Chapter 22: Tigers and Elephants
The fleet was moving slowly into port. This was Volantis, the largest port in the known world. Arya could testify to the truth of this. Other cities might be larger. But none could match this one for the sheer size of its docks or its quays. There were already more than a thousand vessels of all sizes and origins moored here. Her fleet did not equal a tenth of their number.
Arya looked at the great bridge as they approached. Books and tales did not do it credit. Like the port itself, nothing could match it in grandeur. It was a city within the city.
Technically, this was the first time Arya herself had been to Volantis, though she had been close to it during her campaign against the slavers. Many others within the fleet had been here before, including Asha. So, it could be said that the fleet had finally reached familiar territory. However, familiar did not mean safe. Arya looked upon the filthy city with much the same expression as one would a viper.
She left the bow and went below decks, not interested in watching Asha dock the ships.
Below she found Jake busy scribbling. Unlike her previous adventures, Arya had told them everything she had seen in Valyria. They couldn't believe half of it but weren't going to say that to her face. Jake had spent the intervening days thinking and speculating on it. Brienne had been shadowing Arya on the deck. The others were already in the room watching Jake's exertions.
Arya walked over and looked down at his writing, much as some of the others were trying to do. She saw that he had made a flamboyant drawing to illuminate the page. It was quite good. She guessed it was supposed to be a fire wight, done all in red, with flames outlandishly surrounding it. It bore no resemblance to the ones she had seen, but she kept that to herself.
"Any thoughts on how they were created?" she asked.
He continued his work as he talked. "I'm guessing that bubbles of magic exist much like bubbles of air in water. These must float around areas of high magic density. Places where people used a lot of magic in the past. These bubbles interact with the surrounding area and twist it in unnatural ways."
The Queensguards glanced at each other with incomprehension. His explanation might as well have been spoken in Valyrian for all they knew. Arya was a lot smarter than any of them but even she couldn't follow his reasoning.
"I'm sure that's very clever."
Jake noted her tone. He froze as if her words had paralyzed him. Arya got the impression that his mind was churning. He turned to look up at her. His voice was almost patronizing. "Think of it like a miasma."
"A what?" Yimi asked.
"Bad air." Arya was beginning to think the maesters taught them haughtiness as soon as they arrived.
"Yes, it's like a cloud of bad air. It clings to a place…" His tone was even more patronizing.
"Why?" Lyanna demanded.
"Because it does," he snapped irritably. "This cloud of magic interacts… affects things within it. It alters them. Changes them."
"Even without a mind to direct it?" Arya asked.
"Yes, and that makes it even more dangerous. There are many places around the world where magic runs wild. We were at one of them – Asshai."
"And well we remember it," Alys muttered.
"The city of Yeng in Southorios is another. A city so evil, in the words of Queen Nymeria, that even the plants won't live in it."
"And what more poisoned place than Valyria?" Arya asked.
"I'm astonished it didn't affect you," Jake said.
"Didn't it?" Brienne asked. "Don't you remember."
They all did. Arya's complexion was still that of a maiden. Her passage through the dead city had taken years off her life. The days since had done nothing to change that.
"Why would it affect her so differently?" Alys asked.
Jake shrugged. "The higher mysteries are unpredictable. The Archmaester is the true master. If we could consult with him…"
"No," Arya said. "I've already told you; we are not turning around." Having rid herself of Marwyn she was not eager to get him back.
Jake sighed dramatically and turned back to his drawing. The women couldn't help smiling.
"I am more concerned with the other creatures I found."
That made him stop. He sat back in his chair and was silent for several seconds. "The eggs you found certainly explain what happened to the Princess Aerea. She must have eaten one when Balerion flew her to Valyria. But as for these worms…" He was silent again. None of the others spoke, waiting for him to gather his thoughts. "Earthshakes have always been a mystery. What causes them I mean. These worms live deep in the ground. What they eat I can't say. But their travels must be what causes the earth to quake. The one you described sounded big enough."
"Are they related to fire worms?"
"Undoubtedly."
A thought came to Brienne. She asked Arya, "Could they be similar to whatever it was you saw in the Grey Waste?"
This was the first any of the others had ever heard of it.
Arya considered. "Possibly. All I saw was the sand moving. It was certainly big enough." Interesting as the discussion was it got them nowhere. "I'm hungry."
