Sorry for the hiatus I've been looking for a job and still dealing with the psychological trauma season 8 gave me.
Chapter 16: Paradise Found
They rode for three days before reaching Qarth. Men banged on gongs atop the walls to announce their arrival, others blew horns that twisted around their bodies like snakes while others banged gongs. A column of camalry served as their guard while their own Dothraki remained close. They left the Khalasar to set up camp outside of the walls of the city. Xaro promised that food and water will be delivered to them. They only Dothraki that entered with them were their and handmaidens.
Back at Vaes Tolorro Pyat Pree praised Qarth with vigor Both Daemon and Daenerys took his pretty words with salted realism. But arriving gave his words some weight. Qarth is a sight to see. Three thick walls with detailed carvings encircled the city. They easily noticed that each wall was taller than the last, first the thirty-foot red sandstone wall with beasts carved into it, second the forty-foot grey granite wall with carvings depicting war, lastly the fifty-foot black marble wall with carvings of lovemaking.
The twins remained unfazed at the scenes on the walls neither the gore of war or the explicit scenes of fucking made either look away. They needed to remain as regal as they can in Dothraki garb. The presence of their dragons aided them in keeping their confidence. Drogon perched protectively on the white lion skin on Daenerys' shoulder while Rhaegal and Viserion flew closely overhead.
The copper, iron, and gold gates opened at their approach. The colors Vaes Tolorro lacked were at Qarth. The buildings were varied in every color you can think of. They rode their silver and black in as children threw flowers in their path. Daemon glanced at Daenerys and saw her smile. He steely demeanor cracked into a warm smile.
'We will have a homecoming like this, my love. I promise the people of King's Landing will shower you with flowers or I shall shower them in Dragonfire.'
As if sensing his mood Viserion landed on his shoulder and nudged his head against Daemon's cheek. Daemon tilted his head to the side in return to show his son his affection.
The Qartheen lined the streets. The women wore silk dresses that revealed one breast while the men wore beaded silk skirts. Compared to them, they looked like savages by any standards. Daemon's amethyst eyes gave nothing away as he glanced at the people they rode by. Their eyes filled with welcome but Daemon could see the lust, curiosity, and greed.
'I don't even have to speak with them to know that they're all liars. Their own eyes betray them.'
In a blur of pretty words, open invitations to the House of the Undying, offers of crowns and housing they ended up accepting a wing of Xaro Xhoan Daxos' palace. His palace was vast and could devour a small town whole. An entire wing just for them Xaro stated.
Before they could ride for the manse, "Beware." They looked over to see the woman in the red mask.
"Of whom?" Dany asked.
"Of what?" Daemon asked just as she did.
"Of all." She replied, "They shall come day and night to see the wonder that has been born again into the world, and when they see they shall lust."
'Does that include you?' Daemon thought suspiciously.
"For dragons are fire made flesh, and fire is power." She started before riding off.
"She speaks truly my king, my queen...though I liked her no more than the others." Jorah said.
"I do not understand her." Dany said.
The other two gave them offers and pretty words and promises of eternal servitude but Quaithe remain reserved. Xaro and Pyatt were enamored the moment they saw the dragons but Quaithe only ever gave them a few cryptic words. She was an enigma to even Daemon.
"Nor do I." He started getting a look from his sister. He can nearly always tell anything about a person within a few minutes of speaking, their motives, their habits, their fears, everything but Quaithe remained a mystery.
Dany sent and Rakharo off to explore the real Qarth that Xaro and Pyatt tried to hide from them. Daemon sent Jorah to the docks to find news of Westeros and ships that would ferry a Dothraki horde. Jhogo and Aggo remained with them and set up a guard in their wing of Xaro's palace. Aggo himself guarded the dragons.
Soon they both stripped bare of their traveling attire by their handmaidens. They padded into the shaded marble pool. The cool water deliriously engulfed them. Whilst Dany floated in the water getting lost in her own mind, Daemon dunked himself into the cool water.
Submerged in the water made Daemon wonder of the Battle of the Trident. How Rhaegar felt in full plate armor facing off against Robert Baratheon. The Usurper killed Rhaegar his brother and nearly killed Daenerys. That demon's bloodlust was insatiable despite them sharing blood. Viserys stated more than once that the only reason the Usurper was allowed to sit on the throne was because his grandmother was a Targaryen. So not only was he usurper but a kinslayer as well.
Viserys' screams were as clear underwater as they were that day, 'As am I.'
