"If the prince truly wishes to test on the battlefield whose army will become the spoils of war…"
Oberyn Martell's voice carried a sharp edge as he leaned back lazily in his chair.
"…then I do not mind allowing the armies of Dorne to demonstrate their strength."
He lifted his wine cup slowly, swirling the crimson liquid inside.
"Just like the Lannisters did."
The words were venomous.
They immediately ignited the atmosphere in the tent.
Renly Baratheon's face hardened.
The Duke of Storm's End straightened slightly in his seat, his easygoing expression vanishing. His eyes became cold, and the faint smile on his lips disappeared.
The look on his face clearly said:
If that is what you want… then so be it.
The tension between the two men suddenly thickened.
"Lord—"
A voice broke the silence.
Jon Snow, who had been quietly standing behind Renly the entire time, finally stepped forward.
He looked at the two nobles with obvious concern.
The situation had escalated far too quickly.
What had started as a diplomatic meeting now seemed dangerously close to turning into open hostility.
Jon could still remember Karl's instructions before they left.
Do not let negotiations collapse.
Avoid unnecessary conflict.
Jon knew exactly how fragile peace was in the Seven Kingdoms.
One careless word could ignite a war.
And the worst part was that this potential conflict had begun with good intentions.
If it collapsed now, it would be a tragic waste.
Jon took a step forward and spoke again, his voice calm but firm.
"My lords…"
His words echoed clearly across the large tent.
Renly remained silent.
Oberyn narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Red Viper studied the young man with interest.
The prince's expression remained unreadable.
But after a moment, the corner of his mouth curled upward in a faint smirk.
The tension gradually faded.
Oberyn had only been testing Renly.
Now that he had seen the Storm Lord's confidence and determination, he had gained the answer he wanted.
At the same time, the rumors coming from King's Landing suddenly seemed much more believable.
Oberyn lowered his wine cup.
His gaze shifted past Renly and Loras Tyrell.
Behind them stood two soldiers dressed in red and gold.
They were carrying a large black wooden box between them.
Oberyn's eyes focused on it immediately.
"It seems the news from King's Landing was not false after all."
His voice was calm, but there was something complicated in his gaze.
Jon Snow noticed the change in the atmosphere.
For a brief moment, he forgot about the strict etiquette expected in front of a prince.
He stepped forward confidently.
"Prince Oberyn Martell."
"I come under the orders of Lord Karl Stone."
Jon took a deep breath before continuing.
"He instructed me to present a gift to House Martell."
"A gift… in exchange for the friendship of Dorne."
These were Karl's exact words.
Jon had memorized them carefully.
As he finished speaking, he nodded toward the two Lannister soldiers behind him.
They immediately understood the signal.
With trembling hands, they stepped forward carrying the heavy box.
Renly watched quietly from the side.
His earlier impatience had disappeared.
In truth, his earlier confrontation with Oberyn had only been a declaration of position.
Both sides understood that neither wanted a fight.
"Karl Stone…"
Oberyn repeated the name slowly.
"The newly appointed Warden of the East?"
"The king's bastard?"
He looked at Jon with mild curiosity.
Oberyn had heard many rumors about Karl Stone recently.
The man's name had begun spreading across the Seven Kingdoms during this war.
And combined with the whispers coming from King's Landing…
Oberyn's eyes became serious.
His gaze returned to the wooden box.
"Yes, Prince," Jon replied.
Jon Snow had never enjoyed dealing with nobles.
Especially powerful ones.
They were unpredictable.
And impossible to satisfy.
At Jon's signal, the two Lannister soldiers placed the box on the table before Oberyn.
Both men were sweating heavily.
The weather in Dorne was brutally hot.
Even though the box was not extremely heavy, the two soldiers looked exhausted.
They quickly stepped back after placing it down.
Neither dared wipe the sweat from their faces.
But Oberyn wasn't paying attention to them.
The Red Viper's eyes were fixed entirely on the box.
His relaxed posture had disappeared.
He stood up suddenly.
Then he picked up the dagger that he had earlier slammed onto the table.
For a moment, Oberyn looked strangely tense.
This was unusual.
The fearless Prince of Dorne rarely showed hesitation.
Yet now he seemed cautious.
Even nervous.
He stepped closer to the wooden box.
Holding the dagger loosely in his hand, he tapped the box gently.
A dull sound echoed from inside.
Oberyn lifted his gaze toward Jon Snow.
There was a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"I hope this is not some kind of joke."