Volantis was not considered dangerous, even though Arya knew they had been aligned with Qarth. Volantis had, officially, made peace with Westeros. So Asha let her men go ashore freely, aside from those assigned to the watch. None of them really believed they'd try anything. Volanteens did not have a high reputation for courage.
The morning after they arrived Arya said, "You all are free to enjoy yourselves. Keep in mind you are the Queensguards. Brienne, Sandor, and I have an engagement."
This last put their wind up. The Hound asked, "Are you going to tell us what you are doing this time?"
"We are going to the Red Temple. That is all you need to know. Come along." Yūko was standing by the gang plank as they approached. She was dressed in the same black outfit she'd been wearing when she'd come abroad, though her face was uncovered. Arya stopped. "Oh Yūko, I have a task for you."
Arya led her two escorts through the city. It was not easy. The stench was terrible. Volantis was the most crowded place any of them had ever been. Most of the people here tried to give them a wide birth. They wore their weapons openly. Arya noticed they were being followed by the city watch as soon as they'd left the ship, but the Volanteens showed no interest in a confrontation. Though not as long as the journey through Yin, it was still a long, hot, dusty walk.
Tales said that the Temple of R'hllor in Volantis was the largest in the world. Seeing it in person they could well believe it. It rivaled the Red Keep in size, both horizontally and vertically. Huge bonfires were kept perpetually lit in giant fire pits to either side of the main doors. The doors were even larger than the ones in the temple at Asshai. They stood open, welcoming all inside.
Arya and her two escorts climbed the mountain of stairs to reach the entrance. It left them breathless, warriors though they were. A dusky hued priest stood waiting to greet them. He bowed, greeting them in Valyrian. "Welcome great queen. The lady is waiting for you."
Brienne wanted to ask which lady, but he had already turned to the door. He led them through a cavernous interior, greater even than the Sept of Balor had been. Passing preying parishioners and chanting priests, they went by the giant altar, large enough that even the Mountain could have lain on it comfortably. They finally arrived at the door to a back room. It was non-descript, painted to make it fade into the wall. The priest opened the door and presented the opening to Arya.
She turned to her two bodyguards. "Wait here."
They never liked being left behind, or her being out of their sight. But they knew their duty. They each took station to either side of the door as Arya entered the room.
It was a small study, rather bare and plain. Books filled a shelf to one side and there was a modest desk in the middle. It was rather smaller than the one Jon had in his study. Behind it sat Kinvara. A serving woman, or maybe she was a priestess stood to one side next to an end table. A comfortable chair had been placed in front of the desk. Arya noted in was larger and plusher than the one the high priestess was using. The fabric was done all in reds and golds and fire motifs dominated. Arya couldn't help but be reminded of the Lannisters.
Arya sat down gratefully. The attendant placed a glass of what smelled like brandy before her and Kinvara. Kinvara waved the woman away and she left, expressing her well-wishes.
Arya stared at the high priestess for some time. Kinvara met her gaze without flinching. She smiled. "Welcome my queen."
"I am still your queen?"
"You are a wife of the Prince that was Promised. You will always be my queen."
"I'm surprised you still adhere to that."
"Why? The war has ended, but the struggle has not. The Great Enemy is immortal, as is the Lord of Light. Their conflict shall continue until the end of the world."
"When will that be?"
"No one has sight to see that, save the Lord himself."
"You think the Others will be back?"
"Someday perhaps. Or perhaps the Enemy will create a new monster to fight. Who can say what will come to be in a thousand years. Or ten thousand. You must not limit your vision. Time does not end with us. My years have taught me that much."
This did not reassure Arya. "And my descendants will have to face them again?"
"Perhaps. It seems likely. Your bloodline was chosen for a reason. But who can say what your family will be in ten thousand years?"
Arya gave a wry smile. "Your years tell you that too?"
Kinvara answered with one of her own. "Haven't your years taught you anything? I would not have lived so long if I hadn't learned to accept life as it is. It is for people such as you who must change things. It is the duty of kings and queens to make the world be as it should be."
That sounded shockingly naive to Arya. But then she remembered that she herself had once believed something similar. "People rely too much on kings."
"Do they have a choice?"
Kinvara took a long swallow of her brandy. Arya was more tentative with hers. It was good. And strong. But it did not sit well in her empty stomach. For a moment she thought it would be rude to ask for something to eat. This was foolish. Kinvara had said she was her queen.
"Would you mind having the servant bring us some food. Oh, and my Queensguards too."
