A/N: Currently in the middle of a career crisis, so that's been occupying my mind recently. But I'm holding up well.
Mingyu observed closely on the council that had assembled back in Meereen. With no more slavers to worry about and with the Slaver's Bay all but secured, all that was left to worry about was making the plans to finally advance on Westeros. She was looking forward to seeing the land of Benjen's birth, as she wanted to see the open pastures and feel the cool air against her skin.
But right now, the topic of the council centered on Davos Seaworth, a knight who was in the service of Stannis Baratheon, one of the rival claimants of the Iron Throne. Him being in the Slaver's Bay was a cause for concern, particularly since the last they heard of him was that he was still fighting from Storm's End.
"What exactly was your purpose of being here, Ser Davos of House Seaworth?" Daeron asked him.
"To put it simply, I came to buy weapons from you, if you can spare them."
"Why would sell you weapons?"
"I have coin and you have the fire sticks that can shoot a metal ball from a distance," Davos spoke directly. "I see it as a fair trade."
"You will do well to remember, Ser Davos, that you are speaking to Daeron Targaryen, son of the Crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, our father," Rhaenys interrupted. "You will address him as Your Highness."
"Forgive me… Highness." Davos was quick to correct himself, which Daeron accepted. "But I am still sworn to Stannis Baratheon, King of the Seven Kingdoms, and my oath to him remains unbroken."
"That is a problem, Ser Davos. You do understand that the moment that we return to Westeros, we will deal with him accordingly," Daenerys challenged him.
Mingyu, as well as the others, eyed the knight carefully. If he says the wrong words, there will be nothing to stop him from meeting a fiery death.
"That is within your rights, Queen Daenerys," Davos responded. "However, my main concern, despite my allegiances, are with the safety of his daughter, the Princess Shireen."
"I see," Daenerys understood. "Is it for her sake that you are here right now?"
Davos nodded. "She is an important reason. But I am not sure if you know that something major is happening in Volantis, and I have been sent here on behalf of Jaenyra Vhassar?"
Robb was stunned at the mention of her name. "You know her, Ser Davos?"
"She is the one that gave me the protection that I and the Princess Shireen depended on. She is planning something important, Lord Robb, and the weapons that I can procure from you can be important in achieving that."
Mingyu quickly studied on the political circumstances of the Free Cities, with Volantis being an interesting case.
"If I am correct, Your Highnesses," Davos addressed the three dragon riders. "The fact that you captured Malaquo Maegyr and destroyed the tiger troops sent here leaves the rest of the tiger party in Volantis vulnerable, allowing the elephants the chance to take total control of Volantis once and for all. And whatever Jaenyra Vhassar is planning will be for your benefit."
"I can vouch for Lady Jaenyra," Robb made his voice heard. "She protected me as well and put met in contact with the Wolf Pack and the Company of the Rose. Without them, it would have been much difficult to hold Meereen before the Jade Company arrived."
Mingyu saw Daeron lean his head to both Daenerys and Rhaenys. They were whispering to each other and it was difficult for the others to hear. However, they did not have to wait long for them to make their decision.
"If what you say is true, Ser Davos, we are willing to work with you to obtain the weapons you and Lady Jaenyra will need to fight the tigers."
Davos sighed in relief.
"But you will not get the tanegashima, which is what we call the fire sticks that you are familiar with," Daeron said. "Instead, you will get black powder casings."
"Black powder casings?" Davos asked.
Daeron gestured for the one called Kaijin to step forward and hand Davos a ceramic casing with a string on the top. He then lit the string.
"Everyone clear a path!" Kaijin shouted. The council and the Unsullied did so. "Ser Davos, throw it as far as you could."
Using his good hand, Davos managed to throw it all the way to the front doors of the Pyramid, or at least just within reach of them. The result was the casing bursting into a small fireball and smoke, with Davos stunned at what had just happened.
"That might be practical, given that it takes little to no training to use and it is actually cheaper to use than firearms," Kaijin elaborated. "Although be very careful in how you transport them, since one wrong spark or a single instance of misplacement can result in the whole load going up in flames. That is an outcome that you should try to avoid at all costs."
Davos bobbed his head. "I shall do well to remember that."
"I believe we all have another matter to attend to." Tyrion raised his hand. "Your Highnesses, I received one particular message that I believe will be of interest to especially Queen Daenerys."