Jon shook his head immediately.
"It is not a joke."
"It is a gift."
Before the tension could rise again, another voice interrupted.
"Buy one, get one free."
Bronn, who had been standing quietly beside Jon, suddenly spoke.
His tone was casual and slightly mocking.
Oberyn turned to look at him.
"Buy one… get one free?"
The Red Viper frowned.
Bronn shrugged.
"Two gifts in one box."
Despite the rudeness of the explanation, Oberyn's tension loosened slightly.
He inserted the tip of his dagger into the gap of the wooden lid.
Then he slowly pried it open.
The lid creaked softly.
Inside the box…
Was a human head.
The head had been preserved carefully in white lime.
Its lifeless eyes stared blankly upward.
The skin was pale and slightly purple.
The dried flesh clung tightly to the skull.
It was enormous.
Far larger than the head of an ordinary man.
The twisted expression on the face made it look terrifying.
Oberyn stared.
Then suddenly—
His eyes widened.
His breathing grew heavier.
"The Mountain…"
His voice came out through clenched teeth.
"Gregor Clegane."
The dagger in his hand trembled slightly.
Without thinking, Oberyn grabbed the head by the hair and lifted it out of the box.
White lime crumbled from the severed neck.
Although the face had shrunk slightly from dehydration, it was still recognizable.
Oberyn would never forget that face.
Even in his dreams.
Holding the head tightly, he turned toward Jon Snow.
"Tell me."
His voice was cold and dangerous.
"Is this Gregor Clegane's head?"
"Yes, Prince."
Jon nodded firmly.
"I personally witnessed Lord Karl cut it off."
"He gave it to me himself and ordered me to deliver it to House Martell."
Jon pointed toward the two Lannister soldiers.
"They were Gregor Clegane's personal guards."
"They witnessed it as well."
Both soldiers nodded frantically.
Their faces were pale with fear.
Oberyn's hands trembled.
Years of rage boiled inside him.
Gregor Clegane.
The Mountain.
The butcher of Elia Martell.
Oberyn's sister.
The princess of Dorne.
The wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.
She had been murdered during the Sack of King's Landing.
Her children had been slaughtered.
And according to the stories…
Gregor Clegane had raped her before killing her.
Oberyn had never forgotten.
Not for a single day.
At that moment, his eyes turned red with emotion.
Jon spoke again carefully.
"There is… another gift."
Oberyn froze.
Slowly, he calmed his breathing.
Then he lowered the Mountain's head and looked back into the box.
Inside lay something horrifying.
A piece of human skin.
The entire face and scalp had been flayed.
Beside it sat a human heart.
Oberyn frowned.
"Whose are these?"
Jon hesitated slightly before answering.
"Ser Amory Lorch."
"Lord Karl executed him in the square before the Great Sept of Baelor."
"These were the only… recognizable pieces left."
Oberyn immediately understood.
Amory Lorch had also participated in the murder of Elia's children.
For several seconds, Oberyn remained silent.
Then suddenly—
He threw his head back and laughed.
A loud, triumphant laugh.
"Excellent!"
"What wonderful gifts!"
"They make my heart very happy!"
He threw Gregor Clegane's head back into the box.
"Go back and tell Karl Stone this."
"He has earned the friendship of House Martell."
Then Oberyn looked at Jon Snow again.
"And that includes you as well, boy."
"What is your name?"
Jon finally relaxed.
The mission had succeeded.
"Your Highness…"
"My name is Jon Snow."
"My father is Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell."
Oberyn blinked in surprise.
"Eddard Stark… Snow?"
Then he chuckled.
"So you are the bastard of that honorable wolf."
"I know who you are now."
Jon looked up quickly.
"You know me?"
Oberyn smirked.
"I have heard stories."
"The bastard son of the most honorable man in the Seven Kingdoms."
Then he leaned back lazily.
"Tell me, boy…"
"Has your father ever told you who your mother is?"
Jon stiffened.
"In Winterfell… no one speaks about it."
Oberyn thought for a moment.
Then he shrugged.
"I'm afraid I do not know either."
"But if you truly want answers…"
He smiled slightly.
"You should speak with House Dayne."
"They are serving with my army."
"The current lord is Edric Dayne."
"He is the Lord of Starfall."
"And the nephew of Ashara Dayne."
Oberyn studied Jon carefully.
"Perhaps… they can tell you what you want to know."
Among noble families…
Everything was connected.
Even secrets.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)