" Come now, I know you want it. Your mother told me you like snacks like this"
Deep grumbling was the reply to the temptation followed by a huff. "Will you not take it because I smell?" the sound of sniffing filled the air briefly before it stopped. "I don't smell anything." a chortling sound came response but it was clearly not the desired result.
Grey Worm sighed heavily through his nose and shook his head at the sight before him. "Is Prince Oberyn still trying to feed Vaemarr?" Missandei asked amused from her position besides the stoic man. It had been some amount of weeks since Oberyn and Olenna's arrival but the elder of the two was already ready to return home days ago, but the prince's resistance was what kept the two behind, him being incredibly intrigued by the Naylor's army and the woman herself.
"The Prince is a stupid man." Grey Worm grumbled in his accented voice she had come to find endearing. "Grey Worm!" she scolded with a small laugh, "Prince Oberyn is a guest and Queen Ranta's ally, you must treat him with respect while he is here." she said diplomatically.
"He continues to test his fate!" the captain through an arm out in the direction of the man on the cliff below trying to get the midnight beast to take the rabbit from his hand, though was not making much progress. "What if he ends up getting burned alive, or eaten, or thrown off the cliff and sent falling to his death?" he listed off. Missandei looked down in time to see the creature in question yawn and curl himself into a tight ball, uninterested in the Prince. "I don't think Vaemarr has intentions on doing any of that, Grey Worm." the woman doubted.
"But I bet he wishes though." a new voice joined the duo, though only Missandei turned to see regard the approaching new comer, "Daario," she greeted with a nod of her head. " Why do you say that?" the woman then questioned. "Because he tried to steal Grey Worm's thunder of course ." Daario held his hands behind his back. Missandei looked to the bearded man confused, "How so?" she asked. "I have recently learned that the Dornish army are well apt in fighting with spears and shields along with sword both long and short. Our queen had placed his army in Casterly Rock with the Unsullied before the dear prince backed down." the man rocked on the heels of his feet.
"She had placed them with me," Grey Worm acknowledged, " But she has also placed him with you but unlike with me, he has not backed down when being put with you. So who's thunder has he really stolen?" the man quirked a brow. Missandei had to bite her lip to hold back the laughter that wanted to escape past her lips and with his attempt to bother the Unsullied man with his word play, Daario scowled. "I liked you better when all you did was brood and speak one language." he grumbled before turning away, missing the small smirk Grey Worm threw to a now silently laughing Missandei who covered her mouth to make sure no laughs were heard.
"Prince Oberyn," Daario called loudly down to the noble, " what do you plan to have us say to your woman and children back home when you end up dead from taunting one of the queen's beasts?" the man asked, letting his hands grip onto his belt. Upon hearing the voice of Daario, a single tan slitted eye snapped open and fixed upon the trio of humans the Basilisk was actually familiar with. Picking his massive head up, Vaemarr turned in order to glare at the humans accusingly for allowing the Dorne Prince to bother him as he tried to sunbathe.
"Don't look at me," Daario took a step back, " They were the ones who were watching long before i got here" snorting, the behemeth wrapped his tail around Oberyn and threw him towards the group of humans - letting out his own chortles of laughter when the Prince's body collided directly with the two men and sent all three tumbling to the ground. Having been spared such a fate, Missandei scrambled on her feet to go and help the men to their feet thought it was not done with out a bit of laughter.
"Prince Oberyn, you are not injured are you?"Missandei helped the dornish man up first, faintly spotting how Grey Worm shoved Daario off from on top of him non too kindly from out of the corner of her eye. " We can get you to a maester right away if we need to." she offered as the prince got to his feet. "No, no." Oberyn brushed himself off and took a calming breath, "I am fine." he then chuckled, "This little battle of ours is not over...it's not over my friend. I still have time before I have to go back home!" he shouted to the basilisk who merely snorted again and grumbled at the man before laying back down.
"If you are done harassing the creature." Grey Worm drolled unimpressed and motioned with his head for the man to make his way back to the castle. "Harassing?" Oberyn grinned in his accented voice as he began walking as instructed, "I do not harass. Do not tell me none of you have wanted to at least get near them, except you." he then waved to Grey Worm.
"My friend." Daario sighed heavily, clapping the yellow robed shoulder, "There is a difference between wanting and actually doing. We would all want to get close to them, but we all prefer being able to do the actual living part of life after wards. Even Jorah does not test his luck and he was with the snakes when they were just younglings. Though I do have to admit that you do certainly have a pair on you for getting as close as you did." the captain granted.
"If I may ask, how does a Targaryen girl and her Naylorian sister come by a pair of Basilisks and trio of dragons?" Oberyn asked, holding his hands behind his back. "It is to my belief that all five of them were gifts to lady Daenerys during her wedding to Khal Drogo" Missandei informed, "but allowed Lady Ranta to take the snakes as her own and then Daenerys gave our grace the dragon eggs to hatch when they would not hatch for her." the woman explained.
