"This is...different" Said Ragnorh as he took in the sight of semi-organized, somewhat efficient groups of Dothraki warriors training in both pyke and spear formations. The Dothraki signature weapon, the arakh, a tool truly synonymous with their very existence but is anything but their one and only weapon of choice. The throwing spear, both a weapon of war and a tool for hunting in Dothraki society. Rarely were spearmen used to any significant effect in combat, however. Occasionally a group of warriors would collectively run towards their enemy and hurl their spears before readying their arakh's. But never had the Dothraki thought to line themselves shoulder-to-shoulder with their fellow warriors in such a way. Those at the front of the formations bore large pikes, unfit for throwing, along with rectangular wooden training shields. immediately behind them stood more warriors with the same training shields, but instead of bearing pikes they wielded javelins.
"Kaileena certainly has made some changes in our absence." Added Celia, observing a Dothraki man viciously hacking and slashing at a suit of armor with an arakh, much to no avail. His attempt was soon halted by another man bearing a large hammer, not unlike those used by metalsmiths. The handle was only slightly longer than average, and was wrapped in leather. It's head was heavily engraved with various markings, not unlike the ones the Dothraki are known to paint on themselves. It only took one powerful blow to cave in the chest plate. The man held the warped piece of armor high before receiving cheers and applause from his fellow warriors.
"That's new." commented Xara.
As the group moved further down the godsway their eyes took in their fill of the new sights and sounds. They passed rows upon rows of archers. The Dothraki were notorious for their skill of bow and arrow, especially for their accuracy from mobile horseback. Inside the city, everyone was hard at work doing one thing or another, sometimes multiple tasks at once. The children ran about, some playing, some working, most doing both at once. Various cooking fires were ablaze throughout the city, most with cauldrons of water boiling over them that would soon be turned into thick stews, others with spits over them cooking old horses that had succumbed to time, wild dogs, chickens, and various other common animals. An army travels on it's stomach, a wise man once told me. Never before have those words seemed truer to me. Celia commented. A population operates on it's stomach is much more fitting. Xara said in response. The group had slowed the collective pace of their steeds to barely a trot, hardly believing that the increasingly well-oiled-machine of a populace that they watched before them was the notorious Dothraki, known only for their savagery. This state of disbelief was not allowed rumination in their minds however, as they witnessed a woman in the process of washing clothes be grabbed from behind by a seemingly random man, his hands ravaged her breasts and nethers while she continued what she had been doing. The man then dropped his thin silk breaches, and lifted the woman's dress and kicked her legs apart before entering her. The woman still continued her task, paying no attention to the man thrusting in and out of her with all his might. Well, at least we know these are still our Dothraki. Interjected Ragnor.
The group's only other distraction that impeded their progress to Kaileena was the tall, slender building that had the sigil of House Targaryen hanging from it's highest window...
"Mormont?" Celia questioned as she entered the hall and laid eyes on councilor's table where Kaileena sat with Jorah Mormont and a young man that she did not know. The entering trio exchanged confused looks and shrugs before taking their place at the table.
"Are you planning on giving us an explanation?" Asked Celia.
"There is not much to explain, I simply...borrowed The final Targaryens one and only sworn sword." Kaileena answered while running her newly-braided hair through her hands, the gold rings that adorned her long, thick braid still cool to the touch.
"In exchange for her own slice of Vaes Dothrak." Commented Xara.
"It's only one building with a few slaves." Kaileena replied. "Enough about the Targaryen in our city, we have far more pressing matters to attend to." she continued. "Mormont, go oversee the services will not be needed here anymore for today." Jorah, wordless, made his way out of the hall. "Now, allow me to introduce you all to Nammo." She smiled as she gestured toward the young man. "I am proud to announce that he is the first of what I hope will be many generals in our forces."
"This...boy? He's green as summer grass in The Reach! His hair isn't even braided, so you know he's never won a battle." Ragnarh interjected.
"What I lack in tried-and-true skill, I more than make up for with learned knowledge." The boy spoke in the most civil Dothraki accent any of them had ever heard. "Unlike most my...our people, I have a love of the written word. As well as a love of experience. The merchants from both the Free Cities and Slaver's Port have come to know me by my want of books. Most of what they bring are re-written military histories. Books about strategies and tactics used by the ancient empires of Ghis and Valyria."
"That's all well and good. But you'll have to forgive me if I don't see the point of learning the ways of the long-dead peoples of ruined cities. Especially seeing as neither Ghis nor Valyria stand anymore. If you're going to take lessons from history, why not take them from civilizations that are still around?" Ragnarh replied with sarcasm in his voice, with a hint of genuine wonder.
