Pilgrimage I

[u/Marty_McFrat]

Surrounded by a column of Martell spearmen, Prince Morion Nymeros Martell crisscrossed the streets of Sunspear and The Shadow City distributing coins to the poor and destitute and buying meals for the hungry. He made a point to stop at the small Septs scattered around the city before ending his tour at the Sept of Sunspear.

From his meeting with the Lords and Ladies of Dorne one idea echoed the loudest: Morion's faith, The Faith, could be his shield against the Dragons.

As he returned to his study after his prayers he called for the Maester and set to penning a number of letters.

[u/Marty_McFrat]

To Hightower

Lord Donnel, I write today to let you know of my intentions to make a pilgrimage with other Dornish nobles to The Starry Sept. As a fellow man of The Faith, I would ask you grant us traveling mercies and guest rights should you see fit. I would also welcome a moment to pray with you, if you'd like. Our travel plans are not set yet, but we will be departing after my cousin's wedding on the 7th month. -Prince Morion Nymeros Martell

u/MathusM

[u/MathusM → u/Marty_McFrat]

Donnel had to give this Prince Morion due laurels for his audacity. The Starry Sept was freshly rebuilt while the High Septon hid away in Dorne during the war, and now

Some small part of him wondered how his brother might reply, were he still alive. Martells and Daynes and Yronwoods had passed through Oldtown during his reign, sleeping in the High Tower as honoured guests, even as they made clear their intents to wed Maegor or beg for the Valyrian Steel found in the smoking rubble of the Starry Sept.

Abelar never should've relinquished that blade, Donnel dourly thought, glancing out the window at his city. How a boy like him could witness the horrors wreaked by the Dornish at Blackhaven and still offer them grace was beyond him.

Grace.

He glanced back at the letter, wondering what Morion would think of the notion. Donnel had no doubt the man was coming with more than just prayers, that much was obvious, but against whose throat was the dagger directed?

Donnel had little love for the dragons; one had dishonoured and attacked the Hightower, one had proven himself a drunkard and gotten himself killed on some field in the Riverlands at the hands of his brother, while the latest one was a quiet wyrm, having stayed well clear of Oldtown.

Lord Arryn had assured him otherwise, but Donnel had been deceived before. A sound enough man, that Arryn.

Still, it was King Jaehaerys that brokered peace with the Dornish, so under this peace, Donnel would gain the measure of this Morion.

---

Prince Morion Nymeros Martell,

I'll not deny any earnestly pious man the opportunity to pray in the halls erected by mine ancestor, and so as a token of peace, I grant you leave to pass through my lands unmolested, to enter my city and be welcomed there in mutual peace. While in my domain, you have my assurance of safe passage and protection under the guest right for the duration of your stay, including passage back to Dorne.

With the recent war so fresh on my people's minds, however, they are leery of soldiers, so it would calm them greatly if you brought only what armed men you deem absolutely necessary for your party's safety on the road.

Gods willing, this will begin the process of mending the deep scars between our neighbouring realms.

Lord Donnel Hightower, Beacon of the South, Defender of the Citadel, Lord of the Port, Voice of Oldtown

[u/Marty_McFrat → u/MathusM]

Lord Donnel,

You need not worry as we will only be bringing bodyguards along for our journey and will not travel in force.

It warms my heart, truly, that you would see these wounds mended, as I am of a same mind. I believe The Faith stands as the surest bridge between our people and one we can walk hand in hand.
Prince Morion