Qarth Ranch, 299 AC
Arthur
.
"Say, Morgan, what other secrets do your people have?" asked Daario Naharis, a member of the Second Sons mercenaries.
"Just what you see here partner." Arthur replied, watching over Arstan shooting a target with his rifle. The man was very fast despite his age and had mastered the art in a few weeks. He was also good company.
"Back in the Free Cities, bards tell all manners of tales about dragons in the bodies of men. I had to see this for myself."
The mercenaries who poured into the city gates were encouraged to join Daenerys partly by these tales. A single gunfight had turned the gang into a legend apparently.
"I suppose a feller like you didn't join out of the goodness of his heart?" asked Arthur. "I heard you folk fight for the slavers at times."
Daario held his hands up. "We do what we have to, if we want to survive. I was a slave once, so you could say I still have some sympathy for the enslaved."
It was strange for someone like Arthur to imagine a white-skinned man as a slave. The thought had never even crossed his mind before coming to this place. Here, no man or woman, white or otherwise, was safe from the nasty business, and both slaves and slavers came in all kinds of colors. The different races had united in their pursuit to make life miserable for everyone. A strange, twisted idea of equality.
"I'm sorry. Did they kidnap you when you were a child?"
The man laughed. "My mother was a whore, with a taste for the finer things in life. When she grew older and made less money selling her body, she decided to sell me instead."
"Your own mother?"
"I was a naughty child." he snorted. "My master put in me in the fighting pits of Slaver's Bay where I learnt to fight like a Dothraki screamer and a Westerosi knight. I made him so rich that he set me free before dying. Now I am here."
And I thought my old man was cruel.
"Can your dragon wielders fight with a sword?" Daario asked.
"Aren't you being too inquisitive?" Arthur countered, slightly annoyed.
"In-quisi-tive? I do not know what that means."
"It means you're asking too many questions. Sounds suspicious to me."
"Well, my friend, you do have a good head on your shoulders." he said. "But I am paid by the fair dragon queen, not your enemies."
"We'll see. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to the old man." Daario got the message and left him alone.
The ranch was overflowing with activity ever since they started training the new troops, defeating its purpose as a quiet place. A little more than two thousand rifles had been churned out of Qarth's forges along with countless metal bullets. The new boys could now hit their targets accurately with enough practice, but their prowess in a real battle was yet to be seen. Arthur wondered how much the gang's presence had affected this new world in just a few months.
When they were not in training, they would often go to the city's taverns and get wasted from time to time, waking up in a different spot every morning. John and Charles also frequented the nicer brothels in the wealthy districts. The girls were quite eager to sleep with both and would never take money from them. Whether it was because of their skills or their connections was something he didn't want to ask. Sometimes the city would get a glimpse of the three dragons. They were growing very fast and were the size of horses now, with the black one slightly bigger than the other two. Arthur couldn't help but think what the world would look like from up there.
"Wanna go fishing, old man?" he asked Arstan.
"Certainly. Allow me to finish here." the man replied, putting the rifle down.
Arstan was a well-mannered man, eager to learn, unlike the sellsword captains that spent most of their time drunk. Despite this, there was something off about him that Arthur couldn't figure out just yet. He claimed to be a squire, an assistant of sorts yet his age and skill told another story. And his companion- the monstrously large black man who went by the name of Belwas- was another thing entirely.
The men rode towards the coast where a boat waited for them. They would row towards the harbour where the fish was. Though the queen had given them servants for tasks like these, Arthur preferred to do that kind of work himself. He wasn't good at it, but not bad either. At least the people of this world had invented fishing rods.
"You know, Arstan, I believe you're hiding something from us." he said after casting the line. The old man smiled. "What gave it away?"
"You're not good at this game, you know." Arthur had caught a fish and was reeling it in. "Surely you could've picked a better story than being a squire." The fish was now in his hand. It was a big one.
"You have caught me, friend." he admitted, reeling his own fish. "I am a knight from the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Barristan Selmy."
"Alright tell me, Ser Barristan Selmy, what are you doing so far away from home?"
"Do you mean to do me harm, ser?"
"That depends. Tell me everything and say nothing but the truth."
