Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones. Everything belongs to George R.R Martin.
Chapter XXIII - Qarth
Daeron POV
After three long days, we arrived in the city of Qarth. More and more members of the Khalasar had died, mostly the women and the children, we had cremated them. Jhiqui had died from the heat and she was cremated too, I hope that she would be with Kovarro. We followed Rhakaro who led the way, the valley that was surrounded by bones. The closer we got to the wall, the fewer skulls appeared. Up ahead, was the wall that surrounded the city, about fifty feet tall. Out of precaution, we put the dragons in their cage. Elianna and Dragon hissed at us, but we knew it was for the best. We are in unknown territory, a merchant city, and where there are merchants, there are thieves.
"Control your emotions," I told Daenerys.
"What do you mean?" Daenerys asked, slightly impulsive.
"Try not to yell about burning people." I joked. "You know, you're slightly impulsive, like our uncle Oberun, I've seen you become much more prideful after uncle Viserys died."
"So have you." Daenerys pointed out with a smile.
"I know, but we need help right now, try to be calm now." I said. "We need to make sure we don't repeat the mistake with Drogo."
Daenerys nodded and I sighed in relief, I don't need Daenerys to ruin everything right now. I said we just to make sure Daenerys won't feel guilty about Drogo. The gates to the City of Qarth opened and we were greeted by guards holding spears and shields. Behind them were men dressed in elegant silks and gold. We kept our distance, being considerate to the Capitals customs. Daenerys was not pleased.
"I thought we were welcome," Daenerys said grimly.
"If you heard a Dothraki horde was approaching your city, you might do the same, Khaleesi," Ser Jorah replied.
I looked at Daenerys' Khalasar which was more in the size of a caravan, "Horde?"
One man out of the group came forward wearing an orange robe with golden designs, and jewels on his shoulder. He appeared middle aged, balding with tan skin. He must be the leader of the Thirteen considering he stood at the center.
"My name is Daeron-" I began.
"Daeron of the House Targaryen," the representative interrupted. "And your sister, Daenerys Stormborn."
"You know of us, my lord?" I asked bewildered, probably Rhakaro had told them about us.
"Only by reputation, your grace," he answered. "And I'm no lord, merely a humble merchant. They call you two the Dragon Siblings. Like you, your grace, are the Dornish Dragon and your sister is the Mother of Dragons."
"And may I ask for your name, sir?" I ask, wondering when they had called us that.
"Oh, my name is quite long and quite impossible for foreigners to pronounce," he said rolling his eyes, which made me slightly annoyed. "I am simply a trader of spices. But we are the Thirteen, charged with the governance and protection of Qarth, the greatest city that ever was or will be."
"The beauty of Qarth is legendary," I said, making sure I pronounced the city correctly. Even though I've never seen Qarth before, I hoped a bit of flattery might put off the Spice King.
"Thank you," The Spice King said. "Might we see the dragons?"
I glanced over my shoulder to look at the cages.
"Why?" I demanded, knowing Daenerys won't be pleased.
"Well, no one in Qarth has seen a dragon for many years. We would love to see one." The Spice King said.
"My friend, we have no food, no water...Only when I see my people are fed, we are honored-" Daenerys began.
"Forgive me, Mother of Dragons, but no man alive has seen a living dragon." He said. "Some of my more skeptical friends refused to believe your children even exist. All we ask is the chance to see for ourselves."
Daenerys scowled, "I am not a liar."
"Oh, I don't think you are." He replied sarcastically. "But as I've never met you before, my opinion on the matter is of limited value."
"Where I come from, guests are treated with respect, not insulted at the gates," Daenerys forced out, trying to be kind, yet the annoyance can be detected.
"Dany, enough," I hissed.
"Then perhaps you should return to where you come from," He said calmly. "We wish you well."
Daenerys marched over, I tried to stop her, but it was the guards to stopped her pointing their spears.
"What are you doing?" She demanded. "You promised to receive us?"
The representative turned around, "We have received you. Here we are, and here you are."
"If you do not let us in, all of us will die." She said.
"Which we shall deeply regret." He said. "But Qarth did not become the greatest city that ever was or will be by letting Dothraki savages through its gates." He gave a bow and joined the rest of the thirteen.
"Khaleesi, please be careful," Ser Jorah warned and Rhakaro moved forwards, holding his whip.
