Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. Everything here belongs to George R.R Martin.

Chapter XXVII - King of Qarth

Daeron POV

It has been chaotic, everyone was in search of the dragons, from Xaro's guards to the Dothraki warriors. The dragons were only babies and learning how to breathe fire. Doreah is missing too, and Daenerys is freaking out, three of Dothraki warriors are dead, and more innocent lives are dead. Only Irri and Aggo and Rahkaro were safe among with tohers. Just last night we had to perform the Dothraki funeral, in which Xaro had a field and offered some of his property as collateral damage of keeping his word. Promising that no harm will come to us, and not members of the Khalasar are dead.

By morning, it was a never-ending search. All morning searching the grounds of Xaro's huge palace, vineyards, and gardens in case the thief is either Dothraki or one of Xaro's staff. The Man from the Thirteen states his servants live on the grounds. There can be someone greedy to steal the dragons and sell them as an exotic pet. Maybe one of the merchants who does trade in animals. Unfortunately, after hours of searching, they were not on the grounds. A sense of anxiety filled Daenerys and I, from our own and the bond with the dragons.

Exhausted, I convinced Daenerys to return to the East Wing to rest for a bit. Daenerys was reluctant to comply since she hasn't slept since the night before yesterday, I've heard from Rhakaro, that Irri has been trying to convince Daenerys to go to sleep. Leading the way, Xaro appeared as he came over walking with us.

"I have demanded a meeting of the Thirteen," Xaro announced as he followed Daenerys and me after a failed search. "One of them did this or knows who did."

"You are one of the Thirteen," I reminded, walking up the steps.

"If I wanted your dragons, I would have taken them. They mean nothing to me on their own." Xaro countered.

"Nothing?" Daenerys gasped and was offended. "They're more valuable than anything in the world."

"They are the last three dragons in over a hundred years," I added. "You've seen how many of the merchants offered us gifts just to get a glimpse of them." And we also lost the gold, no doubt stolen too.

"Shall we look inside my vault and see what selling your dragons would buy me already?" Xaro insisted, holding his medallion. "We will get them back."

I scowled at him, "There is no we, so why would you help us get them back?"

"I took you under my protection in front of the rulers of my city. A man is what others say he is and no more. If they say that Xaro Xhoan Daxos is a liar, my word is worth nothing. I cannot let this thing happen to you under my roof," Xaro explained.

"But it did happen under your roof," I growled.

"Daeron, many times in my life I have been—"

"It's Your Grace and we don't care where you've been," Daenerys snapped, rushing into the apartment guarded by Malakho and Rakharo.

I sighed, taking a deep breath, "Forgive my sister, but there are three dragons out there that are untrained. We need to find them before something happens."

"I understand," Xaro said, taking Daenerys' hand and giving it a kiss, making her scowl. "We will find them. I'll come to retrieve you for the meeting."

"Thank you, Xaro," I said, before entering the apartment. Daenerys laid on her bed sobbing. I came to her side, giving her my comfort. The dragons were born from her, the reason why she is called the Mother of Dragons. The eggs were a gift from Magister Illyrio. Eggs that people thought were turned to stone. This was personal since she is the one who resurrected them saying she had dreams of dragons. Dragon dreams, a trait common to us Targaryens.

Once she cried herself to sleep, Irri tucked her in making sure Malakho and Rakharo waited by each entrance before lying down on her bed. I removed my sword from my belt and laid on the bed staring at the mosaic tile ceiling, waiting to see what happens.

oOoOo

It would be afternoon when Jorah returned. He was out of breath as if he ran all this way from the port of Qarth. Daenerys was in her chambers after crying herself to sleep. It's probably best that she rested before the meeting this afternoon. I sat on the chair, fiddling my ring and looked up surprised to see him.

"You came back," I whispered, standing up.

"As soon as I heard," Jorah panted.

"Do you know anything?"

"No. Three members of the Khalasar are dead," I said.

"Doreah?" Jorah asked.

"We can't find her," Daenerys answered. "She must be dead too."

