The last chapter in Volantis. I had a lot of information about the place in my head, so why not put some of that here?
6. Change of Plans - Daenerys
Flying over the city of Volantis, Dany looked down at the Black Wall. She could see the massive structure of fused dark stone, an impressive bulwark to keep the heart of the city beyond the reach of common men. Not dragons, she mused.
The city had fallen within days of her arrival. Most of the fighting was done by slaves, who seemed to have been simply waiting for a sign. And the richest people were the ones with the most slaves, so whatever diplomatic approach Tyrion Lannister had been planning went away when the triarchs and their families died in the bloody revolution.
Volantis had only been restored to some semblance of order by the combined efforts of the Red Priests and the Widow of the Waterfront. Dany was impressed with the old woman. With her thin hair and scarred cheeks, she gave the impression of weakness to hide a true strength underneath. Tyrion had mentioned how every slave obeyed her before they arrived, and she had proved to be a valuable ally. She would remain in Volantis to oversee the restoration.
The Red Priests had other plans. High Priestess Kinvara had insisted on joining the alliance on the way to Westeros, claiming that nothing was more important than the War for the Dawn. And with her, the Fiery Hand. Dany had personally witnessed their prowess in battle, so she would be foolish to deny the help. From a slave army. I'll have to find a way to free them later. The Temple had also provided ships, increasing the size of her fleet.
They were just about ready to leave, after Tyrion had informed her the supplies they needed were being loaded into the ships. Dany just needed to see what had happened with her own eyes. Piles of burning corpses littered the streets, filling the air with that familiar acrid smell. At least I didn't have to burn anyone this time, she thought, but she might as well have. They fought for me.
As Drogon flew over the Long Bridge across the mouth of the Rhoyne, Dany spotted a robed figure trying to catch her eye. The Spider. She guided her child towards a nearby clearing and landed, dismounting from his back.
Lord Varys came to meet her. "Your Grace." He bowed low. "I trust you've seen what you needed to see?"
"I saw fire and blood." She said simply. Reflecting on all the places she had visited with her army, her family's words were appropriate. Astapor, Yunkai and Meereen probably won't recover anytime soon. And now Volantis.
"You mustn't blame yourself, Your Grace. It seems the people needed only a spark."
"I suppose that's true. But I'm sure you didn't come here to talk about that." She knew this spider wanted to weave another web.
"True." He nodded. "Since we're about to leave Volantis, I was wondering if you've decided upon a destination in Westeros. Or, to put it bluntly, I wanted to know where you plan to make your landing." Dany had thought about it quite often. And she had even discussed a few options with Tyrion.
"King's Landing was my first choice." She wanted to see his reaction.
He was taken aback, visibly shaken by the prospect of a frontal assault. "Y-Your Grace, I don't think-"
She raised a hand to interrupt him. "I know." At least he's willing to voice his objections. "Lord Tyrion and I have discussed this at length. We'll lay siege to the capital when the time is right, not before."
"So you have decided on a place, then?"
"Dragonstone." It made sense in her mind. Aegon the Conqueror had launched his conquest from that island, after all. And Tyrion had assured the place was deserted after Stannis Baratheon left for the North.
"A wise choice, Your Grace." He nodded. "However, if I may be so bold, I believe a brief stay in Dorne might be necessary."
"Why is that?" She had to ask.
"Our allies were told to gather their armies there. And Sunspear is closer. You could meet with them and coordinate a strategy before heading off to Dragonstone." There he was, making plans without her approval again.
"They were told? By whom?" She tried to keep her anger in check, but it wasn't easy.
Varys hesitated a bit, swallowing hard. "Oh, it happened long before we met in Meereen, Your Grace. I had just worked out the details of our alliance with Ellaria Sand and Lady Olenna Tyrell. They needed a place to gather, and Dorne seemed to be the safest choice." His voice was calm, but beads of sweat were forming at his brow.
"Very well. I'll discuss the matter with Lord Tyrion. If that's all…" The man bowed and left, walking as fast as he could without running.
She took a deep breath. How can I work with people I can't trust? Even Tyrion Lannister's loyalty was questionable. Especially once they reached Westeros. Will he truly go against his own family? Dany wasn't so sure.
Glancing up, she spotted Drogon flying with Rhaegal and Viserion. My children would never betray me. She knew she could trust Missandei and Grey Worm too. And her Dothraki would die for her. Yet she couldn't help feeling as if something was missing. Maybe I'm just lonely.