"Dragon eggs that would not hatch for a Targaryen? Now that is ironic." the Dornish prince chuckled, fingering a bush they walked past. "If I may ask a question, Prince Oberyn." Missandei inquired politely. "Of course." the man nodded. "How many children do you have?" the translator questioned after a thought. "Eight." Oberyn answered and watched amused at the expressions he recieved. "All girls nonetheless." he added.
"I'm sure they get along fabulously." Daario said with raised brow, sarcasm not lost on the dornish noble seeing as he laughed light heartedly at the comment. "Believe it or not, all of them do get along just fine….Except for my three eldest anyways, and it does not help that they have been trained to fight. On more than one occasion they have been had to be pulled apart before they ended up shoving a poisoned blade into another's heart." Oberyn noted with nothing less than fondness for his rambunctious children.
Glancing around at the envirmonment around him, Oberyn suddenly spotted a combination of Unsullied, Second sons, Dothraki and horses in the distance pulling catapults over to an unknown destination. "Where are they going with those?" he asked with a nod of his head. "Our queen intends on setting up island defenses." Missandei clasped her hands together.
"She has spoken to lady Daenerys about reshaping the natural formation of the island walls so that the castle is more protected. On the newly formed walls, catapults will be built onto it along with ledges and stairs so that men are able to get access to them. Pyres will built at the very tops of the walls so that smoke signals can be sent if an enemy fleet is approaching. Rakharo, one of the lead Dothraki men has even mentioned adding drums to help with sending messages across the island." she reported.
"Dorne makes good quality drums," Oberyn mused, rubbing his jaw in thought. "I can send a letter and have production begin." he offered, earning a grateful smile from the solitary woman of the group. "Our queen will appreciate that, thank you." Missandei nodded her head in thanks. "She's gotten a grasp on earth already?" Daario spoke before the prince could reply, " Enough to reshape the island walls?" he asked.
Missandei was silent for a moment, "Enough to form the stairs and ledges, but I am not sure if she is able to adjust all of the walls for the pyres. We may have to wait for her mother and the rest of her house to arrive to help. That is a lot of strain to put on our grace when she is still relatively new to the power but I will not be surprised if she still tries." Missandei admitted.
"Especially if Tarla has anything to say about it." Daario huffed with a knowing look upon his face, while Grey Worm frowned heavily and glared at nothing in particular. "I take it Tarla is not well liked?" Oberyn guessed. " Not that per say," Missandei said diplomatically, "She just has rather unconventional ways of training." she finished a bit uneasily. "She does not train." Grey Worm grumbled, "She shoved our queen overboard five different times during the crossing, that is not called training." his glare intensified. " What would you call it? An attempt on her life?" Daario asked and rolled his eyes when Grey Worm's silence confirmed it.
"I do not think it was an attempt on her life, Grey Worm." Missandei doubted, "Tarla's never done anything that hints at ill will or intention." she pointed out. "Except the thing with the tree, though it was really out of her control."Daario mused thoughtfully but quickly back tracked at Missandei's glare. "What? Ranta got her back, she nearly drowned the woman on the deck of the ship, they're even if you think about it." the brunette man shrugged, "Even if it did get to that point, is there anything we could really do between two battling Naylors?" he asked. "What was it that Ser Jorah said?" Grey Worm mused, "All it takes is one angry man and a crossbow..."
Daario waved a hand in the air dismissively, "You are scared over nothing." he brushed the thought aside. "Unsullied fear nothing." Grey Worm snapped back without missing a beat, "Do not confuse fear with concern." the Second son captain sighed and allowed the matter to drop considering that all of a sudden a warning bell tolling sounded. "There's an unidentified ship approaching." Missandei faintly explained the ringing, snapping the men out of it and causing the Unsullied captain to charge towards the mystery threat.
"To the castle Missandei, find the queen." Daario orderly quickly before taking off after Grey Worm to adress the threat along with the other warriors of Dragonstone rushing towards the gates. "Come, Prince Oberyn. Let's find her and Lady Olenna." she grabbed onto the dornish man's arm lightly before hiking up her dress and running along side him to the castle. Upon their entry into the castle, more departing Dothraki brushed by the duo who quickly came to a stop in the throne room upon seeing Ranta, Olenna, Daenerys, Barristan, Jorah, Varys and Tyrion along with a healthy amount of guards.
" There's only one ship spotted but should more appear and attack - the castle integrity will hold." Ranta was saying, "If anything we push deeper into the castle and exit out of one of the secret passage ways, making sure to get Prince Oberyn and Lady Olenna are far from here as quickly as possible." she finished and let out a sigh of relief when spotting Missandei and the dornish man himself standing there. "I thought you said Jon Snow was on his way here, what if it's him?" Daenerys asked as Missandei and Oberyn drew closer.
