"Come on Cerran! Kick his ass!"
"Aim for his left side, Daario! I've got too much money placed on you, finish this!"
It turns out that Daznak's pit had become useful after all despite it remaining closed to the public. It was now the home of battle royale sessions for Ranta's soldiers- especially her Second Sons. The gruff men loved to watch and fight with one another in the pit whether it be a free for all between a set number of men or a one on one like it was now.
Ranta huffed in amusement at the sight of the two stars of the Sell sword division brawling on the ground with heated passion. Who had come up with the idea in the first place to hold such a thing, Ranta was unsure of, but it was very creative she had to admit. It certainly did wonders to distract her thoughts from wandering over to recent events that had come to pass.
Cerra's sudden pained shout filled the air, causing Ranta to frown in concern when she seen the scarred brunette desperately trying to rub dirt and dust from his eyes curtosey of Daario himself. "Is he trying to blind him?!" the blue queen spoke incredulously to no one in particular. " The Second Sons fight dirty, your grace, they're street fighters. Such tactics are not so unusual to use" Ser Barristan informed her, standing to the left of where she sat.
"I am sure the healers will be able to give Cerran something to help heal his eyes if there is some damage done to them." Missandei added in, standing on Ranta's right.
Taking advantage of the new opportunity, Daario tackled the semi blinded Cerran- successfully beginning a one sided wrestling match that Daario quickly won when he had used Cerran's vulnerability to his advantage and placed the man in a painful looking head lock. "Who's the best?" The smug bastard that was Daario asked over the cheers coming from the spectators watching above. "...You are." The grey eyed Greengood grumbled unhappily.
Tightening the headlock playfully Daario leaned down and placed his ear closer to Cerran's mouth, ignoring the muffled shout of pain coming from his victim below. "What was that? I'm afraid I couldn't hear you, roaring crowds and all." Daario grinned. "You are!" Cerran yelled with a venemous glare much to his captain's amusement. Laughing heartily, Daario released his hold on his fellow brunette and wrapped his arms around the Greengood in a friendly hug this time, giving a pat to his chest as he pulled away.
"Not bad at all old boy, but there is a reason I am captain and you are not." Daario offered a helping hand up with a friendly smile. Cerran eyed his hand before sighing and accepted the help, "Aye, you're captain for now but you won't be for long." He smirked.
"Why? Are you coming after my job Ser Greengood?"
"As sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west."
Casting a side glance at the blue haired noble sitting patiently under the awning that had been prepared for her in advance, waiting for the two men to clear the field so the next brawl could begin. Daario smirked and returned his gaze to his brother in arms, "Good luck prying it from my cold dead fingers" he commented lightly. Looking between him and the object of his attention, Cerran snorted, grabbing his sword that had been tossed aside earlier in the fight and sheathing it.
"You do realize that you're a sad man right?" He asked knowingly as they walked towards the exit. "On the contrary I think I'm the happiest man alive." Daario countered. "Is that why you spend every waking moment of your life pining after a woman who brushes off your advances?" The grey eyed man scratched a cheek. "You may see it as worthless pining but I see it as dedication, wear her down little by little until she has no choice but to humor me." The captain smiled, earning an unconvinced snort in return.
"Do you deny her beauty?" Daario mused, nodding to the next pair of men they passed set to brawl. "Course I don't." Cerran said as they disappeared through the tunnel that led into the pit and hiked up a flight of stairs that would bring them to the spectators seats.
"Even a man who lusts after other men can see that..." the Greengood trailed off, casting a look to his queen in the distance being flanked by the old Selmy and her Astaporian translator while Unsullied guarded all three of them, "Hey... where's her other guard dog? The Mormont, he's usually never five feet away from her and yet I haven't seen him for the past three months." Cerran asked, not paying much attention to the crowds cheers at the start of the new fight below.
Daario frowned and shrugged, "Can't say I know myself." He admitted, " but I do know that the queen doesn't like to talk about it. All she told us was that Jorah was on an extended mission for her, and that he would be gone for awhile." The duo made their way through the stands. "No more, no less?" Cerran guessed.
"No more, no less." Daario echoed back with a nod. Cerran was about to sit in a vacant seat the duo finally came across but was stopped when Daario grabbed his elbow at the last second having caught the beckoning gesture their queen had sent his way. "Our queen wants to see us." the captain offered as an explanation when his companion looked at him strangely and led the walk over to the monarch.
Subconsciously twirling the ring on her finger, Ranta was all but oblivious to the world around her as she watched the fight down below with dazed eyes. When her personal guard however snapped to attention, her daze was broken. "Well done, both of you," Ranta waved her over protective Unsullied to stand down, " I was impressed with both of you…" she complimented the two men that approached, "though if you could have won that fight with out trying to blind Cerran I would of been more impressed, Daario." Ranta finished pointedly.
"Ohh a little dust never hurt anyone, isn't that right Cerran?" the Sell sword captain slapped his comrades back. Smirking at the opportunity brought before him, the Greengood rubbed at his eyes convincingly "I don't know, my vision's been a bit fuzzy ever since you did that." he complained in a worried tone. Ranta narrowed her eyes on Daario,"Eyes are not so easy to fix, what if his vision is seriously damaged now?!" she snapped and used the back of her hand to hit the man in his stomach none too gently before standing and taking Cerran's bearded face in her hands, using her fingers to gently pull on his eye lids to make sure no rocks were hiding in there.
Daario grunted at the hit and held a hand to his stomach protectively, glaring daggers at the grinning man in Ranta's unnecesary care. "My queen...my queen!" Cerran grabbed Ranta's slender hands in his and pulled his face away. "I'm fine, my vision's fine." the scarred man chuckled, " My eyes are just dry if anything, I can flush them out when I get home….or now." he amended when Ranta produced a canteen seemingly out of the blue.
"Yes you'll do it now, on your knees and tilt your head back. I'll do it for you." she offered though he knew it was more of an order. Holding out a hand Daario stopped the woman from taking a step towards the grey eyed warrior with the canteen, "Before you go dumping water into his eyes, was there something you needed?" he inquired. "Oh yes, I wanted to talk to you all about something rather important." Ranta nodded, making sure Barristan and Missandei were paying attention as well before returning to her seat.
"Come, sit." the queen motioned to spare seats that the two sell swords took readily. "Cerran let me be the first to congradulate you." Ranta spoke looking straight forwards, watching the next brawling match with semi interest. "Congradulate me?" the man echoed confused along with the others. "Yes, allow me to congradulate you on your new position. In a manner of putting good faith between our families and as recognition of your battle prowess displayed during the initial take over of Mereen, I have decided to name you Captain of the Second Sons."
