Sister's Keeper
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Languages:
Dothraki
Valyrian
Common Tongue
Old Ghiscari
Chapter 23: Mhysa!
As predicted Ser Barristan, Ser Jorah, and Grey Worm were not pleased to see Daario Naharis. It took them a great deal of strength not to stab the man when Daenerys said he arrived during our baths. At least Black Scarab is alive. A bit beaten up and not happy that Daario knocked him out and left him naked. I gave Black Scarab a few days off to see if that can compensate the...misunderstanding.
Currently, we were gathered around the officer tent. Those there for the meeting was Daario, Ser Jorah, Ser Barristan, Grey Worm, Missandei, Daenerys, and I surrounded the table with a map of Yunkai. Daario was going over the locations, the essential gates, and where the Yunkai soldiers will be. We plan to sneak into Yunkai, have a word with the soldier slaves, and hopefully, the siege can happen without casualties.
We planned to get the armies inside Yunkai with fewer casualties as possible. One method is to enter the city from a back passageway, there we can talk to the slave soldiers to drop their weapons and let the Unsullied through. We are not here to conquer them. No, we are here to liberate them. Daario had one gate in mind to sneak in our insurgents.
"Where?" Daenerys asked.
"There?" Daario answered pointing on the map. He moved around standing behind Daenerys, taking her hand and place it at the location. "There. It's a back gate."
I gave Daario a warning look. His flirtation on my sister is not professional in a war meeting. Let alone, my seventeen-year-old sister is in the prosses of mourning. It hasn't been a year yet since Drogo's death.
Daario gave an innocent smile, "My men use it when they visit Yunkai's bed slaves."
Jorah crossed his arm, and scratched his chin, "Your men, but not you?"
"I have no interest in slaves," Daario said. "A man cannot make love to property."
Daenerys glanced at Daario intrigued.
"This is where we enter the city," Daario explained back to being serious. "Very few guards. They know me. They let me inside –"
"We're not gonna sneak an army through a back gate," Ser Barristan said.
"I kill the guards. I take your two best men and lead them through the back streets, which I know well and open the front gates. Then comes the army," Daario suggested. "Once the walls are breached, the city will fall in hours."
"Or perhaps you'll lead Grey Worm and me to the slaughter, cutting the head off our army," Jorah debated. "The master of Yunkai will pay your fee, and you won't have to split it three ways 'cause you've already slaughtered your partners."
"You have a very suspicious mind," Daario said, impressed. "In my experience, only dishonest people think this way."
Jorah scowled from that remark, then address Grey Worm who has been quiet during the meeting, "You command the Unsullied. What do you think?"
"You are a leader now," I told him. "Do you trust him?"
Grey Worm glanced at Daario and then the map before looking at Jorah, "I trust him."
"So be it, you three will leave tonight while the moon is still dark," I said.
"Very good," Jorah said. "We'll prepare."
Jorah and Grey Work started heading out. Daario followed but stop to give Daenerys a flirtatious smile. I arched a brow, wondering what that is all about. Daenerys tried avoiding my question. Meanwhile, Ser Barristan walked over to Ser Jorah.
"Ser Jorah," the old knight called out.
The three men stopped facing him.
"You can use an extra sword," Ser Barristan offered.
"You're the Queensguard, Ser Barristan. Your place is by the queen." Ser Jorah said. Barristan was going to say something, but Jorah continued. "If we are truly her loyal servants, we'll do whatever needs to be done no matter the cost, no matter our pride."
Ser Barristan stared into Jorah eyes until conceding. I know the older knight is far experience in warfare than any of us. However, traditions are tradition, and royal guards must stand by the royal side. Though deep down, does Ser Barristan want to fight and die on the battlefield? The three men left as Ser Barristan turned around facing Daenerys and me.
"In time, Ser Barristan," I promised. "When we go back home you shall see glory on a battlefield."
Ser Barristan nodded. I needed a skilled knight in the art of war when we laid siege to Westeros. He will know about the Houses and their armies. Can he do damage at the invasion, yes, he can. But Daenerys and I need protection. Our military is still in the infancy phase. We may have accumulated two-thousand sellswords, we are still in the process of making the chain of command. Until then Barristan needs to be by my side until all is settled.
.o0o.
By the late afternoon, I went to see Ser Jorah. I know I should let him be so he can prepare in sneaking into Yunkai, but I needed to talk to him. Tonight, will be risky since we won't be using the dragons as we did in Astapor. Tonight, it is about my council proving themselves to advise me and demonstrate their strategy and abilities. Still, I care for Ser Jorah deeply that I want to see him one more time in case something terrible happens.
