A/N: Hope you all are staying safe. And there's a lot to cover in this chapter, so please read carefully.

Daenerys walked with Xaro Xhoan Daxos after he showed her his massive treasure vault and being treated to Qarthean hospitality under his roof. It had been many days since she and what was left of her people, including Ser Jorah, had ventured through the Red Waste with many dying. But what had worried the Mother of Dragons the most were her children, her dragons who she struggled to feed with what little food that they could bring to them.

Drogon, the black dragon and named after her sun and stars, was proving to be most willful of her three children, but he was already proving himself to be Balerion the Black Dread reborn, releasing black fire from his mouth and reminding her of the many stories she had read of the original Balerion and what Aegon the Conqueror did while they were bonded.

Rhaegal, the green dragon and who she named after the brother she had heard so much about, was not as aggressive or willful as Drogon. However, that didn't mean that he was docile and knew when to stand his ground.

But what really stumped Daenerys was Viserion, the creamy dragon and whom she named after her brother. Calm like Rhaegal, she had assumed at Viserion was a he-dragon, only for her to sense something different from him, or her.

Despite their differing dispositions, Drogon and Rhaegal started to be closer to each other by how they grouped together when feeding upon a carcass and indeed to the now regular supply at Qarth. What convinced Daenerys that Viserion was a she-dragon was how both Drogon and Rhaegal made way for her when she fed and seemed to be keeping their distance, as the she-dragon seemed to be more willful than the boys. From what I read about female dragons, that seems to be only natural, Daenerys mused.

But she would be remiss to forget that there was one other dragon and one other who had her name, and both were further east in a land of a thousand cities and a different people. She didn't know the name of the red dragon claimed by Daeron Targaryen, but she knew for sure that they were there. What's more, she wasn't alone as she previously thought.

As for Daeron Targaryen, hopefully named after the Young Dragon and not the one whose measures had led to the Blackfyre Rebellions, he didn't have the traditional Valyrian traits of silver hair and amethyst eyes. Still, he looked close to her age and was very comely from the last time they met via that spiritual connection. His chest seemed very well-toned, his shoulders broad, and his well-trimmed raven black beard, black hair, and grey eyes all suited him.

But more importantly, he seemed just as eager as she was in actually meeting her. After all, they were the last two Targaryens that anyone knew about and it was important for them to stick together, especially in the dark times of their house. We will meet, Daeron Targaryen. As much as it takes.

Just the mere thought of there being another Targaryen and another dragon in the world filled her with hope, something that she hadn't felt ever since Drogo died. And whether by cosmic coincidence or some act of nature balancing itself out, the fact that there were two he-dragons and two she-dragons in the world meant that something larger was at play. It also meant that when, not if, the dragons were united, there was no want in mating pairs.

With all of those thoughts at hand, Daenerys hid her hesitation on Xaro's marriage proposal, even though his offer of material support for her claim in exchange for her hand did sound tempting for a quick moment. At the same time, she couldn't afford to jeopardize her position given how she was without a proper khalasar and without a powerful army at her side. Play the game, she reminded herself in her thoughts.

After overcoming her elation at the news of how Robert Baratheon the Usurper was skewered by a wild boar and how those that overthrew her family were now killing each other in what was now being called the War of the Five Kings, Daenerys suddenly felt the urge to ask Xaro on what lay east of Qarth.

"Xaro," Daenerys said once they found a place to change the subject and to get her mind off of his marriage proposal. "What do you know of the land of a thousand cities?"

Xaro's eyebrow rose. "Why does the Mother of Dragons wish to know of that land?"

Daenerys shrugged, but kept her true intentions hidden. "I've heard only whispers and unsubstantiated claims on what lay east of the Bone Mountains. They talk about a civilization that is probably the oldest and most advanced in the world. As we know each other's positions regarding my claim, I would like you to indulge my curiosity for a moment."

Xaro chortled before rubbing his chin. "As you wish. Well, where to start? Oh, yes. Whatever you may have heard of the Golden Empire will very likely fall short of grasping its true glory."

"Such as?" Daenerys' interest was piqued.