Kinvara smiled understandingly and went to the door. When she returned, she said, "I hope you will not be disappointed with our simple fare."
"What do you think I ate when I was with the faceless men? I've eaten hard tack and jerky as often as I've gone hungry. Being high born is no guarantee of feasting in a great hall."
"No. I too recall going hungry. Slaves also do not eat in great halls. But priestesses do not either. I imagine Westeros does not have much feasting these days."
"There are more of them as time passes. And the Long Night becomes more a memory."
"You can never forget."
"No."
There was another uncomfortable silence.
Arya finally broached the reason for her visit. "During my travels I encountered witches using glass candles."
Kinvara did not look at her. "I know."
"You have one?" It was almost an accusation.
"I am from Asshai. I have learned fire magic. And other things."
"Like Melisandre. Is it required?"
"For a priest you mean? We must all learn the higher mysteries if we wish to advance."
"Otherwise, you won't live long enough."
Kinvara did not answer the implied inference. She sipped her brandy.
"You know what I found at Asshai?"
"It was wise of you to leave that place."
"You're not answering my question." Arya allowed a hint and anger into her voice.
Kinvara was silent for a long moment. "The forces at play in Asshai are always changing. No one remains in power there for long."
"Stop avoiding my question." Real anger was in her voice now. "You know what abominations I saw?"
"Akin to what was in Carcosa, no doubt."
Arya's anger was building. "What do you know of Carcosa?!"
A polite knock cut her off. She settled back in her chair as the priestess/servant came in. The woman placed a tray on the desk that had meat and cheese, and figs on it. With another bow she left.
Arya started munching on a fig, waiting for Kinvara to answer. Despite the woman's practiced calm, and the glamor covering her true form, Arya could see Kinvara was nervous. Kinvara took a much longer sip of brandy, her hand trembling visibly.
She audibly gulped. "I…" Arya could see she wasn't feigning. "I avoided looking at that place." She clutched the glass to her almost as if for solace. "I… never dared go there."
"Or to Stygai."
"It was foolish for you to risk that place. You approached closer than anyone ever has."
"As far as you know."
This pricked Kinvara's pride. "I saw Valyria in its glory. I know who dares the Shadow."
"Do you know what Tú Sab Hēv was doing?" She was almost accusatory.
"No." It was an honest answer.
Arya relaxed into her chair. "He was going beyond simple necromancy." Arya's understanding of the concept was fleeting, but she had gathered enough from Maester Samwell's explanations to get a gist of it.
"Save the servants of the Enemy, none have ever mastered necromancy. Save perhaps the Bloodstone Emperor."
"Tú Sab Hēv certainly seemed to have mastered it. What does true mastery of necromancy involve?"
"Bringing the dead back to life."
"Then Melisandre accomplished it."
"Melisandre was a fraud." Even now Kinvara's contempt rang through. "It was the Lord of Light who brought you back, as well as your husband-king."
Arya wondered how much of this was professional jealousy.
"You must not misjudge what she did. All she did was call upon the Lord of Light… and offer him blood as recompense. True necromancy requires one to return life without killing."
"Death must pay for life is what I have heard."
"The philosophy of fools. It only creates a mockery of life."
"Beric Dondarrion."
"An abomination. I saw what he did with your mother."
"I thought it was only Dany you were spying on."
"I watched all within your family. As much as I was able. I was not gifted with the knowledge of which of you would be the Prince that was Promised. But it was easy to guess. The Lord's visions are never clear."
"Why?"
"Who knows the mind of God?
Arya knew she wasn't telling her everything, but she didn't know why. Maybe it was a desire not to disclose all her secrets. In any event, it was not getting her the answers she wanted.
"How can you call wights alive?"
"Did I? Not life as you or I know it. No doubt your maesters would have their own term. They move just as the living. They can even show understanding and reason, within limits. I watched from afar as the Prince slew the dead man who tried to kill his Lord Commander. What I cannot do is observe the creation of these walking dead. The power of the enemy blocks the seeing of this."
Arya wondered if Kinvara really did know about necromancy or was she just guessing. "You did not see what Tú Sab Hēv did?"
"The confines of his temple are unknown to me."
"He was able to bring life to dead bones. Not once living creatures, but abominations he had made. He had grafted the bones of men and animals together to make giant snake-things. Things with human skulls for heads."
Kinvara was silent for a very long time. Then she took a large gulp of her brandy. "Such power is impossible, for mortal men at least. Only the fiend in Stygai could create such a being."
