Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper

Ghost had only been here a few days and did not know the Red Keep well himself, so he could only lead Oberyn around aimlessly.

The Red Viper had yet to acquire the mature, rakish bearing of the prince he would become. In his early twenties, he still seemed somewhat frivolous in both word and deed.

He eagerly searched for topics to discuss with Ghost, trying to liven up the atmosphere. But fine clothes and jewelry, elegant art, tales of handsome knights' romantic exploits... none of the subjects noble girls enjoyed seemed to work very well on this Targaryen princess.

What did she like, then?

Oberyn the Red Viper was not discouraged. He began talking at length about his voyage out of Dorne and his travels at sea.

This subject clearly caught Princess Rhaenys's attention. She fixed those beautiful purple eyes on Oberyn.

"You said you've been to the Fourteen Flames? You're amazing! Did you see any remains left behind by dragons? Dragon eggs? Dragon bones? Or anything else strange?"

"Uh..." Oberyn was at a loss for words. How would he have dared go ashore? That was where the terrifying Stone Men lived! Anyone who so much as touched them would turn to stone and slowly die.

Ghost was still questioning him enthusiastically. "Have you been east of Sothoryos, then? I heard that's the end of the world."

Something stirred in Oberyn's heart. Did this princess actually share his interests? He, too, had imagined what the end of the world might look like, what might be there...

Unfortunately, his ship had only reached Volantis in western Essos before sinking, without even making it to the Smoking Sea... He had nearly failed to return himself.

Somewhat embarrassed, Oberyn rubbed his nose. "My luck was terrible. I never had the chance to cross the Summer Sea to Sothoryos. Perhaps the Merling King and the Storm God don't welcome outsiders intruding into their domain. Hahaha..."

Ghost was a little disappointed, but he understood. Given the limitations of seafaring techniques and equipment in this era, crossing the vast seas to reach more distant continents was simply impossible.

At present, apart from the two known continents of Westeros and Essos (also rendered as Essos in another translation), everything west of Westeros, south of the Summer Sea, north of the Wall in the North, and the distant continent of Sothoryos and its eastern reaches were all unknown lands shrouded in mist.

There was also the prevailing ignorance of the common people and the insular, conservative thinking of the upper classes. Nobles were busy fighting for power and profit, while commoners were busy keeping themselves fed and clothed. There had never been any so-called adventurers willing to pass through the mist and find a vast new world.

Perhaps there were adventurers, but they might all have died along the way, sunk to the bottom of the sea, or... stayed in those mist-shrouded lands?

Ghost began spacing out again. Oberyn called twice without getting a response and had to reach out and pat her arm.

"Princess? Rhaenys? What are you thinking about?"

Ghost stared blankly at Oberyn's face. For an instant, that young, handsome face overlapped with the sight of his gruesome death at the Mountain's feet.

Ghost could not bear it, and, as though possessed, said something.

"Do you know? Most of us stay in one little corner from birth to death, never seeing the sights anywhere else, like a nest of ants spending their whole lives toiling for a little food."

Something stirred in Oberyn's heart, and for a moment, he did not know what to say. Those words struck directly at his true thoughts, hitting his heart and leaving lingering echoes.

It was strange. They did not know each other at all, yet those words matched his feelings so closely. How could this person understand his heart and voice the very same lament?

Oberyn turned his head and gazed into the distance. "People aren't really any different from ants."

Ghost looked at his profile, and a pixelated, mangled corpse flashed through his mind... Words spilled out before he could think.

"You're different. You've been to the far reaches of Essos, joined a sellsword company... even forged your own chain at the Citadel. Why can't you broaden your horizons and explore more of the unknown? Why come to King's Landing to play the game, and even face the Moun-"

She abruptly stopped, inwardly crying out in dismay...

She always forgot that this was the real world of Game of Thrones. But with a living, breathing person standing before her, she simply could not control her brain or her mouth. And so she had blurted it out...

Oberyn froze. He stared at Ghost as towering waves surged through his heart.

Where had this girl heard these things? Even his brother and mother did not know what she had just mentioned.

What did that last part mean? Play what game? Why didn't even he himself know???

Oberyn Martell seemed to become a different person, all his composure gone. He seized Ghost's hand. "Who exactly are you? Why do you know these things?? Keep talking!"

Ghost was stunned with fright. She had almost blurted out the duel between the Red Viper and the Mountain. Oberyn gripped her and shook her, demanding answers, and for a moment she even forgot to struggle.

By the time she came to her senses, his grip had left a purple ring around her wrist.

"Let go... I was talking nonsense. I don't know anything..." Ghost did not dare look at Oberyn and tried to escape the restraint of his large hands.

Oberyn lowered his voice. "Don't think I don't know. You're no real princess, just someone from Essos..."

He bent his head to threaten Ghost, while Ghost struggled, looking distressed... To anyone watching from a distance, the scene was decidedly open to misinterpretation...

"Stop! Oberyn. My gods!" Arya's panicked cry came from far away.

Prince Rhaegar arrived faster than her voice, rushing over like a gale and leaving even the two Kingswood guards behind.

His long golden hair streamed behind him as he flung his scabbard away. Rhaegar drew his sword and was about to bring it down on the crown of Oberyn Martell's head...

"Don't!" Ghost screamed.

The sharp sword point stopped just above Oberyn's forehead, barely in time. A small tuft of dark brown hair drifted to the ground.

Oberyn was not as composed as he appeared. A bead of cold sweat slowly rolled down from his temple.

He slowly released Ghost, raised his hands, and edged away, moving clear of Ghost to stand beside Elia.

Prince Rhaegar's sword point remained aimed at the tip of his nose, his face covered in frost.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Elia was so angry that she swore, running over to pound her younger brother several times.

The Red Viper remained unmoved, still staring fixedly at Ghost and treating Rhaegar as though he were not there.

Rhaegar's presence was imposing, his icy gaze scraping over Oberyn like a blade. His sword point was aimed at Oberyn's neck, with no sign that he intended to lower it.

Ghost stepped into Rhaegar's line of sight, apologizing and explaining in a panic. "I'm sorry. I said something rude. Prince Oberyn didn't do anything. He..."

Rhaegar put away his sword and gently pushed her aside.

"Oberyn Martell. Come to the dueling ground. Let me see this exquisite spearwork I've heard so much about."

The Red Viper froze, then burst into an arrogant laugh. "As you wish, Rhaegar Targaryen."

Ghost grew anxious. "I'm sorry. This is my fault..."

Elia Martell stepped forward and gently covered Ghost's mouth. "Shh... Don't interfere in a fight between men, Rhaenys."

"If a man stands by while his woman is affronted, he'll be called a coward."