Daenerys gave him a look of interest. "Well, Lord Tyrion, what is it?"
Tyrion gestured for someone to come forward. From what Mingyu studied of the Dothraki, it looked like one of the bloodriders. Given Daenerys' previous time with the khalasars, she was most definitely surprised at the appearance at one of those she used to rule over.
"Khaleesi," the bloodrider spoke the common tongue of Westeros in a harsh accent. "I have been sent forth by the dosh khaleen in Vaes Dothrak to let you know that we have someone of personal value to you. They told me to mention the name Jorah Mormont."
Daenerys blinked in shock before she spoke in the Dothraki tongue. Mingyu did not know the language and she had no reason to up to that point, but she could sense Daenerys' anger and disgust at whatever the bloodrider was saying. Daeron and Rhaenys could also sense it, even though they also did not know what she was saying.
"Yongpo, what are they talking about?" Benjen asked the Jogos Nhai.
"I don't understand the Dothraki tongue fully, but it seems that the bloodrider is trying to make a demand. Something about Queen Daenerys not fulfilling the duties of a widowed khaleesi and that a price has to be paid for the safety of Jorah Mormont."
Benjen knew who Jorah Mormont was, as his deeds of selling poachers into slavery was a crime that the rest of the North had not forgotten. "It figures that he would be all the way. There is no conceivable way for him to return home, unless he is willing to accept death."
"I would not say that, dear. It seems that Queen Daenerys has a particular attachment to him," Mingyu warned him lightly.
"It is the truth. But I will be willing to hear him talk," Benjen told her.
The argument between the bloodrider and Daenerys escalated until some of the Unsullied moved forward and dragged the Dothraki out of the throne room. He struggled while he was put in the same dark place that both Viserion and Rhaegel used to be in.
Daeron moved to rub his wife's hand while Rhaenys ran hers against her aunt's hair, both in an attempt to calm her down upon seeing her enraged expression.
"Forgive me, Queen Daenerys, but what did that man say exactly that made you so upset?" Tyrion asked.
Daenerys took a few moments to calm her breath, helped by both her husband and her niece. "That man said that those old women at Vaes Dothrak have threatened to kill Jorah unless two conditions are met: that I pay for his return in precious valuables and that I surrender myself to be part of them forever, since that is what all widowed khaleesi should do."
The council murmured with each other, but they, including Mingyu and Benjen, knew that Daenerys cannot acquiesce to such demands. Daenerys wrapped an arm around her shoulders to show her comfort while Rhaenys was visibly enraged at the bloodrider's audacity.
"I believe that I speak for everyone here in that you must not waste yourself on those crones," Daario said quickly, with the smile on his face that Mingyu found annoying. "And I believe that I speak for your husband in that such beauty would be better spent than over in that wilderness."
"I can speak for myself, Captain Naharis, and so can your queen," Daeron corrected him. "But yes, she cannot submit herself to their demands."
"Then we have nothing more to talk about," Ser Barristan expressed strongly. "Those crones can kiss our asses."
"Hear, hear!" Robb pounded his first on his chair's armrest, which everyone followed while the Unsullied pounded their spears on the floor.
Daenerys raised her hand, causing all of them to calm down. "I am touched by all of your shows of support, but I cannot abandon Ser Jorah like this. Regardless of your feelings towards him," Daenerys eyed specifically towards Benjen and the other older Westerosi. "He has helped me and I am indebted to him. I must save him."
"To do that, we will need to find out where he is and snatch him," Kaijin pointed out. "He could be anywhere, given the large expanse of the Dothraki Sea."
"No, Vaes Dothrak is in only one place and that is where he will be. But rescuing him will be treacherous." Yongpo knew his geography. "There will probably be thousands upon thousands of Dothraki khalasars there and we don't have the means or the number of horses necessary to ride all the way there."
"We could use dragons," Missandei suggested.
"If they see three dragons trying to rescue Ser Jorah, they will kill him before he could be taken out of their captivity," Daenerys replied. "We will need to use stealth and surprise, which will be denied to us."
"Not necessarily." Benjen stepped forward, with Mingyu following. "We have here… someone who has shown abilities in this sort of work. Before coming here, she was a member of the Jade Order, the female guard for the Yi-Ti imperial family, and she was a master assassin. If there is anyone who would know better about surprising adversaries where they least expect it, it will be her."
