One day remained before the tourney began. Most of Dorne's major nobility had arrived at Sunspear.
Registration for the various events had also closed.
Sunspear, Tower of the Sun
The sturdy Tower of the Sun had a golden dome and leaded glass windows.
Beneath the dome was the throne room, a round chamber with thick windows and stained glass.
The floor was paved with pale marble.
On the dais in the throne room were two nearly identical seats. The back of one bore the golden spear of House Martell, while the other bore the Rhoynar sunburst.
Prince Doran sat in the chair with the golden spear. Beside him, in the seat of honor, sat the star of this tourney, Princess Arianne.
"We thank the lords, ladies, and knights for their presence..." The herald's voice was loud, ensuring everyone in the hall could hear.
Arthur stood in a corner of the hall with Edric. The crowd below the dais was filled with the principal nobles of Dorne, dressed in silk or satin robes with long flowing sleeves, bearing their house sigils.
Apart from some minor lords' sigils, Arthur recognized most of the major ones.
In the crowd, he also spotted Lady Larra Blackmont, her children, and Ser Elwyn, who had led the Blackmont army into Starfall's territory.
While Arthur was observing the nobles in the hall, Edric lowered his voice beside him.
"Cousin, while you were practicing with Ser Daemon these past few days, I completed my mission perfectly. I made a lot of friends."
"Who?" Arthur withdrew his gaze, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Knowing he had to defeat the Red Viper and then hold the champion's seat, he had spent his days either sparring with Daemon or observing others practice at the lists.
Having no time or energy to look after Edric, Arthur had assigned him a "mission" to make friends, with Wick and Vic as chaperones.
"Mostly people my age." Edric counted on his fingers. "Mostly squires of various knights. Also Prince Trystane Martell, Sarella, and three Sand Snakes."
"Three Sand Snakes?"
Edric thought Arthur was asking for their names.
"The oldest is Elia Sand. She always smells like horses. I can't remember the other Sand Snakes' names clearly."
"Sarella... she knows almost everything, just like Maester Oswell. But her skin is very dark. She says her mother is a captain from the Summer Isles."
"Prince Trystane likes to play Cyvasse. He's very patient and doesn't mind that I always lose to him."
As Edric recounted his adventures, the herald loudly announced the names of the champions who would defend Princess Arianne's honor as the Queen of Love and Beauty in the joust:
"Prince Oberyn Martell! Lord Franklyn Fowler! Ser Uller of Hellholt! Ser Ryon Allyrion of Godsgrace! Ser Gulian Qorgyle of Sandstone!"
Being chosen as a champion to defend Princess Arianne's honor was undoubtedly an honor and Prince Doran's way of showing favor.
Under the gaze of the crowd, the five men went up to the dais one by one to accept tokens from Princess Arianne.
Arthur knew all five. The first two needed no introduction.
Ser Ulrick Uller was the great-uncle of Elia Sand (whom Edric had mentioned) and the uncle of the Red Viper's current paramour, Ellaria Sand. House Uller was a major Dornish house, seated at Hellholt.
Ser Ryon Allyrion was the heir to Godsgrace and the father of Ser Daemon Sand.
Ser Tremond Gargalen was the heir to Salt Shore. Prince Doran had squired at Salt Shore in his youth.
"Arthur, my target is confirmed." Ser Daemon Sand stood beside him, whispering as he watched the figures on the dais accepting tokens.
"My father."
Arthur paused. "They want you to fight your father?"
"No, it was my own request." A flash of excitement appeared in Daemon's eyes.
"If I was coerced by Tyene's poison before, now I am more than happy to fight my father as a mystery knight, win or lose."
Arthur found it hard to keep a straight face. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. What is this, the Dornish Avengers of Daddy Issues?
As they chatted, Arianne finished tying her tokens to each of her champions.
When the ceremony concluded, Prince Doran, supported by Arianne, stood up from his chair to speak.
Compared to his brother, the fiery Red Viper, Prince Doran struck Arthur as a deep, still pool of water.
As he spoke, apart from subtle facial twitches caused by gout pain, his expression remained largely unchanged, and his tone was calm and steady.
Cautious, composed, resilient, Arthur evaluated him in his mind.
After Doran finished speaking and sat back down, the Dornish nobles stepped forward to present gifts and profess loyalty.
When it was Starfall's turn, Arthur led Edric forward, getting a closer look at Prince Doran.
Doran's hair was nearly grey but meticulously groomed. He had heavy bags under his eyes, and his joints were swollen and red from gout.
After handing the gift list to the steward, Arthur bowed. "Your Grace, on behalf of House Dayne of Starfall, I offer our most sincere greetings and pledge of loyalty to you and House Martell."
"May the Seven protect you." Prince Doran nodded calmly. "You did well in the Red Mountains."
"I hope you enjoy your time in Sunspear and achieve the honor due to you in the tourney."
After the presentation of gifts, the audience ended. Arthur led Edric out of the hall with the crowd and returned to their rooms.
"Cousin, what name will you use for the tourney?" In the room, Edric asked excitedly as he watched Arthur check his gear.
"I can't wait to see you in the lists tomorrow."
"The Knight of the Peach Heart." Arthur held up a shield painted with a heart-shaped peach.
"I don't plan to compete tomorrow. The joust lasts three days. I want to observe Prince Oberyn's technique and prepare more."
"Edric, a tourney isn't just a contest of brute strength. Within the rules, strategy matters too." Jimmy Sunderland wiped Zhan Lu with an oiled cloth.
"Ser Clegg and the other knights all consider Prince Oberyn the strongest knight in Dorne. If My Lord can defeat the Red Viper, he will surely become famous overnight."
After checking all his equipment, armor, and padding, Arthur didn't train anymore. Instead, he went with Edric and the squires to wander around the market outside Sunspear to relax.
Honestly, participating in his first proper tourney and facing a top-tier fighter like the Red Viper put him under immense pressure.
Arthur understood the principle of balancing tension and relaxation. Being too wound up at the last moment could be counterproductive.