"Ghis and Valyria fell for two different reasons. Ghis fell due to it's inability to stand against the dragons of Valyria, Valyria itself did not fall due to any military opposition, they were literally in the wrong place, at the wrong time, for the entirety of their existence until the doom finally came for them. Some claim that the Free Hold fell to more than simple natural disaster even. Many claim that the gods of all faiths frowned heavily upon the Valyrians for bastardising the art of war with the dragons that they happened upon. Regardless of how or why these two great powers from when the world was young fell into decay and decline, the simple fact of the matter is that they are far from "long-dead". The Targaryen family might be lacking in numbers as of late, but they still exist. The legions of Old Ghis were, and still are to this very day seen as the greatest armies of the known world. The slavers of Astapor love to throw around the claim that they're "Unsullied are the hosts of Old Ghis, born again!" I've never witnessed the Unsullied in combat, and if you know anything at all about their...impact on Dothraki history, it should go without saying that I do not wish to."
"As much as I'm enjoying this moment you two are having, we have other matters to attend to." Celia interrupted. "Speaking of the Unsullied, there are nearly 10,000 of them ready for combat waiting to be bought in Astapor."
"There are many other sellsword companies to consider as well." Xara said as he place the scroll of names on the table.
"I do hope the next mission is at the very least more exciting." Commented Ragnorh
"Oh, forgive me if traveling to one of the most beautiful places in the known world is too mundane for you, Ragnorh. Perhaps we should trade places because I'm not sure how much longer I can stand staying in this crowded city. But I can't go anywhere without hundreds of thousands of people following me wherever I go..." Kaileena said with a shrug.
"You should be happy about that fact, Khal. You are trying to transform the Dothraki, are you
not? The fact that you have populated an entire city with a formerly nomadic people is a good sign that your plan is working." Nammo said with a smile. "Though, I wonder what is the immediate goal? It's most obvious that you are trying to turn the Dothraki warriors into a much more organized force, but what do you want this new force to look like?" Nammo inquired.
A smirk grew on the khal's face. "I am truly surprised that you of all people would ask such a question. Someone who clearly knows much about armies. The immediate goal is to create a new age of foot soldier with the our people. The first age of the foot soldier came from Ghiscar, this was ended when the dragonlords came. But now, there are no dragons, and it is time for the foot soldier to rise again. Don't mistake my words however. I'm not attempting to transform the Dothraki into the bannermen of Westeros, or the legions of Old Ghis. This is the dawn of something new, different. The perfect balance of fearless savagery, and training and organization. Our armies will be nothing like anything this world has ever seen! The Hordes they'll call our hosts. Legions made up of reformed warriors both male and female, former slaves that will find their freedom on the battlefields...but I'm getting ahead of myself now. And it's getting late. I suggest that you all go and rest. I have quite the announcement to make tomorrow...
The steppes of the Dothraki Sea took on a blue-hue as rain clouds blotted out the sun, giving man and beast alike a welcome break from the beating sun. You will not rape, plunder, pillage, or sack. "Nammo," Ragnarh called while riding alongside him "Tell me something, why does our Khal believe that she can simply trust the Dothraki to not do the very things that they were raised to do? I certainly understand the point in going to Lhazar and adding the country to our territory, but why exactly does she feel that she can do this with peace?"
"Simple, she trust in her people." Nammo said with a smile.
"But do the Dothraki not despise the docile herders and farmers that are the Lhazareen? For longer than anyone can remember the Dothraki have raided them, enslaved them. Yet now, out of nowhere, she thinks that's all ancient history and we can simply politely ask for Lhazareen to accept us as protector; better yet, she expects the Dothraki to defend them."
"This is no raid. This is a pilgrimage. Have you not taken a look at who Khal Kailo hand picked for this embarkment? People with wives, or children, or both. She hopes that having loved ones present will deter any of what is typical of Dothraki activities in Lhazar. As for the tension between the Lhazareen and us, the likelihood of that tension becoming volatile is null. She intentionally sent a small group made up mostly of women, children and slaves. The Lhazar, as you said are very docile. I'm sure they won't take to s being in Lhazar at first, but once they see they we have come as simply nothing more than a group of migrants they will resume their normal lives."
"Speaking of slaves, I've noticed that majority of them aren't kept shackled or chained. Even when out in the open as we are, why do they not attempt to flee?" Ragnarh inquired.
"Flee, where would they go? The Dothraki Sea is very large, and rife with danger. What would they eat? Almost all that grows here is the tall grass, and even that is sparse in some parts of our land. Then of course there is the fact that most people cannot outrun a horse." Nammo replied.
The conversation ceased as the warm rains began to pour as the group made it's way to Lhazar.
