Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

Chapter Sixteen: Seeking Alliances

"Your Grace. Lady Larra Blackmont is here to speak with you," Herit said approaching her mistress while Amara prepared herself for the day, she was almost surprised that the lady had arrived so early in the morning. 

In the time since her marriage it was rare that any sort an audience with her, they mainly came to the capital to speak with Doran if there was something that they needed. 

"Show her in," Amara instructed a little confused about why Lady Larra would come to see her, Iset finished brushing her hair and stepped back allowing Amara to stand to greet her guest. 

A couple of the other ladies around the room seemed to stop what they were doing, they looked towards the door just as Lady Larra stepped inside. 

"Lady Larra, Lady of Blackmont. Your Grace," Herit announced bowing, she glanced to the older woman next to her wondering just what she had come here for. 

Lady Larra tried into a curtsy before she moved further into the room, her eyes sweeping the ladies that served Amara and a small frown formed on her face not liking what she saw. 

"Princess Amara... it is an honour to meet you," Lady Larra greeted, she was pleased to see her request for an audience had been answered; she had much she wished to discuss with the new Princess of Dorne. 

She had to admit that she felt great pity for Amara and the position that she found herself in; she couldn't imagine what it was like to find herself with a husband who had no interest in her at all. 

"Perhaps a walk in the gardens is required Your Grace... away from unfriendly ears," Lady Larra suggested not even disguising the fact that she didn't trust many of the ladies in the room; she knew who was here to spy and she knew her offer would shift the balance.

Amara agreed before signalling for Herit and Iset to accompany her, she knew that she could trust them and she was certain that whatever Lady Larra had to discuss would be interesting to hear. 

The two left the chambers that Amara called her own and headed down to the gardens for a stroll, her ladies following them from a distance while they talked so that they could have some privacy. 

"What can I do for you, my Lady?" Amara asked still not entirely sure why she had come to speak with her, she didn't have much control over any major decisions that were made in regards to Dorne. 

She was still finding her feet and her every move had to be carefully plotted, there were people who would be all to happy to see her fall and removed from her position. 

"I would like to petition for a position in your household for my daughter," Lady Larra said smiling, it would be the perfect way for her daughter and heir to learn the ways of court and there would be no better experience for Jynessa. 

She had learnt all she could at their home and now it was time for her to learn the ways of court; Larra had watched Amara and knew that the woman was a lot smarter than people gave her credit for. 

"I am afraid I do not have any free positions," Amara apologised, the addition of Tyene and Elia had stretched her limits on her household; she didn't think asking for more money to expand would go down well. 

The last thing that she wanted was to cause herself any issues, she knew that people whispered about her and she was still determined to win around those who doubted her. 

"Oh, but you will... I can tell you which of your ladies are spies," Lady Larra told her as if she was discussing the weather, the removal of those ladies would free up spaces for ladies of noble blood to take their places.

It hadn't escaped her notice that most of the ladies that were in Amara's household were no one of worth, something that had to be remedied if Amara was to succeed in her plan to remain as Oberyn's wife. 

"And in return?" Amara asked curious as to what Larra could want from her for giving her such valuable information, if she could remove the spies from her household then she would find herself in a more secure position when it came to plotting her moves. 

Lady Larra smiled and linked arms with Amara, their walk continuing and she knew that she would not be the only one to approach Amara should they pull this off. 

"You shall have the loyalty of House Blackmont, and I pray that you never forget your friends," Lady Larra replied simply, she expected her loyalty to Amara to be repaid and she was sure that it was no great secret that she had no love for House Uller. 

Ever since Ellaria had fallen into Oberyn's bed, Lord Uller had seen it as a sign that his family should be favoured above all others; that they were better than most because his bastard daughter was Oberyn's paramour. 

It had caused Lady Larra much glee and she was sure others shared it when it was announced that Oberyn was to marry Amara especially since she was from a minor noble house on the verge of extinction. 

"Then I would be happy to welcome into my household," Amara told her, she looked at Lady Larra knowing that this was the start of a most beautiful friendship between them.

***

The banquet hall was filled with people and Amara had left her seat at the royal table to make her rounds and greet people; she knew by now that the word of dismissals from her household would have spread through court. 

It was rather amusing to see Lord Uller glaring at her because she had dismissed his spies and the ones that Ellaria had planted; it meant that she could now plan her next move with no worrying about her plans being discovered. 

"Your Grace," Lord Trebor of the Tor greeted with a bow, the teenager that was with him quickly followed suit; he had been pleased to see that she was in attendance even if her husband was not. 

There was no sign of his mistress either and there was no need to guess that they would be arriving late to the festivities; an act that would cause embarrassment for Amara, he was sure. 

"Allow me to introduce my daughter... Lady Myria," Lord Trebor announced quickly, he ushered her forward so that the Princess could see her better. 

Myria blushed and curtsied again, she had never before been introduced to the royal family and she had never thought that she would get the chance to do so. 

"It is an honour Your Grace," Myria spluttered feeling ever so nervous, she couldn't believe that she was talking to the wife of Prince Oberyn; she thought Princess Amara was the luckiest lady in Dorne to have such a match. 

Amara smiled kindly, Lord Trebor was not the first man to approach her tonight with his daughter; with free spaces in her household it seemed that everyone was vying for a place. 

Her household had been dramatically reduced with the removal of the spies and with only four ladies remaining; Amara did not wish to wait to fill those spaces, she knew that each lady selected was a House that could be an ally. 

Lady Jynessa had been her first new addition, quickly followed earlier that evening by Sylva Santagar of Spottswood whose father was a knight. 

"I am sure your daughter would be a welcome addition to my household, Lord Trebor... should she so desire," Amara told him, she could use all the allies that she could right now.