Sister's Keeper
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 11: The Red Waste.
There haven't been any more dreams of Visenya since Khal Drogo's funeral. It's hard to explain, especially that Daenerys survived from being burned alive by fire. Not a mark on her. Nothing showing signs of being burned. Could what Visenya said, that Aegon the Fifth did a spell in an attempt to hatch dragon eggs backfires and prevented Daenerys and I from being burned? Still doesn't make sense with Viserys being by molten golden unless its only fire that doesn't harm us while heat from other elements can.
Another thing that is hard to understand is the three baby dragons. The eggs were petrified, hard as stone. Any dragons inside would be fossilized into mere bone. Yet there are three living dragons curling around us like kittens. Was this the reason why Vhagar was active in the dream realm? Sensing that dragons are hatching in the real world? One, in particular, has grown attached to me. The cream and golden one. When Daenerys tried to hold him, he would immediately jump out of her arms and back on me.
"He likes you," Daenerys chuckled.
"Ow," I winced when the golden dig its talons into my breast. "A bit too much."
Daenerys chuckled, as she sat on the makeshift bed with the black and green one. The black dragon had bonded with Daenerys. When I try to hold him, he would bite my hand and scurry to Daenerys. As for the green one, it was indecisive. Mainly goes for whoever has food, scratches his back, or soft enough to cuddle.
"What do you know about dragons?" Daenerys asked.
"Complex creatures," I answered. "Currently their mind is like dogs until bonding with a person who holds Valyrian blood. Our ancestors would place dragon eggs on Targaryen newborns and see if a dragon hatch. If they do, they are dragon riders, if they don't then they are not pure dragons. But the dragons choose the rider, not the other way around."
"What do they eat?" She asked.
"Meat," I answered. "Fresh meat, preferably from their kills. At least that is what the books say."
"And they can be big as Balerion?"
"I don't know. It's been over a hundred and fifty years since the world has last seen a dragon. The longer they live, the bigger they get. But without freedom, they remain small and sickly. The Dance of Dragons was the extinction of the Westerosi dragons. The doom of Valyria killed the south, and great men killed the rest."
My sister nodded as she petted the black dragon, "What should we name them?"
"Well, our ancestors named the dragons after the Valyrian gods, the wild dragons were named after their scales except for the wild dragons, The Cannibal, Sheepstealer, and Grey Wind," I said.
The black dragon nuzzles Daenerys neck, she petted it's back making it purr, "I think I'll call him Drogon."
"After your husband," I noted.
Daenerys nodded sadly, she changed the subject, "What about yours?"
I looked at the gold dragon and tried to think of a name. It looked at me, tilting its head. If the dragon were a dragoness, I would have name her Visenya. But the little one was a male. Remembering that Viserys is the male equivalent to Visenya. However, I don't want to be continuously reminded of my brother-husband. Saying his name brings sadness and the pain I endure in the marriage. A husband is supposed to love and cherish his wife, not abused them. The golden dragon licked my cheek. By instincts, I knew this little one will protect me when he is older. Something Viserys was incapable of doing.
"Viserion," I named him. "But he will be better."
"Agreed," Daenerys said.
Our eyes turned to the green dragon who was snoozing on a pillow. A bit of smoke coming out of his nostrils. We chuckled, for it was odd to comparing the dragon to a cat.
"What about this one?" I asked.
"I don't know, it's not like we have a third husband," she said. "What was our older brother like?"
"Rhaegar?" I asked.
She nodded.
"I don't have a sharp memory from when I was three," I started. "But he was there to watch Rhaenys, and I play. I remember him sitting on a chair playing his silver harp. He would laugh at how silly we were. Picking us up in the air and swung us around. Promised that when he becomes king…everything will be better." I didn't realize my eyes water, as I wiped the tears away. "Sorry."
"Don't be, I wish I knew him. All I heard from Viserys was that he was a fighter. A knight. Yet, when you talk about him, he held a softer side." She said as she took my hand. "We should name the green one after him. Rhaegon." She paused for it sound weird. "Rhaegal?"
The green dragon snapped it's head up as if hearing its name. We chuckled and called the green on Rhaegal. Our husbands and brothers were now with us in dragon form. We may have lost our loved ones, but now they are reincarnated in stronger forms.