This announcement had the majority of the group reeling in shock. The young queen made sure to notice Daario's particular look of devistation upon his face. "M-my queen." he stuttered out with a wavering voice as he fell from his chair and onto one knee, staring at the ground below blankly. "If I have done something that you did not approve of...if taking Mereen's ships without your permission has caused-." Daario stopped when he suddenly felt a soft hand fall upon his shoulder and looked up to see Ranta's soft and sympathetic face.
"Get up Daario, you have not done anything that I haven't approved of. Not yet anyways, besides. You didn't let me finish what I was going to say." she pulled back with a smirk. Satisfied that the now former sell sword captain was on his feet once more and in his seat, the Naylor turned and began watching the sparring men down below. "Ser Barristan I congradulate you as well, along with Daario." the Selmy looked to the monarch carefully, "For what, your grace?" he asked.
"For your new positions as well." Ranta revealed, "Ser Barristan you are now the general of my army while Daario takes your place as Leader of the Queen's guard." Ranta waved away a fly from buzzing near her head. The elder was silent for a while, along with the rest of the group. The only one who remotely knew what was going on had been Missandei and that was because she and the queen had discussed this the night prior. "This is an honor my queen, truly it is, but if you don't mind me saying that these promotions are rather sudden don't you think?" Cerran questioned.
"If none of you want your new positions…"
"No, no! We accept them," the blonde back tracked, "Like I said, it's just sudden." he rubbed his head. Ranta hesitated for a moment before sighing heavily, her calm facade falling. "It is because I have business to attend to outside of Mereen happening soon, I just wanted everything to be stable when I left incase something were to arise while I was gone." Ranta informed the small group.
"Business? Business where?" Daario asked curiously. "Are you sure it's a good idea to leave Mereen now your grace?" Ser Barristan asked as well before she could answer, "With Jorah gone and with you leaving as well, that's two key powerful people out of the city." he pointed out. "Which is the reasoning for your new positions." Ranta reiterated, " I am trusting the lot of you to keep things together while I am gone. Missandei will serve as my public figure while you all protect and advise her as you do for me."
Now this bit of news had been quite a surprise to Missandei, the translator was well aware of her queen's intentions on sailing south but placing her on the throne while she was away was news to her. "Me? You want me to stand in your place? Your grace, we did not discuss this last night. I do not think I am qualified to-."
"The people know you Missandei, and they trust you." Ranta stopped the protest in its tracks and turned to look her closest advisor in the eye, " It'll be fine. All you need to do is keep the peace as best as you can. When it comes to adressing the concerns and complaints of the citizens make sure they understand that whatever solution or compromise you come up with is temporary and will be dealt with properly once I return." she explained. At the sudden roar of the crowd, Ranta knew the brawl had been won and a new one was to start soon.
"You still haven't told us where you're going and for how long." Daario pointed out, causing Ranta to hesitate in her answer. "I'm taking Grey Worm, Laemarr and Vaemyx and sailing south of Valyria to the Basilisk Isles. I'm not sure how long we'll be gone for." the woman revealed after a moment. "Into pirate territory? What could possibly drive you to have business there?" Barristan asked incredulously but found himself turning towards Cerran instead of the queen when he replied first.
"Because there's a Naylor down there." the Greengood voiced, "Her cousin to be more specific. Tarla Naylor is the sole reason the Isles are still around come recent years, her powers deal with vegitation I believe. Can get anything to grow anywhere so long as she has the energy to do so. The Free Cities are known to send an armada to destroy them but the isles just end up bouncing back because Tarla's never killed during the attacks - I reckon she's tipped off on when the armada is on their way and disappears for a while before restoring life to the islands." he finished thoughtfully.
"And how exactly do you know this?" Daario asked meeting his gaze evenly. " I've sailed there before with Kiran. Brawled with the men there" Cerran tapped the scar on his cheek, " Drank with the men there, spoke with em. Even ended up speaking to Tarla herself for a little while. When her little cousin here comes sailing onto her shores in need of aid then she'll get it one hundred percent." the Greengood then looked to the blue queen's figure with certainty set in his grey eyes. "So this is all in the name of uniting family members annndd…?" Daario trailed off uncertainly.
"Our queen has intentions on setting Naath and the Summer Isles under her protection," Missandei took over, " she cannot do that with the Basilisk pirates running rampant." she explained to the trio of men sitting around her. The next brawl between second son warriors had begun, signaled by the crowd's roar once more.
Ranta nodded her head in agreement to what the other woman said, "Missandei's right. Rally the pirates on my side and not only does it solve our naval concerns when setting sail for Westeros and the sea battles to come, but it restores peace to the two countries and opens up opportunities for all. Two birds with one stone...well three birds with one stone really." she corrected after a moments thought.
Before anyone else could speak, the group turned their attention to the new comer who had joined them. " My queen, the ship and crew are nearly ready. Laemarr and Vaemyx have been seen swimming in the harbor and are ready to go on your command" Grey Worm reported dutifully, holding his hands behind his back and dressed in a new uniform.
Said clothing consisting of a long sleeve studded leather shirt with dual knife holders added into the shirt, and plain black puffy pants to match. "You're going so soon?" Barristan voiced in surprise but Ranta merly held up her hands in surrender, " Do not blame me, blame Grey Worm's efficiency to get everything ready in such a short amount of time, I thought we wouldn't be leaving until at least a month from now." the Naylor looked up to see the sun high in the sky, the burning orb's position dictating that it was no later than noon.
Turning back to the silent warrior, Ranta adressed him. "I take it that you have spoken to White Rat about what is to come?" Grey Worm nodded his head. "Then I will also have to congradulate him as well. I am confident he'll lead the Unsullied to the best of his ability as he protects Mereen and its citizens when we are gone." Ranta smiled lightly.
"Wait, wait, wait." Daario suddenly spoke up, effectively gaining the attention of the group, "This is all well and fine, but what about Jorah? Where is Jorah? He is the general of your armies, or rather he was and yet he hasn't been seen or heard from in months." he corrected. Their burning gazes seemed to pierce far into Ranta's skin and stare into her soul as they waited for a response from their queen. But the Naylor couldn't bring herself to meet their eyes.
"Your grace?" Missandei tried gently, having been left in the dark on this matter as well. "Did you know we had a mole problem?" the blue haired woman suddenly asked. "A-a mole problem?" Ser Barristan echoed shocked to hear this news.
"Yes," Ranta couldn't help but laugh lightly at the serious matter at hand, " apparently I've had a mole problem from the very beginning. My information being sold for years right under my nose and I didn't even know it." Concerned glances were exchanged amongst the group of advisors and warriors. "So you sent Ser Jorah out to go deal with it? " Missandei tried again. Ranta's heart gave a painful tug at this, and the woman even found herself rubbing at her chest as if it would soothe the ache there. "No." the blue eyed woman shook her head, "I did not send Jorah out to deal with the mole."