Mingyu looked at Benjen softly, relieved that he was finally moving on from their shaky past.
"I am aware of her prowess, Lord Benjen," Daenerys turned her attention to her. "Lady Mingyu, what do you suggest we do?"
Mingyu's mind quickly went to work. "If we are to successfully rescue your companion from deep within the Dothraki Sea, we will have to use deception and surprise to overwhelm his captors."
"How do you suggest we do that?" Daeron asked of her.
"Part of striking at a target is to make them feel at ease, because they will fall into a false sense of security and that is when they will show weakness. That moment is when we have to strike."
"And what will allow them to feel at ease?" Rhaenys inquired.
Mingyu prepared herself, for she knew that it might have strong opposition. However, she saw no other recourse. "Whatever that bloodrider demanded, say that you will do so."
Rhaenys was very worried about both her aunt and her brother. She was not looking forward to how risky their plan was in response to the blood rider, but she could not deny her aunt's wish to help someone who helped very much. Meanwhile, Kaijin stated, "We could use the extra manpower. If we are to win in Volantis, we need overwhelming force and the Dothraki hordes can provide that."
"By making me the Khaleesi over all," Daenerys finished for him.
"Exactly."
"Why do we need them? We have the men and weaponry needed to win against the rest of the tigers." Yongpo felt a sort of a rivalry with the Dothraki.
"Can you think of another cavalry force that can simply flood our adversaries?" Kaijin asked. No one could respond to that, which set the plans in motion.
Afterwards, Rhaenys walked to Jon and Daenerys, who was with Hoon Ti in a private space in the Pyramid and with his white direwolf Ghost below him.
"Can I sit here?" Rhaenys asked Jon.
"You don't need to ask," Jon told her before he moved over.
"What is going on here?" Rhaenys watched as her aunt was doing some sort of physical conditioning, which saw her on her forearms and toes while her belly was shaking from how long she had to keep it engaged.
"Hoon Ti is going to test Daenerys on how far she progressed. She learned the techniques and can handle the more physically strenuous routines, so today is whether she can move forward or needs more work."
"And you would know about her physical condition, given how hard you and her go at it under the sheets?" Rhaenys teased.
Jon chuckled sarcastically. "Very funny, sister."
She then saw Daenerys finish and Hoon Ti, without his cane and dressed in his robes, circled in front of her.
"The purpose of this meeting today is to see whether I have wasted my time with you or you have actually learned something. You might be a queen, but I have served enough defenseless women. Let us see what you are made of. Are you ready?"
Daenerys nodded as Hoon Ti assumed a fighting stance, his hands raised and his legs bent while his left leg was in front.
"Then hit me, if you can," Hoon Ti challenged her.
Daenerys assumed a similar stance, cautiously circling until she gave a short cry and launched a furious attack. Rhaenys was surprised at how her aunt was moving at high speed, fists and feet striking from every angle as Daenerys pressed her attack, but each and every blow was blocked by effortless speed from Hoon Ti. Amazing, given that he is blind.
Hoon Ti caught her punch, grabbed her arm, and twisted it so that she fell on the ground. She quickly got back up. Daenerys's face was knotted, teeth clenched, as she hurled himself at Hoon Ti. However, she was back on the floor again, this time after he dodged her attack and tripped her. Just as fast, she jumped back up.
"Good," Hoon Ti sensed. "You have shown adaptation. You have demonstrated improvisation. But your weakness is not in your technique."
Hoon Ti attacked her and Rhaenys was stunned, for how he fought was not like anything she had seen. His feet and fists were everywhere, taking Daenerys apart. For every blow Daenerys blocked, three more hit their marks until Daenerys fell. Panting, on her hands and knees, blood leaked from her mouth, speckling the immaculate floor of the Pyramid.
Jon stood up, worried. However, Hoon Ti sensed his former student's movements and raised his hand at him. "No, no. When she has to fight for real, she has to do it without your help. Otherwise, she is just a weak link." Jon sat back down while Hoon Ti movd his attention back to Daenerys. "How did I beat you?"
Daenerys' breathing was heavy, as she was struggling to catch her breath. "You… You are too fast."
Hoon Ti cracked a smile. "Do you think my being faster, stronger has anything to do with my muscles in this place?