Taking a deep breath, I stood at the entrance of his tent, "Ser Jorah, may I come in?"
"Enter," Jorah said.
I entered the tent seeing Ser Jorah sharpening his broadsword. The sword being longer than my arming sword. It was simple, as the hilt was wrapped in tight leather to ease the grip, while the pommel has a spear with a brass detail of the circle cross. It was the scabbard that was ornate. As the sheath designed with a bronze shade of peacock feathers and bronze studs.
"Alysanne, do you need something?" Jorah asked, as he took the wet stone and sharpen the edge.
"I just wanted to talk to see your opinion about Daario Naharis?" I answered.
"I don't trust him," he said. "Something about him seems off. That he has no respect towards authority, killing his captains. This could be a trap."
"You did mention that earlier, that this could be a ploy to get rid of my two best warriors and he can earn the entire payment from the Wise Masters." I agreed. "But it's the risk we have to take in saving the slaves."
"As you wish," Jorah said.
"Although, if Daario does betray you and Grey Worm, you are at liberty to kill him," I added.
"I will take you on that offer," Jorah said with a slight chuckle.
Probably because he doesn't appreciate that Daario snuck into camp and into the royal tent. The time that Jorah was not by my side was when I was bathing. I can tell that this bothered him, either it's because he was not there preventing Daario trespassing or the fact Daario saw me naked. At least the Tyroshi hold little interest in me, but he is blunt on his interest in Daenerys. It has only been several months since Drogo's death. I want her to mourn and grieve properly. Let her body recover from giving birth to Rhaego, then let her decide if she wants to marry or wait. I won't put her in a arrange marriage. But I will decide if her potential spouse is worthy for her. Right now, I don't see Daario worthy. However, I can't stop her. The best thing I can do is give her the Lys elixir and see what the Tyroshi man is capable of.
Still, the risk of sending my men bothers me.
"Please be careful," I managed to say.
Jorah stopped what he was doing and looked at me surprised.
"It's hard for me to make true friends," I said. "Over the past year, you are someone I care about deeply. I would feel guilty if you were to die because of a mistake I made."
The exiled knight got up and walked over to me. He stood before me and place a hand on my shoulder, "You honor me with your words. You are blood of my blood. My Queen, I'll do whatever you command me to do."
I took a deep breath, "At least let me give you a token."
Ser Jorah raised a brow wondering what that would be. Most tokens a woman gives to a soldier or a knight is a ribbon or handkerchief. Since I have neither, I stood up a bit more and pecked his lips. This staggered the knight not expecting it. I smiled slightly from his reaction. Hopefully, it doesn't distract him in battle. When I pulled back, I tried not to chuckle as if I was seeing a younger version of Ser Jorah standing there. A daze like smile.
"Be strong, be careful, and be cautious," I murmured.
"I will, you have my word," Jorah promised.
"I shall let you get ready," I said and made my way out of the tent.
Some people would think the relationship was wrong. Based on the age difference, blood status, and past transgression. However, we are not perfect. I was forced to commit sins that goes against the Faith of the Seven and other religions. Forced to perform in the act of incest and marrying my brother. Ser Jorah, he sold men into slavery and has spent his years in exile to atone for it. Now, it's time to start over.
Most importantly, I promised myself I will not marry out of duty. Marrying Viserys was forced and an obligation to keep the bloodlines pure. If I were to marry it will be out of love. Therefore, I don't give a damn in what others think.
King Aerys the Second left a legacy that smeared my name because I was his daughter.
.o0o.
Ser Jorah's POV
Darkness arrived over Slaver's Bay. The moon was a young moon, as a sliver of silver illuminated the lands. Not enough to expose the earth, compromising the three insurgents about to enter Yunkai. Jorah and Grey Worm knelt behind a ruin where the back gate stood. Daario looked out seeing one guard standing at the back entrance. He turned around facing the two generals.
"When you hear a songbird's whistle, you come. "Daario instructed. "I'm a great whistler. The greatest in the land."
With that said Daario headed to the gate. Jorah looked at his shoulder seeing his comrade holding the same annoyance under his helmet. Both considering Daario being the most arrogant warrior they ever met. It's good to be confident, except too much confidence and a cocky attitude won't get allies to like you. The two lean over the ruin seeing Daario walking over to the soldier who was on guard.
"Who goes there!" the guard demanded.
"Daario Naharis," the Tyroshi answered.
The guard nodded, opening the back gate letting Daario inside. Jorah found this suspicious, seeing it was too easy for a guard to let someone in by just a name. Even in his years as a sellsword in Braavos and Lys, guards check for danger. Both generals waited for a couple of minutes until hearing a whistle of a songbird. Cautious, they went inside through a dimly lit alley.