"Then where-?"
"Ser Jorah Mormont of Bear Island was the mole."
There. She said it, though it wasn't because she wanted to. "Allow me to make this perfectly clear to you all." Ranta muttered dangerously, " Jorah came forward and confessed to me his crimes the night the second sons took Mereen's navy. He pulled me into his room and showed me the letters he sent to Varys, the Spy Master of Kings Landing. I am sure you are familiar with him?" Ranta looked to Barristan and watched the man nod his head in agreement.
"Any other man would have been executed on the spot, but not him. I couldn't do it to him." the young queen's voice waivered emotionally, causing her to clear her throat and try again. "I could not execute Jorah for his treachery, nor could I banish him. Not permanently. So I sent him away to travel between the roads of my city or to do as he pleases until I summon him back to my side. But as far as the citizens of Mereen are concerned, he is out on the roads serving as a first line of defense against Volantis slavers and helping the Dothraki protect travelers on the road. It would be preferable if they did not even know that but I also know things are bound to get out. I trust you all to keep your mouths shut about the real reason on why Jorah is gone. I would also like to make it clear that should any of you enact such treason against me, any treason against me...I won't spare the same mercy upon you as I have done for him."
When the crowd's cheer rose up, it signaled to Ranta the end of the final sparring session scheduled for today and it was now time to go home. Standing up from her seat and was about to leave but was stopped by Cerran's voice, "Did he say why?" he asked. The liberator hesitated slightly before turning back towards the man. "He said it was just a job." Ranta began, " He told me that before he came to know me, it was just a job. Give information about two girls across the world and he got to go home, pardoned and all."
"Two girls?" the Greengood asked, " Daenerys Targaryen, the last blood of her family." Missandei informed him quietly. "He didn't expect to grow as fond of you two as he did, did he?" Barristan asked knowingly and Ranta shook her head. "He begged for my forgivness you know," she noted, eyes distant as the woman thought back to that night.
"He dropped onto his knees and placed his forehead to the ground in the lowest bow possible. He said sorry and begged for forgivness so many times that night. He regretted what he did for years and still does…'You must believe me when I say that I have done nothing but serve you loyally, faithfully and whole heartedly ever since that day. I serve you and only you. You are the queen I choose, the queen I will fight for until the day I die and even when I am nothing but dust and bones in the ground- when my name is nothing but a whisper in the wind and fading from history... I will continue to fight for you, I will do so until the end of time.' We were both crying by the time he finished." the queen wrapped up.
"No true traitor would be that upset." Daario noted, " Nor would they confess the way he did." "No, they wouldn't." Ranta agreed before turning to the ever stoic Grey Worm who surprising held tenseness in his shoulders at the news brought to light. "The name of the ship we are taking?" she asked. "Old Glory, my queen, the second boat for Vaemarr and Laemyx to rest upon is called the Iron Giant. Our Captain is Penrose and she said both ships will be prepared to make the trip in about a week" he answered her inquiry. "Then I have a week to make sure everything is okay within the city... Come along Missandei, we have arrangements to make incase worse comes to worse while I am gone." she beckoned her right hand and departed with Grey Worm and the rest of the Unsullied guard.
0o.0o.0o.0
Two months. Two months of laying in a cramped crate stowed away on a boat, having food and drink smuggled to him through the air holes on one side of his crate and shoving his own feces through the others on the opposite side, unable to speak to anyone besides one person and even then it was under the cover of night and at a voice level that could hardly be called a whisper. And all for what? So he could drink himself to death in a foreign land, far away from the ones who wanted him dead. Far from his own family who wanted him dead. Not that it was anything new anyways.
Atleast the land was beautiful, Tyrion Lannister had to admit that. Lush green vegitation, clear blue skies, sparkling water as far as the eye could see and extrordinary architecture that the builders of Westeros would kill to learn how to do. Yes, the land of Pentos was very beautiful and they had good wine to boot. He supposed dying here would be as good a place as any, it was quiet and no one really bothered him.
It allowed him to be alone with his thoughts for once. "Feeling better I pressume?" a smooth voice inquired followed by approaching foot steps. Or at least he thought he was alone with his thoughts. From his leaned over position on the white stone railing overlooking the sea, Tyrion turned his head to see the very same man who had to throw his waste overboard during the crossing.
"Eunich, the Spider, a master of whisperers." the Lannister turned his head back to watch the rolling waves crash against the rocks. "Imp, half-man, dwarf." came the even reply to which Tyrion smirked lightly and raised is wine glass to before drinking. "There are faster ways to kill yourself you know." Varys commented dryly. "Not for a coward, there's not." the shorter of the two denied. The spy master observed his companion for a brief moment before moving forwards and resting his backside against the railing his friend was on.
"You are many things, but a coward isn't one of them despite what you may think." Varys had been met with a disbelieving snort in return, " Do you know why I saved you?" he asked honestly. "I haven't the faintest idea." Tyrion finished off his glass and poured more wine into his cup from the glass bottle, " You're not family, you are not in my debt, you owe me nothing." he sipped.
"All of those are very true but have nothing to do with why I saved you." Varys denied, "I didn't do it for you, like you said I owe you nothing, but as to me oweing something to the realm..." he trailed off. "So you decided to do the realm a favor and get rid of its most hated and murderous dwarf its ever known...hoorah you've succeeded" the curly haired man cheered dully.
"Self pity does not suit you." Varys turned to rest his forearms down on the railing, eye level with his companion, " your witty tongue, compassion and talent for politics however does. Any lucky fool can be born into power, but earning your power...that takes work."
"I'm not well suited for work"
"I'd say otherwise."
Frowning, Tyrion leveled the bald man with a narrowed glare. "What is it that you want exactly?" he growled lowly. "Peace. Prosperity. A land where the powerful do not prey on the powerless but then again that is how they became powerful in the first place but perhaps this can change." Varys continued when Tyrion merely stared at him unblinking, "Perhaps you and I can help someone make this change come true. Perhaps we can help another climb the steps and take seat upon the Iron throne. The Seven Kingdoms needs someone stronger than Tommen yet no where nearly a malicious as Joffery and gentler than Stannis... someone who can intimidate the high lords and inspire the people. A ruler loved by millions with a powerful army at their back and the right family name."
Tyrion huffed, swirling the wine around in his cup,"Good luck finding him." as if someone like that actually exsisted in this shit world. Returning to his full height, Varys looked down his nose at the Lannister knowingly, "Who said anything about him?" he asked reveling in the curious look the small man sent up to him.