"It could entirely be him." Ranta agreed, "But it could also be Euron - Varys' spies spotted his ships moving out of the Iron islands not too long ago." she mused. "One ship? That doesn't sound like his style, your grace." Barristan shook his head. "But setting a trap does." Jorah defended, "Whose to say that one ship may be in front of us now but hundreds of them are not coming at us from behind or the sides?" he pointed out. "Those pyres and higher walls are sounding better by the second." Daenerys noted. "I think I should go down to the beach shore." Tyrion abruptly proclaimed, drawing all eyes on him. "Have you heard nothing of what's been said?" Ranta asked bewildered.
"On the contrary I have heard everyword that has been said and if I were a gambling man, which I am, I would have to say that this is a friendly ship and not a hostile one. Would it be hostile, would we not have already begin to feel the effects of being attacked?" he pointed out to the group before him. " All you have down at the shores are foreign armies who hardly speak common with the few exceptions out there. You are going to need a Westeros representative and a pretty face to greet the guests, and who better than your Hand?" Tyrion asked knowingly. "And who is supposed to be the pretty face?" Oberyn asked curiously. "Missandei is." the Lannister answered without hesitation, surprising the woman when he called out her name.
For a few moments, the Naylorian queen said nothing but contemplate in her head. "He has a point, your grace." Jorah mumured to her, "I'm sure there are plenty of men down there by now should on the off chance that something does happen. They'll be able to get away and come back to warn us." the man finished. Clenching a fist to crack her knuckles, Ranta raised her other hand and waved the two off.
"Very well Tyrion, go and delegate." she caved walking up the detailed stairs leading up to the throne and plopped down into the hard seat - Daenerys not far behind and plopped down right next to her whispering unheard words into her ear. With a single exchanged look, Tyrion and Missandei whisked from the throne room and did their best to make good time down to the shore for possible damage control.
To continue to play the role of an ignorant foreign invader or to not play the role of an ignorant foreign invader. That was the choice before Daario and if he had to be honest he was tempted to chose the second option. Though as if reading his mind, Grey Worm subtly stepped on his foot non too kindly as a warning. Internally sighing, Daario focused back on the men before him.
It had been a small group of about seven men that had washed up onto their shores, all but two of them clad in heavy grey armor completed with helmets and weapons at their sides. They had been standing in silence for a few minutes because when the two apparent leaders stepped forward and greeted the intimidating party before them warily, Daario had chosen to speak in his mother tongue as a joke. Grey Worm had been quick to bite back at him in reprimation but besides that had contributed to the silence.
"My name is Jon Snow," Jon broke the silence, speaking a bit louder and slower than necessary, "This is Davos Seaworth, we are looking for Queen Ranta Naylor." the Stark man finished with a gulp, shifting on his feet as the war lords from each unit stared him down. "You hear that, gentlemen? Jon Snow is looking for the queen." okay so he couldn't resist. It really was too funny to watch the Westerosi squirm at the laughter directed at them.
Sensing Grey Worm was about to impale him with his spear out of anger, Daario lifted a hand into the air and waved off the laughter - drawing the men silent once more. Turning towards the uncomfortable men, Daario took a few steps forward and extended a hand. "I'm just joking," he spoke, watching in glee of the shocked expressions upon their faces. "My name is Daario Naharis, and welcome to Dragonstone. Our queen has been expecting you, friend" he said in perfect common.
Though when it was his turn to be met with silence, the bearded captain waivered. "That is what you said you were here for right? To meet with the queen?" he asked, effectively snapping Jon out of his stupor. "Yes." he nodded, extending a hand and shaking the offered one of the brunette. "Queen Ranta and I have exchanged letters breifly in the past, she knows that I was to arrive." Daario released his hand and then moved onto Davos who overed his deformed hand in return.
"Ahh, you see? I told the queen there was nothing to be worried about" a new voice joined the conversation and after turning, Daario came face to face with Missandei and Tyrion. "It's nice to see that we can all get along," he hummed in content, coming to a stop beside Daario. "With the WInterfell Bastard nontheless." Tyrion noted. "Lannister dwarf." Jon returned evenly though neither could keep a straight face for long before they found themselves smiling and shaking hands. "It's good to see you again after all this time, I'm glad you're alright." Tyrion said honestly.
" Yeah, same to you...though you were less scarred last we met. Long road?" Jon assumed and Tyrion nodded. "A long and drunken one, of that I can assure you." the Lannister sighed through his nose before noticing the curious look upon Jon's companion. "I'm Tyrion Lannister" he introduced himself offering a hand. "Davos Seaworth." the Onion Knight shook his hand. "Ahh, we fought on the opposite sides of Black water Bay." Tyrion recalled. "Unluckily for me." Davos admitted before turning his attention to the woman that had arrived with the dwarf.
"Curious about her?" Daario asked knowingly with a mischevious smile. "This, beautiful young lady." he playfully placed a kiss upon Missandei's hand who quirked a brow at his antics but smiled nonetheless, " Is Missandei. The Queen's most trusted advisor and one of her closest friends." he introduced. "Welcome to Dragonstone." the translator greeted as the wind blew through her curls.
