Enemies closer

Daenerys POV

Rage, I don't think I ever felt such rage. No, I did, remembering how I felt after seeing the one hundred and sixty-three children nailed onto mileposts. Just remembering the sight made my blood boil in anger and sorrow. I still see the children in my nights of sleep. Yet, after ser Oscar reported his findings to me, I wanted to order ser Barristan and Daario to go and kill Aegon and bring me his head.

"Your Grace, we have over twenty thousand fighting men," Daario said. "You have nothing to fear. Give me an order, and their heads with the rest of the Golden Company will be yours."

"One simply does not underestimate Golden Company," Ser Oscar replied. "And in the end, it is my word against theirs. If we attack now and Aegon or Euron escapes, or any of their accomplices, they will spread the word of how the Queen killed her nephew, for he had a better claim to the Iron Throne. The King of the Seven Kingdoms will not overlook such news."

"Ser Oscar is right, your grace," Ser Barristan agreed with the other knight. "I don't want to offend ser Oscar, but he could lie to us too."

"None offense was taken," Ser Oscar didn't seem to mind the insult to his honor. "It is a delicate matter. We need to tread carefully. It will be a bloody war if the Golden Company joins Yunkai. Your refusal to use your dragons might be the end of us."

"And I should do nothing while they kill my men," I was beyond furious.

I did everything I could to satisfy all. After I made a deal with Hizdahr zo Loraq so the murders would stop, another group decided to take up the mantle. How dare he? Even if I didn't trust him, I still was hospitable to him, yet he dared to use my kindness against me. Against my men to wage another war.

"Your Grace," The Tattered Prince spoke next. "I might be in your service the least of time, and my words might seem presumptuous, but would you be kind to listen to this old man."

"Please speak your mind," Somehow, his calm voice calmed me down.

"I think all we can do is to prepare," The Tattered Prince waited until everyone turned to listen to him before continuing. "There aren't that many men of Golden Company in the city. We should triple the security and not let any guard wander alone."

"It will not stop murders," Daario replied. "They will wait until our men let their guard down or went to take a piss."

"It will not stop it, but it will still make it harder for the Golden Company to move unnoticed," Ser Oscar said. "Please continue, Prince."

"As ser Oscar said," The Tattered Prince continued. "We will make it harder for the Golden Company to do as they wish. We can't do much for your future sake but wait for the first murder."

"Like a helpless child," I couldn't help but comment.

"Sometimes doing nothing is the hardest thing to do," I looked at the one uncovered blue eye looking at me with sympathy as ser Oscar spoke. "For now, we can't take any action, but we should give all into the reaction."

"I know little of wars, your Grace," Tyrion spoke from within his cup of wine. "But I know few things about deceit. After the first murders, we should pretend to fall into this Aegon's trap. Condemn the Sons of the Harpies in a public court."

"And get the ire of them back to me?" I asked, irritated.

"Yes," Tyrion replied without hesitation. "But will it be at you? You don't know who the Harpy is, and I don't think they will believe you are killing your men. So, what should they do when another force interrupts their plans? After all, there is a reason why they stopped their actions."

"Call of the wedding," Daario seemed to agree. "It will get some reaction from the Harpy. They will be forced to do something, or at least that Hizdahr or whatever his name is will be forced into action."

"Let your enemies fight among themselves," Tyrion continued.

"While they do so, we could reinforce our defenses and recruit more men," Ser Oscar said. "It will be only a natural reaction, after all. And they might be too busy fighting each other to notice your men investigating them."

"The most important thing is to let Aegon think that he successfully tricked us," Tyrion agreed. "You will need to act naturally with him around, your Grace. I even would suggest seeking help from the Golden Company. Keep your enemy close to you."

"I think I heard enough," I said. "It is late, and I will think over everything you said after taking a rest and with a clear mind."

"Then I will leave it to you," Ser Oscar was first to leave.

I still didn't know what to think of the man. From what the Tattered Prince said, ser Oscar was a great warrior with the courage and wit to lead anyone. It didn't help me evaluate the man, but he seemed helpful. Maybe it was because he genuinely expected me to help Astapor and saw it as his duty to help me.

"Missandei, can you stay with me?" I asked the girl once everyone else had left.

"Of course, your Grace," Missandei replied.

Somehow, I didn't want to be alone at the moment. So many thoughts were in my head that it was hard to relax. I knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. I thought that Missandei would be able to quell my rage a bit. I always welcomed her presence. She would say she felt safe with me, but it was another way around. I felt relieved by her company. She was proof that my actions were correct.

"Tell me, Missandei, what do you think I should do?"

"I don't think I can, your Grace," She replied uncertainly what to say.