"I take it you are aware of Ranta Naylor, or her house at the very least." Tyrion slowly and carefully stood up to his full height and listened earnestly to what the spy master had to say, "The woman with the sea in her hair and the sky in her eyes...our dear Ranta has accomplished many things on this side of the world since she was forced out of Westeros with the Targaryen children. The girl's integrated herself into the culture and lives of the mighty Dothraki war lords when Daenerys Targaryen was married to Khal Drogo and currently has over seven hundred at her back with more on the way thanks to Daenerys."
" She's invaded and taken over Astapor with naught but three hundred Dothraki, an exhiled knight or two, two monsterous serpants and three baby dragons at her side. Rallied all twelve thousand Unsullied soldiers behind her, completely gotten rid of the masters who laid such a terrible fate over them and thousands of others before them. Redesigned the city, erasing all symbols of slavery and redistributing housing to those remaining and fixed the marketing system. Ranta stayed and ruled over Astapor for a few years to make sure it was in no danger of collapsing on its self from the abrupt changes and then left to march on Yunkai. From there it was pretty much the same really, only this time Ranta had managed to snag the entire Second Sons unit made of two thousand men onto her side when the former leiutenant Daario Naharis killed his captains Meero Braavos and Prendahl Negezen and dumped their heads at her feet. After establishing her rule there for a few years she left once again onto the last city of Slaver's Bay - Mereen. "
"When Mereen's champion was sent out to do battle as custom, Ranta sent herself out to fight the man - having been trained by Barristan the Bold nonetheless I reckon she believed she could handle this fight on her own instead of sending an actual trained soldier to fight for her. And what do you know, she won! And when the day was done and night had fallen, she had snuck into a slave pen with her Unsullied guard to speak with the slaves there while her Second Son units took out the watch towers surrounding the city. Before the sun had even touched the horizon, the battle for Mereen had already been won in Ranta's name and it is Mereen in which she is currently presiding over. Though my little birds tell me that she intends to free Naath and the Summer Islands from their ailings but to do that she must sail for the Basilisk Isles to strike a deal and rally the pirates behind her. In need of a formidable armada as well I suppose, but I'm sure young Ranta is much more interested in the fact that her cousin presides there as well." speech finally finished Varys moved off the railing and took a few steps away.
"You have a choice, my friend, you can either come with me to Mereen and wait for Ranta's return because I know we will not make it there in time before she leaves or you can stay here and drink yourself to death."
"..."
"A storm is coming my lord, in fact it is already here. House Martell, Tyrell and the Greengoods - former banner men of House Stark have all decided not to take chances and decided to hold up old alliances, forming allegiances with Ranta - not that she would know about the Martells and Tyrells but the Greengoods have made their stance known, one even fights in her army. The question remains to be if you believe that you will be able to stand against the storm heading for King's Landing and all of Westeros."
"...Can I drink myself to death on the way to Mereen?" Tyrion asked innocently, looking up at the spy master with hope in his eyes. Varys smiked lightly and nodded his head before turning and walking away with his little friend stumbling after him, wine bottle in hand. Unknowing to either man, they had been watched from the vegitation stationed in the gereal vicinity not by one person but by two people.
One being Lord Illyrio himself and the other being a certain green eyed ravenette. "Slinking in the shadows, my lord?" Illyrio called once Varys and Tyrion were well out of ear shot, " Certainly does not suit you. You should leave the sneaking around to the rats." said lord smirked, turning to the man gifted with foresight.
"Don't you mean the birds and spider?" Colren asked keeping his eyes trained on the two retreating figures of the men who would be making their way to Ranta for a long moment before turning to adress Illyrio. "Fair enough." Illyrio walked up and stopped before the ravenette. "Colren Naylor, brother to Dasina Naylor, Commander of Naylor forces, Keeper of the All seing mirror, Master of the seas, The Uncutable...but more importantly uncle to Ranta Naylor. I have foreseen many events coming to pass in my life time, but you washing up onto my shores was not one of them. What has driven you out of the hole that you've spent years hiding in? What are you doing here?" he asked folding his hands behind his back.
Colren smiled coyly, so there were some blind spots to those mystical visions of his after all. "Come, come Lord Illyrio, can friend not visit friend simply out of the goodness of his heart? Why do you assume I am fleeing from something?" the green eyed man tsked but when he was met with an unamused eye brow quirk from the other man, Colren sighed in defeat. "Dasina chased me out." he revealed, " Heard a whisper or two that Volantis was stirring up trouble in Ranta's territory, sent me to go deal with it. Don't ask me how" he muttered at the end.
"Whispers? Oh my, if you are hearing whispers from Essos and are here in such a timely fashion then that means you and your sister are closer than you let on, yes? But back onto topic, I suppose you being sent to defuse the situation is better than Ranta wasting her men on Volantis by raging war." Illyrio granted walking to a near by table and pouring himself a glass of water the alcoholic dwarf had spared.
At the mention of this Colren looked to the Pentos lord with mild shock, "War? The squabbles are that bad?" he approached the table as well, dodging the question about where he and Dasina had been hiding. "The whispers you heard are as true as the sky is blue. Volantis slavers are trying to disrupt the Storm Queen's reign and send everything she's worked for into ruin - tresspassing into the free man lands and attempting to re shackle traveling men and merchants on the roads to her cities. Ranta's Dothraki have been deployed to stop this and watch over the cities, she said the next time they catch a slaver it will be war. No questions asked." Illyrio poured the Naylorian man a glass of water as well, taking mental note how the Naylor made no move to answer his assumtion.
The Naylor ran a hand through his black locks roughly, "It'll be a short war atleast." he muttered. Illyrio hummed in agreement as he sipped his drink, "Short war indeed, especially with those creatures of hers released onto the battle field. Blood will be shed, and tears will fall on both sides but such violence is completely unnecessary and easily avoidable... If only there was someone with a pretty face, witty tongue, and enough brains to convince the Volantis leaders to stand down and reign their men in." Lord Illyrio nearly rolled his eyes as the words escaped passed his lips before looking pointedly at Colren.
"You had best hurry along, friend, Dasina does excpect you back at whereever you two are hiding in a timely fashion- does she not?" he asked dryly. Said man straightened to full height, and patted Illyrio's shoulder twice," Right you are, fare well then. Wish me luck." the ravenette bid before turning on heel and walked away. But before he got too far, Illyrio spoke up. "Before you go, one more thing." he requested, stopping Colren in his tracks.
Now that I know what you are doing on my shores, I also would like it to be known that I do know that your presence will not be greeted with open arms exactly if you make yourself known to your niece." the Pentos Lord warned.
"Is that so?" Colren quirked a brow testily. "It is so." Illyrio nodded, " You left her to rut around in the gutters for a majority of her life, what do you expect? To walk into her life and be welcomed with open arms now that she actually has power and influence in the world?" Colren glared, "Me and Dasina did what we had to do after the mad king killed Ranta's father... Dasina's husband...my brother-in-law. You expected us to take a mere child of only a few years of age on the run when our own future was uncertain? We knew she would be safe with Rhaella for however long she could buy with the rebellion at her doorstep and when she died, and the children made passage way to Essos we knew she would land in your care...its just unfortunate that it took so long for it to happen." the man trailed off weakly.