Daenerys was clearly more than frustrated, still unable to catch her breath.
"Do you believe that is air you are breathing now?" Daenerys stood, nodding slowly. "Consider what you allowing through your nose the space that your adversary needs to kill you. For every breath you try to catch is an opportunity for the other one to take you down."
Daenerys calmed herself while she assumed her stance again.
"Again. And don't disappoint me," Hoon Ti told her.
Before Rhaenys could expect it, their fists were flying again.
Rhaenys saw Jon, who looked even more enamored
Hoon Ti begins to press Daenerys, countering blows while slipping in several stinging slaps.
"Come on, dragon woman," Hoon Ti told her almost sneeringly. "What are you waiting for? You are faster than this. Do not think that you are. Know you are. Or will you be one of those people who treat their gifts like crutches?"
"What?" Daenerys immediately took offense.
"Are you implying that without your dragons, you are nothing? If that is the case, I am truly wasting my time, for you really are defenseless."
Suddenly, Hoon Ti cracked at Daenerys' face again, this time causing a nose bleed. Jon and Rhaenys both stood up, shocked at that Hoon was willing to take the training that far.
"Is that really your response to someone striking you? I wonder if that is how you responded to that Dothraki husband of yours?"
Rhaenys was aware of her rather shaky past with Khal Drogo and even she knew that was a very low blow. However, it must have done the trick, for Daenerys's face twisted with rage. The speed of her blows became more furious and faster, the jab at her honor coming too close for her.
Hoon Ti continued to block each of her punches and kicks effortlessly. "Come on! Stop trying to hit me and just hit me."
Daenerys finally caught both of his arms before jumping, spinning backwards, and striking him straight in the chest with the bottom of her foot. This time, she moved fast and Hoon Ti was not able to get himself off of the ground before there was a loud WHAM sound. A single blow caught Hoon Ti on the side of the head, causing him to stay on the ground and a cut to form on the right side of his skull.
Daenerys rubbed her knuckles, not expecting how hard she hit. Jon moved quickly to Daenerys, rubbing her hands and asking, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, love," she answered while Jon hugged her. She was catching her breath as she rested her head against his chest.
Meanwhile, for Rhaenys, she moved to Hoon Ti. The blind man was more resilient than she thought, for he got back up and already took out a rag to wipe the blood of his head.
"I might not like your methods, Hoon Ti, but I understand why they were necessary," Rhaenys told him.
"I do not care much for what people think of me, Princess Rhaenys," Hoon responded while picking up his cane. "However, if they can withstand what I have to teach, they will not have to worry about defending themselves ever again."
"Clearly," Rhaenys agreed.
Hoon Ti moved to both Jon and Daenerys. "See? You can do it. I just had to provoke you."
Daenerys nodded gratefully as she grabbed his hands. "I hope that this will not be the end of our training."
"Training never ends, Queen Daenerys," Hoon Ti corrected her. "A good warrior never stops learning how to be better in combat and how to be stronger in mind and body. Why do you think I was able to survive without my eyesight and avoid the traps that all of blind men suffer?"
Rhaenys was indeed impressed, for this was truly the first time that she saw Hoon Ti show his prowess.
"Let us go again," Daenerys eagerly said while wiping the sweat off of her brow.
"If you decide to do that, I will have to use my cane. I told you that I will not treat you easily," Hoon Ti reminded her.
"And I still kicked your ass," Daenerys pointed out nonchalantly.
Hoon Ti pointed at her approvingly. "You did."
Daenerys gave Jon another kiss before she moved into her stance. Meanwhile, Rhaenys and Jon moved back to sit down, while Ghost received his scratches.
The white direwolf also allowed Rhaenys to touch him. Besides Rhaegel and the other dragons, she started to develop a fondness for the creatures most associated with House Stark. Grey Wind already felt at ease with her, so it was only natural that the so-called "runt of the litter" be comfortable around her as well.
"Our aunt is quite amazing, isn't she?" Rhaenys was in awe, as she continued her rounds and her yells could be heard around the Pyramid. "You tell me that she only started serious combat training merely moons ago and she is already able to defend herself against a blind master."
"Our aunt and my wife is amazing and more." She found it amusing that Jon literally worshipped the ground she walked on, as if the depths of his love could not go any further.