"I am here to pledge my service to Daenerys Targaryen. Nothing more. As for this mummer's farce of being a squire, I hate tricks and scheming, but it serves a purpose. There are some things that I want to observe before I reveal my true identity to the queen."
"And what're those things?"
Barristan took a deep breath before answering. "You are a good man, mister Morgan, which is why I will trust you with this. I served in the Kingsguard of King Aerys Targaryen, the queen's father. But he is better known by another name- the Mad King."
Arthur hadn't heard that part before. "Why?"
"The Targaryens have always had a predisposition towards madness, and the queen's father was afflicted with it later in his reign. He saw threats everywhere, torturing and burning his lords alive for the most minor of slights and made more enemies than one can count. I served him the best I could, hoping for his son Prince Rhaegar to be crowned so he could end all of it, but it was not to be. The prince too succumbed to this curse and abducted Lady Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon. That caused the fall of his house.
Before I reveal myself to Daenerys, I need to be certain that she does not possess this taint of madness in her, for I have no desire to serve another mad Targaryen. Back in the Seven Kingdoms, the stories of the fall of Qarth and liberation of slaves have spread. It gave me hope for the new Queen, and I wish to serve an honorable ruler for once."
The bucket was full of fish by the time he finished.
"I trust you will not divulge what I have told you?"
"Your secrets are your own, Arstan." Arthur replied, putting the rod away. The conversation had given him a new perspective on things.
Arthur returned to the ranch and found Dutch regaling Missandei with a tale. "…the Greeks made a large wooden horse, as a present to the citizens of Troy. Little did those poor people know…"
When he finished, he turned to Arthur. "My boy! Get ready, we have a party to attend."
"A what?"
"We have been successful in establishing total control over the city. This calls for a celebration, don't you think? The queen has arranged it."
Arthur sighed. He had never been much interested in parties and balls. "Do we have to wear those stupid robes again?"
"Ha! Not this time. I have made some arrangements with our proprietor." The man in question was a cloth merchant they were paying to replicate their old clothes, since the native dress wasn't suitable for gunslingers.
After a ride to the city, they gang stopped at various establishments that would make them look presentable. The barber came first. Arthur had his long dirty blonde locks cut and slicked back, along with a clean shave. Next, they went to an exclusive bathhouse with attendants catering to their nails and scrubbing their bodies, which made him feel like a pampered prince from the storybooks. The most surprising thing came after that, in the merchant's shop.
"A tuxedo?" he asked.
"It took a while to get the details right." said Hosea. "Let's show these people how we party!"
Donning their new clothes, they stood out even more among the people. The party was to be held in the royal palace, a good distance away.
"Damn, it feels awkward." said John. "Everyone's lookin' at us."
"Feeling shy, Marston?" Arthur chuckled. "Didn't see you like that with those working girls."
"That's…different." he replied and said no more.
The feast was grander than anything he had seen before. There must've been a thousand guests in the palace, including the sellsword captains and traders. Lots of stalls were put up outside the premises as well, serving all manner of delicacies to the citizens. Mormont was dressed up in newly made armor with a black and red cloak, while Belwas was occupying a large table and stuffing his face with food and wine. Daario Naharis could be seen near the queen, trying to make advances but was ignored, not that it did anything to curb his smug face. Arthur saw the three dragons perched on the top of the palace, and carts full of meat were on the ground to feed them. From up close, they really looked intimidating.
"I am glad you could join us." Daenerys greeted them inside the hall. "I have had enough of Ser Jorah and Captain Naharis for one day." By now it was clear to everyone that Mormont had a thing for the queen.
The festivities went on. Troupes of dancers and actors put on a show, breathing fire and joking about the five kings of Westeros, each with a name more ridiculous than the last. It was nearly night, and the party was advancing at a slow pace. The gang members went their separate ways enjoying different things, even Charles. He had been reclusive when they first met but was now beginning to get comfortable, probably because no one in this place ever insulted him on account of his race.
"Can you ride your dragons now, Khaleesi?" asked Arthur. He and Mormont were the only ones left in company of Daenerys.
"I think I could, but I have yet to try. I am surprised at how fast they grow."