"Alysanne, Khaleesi!" Ser Jorah called outside.
"Come," Daenerys said.
The exiled knight entered the tent seeing us with the dragons. His blue eyes were filled with awe. A man who was once a cynic has witnessed two women who can't be harm by fire and the birth of three dragons.
"What is it, Ser Jorah?" I asked.
He snapped out of his daze and looked at us. "Our riders returned, the North, west, and east are too dangerous to travels. The Lhazeen have heard of the raids and are preparing to kill us. The Dothraki, if they see us would enslave and or kill us. And the Bayasabhad is mountains or not suitable for the Khalasar."
"But I am a Khaleesi," Daenerys said.
"Which they will spare you to become a member of the Dosh Khaleen. But Alysanne and the rest of the women would be enslaved or forced to be wives." Ser Jorah said.
"You mention Asshai," I brought up.
"That is southeast, your grace," he said. "If it were the three of us, we can travel quickly around the trails. However, I don't think the Khalasar will make it."
"What do you mean?" Daenerys asked.
"We would have to travel through the Red Waste," he answered. "There is a lake halfway through it, but these lands are barren. Only the sand people know how to survive."
It was a hard decision. The east was mountains, risking death and the unknown climate. Meanwhile, the lands we have traveled through of Lhazar and the Dothraki sea is dangerous with people who wanted to kill us, because of Drogo's campaign or rivalry. South was our only options, but as Ser Jorah said, it's a barren desert. The choice belongs to Daenerys since this was her Khalasar.
"How far is the nearest watering hole?" Daenerys asked.
"Two days from here," Ser Jorah answered. "Afterwards, none for many miles unless you seek the one in the Red Waste."
Daenerys sighed, having no choice, she chosen south. Hoping we can run into the Sand people and lead us the way to the trails towards a port city. Nothing further to discuss, we got the Khalasar ready for travel. I helped pack her tent, though sadness filled her eyes from memories of Drogo. I hugged her, rubbing her back. She hugged me back, sobbing slightly. She loved Drogo, she honestly did.
"You are young," I murmured. "You will find love again."
"I don't think I can," she said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I spoke to the witch once more, and she told me that she cursed me," She explained. "She told me that I'm barren. No longer able to have children."
"Danny, she is not a reliable source," I told her. "Our bodies take time to recover after giving birth. You are only seventeen. You are young, and when the time comes and fate decides. I mean look at me, other than a miscarriage I haven't conceived a child."
My sister nodded, and soon we finished packing and put the dragons in their cages for the time being. It was a long two days when reaching the watering hole supplying as much water as possible before our long journey through the Red Waste. Some members of the Khalasar left, holding superstition about the desert. In the end, we continue walking in hopes to find somewhere safe.
.o0o.
And I thought the Dothraki Sea was hot or Lhazar. I was utterly mistaken, as we travel through the Red Waste. All around it was nothing but flat, barren lands of sand. The sun hovering over us like the fires from the Seven Hells. Far hotter than the hottest day in Volantis three summers. The air was dry, the ground was warm, the sun blazing, and fatigue grew heavy.
We've been traveling for weeks since the last watering hole and resources we could find. But as we travel far south, more khalasar members died. Jhiqui was one of the victims who perished from sunstroke. A loyal handmaiden. Being of the Dothraki faith, we cremated her body along with the others who died. It would be a week when reaching the lake that Ser Jorah mentioned. Many days, we travel by the lake receiving as much water as possible.
When we camp, Ser Jorah continued his lessons with the swords. It was a struggle, due to the environment, but Ser Jorah informed me that it's best to adapt instead of relying on one source. So, we trained, still with the defensive maneuvers until he thought I was ready to learn one offense attacks. Afterward, we would return to camp and recover.
By the time the lake came to an end, we gather as much water and continued onward south. We were losing hope when a comment soars through the sky. One with a red tail.
I walked beside Daenerys with Doreah beside us. I hardly talked to her, not because she was Viserys mistress, but we hardly connect in conversation. Still, the woman has done so much for Daenerys, especially how to be a good lover. I try not to imagine what transpire between the two.
Anyway, Drogon was on Daenerys's shoulder as she tried to offer him a piece of meat. The black dragon refused, being stubborn as ever. Out of the three dragons, Drogon was the most stubbornness of them all. Viserion can be picky, while Rhaegal seems to be the only one who is compliant. Then again, Rhaegal mainly sleeps. Eats and sleep.
