well?"
"Barely," Loreza murmured. "The letter speaks of weakness. The birth was difficult."
Lewyn, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, let out a disgruntled snort. "Another Lannister cub. The lions are never satisfied."
"It is their third child," Loreza replied calmly. "The letter also mentions Cersei and Jaime. The twins are said to be nearing seven summers."
"Tywin will treasure this son," Doran said thoughtfully. "Especially if Joanna is weakened. He's always cared only for his legacy."
"And that is precisely the point," Loreza looked between Doran and Lewyn. "We should seize this opportunity. A visit to Joanna — in old friendship. And while we are there, we should take measure of Tywin and his children. It might be wise to renew old ties… and forge new ones."
"You mean Oberyn or Elia?" Doran asked cautiously.
"Perhaps," Loreza nodded slowly. "But I am thinking further. Perhaps Jaime. Cersei, too, will need to be wed in time."
She let her fingers trace the tabletop. "And after that… perhaps a visit to King's Landing. Or Dragonstone."
Lewyn frowned. "To Rhaella?"
"Yes. I want Rhaella to get to know Mars better." A sly smile played on her lips. "If she finds him likable, she might allow him into the royal libraries. And with luck, even to Dragonstone. There may be answers there."
"And Mars knows nothing of this?" Doran asked.
"Not a word until the time is right. Not to Elia. Not to Ashara. There are too many ears in Sunspear."
Lewyn nodded. "Very well. But we must be careful, sister."
Loreza looked out the window, into the shimmering Dornish heat. "Always, brother. Always."