"There have been at least ten dynasties in recorded history to have ever ruled the empire, the azure line being the most recent to take the throne, but there might have been more dynasties, whose names have been forever lost," Xaro began. "Gai Bu is the current emperor and seventeenth to have hailed from the azure line, and he has sat on the imperial throne for over forty years. It was during his reign that the empire went through its own version of the War of the Five Kings, but his one being amongst three emperors."

"Hmmm," Daenerys listened.

"But the azure line was preserved and its rivals, the yellow and orange emperors, were captured and executed for high treason. If you ask me, they were already fighting lost causes when they decided to press their claim on the imperial throne," Xaro stated.

"Why do you say so?" she asked.

"There are many similarities between Westeros and the Golden Empire, at least from what I read," Xaro replied. "Both have lordships, the populations in both mainly rely on farming to survive, and both have elite warrior classes among others. But the Golden Empire is a land where the lords are very much inferior to the emperor, who is worshipped like a god there."

"Please elaborate," Daenerys pressed.

"Westeros has lords who can command armies of their own and it's still common for houses there to defy the rule of the king. But such circumstances do not exist in the Golden Empire, for they have evolved from such an unwieldy system of lords supposedly acting on their ruler's behalf."
"How have they evolved?"

"I don't know when it exactly happened, but one of the emperors decided to end the constant warring between the lords by revoking their right to command their own armies and mandating that every lord send a hostage to the capital every other year to keep them in line. Of course, such an arrangement quickly met resistance and there was a major rebellion in the empire's southeast province around Jinqi, a rebellion that lasted for ten years. Eventually, that rebellion was put down, Jinqi was devastated, and the lords finally were disarmed and forced to submit to the emperor."

Quite an achievement, Daenerys noted with admiration.

"But some houses in the empire adapted to the new circumstances quicker than others. Their thinking was that if they couldn't have armies or other means of power in the past, they can find new ways to keep it. So, even though all armies answered to the emperor, many of its officers came from lordly houses and thus keeping the aristocracy prominent in the society. In addition, the conflicts between the lords merely took on a new form and thus continuing the game there."

Daenerys nodded. So, some things just stay the same no matter how much one tries to change the established order, she thought. The lords in Yi-Ti quickly adjusted to new circumstances and maintained their hold above the smallfolk, if such a term applied to the commoners in that land.

"What is the current political situation in Yi-Ti as of this moment?" she inquired.

"Well, you have the emperor Gai Bu and the azure line existing in the House of Bu. The emperor has a trueborn son, Sumeng Bu, as well as other sons born from his concubines. Unfortunately, concubines' children can never inherit the throne as they do not have the main marriage with the emperor. Unless one of the concubines is elevated and thus her children becomes included in the line of succession, which has happened before but only rarely."

"Kind of like bastards in Westeros," Daenerys saw the connection.

"Exactly," Xaro nodded. "Sumeng Bu is also married to the daughter of Hudam Shu, the prime minister of the empire. Kind of like the Hand of the King, but more powerful. It's possible that the emperor arranged such a match in order to keep Shu's faction in line, as it controls over a large portion of the imperial court at Yin. And there are many factions in the court, but Shu's the only one that can actually maintain some order."

"It is as you say. The game is played in that land just as often in Westeros," Daenerys chuckled in amusement.

"Very true. But I would say that an unforeseen player there is the emperor's daughter, Khiara Bu."

"Why do you say that?" Daenerys became very interested.

"I've only heard rumors about her. Besides being a great beauty like yourself, she is everything that is expected in an emperor, but alas, she is a woman. Compared to his sister, Sumeng Bu doesn't have what it takes to survive in the court there, which is more of a viper's nest than the one at the Red Keep can ever be, but he's only still alive since his death will cause more problems, especially for Hudam Shu."

"And they don't regard this… Khiara Bu with much regard because she's a princess?" Daenerys felt strong sense of familiarity from what she had just heard.

"Let's just say that… I have more forward views regarding women in power than those snakes in Yin do," Xaro tried to flatter Daenerys, which didn't work.

But Daenerys felt the urge to scoff. Of course they would try to cut an able woman out of power. Westeros' history was littered with tragedies whenever power tried to find its way into a woman's hand, with the Dance of the Dragons being the most painful example. Why are men's minds so small and narrow?

"How do you know so much about Yi-Ti, particularly its history and politics?" Daenerys asked.