Once they enter the first opening, both check each side finding two dead guards with their throat slit. Blood covering them and the wall.
"This one was quick," Daario said, sitting on a wagon cleaning his arakh.
"There may be others," Jorah said, as he walked over.
Grey worm nodded, as he removed his helmet.
"I doubt it," Daario said, standing up. "The Yunkish prefer to let their slaves do their fighting for them."
As if Daario jinxed them, many guards' soldiers appeared out of nowhere from alleyways, roofs, and buildings. The Yunkish soldiers shouted, charging for the attack. All men drew their weapons and went on the defensive until seeing an opportunity to strike. Two soldiers went for Jorah, slashing away that he blocked. He strikes getting both men weapons down. Grey Worm used his shield blocking the attack of three men and spun his spear stabbing one in the gut then slash the second soldier in the throat. Meanwhile, it appeared Daario was having fun slashing at his opponents going for the arms and neck. They fought valiantly, with much determination careful not to exhort too much energy and strike where the armor did not cover.
Jorah killed another soldier, turning around hearing someone coming from behind. He turned around seeing Daario holding the stiletto and aimed it at him. Out of reflects, he turned to the side as the blade flew across him and impaled another soldier. A soldier charged behind his fallen comrade which Jorah turned striking his back only an overkill when Daario slashed the man's stomach.
Not long after twenty men were dead.
"That's what you call a few guards?" Jorah growled.
Daario merely smiled.
The sound of the battle in the back gate caught many soldiers' attention. Jorah ready himself looking at Grey Worm who nodded. The Exiled Knight had a feeling this was going to be a long night. He just hopes it's not another sixteen hours. Just as predicted, thirty more soldiers came barging in with swords and spears.
"A long night indeed," Jorah muttered.
.o0o.
Alysanne's POV
I waited in the officer's tent with Daenerys, Missandei, and Ser Barristan. The Dothraki Screamers were protecting the camp along with five hundred Unsullied as the sacking took place. When nightfall came and the hours of sleep engulfed Yunkai all we could hear was silence. It won't be till the middle of the night did we started to hear the battle cries. And so, it begins.
During the time I bowed my head and prayed, giving the warrior and mothers prayer. Daenerys looked at me strangely, since she genuinely hasn't been one for religion. I, on the other hand, continue to the practice the Faith of the Seven. Our Septa would sing hymns and mother teaching me the proper prayer. Even if my life has been hell, the gods did so much when I pray. So far, they answered many prayers from Host families taking us in, and preventing unwanted pregnancy when Viserys forced me to have sex. Including prayer to put an end to my marriage when I had enough. A month later Khal Drogo gave Viserys a molten crown of hold, from his medallion belt and my ring. My last significant prayer was Daenerys surviving her fear after giving birth. The gods have answered so many of my prayers. Not all prayers can be heard, but as of late, I know they are listening.
Now I pray my army and Ser Jorah are safe during the sacking of Yunkai. We are putting a lot of trust into Daario Naharis in making this a quick battle.
Gentle Mother, font of mercy,
Save our sons from war, we pray.
Stay the swords and stay the arrows,
Let them know a better day.
Gentle Mother, the strength of women,
Help our daughters through this fray.
Soothe the wrath and tame the fury,
Teach us all a kinder way…
I whispered this hymn. I know the hymn is about praying to the Mother for Her protection during the war, urging that the Mother stop all the fighting. My Unsullied know they can only kill those who dare attack them. Not to harm the elderly, women, and children. I want to show the world, that a war can be one without killing everyone.
"We've been waiting a long time," Daenerys said impatiently.
Ser Barristan gave her an amused look.
"Haven't we?" She asked.
Ser Barristan shrugged.
"I don't know, you tell me. How long does it take to sack a city?" she asked.
"It can take hours to even days," Ser Barristan said. "Depends on the enemy."
"If we were going the traditional way, it would be a week," I guessed. "Let's hope Daario is right about the back gate."
Another hour went when footsteps caught out attention at the entrance. Jorah and Grey Worm arrived covered in blood. I couldn't see any severe wounds on them, thus concluding it was their opponents' blood. Both men appeared exhausted, yet relieve and proud at the same time. One person was missing; however, Daario Naharis. Either the man died in battle or Jorah killed him because he was a traitor. I walked over halfway facing them.
"It was just as you said," Ser Jorah spoke. "They did not believe until it was too late. Their slave soldiers threw down their spears and surrendered."
I sighed in relief and smile, "Excellent."
