B R E A K O F D A W N ||Game of Thrones [EDITING]

32- READY TO FIGHT

Weeks had passed since Dyanna and Daryn Hornwood, along with Larence Snow, had arrived at Starfall. For Dyanna, the days felt like a lifetime, though she couldn't quite say if that was a curse or a blessing. The warmth of Dorne suited her. She had never known such heat—yet it was a warmth that felt unlike the biting cold she'd grown up with in the North. Here, the sun seemed to hug her, not burn her, and the dryness of the air helped her move, helped her breathe. The sea breeze added to the calming atmosphere, though the distant memories of Winterfell tugged at her.

Most of all, she enjoyed the company of her aunt, Allyria Dayne. The woman had proven to be a lifeline, a presence that Dyanna had never expected to find. They spent many hours in quiet conversation, speaking of the past, of the Daynes and the Starks, of Dorne's beauty and Winterfell's unforgiving cold. Allyria's presence was a balm to the sharp wounds Dyanna carried, and for once, she didn't feel so alone in the world.

But not all was easy. Daryn Hornwood, her stalwart protector, seemed to grow restless. Despite his strength, despite his training, the quiet life of Starfall seemed to wear on him. Every so often, Dyanna would catch him staring into the distance, his mind drifting to places far beyond the reach of this sun-kissed castle.

This afternoon, they were in the courtyard. Daryn and Dyanna were locked in a duel, blades flashing in the bright sunlight. Dyanna was quick—her small frame allowing her to dart around Daryn's larger, heavier swings. Her movements were graceful, and she was proud of how far she had come in her swordsmanship, though Daryn was still better. He was a beast with a blade, every strike a reminder of his northern strength, honed in the harsh winds and biting cold.

Dyanna lunged forward, forcing him to parry and sidestep, but she was getting tired, her small frame having to expend more energy to keep up.

"Don't go easy on me," Dyanna called out, her voice breathless but determined. "I need to push myself."

Daryn smirked, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "I wasn't planning to. But if you think I'm letting you win that easily..." He tilted his head, his expression mocking. "You'll have to try harder than that, Lady Dayne."

Dyanna laughed, the sound of it ringing through the courtyard. She darted in again, but this time Daryn caught her wrist mid-swing, twisting it with surprising speed and strength. She staggered back, surprised by the suddenness of the move. It wasn't that she couldn't hold her own—it was that Daryn was simply on another level.

Just then, Larence Snow, who had been watching from the sidelines, cheered.

"Ha! Daryn down! The mighty Hornwood falls!"

Dyanna's eyes flashed with a competitive spark. She seized the opportunity, pressing forward with a flurry of calculated moves. Daryn grinned, impressed by her persistence, but before he could react, Dyanna spun low and swept his feet from under him. In a heartbeat, she had her sword at his neck, the point just grazing his skin.