"Our queen and the rest of us here knows it is a long journey to sail here from all the way North and we all greatly appreciate it." damn to the hells whoever said Missandei was anything but diplomatic, "However because of remaining personell here, we would ask you to hand over your weapons to ensure the upmost comfort for not only you but for our other guests as well." she requested. There were some breif glances exchanged amongst the northerners but they complied anyways and handed their weapons over to the nearest soldier weither it be a Dothraki, Second son or Unsullied.
"Come my friends," Daario beckoned, "The queen is waiting for you." he said turning and leading the way back. "May I ask where you lot are from?" Davos asked walking with his hands held behind his back besides Missandei, " Your common is incredible" he complimented. "Well I am from Tyrosh, a free city in Essos." Daario spoke, " Missandei is from an island called Naath, she also has become fluent in nineteen different languages" he recalled. "Nineteen languages?!" Davos repeated incredulously as Jon looked to her in awe.
"What was it? A year a language?" he asked. "I am a faster learner and started at a young age." the woman said with a small smile. "Fast learner I would certainly think so, to be able to learn that many languages in such a short amount of time is down right genius." he complimented. "Missandei has used her talents to help the queen with a language or two here and there and has even taught Grey Worm how to speak common." Daario motioned to the silent man traveling with them, "Though he doesn't speak much, so try not to take it to heart if he does not indulge in conversation with you." he cautioned. Regarding the currently proven silent Unsullied, Jon and Davos nodded in understanding though it was clear that his name bothered the duo.
"Grey Worm...that certainly is a….unique name." Davos said awkwardly. "You need not lie to me Ser Davos." Grey Worm spoke surprisingly but did not look to the man, only forward. His accent was as clear as day when compared to his companions. " My name was given to me to remind me of what I was. Vermin. Red flea, black rat." he explained with no emotion in his voice.
"And you believe that?" Jon asked, heart broken for the stoic man. "No, not any more. Now I know I am much more than that. I am a free man. A free man to do as he pleases." the Unsullied captain answered. "And as a free man, you never thought of renaming yourself? Returning to your birth name?" Davos asked and this time they did get a brief glance of a smirk before it had fallen away into his usual emotionless mask.
"My queen asked me the same thing many years ago when she set the others and I free, when I was named captain of Unsullied. My answer has not changed since then….I do not want to go back to the name given to me at birth, it is unlucky and it is the name I had when I was taken as a slave. Grey worm though, the name Grey Worm gives me great pride despite what horrible things I have committed with it. It is a lucky name. It is the name I had when Ranta Naylor set me free and it is the name I will have when I die in her name and as a free man." he finished and from the look upon his face, Davos and Jon had figured that, that would be the last they would be hearing from the captain for awhile unless acted a direct question.
It was when the group was but another minute of walking until reaching the Targaryen castle doors did Jon and Davos first seen the notorious basilisks. Springing up from the tide pools below, Laemyx shot up past them first with roar shortly followed by Vaemarr on the other side of the bridge. While the northern men were busy diving to the ground, frightened for their lives - Tyrion and the others accostomed to the beasts looked on in amusement at the serpants slithering up the castle walls before swooping around to hover right before the doors they needed to get through.
Gaping at the monsterous creatures in front of their very eyes, Jon and Davos were effectivley stunned into silence as they hissed warningly at the newcomers - pointed hoods flaring out threateningly. "Ohhh relax yourselves, you great big brutes. These are guests." Tyrion explained to the duo, approaching the brothers and stroking each of their heads when they were lowered enough for him to reach.
"Come on, get up." Daario said to the two men still gaping at the creatures, pulling Jon up first as Davos stood on his own "You see? They are harmless." he assured but from the abrupt snarls that emerged from behind him, the man pursed his lips. "To those who know them anyways." Daario amended. Jon looked to Daario as if he had lost his mind before pinning his eyes back onto the black and white behemeths who could easily wrap their selves around the castle twice and still have some tail left over.
"Vaemarr, Laemyx begone already." Daario suddenly shooed, "Go roll around in the sand or slink under the water somewhere." he instructed though neither basilisk appreciated it and made sure to voice their complaints and objections that rattled the very air molecules around them. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,yeah….I'm telling!" the captain suddenly exclaimed, hushing the beasts in an instant. Narrowing their eyes and pulling back their heads in harmony, the night and day siblings regarded Daario cooly. Wondering if he was serious.
"I'll tell." the man threatened pointing a finger at them warningly. Exchanging looks, the siblings had a silent conversation with each other before slithering back down into the tide pools below though not without throwing Davos and Jon a glare through slitted tan eyes. "Well then." Tyrion spoke as the last bit of the snakes disappeared into the waters, "Shall we continue on?" he asked walking up to the Naylor decorated doors and pushed them open, revealing the dark abyss they would be walking into despite the burning torches on the walls. Gulping, Jon slowly followed after the others who walked into the darkness so easily and prayed he would not fall and break his neck. It would be quite a way to go after everything he had been through.