"He had more contact with it than you thought."
"Yes, I suppose he did. If so, he was no longer himself. Just a shell whose flesh clothed another."
"Like Euron. When it touched me, touched my mind I mean…" She found herself strangely reluctant to speak of it. Arya had never been what she considered shy. "It made me… feel things. Do things."
There was a knowing smile on Kinvara's face. Arya wanted to smash it but forced herself to relax. Kinvara guessed what she was thinking. "I have not spied on you during your – private moments. But I can guess. I think what you were feeling was more inside yourself. Things you kept buried. It's touch only brought them out."
Oddly enough, that made Arya feel better. "You mean how much I miss Jon. And Dany." Arya didn't know why she didn't want to talk about her relationship with Dany, even though it was common knowledge.
"We all keep parts of ourselves hidden. The thing within Stygai knows how to find them."
"Do you know of any others in league with it?"
"No. Before you ask, there are many schools of magic in the world. Not all are known to me. Eventually, everyone who wishes to master the higher mysteries comes to Asshai. But they do not always make themselves known. I am aware that you have encountered others on your journey who know of the higher mysteries. But I cannot enlighten you beyond what you already know. Indeed, you may know more of them than I do."
"Like the witch in the pirate camp?"
Kinvara's expression was blank. "There is a tale there. I'm afraid I did not observe your encounter with these pirates."
Was Kinvara admitting she hadn't been following Arya's journey, Arya wondered. Or did she only start paying attention after Arya reached places Kinvara knew of. "I heard that those with glass candles can talk to people anywhere in the world."
"That is not so easy. And you can only do so in dreams. It's complicated and I have never tried."
"Fascinating. Let's move on. I need to know if you have heard about Qarth."
There was no hint of reproach in either her voice or expression. "Word travels quickly when people have tales to tell. Rumor reached us over a moons' turn ago." She smiled. There was laughter in her voice. "The old families were in such a panic. It was as if they expected dragons to descend upon them at that moment. The triarchs wasted no time in sending a ship to Westeros to inform your noble husband that Volantis was still at peace with him."
Arya groaned inwardly. If they moved with all speed they would likely be at Dragonstone, well, now. She sighed. There was nothing to do about it. She would simply have to explain herself to Jon and Dany when she got back.
"Do you believe them?"
Kinvara shrugged. "Whatever plots they had intended have been shelved. Regardless of what they feel about the death of Qarth they are not going to risk you repeating it here."
"Let us hope that is true."
Jon was furious. Obviously so. He could never hide his emotions. His ever-present shadow, the Onion Knight followed. In his fist was the crumpled letter Davos had given him.
The ship had arrived just that morning, blown hither on the winds of a storm that was just now engulfing Dragonstone. An omen if ever there was one.
The envoy for the triarchs was still at the quay, protesting he couldn't move another inch. Jon had taken a dislike to him immediately. It wasn't that there was anything particularly offensive about the man. Overweight and sweating profusely, despite the chill, he had spoken pleasantly enough, though with far too much gasping for breath. It was the phony obsequiousness. The man spoke his platitudes with no feeling at all. A rote exercise that had become routine.
Jon barged into the royal apartments with no thought as to how it would look. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Dany sitting there watching the children. She had a blissful look on her face, enjoying the spectacle of them playing. Rhaegar and Cat had reached the age where they preferred not to be burdened with their younger siblings. But today they all played together. Two of the Queensguards were also in attendance.
They all stared at him. Dany's smile was frozen on her face. She could already tell he had bad news.
Jon forced a smile on his face. He carefully folded the letter in his hands, trying to make it seem innocuous. "Having fun?" His voice sounded off and he cursed himself.
"Yes," Dany said. He knew she was cursing him too for spoiling it.
"Don't let me interrupt. Dany, I need to speak to you for a moment."
There was no argument as she glided from the room. The children waited until their parents left before continuing their game. Jon led her to a side room before giving her the letter. Davos leaned against the door to prevent any interruptions.
She almost tore the thing in two before she had finished reading it. "What in the seven hells was she thinking?!" Her voice was audible throughout the castle. Jon held up his hands. She took several deep breaths before continuing. "Has she gone mad?"
Jon made no comment on the fact that this was the first word they'd had of Arya for almost two years. "It doesn't mean we're at war."
"That's irrelevant. They will try to find a way to punish us. You can be sure of that."