"The cycle of violence doesn't seem to end," I spoke more to myself than Missandei. "I locked my dragons so innocents wouldn't die. I agreed to marry a man I barely knew so innocents wouldn't die. Yet it didn't end. What else do I have to give up? What else do I have to do?"

"It isn't your fault, your Grace," Missandei replied.

"But it feels like it is my fault," I said, taking the girl into my arms. "Your brothers died, and now I must sacrifice more, and for what? For the greater good? With each day, I feel more lost than the previous one."

Missandei said nothing and just held me in her little arms. I only realized now that I was trembling. Was I afraid? No, it wasn't only fear. It was anger. Was I afraid of the anger inside me? I didn't want to be like Viserys. They called me a mother, and Missandei called me a mother. I can't betray their trust.

…

Part of me hoped that ser Oscar was lying, trying to rile me up. Maybe if he were trying to use me, I wouldn't feel so horrible looking at two dead bodies in a dark alley on one of the city streets. Only two days did I have to hope. Two Unsullied lay on the cold ground, killing that hope.

I ordered the bodies to be buried and then returned to the Great Pyramid. On the way, something snapped in me. But for now, I kept calm; the court would proceed soon, and I needed to do my part. I will need to act in a way my enemies wouldn't suspect and make them fight against each other.

"All kneel for Daenerys Stormborn, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Shackles, and Mother of Dragons."

Missandei took the role of a herald announcing my entrance to the court. Walking to my throne and sitting, I looked at all that gathered. Aegon had a proud smile, with Euron keeping his expression calm. Hizdahr wasn't as calm. He looked perplexed, with a hint of anger in his furrowed brow.

I wanted to believe he wasn't part of the Sons of Harpy, even when everyone around me told me otherwise. Yet now, I had nobody to trust when even my supposed nephew was plotting behind my back. They were vultures looking at me like I was prey for them to feast on. They will soon realize I am a dragon and one that they shouldn't have awakened.

"Your Grace," Hizdahr was the first to come. It was no surprise as I declined any private meetings. He will say something with all the court to hear if he has something to say. "I heard of the recent attack. I came to give you my condolences and ask what is known of the attack."

"It looks like Sons of the Harpy once again started to target my men and me," I answered, my voice cracked. "It seems your word to me meant nothing in the end."

"Your Grace," Hizdahr bowed his head to me. "We shouldn't accuse someone yet without any witness or evidence. Even if it is uncommon, murders do happen. The Unsullied might have come into some unsavory people."

"And when should I consider it to be nothing but retaliation of Sons of the Harpy? When more of my brave and innocent warriors die with daggers in the back? When they come for my own life? Tell me, Hizdahr zo Loraq."

"Of course not," Hizdahr tried to sound calm. "I will use all my connections to find those responsible. You have my word."

"I find it hard to believe in your word, but I allow it," I said.

"Your Grace," Before Hizdahr could reply, Aegon came forward. "Let the Golden Company help to protect the city. Let us into the city, and we will patrol and watch the streets in your name."

"And risk my guests' lives?" I asked. "This is my city. I will deal with myself."

"Your Grace," The Tattered Prince knelt beneath me before Aegon could say more. "The Windblown company is at your service. Let us prove ourselves."

"Very well, there is a reason I pay you," I said. "I want all your men to patrol the city streets day and night. You have my permission to arrest anyone that is acting suspiciously."

"Your wish is my command," The Tattered Prince said. "My two thousand is at your service."

"Your Grace," Ser Jorah standing next to me, spoke. "We should reinforce the guards of the Great Pyramid. Your safety is most important."

"I agree, your Grace," Aegon again spoke, and it took much self-control not to order Jorah or Barristan to kill that bastard. "Let at least a few of the Golden Company protect you."

"That won't be needed," Before anyone could say, ser Oscar came in front. "I shall protect Her Grace, and we can't rule out the Golden Company as the culprit for this transaction."

"You dare," Aegon shouted.

"If you want to test my skills, you are welcomed to try so," Ser Oscar looked at the boy. "For all we know, Yunkai could have already bought the Golden Company to keep Her Grace in check."

"Enough," I said. "Nobody will accuse anyone. If you want to help me, Aegon, please direct the Golden Company to watch the city's outskirts. The Last thing I want is an attack from Yunkai. And I will let you for half of a hundred of your most trusted men to come to the Great Pyramid for your protection. I do not want any harm to my last blood relative."

Now all I could do was trust in my advisors. I could see Aegon was proud of what he did. If I give him a chance, he will do something reckless. Still, even if it was his idea to let ser Oscar, who was nothing but kind and helpful put himself in danger to antagonize Aegon, it left an unsavory taste on my lips. Yet my resolve was firm. I would wait for Aegon to make his move before crushing him.

A.N. As always, If you want more, up to five advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852