Daenerys growled as she bellowed, "Thirteen!" This caused the men to stop and face us. "When my dragons are grown, we will take back what was stolen from us and destroy those who wronged us. We will lay waste to armies and burn cities to the ground. Turn us away, and we will burn you first."
"Daenerys!" I hissed. As much as I love that to happen, we can't threaten people. The representative came back to us, pointing his finger, "Ah. You are a true Targaryen. Only, as you said a moment ago, if we don't let you into the city, you will all die. And so…"
"If I present you my dragon, will you allow us access," I interrupted. "Does the offer still stand?"
The baffled the man while Daenerys gave me a small glare. The men huddle, discussing it until their representative came forward. "Yes."
"Thank you" I said ignoring Daenerys' glare. The spice king smiled widely. "But only one."
The spice merchant nodded and I opened the cage. Elianna crawled to me and I showed the spice merchant and the thirteen, they looked awed. But the Spice King had to say, "It's quite small."
"Not it. He, and he was born a few days ago." Daenerys said defensively. "We have no food-"
"The animal is a risk to our city." One of the dignitaries spoke.
"The dragons are small, not large enough yet. We promise that we will not harm anyone." I said.
"How could you be sure?" Another dignitary spoke. For some reason, I became really annoyed, wanting nothing but to burn the dignitary.
"In Westeros, we practice guest rights." I said trying to remain calm. I was tempted to yell, "If you turn us away, we'll burn you first."
"I say we let them in." A huge dark skinned man said. His name was Xaro Xhoan Daxos. Xaro Xhoan Daxos was only a few inches taller than me, a head taller than Daenerys. "Qarth did not become the greatest city in the world by turning away visitors."
"Fine." The Spice King grumbled.
"Thank you, Xaro Xhoan Daxos." I said thankfully. I gave Daenerys a warning look, if it weren't for Xaro's generosity, we would be starving.
oOoOo
Qarth is really one of the most beautiful city in the world. I've travelled all around the world during my exile in the Free Cities and they all pale in comparison to Qarth. The buildings in Qarth are colorful. Decorations include a bronze arch fashioned in the likeness of two snakes mating, their scales delicate flakes of jade, obsidian, and lapis lazuli. Slim towers stand tall, and elaborate fountains fill every square, wrought in the shapes of griffins and dragons and manticores. The balconies of the houses are delicate and frail.
Xaro's palace which was grander than Magister Illyrio's manse in Pentos. Practically having acres of land, filled with buildings and gardens and pools. He gave us an entire wing, and told his staff to provide any accommodations for the Khalasar. Giving us a tour, he presented the apartment where Daenerys and I would be staying, on each side was a bedchamber and in the center was a joining solar lounge and also two seperate beds. The room had a three-sided wall, as the main wall was an open window that viewed the gardens. In the gardens, it smelled of lavender and mint, where a marble bathing pooled stocked with goldfish.
"I hope the apartment is to your liking, your grace," Xaro said.
"It's more than enough," I said thankfully. "Thank you."
"The pleasure is all mine," he said.
"Still, I don't know how to repay you," I said.
"You can repay me by attending a party I'll be hosting in a few days. Many of my friends and colleagues would be interested in meeting Daeron of House Targaryen, First of His Name, the rightful King of the Andals and the First Men." He requested. "Although, the dragons will have to remain here as a precaution."
"I understand," I assured. "And it's actually Third of My Name."
Xaro smiled. After all, the first King Daeron conquered Dorne and then lost it, the second King Daeron united Dorne through marriage, the third King Daeron which is me, is the son of Dorne and Dragons. Xaro left and I went to find Daenerys who was feeding meat to Drogon and also Elianna and Rhaegal, along with Irri and Doreah. Although Daenerys said it was our dragons, I still felt it was hers.
"Who is it?" Daenerys asked.
"It's me." I said as I closed the door. Daenerys' handmaidens curtsied and left. "You didn't control your emotions."
"I'm sorry." Daenerys apologized. "I was angry."
"There is a difference between being mad and being angry." I told her. "Unfortunately, in Westeros, when a Targaryen gets angry, people would think that they are mad. Do you know how the rebellion really started?"
Daenerys shook her head, I wondered what lies Viserys fed her, perhaps Viserys told Daenerys something else.