"I have to admit. I am fascinated of those things by which I have little understanding of," Xaro honestly answered. "Yi-Ti is a land which I have little exposure, but the little that I become familiar with was enough to intrigue me very much. And besides their capacity for conflict, they are natural philosophers. For example, I learned this saying from one that hailed from there: qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià."

For some reason, that unknown tongue of Yi-Ti sounded very alluring to Daenerys' ears. "What tongue is that?"

"Guanhua, which is the tongue of much of the empire and the one spoken at court, although the court dialect is more… how I should say this? Refined than the one commonly uttered. In the common tongue, those words roughly translate to 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,'" Xaro explained.

"Sounds pretty innocuous," Daenerys didn't quite understand the meaning of the saying.

"From what I understood, it means that a person's path to great change only occurs when one actually starts it. And that is easier said than done in most cases."

"Ah," Daenerys nodded, now somewhat understanding. "Sounds very appropriate to my situation."

"Quite," Xaro agreed. "There is also another saying that they have: rén suàn bùrú tiān suàn. That means in the common tongue, 'man's schemes are inferior to those made by heaven.'"

Daenerys shook her head in strong disagreement. "I don't believe that. Dragons do not answer to both gods and men. No dragons have been seen in the world until I came," she wisely left out Daeron and his dragon. "We make our own destiny."

"Then, it wouldn't be destiny, wouldn't it?" Xaro asked. "But I see your point."

"How do you know guanhua?" Daenerys wanted to change the topic, as she was not in the mood to discuss spiritual matters.

"I don't know much guanhua, to be honest with you," Xaro shrugged. "And even if I did, it probably won't be enough for me to survive there, for it is not the only tongue spoken."

"There's more than one?"

"Yes. There are three main ones spoken there. Goryeomal is the tongue spoken in the eastern provinces, the ones bordering Asshai, and the empire cannot ignore the descendants of the goryeo people without risking another rebellion from Jinqi, so they made concessions for them to keep their own language and culture in exchange for their loyalty."

"Makes sense," Daenerys noted.

"The other important one, nihongo, is the language spoken by the army and their fleet. It was originally the tongue of the nihonjin people, those who lived near the Bone Mountains and were much more martially inclined than the original founders of the Golden Empire. They fought the large armies of the empire to a standstill, so one of the emperors offered them a deal: become his subjects and they shall have the power to reform the army and fleet as they fit."

Daenerys was surprised that an emperor would make such a deal after warring with those people. "Sounds like the nihonjin got the better end of the deal."

"And they did," Xaro bobbed his head. "Their traditions and views towards war continue to influence the empire to this day, with the warrior class living by a strict code of honor, which I believe is more severe than chivalry."

"In what way?"

"From what I read, if a member of the warrior class dishonored himself, the only way to get it back is to commit seppuku, which means 'ritual suicide.'"

Daenerys' eyes widened. "They think committing suicide is a way to get back their honor?"

Xaro raised his hands. "Don't ask me. Those people have a very different way of viewing the world and I learned long ago to not let my views influence how I see other customs. But going back to Yi-Ti, those three tongues reflect each unique phase of the empire's history. And how they were able to weave together a united realm is something that I still marvel at."

"You seem to admire the empire very much," Daenerys observed.

"It is a land where the people are more forward thinking in every aspect of life, but I've learned that greed and the game are circumstances that remain the same everywhere you go," Xaro said. "Lastly, from what I've heard, the army and the fleet very contentious with each other."

That confused Daenerys. "Why is that?"

"At least in the southern provinces, the army and fleet are engaged in a never-ending struggle to dominate each other at court, mostly because each vie for the largest portion of the imperial purse," Xaro explained. "The generals in the southern army want to expand northwards and seek more glory and riches onto themselves, but the imperial fleet want more coin to build better ships and eventually expand via the sea. As for the generals in the northern army, they disagree with their southern counterparts because they know that expanding northwards will add unnecessary costs on the imperial treasury and because they know how to deal with the Jogos Nhai through peaceful means. So, in that regard, the northern army generals and the admirals in the imperial fleet have an alliance with each other, while the southern army generals and various officials at the imperial court also have a bond with each other."