But the other side of that, Rhaenys felt sadness for him. "She reminds you of someone dear to you, right?"
Jon looked at her, confused. "Who do you think she reminds me of?"
Rhaenys bit her lip, as she was about to go into a rather personal topic for her brother. "I'm sorry, Jon. Forget what I said."
"No, what were you about to say?" Jon was now determined to know.
Rhaenys respected her brother enough to not withhold truths from him, and she knew how angry he became when that happened. She prepared herself. "I was going to say if Daenerys reminded you of your mother."
Jon's stare became harder, but she could see his lips tremble. "How would you know of my mother?"
"Because I had seen her, once." Rhaenys' might have been little, but she did remember the lady of winter roses, the she-wolf of House Stark. She could never forget seeing her father, her mother, and Lyanna Stark in the same bed, enjoying each other's company before the terrible events that befall them all.
Jon's breathing became shallow, as he took in Rhaenys' words. "What was she like, my mother?" he asked softly.
Rhaenys had to tell the truth, because she owed it to Jon. "She… She was like the mother that I was looking for. My mother Elia was like her and all I could remember was being confused the first time that I saw her. But she told me, 'You see that woman with grey eyes? In case something happens to me, she will take care of you.'"
Rhaenys had no idea how she remembered that, for she barely remembered her mother's words. Until now, it seemed.
"And?" Jon wanted to know more, even though Rhaenys knew that it would be hard for him to absorb.
"She said that once everything was over, we would be a happy family." Rhaenys found herself almost to tears, since the words of her dead mother and the touch of her other mother were slowly returning to her mind. Why am I remembering this now?
As for Jon, he slowly closed his eyes while he lowered his head, his hands wrapping across his neck. She could hear him sniffle, and then she saw a few drops fall from his eyes. As he and Daenerys comforted her when they revealed the truth to her, Rhaenys moved her arms to embrace him.
Ever the stoic, Jon tried to control his crying. However, Rhaenys patted his back. "You can cry, Jon. I feel that I need to cry as well."
As if gaining her permission, Jon's tears turned to sobs, which made Rhaenys hold him tigher. Meanwhile, Daenerys saw what was happening and ran to them and Ghost moved to nudge against Jon's side. The look exchanged between Daenerys and Rhaenys was all that the former needed to understand what was happening and she joined in on the embrace.
Rhaenys could see the pain had been buried deep inside her brother, just as it was for her. And to see it finally come to the open was what she needed to see, for she was reassured that she was not alone in the memories that haunted them both.
But no more. Now, we can move on, Rhaenys thought to herself while she, Daenerys, and Ghost surrounded Jon while Hoon Ti looked on, sympathetic to his plight.
"And you are sure that Sister Melisandre is coming here?" Kinvara asked of her messenger, who was the first to send her the word of the events back in Westeros.
"Yes, dear priestess," the messenger answered reverently. "With Stannis dead, there is only one left to support, one that has been truly blessed by the Lord of Light. Those were her words."
Kinvara was impressed with the messenger. He was only about to reach his majority, but Devan Seaworth, the oldest surviving son of the Onion Knight and current protector of Shireen Baratheon, had proved himself not only as a devoted follower of the Lord of Light but as a boy more than capable of taking care of his family.
"Please show charity to us," Marya Seaworth pleaded. "I am just a mother attempting to protect her children, and my son Devan has had the unfortunate responsibility of taking on the responsibilities of his father ever since he left to protect Stannis' daughter. We need asylum."
"Why did your husband leave you all behind, instead of taking you with him?" Kinvara asked her.
"King Stannis, or the late king," Marya corrected herself. "Promised my husband that he will take care of our family. And while I am not happy that he journeyed here to protect Princess Shireen, I understand that his duty was to the king while he was still alive. But Stannis is dead and with both him and Queen Selyse corpses, everyone who has sworn loyalty to him is in danger. Melisandre told us to come with her, although it appears that we arrived first."
"I see…" Kinvara said. "I am aware of your husband's skepticism of the red faith, although I am pleased by the conduct of your sons, especially Devan." She smiled at him, causing him to blush and reminding her of when Melisandre told her of how Devan seemed infatuated with her. "I must know of your opinion on the red faith."
