Three days. Three days had passed since Tyrion Lannister had arrived in Pentos, to assume his intended role as adviser for the crown prince Viserys Targaryen. Three days he had tried to talk sense into the prince. Three days he had spent in vain.

Viserys was still adamant, insisting on the marriage alliance he had planned with the Dothraki. But no one but Magister Illyrio Mopatis seemed to be entirely happy about this entire deal. Tyrion did not trust the man. He had met an equally mysterious and dangerous man before. Lord Varys, the Usurper's Master of Whisperers, a bald eunuch with more secrets and schemes in the making than anyone could ever fathom.

And now he sat on a terrace of the Magister's manse, at the same table as the young princess Daenerys, who would be married to the Dothraki Khal Drogo the day after tomorrow. It was such a wonderful place with a great view on the Narrow Sea and the lands surrounding the manse, but Tyrion could not enjoy it. His attention was on princess. He could see the fear the young girl must feel at the moment. She was merely four and ten years old and soon she would be married to a savage horse-lord who had looked at her as if she was a piece of cattle, before he rode off with his men without even speaking to her.

Tyrion had watched this first meeting and though the Magister insisted that Drogo apparently liked what he saw, he was not so sure. And the mere idea of a royal princess living with these savages... Tyrion could see that even Prince Viserys hated the mere idea of it, yet he allowed it to happen. He had called it a necessity, Tyrion called it an unnecessary sacrifice. He had watched Rhaenys, another Targaryen princess, grow up and flourish with the chances that had been presented to her. Daenerys was Rhaenys' aunt, though she was several years younger. And Daenerys never had the life and chances Rhaenys had. And as things were at the moment, the princess would never experience the life that her niece enjoyed so much.

Tyrion remembered how Jaime had argued with Prince Doran to bring Daenerys and Viserys to Dorne, to protect them better. But Doran was strictly against it. His arguments could not be refuted, no matter how angry Jaime had been about all them. The Usurper barely accepted the frail peace in his kingdom with one Targaryen in Dorne. All three surviving dragons would have been enough reason to start the war much earlier. And all of them knew that Dorne had not been ready to fight at that time. Robert Baratheon would not have been able to conquer Dorne after his rebellion, but the war he would have started would have destroyed the Seven Kingdoms. So Daenerys and Viserys had to stay in the East, guarded, but ultimately unsupervised. And now they paid the price for that. Now they would loose one princess for the sake of a wild horde of savages on horseback.

"Is there anything you wish for, princess? Anything that would cheer you up?" Tyrion asked the girl, as he saw her look at him with those sad eyes. The same eyes Rhaenys had. He couldn't stand seeing her so sad.

"There is nothing you can do... I will marry Khal Drogo and live the rest of my life as his slave, while you will return to the west with my brother, to reclaim what has been taken from us. My brother will succeed, but I will never see my mother's homeland." Daenerys said with a miserable sigh. Tyrion had told her stories about the Seven Kingdoms, about what he had seen. The North, the West, Highgarden and the Reach, Dorne... and King's Landing. She asked the most questions about that particular city, her family's legacy.

"I tried to dissuade your brother, believe me, I did. But his decision stands and now that you have been presented to Drogo we cannot back out without risking a Dothraki attack on Pentos. The Horde has enough men to conquer this city and the Dothraki are known to seek revenge. They would not react well to a slight like this."

"So I am a tool now. Both to keep Pentos safe and help conquer my brother's throne." Daenerys said dejectedly. "Tell me, does my niece face a similar fate? Will you sell her as well to further your plans?"

Tyrion hesitated to answer her at first. But he knew that there was only one answer. Though Dorne was different when it came to inheritance and general gender roles in ruling families, the actual life there was often the same as in the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. Women of noble birth would be married off for mutual gain of their family and the one of their husband. Most of them had little say in that. Even Arianne, by right the heiress of Dorne, future Princess of Dorne and Lady of Sunspear, was betrothed to Viserys on her father's order... and without her consent. Even Rhaenys would face a similar fate, though it wouldn't be her father, but her uncle Doran who would choose her husband... in fact he had already made his choice, they only had to convince the husband's family.