"What did your brother say about them, Khaleesi?" Doreah asked.
"He said they ate meat," Daenerys answered.
"He didn't tell you what kind of meat?" Doreah continued.
Daenerys shook her head, "My brother didn't know anything about dragons."
"He didn't know anything about anything," I muttered.
Daenerys stopped the carriage that held the cages and put Drogon inside. Viserion gave a hiss thinking he had to go in. I rubbed his neck, and continue walking. If the legends are true about dragons growing faster when free, then it's best Viserion was out. Only at night, when I go to sleep does he go in the cage. I took a bit of raw meat trying to offer it to Viserion. The gold dragon sniffed it, and wrinkle its nose in disgust. Sometimes the dragons would munch on a bit of cook meat, but in the end, it wasn't enough. One-time Daenerys tried to nurse them since her body was dealing with post pregnancy. It worked for several days, but the predators needed meat. If there were some mice maybe. We haven't seen any living thing roaming about.
A whining of a horse could be heard. Looking up, we saw the white horse collapsed onto the ground. Ser Jorah and Aggo, were there by the horse checking its condition. Daenerys rushed over, as did I. Her eyes watered, as she petted the horse. Another victim to sunstroke.
"She was Drogo's first gift to me," Daenerys mumbled.
"I remember," I said.
"I promised to protect them. Promised them their enemies would die screaming. How do I make starvation scream?" She asked us.
"A trick I never learned, I'm afraid," Ser Jorah confessed.
"Does it ever end?" she asked.
"This is further east than I've ever been. But, yes, Khaleesi, everything ends, even the Red Waste," Ser Jorah answered.
"And you're sure there are no other way?" She asked.
"If we go Southwest to the land of the Lhazareen the Lamb Men will kill us and take your dragons. If we go Northwest to the Dothraki Sea, the first Khalasar we meet will kill us and take your dragons." He answered.
"No one will take our dragons," She promised.
"They are too weak to fight, as are your people," I whispered, gesturing to the small khalasar. "You must be their strength."
Daenerys looked at me, "As you are mine."
Afterward, she called in her Khas, "Rakharo, Aggo, Kovarro. Take our remaining horses. You will ride east, you southeast, and you northeast."
"What do we seek, Khaleesi?" Rakharo asked.
"Cities, living or dead. Caravans and people. River or lakes or the great salt sea," Daenerys answered. "Find how far the Red Waste extends before us, and what lies on the other side."
The men nodded as they got the horses ready. In the meantime, the camp was being set up to form tents. Not as grand as before, but enough to provide shade to reduce the heat. Daenerys went over to Rakharo giving her blessing before he went east. In the meantime, the rest of the Khalasar waited.
It was too hot to exhort energy to train, so I sat on a boulder and used a dagger to practice on my grip. Viserion, curled around my neck nuzzling it. Licking off the sweat, I shudder from the texture of his tongue then chuckle. Some of the khalasar children came over, awing at the dragon. They asked if they could pet him, but I told them not too. Not wanting to risk them getting bitten or severely scratched. A while later, they returned to their parents.
"You have your way with children," Ser Jorah complimented as he came over with a canteen.
"I guess so," I sighed. "I always wanted children of my own."
"A woman of your age, I'm surprised you don't have one," he said.
I took a deep breath, "I was once pregnant three years ago. Unfortunately, I miscarried."
"I'm sorry to hear that, I did not know," he apologized.
"It's probably be for the best," I said. "The child wouldn't have survived all this traveling in these conditions. Along with Viserys temper."
Ser Jorah nodded as he handed me his canteen. I refused at first, but he insisted. Parched already, I accepted and took a small sip from the canteen, not wanting to take much of his ration. I made a small cap full, in which Viserion licked it up before returning it to Ser Jorah.
"Was it a mistake going south?" I asked him.
"It was the only choice we had," he answered. "Even if we made it through Lhazar and entered the country of Yunkai or Meereen, we would still be dealing with slavers. They may pardon you, Daenerys, and I, but the rest of the Khalasar will be taken. Slaver's Bay they call the area."
"Have you've been there?"
"Not in a very long time. One I do not wish to go there again."