Daenerys feels like she is failing her people. Since she is the one who led them out of the Red Waste and into the slaughterhouse. Even though Rakharo and Irri tried to assure that it wasn't her fault, claiming that they wanted to go with her, Daenerys still felt guilty.

"I should have been here," Jorah confessed in guilt.

I shook my head, "You went to find us a ship."

"My place is by your side," Jorah said. "I shouldn't have left you alone with these people."

"These people?" I asked.

"They are not to be trusted," he answered.

"And who is to be trusted?" I replied. "Who are our people? My family? My parents and grandparents are dead. My Dornish relatives...I haven't spoke to them in years. My siblings are dead, apart from Daenerys who thinks she is failing herself and Drogo's Khalasar turned on her after he died."

"Your people are in Westeros," he assured me. "House Velaryon and House Celtigar are the brothers to the Targaryen. Prince Doran and the Red Viper are your uncles."

"They are not enough. The people in Westeros think Daenerys and I are dead."

"They will soon know," he assured.

"And then what?" I challenged myself. "They're praying for our return. They'll wave dragon banners and shout my name? That's what my uncle believed, and he was a fool." I walked over to the bed picking up the carved dragon. "Maybe we are meant to go extinct. All of us perished in Old Valyria. Then the Summerhall, then the Sack."

"You are not your family, Daeron, trust me." he said.

"I'm going to find the dragons." I spoke confidently.

"As you wish." Jorah said. "Let me help you."

oOoOo

Jorah's POV

Ser Jorah had his assumption on who took the dragons. The mysterious woman with the hexagon mask from the party. He found Quaithe at her shop/residence. In the small private gardens under a canopy, the Shadowbinder sat next to a naked man who lay on a plush table back exposed. Quaithe sat beside him, dipping a brush into the skull of a ram collecting blood and applying it to the sigil she had created. Jorah cautiously arrives, seeing what he interprets as blood magic.

"Jorah the Andal," Quaithe greeted, still focused on her client, painting ram's blood on his back. "This man must sail past Old Valyria. All who travel too close to the Doom must have protection."

"I didn't come here for lessons," Jorah said.

"No, you came for the dragons," she confirmed.

"You have them?" he asked, placing his hand on his sword. "Where are they?"

"Draw your sword," she challenged, stopping her work as she stood up facing him. "See what your steel is worth."

Jorah stared into her dark brown eyes trying to find any hesitation or truth.

"You want to please the Mother of Dragons," she murmured, then returned to her client. "You love her. But you would need the Dragon King's permission."

Jorah took a deep breath, "Where are the dragons?"

Quaithe turned facing him, her eyes sharp and narrow, "Will you betray her again, Jorah the Andal? Will you betray them again?"

Jorah felt a shiver of fear. The only betrayal he has done to Daeron was telling information about him, Viserys, and Daenerys location and events in Pentos. His last act when part of their company was Daenerys' pregnancy. However, when he saw the dragon siblings out from the fire, he decided to follow them.

So, glaring into the Shadowbinder, he answered, "Never."

Quaithe's brown eyes linger on him, then step back, once more returning to her client, yet she stared into his eyes in a trance, "The thief you seek is with them now."

Jorah paused figuring out the riddle. Only a handful of people would be with Daeron right now. Deducting Irri, Rakharo, Aggo, Malakko leaves only one person. Xaro, the man, has been following Daeron since arriving in Qarth, asking for marriage in exchange for ships, armies, and horses. Then a thought came up, Xaro is holding the dragons' hostage and won't return them unless Daeron agrees to have Daenerys marry him or Daeron marries Xaro's kin. He recalled Irri telling him that there would be a meeting with the Thirteen, he immediately ran back.

oOoOo

Daeron POV

The Thirteen arrived, and all were present in the Gathering Hall. At the table were twelve of the thirteen, I recognized the Spice King who was sitting center, the Copper King, Silk King, Pyat Pree the Warlock, and other members. On the other side of the room, Xaro sat on a chair, while Irri, Daenerys and I stood beside him. Rakharo and Aggo stood behind us, as a precaution. I stood there, as Xaro explained that somebody entered his palace killing his guards, three Dothraki Warriors, kidnapping the other Handmaiden Doreah, and taking the dragons. This is supposed to be a service announcement since the Dragons are not adequately trained.

