Viserys sat at the head of the table, with Rhaenys, Daenerys, and Ashara to his left.
Rhaenys had changed into a dark blue gown, while Daenerys wore an ivory dress. Both girls sat straight-backed, trying hard to maintain a princess's poise, though Daenerys could not stop glancing at the three little dragons behind her. Ashara was far more composed. She wore a pale purple gown that evening, her black hair pinned up.
Oberyn and the other guests had been seated opposite them.
Oberyn raised his wine cup toward Viserys at the head of the table. "Your Majesty, these dragons of yours remind me of the 'dragons' in Dorne's deserts: sandworms. They can travel beneath the sand, and supposedly even carry people across the desert. Of course, compared to true dragons that fly and breathe fire, our sand-burrowing worms fall far short. To dragons."
The others at the feast raised their cups as well. After setting his down, Viserys said, "You are too modest, Prince. I read in an ancient text that Queen Nymeria was the last person to tame a sandworm. She rode it to conquer the tribes of Dorne, establishing House Martell's rule."
Oberyn's eyes lit up. He had not expected Viserys to know so much about Dornish history.
Halfway through the feast, the atmosphere began to grow more lively. Nymeria approached Viserys with a wine cup in hand. She had changed into a sheer, off-the-shoulder gown in the Dornish style, and her tawny skin looked healthy.
"Your Majesty." Her voice carried a deliberate languor and allure. "I hear you conquered half of Essos. Could you tell me how you did it? Was it with those dragons, or..." She leaned forward slightly, offering a tantalizing glimpse down her neckline. "Something else?"
Viserys politely shifted aside, avoiding intimate contact with