"Father took the usurper's betrothed, her name was Lyanna Stark of Winterfell. He left mother for some stupid girl at the North. The Warden of the North, Lord Rickard Stark was offended by this act, so his eldest son went South to King's Landing asking grandfather to return his daughter, but not only that, he also yelled calling father to come out and die. Now normally this would be stupid for Brandon Stark, as everyone knows grandfather is mad.
Grandfather was furious, so he had Brandon Stark arrested. You see at that time, few knew father kidnapped Lady Lyanna, but news spread. Brandon Stark's father Lord Rickard Stark came and demanded for justice, Lyanna and Brandon's release, and promised this thing would be over and forgotten. A simple request, but instead grandfather demanded Rickard Stark to be arrested too.
Rickard demanded a trial by combat, grandfather agreed but his champion was wildfire. So grandfather Rickard burnt with wildfire while his son Brandon watched with a rope around his neck. Brandon was told that if he used a sword to slay himself, then his father would live. Unfortunately, the sword was away from him, Brandon reached it but resulted in strangling himself, at the end he died and along with his father, they were burnt by wildfire.
But that wasn't enough for grandfather, so he sent a raven to the Vale and ordered Lord Jon Arryn to kill his two wards: Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon. Jon Arryn refused and declared war." I told her.
Daenerys's eyes widened, "How do you know this?"
"While Viserys skipped lessons and you played with our host's children, I listened to our tutors." I said. "I wanted the truth, and he told me. Now, burning people who crosses us would be satisfying, but that is not the correct way. If we are going to return home to Westeros, we can't present ourselves with rage."
Daenerys remained quiet.
"You are my heir," I continued. "If anything were to happen to me and you decide to go west, you can't present yourself in Fire and Blood. It is good to intimidate your enemies but not in this degree. Aegon the Conqueror had offered the House Stark, House Hoare, House Arryn, House Durradon, House Lannister, House Gardener to surrender before attacking them."
"How do you know all this?" She asked.
"Because I read the books Ser Jorah gave you," I answered. "Because where we are going, we might not be welcomed. We might have our mother's family, House Martell, on our side, but thirteen years might've changed that. We haven't heard from them for several years, they probably think we are dead."
Daenerys nodded and I was glad she understood. I thought about the rebels, I could forgive the Starks but that doesn't mean I have like them. The Baratheons were our cousins and though I had sympathy for them once, all vanished when I heard how the Usurper smiled at the corpses of my mother and sister and brother. As for the Arryns, they are distant cousins through Rodrik Arryn and Daella Targaryen and Jon Arryn was the one who called the banners. I will never forgive the Lannisters for what they have done and even though I told Daenerys that we shouldn't present ourself with Fire and Blood, a part of me wanted to bring Fire and Blood to Westeros.
oOoOo
The next few days have been nothing but sleep and recovery. Ten healers arrived by sunset and treated the Dothraki, Daenerys, Ser Jorah, Rhakaro, Irri, Doreah and I from sunstroke and other potential ailments from the Red Waste. Once they were done, I took a long bath. Not having a real bath since Pentos. I insisted on doing the bath myself. After all, I like to take a bath by myself, it was comfortable to wash all the sand that we've got from the Red Waste, instead of using warm water, I used cool water, after all, days in the Red Waste could make us all hot.
It was also the first time I took a real bath, I relaxed in the bathhouse for a long time. Xaro even brought a whore to tend to my needs. Daenerys was pleased, enjoying the treatment. Doreah was as well and so was Rhakaro and Irri. Rhakaro and Irri had decided to stay together and I smiled at that. For many of us, our lives have never been much luxurious, Rhakaro and Aggo grew up as Dothraki, Doreah and Irri grew up as servants, Daenerys grew up in exile and I went int exile in three. Ser Jorah grew up in the North, where luxuries are limited.
Today Xaro Xhaon Daxos was hosting an event in his palace. We were all invited and were preparing for the festivities. Once more, our host surprised us with more gifts. As the servants deliver a dress and a tunic. Daenerys wore a purple dress, while I wore a red and black tunic and pants which was ornate with a golden belt of suns and dragons, to represent both of my ancestry. I wondered how he made this really quick. I wore the ring. It was descended from Aegon the Conqueror.