Drogon and Elianna have control over their fire when eating, but Rhaegal does have a tendency to sneeze small bits of fire. Dragon fire cannot be extinguished so easily compared to normal fire. It takes longer to die out, and consumes faster and hotter. The second hottest thing is lava from a volcano. However, once more the pride and vanity of the Thirteen are not listening to the dangers the city is in. Yes, the dragons are small, but as the saying goes, it takes one little spark to cause a catastrophic event.

"I did not leave the comfort of my home to come to yours and be called a thief," the Spice King said bitterly.

"No one is calling you a thief," Xaro assured.

"Who is she to accuse us?" The Spice King said, pointing at Daenerys.

"Please, they're my children. I'm begging you," Daenerys begged.

"Begging us? It wasn't very long ago you were threatening us," the Silk King reminded.

"Without us, the dragons will die," Daenerys informed.

"It will be for the best," the Spice King said. "Your dragons will bring the world nothing but death and misery, my dear."

"Humans have brought the world war." I challenged.

The Spice King glared at me, "If I knew where they were, I would not tell either of you."

"You are cruel, my friend," Pyat Pree said, to the Spice King. "The Mother of Dragons is on the right. She must be reunited with her babies. I will help you, Khaleesi."

"How?" Daenerys asked hopefully.

"I will take you to the House of the Undying where I have put them," Pyat Pree answered.

"You stole the dragons," I accused, realization dawning on me. "You killed our friends and Xaro's guards."

"When I learned you two were coming to our city, I made an arrangement with the King of Qarth," Pyat Pree explained. The eleven Kings of the Thirteen laughed. Pyat Pree rolled his eyes, ignoring them, "He procured them for me."

"But there is no King of Qarth, only merchants of their trade," I reminded.

"There is now," Xaro said standing up. "That was the other half of the arrangement."

I was shocked by this. All this time Xaro took our dragons and gave them to the Warlock. The man who promised us no harm shall come to us, killed three Dothraki warriors, and his own guards. The eleven of the Thirteen were surprised as well, not expecting this. Meanwhile, Pyat Pree stood up walking around the table to join Xaro. Xaro stepped forward standing center of the curved table, arms crossed, "You would keep your gates and your minds closed to everything outside your walls but Qarth cannot remain the greatest city that ever was if it refuses to change. I will open Qarth to the world, as I forced it to open itself to me."

"Your ambition is an inspiration. But like all upstarts, you overreach," the Spice King lectured. "Three dragons the size of cats and an alliance with a charlatan do not make you a king."

"An upstart and a charlatan? Empires have been built by less. Those on the margins often come to control the center, and those in the center make room for them, willingly or otherwise." Xaro said.

Daenerys looked at me scared. Rakharo and Aggo stood beside us, their arakh in hand. My right hand grasping the Targaryen sword's handle in caution, my left grasped the dagger.

"The Mother of Dragons will be with her babies," Pyat Pree stepped forward, informing his members then turned to stare at Daenerys. "She will give them her love, and they will thrive by her side…" all the servants in white stepped behind each of the Thirteen. "…forever."

Suddenly all of the servants took their daggers and slit each of the eleven from the Thirteen's throats. I gasped in shock, not anticipating it, and glanced at their faces, seeing that each of the servants have the same face. They were all Pyat Pree. It was impossible for a man to have eleven identical siblings, and seeing this man was called a warlock confirms we are once again dealing with magic.