"And when you, your sister and the rest of your kin finally found somewhere safe to rest? Why didn't you come for her, or at the very least send a letter if you knew she would be in my care?" the Naylorian man flinched guiltily and looked to the sea as if it held the answers to the questions. Illyrio sighed heavily in disappointment, " Whatever the reason, I do sincerely hope it's good enough to not get you executed on the spot." and with that he turned and left Colren alone with his thoughts plaguing him with guilt and worry. Illyrio had his own weight to throw around to try and relieve young Ranta of the stress caused by Volantis.
0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.
" When I left you with your little Khalasar of three hundred, I thought it'd be the last my people would see of the pale skinned Khaleesi...and yet here you are, alone and without your Khalasar - depending on Rakharo, and Jhogo to protect you, Irri and Doreah." Khal Moro's eyes seemed to look right through Daenerys as she stood before him and the other Great Khal of the Grass sea in the very same tent that the Dosh Khaleen declared her son would mount the world.
"Tell me, where have the rest of your Khalasar gone?" he inquired. "Who cares about her? She's a midget." one of the Khals scoffed, Kavo, "Well I like her." countered another, Havvo, sitting next to the first. "She's paler than milk."
" I wonder if she tastes like it too."
"You can suck my dick to find out."
Laughter rang out at this and Daenerys fought with herself to not roll her eyes at the vulgarity. "Pride of the Dothraki, you all are." a Khal mused, Essino, not finding the humor in such talk. He was one of the two or three men in the room that did not laugh. "Leave it to the runt to shy away from such talk." Kavo sneered lightly to the physically smallest Khal in the room.
Essino glared heatedly at the thick headed pig of a man, "Khal Drogo was my cousin," he spat venomously, "Forgive me if I do not see pleasure nor humor in talking about fucking his widow." an uncomfortable silence filled the room at the news brought to light. It was easy to forget that the scrawny Khal was family to the great and burly Khal Drogo, they were complete opposites. Drogo was all muscle and brawn, eager to go head first into a fight much like his brethren but Essino was small and all brains, preferring to think first before heading into a fight.
Yes Essino was effectively one of the few outliers in Dothraki history, but it was why he was one of the Khals with a larger set of followers. Fighting was everything, he understood that, hell he loved fighting as well but Essino also loved living and so did the warriors that followed him. Essino was careful about what battles he sent his men out into and made sure they were all cared for when the fighting was over.
"Peace, brother, you know no harm was meant." Khal Morro broke the silence with a sympathetic look upon his face. Biting his tongue Essino calmed himself and nodded his head, slightly tilting it in acknowledgement to the pat on the back Havvo gave him as an apology while Kavo merely looked down to the floor in shame. Feeling eyes on him, the small khal looked up and found the silver Khaleesi gazing at him with violet eyes, her features twisted into confusion as she undoubtedly tried to remember any conversation she and Drogo had about him before.
"Drogo probably hadn't talked about me much before," he started, " nothing much to talk about really so I don't blame him...forgive me for missing your wedding. I was dealing with a problem between my Khalasar and Qarth during the time that lasted longer than desired. You'll also have to forgive me for not giving an actual gift outside of a suggestion that Drogo made come true." Dany's lips parted slightly but found no words coming out.
"The place of your wedding? On a cliff over looking the water? I suggested it when my cousin first wrote to me how he was getting married." he smiled lightly in memory of his departed family. "Y-yes, it was very beautiful, thank you for that, I couldn't think of a better place to have had it at." the solitary woman was finally able to get out. "Speaking of weddings," Khal Moro spoke, " There was another who made her way into our lives and culture...another who made off with four hundred riders in the dark of night to sack the slave cities... Where is Ranta?" the warrior asked.
Daenerys turned her head in his direction, "In Mereen by now I imagine, that was the last I heard, and it is where my Khalasar are until I return." she answered. Moro huffed amused by this, but said nothing as a nameless Khal spoke "So it is true then. Khal Drogo's Little Sister is the one who has been conquering Slaver's bay?" he asked. "And growing her army with every city she conquers." Daenerys replied.
"Astapor, Yunkai and the Dothraki" Khal Moro mused, "That's nearly fifteen thousand men at her command already, with Mereen it'll be more...plus the beasts that follow her. I have to say Little Sister is crawling her way to the top now isn't she? It's only been a few years since she's left us...and it's why you're here isn't it?" he narrowed his eyes. Daenerys didn't answer him right away, instead seh turned and began walking around the room.
"This is where the Dosh Khaleen pronounced that my child would be the Stallion that would mount the world. This is the place where Khal Drogo vowed that he would give his Little Sister, Ranta, my father's iron chair. This is where he vowed that he would take his khalasar west to give her the Seven Kingdom's at the world's end." Khal Moro sighed heavily at where this was going.
"He promised to ride wooden horses across the Black salt water like no Khal has ever done before! He swore to kill the men in iron suits and tear down their stone houses. He swore this before the Mother of Mountains and I intend to make sure that this happens." Daenerys came to a stop atop the platform in the center of the room, standing tall before the great Khals.
"Have you ever considered the possibility that Khal Drogo was a fool? And you are no better." Moro spat. "And now here you all sit," the Targaryen continued as if he had never spoke, "The great Khals of the Dothraki, worried about how many horses you can get, what sheep villages you can pillage, how many girls you get to fuck. Khal Drogo was going to unleash his horde on the little men across the poison water. He was prepared to show the world the full fury of the Dothraki in battle and yet you cower here...you are no better than the men who hide behind walls. You are a joke to them, a scare tactic to reign in unruly children, they do not have an ounce of fear in the Dothraki because you will not ride wooden horses to get to them. You truly are small men, unfit for leading any number of Dothraki." the men all shifted in their seats at the insult, causing a smile to grace the pale woman's face.
"But I am fit to rule and I will." the Targaryen declared, but unfortunately this only caused laughter to ring out from all of the man besides Essino who had been watching the violet eyed woman carefully. A cold, hard look had come upon her at being mocked by the men before her. Standing up, Essino walked right up to Daenerys' - climbing onto the platform as he did so.
"And if we are interested in following you?" he whispered into her ear. "Then go outside and wait for me. Use the backdoor. You'll see Doreah there." the pale Khaleesi whispered back. Essino nodded and moved away, doing as she instructed. At the sight of one of their own leaving the laughter faded, Moro called for the small Khal to sit back down but was ignored.