"So, even among those charged with the empire's security, there is politicking?" Daenerys somehow wasn't surprised, but it baffled her since these general and admiral were supposed to be fully devoted to safeguarding the citizens. Or that's not really the case.

"You must understand that their commanders usually come from decent pedigrees, often from families that have had feuds with each other that lasted for centuries at the least. The admirals came from sea merchants who had achieved wealth, power, and titles in the empire, the southern generals came from the original founders of the empire who view themselves as above the rest, and the northern generals came from a mix of nihonjin and steppes people not of Jogos Nhai extract who have become accustomed to the relative harshness of the northern frontier. But my words are merely simplifications since the feuds between them are much more complex than how I described it. You'll have to ask someone from there, a person of influence, if you really want to understand all of the empire's nuances."

"I see," Daenerys answered. "So, despite all of its supposed progress, it's just like any other land in that the people there fight over the same wants and needs?"

"That's one way of putting it," Xaro accepted. "What I've learned from my time gaining all of my wealth is that men everywhere respond to the same desires. You'll be hard pressed to find one who doesn't respond to them."

"Of course," Daenerys nodded in concurrence, but she also directed her words to Xaro, who also was vulnerable to such base desires such as wealth. Whether he caught it or not was not really her concern, but with their discussion nearing an end, she had decided to retire for the day.

"Did he bring up a marriage proposal to you?" Ser Jorah asked her.

"Yes," she nodded. "We also had a very interesting discussion on the land of a thousand cities."

"Yi-Ti?" Jorah was surprised that she even wanted to know about that land.

"Yes, but I had my reasons to make my inquiry on the lands to east, reasons that I didn't share with Xaro."

"You're referring to the other dragon, the one who shares your family name?" Jorah had seen the glimmer of hope in her eyes and who she interacted with via a spiritual connection.

"I know he's there, Ser Jorah," Daenerys answered with such certainty. "Drogon felt his and his dragon's presence, but I also fear for him."

"Why do you fear for him?"

"Because he's in a land that's probably just as dangerous, even more so, as Westeros with all of its squabbling lords and conflicts," Daenerys admitted. "He's probably like me, just trying to survive while also not fully aware of the scheming that takes place around him. He must also be worried about his dragon, as it'll be years before it can grow large enough to be threatening and until then, anyone smart enough will try to use it for their own advantage."

Jorah sighed before nodding, listening to each of her concerns. But Daenerys sensed something else. "You are doubtful of his existence?"

"With respect, we all vie for the things we want the most and our mind has a special ability to conjure up our deepest hopes in order to make our hard lives more bearable," Jorah confessed.

That got Daenerys angry. "You think I'm lying to you?!"

"I admit that you might have seen someone, but I am skeptical if this man you saw is a Targaryen."

A fire grew within Daenerys, as she was incensed at her protector expressing doubts on who she talked with through the flames. But before her dragons did something to Ser Jorah, who felt their mother's frustration and hissed at the knight of Bear Island, she turned around and didn't face him. "Get out of my chambers."

"Please, don't take this the wrong way—"

"Get out!" she shouted. "Before I have my children make you."

Ser Jorah exhaled noisily before complying with her command. Lying on her bed, Daenerys breathed in and out, calming her ire. She was helped when her children snuggled against her.

"You know that I love you all very much," she rubbed each of them lovingly, who hissed in response. We know you do, she heard Drogon speak through their bond.

While still thinking on what Xaro said about Yi-Ti, her thoughts became focused around on the comely man of her visions. Be wary, Daeron Targaryen. Don't let yourself be the fool, like I was.


Jon, Chanhee, and Sumeng sat in the large yurt alongside other Jogos Nhai jhats, Placed in the center of their circle was a woman jhat going by the name of Sela, who had wooden beads hanging from her head and her hair arranged in various locks. Wearing fur garments and with various animal teeth adorned around her neck, she had wrinkles in her face, but behind her brown eyes bore a mind that seemed just as preceptive and piercing as Lord Joon.

But what got Jon's attention were the rubies in her cheeks and what seemed to be rings in both of her breasts. Confused as to who she was, since she didn't look like most Jogos Nhai, he turned to Chanhee.

"I never saw the rubies in other Jogos Nhai before," Jon said to Chanhee.