How they were able to navigate through the castle without getting lost, neither Northern man would ever know but they could not contemplate it further when they came across a pair of Dothraki standing guard at a set of doors. Pushing the doors open for the group, Jon and Davos walked into a better lighted stone room and was immediately greeted by the sight of two, young and admittedly beautiful women sitting upon a grand throne made from the earth its self.
One was a silvery blonde with purple eyes clad in an intimidating black dress with a red tint and scales over the chest and the other was a sea blue haired woman with sky blue eyes also clad in a sturdy black dress with but this one had an integrated fashionable golden corset and shoulder pads in it to give the dress some color. So these were the queens everyone was running scared from...Jon honestly couldn't say he'd blame them after seeing what he had today and then coming to realize that women hardly any older than he had all of this power. Slinking past the two frozen men, Daario, Grey Worm, Missandei and Tyrion joined Jorah and Barristan by the Naylor queen's side, all standing in their respective positions like they had in Mereen.
"Guests of Dragonstone, you stand in the presence of Lady Daenerys Targaryen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass sea and her older sister Lady Ranta of House Naylor. Heir to the Ironthrone, future queen of the Andals and the First men, Protector of the Seven kingdoms, the Storm Queen, Queen of Mereen, Queen of the Unsullied, Little Sister of the Dothraki, Liberator of Slavers Bay, and the Mother of Beasts." the silence that followed after Missandei's introduction was down right uncomfortable for all parties involved. It was when Jon realized he could hear his own heartbeat in his ears did he glance to Davos imploringly.
"This is Jon Snow." the elder man managed to get out into the silent air, "He's King in the North." He added after a moment's pause. "You have our thanks for traveling so far, my lord, traveling so far can be tiring I'm sure." Ranta spoke kindly. "With such impressive timing nonetheless, the winds must have been on your side." Daenerys added in. "They were, your grace, and you have my thanks for inviting me, my lady" he adressed the two women. "Forgive me for the interruption," Ser Davos spoke up, "It is quite possible that there was a mishearing because of my Fleabottom accent, but Jon is King in the North - not a lord." he corrected the duo.
"Alas it is apart of the complications of never recieving a formal education." Daenerys mused through slightly narrowed eyes. "Nor ever finishing one. Apologies nonetheless" Ranta concluded though she was much more amused by the man's speaking up than her sister.
"You Jon Snow, have expressed to me your desire to continue our family alliance much like the Martells and Tyrells...what stipulations may I ask do you want to make known?" the monarch asked. "Keeping in mind of what you are actually asking for and understanding of what the future will hold should she be able to provide for you of course." the Targaryen added on.
They were like two sides of a coin, Jon noted, a team. One showed general interest while the other wad interested in getting down to business. "For centuries our families have helped each other, through thick and thin - and I am here to recieve that same kind of help now and offer my own in return." he declared. "Oh, so you are here to bend?" Daenerys' brow rose into her hairline with a pleased grin. "That was easier than I thought, and here we were worried that we'd have to fight you northern men tooth and nail to get you to do so." Jon shifted uncomfortably at the words Daenerys had spoken.
"No," the young king said hesitantly, "I am not here to bend." he shook his dark locks of hair, watching the silvery Targaryen's joyful face form into one down right frightening. "Things have never come so easy - you should know that by now, sister." Ranta's soothing voice sounded, taking a closed fist and leaning her chin against it after propping her elbow up on an arm rest. Though while she wore a calm expression on the outside, she would be lying if she said she wasn't angry with the Stark's words. "If you are not here to bend, then what are you here for?" the Naylor asked calmly. "I need your help, and you need mine." Jon repeated nervously. "Your vision is not failing you, is it Jon Snow?" Dany asked.
"No, it is not."
"Then you seen all the men who greeted you and the animals crawling across the island?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then explain to me why we need your help."
Bracing himself for what he was going to say, Jon peered up into sky blue eyes and not violet ones - hoping that the calmer of two would hear him out. " Because we're all in danger. Everyone in Westeros is in danger and they don't even know it, but I do. I also know that everyone here and maybe even across the Narrow sea will die if we don't ban together right now to fight the enemy in the North." he proclaimed. Sensing Daenerys was about to speak again, which she was because her mouth had opened to do so, Ranta tapped her foot twice on the ground - successfully silencing her through the simple action.
"The enemy in the North." the monarch repeated, "And what enemy exactly, do you speak of? Obviously you wouldn't be speaking about yourself, and it can't be the wildlings you brought over - they're hardly a global threat...so what is it?" Ranta quirked a brow. "The army of the dead is on the march." Jon spat out to get it over with. "The army of the dead." Tyrion repeated unamused as Ranta shut her eyes and rubbed a temple. If she had wanted to hear non sense she would load Tyrion up with wine and let him babble to his little hearts content. "My lord I know you don't know me well but I know you do not think of me as a liar or a madman" Jon said to the Lannister who nodded in agreement.
