Sister's Keeper
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Chapter 15: The King of Qarth
Alysanne's POV
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. When Daenerys and I are around, they have better control compare to be surrounded by strangers. So, the fear of a potential fire may occur. Let alone Doreah was missing. We don't know if she has been captured, being familiar with the dragons or dead. Daenerys was freaking out, three of Dothraki warriors are dead, Irri is dead, and more innocent lives are dead.
Just last night we had to perform the Dothraki funeral, 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. Irri's having the most substantial impact because she is the most devoted of them all. At least she is now riding with her ancestors and return to Rakharo. Still, the fact she was murder is on us.
By morning, it was a never-ending search. All morning searching the grounds of Xaro's palace, vineyards, and acres 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 the Ivory King had a part in this since he is a merchant on 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. 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 said, 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 offended. "They're more valuable than anything in the world."
"They are the last three dragons in over a hundred years," I added.
"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, stepping down until our eyes were level, "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.
"Alysanne, many times in my life I have been—"
"We don't care where you've been," Daenerys snapped, rushing into the apartment guarded by Malakko.
I sighed taking a deep breath, "There are three dragons out there that are untrained. We need to find them before something happens."
"I understand," Xaro said taking my hand and giving it a kiss. "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, I tuck her in making sure Malakko and Kovarro waited by each entrance before going to my apartment. I removed the golden chain accessory and laid on the bed staring at the mosaic tile ceiling. A sense of fear stirring in the back of my head, yet I wasn't afraid. Could it be the bond from Viserion? Either way, we need to find the dragons before something terrible happens.
.o0o.
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 she rested before the meeting this afternoon. I sat on the bed, holding the figuring 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. Irri and three members of the Khalasar are dead," I said.
"I know," he sighed. "She was a good –"
"She's dead," I interrupted, eyes watered. "She died alone. She died for us, and we couldn't protect her."
"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."
"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? The Targaryens? I only knew a handful, and all but one is dead. My father gone mad, my brother Rhaegar started a war over a girl, as his family was brutally slaughter. My mother died in childbirth, and Viserys-my brother-husband, and he would've let a thousand men rape Danny and I if it had got him the crown. And Danny, she is only a child, barely having knowledge of our House. The Dothraki? Most of them turned on their Khaleesi the day that Khal Drogo fell from his horse."
"Your people are in Westeros," he said. "House Velaryon is the brother to the Targaryen. House Martell are your cousins."
"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. "They're praying for our return. They'll wave dragon banners and shout my name? That's what my brother 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 us perishing in Old Valyria. The Dragons grew small, and we grew smaller until the last one died from the pollution of incest."
"You are not your brother. Trust me, Alysanne," he said, facing me with that look before.
I crossed my arms, "There it is – 'trust me.' And it's you I should trust, Ser Jorah? Only you? I don't need trust any longer. I don't want it, and I don't have room for it."
The realization came in how damage I indeed was. Viserys doing more than leaving physical scars. As the remainder of his cruelty will remain on my chest where the sword cut me. I trusted him to protect Daenerys and me as our older brother. A responsibility Mother put on him if anything were to happen to her. He gave his word, and ten years later be broke that vow. He was my brother, and he raped me. He was my brother, and he forced me to marry him to keep the Targaryen line pure. Even by the Seven customs of marriage, did he fail to protect me…from him. Trust cannot be given so easily.
Ser Jorah came over placing a hand on my shoulder, "You are too young to be so—"
"And you are too familiar," I snapped, then stop realizing what I said. "I'm sorry. I've been hurt to many times."
He removed his hand off my shoulder and wiped the tear that unknowing slide down my cheek, "Forgive me, Alysanne. No one can survive in this world without help. All your life you've helped Daenerys. But no one's helped you. No one. Let me help you, please."
My heart flutters again from this affection. Nothing like Viserys in prideful obligation. Nor was it like Xaro's flirtations and gifts. Jorah was offering himself, not wanting something in return than seeing me on the Iron Throne. If only I could trust him completely. To be open around him.
"Tell me how?" he asked.
I took a deep breath staring into his blue eyes, "Find the dragons."
"As you wish," he said, as he stepped back giving a bow before leaving.
I stood there wiping the rest of the tears away and stared at the dragon figurine.
.o0o.
Jorah's POV
Ser Jorah had his assumption in who took the dragons. The mysterious woman with the hexagon mask from the party. She knew things that no one from Qarth should have known about. Asking questions, he learned that the woman he was referring to was Quaithe, a Shadowbinder from the fabled city Asshai who helps merchants and travelers on their journey. Once more Asshai from the Shadow Lands is mention again, the far east ones go the stronger the magic becomes. Let alone, people stating Quaithe is clairvoyant, no one can keep a secret from her.
