CHAPTER 25. THE BEAR, THE DRAGON, AND THE LION
THE BEAR
JORAH MORMONT
The only son of Jeor Mormont the current Lord Commander of the Night's Watch is Jorah Mormont. Jorah is a knight in exile, because he was caught selling men into slavery. He needed the gold for his wife. Disgraced he is approached by Pryt spies to get close to the Targaryens and report their movements in exchange for a pardon.
Jorah makes his way to Pentos and ingratiates himself to Mopatis who in turn introduces him to King Aegon. Later Jorah goes with Aegon to Vaes Dothrak. As they travel he becomes infatuated with Princess Daenarys. "I have a gift for you my lady…" He hands her several books on the history of the seven kingdoms. "It was supposed to be a wedding gift…"
"Thank you…Sir Knight…You are from Westeros are you not?"
"I am…"
"How did you come to be here in Essos…"
"A long story my lady…"
"Sir Jorah!" Aegon says walking up to him.
"How may I help you your grace?"
Qotho, Cohollo, and Haggo are with him, "Why are you here Jorah Mormont?"
"My King?"
"You are long way from home…Knights who leave Westeros leave for riches or they are exiled, or looking for adventure…Which is Sir Jorah?"
"Exile. I was caught selling men into slavery…"
They are walking through camp, "So one might say you are a spy trying ti get close to me and my sister…" Jorah is about to speak, "Don't speak Sir Jorah this is me being cautious…See I grew up in King's Landing and later in Braavos…I really don't care about your past…I need people around me I can trust…But trust is something that must be earned." He stops and looks into his eyes, "So Sir Jorah how would you like to earn my trust?"
"What would you have me do your Grace…"
"The Unsullied was purchased for me by House Pathos who is hoping that I would sail across the sea and leave Essos. Once I consolidate my power in Vaes Dothrak I intend to march on Qarth…I need you to go to Qarth as a Merchant…Look for any weaknesses, potential allies, and sell swords in Qarth…When we attack you will open the gates for me…"
"I will not fail you my King…" As they travel Jorah develops a friendship with Daenarys.
THE DRAGON – VAES DOTHRAK
When Aegon and his Khalassar finally reached Vaes Dothrak, Jon Connington and the Unsullied arrived at the same time. The Unsullied camp outside the city, but Aegon has them build a fire pyre to place Khal Drogo's body on it along with two spies of House Pathos pretending to be Unsullied. Jon had them gelded for their treachery.
It is night time and the Dothraki stand around as Aegon and Daenarys stand hand and hand, after Jon Connington places the eggs on the pyre. Aegon drops the torch and walks into the fire with Daenarys. Neither of them scream as the flames consume the two screaming spies, the pyre, and Khal Drogo. The next morning the fire is dead and all is ashes except Aegon and Daenarys. Everyone bows because there are three baby Dragons, two crawling on Aegon, a black one and white Dragon. A green Dragon crawls on Daenarys.
"Blood of our Blood!" They Dothraki all say at the same time.
Later Aegon meets with Daenarys, Jon Connington, Grey Worm, Varys, Sir Barristan, Jorah Mormont, Sir Dylan Cade, and Khal Jhoqo. "House Pathos has taken the city of Volantis and as we speak they are attacking the cities of Myr and Lys…" Varys says.
"Perhaps we should make an alliance with House Pathos…" Jon Connington says.
"House Pathos was sworn to my House…They will either bow or burn…"
"What about the slaves of Volantis?" Daenarys asks.
"They were freed Princess…"
"We will attack the city of Qarth…" Aegon looks at Jorah Mormont, "I am sending Jorah Mormont to the city disguised as a Merchant…He will seek out potential allies and weaknesses in the city…" They discuss food and supplies and news from the West. Jorah Mormont leaves that day.
"What have you decided to name him…" Daenarys asks looking at the black dragon.
"His name shall be Drogon…after Khal Drogo…"
She frowns, "Why?"