She started walking back to the ship. It was easier said than done, since every former slave who spotted her wanted to say thanks. I didn't do anything, she wanted to say. What happened in Volantis had been a prime example of why waiting for saviors was unnecessary. They saved themselves, really. This she did say more than once, earning even greater thanks from those who heard it.
By the time she reached the harbor, there was a crowd following her.
"Your Grace!" Tyrion Lannister came waddling along. He craned his neck to the side and smiled. "I see you've gathered an escort. Should I tell the Dothraki to find another job?" He quipped. At least he's funny. Sometimes.
She smiled back. "Not yet, my lord Hand. We still have work to do." She turned around and tried to count how many were following her. She lost count at fifty. "However, we can't turn away our new recruits. Find them a place in our ships, and arrange for suitable training." She paused. "If they want to join us, of course."
He nodded and set about following her orders. Dany glanced around. Volantis had a massive harbor, big enough to house most of the ships in her fleet. She noticed the addition of a few new vessels, bearing the flag of the Red God. A large red heart, surrounded by orange and yellow flames. The Fiery Hand.
She could see Kinvara aboard the biggest one, ordering her soldiers. Her soldiers. Tyrion had been clear about that problem. The Fiery Hand will only follow the High Priestess, her Hand had said. Dany was still somewhat conflicted about them. Tyrion said their faith could be useful, but she knew better. It didn't matter how much they believed some prophecy about her, blind faith was always dangerous. I'll have to keep an eye on them.
"They can still be useful." Tyrion's voice made her turn her head back. The dwarf was looking at the High Priestess. "I must confess I'm not very religious myself, Your Grace. However, people need to believe in something." He turned to look at her. "Why not let them believe in you?"
She sighed. "I don't suppose I have much choice in the matter." She remembered all the other prophecies surrounding her life. Mirri Maz Duur had cursed her to be barren. When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves.
Dany didn't care for prophecies. They are only words, and words are wind.
Tyrion frowned. "Actually, after speaking with Lady Melisandre, it seems there is a choice."
"Yes. The so-called King in the North." She couldn't recall his name. "What do you know about the man?" Dany knew things were complicated in Westeros, but there shouldn't be any kings or queens in the North. The Seven Kingdoms are rightfully mine. All of them.
He put a hand on his chin and started scratching his beard. "Jon Snow is Lord Eddard Stark's bastard. The identity of his mother has always been a well-guarded secret. I doubt even Lord Varys knows the truth."
"Who cares about his mother?" She asked, exasperated. "I want to know if he'll be an enemy or a potential ally." Dany shook her head, raising a hand to her temple. She was growing tired of having to tell people how to do their jobs.
Tyrion widened his eyes. "Yes, of course. I believe he could be an ally, Your Grace. The Starks have suffered the most under Lannister rule." He hesitated, then continued, "While I doubt they have fond memories of Targaryens, they would never ally with Cersei. Of that I am certain."
"Very well." She nodded. "If he's willing to bend the knee, I'll consider it." She won't compromise on that. "We'll discuss this further when we reach Dorne."
"Dorne, Your Grace?" He asked, confused. "I thought we were going to Dragonstone."
"Apparently, Lord Varys had arranged for our allies to meet us in Dorne. At Sunspear, to be precise." She tried to keep her voice even.
His eyebrows shot up. "I suppose it's closer. And we could send some of our forces over land. The Dothraki are useless at sea."
"Give them some credit. They're the first Dothraki to cross any sea." Dany felt protective of them. There were times she seemed more Dothraki than Westerosi. I know far more about them. "It's their culture. They don't trust water that horses can't drink."
"Well, it does take a certain amount of bravery to face one's fears." His face became contemplative, probably remembering something from his past. "Regardless, if we have the opportunity to use them in the open field we'll hold an advantage. I've been meaning to discuss a plan to take Casterly Rock."
Now it was Dany's turn to be surprised. "Is that so? You'd attack your own home?"
He shook his head. "Casterly Rock hasn't been my home for years. My late lord father saw to that." His voice sounded bitter. She still couldn't believe he had killed his own father. Should I trust someone like that? Dany's own father was rumored to have been mad, but none of his children had killed him. There's only one Kingslayer, and he's a Lannister.
Exit Volantis. It was definitely interesting to find out more about the place. GRRM is fantastic at worldbuilding.
The date is 15/05/2019