Daenerys came over standing next to me, "And Daario Naharis?"
Jorah and Grey Worm's proud face dropped. Speaking of the devil, Daario walked over to hold a banner covered in blood. The Tyroshi knelt before us, presenting the flag of Yunkai as the intricate embroidery of the harpy on a white field stained in blood.
"The city is yours, my queen."
I nodded. Two cities down and one to go.
.o0o.
The next morning, the Unsullied and the Council stood in front of the gates of Yunkai. During the sacking, the slave soldiers dropped their swords and told the slaves they have a choice. To live as free men or forced to be taken. They have until morning to decide. Standing on layer boulders with my councils as the dragon stood in front of us chirping. We waited patiently, wondering if the people had made their choice.
"They will come, your grace," Ser Barristan assured. "When they're ready."
"Perhaps they didn't want to be conquered," Daenerys mumbled.
"You didn't conquer them," Ser Jorah corrected. "You liberated them."
"People learn to love their chains," Daenerys added.
"Patience, my dear sister," I said. "After years of being enslaved it takes a moment to realize they are free."
The main gates open as the slaves of Yunkai came out along with the lower class of Yunkish citizens who were treated as low as the slaves. Hundreds, if not thousands of people came out. So many men, women, and children that I wonder if all two-hundred-thousand were coming to see me. All coming close, until some were to close that the Unsullied drew a barrier as a precaution. Once all who attended came out, Missandei stepped forward speaking Valyrian.
"This is Alysanne Targaryen, Breaker of Chains, the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and Dragoness of the West. And her Sister, Daenerys Targaryen, the Stormborn, the Unburnt, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, and Mother of Dragons. It is they you owe your freedom. "
"No," I told Missandei. I stepped forward addressing them. "You do not owe me your freedom. I cannot give it to you. Your freedom is not mine to give. It belongs to you and you alone. If you want it back, you must take it for yourselves. Each and every one of you. The choice is finally yours."
Silence engrossed the field. Only the sound of the wind as the people comprehend what has been spoken. They were free, and they can live their lives in the ways they wanted to. Be reunited with their loved ones, be a family one more. Couples denied love can have that. Children seeing their mother's face. No longer with the bed slaves and others lay on their back as the Wise Masters consumes their flesh. No longer will women be forced to dance provocatively to be the Wise Masters' source of entertainment. No longer do men have to labor away fearing if their loved ones are alive or barring an unwanted child.
"Mhysa!" a man yelled. "Mhysa!"
Suddenly many more were shouting the word Mhysa! Not long after, they were all saying Mhysa. The word was in a language I did not know of. Not Dothraki, high and low Valyrian, or common tongue. I looked at Missandei to translate the word.
"Why does it mean?" I asked.
"It is old Ghiscari, your grace," Missandei answered. "It means "mother.""
"Mother," I whispered.
Remembering last night, I prayed to the Mother to protect my army. To protect the people, I care for. Gentle Mother, font of mercy… I know I am not a mother. There was an opportunity that I could have been if Viserys didn't terminate the pregnancy. And yet, these people saw me as a mother to them. The people started moving closers that the Unsullied drew their spear.
"It's alright," I murmured. "These people won't hurt us."
Daenerys jumped down to the dragons and knelt before them. She petted Drogon and Rhaegal head murmuring the dragon riders' words, "sōves." Which means to fly. Drogon and Rhaegal took to the sky. Viserion turned his head looking at me for consent. I nodded which my gold dragon went to join his brother.
Jorah offered his hand, to which I accepted and climbed down the boulders. Daenerys gave me a smile, "This is your victory. Not mine."
I smiled softly and thanked her, before passing through my guards and made my way into the free folk. The first person I came to was an elderly woman, as she took my hands and kissed it. I accepted her gesture and brought her hands to my lips giving it a kiss. Next, I walk through the crowd. Some patting my back and others running their fingers through my hair. All still chanting, "Mhysa!"
When I reached the center, I saw a man holding a little girl. She reached out saying Mhysa. I smiled coming over taking her hand. She smiled entwining her fingers. The man who held her smile, as he bobbed his head in gratitude in saving his daughter or sister the potential threat of being a bed slave. I peck the girl's hand praying she will no longer fear her future or experience suffering again.
Out of nowhere, I felt warms wrapped around my legs. I tensed at first until thrust into the air and hands supported me to be seen by everyone.
Well done, Visenya's voice echoed. A true queen in the making.
I couldn't help but smile.
Sorry if Season three seems short. I doubt Daenerys did a year of attacking Astapor and Yunkai. I felt the Daenerys story line was done in a month, compare to what the Show did.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!