Arianne arrives at the abandoned well at Shandystone with Drey and Sylva. Garin and Darkstar are already there when they arrive. That night, Garin tells them some of the news of the world that he learned in Planky Town. There are many events of note in the east, including a slave riot in Astapor,1 dragons in Qarth,2 and grey plague in Yi Ti. A new corsair king has arisen in the Basilisk Isles and raided Tall Trees Town, and followers of the Lord of Light attempted to burn down the Black Goat in Qohor. Finally, the Golden Company broke its contract with Myr. Ser Gerold goes off to relieve himself, and Garin voices his distrust of the man. Arianne reminds them that they need his prowess with the sword and his castle. As her companions banter, Arianne thinks of Quentyn. He was fostered at a very young age as payment of a blood debt to Lord Ormond Yronwood,3 and Mellario never forgave Prince Doran for doing so. Prince Doran continues to pretend that Quentyn is at Yronwood, but Garin's mother spotted him at Planky Town with Cletus Yronwood and a maester skilled in tongues. They were travelling across the Narrow Sea under false names and bearing letters sealed with the sun and spear of House Martell. She is positive he is making a move to remove her as heir. Ser Gerold returns and tells Arianne that crowning Myrcella will not get her the vengenance she wants against the Lannisters. He suggests killing her instead, but Arianne refuses.
Ser Arys arrives with Myrcella. Drey, Sylva, and Garin acknowledge Myrcella as their queen, confusing her. Arianne says that as the eldest child, she should sit the Iron Throne. Ser Arys takes Arianne aside and tells her Lord Tywin is dead. Arianne asks if Arys had any problems getting there. He did not; his ruse worked perfectly. He used Myrcella's cousin and companion, Rosamund, as a decoy and claimed she had redspot fever,4 to keep people away. She is a convincing decoy. Ser Arys's decoy is not as good, of those taking part in the ruse Dake, closest in height, was too fat, and he was forced to use a man named Rolder, who is three inches too short. Arianne is not concerned, as they only need a few days. They ride out. Arianne is confident her plan will work. She plans to crown Myrcella and free the Sand Snakes so that the people of Dorne will rally to her for vengeance against the Lannisters and she can depose her father and forstall her brother. They ride through the night and into the next day before finally reaching the Greenblood. From there, Arianne plans to cross the deep desert via Vaith and Sanstone. They come to their boat, but when they hail it, Areo Hotah steps out and a dozen men armed with crossbows and throwing spears appear. Areo tells Arianne to yield, or he will be forced to kill everyone save her and Myrcella. Arianne agrees to yield, but Ser Arys refuses to hand over Myrcella while he still draws breath. Knowing he is hopelessly outnumbered, he charges anyway. He manages to gain the deck despite his horse being peppered with quarrels, but Areo makes quick work of him, chopping off an arm and then his head. Areo roars for his men to pursue someone, as Myrcella wails on the ground shaking, with blood between her fingers.5 Arianne asks Areo how he knew they were going to be there, and he replies that someone told.