"Run," I yelled, as I grabbed Daenerys hand and began to run. Rakharo, Aggo and Irri right behind us, in our escape. We made it to the corridor, climbing up the steps nearly colliding with the Warlock. I stumbled back drawing my sword while Ago and Kovarro shielded us. The Warlock blue lips smiled, his white complexion contrasting to the shadows of the late afternoon hour. Unexpecting, a sword pierced Pyat Pree from behind through his sternum. On the other end of the blade was Ser Jorah. However, the warlock continues to look deviantart Daenerys, unfazed by his fatal injury.

"A mother should be with her children," Pyat Pree said. Jorah drew his blade out, and the Warlock vanished leaving a pile of dark purple robes. Only to appear behind us, startling us entirely. "Where will you run to, Daenerys Stormborn?" the warlock asked. "Your dragons wait for you in the House of the Undying. Come see them."

Ser Jorah quickly led the way. We rushed out of the palace and ran as far as we could to get out of Xaro's palace.

oOoOo

We took refuge in an abandoned villa. Last night, we were cautious, staying out of the city until Xaro and Pyat Pree were searching for us. I couldn't sleep, I was trying to think of a plan. The Khalasar is still in Xaro's palace, no doubt holding them hostage if he wants us to return for their freedom. If he thinks this will get me to marry him, think again. Also, the warlock has the dragons. We need to get them out. However, Pyat Pree wants Daenerys; therefore, things are more complicated. Daenerys wandered around the ruins coming near the window, touching the boards. We made sure that Rhakaro, Aggo, Irri and the remaining Khalasar, went to rest first, we don't need them to feel stressed just because something happened to us.

"Careful, Khaleesi," Ser Jorah warned. "Xaro owns this city, and the warlocks have thousands of eyes watching for you."

"Can this get any more complicated?" I sighed. "Any news on a ship?"

"I found one – a ship with a good captain." Ser Jorah said. "It leaves for Astapor tomorrow. "

"Astapor?" I asked to be sure.

"We cannot stay here," Jorah said.

"They have my dragons." Daenerys interrupted. "A mother does not flee without her children."

"They're not your children," I told her. "They are our familiars. I know they call you the Mother of Dragons, and I know you love them, more then the rest of us do, but you didn't grow them in your womb. They are dragons, Daenerys."

"And if we stay in Qarth, we'll die," Jorah insisted.

"You should sail to Astapor. I'm sure you'll be safe there," Daenerys countered, walking away.

I sighed, looking at Ser Jorah, "When a Targaryen bonds with a dragon, it's a bond that only death could sever. Right now, we can sense Drogon and Elianna's distress, and they can sense ours. If you want to leave, I understand."

"You know I would die for you and your sister. I will never abandon you." Ser Jorah said. "I'm sworn to protect you, to serve."

"If the dragons are in the House of the Undying, then take us there!" Daenerys who was eavesdropping returned.

"That's what the warlock wants," I told her. "He told you so himself. If you enter that place, you will never leave again. I thought I lost you to the fire. This isn't dragon magic, Dany. His magic is strong."

"And what of my magic?" She challenged me. "You saw me step into the fire. You watched the witch burn. What did the flames do to me? Do you remember."

"I remember," I scowled at her. "And I felt the worst pain imaginable, the same I felt when grandmother told me of mother, Rhaenys and Aegon's death."

Daenerys looked down and said, "They are my children," Daenerys said. "And they are the only children I will ever have."

I sighed, seeing this affection for three dragons. Drogon and Rhaegal were under her care. As the black dragon was her familiar and the green her ward until he found his own rider. A Seed, as our ancestor Rhaenyra put it of a person with Valyrian blood. Unless Daenerys or I have a child that Rhaegal can bond with. But Daenerys has a point, we can't abandon the dragons. After a hundred and fifty years of dragons' extinction, they come back. And wild dragons are more dangerous than tamed dragons.

I turned to Ser Jorah, "Take us to the House of the Undying."

"As you wish," Ser Jorah said, yet concern was written on his face. I hope this was not a mistake. But our dragons are there.

"No Khaleesi." Irri said behind them startling us. "The House of Undying is dangerous, it is known."

"But it is necessary." Daenerys said.