"The army of the dead is real, the whitewalkers are real, the Night king is real and I've seen them all. I can't defeat them by myself, and if we sit here squabbling amongst ourselves as they figure out a way to get past the wall." Jon stepped forward only to take a step back as every man in the room armed with a weapon took a step forward threateningly. "We're finished." the Stark finished with a sigh.
The silence was long and intense as what the Northern king said floated through the heads of the occupants of the room. Had she heard of what he was talking about? Oh yes, without a doubt. They were bed time stories and fables to tell to children. They weren't real...but then again dragons and monster basilisks weren't supposed to be real and yet here they were.
"You've invited a mad man to come to speak before you, little sister." Rakharo broke the silence. "The dead stay dead. When fire burns their bodies there is no chance at coming back, their spirit is set free to ride with the Great Stallion." Jhogo agreed. But that was just it now wasn't it? The people of Westeros didn't burn their dead, they buried them. So could some magic be at play here to revive the dead? It was entirely possible.
"I am real." Daenerys clearly was not so open minded though, "You are real. All of us here are real. An army of the dead isn't" she spat, slamming a clenched fist down on the armrest next to her, "You are wasting your time with him, make him bend and throw him out or just throw him out and have him prepare for war against us." she counciled. Jon watched with uncertainty as the people around the Naylor give their opinions and he knew that most likely than not that they were telling Lady Ranta to cut him down now and be done with it.
Eyes flickering over to the Mormont of her group, Jon silently pleaded with the man to help his case. Jorah shifted on his feet when making eye contact with the Northern King, knowing that he was asking for his help and why wouldn't he? He was from Bear Island, they feared the same thing that those on the snowy main lands did if the wall ever did come down. "I grew up on stories of the monsters he speaks of, your grace, those on Bear island fear the same thing that those in Winterfell do. Though ration tells me to ignore what he says there is another part of me that says to believe it because those creatures are what I've always been told to beaware of...along with dragons...and witches...and sea monsters. The impossible isn't so impossible anymore. What we've accomplished is proof of that." he counseled.
A vein was throbbing in her temple, Ranta could feel it because of her fingerplacement on her head. "What do you want from me, Jon Snow?" the Naylor asked with her eyes still closed and her brow heavily furrowed. Exchanging a glance with Davos, Jon looked back to the queen with uncertainty, "Help with the Night-" he started but was cut off. "No. No. No. What do you want from me?" Ranta asked again, this time opening her eyes and straightening her posture.
This time Davos stepped up besides Jon. "Weapons, food, medicine, refuge for civilians and man power." he listed. "So you want me to fight a war to the North when I am already involved with one to the South. That is what you are asking of me." Ranta said bluntly and watched as the dark haired King nodded minisculey. Inhaling deeply through her nose and exhaling, Ranta stood from the throne with Daenerys following suit. Together the duo descended down the stairs and came to a stop before the King in the North.
" I have no problem with you Jon Snow," Ranta began, " you seem like a decent enough man but unforteatly for you, alliances between our houses will not stand to pass." it was at this point Jon's heart had plummeted into his stomach and his face grew three shades paler. "I will not fight a war for some man who will not acknowledge my claim on the Seven Kingdoms. Everyone told me that you would not bend, I had hoped things would be different especially since I got Yara Greyjoy - the rightful leader of the Iron Islands to give up their independence and bow to me. You have my apologies for having to travel so far only to get an answer you didn't like." she said sympathetically.
"However as a parting gift, a taste of goodwill between two people who have dedicated their lives to the safety and protection of their people I will supply you with food, weapons, medicine and even refuge for your people though the refuge will be across the Narrow sea where my power reigns. You will recieve no man power from me though, you can tell Ser Jorah or Ser Barristan what weapons you need and they can begin collecting the resources I have given you so that you can head back home sooner." and with that, the blue haired woman turned her back and walked away.
Faintly Jon processed that he had begun to hyperventalate as his last hope for survival turned her back on him and without knowing what had over come him, Jon lunged forwards and grabbed Queen Ranta's arm- spinning her around to face him. Subconsciously the duo felt sparks dancing up and down their arms and throughout their entire frames at the contact they had made.
"You have to believe me!" he cried uncaring of the amount of men the woman had called off with a raise of her free hand. "I know you believe me." his dark eyes pleaded with her, "You wouldn't of given me a thing if you didn't." Jon argued. "I have given you those things because I know that there is something out there scaring you." Ranta corrected gently, " I know that what ever is out there is scary enough to pull the Wildlings into Westeros territory and scary enough for you to come down here and meet with me instead of requesting that I come North to meet you." she eased her arm out of his grasp but didn't step away from him.
"I help people, Jon" the monarch said, " I've been doing that my entire adult life because before the age of ten Viserys and I were on the streets in a foreign land begging for help and no one would give it to us. We spent years scrounging around for food, shelter and whatever little coin we could find and it was during those years did I learn how cruel people could be. To be able to watch two homeless children and an infant girl beg for money for food and to be brushed aside like dirt…" she trailed off shaking her head as if to clear away the memories.