"So the rest of you will not follow?" the pale Khaleesi proclaimed after the back door had been shut - staring deep into the fire being hosted by the brazier closest to her, "Now that is a shame…" the woman placed a hand unflinchingly on the scalding hot iron bars much to the men's horror, " for you anyways. Since you are not going to serve...you will die." with a light shove the Targaryen sent the brazier crashing down, the fire tumbling out and sending everything it touched ablaze. The men all jumped back with shouts of terror as the fire raced up the stairs towards them and collectively tried to escape to the left but was cut off by another rush of flame when Daenerys shoved over another brazier without a care in the world.
One would dare say, the fire princess was grinning as the fire chased after the mighty warriors in the circular temple and one by one burning them alive. Casting her violet eyes upwards, the fire followed the trail and soon spread up into the rafters - effectively sending burning beams down upon a few of the men trying to escape. Facing forwards, Daenerys was greeted with the sight of Khal Moro and Havvo pushing and banging against the front doors in a desperate attempt to flee. If only they had known sooner that Rakharo and Jhogo killed the guards outside and barred the doors so no one could leave.
Turning around as Havvo continued on the door, Moro faced the woman responsible for this whole thing and stared at her unblinkingly. However when she placed her hands on the last brazier, the man flinched and took a step back as if it would save his life but was helpless to do anything but scream as the fire engulfed his frame after being released from its container.
The wooden doors did not last long against the flames, and soon both doors fell to the ground unable to fight against the fire any longer. Walking out, Daenerys slowly appeared before the occupants of Vaes Dothrak. All of them wide eyed and slack jawed when she stood before them as nude as she was the day she was born, the fire having long since burned her clothes away.
Daenerys wasn't sure who was the first to get to their knees and bow lowly , but when they did, it caused a chain event to go off and soon thousands of others were dropping to the ground and doing the same. From out in the sea of people, Dany could see Irri, Doreah, Rakharo, Jhogo and Essino making their way forwards and came to a stop before the woman. All three of them were equally in awe of their silver haired Khaleesi as the others and after moments of gawking, they dropped into their own bows without protest.
After seeing this, a smirk made its way across the violet eyed woman's lips. Well this had been easy, much easier than she thought it would be.
"Khaleesi! Khaleesi!"
Stumbling into a meeting being held in the reconstructed Dosh Khaleen temple, Daenerys, Rakharo, and about two dozen other veteran warriors turned to acknowledge the out of breath and flustered Irri. "Irri, not now." Rakharo scolded his cousin quietly, eyes glancing between her and the men who eyed the woman with distaste at the unwelcomed addition to the room.
"Yes now." the woman retorted back uncaring of the glares she was getting, "There is news. News from the outside. Little Sister is going to war against Volantis!" Irri exclaimed not knowing of the mistake she had just made. "What?!" Daenerys hissed over the now interested murmurs of the warriors. Before much else could be discussed, Essino suddenly burst into the room as well - panting from trying to chase down the frantic woman through the city.
"Prepared. Ranta is prepared to go to war." the man corrected with a pointed glare at Irri. "What for? How did you hear about this?" Rakharo asked. "Scouts out on the road to Vaes Dothrak, met with some of Ranta's Dothraki defending the back roads to Mereen. They said Ranta and Volantis have been having problems, she's placed Jorah the Andal and screamers on the roads to her cities to protect travelers and to serve as the first line of defense while her sell swords train inside Mereen and Unsullied guard the city." Essino answered.
"There is also talk that Sister is sailing to make a deal with pirates to the south to help." Irri reported. Daenerys looked to Rakharo for a short moment before addressing the rest of room, "Rally the warriors, we make for Mereen today….when does Ranta sail south?" the Targaryen asked Irri. "Soon, a week's time." she answered without pause.
"We won't make it there in time before Ranta leaves, but we can still be there by the time she returns. Go now, make sure everyone is well armed. I want Khal Drogo's original horde ready to move while the rest of you remain here, ready to help if we need it. Men will be dispersed to protect the roads with our fellow brothers already there while the rest protect the city as well." and with that Daenerys gave a firm dismissive flick of her wrist, sending the men into action to do as their pale Khaleesi has commanded.
"War." Daenerys shook her head to Rakharo and Irri that had stayed by her side, " The only war Ranta should be engaging in is the one in Westeros for the Iron throne. Why bother with any other?" the trio exited the tent. "Our blue queen is ending slavery, Volantis thrives on it." the warrior offered. "Yes but Ranta never had her eyes on Volantis, she's focused on Slaver's Bay. She has no interest in that city." the trio paused to let a horse and cart combo filled with weapons pass by before walking on.
"Whether she's focused on the Volanteese or not, one way or another you have to admit that you understand their worry about Ranta making the trek over there to end their way of living like she has with the last three cities...You also know how men like to get overly excited about things that are related to war." Rakharo then murmured lowly to Daenerys, " Perhaps they have exaggerated things and your sister is not quite at that point yet of ready to make war. All of this very well may be only just an intimidation tactic to get Volantis to leave her and her cities alone." the Targaryen sighed at the logic and nodded her head, what the man had said had been very likely and couldn't just be dismissed.
"Intimidation tactic or not, it's time we reconnect with her anyways. We've been away long enough, there's only so long I can eat dried horse meat." Daenerys mused, causing an amused snort to emit from her companion. " You're talking to someone whose been living off of this stuff since his teeth grew in." Rakharo grinned cheekily. The Khaleesi chuckled and granted the man that before sobering up.
"Pirates" she mused thoughtfully, "She never mentioned anything to me about them before." Rakharo grabbed an apple from a nearby passing crate being carried off to serve as part of the food supply during the journey. " I caught her looking at a map towards the Basilisk Isles the day we left Yunkai, never said why or what for, but maybe her hand...the translator will be able to tell you once we reach Mereen." the war lord handed the small fruit off to the silvery blonde as he said this.
"Missandei." Daenerys corrected taking the apple absently and then came to an abrupt stop and causing Rakharo to do the same, people flawlessly maneuvering around the trio standing in the middle of the street despite the sudden halt. " Do you remember what Irri said?" the Khaleesi asked. Rakharo looked to the woman confused, " About Jorah being out on the roads with the Dothraki? Protecting them for those who are on their way to one of the cities?" Daenerys supplied and watched as he nodded.
"That. That doesn't sit right with me." she continued their walk but at a slightly slower pace. "Jorah's not supposed to be away from her side for more than a few hours at a time unless she dismisses him to do as he pleases, but even then he's always within the general area of her. Why is he off in the field doing work any other soldier could be doing?" the violet eyed woman questioned and even Rakharo thought it was a bit strange now that he thought of it.