Jon never doubted it. He had no more faith in Volanteen promises than she did. Strangely enough, her outburst made him reevaluate the letter's contents. "What I find interesting is what else it says."
She looked at him quizzically before re-reading the parchment. "Dragons?"
Jon nodded. The plural could not have been an accident. "Somehow Arya has managed to find herself another one. Or more."
"But how can she control them? Does she warg them like you?"
"You can't warg a dragon," he answered. "I control them the same way you do."
She laughed bitterly. "Hardly. You have more control over them than I ever had. Or any other dragonrider for that matter." They both well remembered what Quathe had told them. And Bran. Even after all these years they still did not believe them.
"Where did she get them?" Jon was determined to stay on point.
Dany shrugged. "I heard tales of dragons in the Shadow Lands. Not sure I believed them."
"Could there be more?"
"If there was one there must be more. Maybe we should wait until Arya herself can tell us."
"Yes, but that won't be for months now. And only if she heads straight here from Qarth."
"You know she won't." She re-read the letter again. "It doesn't say anything about her reason."
"Why should it? You assume the triarchs would know? I doubt they've even spoken to her. They're just trying to stop us from flying off to join her at Volantis."
"I know," she snapped. "Sorry." Dany never liked not being in control. "You think they might try to launch a sneak attack?" It was the sort of thing the masters would try.
"I doubt it. Not unless they are more confident than they have been. Still, best not to take chances."
Davos felt the need to interject. "I've already sent word for the watch to be extra vigilant."
Dany had no faith in the watch. "Tell them to do a better job than they do about the smugglers. Or else they will find themselves meeting my dragon."
Davos wanted to defend his men, but knew she wasn't in the mood.
"That is unfortunate," Kinvara said. "I have spent too lang away from Asshai."
"That you have."
"You can understand why I prefer to avoid that place."
"It didn't seem to bother Melisandre. She tried to get Danny to go there."
"She always was strange." Arya was tempted to laugh but realized Kinvara meant it seriously. "There were times I suspected it was the enemy's visions she was seeing."
"Perhaps." Arya certainly had no reason to dispute this conclusion.
"I am shamed to confess that I dismissed the danger of neglecting Elessar. Thought better of her. I overestimated her ability to handle that place."
Arya was sorely tempted to spit venom but kept control of herself. "How long has it been since you put her in charge there?"
"About seventy years. She was taken from her home on Naath when the Mad King's father's father's father still ruled Westeros."
"Aegon the fifth."
"It would be wrong to say I 'put her in charge'. She earned her way as we all do. She achieved her robe when she was about your age. She showed great promise." Kinvara looked sad. "She was great once."
Arya had a knot in her gut. "Maybe its wrong to turn children into priests."
"You mean that they should not be denied the chance to live a normal life? Perhaps. That is a topic to think of another time. We have tarried overlong already."
"Are we going somewhere?"
"The old families are eager to meet you. They have sworn not to harm you." She smiled.
"As if they could."
Kinvara laughed at that.
Outside the city two men stood watching the dragons from a very safe distance. The beasts had decimated an entire flock of sheep, gorging themselves on the burned carcasses.
"We must take steps to stop this," the younger man said.
"I know!" The older man sounded angry.
The young man tried to keep fear out of his voice. "Do we send the slaves to attack them?" The giant one looked like it could swallow an elephant whole.
"Are you mad?!" The older man almost struck the younger one. "No slave will attack that monster."
"Then how?" His voice almost squeaked.
The old man snorted in contempt. "If you listen, I will tell you."
Lyanna and Alys were wandering the city together, not really looking for anything. They had noticed early on that they were being followed. The tattoos on the man's face indicated he was a slave-soldier. As he showed no inclination to interfere with them, they let him be. As the day progressed, they spotted other tattooed faces joining him.
Lyanna snorted. "Volanteens don't know subtlety."
"Don't assume. We see them because they want us to see them. The real spies don't have tattooed faces."
That only made Lyanna snort louder. "In a city filled with tattooed faces that will only make them stand out more."
Alys barked a laugh. "My father always said Volanteens can see up their own asses. Don't get complacent."
The two spotted a tall shape moving toward them. The man towered over everyone around him, so they recognized him immediately.
"Hello Steelpans," Lyanna said. "What are you doing here?"