"Yes and no. Princess Rhaenys will be part of marriage alliance that will help your brother's cause. But the man her uncle intends to marry her to is a good lad and heir to a great noble house. She will never miss any comfort she could wish for and will live a happy life." If the Tyrells agree to that particular alliance. He knew that Olenna would test Rhaenys first, before she would give her consent to marry her to her grandson Willas.

"So I am the only one who will loose in all of this..."

"Princess..." Tyrion tried to reassure her somehow, but the girl stood up and left quickly. Daenerys nearly bumped into Arianne, who had come out to join them.

"Angering the princess isn't really helping, Tyrion. We will still need her to control the Dothraki." Arianne said, ever pragmatical, as she took the place Daenerys had vacated shortly before.

"And you, my dear, has Viserys already grown tired of your presence?" He could easily tell that she had been with the prince. She always dressed less provocatively for him, showing less skin than she usually would at home. It was easy to see that Viserys did not like to see Arianne walking around while she showed too much skin to other men. The prince wanted his future wife to be his alone and if Arianne wished to convince him to love her, then she would have to follow his wishes.

Arianne merely scoffed at his words, a put out look on her face. "He is... much more resilient than any of the other men I've met so far. My charms are put to test with him."

"Your charms? I can hardly believe that there is any hot-blooded male who could resist them for long. Maybe you have not used your... assets adequately? I know he is somewhat... prudish when it comes to his future wife, but still..."

"And what would you know about my assets?" Arianne asked him challengingly.

"Not as much as I would like, my dear, but little enough to make sure that my own asset will not be removed by your uncle's spear." Tyrion replied with a crooked smirk. "But I find it curious that you have found a man who seems to be resistant to your attempts at charming him. Are you sure he isn't... more fond of jousting than sheeting his sword?"

"No... I doubt that at least. He does react to me, but he... I don't know. It is as if he is afraid of falling for me, so he closes himself up entirely. It is so frustrating. I am to marry him, but I am not even sure if he will ever reciprocate my affections."

Tyrion couldn't help but smirk when he heard that. "Affections, huh? So you are falling for him, but he isn't falling for you. Must be strange, this has never happened before. Usually it is the other way round."

"I'm not falling... but he is admirable. He likes to tell stories. He talked about his life, in King's Landing with his parents and brother. He still remembers Rhaenys and seems very happy that she survived. He speaks very fondly about her and I believe the only reason why he wouldn't want your brother's head for killing King Aerys is the fact that Jaime saved Rhaenys' life. But the stories after the end of the war are... so sad and frightening. He had faced more hardships than most of us and he is still a strong man. Unbroken by his fate."

"Unbroken? I doubt that. All Targaryen's are broken in some way. All of them have the dormant madness in their blood. Even Rhaenys has it, though it is weakened due to her mother's distinct lack of Targaryen blood."

"He has lost everything except his sister and his niece, can't you understand why he is the man he is today?"

"Understand yes, but his obsession with this whole I am a dragon bullshit will be troublesome in the future. If he even shows the slightest traces of his father's madness we will possibly loose many potential allies." Tyrion said gravely. Supporting Viserys is a dangerous gamble, but unlike Rhaenys, his claim was strong, he is still the last male heir to the throne. "No matter what you do, Arianne, keep Viserys sane. Make him love you, give him some baby dragons, no matter. Do what you can to keep him sane. Aerys and Rhaegar have brought the Seven Kingdoms to their knees, a mad Viserys could be killing stroke for the realm." Arianne nodded, clearly understanding what Tyrion was talking about. The half-man knew that she was displeased about the fate her father had chosen for her, but it was obvious now that she seemed to like this new challenge and the burden that it presented to her.

It was the day before Daenerys wedding to Khal Drogo, when Tyrion could not find sleep. He had wracked his brain to find a solution that would allow them to bring the princess back home without causing any more chaos. But no matter what he thought about, there was always one argument that invalidated all his plans. Dothraki. The horse lords are a wild card, no one can predict them. How anyone could want them as allies... even Viserys had finally seen reason. But it was too late now.