"That's because this woman is from the region that was once the Patrimony of Hyrkoon," Chanhee replied. "I'm amazed that she was able to become a jhat, considering that most people from there end up as slaves to the Jogos Nhai."

Jon had studied about the cities that made up the former Patrimony of Hyrkoon, which included the city of Kayakayanaya. Women from that region were raised from an early age to be warriors, as they believed that only those who give birth are permitted to take life at will. Those warrior maids pierced iron rings in their nipples and embedded rubies in their cheeks. And among the activities that they enjoyed included riding horses and training with the bow, knife, sling, and spear. Arya would love being among them.

"Thinking of your sister?" Chanhee picked up.

"Yeah," Jon nodded wistfully. "I'm just thinking about how little I've actually seen the world and how Arya might have actually enjoyed being here. Did I tell you that she put on a soldier's helmet when Robert Baratheon visited Winterfell?"

"You did," Chanhee grinned. "Your uncle and this Lady Catelyn must've been horrified."

"Well, Ned took it better than Catelyn, who acted as other ladies from the south would act," Jon rolled his eyes.

"If I met your sister, I would have made her hunt her own food. I'm not going to cook for her," Chanhee jested.

"I'm going to tell her that you said that. She might actually take you up on it and try to outdo you," Jon japed back.

"That'll be something to see," she chuckled.

"Please excuse," Sumeng interrupted. "But you both think that this is a good time to exchange jests with one another? We're still among these barbarians."

"At least we're not bound with ropes and they allowed us to keep our weapons," Jon pointed out.

"In addition, they extended their hospitality by offering us zorse milk," Chanhee added while bringing out her knowledge of Jogos Nhai customs. "Once that happens, they can't harm us and are obligated to protect us from our enemies."

"That's comforting," Sumeng stated sarcastically.

"Would you rather still be a prisoner, Prince Sumeng?" Jon asked him straight.

"A bed in Trader Town is more preferable to living among these savages, Prince Daeron," Sumeng groaned. "And you said that we might be picked up by patrols from my army."

"That was one option," Jon admitted. "But there was no guarantee that there would be patrols where we were on the Steel Road, considering what happened to you."

Sumeng sniffed his robes before his face twisted in disgust. "I'll need a bath to shake off the stench of these zorse-fuckers."

"These 'zorse-fuckers' as you like to call us," Sela turned to Sumeng while speaking good guanhua. "Have just seen evidence of one of the reasons why we dislike you southerners so much. You've grown fat like pigs and are perfectly shut off from the hardships of the world."

While Sumeng was shocked that Sela even spoke guanhua, Chanhee shook her head and Jon cringed at the Crown Prince's insults.

"I'm not fat," Sumeng said defensively.

"But the point remains," Sela shot back. "I dread the day you take the throne, for that will be the end of our fortunes."

"What can you possibly gain from us? Well, besides the loot and people you take into slavery when you lot raid us," Sumeng crossed his arms.

"You really don't understand, do you, Your Highness?" Sela emphasized his address with disdain. "Makes me wonder if you being the firstborn son of the emperor is the only reason why you're still alive."

"What did you just say?" Sumeng tightened his fist, causing Jon to grab his arm and shake his head.

"Please enlighten us all on how exactly your people benefits from the empire, for I am a newcomer to these lands," Jon asked Sela.

"Someone of good blood whose knows manners. Very good," Sela nodded approvingly before looking back at Sumeng. "If you really believe that the empire has a problem with our raiding your lands, then you are a more naïve fool than I took you for."

"What are you talking about?" Sumeng narrowed his eyes.

"Your emperor has a large army at his command, more than five hundred thousand. If he really wanted to, he can send all of his soldiers and we won't be able to last in a protracted war. But as you should know, wars are expensive affairs and these plains are not suitable for farming. At the same time, it's better for people who know these lands to rule them and allow us to engage in the occasional raid where some loot of little consequence can be taken. Just so long as the jhats don't form a large army and begin a major southward advance, which has always ended badly for our people. It's a lesson that your captors have not taken to heart," Sela scoffed.

"And what does that make you? The smart ones?" Sumeng sneered. "The Lion of Night will return to these lands before I hear of a Jogos Nhai with a brain."