"I am here to help, and I do not mean to help just the nobles who need a sane head on the iron throne...but the little people who are overlooked and cast aside. If I have it my way, then there would no longer be places like Fleabottom." Ranta looked to Davos, " There would no longer be fear of getting your head chopped off after traveling South or being burned alive." she returned her gaze to Jon.
"There would be no more need for lies, deceit or murderous backstabbings. I am trying to create a world where honor, and trust reign supreme but I cannot help you if you will not help me. That is why our family alliance will not stand. I won't fight for a family that will end up turning their backs on me...our houses will not repeat that same mistake - they would sooner meet on the field of battle as flat out enemies. Take what I have given you Jon Snow, and run with it. I wish you the best in defeating whatever is marching on you from beyond the wall and the next we meet I hope you have changed your mind about the North's independence." Ranta spoke truthfully and turned her back once more on the Stark man and walked away though this time she was not stopped.
"You must be tired," Daenerys spoke, violet eyes staring into Jon's dark ones. " We will have baths prepared and food sent to your rooms. You are free to roam the island afterwards." she told them before turning and repeating the orders to two Dothraki men who nodded in understanding. Ever so slowly did Jon back out of the room, eyes locked onto the back of the Naylorian queen who waited before the throne for the doors to close and while the message to leave Dragonstone had been clear in her underlying message, he wouldn't.
Not yet. She believed him, wheither she admitted it or not, and he knew it. He just had to get her to come to terms with it. After the doors had finally clicked shut, Ranta let out a relieved sigh, "Grey Worm." she turned to the captain. "How would you feel about setting sail and taking Casterly Rock now?" the woman asked. "We are ready, my queen." the man confirmed with a stern and determined look in his eye.
"Go find Tarla and Yara, bring them here in their new armor. Tyrion, you can explain the ins and outs of the castle to minimize casualties….but before that I need you to go find Oberyn and Olenna and have them prepare to leave, it'll be the safest time for them to do so " Ranta explained and watched as the Unsullied captain and the Lannister dwarf depart from the room. "Rakharo, what about you? Are your men ready to get back on a ship and sail?" she then turned to said man. "They will not be excited to go back on the poison water but the thought of battle will make up for it." the Dothraki officer nodded.
"Go round them up then and make sure they have their improved armor on too." Ranta said pointedly much to the man's disdain. "But the armor is uncomfortable, little sister." Rakharo whined, "and squeezes in all the wrong places. How are we to fight if we cannot move?" he asked. "That armor," Ranta smirked, "Is going to stop an arrow from flying into your heart. Would you rather be uncomfortable or alive?" she asked.
"Alive." Jhogo grumbled for the both of them. "Then you will wear it." she laughed, "The Unsullied are undergoing new armor changes too, yet they do not complain." Ranta pointed out. "That is because they have nothing to be squeezed uncomfortably." Rakharo muttered and was quickly met with a blow to the head by an unknown object. "Out, get out. Go rally your men already and have them with the proper armor on!" Ranta ordered, now one boot short. "Alright, woman, alright. No need to get so violent." Rakharo said rubbing where he had gotten hit and speed walking out of the room with an amused Jhogo.
Walking over to where her boot lay, Missandei bent down and retreived the thrown object before returning it to Ranta. " Go find Drogon, Daenerys." the woman instructed as she hopped in one place, trying to get her boot back on. "You and him will be providing air support should it be needed. Try and find Vaemarr and Laemyx while you are at it. They'll be helping Tarla and Yara out in case they need it too." Daenerys nodded in understanding before departing from the throne room as well.
"You modified their armor?" Daario asked suddenly. "All the Dothraki have to do is wear pieces of metal around their torso, arms and legs, the can put their furs on over it. The Unsullied have similar upgrades and thicker leather clothing to go over it." She said a bit distractedly before blinking and coming to. "The rest of you, come on, we can wait in the war room for the, to return."
0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.,
"Well I don't know about you but I think the food was delicious."Davos said patting his stomach as he and Jon walked around aimlessly. The setting sun had set the island ablaze in the most amazing way. However, when being met with nothing but a weak smile in agreement, Davos sighed lightly and tried again. "So, first impressions?"he asked. "Of who?" Jon asked.
"Whom." Davos corrected automatically, "And take your pick. There was that man Daario Naharis, there's the Grey Worm fellow, the lovely Missandei of Naath, Daenerys Targaryen and then of course Ranta Naylor." he listed off. "I think they all have good hearts and mean well." Jon admitted honestly. " Good hearts indeed, I'm sure that when you grabbed a hold of the queen's arm that wasn't the only thing you wanted to grab. You should've seen the looks on everyone's faces when you did that." the dark haired man huffed lightly, rolling his eyes.