As he walked through the manse he passed by the rooms of the magister. The door was open and he could see the fat man sleeping on his bed, snoring so loud that it was a surprise that anyone in the immediate vicinity of his room could sleep at all. Luckily the guest rooms were on the far side of the building.

Tyrion had no wish to watch the grotesque man sleep, so he continued his excursion until he reached another room. Illyrio's study, the place where usually worked. But at the moment the room was empty, unguarded. He couldn't resist the temptation and allowed himself a quick peek. Just to see what the man was working on.

He didn't really rummage through the things on Illyrio's desk, careful not to leave any evidence of his spying. The Magister was still a dangerous man and Tyrion knew that it would be unwise to make an enemy out of him at the moment.

At first he saw nothing of great importance, until he saw a small letter with a name written on it. A name he knew very well. It was addressed to Varys. "So Illyrio and the Master of Whisperers actually knows each other, how very curious," Tyrion muttered, as picked up the letter and began to read it. At first there was nothing he did not already know. Some proceedings in Pentos, the impending wedding of Princess Daenerys... but then he read one sentence that made his eyebrows rise in wonderment.

'The horse-lord will take his dragon bride east, hopefully for a long time...'

This was alarming, as it left the question whom the magister was truly loyal to. To the Targaryens, as he had claimed so often during the last few years, or the Usurper. The fact that he was in close contact with King Robert's Master of Whisperers was very disconcerting. Lord Varys has always been a dangerous man and a man of questionable loyalties as well, just like Illyrio. Tyrion was sure that he would have to report this to Doran. He had a letter to write. He wouldn't have the time to find the truth, since he would follow Viserys and the prince was intent on staying with his Dothraki until they had fulfilled their side of the bargain. But Oberyn would be able to come here and find out the truth, once he had returned from Highgarden. So he put the letter back where he had found it and quickly left the study, hopefully unseen by any guards.

But as Tyrion returned to his rooms at a fast pace, he could hear some commotion from a room not far from him. Someone was complaining angrily... and loudly. And he knew the voice. The troublesome prince.

"I am the King of the Seven Kingdoms and I demand that you step aside!" Viserys demanded angrily. When Tyrion got closer he could see what had caused this commotion. The prince stood in front of his sister's chamber, which was currently guarded by two of Illyrio's men. And these men were obviously not willing to let him pass.

"I thought we had talked about this before, my prince. Styling yourself as king without actually having earned the title is a dangerous game. Many can claim to have the right, but only the one with crown is king." Tyrion chided, as he got closer to Viserys. The young man whirled around and looked angrily at the half-man, but Tyrion didn't really care about the angry look. He was here to advise and educate the prince, not to become his best friend.

"And I warned you about your insolence. I should have them cut you in half for your disrespect." Viserys shot back.

"You could, but that would mean that I would only be half as entertaining as I am now. I'm sure that we both concur that it would be better for me to remain whole, at least for a little while longer, no?"

Viserys just looked displeased at him, before he turned back towards the guards. "Move!" He ordered. But the men ignored him. "I said move!"

"They only listen to the Magister... that is as long as he can pay them more than you. Unfortunately your current expenses do not allow such an unwise investment." Tyrion said.

"I have not asked you to advise me about my money. Keep those thoughts for another day," Viserys snapped at him.

"Of course. But does that mean that you wish to appoint me as your Master of Coin, once you have reclaimed your throne? I would be delighted about that challenge for sure." Viserys looked baffled for a moment, before he nodded, still befuddled by Tyrion's sudden change of topic. "But tell me, my prince, why do you wish to intrude upon your sister so late at night? She needs her sleep. Tomorrow will be most tiring for all of us."

"I may have to give my sister to that savage. But that does not meat that I have to give him all my sister has to offer." Viserys said stubbornly. It took Tyrion a moment to understand what the prince had just implied, but as it dawned on him he couldn't help but frown. Apparently the prince followed his father's footsteps and lusted for his sister, at least in some way. This was indeed troublesome and he would have to stop this immediately, before it became an obsession. The Targaryens would need several generations without incest to wash the stain of their insanity from their house.