"Well, fortunately for you, I'm not actually part of these people," Sela shook her head.

"If I may ask," Chanhee joined in. "How did a woman hailing from the former lands of Hyrkoon become a jhat? Warrior women from your lands and the Jogos Nhai have deep blood feuds."

Sela sighed. "As you might have noticed, I was a slave, taken by a jhat in a raid at Kayakayanaya. But over time, I was able to fight my way up the tribe. The only way that allowed me a chance to survive was to lead a raid against my own hometown, which I did without hesitation."

Jon and Chanhee were surprised. "You did that against your own people?" she blinked.

"What have the good people of that city did for me when I was enslaved?" Sela shot back bitterly. "Besides, it's all in the past and I now have my own tribe to lead, or tribes. No Great Father or other man can tell me different."

Jon had to be impressed. He didn't know much about Hyrkoon's women warriors besides from what he read and here was one who made her own fate. However, there was a price to pay for her choices and she must've paid in full.

"Well, I'm amazed that someone like you has made it this far," Chanhee answered in awe, earning a grin from Sela.

One of the other jhats addressed Sela in the tongue of the Jogos Nhai, which Jon didn't understand. "What are they saying?" he asked while Sumeng leaned in to listen.

"One of the male jhats is asking what they will do with us," Chanhee translated. "They're discussing whether to keep us as their guests or turn us over to the imperial garrison at Trader Town after they negotiate with the commander there."

Sumeng looked really hopeful for that latter option. "If that's the case, then I shall command whoever is in charge there to pay whatever these people want."

"That may not be a good idea," Jon disagreed. "Remember, your Prime Minister doesn't want the army to negotiate with the Jogos Nhai and they might not tell the difference between the renegades and the ones led by Sela."

"Besides, who's to say the commander at Trader Town will even pay what Sela wants?" Chanhee added before she continued to translate. "Now, another jhat is saying that they should meet with Detu, who is the jhat that is leading the others southwards and demand his explanation on why he had broken the truce."

"Isn't it because their stormsingers are predicting a winter that will last for generations and thus threaten their livelihood?" Jon remembered.

"It seems as if the jhats led by Sela are a more docile bunch," Chanhee judged. "They also had stormsingers tell them of a long winter, but their main course is to invade Kayakayanaya and the other cities of the former Hyrkoon patrimony instead of going south."

"May the Maiden-Made-of-Light make them choose going there," Sumeng blurted out. "Better have savages killing other savages."

"You have to be more careful with those words," Jon scolded him. "Sela knows guanhua and she might not react well if you keep talking down to her."

Sela groaned in disgust.

"All right," Chanhee continued to translate. "They've decided to send an emissary to Trader Town to contact the garrison commander there. They are going to inform him that the Crown Prince is safe within their hands and that they will be willing to exchange the Crown Prince for food, weapons, and valuables provided that the army grant them safe conduct to the northern provinces until the trade has been made."

"Finally, some progress," Sumeng threw his hands up to express his impatience.

"Until then, we shall remain here until they get a response," Chanhee listened before her eyes widened in surprise.

"What is it?" Jon asked with some concern.

"One of the jhats is asking what they should do with both of us, especially you since you have the dragon," Chanhee turned her face to his.

"What are they saying?"

"That jhat is suggesting that they could get a bigger payment if you were to be included in the exchange, since they are at least aware of the value behind a dragon," she responded.

"Well, they got that right," Sumeng observed. "Your dragon was very fierce. And you are a prince, so the least I can do is treat you like one and ensure that you come back with me to our lines."

Jon nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Apparently, Sela knows who Lord Joon is," Chanhee didn't expect that. "It seems as if he is a more important man in the empire than I had realized."

"Are you both referring to Joon Kitara, Lord of Kushiro?" Sumeng inquired, to which they both nodded. "How do you know him?"

"She's been his guest for three moons, me for six moons," Jon divulged.

"By the gods… why didn't he say that you were under his roof? He should've informed the court of your existence!" Sumeng exclaimed.

"How do you know him?" Chanhee asked back.

"I don't know him personally, but he had quite the reputation in court at Yin years ago. If there was one man that Prime Minister Shu was concerned about, it was Governor Kitara, as he knew how to make alliances with certain people and actually beat the southern army generals by organizing an official protest with the fleet admirals when my father the emperor was about to introduce certain policies that Lord Kitara had major issues with," Sumeng elaborated.