"My son Devan is about to be a man. Whichever gods he chooses to accept, I will not stop him as long as he proves him to be the man that our family needs," Marya told her. "And he has proven his ability. As for myself, I do not care about your Lord of Light. And as my husband feels the same way, I will follow him until he says otherwise."
Kinvara was privately disappointed, but she also respected her beliefs and her devotion to her husband. "Hopefully, your views would change eventually. There will be a great battle to come, and those who believe will be saved."
"With respect, priestess, I don't see how greater of a battle could be after seeing Storm's End fall. And with Stannis dead, all that I care of right now are the safety of my sons, including Devan."
Kinvara sighed, before she nodded. "And that will be guaranteed. For now, you will be sheltered here within our walls. You will have nothing to fear from us and you will have nothing to fear from those within the city who might do you harm."
"People will harm us here?" Marya asked, fear arising in her voice.
"The family of the Onion Knight, also the closet man in Stannis' service?" Kinvara asked rhetorically. "Even with Stannis dead and the current rulers on the Iron Throne occupied with far more pressing concerns, I am sure that there are those who will attempt to extract the bounty that has been placed on those who were in Stannis' service and have escaped. But worry not, for the price on your heads is not large."
"That does not make the situation better, Priestess," Devan pointed out.
"It does not," Kinvara admitted. "However, you will be safe under our care. Just ask Shireen Baratheon. No one has dared to touch her or harm her ever since she has arrived here."
"Where is the princess?" Devan asked.
"She is currently staying with Jaenyra Vhassar, a prominent member of the elephant party. Are you aware of who the elephants are?" Both Devan and Marya shook their heads, which Kinvara expected. "To put the matter in simple terms, there are two parties that control this city, the elephants and the tigers. The tigers are currently fighting for the cause of slavery, while the elephants are more interested in fighting the tigers to prevent them from becoming too strong. While there are no differences between the tigers and the elephants in terms of their status, I and the rest of the red temple have found it in our best interest to support the elephants."
"Why?" Devan was curious.
"Because Jaenyra Vhassar shares the belief among the red temple in that there will be a holy fire sweeping through the world, and that the dragonriders will be cause of that. When the ashes settle… there shall be no more chains upon one's limbs."
Devan and Marya looked at each other, confused at how Kinvara used her words. She did find it frustrating whenever she had to explain her beliefs in more simple terms, but she could not allow that to affect her judgment, especially towards a young believer like Devan Seaworth.
"To further make things easier to understand, Jaenyra Vhassar is the reason why Shireen Baratheon has been safe here in this city. And with her help and our protection, you, your mother, and your brothers will also have nothing to fear here."
Marya was simply thankful that she and her family had to be afraid no more. "Thank you, priestess Kinvara."
"Now, I shall arrange for all of you to be sheltered here. Under no circumstances are you to leave this place, unless it is safe for you all. And furthermore, do not talk to anyone besides myself and a few others, all of them in this temple. Am I clear?"
Marya and Devan nodded eagerly. "I'm eager for any news about my husband, priestess. Where is he now?"
"He is in the Slaver's Bay, negotiating with the dragon riders." Seeing their fear once more in their eyes, Kinvara responded quickly. "Now, now. He will not be harmed and the dragons have no reason to harm him. You will see him again soon."
"Are you sure?" Marya was incredibly worried, for obvious reasons.
"Yes. I'm sure that both you and your sons have seen enough of the Lord of Light to understand that everyone has a part to play, and your husband's role requires him to be alive."
Both Devan and Marya were escorted to their rooms in the red temple, while Kinvara resumed her business. She had to use the flames to contact Ardroon, but she knew that at the moment, Ardroon was a vessel for a deity that had lived ever since the world was created. It was a humbling experience for her, since she liked to think herself as a divine messenger for the Lord of Light, but meeting that deity made her realize that she was in fact very small when it came to the larger affairs of the world despite her long life.
Taking control of herself, Kinvara opened the channel through the fires and there was the face of Ardroon, or rather the masked face of him.
"Good to see you, old friend," Kinvara addressed him. "Or am I talking to the man I know now?"
"Kinvara, he is not that kind of spirit," Ardroon said. "He allows me control from time to time, but during the important moments, he takes over."
"I think I need him to take over now." Kinvara had to speak with the deity.
"Are you sure about that? You might not like what he has to say."
"It is important, Ardroon."