"His death gave me the Dothraki as an army…His body fueled the flames that hatched our eggs…" He picks up the white Dragon, "I will name you Viserion…after our brother…"
"His name shall be Rhaegal for the brother I never knew…" Daenarys says holding the green Dragon…"
A month and three days would pass before they hear from Jorah. The day after the message arrives, they leave the city and march across land towards the city of Qarth. During this time King Arron's army is resting for the next attack on Slaver's Bay. It takes a month to reach the city and when they do the gates are opened and the Dragon army rushes into the city.
Aegon draws his swords and leads the charge into the city. As Aegon gallops into the city he decapitates a man pointing a spear at him. Dany follows firing arrows at enemy soldiers. Aegon spots Grey Worm and rides up to him. "Grey Worm! Take some men and position archers on the wall until we have secured this part of the city…"
The fighting lasts four days and when it is over the Targaryen Sigil flies on the ramparts and towers of the gates. "You have done well Sir Jorah…I name you Hand of the King…Arise!" he obeys.
"Your Grace may I present Xaro Xan Daxos…It was he and the mages of the house of the undying who aided us in overthrowing the city…"
"Xaro Xan Daxos for your aid I offer you Chief Magistrate of Qarth for helping us take the city…"
"Your Grace is most kind…May I present Master Pyat Pree Lord of the House of the Undying…"
He bows, "I am pleased to meet the father and mother of Dragons reborn into the world…"
"And how may I reward the Mages of the House of the Undying?"
"Our only wish is to serve and have a seat on your council…"
Aegon smiles, "Trust me earned Master Pyat…Jorah Mormont earned his when I sent him here…"
"Of course your grace…The woman you dream of…"
Aegon jumps up, "Silence!"
"Perhaps we can speak privately…" After court Aegon meets privately with Pyat who tells him about Josselyn, her Dragon, and where to find them. He also tells him about Jon Stark who is actually the son of Lyanna Stark and his brother Rhaegar Targaryen.
"Is it true?" Aegon asks to Varys later at dinner. Daenarys is present as well. Their Dragons play on the floor fighting over a burnt rat.
"It would explain a lot of things…Eddard Stark did not seem like the person who would throw aside his marriage vows…And there is that legendary fight at the Tower of Joy…As for Tyrion and Josselyn Lannister…It is a possibility…The Ma…I mean…"
Aegon raises his hand, "You can say Mad King Lord Varys…I will not be offended…"
"The Mad King…did have an attraction for Joanna Lannister…It could be possible…"
Aegon sighs, "What of your little birds?" Daenarys asks.
"I will make inquiries…"
That night Aegon receives a dream from Josselyn Lannister and she warns him about Pyat Pree and his order of mages. The next day Aegon invites all the mages to the palace and then he has them slaughtered by his Unsullied.
THE LION
Because Tynlar is growing up in the wild without the constraints of civilization, she is growing very quickly. Josselyn stares up in wonder looking forward to the day she would be able to ride her. Tynlar is as big as a horse now and within just three months. "My Lady here they come…" Tara says.
Josselyn looks southeast and spots her men approaching the mountain with much needed supplies. She had sent a hundred men to buy the things they needed that are running low. "Were you followed?"
"No My Lady…"
"Any news?"
"House Pathos has attacked the cities of Volantis, Myr, and Lys…" The man hands her a letter.
Josselyn sighs and balls up the letter, "What is it?"
She looks at Tara, "My cousin Tywin is dead…Murdered really…on the orders of the King…I saw it recently in a fire vision…"
"Are you going to tell your family?"
"Not yet…When the time is right the lannisters will pay their debts…We always do…"
Tara looks at Tynlar, "Well with a Dragon you can most certainly make that happen…"
Later after dinner when everyone is sleeping Josselyn stares into the fire and sees Aegon take the city of Qarth. Then she sees the mages of House of the Undying try to steal Aegon's Dragons. She reaches out to him through the fire and warns him.