"Lord Joon did that?" Jon was astounded.

"Naturally, he made enemies in the court for what he did. Fortunately, since his father had passed away and the Kitara family were the only ones who could really administer the northwest region for the emperor, he was appointed the governor like his father before him and thus left court before anyone could retaliate against him," Sumeng was impressed.

"Good timing," Jon noted.

"Quite. Now, I shall have words with Lord Kitara on why he didn't inform the court on your existence," Sumeng declared. "A dragon, a prince of House Targaryen, is not something to hide."

"He told me that the Targaryen name has no meaning in the empire and that even if someone knew it, no difference could be made," Jon answered.

"We'll see about that, won't we?" Sumeng cracked a smile.

Sela turned back to the three, who sat straighter. "I have deliberated with the other jhats and we've agreed to turn you all over to the imperial army at Trader Town provided they meet our terms and issue safe conduct to us while we're there. Until we hear a response or meet a representative, you will all remain here for the time being. Is that agreeable?"

"Yes. Thank you," Chanhee spoke for them in the tongue of the Jogos Nhai. "We look forward to more of your hospitality."

Sela nodded before gesturing them to follow one of the zorsemen to their respective yurts. But before they could leave, she called out to Jon. "Prince Daeron, can you spare a moment?"

Sumeng and Chanhee looked on, stumped, before Jon assured her that he will be fine. Chanhee gave him a kiss before walking on. "Yes?"

"You're a good-looking man, even for a white devil," Sela looked at him up and down.

"Thank you," Jon accepted.

"And your woman, Chanhee, is a pretty one," Sela added.

"She is," Jon agreed.

"You've bedded each other yet?" Jon shook his head. "Why not?"

"She didn't want to be rushed and I respect her wishes," Jon answered.

"If I were you, I'd get on her," Sela chuckled. "And I'm pretty sure that she wants to also. After all, you've both been through some challenging trials by this point."

"You really think so? About Chanhee?"

Sela shook her head. "If you really want to find love in your life, you have to take it. Don't wait for it."

"May I ask why are you concerned about my personal affairs?" Jon had to ask.

"Just a suggestion," Sela shrugged. "But I wouldn't wait too long, young man. Or boy, since you're not considered a man until you take a woman into your arms."

"Thank you for the suggestion," Jon bowed his head before showing himself out of her yurt.

But as Jon walked back to his yurt, he began to think on Sela's words and how his bond with Chanhee had gone. There was that one moment in the plains where they also did it, but they both weren't ready. However, after what they've been through, with Meleys setting their pursuers on fire and him getting his first real taste of combat, he began to see that they were already living a life that no one else had. They also had brushed very close to danger, which could end their lives before both of them knew it.

That was when Jon decided to really ask Chanhee if they could do it. Our lives might end tomorrow, so we should know. But if she still doesn't want it, I'll respect it.

Going to Chanhee's yurt, he took in a few deep breaths before he told her that he was outside.

"Um, Chanhee," Jon called out. "I have something to ask you." But just as he finished his sentence, a hand grabbed his and pulled Jon in.

Chanhee tackled Jon to the floor before forcibly kissing his lips. Their tongues danced as they spun around on the furs of her yurt. Seeing herself on top of Jon again, she pulled away from the kiss. "I want you, Jon. I think I've waited long enough."

"You sure?" Jon wanted her also, but he had to be sure.

"We've pushed past death so many times, but we might die tomorrow. I want to know what it's like to be in your arms before that happens."

Jon smiled. "I'm glad we have the same thoughts. But don't talk about dying. I like you very much, Chanhee."

"I like you too," she chucked while nuzzling his nose with hers. "But please, let's have this night together."

"As you wish," Jon complied pulled her into a kiss again.

Chanhee pulled open Jon's furs and robes as Jon hiked up hers to expose her intimate places. She had heard about what a man and woman do in bed, but this was the first that they were doing it and he was just exploring.

As if helping Jon after she made his chest bare to her lusty eyes, Chanhee sat back up, pulled down her robes and furs, and exposing her chest and breasts to his gaze. Seeing how he stared at him, she smirked as she pulled down his pants, grabbed his length, and took it in her mouth. She has a slim body but big breasts. How? His mind was baffled at how she looked.