I nodded, then looked at my charm Visenya gave me. Remembering the riddle in what I must do: "Trials and tribulations, my dragoness. You shall go far south in the east, there you will meet the undying. They shall show you what is to come. Next, you shall sail north, in the land of harpies learning what it means to rule. Then, when the horses shall come, and krakens lend its ships, west you go. You will be tested, friends become enemies, enemies become friends, betrayed and heartbroken. A lioness shall challenge you, and a white wolf shall support you. Listen to the wolf, for he has seen what is to come."
The first thing I must do is meet the undying. They are supposed to show me what is to come. But what is the undying? Is it some cult or organization? A race of people?
"Ser Jorah, have you heard of the undying?" I asked.
"I have heard of the word, but I do not understand what you are asking," He answered.
"Is there someplace, religion, a culture called the undying?" I asked.
"I do not know, your grace," he answered. "I've never been this far east and south. Why do you ask?"
I did not answer. I was afraid, he would think I have gone mad. Even I do not know if I'm going crazy, with these dreams and hearing Visenya's voice. But when this charm appeared on my hand, it was my clarification I wasn't going insane. It's like the far east we go, more magic appears. Spirits, witches, and dragons…what's next?
"The witch mentioned it," I lied. "I'm just curious is all."
Ser Jorah nodded, as he looked up ahead. I looked up staring at the comet that soars overhead. There is a meaning behind every comet. The books once mention that a comet can be a sign of good fortune, an omen, or the return of magic. All depends on the color, and red can be questionable.
.o0o.
Days go by as the heat worsen. Everyone took shelter in the tents or by the rocky ravine praying the khas return with news. I sat next to Daenerys, who close to falling unconscious head nearly resting on my shoulder. Viserion resting on my lap nuzzling against my stomach.
Ser Jorah sat across from us, looking ahead to keeping watch. He pulled out his canteen and took a small sip of water. He appeared weather-worn, the dehydration making him look older than he already was. It was strange how loyal he is to us. Most of our lives, men take advantage of my family for favors since being in exile. The true loyal knight being Ser Willem. So, seeing another loyal knight, traveling with us, protecting Daenerys and I was strange. He killed a bloodrider, he stopped a poisoning attempt, broke traditions of a swordsman to train me, and mentor us. There were many chances he had in abandoning us for his own survival. And yet he stayed by our side.
The exiled knight head shot up and look at the horizon. Something was approaching, as the sounds of hooves were noted. "Khaleesi, your grace."
Daenerys is woken up seeing a horse arriving. Something was wrong, it was Rakharo's horse, as the saddle and blankets were the same. But the dark horse was covered in red paint and missing its rider. Ser Jorah stood up and walked over to expect it. The knight noticed a satchel on the side. He cautiously opened it, to what he saw made him frown, partially pulling out something then put it back, then took what appears to be braided hair.
Daenerys and I stood up walking over. I was the first to ask, "What is it?"
"You don't need to see this," Ser Jorah advised.
"He's blood of my blood," Daenerys said, walking over and saw the content in the bag. Our eyes widen in seeing it was Rakharo head. "Who did this?
"Khal Pono, perhaps. Khal Jhaqo," Ser Jorah guessed. "They don't like the idea of a woman leading a Khalasar."
"They will like it far less when I am done with them," Daenerys threatened.
Irri walked over. Oh no, she and Rakharo had a Dothraki courtship. It wasn't expressive as it would be in Westeros or in the Free Cities, but you can see the small gestures of care. The handmaiden saw the blood and gasped before sobbing. She was fallen to her knees, weeping for her love.
"They killed his soul!" Irri wailed.
Daenerys comforted her handmaiden, cradling her cheek, "Shh. They cannot kill his soul."
"They did!" Irri wept. "They butcher him like an animal. They did not burn his body. He can never join his ancestors in the night lands."
My sister knelt, embracing her handmaiden, "Shh. We will build him a funeral pyre." She glances at Ser Jorah and I, before cradling Irri looking into her eyes. "And I promise you, Rakharo will ride with his ancestors tonight."
Irri sobbed embracing her Khaleesi.
