Chapter 39:
DAENERYS
The dragons soared overhead as Daenerys' ships finally caught sight of Yunkai.
As Daenerys stood on the bow of the ship, she reflected on all her recent actions. After having dealt with the Masters of Astapor, she had the Unsullied replace the corpses of the slaves on the Walk of Punishment with those of the Masters' before having them bury their dead in unmarked graves.
The process had taken an emotional toll on her, as she took pity on the slaves who had lost their lives on account of the Masters' conditions and only felt more compelled to continue her journey to Yunkai and establish herself as a force of power. She was held back by the fact it would only separate her from Rhaego for a very long period of time than was necessary, so she decided to stay aboard the ship and set sail for Yunkai, while Drogo would lead his khalasar and the Unsullied (who were led by their appointed commander, Grey Worm) to take the city.
The Master of Whisperers was gravely disappointed when Daenerys announced her intentions to make the Masters pay until there was no more slavery. He argued that this would only delay her further from the Iron Throne. She responded by asking him how many slaves there vere in Yunkai. He told her at least 200,000. She said that was the number of reasons why she had to stay. He greatly insisted on gaining the North's support as Ned Stark and his family was still imprisoned for harboring his nephew, who was also hers. To do so would gain her allies in Westeros. But Daenerys replied to him that he had abandoned her nephew's side by leaving King's Landing after he went off to expose the Spider's true loyalties to King Robert, who had murdered his father. As for the North, they may accept her help to rescue the Starks in the beginning, but there was also a pretty strong chance that they would crown her nephew as king of the Driven Kingdoms, after they were freed, not to mention that they were dealing with the White Walkers.
The White Walkers, Daenerys thought in disbelief. It seemed rather surreal that an ancient legend of the North had finally come to life after so many centuries, but then again Daenerys had brought the dragons back to life. She needed more time to think this over, but for right now she had matters to settle with the Good Masters.
She caught her 'sun and stars' and his khalasar awaiting for her on the shores of the city. They lowered some rowboats down, with the khaleesi and her new handmaiden, Missandei, who had become a trusted confidante to Daenerys instantly. No, more than that, almost like a long lost sister. She and the other handmaidens had gotten along well with each other. They each took turns taking care of the young khal who would grow to become the stallion that mounts the world when Daenerys was too exhausted to do so.
Daenerys had continued to have more dreams of her late brother Viserys who repeated their house's words to her, "Fire and Blood," almost to remind her of how she ought to deal with her enemies. Of course, however, she didn't need any reminding. She would deliver swift justice to those who had betrayed her house. Most of them such as Tywin Lannister and his dog The Mountain That Rides, were dead, however King Robert was still alive along with her father's murderer. She would make them suffer as they had made her House suffer. As the Masters in Astapor and the Thirteen in Qarth had suffered under her hand.
In the meanwhile, she had heard one of the Dothraki shouting out that they had company approaching. No doubt it would be the Masters of the City attempting to bargain with her in order to get her to leave Yunkai once and for all. She had no intentions of doing so whatsoever but for appearance's sake, she would see what their negotiation tactics would be.
A brightly colored palonquin came into view with a lean and hard man who wore his hair drawn up in the shape of unicorn's horn on his brow, observing the Unsullied and Dothraki alike. The chains of the slaves who beared his load rattled as they walked while others beared ornate chests. As they arrived, the palonquin was lowered while the man stepped out and locked eyes with Daenerys and Drogo alike.
The man seemed unbothered by Drogo's presence as the Dothraki that announced his arrival shouted that more riders were approaching. Daenerys and Drogo looked in the direction of the city, and saw that indeed, more riders were approaching with a broken sword on a sand and red field on their banners.
Daenerys recognized the sigil of the Second Sons, and was quite familiar with their reputation as one of the most lethal sellsword companies in Essos. From the men that were approaching, Daenerys estimated that at least two thousand men were under the employ of the Good Masters, armored and mounted.
She caught sight of the three men who rode at the front. The one in the middle, she took to be the commander of the Second Sons, was a tall Braavosi with pale green eyes and a long, bushy red-gold beard. The one on his left was a thickset Ghiscari man with a broad face, his dark hair with some grey in it, while the one on his right was a lithe and smooth skinned Tyroshi with bright, deep blue eyes which appeared almost purple and a large curving nose. His curly hair which reached his collar, and his beard which was cut in three prongs were dyed in blue. His fingernails are also enameled blue, while his mustachio was painted gold, like the tooth gleaming in his mouth. He was dressed in striped pantaloons, high boots of purple leather, a white silk shirt, and a vest of golden rings.
Missandei stepped forward. "Noble lords, you are in the presence of Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons."