"You made a good decision in letting them roam free, Khaleesi." said Mormont. "When your ancestors conquered Westeros, they built the Dragonpit and started chaining their beasts. A dragon does not do well in captivity, which was why the last dragons could grow no bigger than dogs."
Daenerys was listening attentively. "How did they really die out?"
"During the Dance, scores of angry smallfolk stormed the Dragonpit and put them to the sword."
"Did they really hate my kin so much?"
Jorah sighed. "As I told you long ago, the smallfolk do not care for such matters so long as they are left alone. But the Dance was devastating for them. Dragons unleashed destruction wherever they went."
"What is this dance you speak of sir?" Arthur asked, feeling out of touch with the discussion.
"It was a conflict that occurred more than a hundred years ago, over the question of succession to the Iron Throne of Westeros. Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's claim was challenged by her brother Aegon, and they went to war."
"Did the queen do something?"
"The realm did not want a woman to rule." said Daenerys. "Even if she was the rightful heir."
"That's strange. Back in our world we have the British Empire, ruled by a queen named Victoria."
"She must be quite a woman." Mormont replied. "But your customs are different than ours."
Arthur's mind wandered back to the conversation with Arstan…no, Barristan. Were the Targaryens truly mad, if they let dragons loose on their people? He was interrupted when one of the queen's handmaidens came in.
"The merchants request an audience, Khaleesi." It was Doreah.
"Could they not leave me be for a night?" said Daenerys, clearly annoyed. "Very well, let us get this over with." she motioned Mormont to follow her. "Doreah, you are dismissed. Enjoy the feast."
Arthur wanted to get back to the ranch. "My lady." He tipped his hat at the handmaiden and began leaving, but the girl grabbed his hand.
"So soon, ser?" she said in a sweet voice. "Surely there is much to do here."
"I guess so, but ain't ever been much for parties, to be honest."
"Then perhaps we can go somewhere more, private." she put her hands on his face, in a seductive way. Arthur knew what she was up to. "And why would you do that?"
"I have wanted you ever since you came riding to the City of Bones." she replied, her tone different and more confident now. She was an extremely attractive woman, and closer to his age. "And you look so handsome today."
Arthur hadn't been with a woman in a long while, and besides Eliza and Mary no other had ever had a place in his heart. One was dead and the other didn't want anything to do with him. Though he acted tough and indifferent, Arthur did feel lonely at times. Back home, he would often imagine himself wed to Mary, but he made peace with the fact that they were not meant to be, especially now that he isn't even at home anymore. Sometimes he wished that it was all a dream, and he would one day wake up back at their camp in New Austin.
Well, why the hell not? he thought.
"After you, my lady." he finally said. Doreah smiled and led him to an empty room.
.
Qarth
Daenerys
.
Dany retired to her chambers, exhausted by the merrymaking. A queen had to show generosity to her people, and she spared no expense at the feast. A lot had been achieved to warrant such a celebration.
The last of the nobles and princes had finally been dealt with. A series of trials had been organized a moon ago, with the slaves putting forth their grievances as she passed judgement. Executions soon followed, but a few with no considerable crimes were exiled, their wealth and power stripped away. That included Prince Daxos, who was sent back to the Summer Isles. New, capable men were given charge of their estates and troops, to keep the queen's peace.
Messengers kept arriving from Braavos and Pentos, the only free cities that outlawed slavery, though the claims of Pentos were dubious at best. Her new agreements with the Golden Empire had led to a boom in trade across Essos and Westeros, with the exotic goods and commodities of Yi Ti being traded in large quantities. The two cities extended their thanks, and the Sealord of Braavos sent a long letter congratulating her success and praising her efforts against slavery. Dany saw an opportunity to enter an alliance that would further strengthen her position.
She had also come across new faces. The sellsword captains were always hard to deal with, but captain Naharis in particular would get on her nerves at times. He was a comely man, Dany admitted, but she could not return his advances. The most peculiar though were Belwas and his squire Arstan. The tall eunuch was sent by Magister Illyrio to act as a member of her Queensguard, and she had accepted. His squire was an old man of a kind disposition, who would often talk to her about her family and dragons. While she enjoyed his company, Ser Jorah remained suspicious, convinced that the man was hiding something.