Later that night we built a funeral pyre for Rakharo following Dothraki tradition. Providing more offerings, and supplies to appease the Great Stallion to accept the fallen ko. Daenerys called him her ko in her speech as the elders did the prayer. Irri was given a torch, as she said farewell to her lover. Afterward, the night was silent, and the Red Waste has claimed another soul.
I became more concern as time keeps passing. The longer we wait, the faster our provision are fading. Water decreasing in large quantities, not because of consumption, but the heat evaporating it. Either we start moving, or we will die here. Ser Jorah agreed; however, we could not abandon the Khalasar and Kovarro, and Aggo haven't returned.
The following day Aggo returned, sadly all he found were barren mountains. There was no source of food, water, or civilizations. Daenerys worried, leaving Kovarro our only hope of survival.
.o0o.
Daenerys's POV
The Mother of Dragons started to worry. Her Ko, her blood of her blood, Rakharo was dead, brutality murdered by a Khal who doesn't accept her running a khalasar. Daenerys tried hard to comfort her handmaiden Irri, knowing the woman loved Rakharo. When Aggo returned, she had hoped he found something, but once more all he saw was more lands and no life. She prays to the gods that Kovarro will find something. At least water.
A lot of sacrifices had to be made the last several days. When Silver her horse died, the Khalasar used the mare's meat to eat. Food that lasted a few days, but still wasn't enough. She rations more of the water, only the children getting a fair amount. Still starvation was growing.
She walked around finding Alysanne surrounded by children as she tried to tell them a story in Dothraki. The children were chuckling, since the dragoness Dothraki was terrible. Not because she got the words or pronunciation wrong, but her accent. The story was about Aegon the Conqueror, and his conquest over the Seven Kingdoms. Viserion was on her shoulder, purring making noises that the children were more interested in him than the story.
Another thing Daenerys noticed was Ser Jorah watching them from the side. The Khaleesi noticed the exiled knight being in her sister's company. At first, she thought Ser Jorah was a good friend, as he has been with her. But lately, since Vaes Dothrak, she noticed how awfully close he has become. The way he looked at Alysanne the same when Drogo looked at her, yet doesn't pursue it. After Viserys, Daenerys wanted her sister to be happy, to be loved or some sort of affection. Seeing Jorah, she wouldn't mind being the one. Daenerys sees him as a father figure, he could be a perfect match for Alysanne. Once they get out of this desert, she got a lot of work cut out.
A horse whining caught her attention as she turned around seeing a rider. Approaching the small camp was none other than Kovarro. On his return, she noticed he was riding a different horse since this was dark fur and the one, he left many days ago was grey, along with many supplies strapped to it.
"This is not your horse," She mumbled.
Kovarro got off the horse and brought a canteen made of the finest leather over handing it to her. It was heavy, full of liquid. Water. Her eyes widen looking at her bloodrider.
"It was given to me by the Thirteen," Kovarro explained happily. "The Elders of Qarth."
"Qarth?" Daenerys asked, never heard of this country or city. Esso was divided into nations, and each nation holds its capital with the same name. She knows of Westeros nine kingdoms and the Free Cities on the western side of Essos, and geography of islands, but the far east was still unknown.
"Three days to the east, on the sea," Kovarro said.
"Will they let us in?" she asked.
"They said they would be honor to receive the Mother of Dragons and the Dragoness of the West," Kovarro answered.
Daenerys turned to Ser Jorah and Alysanne who stood behind her.
"What do you know of this place?" Daenerys asked them
Ser Jorah crossed his arms thinking, "Only that the desert around their walls is called the Garden of Bones. Every time the Qartheen shut their gates on a traveler, the garden grows."
"What kind of city are they?" Alysanne asked.
"A trade city of riches," Ser Jorah answered.
"There may be a chance someone may know Magister Illyrio," Alysanne suggested. "Or someone who seeks a favor from House Targaryen. The choice is yours, Daenerys, this is your Khalasar."
Daenerys nodded as she thought about it. They have enough provisions for three days, and if being a Targaryen holds the same favor as it has in the West then they are saved. But a part of her worries, in what Ser Jorah mentioned that if they turn them down, they will be part of the garden of bones. Having no other place to go, they packed up and went for the city of Qarth.
It's shocking that Season two gives the Essos Storyline in the desert three episodes of Daenerys and Jorah waiting. Sorry if this chapter seems less interesting. It will get better soon.
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