"Your sister is still a maiden I believe?" Viserys nodded with an unreadable look on his face.

"Yes and her maidenhead should be mine by right. I won't give it to that Dothraki."

Tyrion shook his head and walked closer to the prince, looking at him with silent admonition in his eyes. "That would be unwise. Illyrio has praised your sister as a maiden to Khal Drogo, changing that now could possibly infuriate him and you would loose your khalasar... and your sister."

"I... I won't allow them to have my sister for ever... I won't..."

It was obvious to Tyrion that Viserys was very reluctant to marry his sister to Khal Drogo. It was also obvious that this entire plan had not come from the prince, at least not entirely. But this also left the question what Illyrio was up to.

"If you wish for some company tonight I could go and arrange for a whore to tend to your needs. Or better yet, you have your own betrothed here and I am sure that she won't refuse you. Arianne seems very fond of your company, my prince." Tyrion said with a crooked smirk.

"I..." Viserys was speechless for a moment. Again he had not predicted what Tyrion would say and again Tyrion had caught him off guard. "My betrothed... is she that open with her... body? Allowing men to have her like a common whore?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"But she isn't a maiden." Viserys asked, to assure himself.

"She isn't..."

"How can the Martells expect me to marry an impure woman..."

"You obviously don't know much about the pleasures of a woman's company or else you wouldn't place such an emphasis on your betrothed's status as a maiden. She may no longer be one, but this is only for your benefit. Believe me, as I have profound experience in this regard. Being the first to have a woman may be a special pleasure, but you would buy it at a price. Maidens are utterly inexperienced when it comes to carnal pleasures and you would spend many dull nights with a woman who has yet to learn how to please you. An experienced woman though..." He left the sentence hanging there, sure that Viserys would understand what he meant.

"Have you and her..."

"No, never. She is very picky with her partners and I respect her family too much to try and change her mind. She is a woman fit for a king and one day she shall be your queen. But rest assured when I tell you that you will be one of a very small group of chosen, but you will forever be the only one to keep her." Tyrion said. He could see how Viserys contemplated his words, and much to his satisfaction he could see that the prince would follow his suggestion.

"But my sister..."

"Is well guarded for tonight, rest assured. And we will think about a way to keep her with us as soon as we have reclaimed your birthright. I will find a way, I swear it." Tyrion vowed honestly. He would have vowed it regardless, not for Viserys but for Daenerys' sake. The Prince looked sceptically at him, before he finally nodded and walked towards Arianne's room. Somehow Tyrion couldn't help himself but smirk. Surely Arianne would value his help.

At long last the dreaded day had come. The wedding of Daenerys Targaryen, called Daenerys Stormborn, only daughter of the late King Aerys and his wife, Queen Rhaella, and Khal Drogo of the Dothraki.

It was a completely Dothraki wedding, following all their customs and rituals. I was wild, it was strange, it was foreign. And it was nothing like the wedding a princess of the Seven Kingdoms deserved in Tyrion's opinion. Though he could appreciate the rough appeal of the entire feast, it was still unfit for Daenerys.

But there was nothing he could do now, so he sat on his place, next to Arianne, who sat next Prince Viserys who was busy talking to Magister Illyrio. But the prince would look at Arianne every now and then, a strange glint in his eyes. It gave Tyrion some hope that his words had left an impression on Viserys.

"I don't know what you have done, but last knight I got a visit from a certain dragon." Arianne told him in a hushed voice. Viserys would not have heard her anyway, as he was still far too distracted, but she was still careful.

"Me?" Tyrion said, pointing at himself. "I have not done a thing, I swear." His impish smile gave him away none the less, but it didn't really matter.

"He was quite... possessive... he forbid me to ever see any other men if I am to be his queen. So I guess your chances are ruined now."