Steelpans seldom spoke. He had a stitch in his voice that his fellow Ironborn mercilessly teased him over. "Th-th-th-the p-princess sent me l-l-l-looking for you. S-s-she says…" He took several breaths before continuing. "She says the V-v-volanteens had p-p-posted more men around the ships."
Lyanna's voice took on a hard edge. "We need to find the others."
"I-I-I already have f-found Yimi and O-obella. They are with the p-p-princess now."
"We'll join them. You find the others."
Arya arrived at the manse without Kinvara. The priestess stated that she was unwelcome within the inner city. She did not explain why, though Arya guessed her past as a slave might have had something to do with it.
The Black Walls did not encompass the entire eastern side of the city, despite what most of the people of Westeros thought. Only a small part of the eastern side was within. What was inside was tightly packed. Unlike Qarth, there were no giant gardens hidden behind walls. Each manse was almost touching those to either side. All were built like palaces, unlike in Westeros, with multiple towers reaching for the sky. It didn't take much effort on Arya's part to realize the various families had tried to outdo one another.
The streets were similarly tight, with a width barely wide enough to accommodate a single wagon. Not that there were any. Most of the residents used their own feet except for the occasional palanquin or two-wheeled carriage being pulled by slaves.
"I've never seen streets that twist around so much," muttered Arya. There didn't seem to be a straight path anywhere within the walls.
Despite the twisting avenues, Arya and her two bodyguards had no trouble finding their destination. It was the largest palace in Old Volantis. It was surrounded by a huge crowd of richly dressed celebrants. Evidently, their arrival had coincided with some sort of festivity.
There were a great many silver heads but Arya doubted many were natural.
The finely dressed folk stared at the three newcomers when they arrived. Arya didn't have to imagine the whispered mutters for they surrounded them. She didn't care. Let the Volanteens turn up their noses at her dragonscale armor. Their daggers won't get through it.
The crowd parted as they approached. None made any effort to engage them as they walked to the door. Unlike the other places they had been to on this journey, the doors remained closed when they reached them. Sandor drew his dagger and loudly hit them, not caring if he caused any damage. The gasp of outrage from the notables was comical.
The doors flew open before he could do it a second time. "How dare you!" screamed the doorman in High Valyrian. His clothes were so ostentatious that Arya had to stifle a laugh. Sandor raised the dagger which was still in his hand. The attendant's panicked retreat was even more comical.
Inside the great hall beyond the door all activity had stopped. There had been music playing when the doors opened but it ended abruptly. The nobles withdrew away from them. After a very long silence, in which Arya and her guards entered unannounced, no one did anything. Arya heard the doors close behind them and still there was silence.
Finally, a tall, silver haired man pushed his way through the crowd toward them. His hair at least looked like he had been born with it. "Dragon Queen, we are honored by your presence." He also spoke in High Valyrian. The cut of his clothes was more Westerosi than was common in the Free Cities and he wore a sword at his hip. The silver gilded hilt indicated it was more for show than use. His tabard had also been cut to resemble a chain shirt, though it was cloth. Although he towered over Arya, he was no match for Sandor or Brienne. "We are proud to welcome you to our humble city."
She snorted a laugh. "You enjoy jokes I see. I am not the Dragon Queen. I am her sister in marriage."
"The presence of dragons outside the city contradicts you."
"I would think you would welcome the return of dragons. This is not Braavos."
"No, we are not Braavos."
His toneless response put her off slightly. She had learned to read people well with the faceless men. Yet she could not find any hints in his manner. "You do not want me here?"
It was a rather blunt question and he answered it with equal bluntness. "No. You and your king wish to strip us of our ability to live."
"We oppose slavery. But we are not invading your city to remove it."
"Nevertheless."
There was a definite implied threat in his words and she did not like it. "Do not press your luck. We are more than capable of familiarizing you with dragons."
"Why do you think we tolerate you? We do not have the power to drive you out. But we do not have to smile at your presence. Leave. You are not welcome here."
"Bachio Dicolo!" a woman yelled. The man ignored her and strode back into the crowd.
The woman broke from the crowd as the people escaped their torpor. She held up her overlong skirts as she trundled up to them. Noise now surrounded them as the floor refilled. "Sorry," the woman said. She was somewhere over forty summers. Her clothes were elaborate to the point of absurdity. Much like the other ladies in the room. She looked like she would be dragged down by the weight of them. "I am Sela Maegyr."
The name caught Arya's ear. "Are you related to Robb Stark's wife?"