"It is strange, a very unusual move on her part." the warrior admitted and then pulled their walk to a halt once more when a certain something caught his eye. " You! Merchant captain!" he called to a man in the process of transporting birds in cages to the quickly forming Khalesar train at the entrance of Vaes Dothrak. "Aye?" the man stopped, giving his respects to the two high ranking people in his presence as he did so, " Messenger hawk or raven? Which do you prefer?" Rakharo asked, looking to the birds in question as he did so.
"Depends on the situation. A raven is the most popular and fastest way to get a letter delivered to the mail post of your choice. A messenger hawk may not be as fast or popular but they'll get a letter to a specific person or location outside of mail post with no problem...so long as your specific on the details of what a person looks like anyways." the man added after a moment.
"Can a hawk get a message to someone in Mereen within a week's time?" Daenerys stepped forward with determined eyes, now seeing where Rakharo had been going with this. " Oh sure, this little beaut here is a veteran of making trips to Mereen. Knows it better than any of my other birds... you have a letter in need of delivering to said certain person?" the merchant captain opened up one of the many cages in his cart and held out his forearm invitingly, causing a moderately-sized bird of prey to hop out and perched on the offered limb. Its' feathers were primarily buff-colored on the belly and underside of the wings and tail, but a darker reddish-brown on its back and top. The wings were relatively broad and about twice the length of its body and the tail was broad and fan-shaped.
The smoldering amber eyed bird chittered lightly as the man lightly ran a finger over the feathers on its belly tenderly. "Not yet but I will soon enough." Dany eyed the skilled bird carefully, something the man did not miss. "Take her now, there'll be no need to flag me down later then." the merchant captain offered and as if understanding his statement, the hawk jumped off of his arm and flew briefly to perch on Daenerys' shoulder despite the embarrassing squeak that originally emitted from her vocal cords. The man reached into his cart once more and pulled out a thin, light harness with a message scroll container combined to it in his hand.
" This. Is her harness and what you'll be using to keep that letter of yours safe during the delivery." the man maneuvered said contraption over the hawk's body, the bird lifting its wings knowingly to aid the merchant captain in his endeavor when necessary. When the buckle carrying the symbol of Vaes Dothrak was secured across the hawk's chest, the animal shook its self out thoroughly before beginning to clean its feathers dutifully. On one of the straps had been the name Vela sewn into it.
"Vela here is the best messenger hawk in all of Essos, you'll find no better bird out there." the man assured before answering a few questions about how to make sure the hawk understood where to go and who to find before departing to return to the task at hand before he had been pulled to a stop.
"Irri, what roads have Jorah been seen on?" Daenerys addressed the woman who had been silent up until now. Having been enamored with the messenger hawk settled on the Khaleesi's shoulder, the woman had to shake herself out of her own daze. "M-mainly the ones to Astapor, and Yunkai. He hasn't been seen on the roads to Mereen." she shook her head.
This caused another long pause to occur between Rakharo and Daenerys, "He's not even near the city and yet there is talk of war… nonsense. All of this." the Targaryen tsked, "Go, both of you. Pick up the Khalasar's pace. Double time. We leave those who fall behind after high noon." turning, the violet eyed woman left the two cousins to rally together the forty thousand horse warriors together while she made for her home in the city.
Skillfully moving through the throngs of people like a fish through water, the woman made good time to get to her home and entered with a flourish only to see Doreah and two other Dothraki women who had heard the call that an immediate departure was occurring for the Khaleesi's first Khalasar bustling around as they packed her things together. Without paying them much mind, Daenerys made for a nearby table still clad with spare parchment and ink and began to write.
The messenger hawk hopped down onto the table intelligently as she waited for the letter to be completed and deposited upon her back. Within a few minutes, Daenerys completed the letter and rolled the parchment paper up before sticking it into the letter carrier strapped to Vela's back and screwing the cover on tight. "Mereen Vela, I need you to go to Mereen and quickly. Before the week is up preferably." Daenerys held out her arm like she seen the merchant captain do before.
The intelligent bird jumped up and perched onto the Khaleesi's arm obediently before being carried outside once more. "I need you to bring this letter to Ranta Naylor, she resides in the great pyramid of Mereen and has hair as blue as the sea and with eyes to match. It shouldn't be hard to find her, can you do this for me?" Daenerys peered into the deep amber eyes of the hawk and was answered with a shrill cry before the hawk took off into the air with a burst of speed.
0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o0.
Over the last few days, Ranta had been personally going door to door to all of her local black smiths make masses of swords, knives, spears and arrows. She did the same to make sure the maesters and their apprentices have been working together to create a hefty amount of medicies and ointments. Once the cluster of weapons and healing supplies had been stocked and stored away, ready to be used should anything happen while the queen was gone - Ranta began to adress the citizens. Explaining to them that should an attack occur in her absence, that they were to head to the center of the city to take shelter while her armies moved outwards to stop any foot soldiers from reaching the inner workings of Mereen. This of course, had cause a chunk of panic to flow through her freed subjects.
"My friends! My friends! Please, put your minds at rest! I do not want to sight anxiety days before I leave but I'm just adressing what needs to be said." Ranta looked out amongst the sea of people gathered before the square pyramid like they had when she first spoke to them the morning Mereen bowed to Ranta. Missandei, Barristan, Grey Worm, White Rat, Cerran and Daario and her usual Unsullied guard had all been standing by her side.
"One cannot guarantee what will happen in the future, but they can certainly prepare for the worst. I have made enemies across the world, and I'm sure word has already gotten out that I will be leaving the protection this city offers me. My enemies are going to want to take advantage of that and it's my job to do my best to get you all ready for the worst to happen." Ranta paused to roam her eyes over the different forms of her subjects and was about to speak again but was cut off by a shrill cry of a hawk that sounded particularly close to her.
Looking up, Ranta seen a hawk making a rapid descent towards her and couldn't resist the small flinch when the reddish brown bird hovered in front of her, its wings flapping air straight into the queen's face. Getting over her initial shock, Ranta looked to her advisors in confusion before looking back at the bird who had been intently staring at her. "It's a messenger hawk, your grace, from Vaes Dothrak." Cerran informed taking a step forwards, having spotted the insignia on the hawk's chest.
"Stick your arm out so it can land." the sell sword demonstrated. Hesitating slightly, the Naylor did as shown and offered her arm to the patiently waiting bird carrying something on its back. Landing, the bird chittered to Ranta before bowing slightly to offer her the canister she had diligently carried the last few days. Barristan reached forward to remove the lid on the canister but quickly pulled his fingers back when the bird snapped at him with impressive speed. "The message isn't for you" Cerran explained the hawk's actions, " it's for our queen, and our queen only. Messenger hawks are trained to protect a message by any means, it won't let a letter fall into the wrong hands."
