The banners of House Dayne and House Dondarrion snapped in the warm wind as Allyria Dayne arrived at Blackhaven, the ancestral seat of her betrothed. The journey from Starfall had been long, and though she had always found comfort in quiet, the weight of expectation pressed heavy on her shoulders.

Beside her, Edric Dayne, young, eager, and barely containing his excitement sat straight-backed in the saddle. The boy had spoken of little else since they departed, brimming with pride at the prospect of becoming squire to Lord Beric Dondarrion, the gallant Lightning Lord.

The gates of Blackhaven yawned open before them. Inside, knights and retainers stood waiting, Lord Beric among them, his expression polite but unreadable. Allyria’s fingers tightened briefly around the reins before she dismounted with practiced grace, her violet eyes scanning the unfamiliar castle that would soon be her home.

She turned toward the lord who would be her husband, her voice soft but steady.

"My lord Dondarrion."