Robert Baratheon was supposed to be as strong as a bull, able to swing his mighty Warhammer with a single hand. If Daemon wanted to kill him he needed to tire him out and strike when he stumbles. He played out the battle over and over again in his head. Avoid the hammer, avoid the hammer, avoid the hammer, he stumbles, now strike!
When he surfaced he let out the breath he held in. He looked over to see Dany had already climbed out of the pool and is being dried by Irri, Jhiqui and Doreah. He followed suit before he slipped in a sandsilk robe.
To ease his mind he lounged with Dany and fed their dragons. Being with the four of them felt as if they were the only ones in the world but still something felt missing, like a shadow casting over them. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind.
Irri stepped through the silk curtains, "Qoy Khal, Khaleesi, Jorah the Andal has returned with a man."
"Send him in with this man." Daenerys ordered.
Irri nodded before walking out. The two of them exchanged an anxious look. Jorah entered with a man in green and purple robes with skin as ebony as polished obsidian. Their dragons perched on them protectively and eyed the man curiously.
"My king, my queen, " Jorah bowed his head, "I bring you Quhuru Mo, captain of the Cinnamon Wind out of Tall Trees Town."
The ebony man knelt, "I am greatly honored, your graces." He greeted in Valyrian.
"The honor is ours." Dany replied ever courteous.
"Are you of the Summer Isles?" Daemon asked.
"I am, Your Grace, but before, not half a year past, we called at Oldtown. From there I bring you a gift."
"A gift?" Daenerys wondered.
"I don't see any gift."
"The gift is not a jewel or favor but news. I speak truly when I say, Robert Baratheon is dead."
The twins took pause at the news. "Dead?" Daenerys spoke first.
"Are you certain?" He knew the man spoke true but he wanted to hear it again.
"Quite certain, Your Grace, Oldtown, Dorne, Lys, and all other ports spoke of his death." He explained.
Not a lie, "How did he die, was he in a battle?" Daemon wanted to know who killed the Usurper before he did.
"Torn open by a boar whilst hunting or so I heard." The man answered, "Or so I heard in Oldtown."
'I'd pardon the boar and keep him as a pet.' Daemon smirked as Viserion gave a small chuff feeling his father's satisfaction.
"Others say his queen betrayed him, or his brother or Lord Stark who was his Hand. But all agree that Robert Baratheon is indeed dead." The captain informed.
"The boy sits on the Iron Throne now." Jorah informed.
"King Joffrey Baratheon reigns, " The sailor confirmed, "But the Lannisters rule. Robert's brothers have fled King's Landing. They seek to claim the throne for themselves. And the Hand has been executed as a traitor."
"Ned Stark a traitor? Unlikely." Jorah snorted.
"May I remind you Ser Jorah that he had a hand in dethroning our family." Daemon glared at the old bear.
"Indeed, what honor could a man like that have." Daenerys agreed.
"Anything else?" Daemon asked the captain.
"The Hand's son Robb Stark has been declared King in the North and marches south for vengeance and the Tullys stand with him." Quhuru added.
Daemon simply nodded, "Thank you, " Daenerys spoke, "this gift is more valuable than you know."
"As was yours, " They looked at him curiously, "I have seen dragons."
Dany smiled while Daemon chuckled, "As will the whole world when they are grown." Dany replied.
With that, the man walked out of the silk curtains. The two abruptly stood and their dragons spread their wings and uncoiled from them.
"We need a fleet." Dany stated, "We have a Dothraki horde and dragons, the very alliance that overthrew our house is collapsing in on itself."
Daemon nodded, "Ten thousand Dothraki could sweep the Seven Kingdoms we have four times that and they are at each other's throats, the time to strike is now."
"My king, my queen if I may speak freely, " With a nod from Daenerys he continued, "How are we to acquire a fleet as well as foot soldiers? The Dothraki are a mighty force on the field but they can't hold castles and horses can't run over water. And we will need alliances with the great houses."
Jorah spoke true, "We have the gold, jewels and goods Illyrio and the other nobles gifted us at our wedding." Daenerys stated, "How many ships will that buy?"
Jorah himself was there that day, "A few but not enough to ferry the whole horde."
"Then what shall we do?"
"Xaro offered us the knowledge of Qarth, let us see if the answers we seek lies with that knowledge."
"I don't trust Xaro nor Pyatt or Quaithe." He stated, "They want something."
"As does everyone else." Daenerys replied, "I will shower them pretty words whilst you dig for their true motives."
'A sound plan.' He nodded in agreement.
"For now we rest." Daemon states and the other two nodded, "And as for alliances, the great houses will flock to us at the sight of our dragons."
"Dragons can die, your grace."
"As do dragonslayers." Daenerys replied.