The people were still in the hall, she could hear them talking. Dany was drifting to sleep, but then…
A loud sound woke her up from the half-asleep state. Irri let out a scream, and the other people soon followed. Ser Jorah entered her chambers, almost falling as he bust the doors open.
"Your Grace, we are under attack!" he announced.
"But how?"
"A fleet." he replied. Dany ran after him towards the roof, her guards flanking her. The palace had a high watchtower that one could see the entire city and harbor from. The harbor that was now filled with war galleys carrying various banners. The trebuchets on the ships were hurling balls of fire on the city, and the port was aflame.
"That harpy is the sigil of the Slaver Cities." Ser Jorah said, looking through a Myrish eye. "I can see others as well, though I do not know what they mean."
"How did we let a fleet this large slip by us?" Dany demanded.
"There are myriad ways for ships to hide themselves." he answered. "But that does not matter now. We have to mount a defense."
The time of the attack was very suspicious, Dany thought. They must have known about the feast and wanted to attack when they had their guard down.
"Ser Jorah, send the word out. I want every man, woman and child to make their way to the palaces. The guards can help with that. Leave no one out there."
"It will be done, Your Grace."
"And ready the soldiers."
The next moments were chaotic, for everyone was in a hurry. The ships were getting closer and still raining fire on the city. The sellsword captains had to be woken up, while the Qartheen troops had to be gathered from all over the city in a short time. Then there was the question of the riflemen.
As Dany returned to the palace, she saw Arthur Morgan come out of his chambers with Doreah, still putting his shirt on as he approached her. Had he been intimate with her handmaiden?
"What's all this commotion, Khaleesi?" he asked.
"The city is under attack mister Morgan. We need your riflemen." she said. Dany never ordered the Americans like she did Ser Jorah. They were sent by the gods to aid her, and as such were not her subjects.
"Yeah, I'll get to it. Charles! Marston!" he called his companions, who came running in. "Let's get the infantry."
Dutch Van der Linde soon arrived, followed by Hosea Matthews. "So they finally decided to show up, those sons of bitches."
"Are your riflemen ready for this task?"
"Fear not, Your Majesty. The slavers have no idea what's coming for them!"
The ships were now close to the shore, and the populace of Qarth were pouring into the palace district. Guards were stationed to keep a check on any untoward events.
Dany had heard the tales of the Battle of Blackwater Bay, where the second-born Baratheon was thwarted by wildfire as he tried to approach King's Landing. Qarth did not have such a plan, and they had to rely on their ground forces and what few methods they had. The city had never been conquered, but while ruling as Queen, she discovered the real reason why. Qarth had no significant military or naval power that one would find in the Free Cities or the Westerosi Kingdoms. It had escaped the wrath of the Dothraki and other conquerors solely on account of its far-away location. There were no other cities this far out before the Bone Mountains to challenge Qarth's authority, and it had always kept friendly relations with Slaver's Bay, putting any hostilities out of the question. The three walls were intimidating, yes, but they would not be of any help if a significant naval force was to launch an attack.
That was one of the reasons why she spent time and coin on her various plans. Now the trials began.
The army had been assembled, and Dany was watching closely. The walls were mounted with archers and riflemen. Her advisors were with her, waiting for the moment to strike. The ship attacks were answered with their own trebuchets, and while their aim was not always accurate, they did hit a few ships hard enough to sink them. Their small groups of sellsails were engaging the fleet from a distance, though their numbers were far too low. Most of the enemy ships were bound towards the port. The Qartheen guards shouted commands in their own language and brought large stones and other throwing objects up the battlements. The archers dipped their arrows in tar, ready to rain fire.
"This is it." said Arthur. The first ship had reached the port and the soldiers had disembarked. It was time.
The archers let loose, killing the first wave that was running towards the gates. The men fell quickly, but half of them managed to reach the gate. Reinforcements arrived under the harpy banner, carrying a battering ram. The stones crushed the heads of many who ventured too close.
"Alright boys. Remember your training." yelled John Marston as the riflemen took aim. Among the young recruits, Arstan stood out, maintaining perfect stance.
"Ready! Aim! FIRE!"
