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The views, follows and favourites have been encouraging for me so here's another chapter.
FFN has been eating my formatting so please bear with me. I appreciate the support.
After hours of debate in which they drank toasts and exchanged gifts, Lord Beqqo accepted Daemon's terms. He offered a thousand gold dragons for Daemon's services over the next year, as well as the rank of Captain and most importantly, the lordship of Maloqovos, conditional to the ascension of Beqqo Nestoris to Sealord of Braavos.
Daemon agreed, and the oath was signed in blood.
The journey to Selhoru took the better part of the year. Throughout their expedition, they have been able to receive news via Lord Beqqo's falcons. Lord Beqqo's father, Lord Uthor Nestoris had simply continued the coastal mailing network established by his great-grandfather, Master of Whispers, Beqqo of Pentos. The Great Council has refused to back Lord Beqqo for the next election and so Daemon has been instructed to proceed with the plan. He has been given authority over the entire forty galleon strong fleet.
Daemon presents Khal Pono with a stable of Braavosi thoroughbreds. He made sure to bring over only the best prize horses in order to make a good impression on the Khal.
They were met by a large group of horsemen near the headwaters of the Selhoru. The Khal was pleased to receive the gift. He mounted a beautiful stallion and rode forward. Daemon has his interpreter, Lotharys translate. "Khal Pono may your khalasar mount these stallions as they mount the world."
They spent a few days in Selhoru with Khal Pono before leaving for the final leg of the journey to the east. Daemon plans to start by visiting all of the khalasars along the way and gain their support. Khal Motho and his old riders easily fell in line, while Khal Zekko required bribes. Things were going quite well, Daemon thought, until he met his chance with destiny upon colliding with Khal Jhaqo's khalassar.
Drogon's roar was enough to freeze even the bravest of warriors but what Daemon truly freeze was the other dragon standing on the other side of the plain. Daemon had known about the Queen of Mereen and her dragons. He had known about her conquests and her known beauty but he could not move in front of the dragon he thought to be the most powerful. He stood there frozen like a statue as if contemplating the rest of his life.
Drogon stood guard in between Daenerys and Jhaqo's khalasar.
"Rytsas, Muña Zaldrizoti."
Daemon let go of the reins of his horse and bowed low. He did not raise his gaze from the ground. "Khal Jhaqo, she is under our protection now" Ser Garlan pronounced.
"This is not an enemy, nor is she an ally, she is a prisoner," Khal Jhaqo was interpreted by Lotharys. "I do not trust her."
Daemon could sense the dragon's anger and he knew the only thing he could do was to surrender to fate. "My Queen, we will fight with you."
Daemon readied his men, four hundred Braavosi sellswords and mounted knights joined by one thousand riders from Pono's khalasar.
Drogon's roar drowned out every sound in the world. A black shadow covered the sun and darkness settled over the plain.
The battle lasted for hours. Daemon's forces were outnumbered five to one but Drogon was relentless, merciless in his rage. Daemon and his men were able to cut down the Khal's riders as they retreated from the dragon fire. Khal Jhaqo was able to escape into the valleys but his army was destroyed.
Daemon becomes aware of the extent of the devastation and is stunned by the power of the dragons. They had killed hundreds upon hundreds of Khal Jhaqo's men. Daemon ordered his men to pursue Jhoqo. The dragon settled down and the Khaleesi dismounted. He realized then that he was not the commander of the day but only a pawn in a greater game.
"This is an act of loyalty that will not soon be forgotten." Daenerys' flawless high valyrian stuns Daemon.
Daemon was not sure what to say or do next. He knelt before the young queen and bowed his head.
"What is your name?"
"Daemon Waters. Captain of the Selhuru Expedition, your grace."
"Then arise, Lord Daemon, Lord Minister of the Queen's council."
"I'm a mere bastard, your Grace... an exiled one."
"Do not speak to me with such formality. Your name is Daemon." She took his hand and pulled him up. "When my exile ends, yours shall end as well."
As Daemon and his host of khalasars were marching up from the Selhuru plains to the riverheads in between Norvos and Pentos, there was a growing concern among the great powers of the area. The khalasars had been leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and it had been apparent that this movement was a nomadic one. The khalasars brought with them not just riders and warriors, but all men, women and children. There was a growing sense that Lord Beqqo had arranged to allow the khalasars to pillage and in exchange for securing Braavos in his name, the khalasars would be granted land. The news of this unease only strengthened the resolve of the Magister Tomo led anti-Beqqo alliance. The Great Council was now refusing any further talks and a civil war seemed to be on the horizon.
Magister Tomo, together with Lord Cossomo and Lord Luco, had taken their own fleet and invaded the coastlands. The first battle at Moon Hill ended in disaster. Lord Beqqo's forces crushed the Magister's and took all thirty ships as spoils of war. The second battle at the mouth of the Krasos River ended in similar fashion, with Lord Beqqo's forces overwhelming Magister Tomo's fleet, and taking it as plunder. The third battle at the mouth of the Red Fork ended in another crushing defeat for the Magister, when Khal Pono's khalasar finally arrived to reinforce Lord Beqqo's cavalry and as quickly as the war started the Antaryon Sealord soon had to begin arrangements for a surrender.
The Sealord would abdicate the position, one of the few times this has been recorded to happen. The Moon Hills would also be annexed as compensation for the Khalasars and they would be granted autonomy within that region. Khal Pono has now been raised to Lord Pono of the Moon Hills, while Daemon receives the Lordship of Malaqovos as promised. The Braavosi Republic would be granted concessions in the form of larger vote in the Great Council. Lord Beqqo decides that it is time to make peace with the Great Council and to offer the Braavosi Republic greater representation on the council in exchange for their neutrality. The Great Council now consists of magisters, keyholders, mayors and select ministers. This uneasy peace has been built on shaky ground. The regional tensions only continue to intensify as unease regarding the greater khalasar presence in northern Easteros has been now attracted the attention of the magisters of Pentos and Lorath.