Ardroon bobbed his head in understanding before his eyes rolled and then the color of his eyes changed. But Kinvara also noticed that Ardroon adopted a more… condescending posture towards her. I would expect nothing less of a deity, since they look down on us mortals.
"I find it an honor to be speaking with you." Kinvara might have come across many supernatural occurrences in his lifetime, but nothing could match the time she had talking with a god.
"You are not the first medium that I have ever met," the god in Ardroon's voice spoke to her. "But you do speak in favor for Azor Ahai and the second coming of the Dawn, so I will allow you a moment to say what you have to say."
Kinvara exhaled. "I know that sooner or later, the ones blessed by the Lord of Light will have to confront the Great Other, or whatever name you gave to the evil that is rising in the darkness. We must prepare if we are to win."
The god used Ardroon's face to give her a bored look, surprising Kinvara. "And what do you wish to know from me?"
Kinvara was at a loss, for a moment. "Is there anything that you might tell me that I could use?"
"Just understand that there is nothing that you and even I could do to influence the final outcome," the god revealed. "I might be a deity, but there are limits to what I can do."
"Why do you say that?"
"The Great Other, as you say, is only an agent," the god began to explain. "As long as darkness is alive not just in this world but throughout the known universe, you can never hope to defeat it."
"Then we are doomed?" Kinvara could not believe it.
"Not necessarily. One cannot deny that for centuries, the balance of the world has been tipping in favor of the darkness. That cannot stand, and so, light must triumph if we are to bring back the balance that we all depend on."
Kinvara never heard of this. "What about darkness being defeated forever?"
"You are more naïve than I thought," the god scoffed. "Without light, you cannot have darkness. But without darkness, you cannot have light. One cannot exist without the other, but you made the mistake of believing that one is more inherently evil. If you misuse one thing, it will affect others. As someone with your spiritual standing, I would have expected you to understand that."
Kinvara had to admit that even with her long life, there was still many things that she did not know.
"You are confused clearly, so I will leave you to your thoughts." With that, the god extinguished the flame connection.
The god is surely wiser than I could ever hope to be, Kinvara thought to herself. Of course he would.
But before she could ponder more on what the god said about balance between light and darkness, one of her red priests approached her.
"Kinvara, everything is ready."
Kinvara's eyes widened. "Truly?"
The priest nodded. "Tomorrow, one of the slaves at the market will begin a fight with one of the merchants. Once some of the market guards try to stop the argument, he will sacrifice himself by killing one of the guards. That will be the signal for the rest of the slaves in the market to begin the riot."
Jaenyra Vhassar consulted with Kinvara and the red temple on how best to exploit the vacuum caused by Malaquo's great defeat in the Slaver's Bay. With most of the tigers' best troops gone, there was no better time than the slaves to rise.
"And once the market is in flames, the slaves in the other parts of the city will join their brothers and sisters."
Kinvara patted the priest's shoulder. "Good work. If we can get an uprising throughout the city, that will be enough for the rest of the tigers and their supporters to flee behind their precious Black Walls."
"And they will be under siege. It will have to be that way until the Onion Knight comes back with the weapons we need."
"Or better yet, with the dragons behind him." Seeing the essence of the slaves' salvation arrive would change everything and effectively end Volantis as a slave city. "And Jaenyra will soon come?"
"After she has evacuated her extended her family and her allies out of Volantis. It will be a few days before she will arrive here."
"She will be protected behind our walls, for once the riots happen… no one of the Old Blood will be safe."
"Well, unless those affiliated with the elephants have already got some indication of what is going to happen and have conveniently decided to go on an excursion to their estates in the northern Rhoyne," the priest noted.
Once the riot happened, there would be no controlling the crowds and violence against the Old Blood would be indiscriminate, so Jaenyra took measures in getting many of the elephants away from the city before the rising happened.
Kinvara had prepared for this day for a long time, and to see the fruits of her long labor was more than gratifying. Now, we just need those weapons that the Onion Knight will obtain.
A/N: For those wondering what Jorah's been up to, hope this satisfies. But Mingyu is applying her assassin background well.
Daenerys took a step up when it comes to her prowess. But Rhaenys returns the favor and is able to get closer to both Jon and Daenerys as well.
As for Kinvara, she is right in that there is no better time to strike now that the tigers have been greatly weakened.