Loud, piercing sounds filled the air, releasing the familiar smoke, and the soldiers below met their end swiftly. Dany was not so troubled by the sound anymore, but that was when five men used the firearms. Now, the number was close to fifty with thousands more waiting their turn behind the gate. The destruction they unleashed together was incredible and frightening. The remaining men at the port fled away in fear, though there were some who kept the attack going. As the riflemen took cover to reload, a messenger arrived.
"The other gates are being attacked." Charles said. "We need to move."
The sellswords and riflemen rushed towards the west gates, with a considerable force remaining at the port. The benefits of having three walls were that any invader required triple the effort to get inside the city. While her army was busy with the ships, a large group had managed to breach one gate. Dany now had the opportunity to trap them in the space between the walls.
"I will lead the attack, my queen." Captain Naharis said with a smirk. He had five hundred men armed with longswords and arakhs, with Ser Jorah and Charles Smith joining the effort.
On her command, the inner gate was opened, and the mercenaries went out. After it was closed, they opened the middle gate which was being rammed by the enemy. They were caught off guard as it opened, and a battle broke out. In the small and cramped space, her mercenaries made quick work of the slaver armies, forcing them to retreat. Charles showed commendable skill with the arakh, and his small 'shotgun' killed many large foes, causing fear in their ranks. With only a few losses, they killed most of the breaching party along with a few stragglers, while being supported by riflemen on the wall. It was a massacre, with the ground red with blood and the air full of smoke.
The threat to the west gate was dealt with, and the army returned victorious, chanting war cries as they passed through the inner gates. Her efforts to strengthen the city had borne fruit. It had truly become impenetrable. The threat of the ships remained still. The enemy kept on coming and she could still hear Arthur and John's riflemen. They did not have the ships to stop them forever, and they could not wait until the enemy was at their gates. Then a thought occurred to her. She took her horse and rode towards the palace, escorted by Ser Jorah.
"I know how to stop the ships." she said. "It is time my children have their first battle."
"I suppose it could work. The dragons are large enough to make a difference."
They reached the palace where the people had taken shelter from the trebuchet attacks. Dutch and Hosea were in charge of the guards.
"I heard the battle is going well, Your Majesty." said Hosea.
"It is. Were there any troubles?"
"Oh yes. As a matter of fact, we found some interesting guests while you were gone." Dutch answered. A group of guards brought in five men.
"We caught them inside the armory, trying to steal the rifles."
Dany looked at one of them with a stern gaze. "Do you answer to the masters of Slaver's Bay?"
There was no response. Ser Jorah punched him in the face. "The queen has asked you a question!" Still no words.
"I do not have time for this right now." said Dany. "Throw them in the dungeons. We can question them later."
Her dragons were flying above the palace and came down when their mother commanded. The people recoiled in fear as they screeched. Dany took a good look at their children. While still very young, they could strike fear in anyone they met. Drogon was now a bit larger than her old mount Silver, whose loss Dany still lamented. Could she ride him? Of all her children, she was most drawn towards the one named after her sun and stars.
"It is too dangerous, Khaleesi." Ser Jorah protested as she mounted Drogon. He was strong enough to carry her. The backs on his skin itched, but not too much. "You can get hit by the archers. We can not lose you or we are lost!"
"I have to." she said. "My children will protect their mother."
When Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal were in position, she shouted. "Sōvegon."
The dragons took flight and Dany held on to Drogon's scales. No words could describe the feeling of flying, for the tales of her brother paled in comparison to the actual experience. Her children soared high, and she could see the entirety of her city. The world looked so calm and beautiful from up above, almost enough to make her forget the battle raging on her shores.
"Ilagon." Her dragons descended on the battlefield as her soldiers and enemies watched in awe and fear. Many arrows were hurled her way, all missing their mark. She came closer to the port and then... "Dracarys!"
Three large flames erupted from the mouths of her children. The enemies outside the walls were burnt and their equipment destroyed. Her dragons had tasted their first battle. Her soldiers cheered for her, shouting her name from their posts while the invaders who survived fled. But it was still not over. She now commanded them towards the ships. Her sellsails had held on for this long, but they needed help immediately.