"I wouldn't hurt a lady, especially one trying to help me...nor would I make a grab at her like that Davos" Jon scolded lightly. "Not even with a few drinks in ya? Im sure she wouldn't object, despite being surrounded by men I'm sure the poor lass is lonely….and a hand can only do so much for ya" the man said innocently. "Davos!" Jon exclaimed lightly, unable to fight the deep cherry red coloring from overtaking his face.
"I'm just saying. Neither of you are getting any younger, may as well indulge while you still can. Take it from me." the Onion knight shrugged, enjoying the look of blushing man besides him, "You can't tell me you think she's ugly." he then added when Jon was silent. "No Ranta's not ugly," the dark haired man denied immediately, " neither is her advisor Missandei or her sister Daenerys. They're all beautiful. The timing just isn't there, if the Night King wasn't knocking on our door then things would be different."
Before Davos could comment the duo suddenly startled at the abrupt war cries they heard echoing over the island. More like shrieking war cries, followed by collective pounding in the earth and more excited yelling. "What in the world is that?" the salt and peppered man asked looking around and out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly spotted a stream of battle ready Naylor ships pouring out from under the island. Jon and Davos both couldn't help but wonder where the impressive looking ships clad with catapults and high walls were getting ready to head off too.
"I believe that would be the sound of our escorts getting talked to before we leave." Jon and Davos turned and seen Prince Oberyn and Olenna standing there in comfortable traveling clothes.
"It pains my heart to leave so soon but it's best to take advantage of the ride." Oberyn pouted lightly at the thought of leaving the island so soon. "Lady Olenna, Prince Oberyn." Davos greeted with a small bow, "This is-." he began to introduced but was stopped. "I know who he is." Olenna cut the man off, eyes flickering over to Jon. "He's the bastard boy of Ned Stark that's taking away our resources for the war because he's too proud to bend and fight for the winning side." the woman insulted unashamedly.
"Let me tell you something, boy." she stared hard into the puppy dog eyes of Jon Snow. "I don't know what has you running here with your tail tucked in between your legs and cock slung out at the same time, but it had better kill you by the time the Lannisters fall. Because if it doesn't then what's over yonder will, along with whatever snow covered bastards cower in the North with you" she said pointedly with a nod of her head towards the ledge behind her and a hard look.
Gulping, Jon slowly moved from his spot he had been standing in and moved past the two nobles to go and see what she had been motioning to. The closer the group of four moved closer to their destination, the louder the foreign war chants and shreiks grew. Peering over the ledge, Jon and Davos gaped at the sea of never ending people below them gathered together.
Dothraki, Unsullied, Second Sons and Pirates...they were all there and gathered before a stone platform where Jon could very well make out Ranta's blue hair and Daenery's silver head as well and besides them were the queen's usual group of advisors. On both sides of the platform were the beasts Jon and Davos had met earlier that day- Laemyx and Vaemarr if Jon remembered correctly, and behind the platform had been three stone pillars.
Two of the pillars were of equal height, but there was a third that rose above the rest and atop of these pillars sat three large dragons that somehow the northern men had not caught a glance of when arriving to the island. There was a black dragon with a red tint to his skin that sat on the tallest pillar, then there was a visibly scarred up tan dragon with missing scales that sat on the one to the right of him and a green dragon that sat to the left.
Ranta allowed the battle eager men to contniue their war cries and chants for a few minutes more before raising a finger and putting it to her lips, a hush descending upon the thousands of men before her in an instant. With Daenerys to her left and Jorah to her right - both ready to translate in respective languages. "Today before me I see an army that has followed me from the lands of Essos and half across the world to Westeros. You have all followed me for your own reasons." Ranta paused as she allowed the two to translate.
"But ultimately we are all here fighting for the same thing, for the same peace and prosperity that Slaver's Bay now knows. We are here to show the world that none of you are ghost stories to be told to naughty children that won't go to bed. The people of Westeros scoff at the idea of Dothraki that cross the sea, Unsullied who would break away from their master, Second Sons that would find a new contractor or pirates that would break away from their plundering ways. Well I say it's time we show them otherwise." a heathy roar of agreement rang up from the crowd.
" The enemies here are new, battles will be hard and lives will be lost but despite what losses we face we will not go quietly into the night and we will not vanish without a fight. There are going to be challenges before you but there will be no mountain that will be too steep for you, no sea too deep, no road too long or no night too dark. You will over come all obstacles in your way. Together, we aren't just some thrown together army or a brute force or some carefully planned bombardment. We are a force of nature and against all odds we press on and we do not give up! And the only ones that will be surrendering and begging for death on the battle field will be the people who have dared to make an enemy out of me!"
Flapping his wings, Drogon released a roar as loudly as he could manage with his four brothers following suit a split second before a boom of thunder shook the earth followed by a mighty lightning bolt striking the ground, intensifying the feeling of dread that had been building up in the pit of Jon's stomach. Looking to the nervous king knowingly, Olenna and Oberyn stood on either side of the Northern men. "Tell me Jon Snow," the dornish man began taking the time to place a hand on his shoulder and allowing Olenna to finish.
"Do you really still think you can get out of this without bending the knee?"