Night had fallen over Driftmark. Within High Tide, dozens of Myrish crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling of the banquet hall in the Hall of Nine Voyages, each adorned with over a hundred tiny diamonds shipped from Myr.
Candlelight danced among the diamonds, bathing the entire hall in a warm, hazy golden glow.
The long tables were laden with plump lamb roasted golden brown, honey-glazed roast goose, spice-stuffed Narrow Sea cod, and sweet wine brought all the way from the Arbor.
Bards played lutes in a corner, their melodies lilting and their lyrics indistinct, singing the ancient legend of the Velaryon ancestors' voyages and their pact with the Merling King. Clearly, though, no one was truly listening.
This dinner was only meant to serve as a prelude to Rhaenys's name day celebrations over the coming days. After what had happened that afternoon on the beach beside the harbor outside the castle, how many of the guests who had arrived early could bring themselves to listen?
Besides, the evening's hostess, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, and the castle's lord, Earl Corlys Velaryon, had both worn grim expressions throughout the evening. Husband and wife had sat together for ages without exchanging a word.
Naturally, no one went up to offer toasts or congratulations, courting displeasure for no reason.
Nor was the royal family all present. Only Queen Alicent and the former Hand of the King, Earl Lyonel Strong, sat beside King Viserys.
After the afternoon's events, no one dared approach the royal family for fear of offending either side. After all, the swords held by the white-cloaked knights of the Kingsguard behind the king and queen cared little whom they struck.
But when the eldest daughter of the evening's hostess and the castle's lord-
Lady Laena Velaryon, stepped into the hall, everything changed.