The Braavosi looked at Dany in astonishment, "You are the Mother of Dragons? I swear I fucked you once in a pleasure house in Lys."
Drogo and the others moved for their arakhs, but Daenerys held her khal's chest back with her hand. Drogo barked at them to stand down while the Braavosi smirked coldly at him.
"She must be quite a woman to tame the great Khal Drogo," the man said. "I should know. She licked my ass like she was born to do it."
The Braavosi then waggled his tongue suggestively at Daenerys, who did not react, while Drogo moved for him.
"That is enough," the lean man said. "We do not pay you to use your tongue when it comes to negotiation."
The Braavosi turned and stared at him. "Why? I didn't mind hers."
"You talk too much."
The Braavosi turned away from him and stared at his blue-haired companion, who dared to speak, before walking straight up to him.
"Did you say something?"
"I said you talk too much," the Tyroshi said, looking defiantly at him.
"You won't talk so much when she's choking on my cock," the Braavosi said, staring him down.
"In case you haven't noticed, there are 100,000 Dothraki and 8,000 Unsullied standing between her and your cock," The Tyroshi fired back. "Along with a khal who has never lost a battle. Idiot."
Before the Braavosi could reply, the lean man shouted, "Quiet! Both of you! As for you, Mero, I would listen more closely to your friend. That tongue of yours is going to get you killed one day. If not sooner."
Mero glared coldly at the lean man who glared back at him for several minutes until Mero grunted and strode off.
"I must apologize for that, my khal, khaleesi," the lean man said. "Mero tends to be rather...uncivilized."
"So I see," Daenerys said before turning to the Tyroshi who spoke boldly to Mero. "And you are?"
"Daario Naharis," the Tyroshi said, smirking at her. "And I have been wanting to meet you for quite some time now, Mother of Dragons. Although I was expecting you to be a little older, from the things I heard about you."
Daenerys smiled back at him. "Well, what can I say? I'm only a young girl, new to the ways of war, but perhaps a seasoned captain like yourself can explain to me how you propose to defeat us."
"He's not a captain," the lean man said. "He's a lieutenant. As to defeating you, well the answer is simple. Ancient and glorious is Yunkai. Our empire was old before dragons stirred in old Valyria. Many an army has broken against our walls. You shall find no easy conquest here, khaleesi."
"Like Qarth?" Daenerys asked, causing the man to falter as she smiled sweetly at him while Daario smirked at the sight. "I look forward to seeing you on the battlefield."
Daenerys moved to walk away, but the lean man shouted, "Wait!"
She turned around and looked at him with a curious look in her eyes. "Yes?"
"I can give you what you want," the tall man said, almost pleadingly.
"And what exactly is it that you think I want?" asked Daenerys, her violet eyes gleaming at that moment.
"The chance to go home, khaleesi," said the lean man.
Daenerys' eyes flared at that instant. "Home?"
"Yes, khaleesi," said the lean man.
"You lie," Daenerys said, in a tone laced with venom.
"I swear, it's the truth, khaleesi," the lean man begged, before pointing out to her ships. "Look. Look out there."
Daenerys did, and didn't see anything at first, until a few moments later she saw white specks in the distance which grew larger by the minute.
"It's a trap," Daenerys murmured. "It's a trap!"
"No, no, khaleesi, it's not," the lean man cried, throwing himself at her feet. "It's not. I swear by the Gods it's not."
"You better tell me the truth right now, or I will have all of you gelded this instant," Daenerys snapped.
"Alright," the lean man continued to sob. "I'll tell you everything. Those ships you see on the horizon. They are the Iron Fleet."
"You hired the Ironborn?!" Daenerys shouted, practically shaking with rage.
"No, no, khaleesi, I would never do that," the man cried. "Never. They came to bring you home."
Daenerys studied him intently. "How do I know you are not lying to me? After all King Robert sent ravens to all over Essos demanding me and my child to be brought before him dead and alive."
"The Ironborn contacted us first before the ravens from King Robert arrived," the man said, looking up at her with tear-stricken eyes. "They made us promise that we would not harm you or yours in any way whatsoever when they arrived. Please just leave us be."
Daenerys turned to Daario. "Is he telling the truth?"
"He is, khaleesi," the Tyroshi nodded.
"Why would the Ironborn want to help me?" Daenerys asked, her question aimed at no one.
"I do not know, khaleesi," Daario admitted. "But they seemed extremely interested in you."
"Perhaps they wish to seek your favor," Varys said.
"In what way?"
"I do not know yet, khaleesi," Varys shrugged. "Perhaps it is best that they arrive so we may figure out what they want."
Daenerys said nothing, instead she focused on the crying man at her feet. "If what you say is true, you won't have to deal with me for much longer, but I want you to do something while I'm gone."
