Apparently, the whole situation had stopped feeling dangerous and turned into a social visit. Vlad had simply knocked the two Lannisters unconscious before tossing them into a corner of the room like sacks of potatoes, and Oberyn and Ellaria served themselves wine as if nothing had happened, watching his movements with interest.
—So, what's the terrifying Lord Impaler doing in the capital? Shouldn't you be bathing in virgin blood and eating babies? —she asked playfully.
Vlad practically rolled his eyes as he sat down on a cushioned window seat.
—Damn priests. They come up with the least creative stories —he muttered, annoyed. The Faith of the Seven had done its job of "alerting" everyone about the monster looming over Westeros, most likely paid in Lannister gold as revenge for the massacre at the Twins.
—Are you denying the baby part? —Ellaria asked with mock innocence.
—Ellaria! —Oberyn feigned scandal—. Don't interrogate our distinguished guest like that. Although... —his smile turned wolfish—, now that you mention it...
—Please —Vlad said, feigning indignation—. Virgins are best enjoyed in other ways, and babies are only pleasant when they're yours —he added with a laugh.
Ellaria swayed her hips deliberately as she walked over and sat on her husband's lap.
—Well, about babies... —she said while pouring more wine and letting her hand graze Vlad's—, I prefer making them to taking care of them. That part has always been the most fun to me.
—Darling —Oberyn placed a hand on his heart—, are you flirting with my political relative?
—I'm just exploring potential strategic alliances —she replied with a feline smile.
Vlad watched the exchange with amused exasperation.
Oberyn leaned back in his seat, eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and sarcasm.
—So tell me, Lord Impaler —he pronounced the title with a mocking grin—, what brings you to this rotten city? Come to enjoy our... hospitality?
Vlad accepted the cup with a grateful nod, his lips curved in amusement.
—Call me Vlad, please. "Lord Impaler" is far too grandiose —he said, taking a sip of wine—. And I came for the wedding, of course. The event of the century, isn't it? An arrogant king, a resigned bride, wine everywhere... blood guaranteed.
—You expect blood? —Ellaria asked, tilting her head.
—I don't expect it —Vlad replied softly—. But I'd be disappointed if there wasn't any.
—That trick you pulled earlier —Oberyn asked, curious, while twirling his dagger—. What the hell was that?
Vlad waved his hand dismissively, like brushing away a fly.
—Oh, that. Just a little mind game, almost a parlor trick. Nothing a man of your... insight couldn't grasp.
—Magic? —Oberyn insisted, now frowning slightly—. I studied what scraps I could find at the Citadel... but that didn't look anything like what you do.
—Those idiots wouldn't recognize real magic if it burned their feet. They're too scared of it —Vlad said with scorn, though he noticed Oberyn still looked unconvinced.
—Really? —he raised an eyebrow—. In a world with dragons, faceless men, and skinchangers, you doubt magic?
Ellaria let out a soft laugh, amused by the growing tension.
—The difference is, you're scarier than a skinchanger —she said—. And I won't believe in dragons until I see one.
—Oh, you will —Vlad replied with a strangely tender smile—. In fact, my wife is meeting with your brother right now. You'll be hearing from them soon enough.
Oberyn narrowed his eyes. It wasn't a threat, but still, he worried for his brother.
—Good luck to your wife trying to negotiate with Doran —he said, chuckling. From what he knew, Daenerys was a petite woman with a reputation for being kind.
Vlad laughed openly.
—I'd worry about your brother. As you'll learn one day, my wife is pure fire.
Oberyn studied him, trying to read between the lines. But he seemed to change the subject as Ellaria offered him a sip from her cup.
—So what are you then? A blood mage? A skinchanger?
Vlad looked him straight in the eyes, his expression calm but firm, as if savoring the mystery.
—Let's say... I'm a man on a mission.
—And what mission is that? —Oberyn asked, genuinely curious.
Vlad looked at him while sipping his wine. His reply was serious and direct:
—Peace in our time.
The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was heavy. Full of possibilities.
Finally, Oberyn raised his cup.
—To monsters with manners, then.
—And to snakes and poison —Vlad replied, clinking his cup with a soft chime.
Oberyn stood with his wife and extended an arm in a grand gesture.
—Well, since we're here —he proposed with a lascivious smile—, how about spending the afternoon with us? Wine, good company... —he gestured to the women still in the room— and all the delights this place has to offer.
—I'm not interested in whores —Vlad said simply, though with a tone laced with amusement—. And if you want to make sure Sunspear doesn't turn to ashes one night, I'd avoid offering me prostitutes in front of my wife... even if she's across the sea.
Ellaria and Oberyn laughed heartily, but they didn't understand Vlad wasn't joking.
—I'm sure we can find activities to enjoy together in the capital. If not, we could take you as our guest to the wedding —Ellaria suggested with a smile.
—Oh, that won't be necessary. I have a wedding invitation —Vlad said, pulling out a golden scroll—. But sadly, they got my name wrong. What a shame —he added playfully.
Oberyn burst out laughing.
—Please, don't stray too far from us. Otherwise, it'll be unbearably boring.
—No worries, I feel the same. In fact, allow me to invite you to dinner —Vlad said, standing and motioning toward the door.
—And what about them? —Ellaria asked, pointing at the two soldiers and the poor pimp still lying on the floor, fast asleep.
Vlad shrugged.
—The boy will wake up in a few hours, after the best sleep of his life —he replied, then gestured to the soldiers—. As for them, they'll die.
—And the bodies? —Oberyn asked, slightly uncomfortable with the idea of leaving two corpses in his favorite brothel.
Vlad gave a smug smile that both Ellaria and Oberyn found equally attractive.
—What bodies? —he asked innocently.
Both Dornish looked toward the corner where the men had been... and found nothing, even though they'd been there just seconds ago.
Oberyn looked at him, clearly impressed, then chuckled:
—Okay, now that trick you'll have to teach me.