Bowing again, the amber eyed animal offered the canister to Ranta and this time made no move to snap at her when she made to remove the cannister lid. Peering inside, the Naylor was able to spot a parchment of paper inside and pulled it out with ease. Once the letter was out- the hawk apparently named Vela, from what Ranta seen on one of the straps around the bird's wings, moved from her arm to shoulder and began cleaning her feathers.
Unfurling the parchment of paper, Ranta began to read its' contents and quickly determined that it had been from her sister Daenerys. And by all that was good, Dany had not been happy with the blue haired Naylor. Not happy at all, but at least she was coming with a horde at her back, the original horde she and Daenerys had been in when the young silvery blonde was married.
"This letter merely proves my point." Ranta spoke to the crowd, "My impending departure has reached Vaes Dothrak. Daenerys Targaryen, my sister, and the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea is marching to our city with her horde at her back to help watch over you while I am gone which will not be for too long. Second Sons, Unsullied, Dothraki and freed men protect you all. Missandei will serve in my place and she will have White Rat, Ser Barristan, Daario and Cerran will all be advising her and helping her oversee Mereen. There are no safer hands to be in."
The citizens had calmed significantly at the knowledge of incoming war lords backing the city's militia during the queen's abscence. So much that it was much easier on Ranta's conscious to board the ship dubbed Old Glory with Grey Worm and a squadron of his soldiers when it was time to leave Mereen.
"Good bye, my queen!"
"Good bye Mhysa!"
"Safe travels!"
"Come back soon!"
Men, women, children and even her soldiers and advisors had all gathered at the docs to see off the beloved storm queen and her guard. "You know this could be your chance, Grey Worm." Ranta said lowly to the motionless man standing next to her as she waved to the crowd. The Unsullied captain looked at her with a slightly raised brow, "Well if you have silently been contemplating on how to kill me lately, now would be the time. You can easily pass the blame of my death off onto the pirates." the woman joked darkly but laughed warmly.
A passing by ship crew member had heard and snorted loudly in amusement before continuing his job. Smiling, Ranta looked back at the retreating man and then to Grey Worm, "He thought it was funny." she offered with a shrug when Grey Worm's expression didn't change.
"The thought will never cross my mind, my queen. Nothing will happen to you on this trip, this I promise you." the young man vowed causing the monarch to smile and place a hand on his arm, " And nothing will happen to you either, of that I promise. Besides, Missandei would kill me if anything had happened to her man." Ranta winked slyly and laughed when her friend shifted his weight from one foot to another as the only indication he was embarrassed.
A familiar chorus of animalistic roars filled the air and everyone turned towards the east, only to see the three forms of the gigantic forms of Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal flying towards the crowd and ship. "Oh dear." Ranta mumured, hoping that the trio wouldn't try to land on the ship to say their goodbyes. Hearing the cries of their brothers, Vaemarr and Laemyx emerged from the water, sending the ship rocking from the force of the waves they inadvertantly created and returned the call.
"Laemyx," Ranta called the eggshelled colored snake and crossing the deck to approach him. The tan eyed serpant turned to the woman with a hum and lowered his head upon the deck knowingly, allowing Ranta to climb atop the fire breathing creature's head. With Ranta safetly aboard, the snake carried her a bit deeper into the bay with Vaemarr by his side so they could say their good byes to the winged beasts without them trying to sink the ship if they landed on it.
Hovering infront of her much like the messenger hawk had done days before, Ranta looked into the eyes of Drogon and Viserion and smiled a bit sadly - reaching out a hand for them each invitingly. The black and green dragons reached their snouts out and purred at the welcomed touch of the woman, "Be good for me, your brothers won't be here to keep you three out of trouble….especially you Drogon." Ranta said pointedly.
The eldest dragon gave her an innocent look in responce, causing the blue eyed woman to laugh and wave the duo off so she could say good bye to Rhaegal. After exchanging good byes with the tan dragon and the trio exchanging goodbyes with the two elder beasts, Laemyx and Vaemarr returned to the ship Old Glory to deposit Ranta back aboard.
"Queen's accounted for!" the female captain of the ship shouted seeing this, "Weigh anchor! Lower the sails! Let's go boys, we've got water to cover!" she barked.
"Weigh anchor!"
"Weigh anchor!"
"Lower the sails!"
"Lower the sails!" the ship's crew echoed to one another, moving in a flurry of movement that was hard for Ranta to track. "Let's go, Iron Giant!" the captain shouted, waving a red cloth in the air to the behemeth of a ship filled with live stock a few docs down that used to carry teams of war elephants around the world and would serve to host Vaemarr and Laemyx when they grew tired of swimming or grew hungry.
With a jerk, the ship the Naylor and her guard was on had began to move away from the docs - causing another chorus of good byes and well wishes to emit from the crowd. The two water treading sepents moved away from the ship and began swimming in front but off to the side of the ship in order to not get run over by accident. Seeing the Old Glory, leaving port, the Iron Giant was quick to follow, keeping a safe distance between them.
Above, the dragon trio began to follow but Ranta knew that they would turn back before long so she didn't mind. Back on the shore, the crowd began to disperse when the two ships were fading from their field of sight and they spotted their queen's dragons flying back towards the wilds where they resided outside the city. The only ones who remained had been Ranta's advisors and warriors.
"So," Daario began turning to Missandei, "You are now in charge of Mereen. What do you command?" the others turned to pay attention as well. The translator tensed slightly at the abrupt attention put on her but relaxed after a moment. " Our queen said it herself days ago," Missandei mused, " there will be people who are going to take advantage of her being gone. I would like patrols to be upped within the city - not all threats are outside our walls. When Lady Daenerys arrives, she can help our men on the outside." White Rat nodded in understanding of the command, already formulating on the patrol schedules and left to do as commanded.
"What about that woman?" Cerran suddenly asked, "The Khalessi is about to show up on our door step with thousands of men that outnumber our own. She and the queen are sisters, yes? What do we do if Jorah comes up in conversation? Has Ranta told her the truth?" Daario placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Then we take on one of the speacialties of the pleasure whores, keep our mouths shut when it comes to disclosing such information on a 'client'. Just roll with whatever Daenerys says for as long as possible. That conversation is between Jorah, Daenerys and Ranta." the man spoke.
Missandei nodded her head in agreement, " Daario is right, we avoid it for as long as possible. Our queen did say that she did not want us speaking of Jorah's situation to anyone. We are only following orders." she reasoned. "What if Jorah comes back?" Barristan then asked. "Jorah knows he cannot come back." Missandei's brow furrowed. "He's also not supposed to be selling our queen's secrets." Cerran countered dryly. " Queen Ranta didn't necessarily say what was to happen if he did return to Mereen now did she? Jurisdiction falls upon you." Daario pointed out. Missandei paused a moment before giving a slight shrug, " We will send him right back out."
"And if he does not leave or decides to come back?"
"Then we lock him in a cell until our queen returns."