"A pity. And here I thought I had you just where I wanted you to be... But I guess I have to obey our prince and let you go. A shame, truly." Tyrion replied with a mock disappointed expression and a suffering sigh.

He watched the Dothraki around them, as he saw two men starting to fight because of some woman they both wanted. It wasn't like the usual fights Tyrion had seen in brothels all around Westeros. No these Dothraki fought with their swords, until one of them ended up skewered on the ground. A gruesome sight and Tyrion could see that Arianne seemed quite disturbed by this. Viserys though looked merely at Illyrio, waiting for an explanation.

"A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is considered a dull affair," Illyrio said with a laugh, as if the idea of murder and carnage at a wedding was a norm. In Westeros any man who would shed blood at a wedding would be despised and distrusted for the rest of his life.

"Now I know why my sister's wedding to the Usurper was so utterly boring," Tyrion drawled in a bored manner, after he had overcome his vexation. Arianne laughed and even Viserys couldn't keep his smile hidden. Illyrio laughed as well, a laugh that did not betray his true feelings.

But Tyrion's good mood vanished soon after, when he saw the utter sadness and worry on Daenerys face. It was devastating to see her so unhappy, but none of them could do anything against this. Even the many gifts she received from the guests did nothing to improve her mood. Her new husband next to her though watched his horde, looking for the next fight and more bloodshed. And just seeing him next to Daenerys was the oddest thing Tyrion had ever seen.

This bear of a man, big, strong, tanned and battle hardened, next to the small fragile girl with silver hair and fair skin. She looked so small and frail next to him that one would believe that she could break, should Drogo touch her in the wrong way.

"It pains me to see a princess wasted on the likes of him." Tyrion muttered, as he continued watching the men bringing gifts for Daenerys. He doubted that had ever received this much before, but the price she had to pay for this...

Then a man approached the princess who looked different from the rest. A Westerosi, no doubt about that. It was a middle aged man, hairy, though he was balding already. He looked strong none the less. Tyrion couldn't shake the thought that this man looked like the men he had seen during his visit to the North. He had this same rough aura of a man growing up in a place where even the longest summer offers snow. He presented Daenerys with some books, before he bowed deeply to her.

"Are you from Westeros?" Daenerys asked him timidly.

"Yes, your grace. I'm Jorah Mormont of Bear Island."

"You have come a far way from your home, Ser Jorah." Tyrion commented loudly. A Stark bannerman so far from his home? Something was fishy here.

"Essos is my home now, after I had been forced to flee my family's ancestral seat. But gods be true I always hope that I can follow the rightful king." Ser Jorah said, as he looked at Viserys, who nodded with a pleased look. Of course he would be pleased to be called king. Especially after Tyrion had refused to call him that ever since he had arrived. Mormont left some moments later, though he wouldn't stray very far.

"Be wary of this one, Arianne. I am sure he is hiding something." Tyrion advised the girl next to him, the frown never leaving his face. This stay in the East became more and more difficult and dangerous with every passing day.

Then the moment had come for Magister Illyrio to give his present to the princess. He called two of his servants, who brought a large wooden chest with intricate golden embellishments. He looked very pleased with himself.

Daenerys opened the chest with some reluctance, not sure what to expect from the man who had watched over her and her brother for so long. But what she found inside left her speechless. Not just her, but everyone around her as well, except for the Dothraki who would not know about the significance of that gift. Dragon eggs. Three dragon eggs.

"They are beautiful..." Daenerys breathed, as she picked up one of the eggs. A black one that looked as if it was covered with the scales of its kin.

"Dragon eggs, Daenerys, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai. The centuries have turned them to stone, but they are still as beautiful as the day their mother had left them." Illyrio said proudly, a strange smile on his face.

Daenerys thanked him, still breathless, not seeing the look on her brothers face. Tyrion had seen the look. Jealousy... then greed. It was a strange sight. Those eggs had been turned to stone, no dragon would ever hatch from them. Why would the prince want them? Tyrion had no idea what so ever, but he knew one thing. Once more Illyrio had made their lives very difficult. Extremely difficult indeed.