The woman smiled. "I am… was… her mother. Talisa was my pride and joy. You cannot imagine how happy I was to learn of her marriage."
Arya felt a strange mix of emotions. Elation at meeting a relative, even if only by marriage, and anguish at Talisa's fate. "It must have grieved you greatly."
Sela looked on the point of tears. "It did. She wanted so much to meet her child." She smiled again, a rather wane smile. "Still, what's done is done. And the man who ordered it is dead." Arya couldn't tell if she meant Tywin Lannister or Walder Fray. Same result in either case.
"Despite what Bachio said, you are welcome here." Arya chose not to object to the lie. "We do wish to live in peace with Westeros."
"That is good. We also wish to live in peace. We do not want to see what happened in Qarth happen here." Sela's flinch told Arya all she needed to know. "You've had word about them then?"
"News of tragedy flies like the wind." Arya could see a mixture of emotions, fear, grief, anger, churn within this woman.
"You consider it a tragedy?"
"Qarth was a great city. Many people died."
"Yes, many people did die. But fewer than you think. My purpose was to chastise, not exterminate."
"Yet you did exterminate. You destroyed one of the most ancient and worthy cities in the world!" Her voice had risen with outrage. People were staring. Sela took a deep breath. "Surely it could have been avoided."
Arya was angry herself. She kept calm though. "As I said to Balz Zak, I gave them chances. Several. They would not take them."
Sela did not understand, but decided it was best not to press the issue. "Come. Let's not discuss such things." She reached out to touch Arya's shoulder and pulled her to the side. "Our host has refreshments."
"This is not your manse?"
Sela laughed. "My family lost its prominence long ago. We are able to able to prance about within the Walls solely because we are one of the original families. They dare not kick us out."
She led them into a side room. Here a table had been laid with a feast. Foods from all over the Summer Sea. To one side were plates of exquisite quality with an attendant nearby. It had hardly been touched. Brienne and Sandor did not hesitate. Ignoring the glare of the attendant, they proceeded to load up a couple of plates each.
Arya was more restrained. She had learned that just because food was expensive did not mean it was good. She smiled at Sela's expression as the older woman stood horrified at her Queensguards' lack of manners. "We haven't had such a variety of food in a long time."
Sela looked relieved at the change of subject. "Yes. I heard you were travelling the world. What have you learned?"
"More than I can say in a short conversation."
"It need not be short. You are welcome to my home if you wish."
"Is it within the Walls?"
"Assuredly."
"Who owns this one?"
"Nex Suno. He is what we of the old families call 'new money'. He was originally from Pentos, but was able to buy his way into the favor of the triarchs."
"He must have been very wealthy."
"He is. Very wealthy. He-" She suddenly stopped as if she had caught herself about to tell some damning secret.
"I imagine you were going to say he was a partner of Illyrio Mopatis."
Sela took a glass of wine off the table to proceeded to gulp it down with a very nervous expression.
"I know what Illyrio is. What he really is. The biggest slave trader in the world."
"How did-" But she cut herself off again.
"Varys told us. He no longer followed Illyrio's philosophy once his puppet was killed."
Sela chewed her lip before putting her empty glass on the table and taking another. "Puppet is such a harsh word."
"But accurate. Do you believe Aegon Blackfire was Illyrio's trueborn son?"
Sela took another swallow before answering. "It is likely, though we in Essos are not as concerned with such things as you are in Westeros."
"Yes, I have heard that women in the Free Cities are often free with their favors." Sela looked like she would take umbrage at the statement. Arya wasn't sure she wanted a discussion of such things with this woman she had just met. "I do not deny women the right to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh just as men do. But I do believe a woman must be true to her vows when bearing the child of her man."
"Of course. I do not know what you have heard. But I assure you, the women of Volantis remain true to our vows."
Arya decided not to call out this lie either. She took up a glass herself.
"In any case, whatever his previous attachments, he is a respectable merchant now."
"I seriously doubt that." Arya felt more amused than anything. She guessed Sela was just trying to placate her, not seriously advocate for Illyrio's former partner. "It doesn't matter. He has nothing to fear so long as he remains peaceful."
"That is good to know." Sela was very put out by this conversation and was desperate to change the subject. "You really must come to my home and tell me all you've seen on your adventures. Tell me, besides food, what have you missed most in your travels?"
Arya spoke between swallows. "My man thrusting between my thighs."
After a moment's shock, Sela burst out laughing.
END CHAPTER 22