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CHAPTER SIX. ━━━━━━━━━ Without memory, there can be no revenge, Lest we forget to remember me, To you from failing hands we throw.
MARGARET ATWOOD, THE BLIND ASSASSIN ━━━━━━━━━
BY THE TIME SER JAIME arrives at the gates of the Red Keep, Robert Baratheon is already waiting, standing a dozen paces outside the Barbican. He had flung open the gates, raised the portcullis, and had ten mounted men lined along the approach of Aegon's Hill. The sun is high in the sky and the dull heat that often hangs over the city is growing. Flies buzz around the horses, and while they flick their tails and toss their heads to be free of them, every man is still. It seems as if they all hold an indrawn breath.
Amid the silence, Jaime comes to stand beside Ser Barristan. They are the only ones that are left of Aerys' Kingsguard.
Somewhere in the distance, a horse whinnies. As one, they all turn to look down the steep incline of the High Hill.
A large gathering of riders can be seen making steady progress up the hill—there must be close to twohundred men, Jaime realises. Banners bearing the sun and spear of House Martell fly above the party, along with a number of other banners from significant houses sworn to Sunspear. Neither Robert Baratheon nor the lords Stark and Arryn beside him utter a word, but Jaime can read their disquiet nonetheless. This is no small party and the intention behind their numbers could not be clearer—Prince Doran wants to remind the court of the might of Sunspear. Dorne is united in the murder of their Princess.
Slowly, the group of riders ascends the hill. Once they are within clear sight, Jaime recognises Mariah Martell at the head of the party. She is mounted on a glowing white sand steed, a stallion with a lofty head carriage and an elegant dished face, and dressed in black. A sun and spear is embroidered upon the chest in glittering gold thread. The sigil glows in the sun but her black attire is for mourning—again, a message, Jaime thinks.
Jaime had last seen the Dornish Princess at the royal wedding some four years previously, and since then she had grown, her face now devoid of any childish youth. She is a rare beauty, a lovely thing with full lips and startling blue eyes. Though everyone pales next to Cersei.
As she approaches, it is Lord Arryn that steps forward and spreads his hands in a welcoming gesture.
"Princess Mariah, I extend my warmest welcome to King's Landing, and to the Red Keep," he says. "Might I introduce my good friend Lord Eddard of House Stark, and of course, the newly crowned King Robert."
She slides down from her horse gracefully but keeps her silence. Her gaze meets Jaime's for a moment before returning to Robert Baratheon without acknowledging his title. Unperturbed, Jon Arryn continues, "You must all be tired and in need of rest and refreshment. Allow us to take your horses and I will see that all your men are provided with such."