The first targets were the ships leaving the port with escaping enemies. Her dragons cornered them from three sides. "Dracarys!" They burnt down quite easily, with the oil and tar barrels catching fire and making her task easier.
Then came the ships further away. The size of Drogon shielded her from the volley of arrows. They were not strong enough to pierce his thick skin. Drogon laid waste to five ships while Viserion and Rhaegal destroyed an equal number on their flanks. While she was winning, Dany could not ignore the screams of pain that the sailors let out. They would throw themselves in the sea to douse the flames. For a moment, she felt guilty for enjoying killing.
When all was done, the fleet lay aflame and destroyed. Her own ships were now in a better position, chasing the remaining enemies away. The battle was won.
Dany made her way back to her people who yelled her name as she descended. "Long live the Queen!" Ser Jorah and Arthur Morgan were at the walls to receive her. It had been a long night and the entire ordeal was exhausting. As she dismounted Drogon, she felt weakness take hold of her, and collapsed. The last thing she felt were someone's arms holding her up before she fell asleep.
She woke up the next day, with Irri and Doreah tending to her. Food and drink were brought, and she dressed up to attend court. Ser Jorah and the Americans were waiting for her, along with Belwas and Arstan.
"What happened while I was asleep?" she asked.
"The slavers ran away with their tails between their legs. Couldn't even breach one wall." Dutch laughed. "The casualties were at a minimum."
"We feared for the worst when you fell, Your Grace." Ser Jorah said.
"I…heard all those screams. When I burnt their ships. I never knew it would be like that." she managed to say. "They were my enemies, but they did not deserve to die like that. Why do I feel this way?"
"Because you do not have the taint, Your Grace." Arstan replied.
She looked up at the old man. "What do you mean?"
"Forgive me for withholding my identity, Your Grace, but I will lie to you no longer. I am Barristan Selmy."
Ser Jorah was surprised, but Dany did not know this name.
"It is you! By the gods!"
"Who is he, Ser Jorah?"
"Ser Barristan Selmy, the best knight in the seven kingdoms. Kingsguard to your father, and then to the Usurper Robert Baratheon."
Everything made sense now. That was how he knew about Dany's family. But as Ser Jorah said, he served the Usurper as well.
"Aye, I served Robert Baratheon, to my great shame. The man destroyed the realm while I was forced to watch. Then his vile son took away my cloak and sent his men to kill me. That was why I had to conceal my true identity."
"How do we know that you are not here as a spy?" Ser Jorah asked.
"You will note that I am standing before you, unarmed." Barristan retorted. "I am done serving fools, and I wish to enter your service, Daenerys Stormborn, as your Queensguard." he knelt.
There seemed to be no hidden intent in his words, but Dany had learnt to be careful.
"What is this taint you spoke of?"
Barristan took a moment. "Did you know that your father was called the Mad King?"
"A lie, spread by the rebels." she replied, mouthing the words of Viserys.
"The usurper told many lies, but this was not one of them…" He went on in great length about her father and his actions, with the entire room listening. She was sickened beyond belief. Why did Ser Jorah never mention it before? Does she also have the curse of madness within her? How is it that she had never even heard of such a thing before? She looked towards her sworn shield, in the hope that he would claim it as falsehood, but he merely bowed his head down and agreed with Barristan.
"Do I have this taint?" she asked when he finished.
"Your Grace, it is well known that when a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin, with one side for madness and the other for greatness. I believe you are destined for the latter. When I first heard about you, you were just a girl on the run from the Usurper's assassins. In a few years, you have hatched three dragons, raised an army and liberated countless slaves. You care for your people, as a good ruler should, and you put your life in danger to protect them. What could it be if not greatness?"
Viserys had told her his share of lies as well. It would take time for her to come to terms with the truth.
"I accept your offer, Ser Barristan. But you do not have my complete trust, yet." The knight nodded.
She then turned to the Americans. "Did our prisoners talk?"
"One of them did." said Hosea. "They were sending information out for days. To Slaver's Bay and Volantis. The soldiers last night, they were a combined effort, but they didn't expect that we would be prepared."
"It is clear then. They have declared war on us, and we must answer."
The time for peace was over.
.
Notes: Please do leave a review on any chapter you read, even if it's criticism. It will make the story better in future.