During the Blackfyre Rebellion, it was briefly lost and we managed to procure it back from Maelys Blackfyre. The party started in midafternoon, as many Qartheens arrived at the event. Daenerys and I stood together, dressed in the attire Xaro gave us. Daenerys wore a purple dress, along with mother's bronze necklace and bracelet from Xaro, as well as the golden belt which symbolized her status as Khalessi. Our goals were clear to meet as many people to earn their favors. If we can find the right merchant with a ship, we can sail back to Pentos where we can rejoin Magister Illyrio.
All afternoon we were behaving courteously. Answering questions about our heritage, and when they bring up the incest, we smiled, "It's to keep the Valyrian bloodline alive", along with saying "Our parents were not siblings, but distant cousins".
At least Doreah was succeeding in conversation, wearing a new handmaiden gown talking and flirting with other merchants. We were visited by merchants from almost everywhere in the Known World, all presenting gifts just to get a glimpse of the dragons, we accepted the gifts and had to sell them to fund our campaign. Despite all the riches, I still felt like a beggar.
"Dragon Siblings," someone called out. We turned around seeing a pale bald man with blue lips approach us. "On behalf of the warlocks of Qarth, I welcome you." He pulled out a hand to Daenerys. "A Demonstration?"
My sister obliged, accepting his hand, in which he took a green stone and placed it on her palm, "Take this gem. Look at it. Into its depths." Daenerys did so. "So many facets. Look closely enough, and you can see yourself in them."
He then turned behind the peacock was another warlock who looked precisely like him. Many gasped in surprise. "Often more than once."
"Should you both grow tired of Xaros's baubles and trinkets, it would be an honor to host you at the House of the Undying. You're always welcome," the warlock offered.
"What is the House of Undying?" I demanded, quite disturbed by him. Unfortunately, the warlock did not answer my question.
"Dornish Dragon, Mother of Dragons," the warlock said, with a bow and left.
He and his…twin?
The guest applauds in the demonstration.
"My apologies," Xaro said, as he came over. "Pyat Pree is one of the Thirteen. It was customary for me to extend him an invitation. Customs die slow deaths in Qarth."
"What is the House of the Undying?" I asked.
"It is where the warlocks go to squint at dusty books and drink shade in the evening. It turns their lips blue and their minds soft – so soft, they actually believe their parlor tricks are magic." Xaro answered, wrapping an arm around me like he was my brother. Rhakaro immediately lifted his arkah but I convinced him that I will be safe.
oOoOo
Ser Jorah Mormont POV
The exiled knight watched Xaro Xhoan Daxos escort the Dragon Siblings away. He scowled slightly, having a bad feeling. Xaro simply took the Dragon Siblings away, like he was an old friend. Ser Jorah felt that he shouldn't trust a Qartheen, though he was thankful for the luxuries and hospitality they provided, he couldn't help but have a feeling of apprehension. One that he experienced many times when the Iron Born attacked Bear Islands.
He stood where he was watching the two Targaryens talk with the guest. So far, Daeron shows no sign of madness. Neither Daenerys, though she could be impulsive due to her teenage years and her Dornish heritage, and also she is still grieving for her husband and dead son. He also observed every detail to ensure there is no assassination attempt. The day after arriving in Qarth he sent a letter to Magister Illyrio to know of their whereabouts. Hopefully, Illyrio will send some money and aid to sail them back to Pentos. Until then, they are stuck here in Qarth, it could take months before any news arrives. And with Lord Varys little birds everywhere and possible assassins seeking Lordship…it's dangerous.
"You watch over them," a woman's voice noted. Ser Jorah turned his head seeing a woman wearing an intricate mask of an elongated hexagon. The pattern continues to her dress of different shades of red and blue. A pattern he sees from the people of Asshai.
"Do I know you?" Ser Jorah asked.
"I know you," She answered. "Jorah Mormont of Bear Island."
He tensed, "Who are you?"
"I'm no one," she answered, then looked at the siblings. "But they are the Dragon Siblings. They need true protectors now more than ever, especially Daenerys Targaryen. They shall come day and night to see the wonder born into the world again. And when they see, they shall lust, for dragons are fire made flesh. And fire is power."
The mysterious woman walked away. Jorah was confused, wondering who that woman was. She did not seem like Varys' little birds since she was an adult woman and not a child or adolescent. Still cautious, he turned around seeing Daeron was gone while Daenerys remained in conversation with the guest. His heart rate increased, wondering where the King was. He took a deep breath, not to work himself up, knowing Rhakaro and Aggo are here, and Daeron knows how to defend himself with his sword.