Fisting the furs in his hands, Jon gritted his teeth, but more out of pleasure once the initial pain went away. Was this how it supposed to feel? His mind was too overwhelmed by the feeling that came with having a woman do what Chanhee was doing, but she was doing it so well that he doubted that he was the first man that she was with.

But he could reflect more, she straddled his waist and leaned down to kiss him while she guided his cock to her entrance, moaning in his mouth as she felt him go deeper inside her. She felt Jon's breath hitch and she leaned back up and further impaled herself on him. Her eyes were closed tightly and she bit her lip, as ecstasy flowed through her and her partner in the yurt.

Jon moved to sit up and bring her closer, but she pushed him back down. Wanting more, Chanhee took his hands and put them over her breasts, happily exhaling as she felt his hands squeeze them and seeing his eyes nearly roll in pleasure. The wet slaps of skin, heavy moans, and the shuffling of the furs soon filled the yurt, the new couple lost in each other's bodies as they took the natural next step. What felt like hours had passed and Jon could feel himself approaching the edge, as was Chanhee. Before they went over it, she pulled Jon up to her, hugging him tightly and wanting to take him with her.

Then, Chanhee felt Jon gush inside her with a sharp inhale, pleasure spreading throughout her body before collapsing onto him, her black hair spread all over his chest. Pecking his neck and lips, she slid off him before snuggling against him on his right side. She smiled when Jon kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms wrapped around her tightly, hearing his sigh of happiness. Minutes passed before she had the strength to lean up to look at him.

"How was it?"

"No words can describe it," Jon answered with a smile. "How did you learn how to do that?"

Chanhee sighed, as dark memories came to her. "As I said, it's a hard life on the steppes. And all of us had to do whatever it took to stay alive."

From how she was describing it, Jon wisely decided not to ask. So, I might not be the first man she was with, but her first might not have had her consent. Coming to that realization, Jon pulled her closer to him.

"It doesn't matter," Jon assured her. "What matters is that we're here, now, in this tent."

"Yes, it does," Chanhee buried her head against his neck. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too," Jon kissed her forehead again.

"Maybe, we'll do this again if time allows?"

Jon sighed before nodding. "I'd like that."

Chanhee kissed his jawline before resting her head on his shoulder and fell asleep. As for Jon, he also slipped into the waiting arms of sleep, but his last thoughts before entering the raw infiniteness of dreams were on his aunt Daenerys and what she was doing right now. Stay safe, Aunt Daenerys. We will meet, even if it takes all of me.

A/N: I hope I did the love scene between Jon and Chanhee well. While we all know who'll end up with who in the end, this is important because now Jon is beginning to learn how to please a lady. And that'll be important when he finally meets the one he should be with.

I also hope I covered all of the history and politics of Yi-Ti well. While it is an advanced society, people there are also schemers like the ones at the Red Keep and greed and hunger for power are universal, which is true of our society. As I said, a lot of the influence for Yi-Ti comes from Ming China, Joseon Korea, and pre-industrial Japan, specifically the conflicts between Satsuma and Choshu (which lasted until the end of the Japanese empire) and decades before the transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty. The game of thrones is as alive in Yi-Ti as it is in Westeros, although under a different name, involving different factions, and under different contexts.

Also, the Jogos Nhai, unlike the wildlings, are experienced political players and are aware of the benefits of the empire not marching on them even though it is largely unsaid. Also, Sela the Hyrkoon woman is a bit of a parallel to Daenerys, as both were taken by nomads and had to work their way up (also, responding to a reader's request of including a Hyrkook woman, which we'll see a little more of).

One last thing. I've decided to make Viserion a girl because that'll even out the dragons between the boys (Drogon and Rhaegal) and the girls (Meleys and Viserion). That way, they can become mating partners and bring about the next generation of dragons. I hope that that is an acceptable decision.

Just remembered that yesterday was the anniversary of "The Bells", the travesty of Game of Thrones. This, along with others, helps me cope with how Dumb and Dumber ripped such a good show to shreds. Hope this also works for you all in healing the wounds that HBO failed to prevent.