The Isle of Women, like a secret realm forgotten by time, stood lonely amidst the azure waves north of Walano.
The river of a thousand years flowed quietly over this island, guarding an ancient and unique bloodline—the descendants of the legendary warrior queen, Nymeria.
True to its name, this was a world purely belonging to women, unwelcoming of any man's arrival.
Hidden in the heart of the island was a mysterious spring surrounded by ancient white stones.
The clear spring flowed year-round, shimmering with a faint, pearlescent luster unlike ordinary water.
Legend had it that anyone—man or woman—who drank from this spring would thereafter sire or bear only daughters.
Many considered this a baseless myth, such as the well-traveled and notoriously uninhibited "Red Viper," Oberyn Martell. Upon hearing this, he once landed on the island with skepticism and, with a mindset bordering on provocation, personally drank the spring water. Fate gave him the most direct response—his eight bastard children, without exception, were all daughters. Whenever he mentioned this later, he could only offer a complex, bitter smile.
As heirs to Nymeria's bloodline, the women of the island followed ancient traditions to continue the noble and pure lineage of the warrior queen. Sometimes they would travel to other islands or briefly lie with sailors who voyaged here and caught their eye, taking the seed of life.
After a brief romance, they would not marry any man, nor allow foreign men to stay on the island for long. They raised their daughters independently, passing down Nymeria's stories and martial arts from generation to generation, ensuring the warrior queen's bloodline remained forever pure in the maternal line, unchanged for a thousand years like the seawater surrounding the island.
Obara Sand and Nymeria Sand stepped onto the unique beach of the Isle of Women.
The salty, wet sea breeze blew against their faces, carrying the island's characteristic sweet scent mixed with wildflowers and vegetation.
They were immediately spotted by the female warriors patrolling the island—these agile figures with eyes sharp as hawks approached silently and vigilantly. After confirming their identities and intentions, they led them deep into the island.
The two were brought to a grand hall of wood and stone built beside the ancient white stone spring in the center of the island.
Ruling this place was the direct descendant of the warrior queen Nymeria, the current Queen of the Isle of Women, Alicia.
Queen Alicia sat on a broad throne carved from ebony.
Her figure was unforgettable at first glance—her frame was long and well-proportioned, yet by no means frail. Fluid muscle lines rippled like waves on her bare arms and back, the beauty of strength forged by years of wielding swords and controlling ship helms. Her shoulders and back were broad enough to shoulder wind, waves, and responsibility; her waist and abdomen were tight as a drawn bowstring, containing amazing explosive power. Her long legs were straight and powerful, as if born to stand at a prow or on horseback.
Her skin was a healthy, sun-kissed bronze, glowing with a soft luster like mother-of-pearl in the dappled light filtering through the leaves into the hall. Her indigo eyes were like the deepest ocean trenches, profound and bright. Her thick black eyebrows naturally formed elegant arches, yet the peaks were sharp as blades; calm like two new moons hanging in the night sky, but when furrowed, they could twist into ropes full of majesty and power.
Her high nose bridge descended almost flawlessly straight from her brow, the tip carrying a subtle downward curve, outlining the pride inherited from the ancient Rhoynar noble bloodline. Her lips were full and defined, the clear philtrum adding a unique charm and affinity when she flashed a smile revealing two rows of snow-white teeth.
Most striking was her long, deep black hair, like an untamed black waterfall. Unbound, it cascaded down freely, tumbling and flowing over her shoulders and back with her movements—not just a display of personal style, but a silent tribute to the "free as the tide" spirit of her Rhoynar ancestors.
Sitting there quietly, she naturally exuded a complex yet harmonious temperament: the sharpness of a warrior tested on the battlefield flickered in her eyes, the composure of a ruler controlling the overall situation revealed in her posture, and the delicate softness and understanding belonging to a woman could be quietly captured in her micro-expressions when listening.
Obara and Nymeria Sand respectfully performed a courtesy blending Dornish and island characteristics, offering their high regards to the Queen.
Queen Alicia's sharp, sea-eagle-like gaze lingered on their faces for a moment before warming with familiarity. She stood up and unhesitatingly opened her arms, giving them a strong and sincere hug—a greeting between kin of the same ancestor's blood. She embraced another branch of the warrior queen Nymeria's descendants from distant Dorne.
"Welcome back, my sisters." Her voice carried a hint of emotion from a long-awaited reunion. They had trained and lived together for several years in childhood, establishing a deep friendship.
After the pleasantries, Nymeria Sand solemnly took out a letter sealed with the Martell sun-and-spear wax, presenting it to Alicia, and said gravely, "This is a personal letter from Prince Doran to you."
Alicia took the letter, returned to her throne, and unfolded it with a focused expression.
The Isle of Women was isolated in a corner of the world, rarely engaging deeply with the outside. They knew nothing yet of the expedition storm about to be raised by the Iron Islands and Prince Jalabhar Xho. As she read deeper, a trace of shock flashed in her indigo eyes, quickly turning into lingering fear.
She slowly put down the letter, her voice lowering. "Thank Prince Doran for me. If not for his early warning, when the Iron Islands fleet pressed down like dark clouds, we would have been ignorant and inevitably... faced the calamity of extermination." She accurately summarized Doran's intent. "He says in the letter: let us support the Prince of the Red Flower Vale, help him become the King of the Summer Isles, tells us not to be enemies with the Iron Islands, and lets us stand on the side of the future victor."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Nymeria Sand confirmed.
Queen Alicia stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the peaceful island and playing children. Her back appeared firm and decisive. "With the power displayed by the Iron Islands, we cannot confront them head-on. Then, the only way to preserve our people is to follow the trend and make the wisest choice." She turned around and said slowly, "I have heard of the Iron Islands, and the title of that 'Master of Sea Beasts.' He indeed possesses the strength to trample rules. If we can gain his recognition, we can truly guarantee our safety."
Her words carried a trace of realistic helplessness and resentment. "In fact, our island of only women has long been plagued by pirates and slavers, worn out by the harassment. Like rats in a sewer, they have even sneaked in, abducted our sisters, and sold them to distant slave markets!" This accumulated humiliation now became one of the driving forces for her decision.
Joy flashed in Nymeria Sand's eyes. "So, Your Majesty, you do not object to cooperating with us?"
Queen Alicia walked back to the throne, her demeanor becoming graceful and firm again. "I am willing to cooperate! But, even if we recognize Jalabhar Xho as King of the Summer Isles, we must obtain his promise to guarantee the Isle of Women's independence and autonomy held for a thousand years. No outsider may interfere with our internal traditions and way of life."
"Of course!" Nymeria Sand responded immediately. "This has long been considered. Prince Jalabhar Xho personally promised that what he desires is a peaceful, unified, stable Summer Isles. He will never force changes upon the ancient faiths and traditions of any island."
Queen Alicia nodded with satisfaction. She took a deep breath, her voice clearly spreading through the great hall, carrying the Queen's unquestionable authority:
"Pass the order. Assemble all warriors on the island. Ready our spears and bows. The Isle of Women will fully support Jalabhar Xho in ascending the throne!"
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