Ser Jorah knew he had to be careful of this woman is the one who took dragons. Never in his life has he fought a sorceress. 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 a skull of a ram collecting blood and apply it to the sigil she has created.
Jorah cautiously arrives, seeing what he interprets as blood magic.
"Jorah the Andal," Quaithe greeted, still focus 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 Dragoness of the West," she murmured, then returned to her client. "You love her."
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 her again?"
Jorah felt a shiver of fear. The only betrayal he has done to Alysanne was telling information about her, Viserys, and Daenerys location and events in Pentos. His last act when part of their company was Daenerys pregnancy. The woman he cares for is devoted to her sister in a motherly way. Meaning informing Varys of Rhaego betrayed both women. It was when he saw two women entering the fire, and no burns on them did, he gives his life for the Dragon Sisters, and over time love formed for Alysanne.
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 her now."
Breaking from the trance, she returned to her sigil on the sailor.
Jorah paused figuring out the riddle. Only a handful of people would be with Alysanne right now. Deducting Daenerys, Aggo, Malakko, and Kovarro leaves only one person. Xaro, the man has been pursuing Alysanne since arriving in Qarth, asking her hand in 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 Alysanne marries him. Knowing his Queen has a gentle heart and on a drastic situation can succumb to pressure would oblige.
Recalling Malakko mentioning a Meeting of the Thirteen as Xaro's palace he started running back.
.o0o.
Alysanne's POV
The Thirteen arrived, and all were present in the Gathering Hall. At the table were twelve of the thirteen, recognizing the Spice King who was sitting center, the Copper King, Silk King, Wine King who I talked to yesterday, Pyat Pree the Warlock, and other members. On the other side of the room, Xaro sat on a chair, while Daenerys and I stood beside him. Aggo and Kovarro behind us, as a precaution.
I stood there, as Xaro explained that somebody entered his palace killing his guards, three Dothraki Warriors, the handmaiden Irri, kidnapping the other Handmaiden Doreah, and have taken the dragons. This is supposed to be a service announcement since the Dragons are not adequately trained. Drogon and Viserion 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 compare to normal fire. It takes longer to die out, and consumes faster and hotter. The second hottest thing than 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."
"As if humanity hasn't already done that," I countered.
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 in the right. She must be reunited with her babies. I will help you, Khaleesi."
"How?" Daenerys asked.
"I will take you to the House of the Undying where I have put them," Pyat Pree answered.
"You stole the dragons," I accused. "You killed our friends and Xaro's guards. Have you no shame?"
"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 baffled by this. All this time Xaro took our dragons and gave them to the Warlock. The man who bled for us, who promised no harm shall come to us, killed Irri, 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 of 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. Kovarro and Aggo stood beside us, their arakh in hand. My right hand grasping the Targaryen sword's handle in caution. Jorah was right, you can never trust anyone in Qarth.
"The Mother of Dragons will be with her babies," Pyat Pree stepped forward, informing his members then turn 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. Aggo and Kovarro right behind us, in our escape.
We made it to the corridor, climbing up the steps nearly colliding to the Warlock. I stumble back drawing my sword while Aggo and Kovarro shielded us. The Warlock blue lips smiled, his white complexion contrasting to the shadows 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 deviant at 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 grabbed my arm leading the way while Kovarro took Daenerys with Aggo guarding our backs. We rushed out of the palace and ran as far as we could to get out of Xaro's palace.
.o0o.
We took refuge in an abandoned villa. Last night, we were cautious, staying out of the city know Xaro and Pyat Pree are searching for us. By morning, I was woken up trying to think of a plan. The Khalasar is still in Xaro's palace, no doubt holding them hostage if he wanted 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.
"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. "She leaves for Astrapor tomorrow. "
"Astrapor?" 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, as I love Viserion, 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 Astrapor. 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 Viserion's distress, and they can sense outs. If you want to leave, I understand."
"You know I would die for you. 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, Danny. His magic is strong."
"And what of my magic?" She challenged. "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 worse pain imaginable, the same I felt when Ser Willem told me of Mother's death."
Daenerys looked down. She knows I don't blame her for Mother's death. Queen Rhaella like the rest of us was frail women from incest. Her body dealt with so many complications, giving birth nine times in her life. Four out of her nine children surviving the infancy year, and yet her two daughters are alive as young women. Childbirth is a high risk, and Mother knew that, and father wanted more children. Even though he put Mother through hell.
"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 finds 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.
Then again, Visenya stated I needed to meet the Undying to know what is to come.
What do you think Alysanne will see at the House of the Undying?
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