"Yes, khaleesi?" the man asked, looking up at her.
Daenerys kneeled down, until she and the man were practically face-to-face. "You will release every slave in Yunkai. Every man, woman, and child shall be given as much food, clothing, and property as they can carry as payment for their years of servitude. Reject this gift, and I assure you. When I take the Iron Throne and if I hear about this, I will show you no mercy."
Daenerys stood up at that moment, while the man continued to sob heavily.
She and Drogo started to walk, when Darrio felt in step beside them.
"I hope you don't mind, Mother of Dragons, but I do believe I would like to accompany you," he said.
Daenerys raised her eyebrows in surprise at that, while Drogo stared heavily at him, while the Ghiscari stared at him in shock.
"What?" He asked, before his face morphed to anger. "You're a traitor and a bloody fool, Daario Naharis! Your contract is your bond. If you break your bond, no one will hire you as a Second Son again."
At that moment, Daario pulled an arakh from his hip and swung it upwards at his companion, hitting him in the throat. Red started pouring out of the man, who grabbed his throat, attempting to remove the arakh from it.
"Bastard!" Mero shouted.
"Funny," Daario said, smiling mirthfully. "I seem to remember you being the bastard in this instance."
Mero charged at his former companion with his sword held up high and a battle cry. He never got close enough to Daario, as a crack was heard and a whip wrapped itself around Mero's sword arm and pulled him down violently to the ground. Daario quickly walked over to Mero along with Drogo and his bloodriders, while Daenerys looked over to a very thin Dothraki with a faint shadow of a mustache, who was holding on to his whip, which had pulled down the commander of the Second Sons.
"I owe you my life, Jhogo," Daenerys said.
"You are blood of my blood, khaleesi," Jhogo said in a raspy voice. "I would gladly offer my life for you."
Daenerys nodded her thanks at him before she moved towards the circle of Dothraki, that was holding Mero's arms.
"Let go of me, you bastards," Mero screamed. "I'll kill you for this."
"You should have listened to your friend Daario," Daenerys said, looking down at him. "That tongue of yours was bound to get you killed sooner or later."
Daario spat in her face. "Fuck you, whore!"
SMACK!
Drogo's fist impacted with Nero's mouth, causing him to spit out blood and some teeth.
"My Queen, shall I slice out his tongue for you?" Grey Worm asked in Valyrian.
"No," Daenerys said, looking down at him. "I want him to know what it feels like being an Unsullied."
Mero's eyes widened at that statement and the implications hit him sooner than expected.
"No!" Mero screamed. "Let go of me!"
Daenerys told her khal, who ordered his men to remove Mero's breeches.
Daenerys turned away as she caught sight of the Iron Fleet's ships having stopped next to hers. She saw a small boat approaching the shore, and several rough looking men whose skins were chafed from the wind rowing at the sides. She, Drogo, Missandei, Grey Worm, Daario and Varys moved to greet the new arrivals while Mero's screams were being drowned out by the tides crashing upon the shore.
They arrived just as the Ironborn stepped out of their boat. To the surprise of everyone except the Spider, the Ironborn were led by a woman. Lean and long legged, with dark eyes and black hair cut short, her face was thin, with a big, sharp nose, and on her neck was a faded pink scar.
"You the Dragon Queen?" the woman said.
Before Daenerys could respond, the dragons roared as they flew in front of their mother, causing the Ironmen to stagger back and others to grab for their swordhilts. The leader seemed unfazed.
"I reckon so," Daenerys said, causing the woman to smirk. "And you must be?"
"Yara Greyjoy, daughter of Balon," the woman said.
"And how is Lord Balon?" Varys said, looking at her suspiciously.
"Dead," Yara said coldly. "Slain by his own kin. My uncle Euron has taken control of the Iron Islands, but he won't stop there. He seeks to take all of Westeros with the help of the Ironmen that are loyal to him."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Daario said. "Let's get you home."
"Let's?" Daenerys asked, looking at him in surprise. "Why would you wish to come with me? More importantly, why did you just betray your companions just now?"
Daario shrugged. "What can I say, those two and I have long had philosophical differences. And they wanted me to help them murder you. I told them I preferred not to. They told me I had no choice. I told them I am Daario Naharis. I always have a choice. They drew their swords and I drew mine."
Daenerys stared at him for a long time before she spoke again. "You would fight for me?"
Daario nodded.
"Kneel."
Daario knelt and unsheathed his sword placing it before his knees.
"Now swear to me."
"The Second Sons are yours and so is Daario Naharis. My sword is yours, my life is yours, my heart is yours."
As Daario bowed his head, Daenerys felt her body shudder as she recalled Ser Jorah. She steeled her facial expression.
I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains, and I am going home, Dany thought. With Fire and Blood.